On sabbatical..

Well, I usually write on my blog when I am traveling somewhere and this is no exception. But the difference is that I am currently in South Carolina - in Lexington - staying in a friend's condo and I will be here for about a month, writing a book on marimba pedagogy....essentially a book on how to teach marimba to everyone from a beginner to a college student! It will cover a wide variety of topics beyond the obvious mallet technique and will reflect what I have learned from my many years of teaching! I am excited to do this!!

I came south for a couple reasons - to get away from the distractions that home, friends and the familiar provide and it doesn't hurt that it is warmer down here - though winter has not really been nasty up north yet. It was 63 here today and it will get cooler one of these days, but for now I am enjoying the change of scenery and warm weather. I arrived yesterday and my hosts left today. I spent the afternoon driving around and becoming more familiar with the area (after my hosts drove me around last evening). I learn the lay of the land faster when I drive myself and try to find those places that I saw as a passenger.

Tonight (New Years Eve) I am "home," listening to Prairie Home Companion as I write this blog. I am now fully aware that while I have done my grocery shopping and put things away that I am indeed here by myself! My good-ole introverted self will adjust to this and my intent is to start my work on Monday. Its interesting because I often spend my New Years Eve alone - praying and thinking about the past year and will likely do so later tonight. I have a great deal to be thankful for!

I'll sign off for now and will try to post a couple times a week...I think I can do this since it will be a very different kind of writing.

To all who read this, I hope you have a blessed 2012!