Sundays With Kimmy

My first article in the Celebrate YOU series featured
Maud Johnson, who has been in choir longer than anyone!

She is the first person a new choir member meets; she
will get you a robe and ask you what you are bringing to
the next potluck and in no time at all, you're in the choir! 

Michael Rintamaa at the piano, Linda Reeb and
Anabelle Gatton-Wright warm up the children's choir
in the Evans Music Room

Years ago I read Tuesdays With Morrie, a wonderful book by Mitch Albom, that celebrates the life and dignifies the death of a college professor who was Albom's beloved mentor.  Albom seems to get it right, maybe I'm not the best person to make that distinction, but his writing indicates that he doesn't dicker with the legalistic particulars that have served as a wedge between religious factions for thousands of years.  

The point to his tome is that all life is precious, and it is not our duty, but our privilege to care for the sick and dying.  The passage of life is something we all must endure, no matter what our faith (or lack of faith for that matter), and honoring our loved ones as they die is the greatest gift we can have the privilege to give. It is, after all, our final gift.

Sometimes when I come here to the Blogspot throne on Sundays, I feel as if I am writing the same sort of essay --  a weekly visitation with my mentor and best friend -- although obviously would never dare compare myself with a great author like Mitch Albom.  The fact is, though, that Inspiration comes from many a source,  and today by golly, I have Albom's book in mind because today marked a special day as one of my heroes, my choir director, was honored and acknowledged in a special presentation at the end of the worship service.  I have been in the Chancel Choir since 1998, and many of our friends who used to sing in the chancel now sing with the angels, I truly believe that.  So it is with mixed emotions that I send up this offering for Sundays with Kimmy.  I want to dignify their lives as well as those who are still among us without losing purpose.

Mayme Hamby, another one of my heroes, at the
choir Christmas party at the home of Jim & Betty Cecil

This was Mayme's last appearance as the 'saloon pianist,'
for the choir, as she called herself.  She went Home to be with
her beloved Sid last year, but Mayme was like a Mom to me
and I miss her every day.

Today in our church. we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our Director of Music, a/k/a my choir director, Michael Rintamaa.  The presentation was the culmination of a year of careful planning to surprise MR with a book of photography featuring art from the interior and exterior grounds of Central Christian Church.  

The book is magnificent, and was put together by photographer John Lynner Peterson, his wife, Brenda Bartella Peterson, and my 'wicked alto' friends, Betty Cecil, and Anne McGregor, who came up with the idea last year to devote a book to honor Michael...and with the help of Margaret Rintamaa, Michael and his family are recognized in the book of incredible art with 'blast from the past' photos from MR's days at Bryan Station HIgh School as a "hotshot trumpeter" and pix of his and Margaret's wedding as well!

I love the stained glass in the Sanctuary - particularly the
top right one with the cross and the circle - all of the
explanations of the artistry of the church are given in
the special book celebrating Central's Art.  

The book will be sold and proceeds will fund the renovation of the church's pipe organ, which is one of Michael's many active interests in making Central the most musically sound church as possible.  

Yes, I meant to say that.  This is a blog, not a sermon...

Pam Hammonds talks with Dr. Mooty as the kids choir
gets ready to sing! Harry Richart can be seen in the distance.
These photos were not all taken today. This was taken
last year but I love how everyone in the
pic is doing something different.

Michael Mooty visits the choir before worship and
often we have time for a quick pre-processional prayer.

Speaking of sermons, I love it whenever a baby visits worship and decides to become  extremely vocal.  Today's baby must have gotten the memo that it was Pentecost Sunday, because he was punctuating Dr. Mooty's sermon throughout, especially at key moments.  

The show all began just after today's Scripture had been read, and we had just taken our seats. The quote had been "What will we do without you?" and our Minister added, "Yes...what will we do without Jesus?" and not missing a beat, the baby yelled, "YEAAAHHHH!"  As if to say, 'send the Spirit down, let me in on the plans, I want to grow, too!"  Hahah!  I had to chuckle at the little one's exclamations, and was glad that neither Dad nor Mom took the Baby away and out of the Sanctuary.  That kid was all about Jesus, and I was all about the Baby. Good time had by all, ya know?  

Betty Cecil, Me and Jim Cecil
Betty and I are joined at the hip. She told
the congregation today that "20 years ago,
Central Christian sent a 12-year-old to conduct the choir..."
referring to MR's youth at the time.  Even today, he
seems awfully young to take on the Chancel Choir, but
we are blessed to have him
(and p.s. -- he feels the same way :)

As a matter of fact, when the Handbell Choir played What A Friend We Have in Jesus while communion was being served, the little guy or gal was right up front, eyes all wide open, jaw dropped in astonishment, and listening, with her Daddy holding her as everyone enjoyed the gorgeous bells.  (Maybe Mom was in the handbell choir - that happens, too :)
  

So sigh sigh, and evening is nigh, and I have yet to post this blog I wanted to publish it as soon as I returned home this afternoon, but it's been a contemplative day as well as a day of celebration.  This marking of MR's 20th anniversary causes me to remember the past year during which I wrote fifty essays about members of my choir. Biographies with a choral twist, if you will.  

I was asked to write about each member of my choir in a weekly series to celebrate the Chancel Choir.  MR knew the choir would want to make a big deal out of it with accolades for him, so he nipped it in the bud (or so he thought) over a year ago when he approached me about writing one essay a week, a Celebrate YOU series, about member of the choir.  

Betty Rhodes congratulated Michael on his 20 years with
Central as the line in the reception area of the church filled.

The assignment is nearly complete and it has been a gorgeous time for me to learn all about my choir family, and even more importantly, to write about our special relationships.  To have a weekly assignment writing about people you adore is quite lovely and I am humbled that MR holds my writing in such esteem that he would give me the privilege of writing the chapters of the Chancel Choir lives.  It has been a ministry, this assignment, keeping me balanced when I was anything but balanced, making my faith stronger when my spirits were sinking, and by helping me feel loved when I felt love might be lost on me. 

Choir potluck leftovers - why our motto is
"We sing so that we may eat!"

What is not lost on me is that today as I watch the sun settle into its vermillion boots, I am inspired just as much by the dead and dying as I am with a newborn blessed with outspoken and unfettered utterances of praise.  My fascination with all of the choir is only magnified by glorifying each of the choir.  The first shall be last; last shall be first.  Irony is fun, is it not?  

God has a great sense of humor. I'm learning to laugh at His jokes. I think He likes it when I do.  

I did not seek courage, but I found courage in every story of every choir buddy.  Week after week, I would pick out the next unsuspecting person for me to profile.  I could choose whomever I liked to feature and then ask them to open up about how music and faith are connected personally in their lives.  Most were a breeze, a few were tiny tornadoes, actually, but the calming air of music and faith kept my rudder straight. (Can I say that on the internet?  heh)   It was a labor of love.  Yes, it was just that adorable, and so are all of you, Lambchops, for reading all of this!  

MR checks the sound before worship. He had just warmed
up the handbell choir and was on his way to the choir room.
He is too humble to tell everyone everything that he does,
but it does not go unnoticed. He is selfless and kind and best
of all, he has a musicality that is beyond compare!

So now that the assignment is nearly complete, I will not say that it is over, because the Chancel Choir is ever-expanding.  

I hope to continue to learn the secrets of the choir and somehow cajole them into giving me gorgeous quotes so all I have to do was connect the dots, throw in some musical phrases from anthems here and there and somehow make it all have a common thread.  That thread is our love and respect for each other and for Michael Rintamaa.  

This photo by John Peterson captures the view of our
church as as seen just a few feet from my seat in the Chancel.  

Okay, I've shed enough tears for this alleged day of rest.  Enough about me, let's talk about ME!  lol  I'll stop sharing now and leave you with a prayer we shared in worship today, I hope it brings meaning to you, too:

"Living God, You have created all that is.
Send forth your Spirit to renew and restore us,
That we may proclaim your good news in ways and words
That all will understand and believe.  
Amen."

peace,
Kimmy

Kimmy and my SissyBell, Kelli :)

This Is My Stop. Isn't It?

My first cover article for Ace Weekly was about my experience riding the LexTran system to get around town, and how much nicer that journey would be with the addition of some aesthetically pleasing to the eye bus stops created by the folks at Art-in-Motion, a grassroots organization that held a contest for ideas for construction of these cool bus stops.  The first was on Versailles Road, with Ale-8 bottles, and others began to spring up as Art-in-Motion moved through Lexington's chief corridors and erected the bus stops designed by the contestants.  

When the article was written, my bus stop was a mud puddle in the mornings, and upon my return in the hot afternoons, I would stand in the pencil thin shadow of the bus stop sign on Nicholasville Road in front of Best Buy and pray I didn't faint or die at the hands of the bridge/exit confusion.  I was tempted to sit on the overturned grocery carts that others used as seats, but fear of physics and human error kept me standing in what I could fit of my frame into the skinny shade provided until the bus thankfully would arrive and ferry me down the road a few miles.  I did love my bus drivers, especially my morning lady, who I likened to a character in Herman Hesse's Siddhartha.. As much as I liked the people I met on my bus path, one thing was certain: Lexington's bus stops were "in piss-poor shape," as my Dad would've said -- and with the Alltech Games a-coming, it sure was a fabulous of Art-in-Motion to find great ways to spruce up the place for when the world came to visit.  After all, the mark of a community is more than lofty buildings and manicured lawns -- the air and attitude of a town to all of its people is what is never overlooked.  

I say all that to say this.  Thanks thanks thanks to Mayor Gray and his folks at LFUCG who manage LexTran!   I've ventured outside of campus and downtown lately, and I've noticed that nearly every stop between downtown and Wal-Mart on Nicholasville Road is blessed with a nice metal bench that has the LexTran name emblazoned within its design, and the benches are often covered, with bus schedules visible and shade/shelter provided for the average every day bus rider like me.  Oh, and no more mud!  The benches are in concrete, they're not going anywhere until the next Revolution.

Speaking of which.  I have to get to the television to see how Revolutionary and Orb perform in today's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Park which takes off in about an hour or so from now.  It's been a rainy but not weepy day.  I walked a goodly walk to campus and back for breakfast, though I originally left with the intention of going to Farmers Market, but the rain clouds start getting drippy with me, so I crossed the street and headed back home.  I don't mind a little drizzle, but not just after I've flatironed my hair.  After all, I have priorities.  lol  

By the by what is going in the Bluegrass today, anyway?  Lots of tour buses are parked at the old Campbell House, whatever it's called now, downtown is surging with happy drunks, and music is throbbing like the heartbeat of a songbird.  There's something new in the air, the wind has changed direction, the air is light and breezy and ripe for transition, ready for arrival ... but what could it be?  

Something tells me it's not Mary Poppins.

What to do this weekend?

Well, first of all, I know what I SHOULD do this weekend.  I should plant those wildflower seeds, find a sunny spot for the palm tree to recover from this past week's near-freeze, and get rid of more clothing I haven't worn since mullets were all the rage.  However, what I will do this weekend will more likely be a to-maybe-do list of the following:

• Go to Farmers Market just to see everyone and pet some dogs, listen to the two old fellers who play and sing mountain songs...oh, and look for baby asparagus!

• Find out where the best music is playing, and hope the locales are within routes of the Colt Trolley a/k/a The Drunk Bus.  That means CCI, Lynaughs, Green Lantern, Cheapside or Henry Clay Pub ... coz quite frankly, I really don't want to have to break in any new bartenders or servers.  I'm lazy that way. 
• 

• Learn at least five new songs on the ukulele until I can play and sing it all the way through without looking at the music...or "off-book" as the theatre crowd calls it.  I have to build my repertoire until I can play at least one song by just about any good artist.  People might want to hear White Lightning but will settle for He Stopped Loving Her Today.  They want Elvis Presley but they also like a lil Costello, for shore, dinah.

• I'm exploring the Ukulele Wedding Singer facet of my life at this point.  This weekend will be a good time to put together a plan, an act, mayhaps a songlist for goodness' sake.  Weddings are so expensive, so if you're going to go cut-rate, why not go cheap with me at the musical helm?  Just don't ask for "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina."  Kthanks.
  

• Agonize for all of five minutes while I choose my Spring pedicure color, and then bite my tongue as the torture is done on my faulty left Great Toe by the girl who nods when I tell her the problem, but she absolutely does not understand English not one itty-bitty-bit.  Why do I go back?  They have a great massage chair that doesn't do naughty things to my lower 40.  

• Watch the Preakness tomorrow - I hope ORB wins again, he is poised for the Triple Crown, and I know we say that every year about the Derby winner (longshots and all) -- but ORB has the race record and the connections, pedigree, jockey ... all that and a bag of carrot chips to take him on to the Belmont.

  

  Tom Bragg, Kimmy and Betty b. deCecil

• Put on my UK blue choir robe on Sunday morning, sit next to Betty Cecil and right by the Steinway played by Michael R and worship the Lord, who is good to me.  I will pray for my Aunt Jane and 10 cousins who lost Uncle David this week.  

• As we say in our choir prayer, I will "evermore rejoice in singing" the praises of the Lord and all He has done that is good in our lives.  This attitude of gratitude has to be nurtured, and so I shall devote even more time to being grateful and not hateful.  

Okay, enough with the bullets. They're giving me a headache.  I feel like Lincoln sitting down in the balcony...

ORB goes for the second gem in the Triple Crown

So what are YOU doing this weekend?  

Just two days and Friday night to pack in all the rest and recreation you need to fuel your spirit for the next week full of work.  If you're not into my sort of 'wild' lifestyle, at least go see a show -- AGL and Studio Players, and Fantastical Theatricals all have plays going on right now.  More information may be found within KimmyVille or check out aceweekly.com and see what the e-dition for this week tells you about performances and gigs.

By the way, don't forget SummerFest!  The casts and crews are taking formation, see if you can be a part of that phenomenal event --  or go to the Library and find a good book.  I recommend Bob Staake's new book, Bluebird.  It's a children's book, but the message is for us to see as well.  You will love the book.  Get it!  

peace, love and ukuleles,

Kimmy

Learn to Play Ukulele -- TODAY!

I can play &sing nearly any song with my uke, it's so fun!  Try it :)

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**GETTING HITCHED?**  

ASK ME ABOUT WEDDING MUSIC!

LOW RATES, 

OVER 150 SONGS TO CHOOSE FROM

UpdateVille: For those who visit KimmyVille regularly, I appreciate your patience and your readership! Sorry about my absence of late but alas, google will not allow me to post a blog with a mere BlackBerry...it's just another brick in the blog-wall, ya know?  

It's comfort to look back at my blog over the past few years, I see a lady battling certain forces that affected my health and welfare. I am glad to see I fought with mighty God-given confidence whilst promoting those who put so much time and effort into bringing Art to us. I also realize that hell yeah, I am fierce and will not stop playing music, singing with my choir and fighting mountaintop coal removal. I will not stop having a personal life simply because I'm getting up in years. I will not stop doing justice and loving kindness.  I am resolved to be an even better Kimmy than ever before!  After looking through this overly efficient diary we call a blog, I'm proud of the writings, I'm happy I've lifted some spirits, and I think I may have finally found some semblance of Love, or Love has found me. 

Hope springs eternal, Lambchops!

"Arise.  Shine. For your Light has come."

Peace, 

Kimmy

Join me at Ol Hookers, where
"You're sure to catch something!"
Tuesdays at 7pm - free lessons

Rosie Napravnik Eyes the Derby Winners Circle Aboard Mylute

Rosie intends to ride into the history books aboard MYLUTE

MYLUTE – GoldMark Farm and Whisper Hill Farm’s MYLUTE “had his regular day” with a jog and a gallop at 5:45 a.m. under regular exercise rider Maurice Sanchez, according to assistant trainer (and the exercise rider’s wife), Kathy Sanchez.

 

Some say he is hasn't raced enough, but MYLUTE has two starts in 2013 and has been trained to peak in his third start off the layoff -- he has never raced on an off track but his pedigree bolsters any weak confidence there.  His sire, MIDNIGHT LUTE, dominated the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) over a sloppy track at Monmouth Park, winning by 4 ¾ lengths.      

 

“Skipping the Lecomte and waiting for the Risen Star, having that break, that was all to set us up for his best effort here on the first Saturday in May,” said Todd Quast, general manager of co-owner GoldMark Farm.

 

Why I like this horse:  Rosie Napravnik has a chance to make history for women, and the past six Kentucky Derby winners all came into the race with two starts in that calendar year.

 

Will Normandy Invasion Win on D-Day?

NORMANDY INVASION is all lathered up and ready for the challenge of tomorrow's Derby, when over 150,000 people descend on Churchill Downs to take part in Kentucky Derby day. 

Ranging from the common man to the celebrity, the track will be packed to the gills. Among the crowds, though, four men who are neither common nor celebrities will hopefully command extra respect. After all, they are members of the Greatest Generation.

RICK PORTER

owner of Normandy Invasion, will be hosting four WWII veterans during Derby day.

On June 6, 1944, Ray Woods, Bill Wilch and J.J. Witmeyer stormed the beaches of Normandy during one of the most pivotal military operations in World War II. Alan Reeves arrived on the scene later. They will be rooting for a colt bearing the name Normandy Invasion in the Derby as guests of the horse's owner, Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm.

This all started when Reeves called Fox Hill Farm to inquire about the possibility of meeting the colt during Derby week. Those involved with the horse thought it was a brilliant idea and have been working frantically to make the visit a success.

"He gave us a great idea," Porter said. "I also thought this would be fantastic if we could get people that were part of the actual Normandy Invasion on D-Day. We can't take credit for the idea, but it sure was a good one."

Normandie Invader Marshall Thomas, my papa.

Porter put out the word he was looking for veterans of D-Day to attend the Derby.

Emails came in swiftly, and in all they heard from about 40 people who had been part of the invasion or its aftermath. This week, Porter finalized details for four of them to attend the Derby in style.

"It is just fun doing something for somebody that did so much for us," Porter said. "The gentleman from California that gave us the idea wasn't part of D-Day but he did fight in Normandy. He really wanted to come and we made room for him, too."

  "We thought it was easier with all the traffic and confusion in Louisville this week," Porter said. "They are so excited. The companion that emailed us about the gentleman from New Orleans has told me, 'I am not sure if you have taken five years off his life or put five years on it, but I've never seen him this excited in my life.'" 

For Normandy Invasion the horse, Saturday's race will not be an easy one. But Porter hopes that being a part of the colt's chance at immortality will bring smiles to the faces of men who sacrificed so much on behalf of their country.

At the end of WWII, nearly 16 million veterans returned home to the United States. In 2013, their numbers stand at just more than 1 million. Sooner than we would all like to think about, there will be no one left to give firsthand accounts of what happened. 

But, hopefully, these four members of the Greatest Generation will be around for years telling stories, one of which will be about the time they cheered home a colt named Normandy Invasion during the greatest two minutes in sports.



Here are the post positions:  
1. Black Onyx, J. Bravo, 50-1 scratched :(
2. Oxbow, G. Stevens, 30-1
3. Revolutionary, C. Borel, 10-1
4. Golden Soul, R. Albarado, 50-1
5. Normandy Invasion, J. Castellano, 12-1
6. Mylute, R. Napravnik, 15-1
7. Giant Finish, J. Espinoza, 50-1
8. Goldencents, K. Krigger, 5-1
9. Overanalyze, R. Bejarano, 15-1
10. Palace Malice, M. Smith, 20-1
11. Lines of Battle, R. Moore, 30-1
12. Itsmyluckyday, E. Trujillo, 15-1
13. Falling Sky, L. Saez, 50-1
14. Verrazano, J. Velazquez, 4-1
15. Charming Kitten, E. Prado, 20-1
16. Orb, J. Rosario, 7-2
17. Will Take Charge, J. Court, 20-1
18. Frac Daddy, V. Lebron, 50-1
19. Java's War, J. Leparoux, 15-1
20. Vyjack, G. Gomez, 15-1 also-eligible
21. Fear the Kitten, A. Garcia, N/A Track odds
Post time: Saturday, 6:24 p.m. Eastern
All starters carry 126 pounds
Television: NBC, 4-7 p.m.

Golden Soul Makes it to the Derby!

GOLDEN SOUL will start from the 4th post position

Another longshot is GOLDEN SOUL, whose journey to the 2013 Kentucky Derby was not taken by the easy path.

 

 

 Owned by uber diamond geologist Charles Fipke, GOLDEN SOUL has turned out to be quite the gem...

it just took a little time

and little luck for 

things to come to fruition. 

 

 

 He broke his maiden in his 2nd start last year in December at the Fair Grounds after missing by a nose in his first start at Churchill Downs. 

Trainer, Dallas Stewart

Then, he made his 2013 debut running a distant 2nd in the Lecomte Stakes, finished 6th in the Risen Star Stakes, and then 4th in the Louisiana Derby. 

Robbie Albarado has ridden to victory over 4,000 times

 

Why I like GOLDEN SOUL:  I love underdogs...it took three horses to drop out for him to get into the  Kentucky Derby field.  Also, his jockey is seasoned veteran Robbie Albarado, who will be put to the test since GOLDEN SOUL tends to rally from far back, and with 19 other testosterone-driven colts in the Springtime, he may do well to linger back in the easy zone until some of the boys calm down settle into their own pace.  

 

Also, his mama is a Mr. Prospector mare, that's 'golden!'  

 

This rose is from the 2012 Kentucky Derby!

 

Revolutionary to Be Ridden by Borel in Kentucky Derby

Kimmy with Calvin Borel - pic taken by Paula Schrecker

REVOLUTIONARY at this moment, Friday, 
Oaks Day is at 8 to 1.  

He will start from post position #3, with Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel aboard.  

Lisa Osland and a Mint Julep - two great companions

First, however, we must talk about the weather.  Not necessarily in a polite way, either...with WLEX's weatherman Bill Meck about to have a stormgasm over tomorrow's wet spectacle, I see a partially sunny day with a heavy chance of juleps.  Since it may be another muddy track for the first Saturday in May, Calvin Borel will be in his element. Mud.  

Mud.  I will never forget the year Borel won aboard MINE THAT BIRD (another longshot lol) -- I will never forget because I was standing just inside the rail and felt the mud hit in tiny, Jackson Pollack-like drops of victory all over the photogs inside the rail -- the Rail upon which he rode that horse magnificently to win the epic iconic random awesome and amazing Roses.  (I just wanted to use all the over-used words in one sentence, thanks.  I'll cross that off my bucket list now. heh)  In fact, I still have the mud splattered hat I wore that day. (I kept the mud, why not?  Don't judge me.  :)

 

Amy Owens

Back to tomorrow's Derby contender:  REVOLUTIONARY's claim to fame is having won this year’s Louisiana Derby and the Withers.  Oh, and he is undefeated coming into Saturday’s race!   Bred by Will Farish, a local and beloved horseman, he is being trained by Todd Pletcher (who has another horse in the race maybe more than one other, I have so much research to do...ermagerd) and races for Winstar Farms.  So all the players are top-notch, along with his pedigree.

I help this guy take the opening gate photos!  He's a sweetie ;-)

Why do I like REVOLUTIONARY? The dark bay colt's damsire is A.P. INDY, he has earned enough winnings to be in 4th place as far as today's Churchill oddsmakers, and if you give Calvin Borel a muddy track and place his starting position just two horses away from the rail, it's the perfect revolutionary storm. 


Click here for more KimmyVille Kentucky Derby blogs from Mint Juleps Past:

http://kimmyville.blogspot.com/search?q=derby 

Derby: Gary Stevens To Ride Oxbow in Post Position 2

In the Kentucky Derby's number two post position, OXBOW will be in contention even as a 30 to 1 long-shot in tomorrow's Kentucky Derby.  

Why? The bay colt will be ridden by none other than Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, 

who returns to the Run for

the Roses, coming out of a brief retirement from racing.  At age 50, he still has what it takes to get the horse to follow his command. 

OXBOW is owned by Calumet Farm, and trained by D. Wayne Lukas.  

WHY I LIKE THIS HORSE:  With the Stevens aboard, being handled by the esteemed trainer Lukas and the legendary Calumet Farm, OXBOW can pull an upset at a high price.  Also, he has been reporting the very best workout times at Churchill among Oaks and Derby contenders.  Sooo, here's yet another longshot I like! 

This will be the first year in six that I have not attended the Kentucky Derby, however I love the party that Keeneland throws, and I'm going to check it out early, throw some bets down, and then head back home to watch the coverage that WLEX - Channel 18 here in Lexington presents the undercard races.  The mint juleps will be a flowing at my house tomorrow afternoon!