Presentations and Johnny Bush

Hi All!

I think that I have found the key to doing well in my ASL class. Not caring! No, really! My presentation last night was a retelling of a story. I didn't even look at the story until yesterday afternoon and I only practiced the story twice with Skor as a very sleepy audience. Then, I went into class and, without any paper to look at, I retold the story my way. AND - I was only stopped once when I signed the word LOG. What I signed was an old sign and there was a better sign which the teacher told me. When I got done - the teacher seemed to almost stumble over herself telling me that I did well.

In fact, she seemed to stumble all over herself telling everyone they did well. She almost seemed apologetic when she had to tell us we did something wrong. Hmmmm. I wonder what happened here.

I'll bet that the ASL lab assistants told Henry, the head of the department, that things were not all roses and sunshine in the class. Or - maybe the teacher reads my blog. If that is so . . .oops! It isn't that I don't like her as a person, I think she is a very nice and interesting person.

Okay - that is out of the way.

Do you know who Johnny Bush is? If you don't and you like country music, I would check out his CDs.

Johnny Bush is a country singer from Houston who was rising up the ranks in the country music scene with Willie Nelson and others. Unfortunately, just as he was poised for national attention and fame, he was stricken with SD. He was unable to perform for approximately 30 years! Now he is being treated with Botox and is recording and performing live again.

Johnny is also speaking out for SD awareness. He was at the meeting in San Antonio and spoke to us about his career and struggles with SD. I bought his book- a fun reading biography that I am about halfway through - and Lori bought his CD. Yesterday at our meeting, Lori let me borrow the CD to bring home. I popped it into the player on my way to class and . . . I love it!

In fact, I am listening to it right now as I write this post. The music is reminiscent of old time country with steel guitars, fiddles, banjos, and guitars. The songs are diverse in their sounds and their messages but, they are all fun to listen to. My toe was tapping the entire was to class (and home again!).

I must admit that I had never heard of Johnny Bush prior to reading that he had SD. I think that is mostly due to the fact that I am not a native Texas but was raised up north. Some of the native Texans I know have heard of Johnny before but not recently.

He is a musical treasure.

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. Still tight - darn it! The fact that Skor tries to help early (and I do mean early) each morning by massaging my throat as I sleep just doesn't seem to be helping! Back to more e's and massage!