Lessons from Lila

Today I had the good fortune to have lunch with a dear lady named Lila. Lila is 91 years young! I first met her when I was in college. She was a local piano teacher, that had recently become a widow. Several years later I moved into Lila's neighborhood. Here are things I learned from observing her and talking with her.

• Excercise is important. I saw Lila many mornings walking on her street, and I would stop to talk. She continued to walk the hill on her street until she was in her late 80's.

• She loved Jesus, and served Him faithfully. When I would see her on my walk, she would often tell me about the sermon she had heard on TV or the radio. Or she would tell me something she learned from her bible study. She taught preschool Sunday School at her church for many years.

• She always welcomed people into her home. Lila raised five children, and has LOTS of grands and great grands. There were always people coming to visit Lila, and she loved to have them in her home. She was always cooking for her family. Our music teacher's group had our annual luncheon at her home for over 20 years. She was a lovely hostess.

• Music is something that you can do for a lifetime. Lila taught piano until about the age of 89. Her students loved her, and there are many musicians because she was willing to share her love of music with them. She still plays the piano today. In fact, her piano is in her bedroom at the assisted living center where she lives!

• Lila is always smiling and laughing. She tries to see the best in everyone, but don't cross her. She isn't afraid to tell you when you are wrong and need improvement.

A few years ago, Lila moved to an assisted living home and that is where I visited with her today. She is still sharp as a tack. She still looks great...make-up and clothes just right! I hope when I'm 91 that I can be just like Lila! She has been a wonderful mentor and role model for me over the past 30 years.

Lila visiting with Martha and Catherine in her 2 room apartment at Winthrop Court.

I took this after Catherine left, and used my self timer...that accounts for the weird angle of the picture. It was a piano teacher reunion with Lila, and we must do it again soon. She is a delightful lady with a great legacy.

5 Lessons from Competitive Swimming

The past several weeks I have watched swimming on the computer here and here. Kate is a swimmer, but I have always followed swimming. I grew up the era of Mark Spitz, and Michael Phelps is the new Spitz. As the World Championships finished in Shanghai I began to ponder what I had learned from the swimmers. While there are many lessons, I will share five that I believe you can apply to life and leadership.

1. Swim your own race. You will hear that phrase when swimmers are interviewed after a race. That means they did what they came to do, and didn't worry too much about the guy in the lane next to them. Focus on your goals, and not at what those around you are doing or not doing!

2.There are a lot of fast swimmers, so you have to do your best. You can't be a slacker and win. I heard Michael Phelps say that Ryan Lochte had trained harder, and that is why Lochte beat him in several races! You may be good, even great...but there are always others that are better or working harder. Kate has a t-shirt that says, "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."

3. One bad day at the pool isn't reason to quit. Some days the other guy is faster or has better technique. Perseverance, persistence and patience apply in or out of the pool.

4. Time matters. In the pool, races are won and lost on .01 of a second. In life, love is spelled TIME. Show your love by spending time with those that important to you.

5. Relays are fun! You get encouragement from being on a team that is working together. Everyone striving for the same goal.

What would you add to this list?

Lake Hiwassee - ladies only!

The first day of school I left town! I went to Lake Hiwassee with 3 other piano teachers. We often go to Atlanta to shop for music, and one of the ladies, Catherine, owns a lake house. I was the youngest of the four, ages 50 - 74!!

We stopped in Blue Ridge for lunch and some shopping. These ladies can shop! It's not on my priority list, but I had fun.

Lake Hiwassee is outside of Murphy, NC. Catherine's house is in Bear Paw. It's a gated community in the mountains. We were in for a real treat!

Kathryn, Catherine, Leigh & Martha getting ready for Chicken Fajitas. I took my Pampered Chef baker and fixed fajitas our second night.

The lake house is on South Paw Trail. One of the residents is baseball pitcher, Rick Hunnicutt. He was a "south paw", thus the name. He lives next door, but wasn't there. He is now a pitching coach out in LA.

Looking up from the lake. It was a hike to get to the lake and back!

This was before we went on the pontoon boat (there is a story about the pontoon boat later!)

Enjoying the lake.

Beautiful views on the lake. During the week there were very few folks out.

Martha relaxing in the den.

The basement was just finished this summer. Catherine is a great decorator. The house has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

We drove to the Natahala Outdoor Center, had lunch and watched the rafters.

Lunch with the music ladies.

After lunch we stopped in the John Campbell Folk School. We learned a little of the history and did some more shopping (I looked).

This is view from my bedroom. It was so peaceful here.

View of their cove.

View from the steps going down to the lake.

We did a LOT of talking, laughing, eating & relaxing. The porch was our favorite spot.

Several of us took a walk in the neighborhood, and Catherine pointed out this small graveyard. There were no dates on the stones, but they were very old.

Packing up to leave.

I'm not posting a picture from my injury, but I did manage to fall as I was exiting the pontoon boat. I have a nasty gash on my leg, that probably could have taken a stitch or two. I just cleaned it up, and put some band aids on it. It makes for a great conversation piece and remembrance of our trip.

The day we left, Leigh commented that she wished we could just stay. We envisioned the headline, "four piano teachers missing." We imagine our students would shout hurray! Alas, all good things must come to an end, and the students will have lessons after all.