Happy Holidays!

I know, it's been forever since I posted. And I probably won't post again until sometime in January. We're just busy with family and holiday stuff, and not much is going on music-wise to report. 

Here's an update on Ruby Sue (our Subaru), since I kind of left you hanging on that story. She was totaled. It's a bit sad, after having driven her for 10 years and 231,000 miles. But after all she's only a car. We're just glad nobody was hurt in the accident. 

Our insurance could only pay out a couple of thousand for such a used vehicle. Luckily my parents were able to help us out with an interest-free loan. We are now driving a brand new Toyota RAV-4.

We might have replaced Ruby Sue with another Legacy wagon, but Subaru isn't making them anymore! Their closest option is a smaller car, which just wouldn't have worked for us. The RAV-4 is definitely bigger. We're still getting used to riding so high up off the road!

We've been decorating trees, wrapping gifts, and watching Christmas specials on DVD. Evalyn's 1st grade class had their Christmas party Thursday and Lisa and I were there to help (see photo at top).

I also thought I'd share our bedroom door with you. Evalyn has decorated it with the word "Love" which I think sums up what Christmas is all about. So Merry Christmas, and much love from us to you!

P.S. Here's a little Christmas gift for you, if you don't have it already... Download the song "Santa's Laugh" right here: montyharpersongcast.blogspot.com.

Sugar Free Allstars

This past Sunday we drove to Edmond to see the Sugar Free Allstars program at the library. Here's Dr. Rock on the drums:

Chris Wiser on vocals and organ:
Evalyn, on the front row:
Evalyn and I being kitties:
Dr. Rock and Chris and I after the show:
We had fun at the concert and a great talk with the guys afterwards. Check out their debut CD for kids, Dos Ninos, which includes their XM Kids number one hit, "Bathtub Boy!"

In other news, Ruby Sue, our Subaru, which we drove for ten years and 231,000 miles, was totaled in the accident. (See the previous entry - nobody was hurt.) So Lisa and I have spent the last few days shopping for a replacement. We've got it narrowed down to two, but it's a tough choice!

Poor Ruby Sue!

I can still hardly believe it. Evalyn and I were in a wreck on the way to school Tuesday morning. Nobody was hurt. The other driver came speeding through an intersection and smacked us. We both claim our light was green. Fault has not been assigned yet.

Our trusty Ruby Sue (the Subaru), whom we've driven for ten years and more than 230,000 miles, is pretty banged up. We kept her in very good shape. We're waiting to find out whether the insurance company will declare her a total loss. If so, we're certain not to get a check from them that'll cover what she's worth to us!

Over Thanksgiving Break my dad was in the hospital having a tumor removed. Lisa and I spent much of Monday helping get him home. He's now preparing for chemotherapy. The doctors say that his type of cancer is highly curable, though he is in for a few months of periodic misery with the chemo.

It's been a tough two weeks, but Lisa and I are trying hard not to let all this derail us. We are hyper-thankful that all of us are safe and in one piece each, and we're anxious to get started working on the Summer 2008 program and schedule, now that the Centennial is over.

To end on a positive note or two...



Here's a photo of Evalyn during "Oklahoma Annie" which we performed with her class for her school last Monday.

My Paws Claws Scales and Tales CD received an honor the other day. It has been included in the Z Recommends Holiday Gift Guide for 2007. Z Recommends is a blog about children's products, and they published a fantastic review of the CD.

Here's a quote from the review: "In the space of thirteen trim little songs, Harper turns in one of the best songs about reading ever aimed at young boys ("Dog Books"), one of the best wholesale rewrites of a traditional campfire song ("The Cat Came Back"), and a sparkling song about a great character of children's literature ("Villa Villekulla Hula," about Pippi Longstocking)."

All six of my CDs have also been approved for inclusion in the Children's Music Hall of Fame, and will be showing up there soon!