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June 19, 2006

Fathers Day

It's my hopes that everyone recognizes Fathers Day. Hopefully, you either have a Father or are a Father or know a Father. I'm a lucky one...I have a Father. He's the best Father I could have ever hoped for and he's a huge Drum Magic supporter...probably because I'm his daughter. I never want to waste any of our time together. It seems so long between visits. This year I got him a Fathers journal. I hope he takes the time to fill it out. It's like a storybook of his life. He sort of poo-poo'd the thought at first but then I begged him to do it and he said he would.

My dad has never drummed. He has seen quite a bit of drumming. He has been to many drumming functions I have facilitated, but, he's not hit the drum. I wonder if he ever will? It's ok if he doesn't. I still know he knows how much happiness I have found doing it and I know he sees the faces of the drummers in the circle. I wonder what he's thinking?

Jana and Dad

 If you have a dad, ask him to fill out a Fathers journal for you. If you are a dad, fill one out for your kids to have. If you don't have a dad and are not a dad, you can borrow mine. He's a great dad and i'd gladly share him.

Posted by Jana Broder at 02:52 PM | | Comments (0)

June 18, 2006

The Ophelia Project

Have you heard of The Ophelia Project? This is the 3rd year I have been involved, through drumming, with this project. I call them "The Girls" and this week I have drummed with "The Girls" a few times. I can't help but believe that all girls in our communities should go through the Ophelia camps. I wish there had been an Ophelia Project when I was growing up. Here is the projects mission statement: 

 Mission
To inspire an emotionally, physically and socially safe culture for all girls by promoting gender-specific best practices in youth programs, community education and professional training, and through the coordination of community resources. http://www.tampaymca.org/ophelia/index.htm

The girls are so wonderful to drum with. They transform into confident little girls right before my very eyes. They concentrate, they ask important questioins, they engage willingly, they laugh and smile. So much of my time is spent with boys and young men. It is truly a pleasure to work with the opposite energy. And, as different as the sexes are as adults, they are equally as different as children.

My newest goal is to drum with all the girls in Hillsborough County. And, what's next?  To drum with all the foster children in Hillsborough County. Boy, will I be busy!

Keep drumming, my cyber-friends, keep drumming!   Jana

Posted by Jana Broder at 07:40 AM | | Comments (0)

June 12, 2006

Drumming at the Beach

Last night I had the best time drumming at the beach at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. Yes, it's a sanctuary for Big Cats in a place you would least expect to find it. And, overlooking this beautiful preserve is an area of sand called "the beach". It was a fundraiser on the full moon with friends and volunteers of the sanctuary enjoying a potluck meal, fire dancers, and drumming.

Carole Baskin, the heart and soul behind this sanctuary, asked me if I had ever drummed for an audience of lions and tigers. Clearly, the answer was no. But, after last night, I will always remember looking over the lake and seeing this beautiful, enormous cat, staring intently to the drumming. I laughed and laughed at the screeching peacock that sang and screeched during our drum circle. It was as if he was singing along.

If you haven't been to Big Cat Rescue, make reservationas and go on the tour. It is an incredible place and worthy of your time and money. Maybe next time I'll see you there. I will be at The Fur Ball again this year at A la Carte Pavillion on October 13th. It is their annual fundraiser for the Cats.

Have a great week and remember “You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”...John Wooden.

See www.bigcatrescue.org.

Posted by Jana Broder at 08:17 AM | | Comments (0)