Just like that, here comes July.

Half the year is already over. Isn’t that amazing? We were talking on GMI this morning about how time just flies by like that, especially in the summer. Thankfully, I have been able to do a lot of the things I’ve had on the “list” for this summer.

Concerts. Baseball. Barbeques. More baseball.

We’ve been to a couple of wedding receptions, and still there are more to attend.

I even got to be in a parade last weekend- with Paul and Tom. And big thanks go out to everyone who made the Fishers Freedom Fest another huge success.

Certainly, this time of year brings all kinds of reasons to celebrate. But every year, it seems July in particular has plenty of fun on tap. Here in Indy, we’ve got Black Expo and the Brickyard. There’s the holiday weekend too- Fourth of July fireworks and all that jazz. (There are still fireworks downtown on the 4th- it was the Labor Day display that was cancelled this year.)

Don’t forget Symphony on the Prairie too- we’ve really enjoyed going to their Fourth of July show the past few years as well.

It’s these kinds of special summer events that make July such a joyful month. We’re in the middle of the summer- and the middle of the year.

Plenty to celebrate. And plenty to look forward to.

Happy Monday!  I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.

I must admit that I enjoyed my four day weekend.  I got plenty of rest and I also found time for a little reflection.  I was sorry to hear about the death of Michael Jackson.  I stayed up late Thursday watching many of Michael’s videos and some of the tributes.   Isn’t it amazing how a song can take you on a journey back in time?  The Off the Wall album reminded me of the first dances I went to when I was a young girl.  Thriller reminded me of my younger sister’s dance recital.  My sister and her friends did a dance to Smooth Criminal.  Like so many of you, I know about all of the accusations against Michael Jackson.  Like all of you, I watched as his face and his behavior became more bizarre.  Still… I reserve judgment for a Higher Power.  The argument can be made that Michael Jackson didn’t have a normal childhood and that had a tremendous influence on his ability to function.  Then again, others say he wouldn’t have become the King of Pop if he hadn’t been pushed so hard.  I do remember an interview I once heard with Michael’s mom.   She once said that she wished she and her family were still living a simple life in Gary.  Even with all of her family’s musical success, it seems Mrs. Jackson realized all the money in the world can’t buy peace of mind or happiness.

Someone who has helped me find peace of mind over the years is my beloved priest, Father Paul.  This Sunday Father Paul said his last mass at my church.  I kept telling myself that I wasn’t going to cry.  Then, as Father Paul ended his homily, his voice started to crack.  That’s when I lost it.  Father Paul is an amazing priest.  He’s a leader, a friend and a true man of God.  When he learned that Mom had passed away, he checked up on me many times to make sure I was o-k.  He “assigned” some very special ladies at the church to check up on me as well, as I made my way through the grieving process.  Father Paul also helped Joe and I as we were planning to get married.  He gave us some wonderful advice.  Father Paul is a dynamic priest who has done so much for our parish.  He truly cares about every member of the congregation.  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve walked out of one of Father Paul’s masses feeling inspired and challenged.  I’ve often walked out of mass with my mental to-do list… whether it be to apologize to someone (even when I felt like I was the more injured party) or reach out to someone in need (even though I had a hectic list of things to do for my little family.) 

At any rate, I’m sure my church will get another wonderful priest and I’ll continue my faith journey with my incredible family and friends.  After all, faith and family are what make life a thriller of a ride.  I know when I spend a nice long weekend with my family… well… let’s just say it’s hard to beat it.

Love him or hate him, Michael Jackson will always be remembered.

Certainly his musical accomplishments are unparallelled- his talent unmatched. But then there are the bizarre and, at times, controversial moments in his personal life- the bizarre behavior and accusations which made so many headlines in his latter years.

So how will his legacy be written?

Has it been already?

This morning on GMI, we shared our thoughts on Jackson’s life. Paul was a disc jockey back when Jackson’s solo career made waves, and Julie also spent her teenage years listening to MJ’s music and admiring his many talents. It was said on one TV program this morning that Jackson was probably the most famous person in the world at the time. And for four decades, he entertained millions and millions of fans.

He didn’t just change pop culture. He was pop culture.

I can vividly remember his Super Bowl halftime show in 1993- the same year he would face serious accusations from a young fan who was later paid a handsome settlement. Tom and I were both in middle school around that time- when liking Jackson’s music started to not be so cool- the once beloved singer becoming the punch line of many a schoolyard joke. That didn’t matter to Tom- he was still a huge fan- even if he had to hide his favorite CD… 

And truly it was great music, dating all the way back to the Jackson 5- music that actually had its roots right here in Indiana. Until now, many people may have forgotten the fact that Jackson was born here in the Hoosier State- in Gary- where fans and friends were leaving flowers and teddy bears all night outside Michael’s boyhood home.

It’s that kind of reaction that makes this news story so powerful. People across the world are holding vigil in the very same way, and remembering. 

Remembering a troubled life. And a great entertainer.

Whatever your memories of the man- there’s no doubt of this- his music will live on forever.

It’s strange to think that in the midst of this heat wave, we’re exactly six months away from Christmas. That’s right- six months from today.

Isn’t that funny?

It kind of underscores how we’re always wishing for different weather. In January, we wish it were warmer- and in June, we wouldn’t mind it being just a little cooler. Fall is my favorite- 65 degrees and sunny is just perfect. But why wish away the summer, right?

We’re going to be out in the sun a little this weekend. I’ll be joining Paul & Tom at the Fishers Freedom Fest Parade on Sunday. That’s always a fun event, and it’ll be great to see so many viewers enjoying the summer as we approach the Fourth of July holiday.

Tomorrow on GMI we’ll be talking about another fun event this weekend- Kids in the Park, where your little ones can meet some of their favorite PBS characters- we’ll have Clifford the Big Red Dog in the studio tomorrow. We’ll also be talking about some cheaper summer vacation destinations for the family.

Speaking of vacation, it’s a long weekend for Grace- so Julie was in today and she’ll be back again tomorrow. We had fun this morning as always, and for Julie, I’m sure it’s just nice to get in the air conditioned studio and out of this hot weather!

After all, it won’t be too long before she’s back reporting in the snow…

Happy Wednesday!  I hope all of you are doing well.

I want to address a question that we’ve been receiving from many of our loyal viewers.  Many of you are disappointed that you can no longer listen to us on the radio at 87.7 FM.  Believe me… we are disappointed too.  There are many days when I’m running around with the kids at 5 p.m.  I would often listen to the beginning of our 5-o-clock news.  Many reporters would often listen to our Noon Show while they were out on assignment.  It was an easy way for them to check in and see how the news was shaping up for the day.  In any event, the only reason we were ever on 87.7 was, as one engineer put it, “the luck of science.”  Because of the frequency, every Channel 6 in the country was on 87.7 FM.  With the switch to digital, our luck ran out.  We are no longer on 87.7.  At this point, there are no plans to try and get on another frequency.  It’s a huge disappointment.  I hope, however, that all of you will continue to watch us when you’re at home.

Speaking of home, I’m going to spend the next couple of days resting at home and hanging out with the family.  I am off tomorrow and Friday.  I think it’s pretty obvious that I need a few days off.  For those of you who aren’t on Facebook, let me tell you what happened yesterday.  For the first time in years, my alarm wasn’t set for it’s usual time.  (At this point, I’m thinking one of the kids bumped it.  And as luck would have it, I forgot to set my second alarm.)  My guardian angel woke me up at 4 a.m.  Well… that’s usually the time I report to work.  Can you say… yikes?!?!  Somehow I got to the station around 4:40.  I didn’t read through any scripts, but I did manage to get my makeup on.  At least, I think so.  All morning I had this feeling that I was wearing mascara on my lips and lipstick  over my eyes.  At any rate, I took that as a sign that I need a little r and r.  Oh… in case you’re wondering…. I didn’t speed to get to work.  As I was thinking about going a few miles over the limit, I looked in my mirror and saw a metro police officer behind me.  Yet another guardian angel, I think, watching over me and keeping me safe.

I hope all of you stay safe and enjoy the rest of your week.  I doubt if I’ll watch a lot of television over the next several days.  I will, however, probably spend some time listening to the radio and dancing around the family room with the kids.