Crazy Corrie's Chronicles

"Well done, good and faithful servant."            November already? How can it be possible? As I look out my window at the drab, damp landscape - colorless, leafless, and sunless - I figure this is as good a time as any to finally compose the post I've long been putting off.      As some of you may have heard, my grandfather passed away last month. In some ways it was no surprise, and yet it's difficult to imagine his smile suddenly gone from this world. We in no way regret his current freedom from pain and suffering - for it was great in the end, and we know he is with our Lord - but selfishly we regret that he's no longer with us  and that the next generation of Hockadays have been robbed of having any memories with this dear man - the man who taught many of us to garden, or to fish, or to play the Price is Right; who faithfully video-recorded our every victory and defeat, our talents or lack thereof, his prize flowers and t...

     Okay. So, yes, I know I'm way overdue for a post. Yes, I should apologize. No, your hinting that you miss hearing from me has not been subtle. Of course my lack of touring right now implies that I have lots of stories with plenty of time to write about them. However. That is an ideal world. I do indeed have plenty to write about - years worth of stories packed away in my little brain and scrawled hastily in my journal as I flew from one tour to the next. But does that mean that I will have the ambition to polish them all up and make them presentable for the general reading public? Unfortunately, no. I will, however, endeavor to - as always - tell you my favourites (which somehow always end up being the longest!)      The other day I told this story to my pastor, and I thought to myself that surely I'd blogged about it already - it was after all, the highlight of my spring! But crazily enough, I'd simply told it numerous times - all over the country. B...

     Before I dash off for another several months (peak tour season is upon us in Washington, DC!), I thought I'd scrawl a hasty note to those of you curious enough to muddle through these sporadic writings of mine for clues to my whereabouts and escapades. Forget about Crazy Corrie's Chronicles, this blog really ought to be entitled "Where in the World is Crazy Corrie?" To say that March was busy, may be an understatement. No 9am-5pm, five-day-week for this girl! No sir! I was out and about every day of the month (except for 30-31) and touring by 7:30 and to bed by 9:30 (on an easy day). O and did I mention I was sick every day of the month?! Now you know why they call me crazy! (actually, that's not why...). It's not the life for everybody though. And it's not the life for anyone to lead for too long, but I'm loving it while it lasts!    Before I left last month, I described with eager anticipation what my Heavenly Father was going to do in and thr...

     I write this somewhat in haste. With less than 15 hours to go before my plane departs Green Bay, I'm in a bit of a flurry trying to get everything done that I've either put off  till the last minute (i.e. posting to my blog) or as an over-achieving goal-maker I've not satisfactorily completed as of yet. (i.e. posting to my blog). But my laundry is clean, my bags are (mostly) packed, my paper work is printed, and my tablet has been sufficiently stocked with library books for the journey. All systems would appear go! This is the moment I've been waiting for since I last came home from Washington back in October. I've been diligently studying since then - ever adding to my already bursting brain; I've been pouring over books and diving into documentaries in anticipation of again sharing my gleaned knowledge with hundreds of "enthusiastic" (which here means selfie-crazed, often oblivious, but O so lovable) 8th graders! So why am I so nervous? It's...

     The title is a bit misleading - because as it turns out, I took shamefully few pictures during this most wonderful and event-filled part of the year! But between my mother's purposeful shots, and my sisters' candids I think I'll have enough to go on! For the rest of this holiday recap, however, you may simply have to use your imagination.      Let's begin where I left off a month ago. The Friday before Christmas was the only day our whole family was gathered at home: my brother had arrived early that morning, and I was scheduled to leave early the next day for Chicago. So as tradition would have it, that was the day we opened our presents! Yes, I know it's terribly unfair for the rest of you who have to wait until Christmas day for all of your sugar plum dreams to come true, but this is the way we've always done because we've always been with extended family in Illinois on the actual 25th; and I can't help the way that makes you feel. I will not bo...

     I haven't really anything to say exactly. No profound thoughts have come to me. I haven't picked up my pen to record an epic tale or hilarious story! But with a full schedule ahead of me, I thought now might be a good time to catch up before all the crazy of family, friends, and traveling begins. For those of you who for whatever reason seem compelled to read these posts regularly and stay informed of my life, you may appreciate the little things that have accumulated to make such a splendid Christmas Season thus far. For lack of a better system, I shall simply narrate the pictures from my camera & phone that have captured my life these past few weeks.      First things first - we got our Christmas tree! I don't care what Febreeze or Yankee claims: there is no substitute for a fresh cut pine in one's house at Christmas time! Traditionally, we get our tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. But as weather and travels would have it, we had to wait ti...

     Another Thanksgiving. Another trite attempt at encapsulating everything one is thankful for into one Facebook status. Another feeble go at trying not to forget someone or something for fear of judgement. Another impossible make-up day for being ungrateful the rest of the year! Another fake smile, another glib catch phrase, another excuse to make tasty food that OF COURSE you're thankful for! Really? Is this what we've come to celebrate? What are we celebrating? the traditions? The food? The Parade? The football? The Family? Or are we really *supposed to be celebrating the Lord, life, and liberty? I'm pretty sure that's what the Pilgrims were celebrating after all...      Don't get me wrong: Thanksgiving is probably my favourite holiday! For all of the above reasons - food, football, family, and let's not forget the best part: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! But really?! Oughtn't this day be called Hypocriting day? Or Oximoroning Day? After we...