Comments (6)

By Neil, July 19, 2010 5:05 PM

Just a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2000, I called Corey Miller and Jon Lauman to see if they would be interested in recording a song as a Christmas present for friends and family. To my surprise, they were open to the idea, and we started work on “Let the River Roll On (Without Me)” as quickly as we could.

A few things needed worked out before the project could be finished. I didn’t own a quality acoustic guitar then, so I borrowed one from Chris Trueblood. We also didn’t have enough time to create cover art for the CD, so I contacted my sister, Sue, to see if I could use one of her paintings. With the borrowed guitar in hand, and photographs of a great painting taken, we then set about recording the track and mixing it.

Corey took the tasks of engineering, recording, mixing and burning the CDs. Jon and I worked on printing, cutting, folding and assembling the packaging. Finally, we all signed them. All in all, it was a great experience with only minor hiccups, and our friends and family really seemed to enjoy the music.

I’d like to do another one someday. Until that day comes, I hope you enjoy “Let the River Roll On (Without Me)” as much as I enjoyed making it with a couple of my best friends those many years ago!

Let the River Roll On – YL

Comments (1)

By Neil, February 20, 2007 12:00 AM

Last weekend, Marj had training to do for her job. I planned to spend the day in Kokomo visiting family with Noah. One of the few people I had planned to visit was my Aunt Donna, whose house is located immediately west of the house where I grew up. This visit was fueled by a sense of urgency based on a phone call I received from my Aunt Rose just before Christmas. Aunt Donna’s health was dwindling, and she had been in and out of the hospital for several months before Christmas. Aunt Rose told me to be sure to stop and see her as soon as I possibly could. Unfortunately, I did not act fast enough.

I am contented that I had made sure to see Aunt Donna a few times since my grandmother’s passing, and I am thrilled that she was able to meet and hold Noah in her arms. It was fantastic to see her enjoy having him around, but I wish I had been able to make that last planned visit. This reminds me of what I told my sister, Sue, as we were walking out of the hospital room after visiting our mother without knowing it would be the last time: “It’s never long enough. No matter how much time you spend.”

The following was copied from the Kokomo Tribune’s website:

Donna J. Glendenning

Feb. 7, 1935-Feb. 14, 2007

Donna J. Glendenning, 72, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at 9:38 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, in St. Joseph Hospital, Kokomo. She was born Feb. 7, 1935, to Robert and Mary (Cocklin) Johnson in Kokomo. She married Robert Glendenning on April 8, 1954, and he survives.

With Donna, you always knew where you stood, and she always gave her all in everything she did. She was close to all of her cousins, aunts and uncles growing up, and worked for B&H Packing Co. for 24 years and also managed the bingo hall at the VFW. She always opened her home to her children’s friends and loved gambling and arranging junkets to Las Vegas. She loved her garden and liked to play cards, dice and bingo. She was a lifetime member of the Local VFW 1152 and was a member of the American Legion Post #415 in Galveston.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Glendenning, Kokomo; a son, Robert Glendenning, Costa Mesa, Calif.; three grandchildren, Kyle Mercer and his life partner, Dannette Reno, Portage, Ross Mercer, Chili, and Amy Jo Brown and her husband, Jim, Elwood; three siblings, Ben Johnson and his wife, Jean, Kokomo, Dennis Johnson, Rossville, and Rosalee Johnson, Indianapolis; five great-grandchildren, Jesse and Liberty Brown, Leigha, Mykelah and Billy Bell Mercer; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, one brother, one daughter and one grandchild.

Funeral services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Neuman officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to www.mem.com.