Introducing Champagne and LaLuna Champagne and LaLuna is a musical duo.  Steve Champagne and Mary E. LaLuna joined forces two years ago, originally and lovingly as The Steve and Mary Show.  Even though they are still on the journey together as The Steve and Mary show, their music has increased in sophistication, and therefore, so that sophistiction warrants a more sophisticated name change.  Also, many people believed it to be a talk show! They reside in Michigan City and from their quaint music studio, they are writing, creating, and performing music, "One Song at a Time." As they seek to find that perfect niche, they long to be singing at open mics in the Michiana area as well as potentially the Chicagoland open mic market.  New to their repetoire is a song written, produced, and recorded by Mary.  Steve joins Mary as the featured vocalist and guitarist.  "To Know"  ponders the question, should I tell you how I feel, because, I want you to know, that I, that I know, or shhh, keep it a secret? Sit back and enjoy this light jazz/chill version of "To Know"         How do you love when you cannot like, or like when you cannot love?  I posed this question to my classes of 8th grade students today.  It was the quote of the day, a process that my students go through every day.  They write the quote, I share a thought, a story, an insight, and then they do the same in written format.  It is the way in which I not only hook them and get them interested in the day, it is the way in which I expand their vocabulary and hopefully move them into higher level of thought.  Anyway, this idea came to mind the other day when I was talking with a friend.  My friend has difficulty with all the “family” nonsense of the holidays.  The fuss and phoniness of the shopping and hoopla that goes with the holidays, to name a few things, so I wanted Very much to help my friend understand my perspective on the subject of the “holidays” and relationships. Mother Teresa got it!  She saw clearly that there is a way to move through the world in peace if you can tap into the idea of loving that which is not likeable, and like that which one feels is not worthy of love.  You know, finding that special something about someone in the moment, even if it is as simple as focusing on the persons bauble, or shoes, or hair, or something.  Loving in a deeper way when you really just want to scream, “go away!” Now, please do not believe that I am a master at any of this. I am just a mere observer.  My job in this moment and at this time is to just point out that which I understanding.  It is a time when understanding does not necessarily mean doing.  Take a moment out of your busy day.  Look around you.  Allow yourself to see with your heart that which the eye cannot see.  Hear with your heart that which your ear cannot hear. Touch with your heart, that which your hands loathe to touch.  Speak with your heart those words that you find close to impossible to utter.  Then sit back and watch the wonder unfold as you become a master of loving when you cannot like, and liking when you cannot love.