Background Music

I'm working on a paper today, which is not my first choice with the weather warming up and the sun shining. But time is going to get away from me if I don't start hacking away at the research. In the background, I have Pandora cranking out an unlikely mix of music. (I have 14 saved "stations" from classical to jazz to Christian to harp, currently set to "Quickmix" - the most random "random" playlist ever!)

I just heard a series of Chopin Preludes played by Artur Rubenstein. My mind flashed back to junior high when we went to hear him play at a concert in our hometown. My piano teacher was one of the hostesses for a reception for him afterwards. I don't remember much about the concert, other than it was brilliant. What I remember is shaking his hand at the reception. My piano hands, relatively strong for my age, were completely engulfed in the massive muscle and thickness of his. With a polite bow, he released my hand to greet the next guest.

I can hear recordings of his music all the time. But I will never be able to recapture the impression of that one handshake.

Deb

Be the Center

This was one of the theme songs for Chrysalis 56...

And this was the other one...

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Quiet moments this morning...

sometimes... it's a passing shadow, a mere suggestion.
sometimes... it's fighting for the sunny spot on the carpet. and...
sometimes... it's choosing to walk away.

Cats. Imitating life and conflict resolution.

Worship

the one thing i don't question is you
you really love me
like you say you do...


Paul Colman

Take the long way home...

Courtesy of atomsmasher.org/highway

It was bizarre... I do know how to get home from northern Maryland. But in my tiredness last night, I turned on the GPS and went on "autopilot" after a Chrysalis Gathering and party. And took the LONG way home (as in 90 minutes instead of the usual hour!) By the time I realized I had turned the wrong way, it would have added even more time to my drive. SO I just went with the twists and turns of northern Maryland, ending up north of Frederick and driving down I-270.

There's not many radio stations to choose from, so I ended up singing along with an oldies station playing Supertramp...

So you think youre a romeo
Playing a part in a picture-show
Take the long way home
Take the long way home...

When lonely days turn to lonely nights
You take a trip to the city lights
And take the long way home
Take the long way home

It would have been funny except that I was tired, had forgotten my iPod and my cell phone, and wanted to go to sleep!! And the next songs were other forgettable songs of the 70s and 80s.

Sometimes life is like that. You make a choice (or don't) and end up with more to muddle through than you planned.

I'm sure there's a million applications I could make with this... but right now, it's time to do my taxes. (Yeah. About that... The irony isn't lost on me, either!)

Deb

Friday Five: My Favorite Things

Songbird from RevGals writes:
In a week of wondering how various things in our family life will unfold, I found myself thinking of the way Maria comforted the Von Trapp children in one of my favorite movies. Frightened by a thunder storm, the children descend upon her, and she sings to them about her favorite things, taking their minds off the storm.

So, let's encourage ourselves. Share with us five of your favorite things. Use words or pictures, whatever expresses it best.

1. Photography: Capturing and creating images of things that I see, experience and learn about every day. Sometimes it is a fleeting picture out my window (like the "pink" snow at sunset a few weeks ago.) Sometimes it is a celebration or a family memory that I want to hang onto. But I really enjoy taking pictures and not really being IN them.


2. Music: If you haven't picked up on this by now, we don't know each other very well. It's what encourages me, refocuses me, and gives me joy. I love creating it, singing it, and experiencing it. I am a music snob (I admit it) so poorly done or out of-tune-music will drive me crazy. I do try to turn off my "inner music critic" but it's hard. I have a Steinway in my living room... it does not get the love and playing it deserves. I'm thinking I need to get back into the habit of pounding on THIS keyboard too...




3. A natural beach: The beach just not the same when there's boardwalks, T-shirt shops, restaurants and commercialization. I love the dunes. The sound of the birds. Finding a shell or shark's tooth. And having the loudest noise I hear be the wind in my face or the surf.



4. Buckeye Nation: Yes. I am a Buckeye. Win or lose. Always. I know the alto horn part to just about any Sousa march (hint - there isn't much variety!) and I love to belt out a variety of Buckeye songs. I'm ready for next season which opens on Saturday, September 5, 2009 in Columbus against Navy. And I will enjoy every minute of seeing the Midshipmen SINK.


LAST, BUT ACTUALLY FIRST...
5. This crew: Bearded Brewer, Reedy Girl and The Harpist. I also love my extended family but the most recent picture I have of everyone is about 2 or 3 years old... So just imagine them all in there. They're definitely the top of the heap in my heart!


There you are...

Deb

HELP! Do you speak Welsh??

HELP!
Do you speak Welsh??

If you speak Welsh and/or are familiar with the rise and fall of the number of fluent Welsh speakers over that last century/decade/whenever... I have a huge favor to ask!

The Harpist is completing her senior project on the question of how a language flourishes or fails, looking at several factors (government support, political factors, national identity, etc.) and MUST interview someone who has experience and/or expertise in this area.

She thought she possibly had someone... and they are continent hopping and will not be (or don't want to be) available for the interview...

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS.... PLEASE leave me a comment with your contact info (email please?) and I'll be in touch with you ASAP!

We would be really, REALLY grateful!

Deb

small 'splosion...

That sound you heard was my temper exploding:

"Therefore the practice of using the same term to refer (1) to male human beings and (2) to the human race generally is a practice that originated with God himself, and we should not find it objectionable or insensitive."
~Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology


Aside from misapplying the Hebrew and ignoring half the human race... no problem. And what's with the royal "we"???

Words fail me.
And yeah. You can call me a feminist. Whatevs.

It's February... that means....

It's February! That means...
It's PANTIPALOOZA time!

No, this isn't an ad for Victoria's Secret. It's a way to get in on one woman's idea of love and care for other women in her community. It's the fourth year for this little event, started by my friend Mindy.

Here's what she writes about it...

"Palooza is simple. You are going to chose some woman, women or a women's group that can benefit from something you can donate or do and then...you DO it.

Remember....everyone can play and you can adapt the palooza to how you see fit. It is not restricted to just panties. In previous years it has included scarfs, shoes, diapers, toiletries and many other things. On my thankfulness list, I always list panties. They really are such a blessing. Most of us have washers and dryers so we always have a fresh clean supply of panties. If not, most of us can hit the nearest Wally World and pick us up a pair! But, there are some women in our lives that do not have that option...that blessing. For some reason or other, life has been hard on them. Be it abuse, poverty, hurricanes or whatever....so it it up to us to make a difference!

One chance encounter with a woman and one phone call is what started it all. I called our local Crisis Center and talked to some of the counselors there. If you decide to do that, please remember that there may be some questions that they cannot answer due to confidentially laws. They told me, on average, how many women are at the safe house at any given time. I explained to them what I was sort of looking at doing. They explained to me that they get things donated such as shampoo and lotion but it is usually the generic stuff. They suggested body sprays or lotions that smell nice. I will put those things on my list to pick up. I am also donating...PANTIES!! They told me that they can always use panties at the Shelter in all shapes and sizes. If not a shelter, other suggestions would be just asking around and finding one woman to zero in on.

This is a hard holiday for a lot of people for many different reasons. Singles, widows, divorcees and couples having problems would just be a place to start. You are all very creative people and I just know that you will find the perfect person to touch.What about the chick that always checks out your groceries? Why not hand her a gift certificate for a pedicure? A Valentine left on the windshield of a teacher that explains that, not only are they appreciated but WHY they are appreciated. A Sonic card, McDonald's certificates, an offer to baby sit for one evening, an oil change certificate.....Come on! Put on your thinking caps and let me know what you come up with!

The outpouring over the last few years has been wonderful! I took the advice of one of the woman at the crisis center and am donating panties in my size...that way I am helping some woman that is a lot like me.

If you decide to participate, please leave me a comment!! I want to know how far this reaches. Also, feel free to steal the idea and put it on your blog.....only good can come of it!"

SO... that's it. I'm going to be a part of it.. how about you?

Deb

Sunday Heart Song

This song encourages me...


Lifesong - Casting Crowns