This story starts about 50 years ago. I was a teen-ager. I was musical. I was walking down Vermilion Street in the downtown section of Danville, Illinois. This was before the downtown section was torn up and made into a large outdoor mall. In the past 50 years it has been returned to it's original condition. But I digress.
So I'm probably 13 or 14 years old, and I walk past Thomas Music Store. I don't think it was Kamp Music, the store I went to more often. Thomas Music store, on that particular day, had a smallish used guitar in the window. The price tag was a whomping $17.50. It had a treble clef printed on the front. I'm sure it was about two steps up from being a toy. But I had to have it. Mostly because the main musical loves of my life at the time, besides the Beatles, was a group called Peter, Paul, and Mary. I can't describe what their folk sound did for me, but I knew I had to learn how to play the guitar. So I marched into Thomas Music and put that guitar on lay-away. For weeks I would revisit the store with the weekend's babysitting money, and methodically pare down that debt, one weekend after another. Eventually I was able to take the guitar home. But not before I bought a book of Peter, Paul, and Mary songs. The guitar chords in the songs had little charts that told you where you put your fingers. It was the easiest thing in the world for me to go home and figure out those chords and start playing those songs. And I would listen to the records. I learned all of Mary's parts. I thought she was so pretty with her long straight blonde hair. And Peter and Paul (whose actual name was Noel) were pretty cute too with those little goatees! I wore those albums thin listening to them, literally hundreds of times. As time went on I replaced the albums with 8 track tapes, cassette tapes, CD's and then downloaded them on my IPOD.
So in 2009 when Mary died, I could have kicked myself nine ways to Sunday for never getting off my keister and going out to Wolf Trap where they performed every summer. I couldn't believe that I had not ever heard them live. They were one of the most influential groups of my musical life.
So of course I was excited to find out that Peter and Paul were coming to Chautauqua this summer. I wasn't sure how it would be without Mary, but I was eager to see their show.
Here's how this all went down tonight. We had our regular Saturday night choir rehearsal in Lenna Hall which is about a 10 minutes walk to the amphitheater. Nancy and I were going to go to the concert. I rode my bike to the rehearsal so I could get back early enough for us to get a seat. Now that we are librarians, we can't just leave right after rehearsal. There's collecting music, discussing issues, and putting everything away.
So I'm at the rehearsal by 5:30, a half hour before the beginning. People are coming in and new people are signing up to sing on Sunday. Tonight was the last night for new people to join. And there was an issue about whether or not we had enough music. And sure enough, we ran out. The drill is to have people share while we figure out what to do. Nancy came up to me and said that Jared (the director) had driven the Department of Religion golf cart to rehearsal. I am the official golf cart driver for the librarians. So Nancy suggested I go back to the amp to get some more music folders. I agreed right away because I knew that Peter and Paul were back there warming up, and that their catered dinner would be held in the choir room. MAYBE I WOULD SEE THEM!!!!!
I get in the cart and tear over to the amp. I'm admitted through the back because I am "official" since I'm the choir librarian. As I pass the main floor I can hear the sounds of Peter and Paul singing on the stage, checking the sound. When I get up to the choir room the smell of fancy catered food fills the air. There's a feast ready up there, but the stars are down on the stage. I grab the folders and chat with the caterers for a second. Then I head back down the stairs feeling a little disappointed that I had not seen the "guys."
As I got to the bottom of the stairs I casually looked down the hall that leads to the stage. And standing there, big as life, guitar in hand, is Peter Yarrow himself! He's looking right at me. Now at this point it's appropriate to mention that through my choir experiences with the Kennedy Center Honors and other miscellaneous celebrity encounters in my life, that most celebs have their on-stage personas, and their off-stage personas. And I don't blame famous people for having a limit on the amount of interacting they want to do with the public. I'm used to knowing that you don't try to chat up the famous people.
But come on. . . there he was. Peter Yarrow. He didn't know me, but I had known him for years and years. My eyes met his and I just simply said, "You are my hero." And he walked toward me with the warmest smile you can imagine. I told him he had no idea how many hours of my life had been spent with his music. . . either listening or playing it. And he came over and put his arms around me and gave me a big bear hug and then kissed me on the cheek. And he asked me my name and we chatted a bit more and then he repeated the hug and kiss and I told him how much it meant to me to meet him. And how much I missed Mary. And I think he was delighted that I wasn't clamoring for an autograph. I turned to go feeling so grateful that I had had this encounter with him as he walked back into the dressing room. And then out of the corner of my eye I saw someone else. Also with a guitar. Noel Paul Stookey! I had turned to go and I turned around and said to him, "You're my hero too!" And he said, "What? I'm your thrill?" To which I replied, "Okay. . . let's go with that!" He also walked towards me with a warm open smile and we chatted and I told him I had lived in the DC area and always managed to miss them at Wolf Trap. And he said he performed at The Barns there and then said, "I have to get Peter to perform at the Barns." At that point I had to leave with my folders and they had to eat. What a thrill to have that private moment with them. They both are, in private, exactly as nice as they are on the stage. What a treat!
And the concert was great. Everyone singing along. They are still fabulous. And even though I miss Mary, I sang her parts right along with them during the concert. I literally have always dreamed of singing Mary's parts with Peter and Paul.
I had no idea that moment would happen tonight. A delightful serendipity that I will remember all of my life.
I bet right now they are in a hotel somewhere kicking themselves that they didn't get the phone number of that cute little music librarian! Yeah, I live in a rich fantasy world. .. . . .
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
ROSEBUD. . . . . AND SHRIMP!
Well, finally, here at the end of week 5, I am kind of back in the groove, movie-wise.
I saw three movies in three days! And they were all good.
The first one was a romantic comedy (hey. . . . . I'm a girl!) called Your Sister's Sister. Apart from the fact that I liked the previews, it had Emily Blunt in it, and I'm a big fan of EB. I like everything I see with her in it. And it had Mark Duplass in it. I had never heard of him. But he was great. While I was waiting for that movie to start, there was a preview of a movie called Safety Not Guaranteed. The star? Mark Duplass! HUH? Twice in one day?
Then on Tuesday night I saw People Like Us with Elizabeth Banks and I loved that. Her downstairs neighbor looked familiar. Oh yeah.. . . . . Mark Duplass! How can I not have heard of this guy? He is the anti-movie star looks-wise, but he has a sweet vulnerability that, let's face it,. . . girl's love. I love me some Matt Damon too, but I think Mark Duplass is worth watching, and it's a good thing, because he seems to be stalking me from the big screen.
On Wednesday night I did not see Mark Duplass in a movie. Mainly because the movie was Citizen Kane, and I doubt if Mark Duplass' parents were born yet when that movie was made. Heck, I wasn't born yet when that movie was made. And believe it or not, I had never seen that movie before. And yes, there is Netflix and all, but I was glad I waited to see it on the "big" screen. This was the third classic movie of the summer, and only the first one I have been able to see. It was terrific! I've seen so many references to this movie in various movie overview programs. I knew all about the "Rosebud" line. But I had no idea what Rosebud was, or who Rosebud was. All those years and no one ever gave away the ending. I won't give it away either. Because it makes for a very compelling movie. We were lucky in that the guy up here who introduced the movie was able to give us a few things to watch for that added to the enjoyment of the picture.
So I'm back in the saddle, movie-wise, and happy to be there.
Now as to the shrimp. This is just a weird story. More weird than Rosebud because there is no answer.
Last night before I went to bed I was aware, through my new favorite web-site, Wunderground, that there was a very serious group of storms on the way to our neck of the woods. In fact, it was showing that this was very likely to become a derecho. Now a derecho is very much like Mark Duplass. Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of this. But this is the kind of storm front that hit DC and Virginia with such powerful, straight-line wind. I heard all about it after the fact when I kept getting messages from home that my house was okay! Okay? Wasn't worried. And then I started seeing the radar pictures from this groups of storms and became acquainted with the concept of a derecho. For the record, I enjoy Mark Duplass much more than a potential derecho. I look forward to seeing Mark Duplass again. A derecho? Not so much.
So last night here were the huge, long blobs of yellows, oranges and reds, stretching across states coming across Lake Erie and headed right towards us. And they promised that somewhere along 2 in the morning we could expect to be hit. Well, it was more like 4 AM and it was an impressive thunderstorm, but the winds never kicked up too much, just lots of rain and thunder and lightening.
So I had to be in the amp at 7:30. I checked the radar when I got up and found us between bands of these storms at around 7, so I decided just to walk across to the amp then so as to be undercover when the next round hit. As I walked out the door of my apartment, turned right so as to exit the porch via the two steps, I noticed that there were two cooked shrimp(s?) on the floor of the porch. Like from a shrimp cocktail. Just sprawled on the porch floor. Hmmmm. I thought to myself. Barb or Susan must have been bringing shrimp up on the porch and spilled a couple. Weird. So I got over to the amp. And it being early in the morning, the crew was setting everything up. And one of them comes up to me and says, "Did you see the shrimp?" And I thought. . . .what was this guy doing on my porch? Is it possible that 63-year-old me is irresistible to this 20-something hottie in cowboy boots? And before I could say "yes" in my most sultry tones, he explains further that there were shrimp up and down the aisles of the amphitheater! What? No seriously. . . . what? I asked him where they came from and he said he didn't know. So. . . was it raining shrimp last night? Was there a wind I wasn't aware of that blew the shrimp from somewhere (where?) all over the grounds? What is the answer to the mysterious appearance of cooked shrimp in those two locations? Are there more locations? Should I put a bowl out on the porch tonight in the hopes of catching them before they land on the ground? Would I feel safe eating them the next day?
So many questions. Three mysteries in a couple of days! Who is this Mark Duplass? What is a derecho? Where the hell did the shrimp come from?
My brain is tired!
I saw three movies in three days! And they were all good.
The first one was a romantic comedy (hey. . . . . I'm a girl!) called Your Sister's Sister. Apart from the fact that I liked the previews, it had Emily Blunt in it, and I'm a big fan of EB. I like everything I see with her in it. And it had Mark Duplass in it. I had never heard of him. But he was great. While I was waiting for that movie to start, there was a preview of a movie called Safety Not Guaranteed. The star? Mark Duplass! HUH? Twice in one day?
Then on Tuesday night I saw People Like Us with Elizabeth Banks and I loved that. Her downstairs neighbor looked familiar. Oh yeah.. . . . . Mark Duplass! How can I not have heard of this guy? He is the anti-movie star looks-wise, but he has a sweet vulnerability that, let's face it,. . . girl's love. I love me some Matt Damon too, but I think Mark Duplass is worth watching, and it's a good thing, because he seems to be stalking me from the big screen.
On Wednesday night I did not see Mark Duplass in a movie. Mainly because the movie was Citizen Kane, and I doubt if Mark Duplass' parents were born yet when that movie was made. Heck, I wasn't born yet when that movie was made. And believe it or not, I had never seen that movie before. And yes, there is Netflix and all, but I was glad I waited to see it on the "big" screen. This was the third classic movie of the summer, and only the first one I have been able to see. It was terrific! I've seen so many references to this movie in various movie overview programs. I knew all about the "Rosebud" line. But I had no idea what Rosebud was, or who Rosebud was. All those years and no one ever gave away the ending. I won't give it away either. Because it makes for a very compelling movie. We were lucky in that the guy up here who introduced the movie was able to give us a few things to watch for that added to the enjoyment of the picture.
So I'm back in the saddle, movie-wise, and happy to be there.
Now as to the shrimp. This is just a weird story. More weird than Rosebud because there is no answer.
Last night before I went to bed I was aware, through my new favorite web-site, Wunderground, that there was a very serious group of storms on the way to our neck of the woods. In fact, it was showing that this was very likely to become a derecho. Now a derecho is very much like Mark Duplass. Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of this. But this is the kind of storm front that hit DC and Virginia with such powerful, straight-line wind. I heard all about it after the fact when I kept getting messages from home that my house was okay! Okay? Wasn't worried. And then I started seeing the radar pictures from this groups of storms and became acquainted with the concept of a derecho. For the record, I enjoy Mark Duplass much more than a potential derecho. I look forward to seeing Mark Duplass again. A derecho? Not so much.
So last night here were the huge, long blobs of yellows, oranges and reds, stretching across states coming across Lake Erie and headed right towards us. And they promised that somewhere along 2 in the morning we could expect to be hit. Well, it was more like 4 AM and it was an impressive thunderstorm, but the winds never kicked up too much, just lots of rain and thunder and lightening.
So I had to be in the amp at 7:30. I checked the radar when I got up and found us between bands of these storms at around 7, so I decided just to walk across to the amp then so as to be undercover when the next round hit. As I walked out the door of my apartment, turned right so as to exit the porch via the two steps, I noticed that there were two cooked shrimp(s?) on the floor of the porch. Like from a shrimp cocktail. Just sprawled on the porch floor. Hmmmm. I thought to myself. Barb or Susan must have been bringing shrimp up on the porch and spilled a couple. Weird. So I got over to the amp. And it being early in the morning, the crew was setting everything up. And one of them comes up to me and says, "Did you see the shrimp?" And I thought. . . .what was this guy doing on my porch? Is it possible that 63-year-old me is irresistible to this 20-something hottie in cowboy boots? And before I could say "yes" in my most sultry tones, he explains further that there were shrimp up and down the aisles of the amphitheater! What? No seriously. . . . what? I asked him where they came from and he said he didn't know. So. . . was it raining shrimp last night? Was there a wind I wasn't aware of that blew the shrimp from somewhere (where?) all over the grounds? What is the answer to the mysterious appearance of cooked shrimp in those two locations? Are there more locations? Should I put a bowl out on the porch tonight in the hopes of catching them before they land on the ground? Would I feel safe eating them the next day?
So many questions. Three mysteries in a couple of days! Who is this Mark Duplass? What is a derecho? Where the hell did the shrimp come from?
My brain is tired!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
DEAR SARA,
It was not hard to love you from the very beginning. You were cute and sweet, and bubbly. And it was clear that you two were crazy about each other. Chad is a special guy. And it would take a special girl to see all the genuinely wonderful qualities that he possess under that sometimes tough exterior. You were just that girl.
Throughout the six years that you two have been together, I have never seen either of you waver in your commitment to each other. My favorite thing about the two of you is that when I am with you, you always treat each other well. Even after all this time.
I have loved and appreciated your kindness and spirit. I have always felt welcomed by you into your home. I treasure the times you and I have had the opportunity to spend time together. . . just the two of us. Like when we went to your folks place for Thanksgiving. And when we had tea in Leesburg after running into each other at the Cooley gallery! And when we shopped for patio furniture for your new home.
I am delighted that you and my treasured son have decided to make a go at this marriage thing. I think you have a strong foundation which started in genuine delight with each other, and has progressed over the years as you have made a life together. You've traveled to Phoenix and back. You've settled several apartments and bought a house together. You have "parented" that crazy Murray.
My heart overflows with welcome and delight that you have decided to join this crazy family in a formal and legal way. We're not so bad once you get used to us, and apparently you have.
So welcome to the family, my lovely daughter-in-law. July 21st will be a special day in my life now too. My baby boy has taken a wife. I hope I will always be your friend. We both love the same guy. I wish you both so much happiness and patience and perseverance through all the times to come. Congratuations and love to you both.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
SPACE MOUNTAIN!
I never really liked roller coasters. Or scary rides. When I was in the summer between 6th and 7th grade, my sister and I went on a trip with our aunt and uncle and their two small children. Ostensibly we were going along as babysitters for the cousins. I'm not sure the trip turned out exactly as my aunt and uncle planned. But that's another blog! But we spent the bulk of the vacation at a beach house at Myrtle Beach, S.C. And there was this big amusement park we went to. And they had this ride called the Hurricane or something like that. You got up in a stand-up cage, the big ride started going round and round really fast, tilted up, and then the bottom dropped out of the cage because the centrifugal force kept you in. I stood at the base of that ride for what seemed like hours and wanted so badly to be brave enough to ride it. I just watched and watched as group after group got on, survived the ride, and got off again. I never did. Couldn't muster up the courage.
I took my kids to Disney World when they were 4 and 7. They wanted to ride Space Mountain but they were both too small, and anyway, I had no intention of riding it with them. I was a stultifying mother of boys in that respect. It was a miracle that my kids did not grow up with my fears.
So taking risks. . . . not so much for me. Although looking back on my life I can see where I've done some pretty scary things that others wouldn't do. I guess it depends on the situation.
Today I "rode Space Mountain" for the second time this summer. That is. . . .I turned pages for Jared's organ recital. Today I wasn't sure if he was going to need me, but I told him I would always be in the front row so that he could just wave me up there if he needed. The good thing about not knowing this time is that I didn't have time to get all nervous. So when, after the 2nd piece, he beckoned to me, I just jumped right up. I got on that ride, right in front of everyone who had gathered in the amp to hear him. I don't know ahead of time what the pieces are.
I'll try to describe how this goes. So he introduces the piece, jumps up on the organ, opens the music. I have about 30 seconds while he is adjusting the registrations on the organ, to look at the first page and determine the time signature, the tempo (speed) and the look of the piece. In the case of two of the pieces I did today, I could tell they were going to be fast. With FLYING notes in one hand or the other. When the music is flying by, it's easy to get lost. So I look at the pedal part which is usually easier to follow. Unless he has the organ registered so that the pedal part is not clearly evident in the texture of the whole piece. So he's off and running and I'm standing there with my heart beating a mile a minute, and I'm wishing I had not just had the iced coffee that is not helping in the palpitation department. For the most part I stayed with the program today. But a couple of times I was totally lost!
Luckily Jared is no ordinary organist. In spite of the unbelievable calisthenics that he is accomplishing with both hands and both feet (we're talking such virtuoso playing that it's all I can do to not get swept away by the spectacle of it all), he is completely lucid. I actually think that he and I could be up there telling jokes while he's playing and he could keep up and laugh when appropriate. So I just end up saying to him, "I'm lost here, you'd better nod!" And he pretty much starts laughing and then he'll say, "I'm on the second to last line. . . .. . last line. . . . . last measure. . . . TURN THE PAGE!" Of course this is going on in such a way that the audience is unaware that we're having this conversation. It's totally surreal. And I'm sure I'm having the same kind of rush that people that love roller coasters get. Because when you think about it, they are safe, but it feels dangerous. Today I was safe. No one is going to get hurt if I miss a page turn. But it feels so dangerous. And when it's over, it's such a rush that I want him to try another piece that I can attempt to get! Scary in the extreme. But totally exhilarating. Space Mountain!
The other phenomenal thing that happened today was that the daily lecturer came to us from under the ocean! She was a famous ocean explorer who is currently residing in an underwater lab off Key Largo. There she was on the live feed, taking questions, giving us a tour of her lab, describing her studies!
Here we are watching our lecturer on a live stream from under the sea!
And here's what the experts are telling us. We are killing our oceans. And we're almost to the point of it being too late to do anything about it. And the solutions are not that hard given the oceans ability to replenish itself if areas are left alone and allowed to do that. The speaker yesterday was able to show pictures of several of the most remote areas in the ocean which have had virtually no human contact at all. In those areas the coral reefs are lush and healthy, the large fish are abundant. The water is crystal clear. But those areas are infinitesimal when compared with the areas of ocean that have been over-fished and depleted by human contact. It's gut wrenching to hear about.
Okay. . . so the bad news about water issues is coming, but not without a dose of optimism about the ability of humankind to turn this around if they so desire.
And the good news is that I probably will get several more shots at Space Mountain this summer. I may be becoming an adrenaline junky!
I took my kids to Disney World when they were 4 and 7. They wanted to ride Space Mountain but they were both too small, and anyway, I had no intention of riding it with them. I was a stultifying mother of boys in that respect. It was a miracle that my kids did not grow up with my fears.
So taking risks. . . . not so much for me. Although looking back on my life I can see where I've done some pretty scary things that others wouldn't do. I guess it depends on the situation.
Today I "rode Space Mountain" for the second time this summer. That is. . . .I turned pages for Jared's organ recital. Today I wasn't sure if he was going to need me, but I told him I would always be in the front row so that he could just wave me up there if he needed. The good thing about not knowing this time is that I didn't have time to get all nervous. So when, after the 2nd piece, he beckoned to me, I just jumped right up. I got on that ride, right in front of everyone who had gathered in the amp to hear him. I don't know ahead of time what the pieces are.
I'll try to describe how this goes. So he introduces the piece, jumps up on the organ, opens the music. I have about 30 seconds while he is adjusting the registrations on the organ, to look at the first page and determine the time signature, the tempo (speed) and the look of the piece. In the case of two of the pieces I did today, I could tell they were going to be fast. With FLYING notes in one hand or the other. When the music is flying by, it's easy to get lost. So I look at the pedal part which is usually easier to follow. Unless he has the organ registered so that the pedal part is not clearly evident in the texture of the whole piece. So he's off and running and I'm standing there with my heart beating a mile a minute, and I'm wishing I had not just had the iced coffee that is not helping in the palpitation department. For the most part I stayed with the program today. But a couple of times I was totally lost!
Luckily Jared is no ordinary organist. In spite of the unbelievable calisthenics that he is accomplishing with both hands and both feet (we're talking such virtuoso playing that it's all I can do to not get swept away by the spectacle of it all), he is completely lucid. I actually think that he and I could be up there telling jokes while he's playing and he could keep up and laugh when appropriate. So I just end up saying to him, "I'm lost here, you'd better nod!" And he pretty much starts laughing and then he'll say, "I'm on the second to last line. . . .. . last line. . . . . last measure. . . . TURN THE PAGE!" Of course this is going on in such a way that the audience is unaware that we're having this conversation. It's totally surreal. And I'm sure I'm having the same kind of rush that people that love roller coasters get. Because when you think about it, they are safe, but it feels dangerous. Today I was safe. No one is going to get hurt if I miss a page turn. But it feels so dangerous. And when it's over, it's such a rush that I want him to try another piece that I can attempt to get! Scary in the extreme. But totally exhilarating. Space Mountain!
The other phenomenal thing that happened today was that the daily lecturer came to us from under the ocean! She was a famous ocean explorer who is currently residing in an underwater lab off Key Largo. There she was on the live feed, taking questions, giving us a tour of her lab, describing her studies!
Here we are watching our lecturer on a live stream from under the sea!
And here's what the experts are telling us. We are killing our oceans. And we're almost to the point of it being too late to do anything about it. And the solutions are not that hard given the oceans ability to replenish itself if areas are left alone and allowed to do that. The speaker yesterday was able to show pictures of several of the most remote areas in the ocean which have had virtually no human contact at all. In those areas the coral reefs are lush and healthy, the large fish are abundant. The water is crystal clear. But those areas are infinitesimal when compared with the areas of ocean that have been over-fished and depleted by human contact. It's gut wrenching to hear about.
Okay. . . so the bad news about water issues is coming, but not without a dose of optimism about the ability of humankind to turn this around if they so desire.
And the good news is that I probably will get several more shots at Space Mountain this summer. I may be becoming an adrenaline junky!
Monday, July 16, 2012
UNEXPECTED DELIGHT
Tonight I was able to get to a movie. My 3rd of the season. This time last year I'm sure I had seen over 10 movies! On the other hand, I put in 6 hours doing library work today. Getting a dozen different copies of music out of over 160 folders, collating, checking for missing music, tying up the music, labeling and getting it put away is a long task. . . .even for three people. But the interesting thing is that I love library work! I worked in the music library at my college, and again at the National Music Camp at Interlochen back in my college days. My brain is so active and flying around all the time that I find sequential, step-wise tasks very restful. I love having a stack of work, going through the steps to accomplish it. . .no creativity required, and see the stack of work go down down down. It's so delightfully left-brained. It's the same reason I enjoy untangling yarn or string.
So that has been fun. . . . especially when I find an opening in my schedule and I'm not missing something else.
But I did go to the movie. A wonderful documentary called First Position. It was about an international dance competition where young people ages 9 - 17 compete for prizes, but more importantly, scholarships to prestigious dance schools and even contracts for dance companies. It followed about a half dozen different kids on their quest for these prizes. I knew nothing about this world and it was fascinating. I'm always interested in the kinds of interests/gifts that show up really early in a person's life. . . . so that they HAVE to pursue their dream, in spite of giving up their "childhood" and having a snowball's chance in hell of winning the prize.
But what made this screening even more enjoyable was the large number of youngsters who were obviously dancers (as evidenced by their running around the grounds in tights with their hair in buns) who had come to the show. As the dancers on the screen practiced and performed, the young dancers in the audience yelled and cheered for them. They knew what they were watching and what it took to get there.
I didn't expect to get a crash course in the life of a developing dancer. But I always love learning new stuff in unexpected ways! Such a delight.
In a not as delightful vein, the speakers this week are going to be top notch. But they will not have good news. National Geographic is sending a week's worth of experts to discuss water issues. They are complex and somewhat daunting. I'll be reporting these as the week goes on. But let's just hang on to "delightful" for one more day, shall we?
So that has been fun. . . . especially when I find an opening in my schedule and I'm not missing something else.
But I did go to the movie. A wonderful documentary called First Position. It was about an international dance competition where young people ages 9 - 17 compete for prizes, but more importantly, scholarships to prestigious dance schools and even contracts for dance companies. It followed about a half dozen different kids on their quest for these prizes. I knew nothing about this world and it was fascinating. I'm always interested in the kinds of interests/gifts that show up really early in a person's life. . . . so that they HAVE to pursue their dream, in spite of giving up their "childhood" and having a snowball's chance in hell of winning the prize.
But what made this screening even more enjoyable was the large number of youngsters who were obviously dancers (as evidenced by their running around the grounds in tights with their hair in buns) who had come to the show. As the dancers on the screen practiced and performed, the young dancers in the audience yelled and cheered for them. They knew what they were watching and what it took to get there.
I didn't expect to get a crash course in the life of a developing dancer. But I always love learning new stuff in unexpected ways! Such a delight.
In a not as delightful vein, the speakers this week are going to be top notch. But they will not have good news. National Geographic is sending a week's worth of experts to discuss water issues. They are complex and somewhat daunting. I'll be reporting these as the week goes on. But let's just hang on to "delightful" for one more day, shall we?
Sunday, July 15, 2012
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!
It was one of those giant crashes of thunder which woke me up early this morning. You know the kind I mean. . . . they hit so ferociously and are so deafening that your first reaction is to think, "I must have been hit by that one!" And then you wait for the sirens because even though you were not hit, you are pretty sure that somewhere close to you was. And this morning the sirens did come. And later I heard that a home across from a church which is about 5 blocks from my house got hit. No significant damage or injuries. Hard to believe given the decibel level!
Rousted from my sleep, the sound of the ensuing rain mounting a crescendo right outside the open windows of my tiny apartment, my mind immediately began buzzing with my schedule for the morning. Which was to leave my apartment on foot, walk to the Hall of Missions 6 blocks away, grab a golf cart and take it out to Lenna Hall to pick up the choir music and transport it to the Amphitheater in time for pre-service choir rehearsal at 9:15. My thoughts? 1. Will the golf cart be all wet, and should I take a towel to dry it off? 2. Do I need to run over to the amp and grab the tarps and bungee cords we bought for just this scenario? 3. Will the rain be over by the time I need to go? 4. If not, will it be a better idea to run up to the parking lot to get my car for the music? 5. Do I really have any intention of stepping one foot outside this apartment while lightening and thunder assault the community?
I sought my answers in technology. I went to my new favorite weather website: wunderground and brought up the radar. Yep. . . .there was a bright red little bugger of a blog right over Chautauqua. Scanning outward, it seemed to be the only bright red blob anywhere in the United States of America at that moment. And I could see the end in sight. So I chilled, got up, had breakfast, checked the radar again, and was happy to see that the rain had practically stopped by the time I was supposed to leave to go get the cart. I took a towel, wiped the thing off, picked up Nancy, and we got the music transported without incident.
However, once choir had started and I was manning the table to help choir members get their robes and music before the rehearsal, I decided to pull up "wunderground" on my phone. And low and behold, there was another red blob, recently arrived off Lake Erie, headed right towards us! What to do? Armed with information and trying to decide if it's better to tell people or not. I chose "not." After all, we were under cover, even if the sides to the amp are open to the elements.
And sure enough, right towards the end of rehearsal, as people were starting to gather in the amp for the service, the heavens opened up again. . .this time without too much drama in the lightening/thunder department. But TORRENTIAL rain!
Now here's why this is significant. Sunday, today, marks the beginning of Week 4 at Chautauqua. The theme this week is: Water Matters (In partnership with National Geographic). Yep. . . the theme is WATER. And more than any other time I've been here, the Institution has gone crazy with tying the theme to the week's activities. There are the 5 Water experts that will do the lectures in the amp each weekday morning at 10:45, the afternoon lectures will pursue the theme: Water: Life Source/Life Force. But also, the opera scenes on Saturday night were all on water themes. The orchestra concert this week will have music based on Water themes. The morning and evening church services today featured every conceivable hymn/anthem with a water theme. There's a huge fish tank on the plaza with fish from the Chautauqua Lake, live and swimming around and probably wondering what the hell they are doing in this tiny tank when they were so recently in the lake! All Water All the Time. That's this week.
And I suspect we're going to hear some painful realities this week. Because there are lots of people in the know who will tell you that oil and economy and nuclear proliferation and social issues are not the number one problem facing our world. Global access to clean water is. There is a water crisis brewing that is not being paid much attention to. And I suspect we're going to hear about it this week. That's Chautauqua for you. . . . making you painfully aware of really important issues that are just more convenient to ignore.
So this morning, to kick off the week. . . . the rains came down. In buckets. In torrents. In deluges. For a short amount of time. And then they stopped. A little bit creepy if you ask me.
Rousted from my sleep, the sound of the ensuing rain mounting a crescendo right outside the open windows of my tiny apartment, my mind immediately began buzzing with my schedule for the morning. Which was to leave my apartment on foot, walk to the Hall of Missions 6 blocks away, grab a golf cart and take it out to Lenna Hall to pick up the choir music and transport it to the Amphitheater in time for pre-service choir rehearsal at 9:15. My thoughts? 1. Will the golf cart be all wet, and should I take a towel to dry it off? 2. Do I need to run over to the amp and grab the tarps and bungee cords we bought for just this scenario? 3. Will the rain be over by the time I need to go? 4. If not, will it be a better idea to run up to the parking lot to get my car for the music? 5. Do I really have any intention of stepping one foot outside this apartment while lightening and thunder assault the community?
I sought my answers in technology. I went to my new favorite weather website: wunderground and brought up the radar. Yep. . . .there was a bright red little bugger of a blog right over Chautauqua. Scanning outward, it seemed to be the only bright red blob anywhere in the United States of America at that moment. And I could see the end in sight. So I chilled, got up, had breakfast, checked the radar again, and was happy to see that the rain had practically stopped by the time I was supposed to leave to go get the cart. I took a towel, wiped the thing off, picked up Nancy, and we got the music transported without incident.
However, once choir had started and I was manning the table to help choir members get their robes and music before the rehearsal, I decided to pull up "wunderground" on my phone. And low and behold, there was another red blob, recently arrived off Lake Erie, headed right towards us! What to do? Armed with information and trying to decide if it's better to tell people or not. I chose "not." After all, we were under cover, even if the sides to the amp are open to the elements.
And sure enough, right towards the end of rehearsal, as people were starting to gather in the amp for the service, the heavens opened up again. . .this time without too much drama in the lightening/thunder department. But TORRENTIAL rain!
Now here's why this is significant. Sunday, today, marks the beginning of Week 4 at Chautauqua. The theme this week is: Water Matters (In partnership with National Geographic). Yep. . . the theme is WATER. And more than any other time I've been here, the Institution has gone crazy with tying the theme to the week's activities. There are the 5 Water experts that will do the lectures in the amp each weekday morning at 10:45, the afternoon lectures will pursue the theme: Water: Life Source/Life Force. But also, the opera scenes on Saturday night were all on water themes. The orchestra concert this week will have music based on Water themes. The morning and evening church services today featured every conceivable hymn/anthem with a water theme. There's a huge fish tank on the plaza with fish from the Chautauqua Lake, live and swimming around and probably wondering what the hell they are doing in this tiny tank when they were so recently in the lake! All Water All the Time. That's this week.
And I suspect we're going to hear some painful realities this week. Because there are lots of people in the know who will tell you that oil and economy and nuclear proliferation and social issues are not the number one problem facing our world. Global access to clean water is. There is a water crisis brewing that is not being paid much attention to. And I suspect we're going to hear about it this week. That's Chautauqua for you. . . . making you painfully aware of really important issues that are just more convenient to ignore.
So this morning, to kick off the week. . . . the rains came down. In buckets. In torrents. In deluges. For a short amount of time. And then they stopped. A little bit creepy if you ask me.
Friday, July 13, 2012
FANTASY BLOGGING
So I'm reading back through the last few blogs. And for the one just before this I apologized for repeating myself two days in a row. Except I just realized I never wrote the first blog I was referring to. I guess I had written it in my head. I INTENDED to write it. But I didn't. So I didn't repeat anything. Were you confused? Or did you not notice?
What I had INTENDED to write 2 days ago was about the Master Class with Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz, and about my experience page-turning for the organ recital.
It was a phenomenal (shoot. . . . . along with spectacular and fabulous I also use phenomenal way too much. I need a Thesaurus!) And now I realize that reading that last sentence, you can't tell what is phenomenal. . . the Master Class or the organ concert. Well. . . they both were.
Turns out that Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz used to live in Waterford, Virginia, which is not too far from Northern Virginia where I spent my adult life. I know this is where they lived because, true to form, I got to the master class early and plopped myself in the front row. They sauntered in and started chatting up the people in the front row and we immediately established that I'm a Virginian too . . . . although now they are Martha's Vinyard-ians. So I was feeling like we were experiencing the beginning of a beautiful friendship except for all those other people in the room who had the colossal nerve to show up at my master class. Tony and Geraldine were so down-to-earth and pleasant and normal. Until I remembered that they both had won Pulitzer Prizes. It was then that I decided not to invite them down to see the renovated Crappy Little House. My knowing where Waterford, Virginia is does not constitute intimacy it seems.
They both gave stellar talks and answered questions. Tony writes non-fiction history. . . .or, as he tells it, "The Truth." His latest book about John Brown the civil war abolitionist/terrorist was the subject of a talk he gave today. Geraldine writes historical fiction. It was so fascinating to hear them describe their individual process and also how they work together. What a great couple! they started out as war correspondents. Lots of interesting stories between them. I ran into them walking the grounds later in the day and had a chance to stop and chat with them briefly again. . . .just me and them. But I still didn't invite them to Afton. And they did not invite me to Martha's Vinyard either.
The organ recital. Let me just say, for the record (I know, I know), that turning pages is not an easy job. I had never seen the music before, and all 4 pieces I turned were ones I had never even heard of. Which is why he needed a page turner. One piece was wild and wooly. . . moved very fast with multiple meters going on and no sense of real beat. Lots of running notes. Hard to follow in the extreme. And we're on the stage of the amphitheater. . .the largest venue on the grounds. NO PRESSURE! I just told Jared that if I got lost I would tell him and then he'd better nod really big when he wanted me to turn. Actually I did really well. I talked myself off the ledge before going up on the stage. I visualized myself getting it right and I did. It's great brain exercise, and truly a trip out of my comfort zone to accept the challenge. But on the other hand, the worst that could happen is that I could miss a turn, and Jared is good enough to keep going anyway should that happen. I hope he continues to use me to do this. Standing literally at his elbow while his fingers and feet dance around on the 4 different keyboards of that organ is nirvana for me. I was an organ major in college. For about 10 minutes of my life I fancied that I would be a concert organist at some point. I haven't played the organ in decades, and will not do so ever again I'm sure. But I have an understanding of what he's doing and the level he's achieving that other people might not have. And to be that close to greatness and to be helping him out is a mighty big rush.
So that was my Wednesday. . . . two days ago. Blogs out of order. Holy cow. . . what next?
What I had INTENDED to write 2 days ago was about the Master Class with Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz, and about my experience page-turning for the organ recital.
It was a phenomenal (shoot. . . . . along with spectacular and fabulous I also use phenomenal way too much. I need a Thesaurus!) And now I realize that reading that last sentence, you can't tell what is phenomenal. . . the Master Class or the organ concert. Well. . . they both were.
Turns out that Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz used to live in Waterford, Virginia, which is not too far from Northern Virginia where I spent my adult life. I know this is where they lived because, true to form, I got to the master class early and plopped myself in the front row. They sauntered in and started chatting up the people in the front row and we immediately established that I'm a Virginian too . . . . although now they are Martha's Vinyard-ians. So I was feeling like we were experiencing the beginning of a beautiful friendship except for all those other people in the room who had the colossal nerve to show up at my master class. Tony and Geraldine were so down-to-earth and pleasant and normal. Until I remembered that they both had won Pulitzer Prizes. It was then that I decided not to invite them down to see the renovated Crappy Little House. My knowing where Waterford, Virginia is does not constitute intimacy it seems.
They both gave stellar talks and answered questions. Tony writes non-fiction history. . . .or, as he tells it, "The Truth." His latest book about John Brown the civil war abolitionist/terrorist was the subject of a talk he gave today. Geraldine writes historical fiction. It was so fascinating to hear them describe their individual process and also how they work together. What a great couple! they started out as war correspondents. Lots of interesting stories between them. I ran into them walking the grounds later in the day and had a chance to stop and chat with them briefly again. . . .just me and them. But I still didn't invite them to Afton. And they did not invite me to Martha's Vinyard either.
The organ recital. Let me just say, for the record (I know, I know), that turning pages is not an easy job. I had never seen the music before, and all 4 pieces I turned were ones I had never even heard of. Which is why he needed a page turner. One piece was wild and wooly. . . moved very fast with multiple meters going on and no sense of real beat. Lots of running notes. Hard to follow in the extreme. And we're on the stage of the amphitheater. . .the largest venue on the grounds. NO PRESSURE! I just told Jared that if I got lost I would tell him and then he'd better nod really big when he wanted me to turn. Actually I did really well. I talked myself off the ledge before going up on the stage. I visualized myself getting it right and I did. It's great brain exercise, and truly a trip out of my comfort zone to accept the challenge. But on the other hand, the worst that could happen is that I could miss a turn, and Jared is good enough to keep going anyway should that happen. I hope he continues to use me to do this. Standing literally at his elbow while his fingers and feet dance around on the 4 different keyboards of that organ is nirvana for me. I was an organ major in college. For about 10 minutes of my life I fancied that I would be a concert organist at some point. I haven't played the organ in decades, and will not do so ever again I'm sure. But I have an understanding of what he's doing and the level he's achieving that other people might not have. And to be that close to greatness and to be helping him out is a mighty big rush.
So that was my Wednesday. . . . two days ago. Blogs out of order. Holy cow. . . what next?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
LOVING WORDS
Oh wow. . . here I go again. Do I mean "loving" as a verb, or "loving" as an adjective? Has someone up here started to talk to me with "loving words?" Or am I literally LOVING words????
This time it's the second example. A verb. LOVING words. And I do. I always have. That's one reason why I do crosswords. . .not just to fill in the little squares, although I really love filling in squares, but to find the right word. It's so satisfying.
If you go back through my blogs you'll see that I have a limited vocabulary. Everything is "fabulous" or "spectacular" or "moving" or "provocative." I just say the same things over and over.
I mean. . . . I start a lot of sentences with "I mean." Or "for the record." I just have a limited supply of expressions it seems.
But oh, I love a person that can turn a phrase. And turn it differently every time.
So, excuse me for repeating my self in two blogs, but today Geraldine Brooks spoke about her book, Caleb's Crossing. And yesterday in her master class presentation with her husband, Tony Horwitz, she stayed off the topic of this book because she was going to talk about it today. But let's just get this Geraldine Brooks thing straight right away. . . this woman is such a gifted user of words. Her everyday language is fluid, and spontaneous, and beautiful. She constructs her sentences when she is talking in the most beautiful way. I wish I was her so I could really tell you how it is to hear her just speak! She can turn a phrase. It's fabulous! It's spectacular! Geez. . . .why can't I do better????
Today she approached the microphone and immediately the listener was aware that somewhere between yesterday and today she had pretty much lost her voice. She apologized and promised to do her best, and cute hunky husband Tony was in the wings ready to step in should she faulter. And then she proceeded to read her prepared remarks (which she wrote, obviously, so they were spectacularly [parentheses within a parentheses . . . give me a break] beautiful words). The audience was carried away by the beauty of her words. She spoke of her life, of doing research for "Caleb" and of her views about life in general. Every single word of the speech was carefully crafted. Not a word was wasted. I had a momentary flashback to last year when I eagerly attended the presentation of Amy Dickinson who wrote The Mighty Queens of Freeville. The book was cute and I had heard her on the program "Wait, wait, don't tell me!" on PBS. I couldn't wait to see her. And then she stood up at the podium and spent the better part of an hour READING from her book! I had already read the book! I was so disappointed!!!
Geraldine Brooks' talk was the polar opposite of that. I don't think they make tapes of the authors' presentations, but if they do, I'm buying a CD of the talk I heard today.
Finely crafted words. Billy Collins. Geraldine Brooks. Barbara Kingsolver. It's just such a fabulous, spectacular gift (shoot me now!!!). I'm so inadequate. But I appreciate gifted people. And it's always a privilege to be in their presence. As it was today.
This time it's the second example. A verb. LOVING words. And I do. I always have. That's one reason why I do crosswords. . .not just to fill in the little squares, although I really love filling in squares, but to find the right word. It's so satisfying.
If you go back through my blogs you'll see that I have a limited vocabulary. Everything is "fabulous" or "spectacular" or "moving" or "provocative." I just say the same things over and over.
I mean. . . . I start a lot of sentences with "I mean." Or "for the record." I just have a limited supply of expressions it seems.
But oh, I love a person that can turn a phrase. And turn it differently every time.
So, excuse me for repeating my self in two blogs, but today Geraldine Brooks spoke about her book, Caleb's Crossing. And yesterday in her master class presentation with her husband, Tony Horwitz, she stayed off the topic of this book because she was going to talk about it today. But let's just get this Geraldine Brooks thing straight right away. . . this woman is such a gifted user of words. Her everyday language is fluid, and spontaneous, and beautiful. She constructs her sentences when she is talking in the most beautiful way. I wish I was her so I could really tell you how it is to hear her just speak! She can turn a phrase. It's fabulous! It's spectacular! Geez. . . .why can't I do better????
Today she approached the microphone and immediately the listener was aware that somewhere between yesterday and today she had pretty much lost her voice. She apologized and promised to do her best, and cute hunky husband Tony was in the wings ready to step in should she faulter. And then she proceeded to read her prepared remarks (which she wrote, obviously, so they were spectacularly [parentheses within a parentheses . . . give me a break] beautiful words). The audience was carried away by the beauty of her words. She spoke of her life, of doing research for "Caleb" and of her views about life in general. Every single word of the speech was carefully crafted. Not a word was wasted. I had a momentary flashback to last year when I eagerly attended the presentation of Amy Dickinson who wrote The Mighty Queens of Freeville. The book was cute and I had heard her on the program "Wait, wait, don't tell me!" on PBS. I couldn't wait to see her. And then she stood up at the podium and spent the better part of an hour READING from her book! I had already read the book! I was so disappointed!!!
Geraldine Brooks' talk was the polar opposite of that. I don't think they make tapes of the authors' presentations, but if they do, I'm buying a CD of the talk I heard today.
Finely crafted words. Billy Collins. Geraldine Brooks. Barbara Kingsolver. It's just such a fabulous, spectacular gift (shoot me now!!!). I'm so inadequate. But I appreciate gifted people. And it's always a privilege to be in their presence. As it was today.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
HOW I GOT THE JOB!
Actually that was the title of the program I attended tonight. The acting company. . . . 14 super-talented college age students who were picked from over 500 applications for the summer theater cadre of actors. They gave the monologues that got them into the program. It is amazing how a talented actor can stand up, launch cold turkey into a 2 minute monologue, and hold the audience spell-bound. I love this show. I love acting and after I've seen the "kids" strut their stuff, every other play I see in the summer has new meaning because I feel I know the actors better.
But in a related story. . . . .today Nancy and Jean and I informed Jared that we would be "open-minded" about continuing our jobs as music librarians for next year. Here's this job that I got by being recruited on the phone in early June. A job I did not want. And it's turning into a wonderful experience. We don't know if Jared will try to find a replacement, or if the Institution even wants to have three librarians next year. But he seemed pleased that we feel that way.
I got out to the gym today and I'm always happy to work that in. I watched some of the dress rehearsal for the dance concert tonight. And then when I got home after the monologue program, the dance concert was only half over and I got to see An American in Paris, which is the piece I really wanted to see. I love the music of George Gershwin!
On a melancholy note, it seems that my high school friend, Molly Melching, who was scheduled to speak this week, will not be coming after all. I'm not sure why, except that usually changes in speakers is due to a scheduling conflict. Molly is based in Africa and I'm guessing something came up for her that prevented her from being here. I was looking forward to seeing her.
And on the home front. . . Casey had shoulder surgery today. He has had bad shoulders since his high school weight lifting/wrestling days, and the accident on the ski slopes this past winter when an out of control teen flew into him from the rear resulted in some significant damage to that shoulder. Casey is an avid golfer and is anxious to be able to get back to that. So the surgery was today. . . . .out patient. Have received word from Cortney that he is home and groggy and doing well. I know he will be pleased with the result after a week or so of healing from the initial results of the surgery, and the ensuing physical therapy that will follow.
Tomorrow I will take my first turn (literally) at being the page-turner for Jared for his noon-time concert on the huge Massey pipe organ in the amp. This will be a thrill for me. I hope I don't choke! I practically minored in page turning in college, so I hope I can get my chops back in a hurry! Week three is practically half through!
But in a related story. . . . .today Nancy and Jean and I informed Jared that we would be "open-minded" about continuing our jobs as music librarians for next year. Here's this job that I got by being recruited on the phone in early June. A job I did not want. And it's turning into a wonderful experience. We don't know if Jared will try to find a replacement, or if the Institution even wants to have three librarians next year. But he seemed pleased that we feel that way.
I got out to the gym today and I'm always happy to work that in. I watched some of the dress rehearsal for the dance concert tonight. And then when I got home after the monologue program, the dance concert was only half over and I got to see An American in Paris, which is the piece I really wanted to see. I love the music of George Gershwin!
On a melancholy note, it seems that my high school friend, Molly Melching, who was scheduled to speak this week, will not be coming after all. I'm not sure why, except that usually changes in speakers is due to a scheduling conflict. Molly is based in Africa and I'm guessing something came up for her that prevented her from being here. I was looking forward to seeing her.
And on the home front. . . Casey had shoulder surgery today. He has had bad shoulders since his high school weight lifting/wrestling days, and the accident on the ski slopes this past winter when an out of control teen flew into him from the rear resulted in some significant damage to that shoulder. Casey is an avid golfer and is anxious to be able to get back to that. So the surgery was today. . . . .out patient. Have received word from Cortney that he is home and groggy and doing well. I know he will be pleased with the result after a week or so of healing from the initial results of the surgery, and the ensuing physical therapy that will follow.
Tomorrow I will take my first turn (literally) at being the page-turner for Jared for his noon-time concert on the huge Massey pipe organ in the amp. This will be a thrill for me. I hope I don't choke! I practically minored in page turning in college, so I hope I can get my chops back in a hurry! Week three is practically half through!
Monday, July 9, 2012
BEING UPLIFTED!
I think the reason I'm not writing my blog every day is two-fold: 1. I have this part-time job now and I don't have the time I had before and 2. I use Facebook. So I'm posting what's happening here on Facebook on a daily basis so I don't feel like I'm going to explode if I don't blog.
There you have it. I know you all were wondering.
Week 3 is starting out great. I have been uplifted several times already and it's only going to get better. The theme this week is: Inspire, Commit, Act! The first lecture of the week was wonderful. It's no longer celebrity central around here like it has been for the past 2 weeks, so the crowds are down. But there's some real substance coming out of the next few weeks, and it's easier to find a seat!
Today's speaker was Michelle Nunn, daughter of Senator Sam Nunn who was in the audience proudly watching his daughter take the lectern at Chautauqua. Michelle is the CEO of Points of Light, the world's largest nonprofit organization focused on volunteer action. She says she is a Democrat who was inspired by George H.W. Bush's call for "a thousand points of light." Can't get too much more bipartisan than that.
Tonight I got to the Cinema for the 2nd time to see a screening of the movie: For the Bible Tells Me So. Now I had rented this movie from Netflix a year or so ago so I had seen it. But in true Chautauquan fashion, this award winning, independent documentary was produced and directed by a life-long Chautauquan who presented a lecture/interview about the movie at 4:00. I had to miss that, but he moderated a question and answer session afterwards. The movie deals with 5 or 6 families who discovered that one of their children was gay, and how the families, all brought up in religious faiths that were against homosexuality based on their interpretations of Bible passages. It is a powerful, moving and inspiring film. Very well done.
The author this week is Geraldine Brooks. . . .one of my top 5 favorite authors. Finished Caleb's Crossing today. Her husband Tony Horwitz will be here as well. I started his book about John Brown, the abolitionist today. I will take their master class on Wednesday, and hear them speak on Thursday.
Tomorrow night I'll attend one of my favorite presentations of the summer: the drama department's "How I Got the Job." The acting company will present the audition monologues that they used to win placement in this program. These young people are always from the top theater programs in the country, and after you have seen their monologues you feel like you know each one of them personally.
This afternoon I attended the rehearsal of the Youth Symphony. One of the pieces they played was "Les Preludes" by Franz Liszt. I have a long history with this piece. During the 5 summers I worked at Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, I attended the final production each summer which was the orchestra playing Les Preludes. It always signified the end of the summer, which was a 9 week season, much like up here. I always feel a residual melancholy when I hear that piece remembering the bittersweet feeling of the summer season being over. The conductor for that piece tonight was a young conducting fellow, Roderick Cox, a dynamic African-American young man. He is a wonderful conductor. It seems he has recently been appointed assistant conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. What an amazing and uplifting story, especially considering what I have seen in my lifetime in terms of African-Americans and Alabama. Maybe the world is slowly moving in the right direction!
I'm going to fit in my first classic movie on Wednesday night, get my massage on Friday, see another play on Saturday, and still get my choir work done. I hate to relate that the weather has been spectacular. Mid 70's, bright sunshine, cool breezes! I almost feel guilty considering the other parts of the country! But I think instead of feeling guilty, I'll just settle for feeling uplifted. And the final strains of Stravinsky's "The Firebird" coming from the Amp right now are really helping!
There you have it. I know you all were wondering.
Week 3 is starting out great. I have been uplifted several times already and it's only going to get better. The theme this week is: Inspire, Commit, Act! The first lecture of the week was wonderful. It's no longer celebrity central around here like it has been for the past 2 weeks, so the crowds are down. But there's some real substance coming out of the next few weeks, and it's easier to find a seat!
Today's speaker was Michelle Nunn, daughter of Senator Sam Nunn who was in the audience proudly watching his daughter take the lectern at Chautauqua. Michelle is the CEO of Points of Light, the world's largest nonprofit organization focused on volunteer action. She says she is a Democrat who was inspired by George H.W. Bush's call for "a thousand points of light." Can't get too much more bipartisan than that.
Tonight I got to the Cinema for the 2nd time to see a screening of the movie: For the Bible Tells Me So. Now I had rented this movie from Netflix a year or so ago so I had seen it. But in true Chautauquan fashion, this award winning, independent documentary was produced and directed by a life-long Chautauquan who presented a lecture/interview about the movie at 4:00. I had to miss that, but he moderated a question and answer session afterwards. The movie deals with 5 or 6 families who discovered that one of their children was gay, and how the families, all brought up in religious faiths that were against homosexuality based on their interpretations of Bible passages. It is a powerful, moving and inspiring film. Very well done.
The author this week is Geraldine Brooks. . . .one of my top 5 favorite authors. Finished Caleb's Crossing today. Her husband Tony Horwitz will be here as well. I started his book about John Brown, the abolitionist today. I will take their master class on Wednesday, and hear them speak on Thursday.
Tomorrow night I'll attend one of my favorite presentations of the summer: the drama department's "How I Got the Job." The acting company will present the audition monologues that they used to win placement in this program. These young people are always from the top theater programs in the country, and after you have seen their monologues you feel like you know each one of them personally.
This afternoon I attended the rehearsal of the Youth Symphony. One of the pieces they played was "Les Preludes" by Franz Liszt. I have a long history with this piece. During the 5 summers I worked at Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, I attended the final production each summer which was the orchestra playing Les Preludes. It always signified the end of the summer, which was a 9 week season, much like up here. I always feel a residual melancholy when I hear that piece remembering the bittersweet feeling of the summer season being over. The conductor for that piece tonight was a young conducting fellow, Roderick Cox, a dynamic African-American young man. He is a wonderful conductor. It seems he has recently been appointed assistant conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. What an amazing and uplifting story, especially considering what I have seen in my lifetime in terms of African-Americans and Alabama. Maybe the world is slowly moving in the right direction!
I'm going to fit in my first classic movie on Wednesday night, get my massage on Friday, see another play on Saturday, and still get my choir work done. I hate to relate that the weather has been spectacular. Mid 70's, bright sunshine, cool breezes! I almost feel guilty considering the other parts of the country! But I think instead of feeling guilty, I'll just settle for feeling uplifted. And the final strains of Stravinsky's "The Firebird" coming from the Amp right now are really helping!
Friday, July 6, 2012
DIANA!
Okay summer. . . . . .slow down, slow down, slow down!!!!!! This always happens at Chautauqua. You anticipate the summer all year long. You can't help but do that since there are two rather large payments due on the condo. . . . one in early January, and one in mid-May. By the time you get here it almost seems like you're living for free!
But you do get here and then the days go by so fast. I mean I just got here. I JUST GOT HERE! And it's the end of week 2 already!!! How is this possible?
If I took the time to list all the people and events I've seen already, it would seem like a month had passed at least.
Today the 1st of 2 craft shows arrived. Tents up and down Bestor Plaza. And we're talking top notch crafts. Big bucks crafts. I went down the lane today with blinders on as I made my way to the St. Elmo Spa. I'm putting my money into my weekly massage with Mary, the world's greatest massage therapist! I had a wonderful massage. . . .I'm still greasy. . . when I cross my legs they slip off each other. Which means I had no opportunity to shower!
I went to Wegman's today after the massage because I had choir errands that needed running and I had to run them on a week day. And it was hot today. Humid and hot. Okay. . . high 80's which is a cold front compared to my usual places. But my landlady came by my apartment today and asked why I had not yet turned my air conditioner on. And frankly, I just had not thought about it. I really don't like air conditioning except as a last resort. So here I am ready to turn in for the night and I'm still surviving with open windows and my ceiling fan. Seems fine to me.
Tonight. . . . Diana Krall! Oh my but she is talented. I got out of choir late as usual and got to the amp about 15 minutes into the program. The place was packed to the gills! I ran into a fellow choir member as I went into the amp carrying my seat cushions. He asked if I thought I was going to get a seat. I responded: "Of course I'm going to get a seat! All I have to do is put my mind on getting a seat, and one will appear!" He took that opportunity to take a hard right in the opposite direction of me. Apparently that was a little too radical an idea for him. I went to the area of my regular lecture seat, and sure enough. . . . packed to the gills. With LOTS of people standing around. I just found a place to stand and enjoyed the music while I contemplated a place to sit. Within 5 minutes, 3 people in one row got up and left. I had a seat for the rest of the show.
Diana Krall is amazing. I am two days away from my daddy's 92nd birthday. I miss him every day. But he would have LOVED this concert. I learned about great jazz pianists from him. He loved Peter Nero, Andre Previn and Dave Brubeck among others. He would love the virtuoso stylings of Diana Krall. And besides. . . she can sing too! And she sang many of the great old 1940's hits that my dad played all the time. Her accompanying combo was phenomenal. As we speak two of her albums are downloading into my phone from ITunes.
There are seven weeks left of this season. I've already seen Julie Andrews, Jim Lehrer, Billy Collins, Wes Moore, and various other famous people. There are many more to come. But the Diana Krall concert tonight has made me a fan for life! I love it when that happens!
But you do get here and then the days go by so fast. I mean I just got here. I JUST GOT HERE! And it's the end of week 2 already!!! How is this possible?
If I took the time to list all the people and events I've seen already, it would seem like a month had passed at least.
Today the 1st of 2 craft shows arrived. Tents up and down Bestor Plaza. And we're talking top notch crafts. Big bucks crafts. I went down the lane today with blinders on as I made my way to the St. Elmo Spa. I'm putting my money into my weekly massage with Mary, the world's greatest massage therapist! I had a wonderful massage. . . .I'm still greasy. . . when I cross my legs they slip off each other. Which means I had no opportunity to shower!
I went to Wegman's today after the massage because I had choir errands that needed running and I had to run them on a week day. And it was hot today. Humid and hot. Okay. . . high 80's which is a cold front compared to my usual places. But my landlady came by my apartment today and asked why I had not yet turned my air conditioner on. And frankly, I just had not thought about it. I really don't like air conditioning except as a last resort. So here I am ready to turn in for the night and I'm still surviving with open windows and my ceiling fan. Seems fine to me.
Tonight. . . . Diana Krall! Oh my but she is talented. I got out of choir late as usual and got to the amp about 15 minutes into the program. The place was packed to the gills! I ran into a fellow choir member as I went into the amp carrying my seat cushions. He asked if I thought I was going to get a seat. I responded: "Of course I'm going to get a seat! All I have to do is put my mind on getting a seat, and one will appear!" He took that opportunity to take a hard right in the opposite direction of me. Apparently that was a little too radical an idea for him. I went to the area of my regular lecture seat, and sure enough. . . . packed to the gills. With LOTS of people standing around. I just found a place to stand and enjoyed the music while I contemplated a place to sit. Within 5 minutes, 3 people in one row got up and left. I had a seat for the rest of the show.
Diana Krall is amazing. I am two days away from my daddy's 92nd birthday. I miss him every day. But he would have LOVED this concert. I learned about great jazz pianists from him. He loved Peter Nero, Andre Previn and Dave Brubeck among others. He would love the virtuoso stylings of Diana Krall. And besides. . . she can sing too! And she sang many of the great old 1940's hits that my dad played all the time. Her accompanying combo was phenomenal. As we speak two of her albums are downloading into my phone from ITunes.
There are seven weeks left of this season. I've already seen Julie Andrews, Jim Lehrer, Billy Collins, Wes Moore, and various other famous people. There are many more to come. But the Diana Krall concert tonight has made me a fan for life! I love it when that happens!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
FIREWORKS!
I don't know how often we get a 4th of July Humpday, but today we did. Putting the 4th smack in the middle of a week makes for interesting dynamics. In choir all week we have tried to time our patriotic music to hit the biggest crowds. Last Sunday was our official patriotic Sunday. But today was our most patriotic anthem and I appreciate that Jared decided to forego the overdone Peter Wilhousky arrangement of Battle Hymn of the Republic which every single person on the planet has heard multiple times, they just may not know it. My antipathy for that piece comes not so much because it is done to death, but because I actually met Mr. Wilhousky at Interlochen back when I was in my late college years. Simply put. . . . he was a bit of a dirty old man. And I've never liked the piece much since then. Today we sang a piece called Hymn of Freedom and it worked nicely for the day.
After the service was Jim Lehrer's solo lecture for the week. He talked about his experiences moderating the presidential debates over the years. I looked forward to that. But as I was leaving the apartment to walk across the road to the amp, I also noticed that there was a big black cloud and distant thunder to the north. And I thought to my self: "Self. . . . do we want to weather a storm in a wooden amphitheater that is nearly 150 years old with open sides, or might we want to walk the 10 steps to the large brick library where we can catch up on our reading?" My self did not take long to make the call. After all, we get a very detailed accounting of the previous day's lecture in the morning paper. I headed for the library. And sure enough, within about 5 minutes a big storm blew in. Almost no visibility, thunder, lightening, heavy rain and hail. I calmly read my book, safe in the knowledge that. . . . well, I was safe! After it was over, people were pouring out of the amphitheater talking not only about the lecture but about their personal experiences with being soaked to the skin in spite of being down close to the middle. And before long, trucks and the sound of chain saws attested to the need to clean up branches that had been downed. The huge cluster of bicycles that stand outside the amp was a tangled heap of metal. Glad my bike was safely parked under the stairway of my building and covered with a tarp! So those were the first fireworks of the day. And the rain was enough to cancel the band concert that happens on the lawn of the plaza!
From there my day got lazy. I had no appointments or obligations until 4:00 when I attended the first play of the season, The Philadelphia Story which was fabulous!
Tonight I read some more and then wandered down to the lake front. Nancy and I were just commenting today that so far this year we have operated completely apart from the knowledge that we are two blocks from a beautiful lake! This was my first trip down there. . . after dark. The entire perimeter of the lake is lined with red flares, and standing down there you can see no fewer than 6 different fireworks displays going on in the various communities around the lake. At 10:00 the Miller Bell Tower begins to play patriotic music. But this year, everyone's favorite firework by far was the full orange moon that rose over the lake right about 10. It was spectacular!
I'm getting feedback that people are enjoying the pictures I'm posting so that they can truly see where I am. Tonight I'll give you the gym scenario. I walk or bike to the gym. If I walk, I take the "brick walk" for the bulk of the trip.
The gardens along the path are exquisite. Pretty soon I can see Taylor Rec Center in the distance.
The last part of the walk or ride to here is a short, but very steep hill. I always arrive thinking I've already done my cardio!
If I ride my bike, I park it on the racks you see on the right.
This is the air-conditioned part of the gym. The machines are here. I use some of the machines, but. . . . . .
I spend most of my time in this room with the free weights, balls and bands, and these two pilates machines which I really like. It's much hotter in here.
So there you have the gym scenario. Hope to get back there tomorrow. I'm shooting for at least 3 times a week.
So another 4th of July has gone the way of the Dodo. This was a good one!
After the service was Jim Lehrer's solo lecture for the week. He talked about his experiences moderating the presidential debates over the years. I looked forward to that. But as I was leaving the apartment to walk across the road to the amp, I also noticed that there was a big black cloud and distant thunder to the north. And I thought to my self: "Self. . . . do we want to weather a storm in a wooden amphitheater that is nearly 150 years old with open sides, or might we want to walk the 10 steps to the large brick library where we can catch up on our reading?" My self did not take long to make the call. After all, we get a very detailed accounting of the previous day's lecture in the morning paper. I headed for the library. And sure enough, within about 5 minutes a big storm blew in. Almost no visibility, thunder, lightening, heavy rain and hail. I calmly read my book, safe in the knowledge that. . . . well, I was safe! After it was over, people were pouring out of the amphitheater talking not only about the lecture but about their personal experiences with being soaked to the skin in spite of being down close to the middle. And before long, trucks and the sound of chain saws attested to the need to clean up branches that had been downed. The huge cluster of bicycles that stand outside the amp was a tangled heap of metal. Glad my bike was safely parked under the stairway of my building and covered with a tarp! So those were the first fireworks of the day. And the rain was enough to cancel the band concert that happens on the lawn of the plaza!
From there my day got lazy. I had no appointments or obligations until 4:00 when I attended the first play of the season, The Philadelphia Story which was fabulous!
Tonight I read some more and then wandered down to the lake front. Nancy and I were just commenting today that so far this year we have operated completely apart from the knowledge that we are two blocks from a beautiful lake! This was my first trip down there. . . after dark. The entire perimeter of the lake is lined with red flares, and standing down there you can see no fewer than 6 different fireworks displays going on in the various communities around the lake. At 10:00 the Miller Bell Tower begins to play patriotic music. But this year, everyone's favorite firework by far was the full orange moon that rose over the lake right about 10. It was spectacular!
I'm getting feedback that people are enjoying the pictures I'm posting so that they can truly see where I am. Tonight I'll give you the gym scenario. I walk or bike to the gym. If I walk, I take the "brick walk" for the bulk of the trip.
The last part of the walk or ride to here is a short, but very steep hill. I always arrive thinking I've already done my cardio!
If I ride my bike, I park it on the racks you see on the right.
So there you have the gym scenario. Hope to get back there tomorrow. I'm shooting for at least 3 times a week.
So another 4th of July has gone the way of the Dodo. This was a good one!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
CIVILITY!
I experienced something today that I have been missing for years, and years, and years (I could go on).
The lecture of the morning was Jim Lehrer interviewing two political pundits. . . a democrat, and a republican. I admit that this place up here, being called in a tongue-in-cheek fashion a "summer camp for the NPR set" is more liberal leaning than conservative leaning. These are people who by and large are concerned about the whole world, and for those less fortunate. But that doesn't mean that there are not conservatives here. As we prepared for this week's theme: "The Lehrer Report: What Informed Voters Need to Know" we have been cautioned to not turn this week's lectures into a public forum of political bias. That we have an opportunity to actually hear from both sides, and that constantly interrupting the process with cheers and jeers reflecting one's own personal leanings will merely get in the way of becoming informed. And for the most part, the crowd has complied.
Today, with Jim Lehrer was Donna Brazile, Democratic political pundit, campaign manager for Al Gore, CNN broadcaster, outspoken, in-your-face style. From my standpoint, what's not to like? Appearing on-stage with her was Whit Ayers, a Republican pundit. For nearly 45 minutes I was able to listen to both sides of the argument in an environment of civility, humor, and lively banter. It was amazing. I found I did not "HATE" the other side, but was willing to listen.
Actually the funniest quip of the morning came at the beginning from the Republican:
Jim Lehrer: "I'm going to start this morning by quoting the preacher from the sermon at church this morning when he says: God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican."
To which, Whit Ayers, without skipping a beat said, "Who knew?"
It was hilarious!
And Donna Brazile is hilarious anyway in her down-home, colloquial style of speech. At one point she offered every single Independent voter in the audience to come home with her and she would cook Gumbo for them.
What with all the one-sided tv and radio stations that pontificate 24/7 for one side, extolling the virtues of their side and vilifying the other, what a breath of fresh air to be in a place where no one was making an "enemy" of someone who was simply an "opponent." A miracle!
I was able to spend some quality hermit time in my apartment after I worked out at the gym. I'm less of a hermit than ever this summer, but I still need to cocoon and "fart around" and today I did that.
Tonight Nancy, Jean, and I did library duties while the Pops concert was going on. We could hear it because the library room is back-stage. We stopped at the end in time to go out into the amp and participate in the annual 1812 Overture performance where the 5000 member audience participates by blowing up paper bags and pops them on-cue where the cannons come in. Nancy, after many many more years at Chautauqua than I have been, had NEVER done this. Thought it was too schlocky! I assured her that "of COURSE it's too schlocky" and also not to be missed. So we grabbed the bags, ran out in time to blow up our bags and pop them on cue. The audience goes wild. Norman Rockwell should have painted this. On the Stars and Stripes Forever the flag comes out of the ceiling. . . . honestly. . . it's cheesy at its very best!
I wouldn't miss it for the world. Chautauqua on the 4th. . . . from Civility in the morning to Cheesy at night! Heaven!
The lecture of the morning was Jim Lehrer interviewing two political pundits. . . a democrat, and a republican. I admit that this place up here, being called in a tongue-in-cheek fashion a "summer camp for the NPR set" is more liberal leaning than conservative leaning. These are people who by and large are concerned about the whole world, and for those less fortunate. But that doesn't mean that there are not conservatives here. As we prepared for this week's theme: "The Lehrer Report: What Informed Voters Need to Know" we have been cautioned to not turn this week's lectures into a public forum of political bias. That we have an opportunity to actually hear from both sides, and that constantly interrupting the process with cheers and jeers reflecting one's own personal leanings will merely get in the way of becoming informed. And for the most part, the crowd has complied.
Today, with Jim Lehrer was Donna Brazile, Democratic political pundit, campaign manager for Al Gore, CNN broadcaster, outspoken, in-your-face style. From my standpoint, what's not to like? Appearing on-stage with her was Whit Ayers, a Republican pundit. For nearly 45 minutes I was able to listen to both sides of the argument in an environment of civility, humor, and lively banter. It was amazing. I found I did not "HATE" the other side, but was willing to listen.
Actually the funniest quip of the morning came at the beginning from the Republican:
Jim Lehrer: "I'm going to start this morning by quoting the preacher from the sermon at church this morning when he says: God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican."
To which, Whit Ayers, without skipping a beat said, "Who knew?"
It was hilarious!
And Donna Brazile is hilarious anyway in her down-home, colloquial style of speech. At one point she offered every single Independent voter in the audience to come home with her and she would cook Gumbo for them.
What with all the one-sided tv and radio stations that pontificate 24/7 for one side, extolling the virtues of their side and vilifying the other, what a breath of fresh air to be in a place where no one was making an "enemy" of someone who was simply an "opponent." A miracle!
I was able to spend some quality hermit time in my apartment after I worked out at the gym. I'm less of a hermit than ever this summer, but I still need to cocoon and "fart around" and today I did that.
Tonight Nancy, Jean, and I did library duties while the Pops concert was going on. We could hear it because the library room is back-stage. We stopped at the end in time to go out into the amp and participate in the annual 1812 Overture performance where the 5000 member audience participates by blowing up paper bags and pops them on-cue where the cannons come in. Nancy, after many many more years at Chautauqua than I have been, had NEVER done this. Thought it was too schlocky! I assured her that "of COURSE it's too schlocky" and also not to be missed. So we grabbed the bags, ran out in time to blow up our bags and pop them on cue. The audience goes wild. Norman Rockwell should have painted this. On the Stars and Stripes Forever the flag comes out of the ceiling. . . . honestly. . . it's cheesy at its very best!
I wouldn't miss it for the world. Chautauqua on the 4th. . . . from Civility in the morning to Cheesy at night! Heaven!
Monday, July 2, 2012
UMBILICALLY SPEAKING
Reality is setting in. There is no way I will be blogging each and every day. And I can see that as a good thing or a bad thing. The bad news is that I'm not able to relate everything that is going on. . . because there's just too much, and daily posts are the only way to possibly touch on nearly everything.
But the good news is that I'm so extra busy with my choir job, that I'm spending much more time with PEOPLE. Like interacting. And negotiating. And planning. And collaborating. And Laughing Laughing Laughing!
I am seriously out of my hermit mode this summer and I see that as a good thing.
But speaking of umbilical cords. . . . . . . . I know. . . . we weren't speaking of them at all, but it's 11:00 and I'm out of segues.
Apparently, as I learned from Facebook, my ONLY source of news for the last year, there have been vicious storms in the Virginia/DC area. I first noticed the FB posts from my friends in DC: "This one is REALLY bad!" "Out of power, heading for hotel." And then they were offering to put each other up in their homes. And then from Afton, the Afton Mountain Winery (home of my "Thursday at Three" events with Sandy) posted that they were closed due to the storms! "Storms?" I thought, as I hurried to the choir loft to sort music. Somewhat reminiscent of last year when I heard murmurings of "the earthquake that hit Virginia" being bandied about the grounds (see blog entry of last year).
My first indication that it must have been significant was when Dave texted me to ask me if I knew if my house was okay. "Uh. . . . . no!" He was more concerned about the canvas garage he constructed on my property last spring to hold a bunch of his stuff. And sure enough, a couple of hours later he was sending me a picture because he was there. . . . at my house. He assured me that one branch had bent one of the supports on his structure, but that my house was fine.
Then he said that while he was there, Bill and Sandy stopped by to see if the house was okay. And later Sandy emailed me that all was fine. And then today I got a phone message from George the Trainer at Five Star Health and Fitness wondering if I had heard about the storms and assuring me that the house was okay.
Umbilical cords! To my life back at home! How lovely. I didn't ask anyone to check on the house. . . . I didn't even know there was a storm! And yet here are my friends checking on my behalf, keeping me tethered to my 9-months-of-the-year home.
When I'm up here, especially now that I have this job, I immerse in the culture and friends/family of this place. I am so busy and involved that there is almost no time to remember that other people in other places love me and are thinking about me. To be so cared for is such a gift. I am grateful to all those people every day. . . . and I look forward to being back with them. My life is an embarrassment of riches.
And speaking of that. . . . .Week 2 is Jim Lehrer week. He will be moderating all the talks in the amp this week. Today he spoke with Andrew Kohut, president of Pew Research Center. They spoke about polling and how it influences elections. The official title of this week is "The Lehrer Report: What Informed Voters Need to Know." I'm excited for tomorrow because one of the guests is Donna Brazile. Last year she was a last minute fill-in for a speaker that had to cancel at the last minute. She is wildly popular up here.
I have worked out at the gym only twice and seen one movie. Not my general modus operandi. But new modi operandi might be in order for me. I'm juicing and eating right, and God knows I'm active.
So onward I go. Having the time of my life in this cooler, tamer weather pattern, and gobbling up every bit of experience I can. And firmly attached, via virtual umbilical cord to my loved ones back home.
But the good news is that I'm so extra busy with my choir job, that I'm spending much more time with PEOPLE. Like interacting. And negotiating. And planning. And collaborating. And Laughing Laughing Laughing!
I am seriously out of my hermit mode this summer and I see that as a good thing.
But speaking of umbilical cords. . . . . . . . I know. . . . we weren't speaking of them at all, but it's 11:00 and I'm out of segues.
Apparently, as I learned from Facebook, my ONLY source of news for the last year, there have been vicious storms in the Virginia/DC area. I first noticed the FB posts from my friends in DC: "This one is REALLY bad!" "Out of power, heading for hotel." And then they were offering to put each other up in their homes. And then from Afton, the Afton Mountain Winery (home of my "Thursday at Three" events with Sandy) posted that they were closed due to the storms! "Storms?" I thought, as I hurried to the choir loft to sort music. Somewhat reminiscent of last year when I heard murmurings of "the earthquake that hit Virginia" being bandied about the grounds (see blog entry of last year).
My first indication that it must have been significant was when Dave texted me to ask me if I knew if my house was okay. "Uh. . . . . no!" He was more concerned about the canvas garage he constructed on my property last spring to hold a bunch of his stuff. And sure enough, a couple of hours later he was sending me a picture because he was there. . . . at my house. He assured me that one branch had bent one of the supports on his structure, but that my house was fine.
Then he said that while he was there, Bill and Sandy stopped by to see if the house was okay. And later Sandy emailed me that all was fine. And then today I got a phone message from George the Trainer at Five Star Health and Fitness wondering if I had heard about the storms and assuring me that the house was okay.
Umbilical cords! To my life back at home! How lovely. I didn't ask anyone to check on the house. . . . I didn't even know there was a storm! And yet here are my friends checking on my behalf, keeping me tethered to my 9-months-of-the-year home.
When I'm up here, especially now that I have this job, I immerse in the culture and friends/family of this place. I am so busy and involved that there is almost no time to remember that other people in other places love me and are thinking about me. To be so cared for is such a gift. I am grateful to all those people every day. . . . and I look forward to being back with them. My life is an embarrassment of riches.
And speaking of that. . . . .Week 2 is Jim Lehrer week. He will be moderating all the talks in the amp this week. Today he spoke with Andrew Kohut, president of Pew Research Center. They spoke about polling and how it influences elections. The official title of this week is "The Lehrer Report: What Informed Voters Need to Know." I'm excited for tomorrow because one of the guests is Donna Brazile. Last year she was a last minute fill-in for a speaker that had to cancel at the last minute. She is wildly popular up here.
I have worked out at the gym only twice and seen one movie. Not my general modus operandi. But new modi operandi might be in order for me. I'm juicing and eating right, and God knows I'm active.
So onward I go. Having the time of my life in this cooler, tamer weather pattern, and gobbling up every bit of experience I can. And firmly attached, via virtual umbilical cord to my loved ones back home.
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