Zed ?

Hey, Christy, pups.

g’morining everyone!

What’s been your bliss this week?

ha…I went off my diet, (to date I have lost 50 pounds but am stuck there)

I had me a pint of vanilla dove icecream, it comes with a think toping of dove chocolate that you have to break through to get to the ice cream

this was bliss while I was eating it and then hell for the rest of the night.

hope everyone has a good weekend and stay safe if you’re close to shore on the east coast

You be faster.

Booyah on your weight loss!

Hurricane Sarah has left Minnesota.

This is my bliss for all my friend and family in SoFla…

http://www.intellicast.com/Sto.....type=track

Bliss?
Walking out the front door right into the welcoming arms of the tall timbers for a whole week.

Backroad drives where the deer peek out from the trees or walks on the graveled hills, dogs tugging against the leashes.

Sandhill cranes standing in the harvested fields…weak soil it is, but this time of year that doesn’t matter, the crops are golden.

The cranes stand two by two now, scattered by quarter sections, seemingly unaware they are not the only creatures in the world. But soon one will signal and from the miles around all will gather, and the joyous cacophony will drown out the mundane, as the great migration of seasonal change begins.

Might be a metaphor in that. Or a symphony.

I’m in CT. Brought down some stuff to my son that just moved here. Our plans are to go to Mystic tonight but that would bring us right to the East coast. We’ll see.

Good morning Christy.
That was a birthday zed to start my morning stroll by the lake. Another one in the books, think I’ll turn it up and get louder at the protests. Good sign this week, an older vet gives a thumbs up to “only traitors torture” sign I carry. There’s a strong undercurrent of revulsion going on in this country waiting to be tapped. Have a good one, as I start my last year as a fifty something.

…And, I’m still pissed that Palin has had a positive effect on the McCain campaign. What is wrong with this country?

Mornin’, Prairie. How I envy your tall timbers. Haven’t been able to make it north this year, and it being our soul home, longing for it.

I think I was yammering about this last week, but we’ve had an unusual and long-lasting flock-of-oriole visitation the past couple weeks. With the advent of 40-something-degree nights, I think they’re gone now.

Bliss = good health.

Waitin’ for you on the other side. *g*

Thanks Christy, very nice !

Do they still teach music appreciation in public High Schools?
I went to school at a time when they still taught this stuff ,literature too?

Good morning Christy. Thanks much for the music.

What’s been your bliss this week?

Got an indication late this week that my employer is very pleased with my work on a critical project. After 4 years of struggle to find a job in the manufacturing sector (30 years experience) it is nice to be appreciated again.

Thanks for the convention coverage the last couple of weeks and thanks to all the FDL crew for the stellar reporting on the issues. Kudos to the tech crew for beating back the gremlins so evident the last few days. While it is rare that I de-lurk to comment y’all should know that FDL is my near constant lifeline. Thanks again.

Another example of the dumbing down of America for sure!

Bliss? Don’t think so.

But having some of the gang over for a BBQ last Sat. and having Scarecrow visit for the weekend and eCAHN overnight sat. was great. We went to the Phil. Museum of Art on Sunday and it was fabulous. Discovered one very strange room that looked like it was out of Narnia. And of course, the French Impressionists! They are, without a doubt, my favorites. So, yeah that was great.

The rest of the week. Not so much. Especially Wed. night.

Would this have any bearing? EPU’d at earlier Jane H. posting

There should be noted a strong similarity between Sarah Palin and Kirstie Alley’s character in Drop Dead Gorgeous. Both are the “cheerleader” type, a phenomenon particular to the U.S., where a culture has developed around a “social alpha” (as distinct from biological alpha) characteristics. For generations now, the population of the U.S. has been exposed to such socialization, it is not even thought of anymore so natural has it become. The Social Alpha have developed a multitude of “games” to play, designed to obtain and maintain the Alpha status. Those having Biological Alpha status fall mainly into two groups; one demonstrating superior ability; the other, acting out their alpha dominance are consigned to class troublemakers.

It appears that the choice of Sarah Palin is designed precisely to take advantage of her Social Alpha status in a national population socialized for generations to accept, support, and follow submissively that status of social leaders. No one will question her apparent status even in the face of demonstrable fact of illegality and malfeasance. It is the best camouflage to cover the grave deficits of John S. McCain, his record, his utter disability and dementia; No one will seriously question the “cheerleader”, ever. That is where the danger lies. The only sure counter involves overcoming the socialization of a nation. Social alphas are never seen to do wrong, just like in the movie. This social alpha must be seen by her record of perfidy, illegality, and malfeasance. She has prospered by the lie, let her politically perish by her lies.

please forgive the duplication. ;-)

Oh, and Millinaryman brought a fantastic cake from his favorite bakery. And Elliot brought exquisite chips and pretzels from the source, made locally. All in all, good food, good company, good conversation. Even the weather cooperated. I wish they all lived closer.

My bliss this week has been quilting. I am making a baby quilt for a good friends grand daughter and a quilt for an another friend’s son.
Picking out the material and sewing, I just love it!
Also canned tomatoes this week. Bumper crop, knew all my complaining about rain would pay off, but the mosquitoes are bad too!

Anybody that wants some honest reporting on Sarah Palin needs to take a look at http://mudflats.wordpress.com/
The blog is out of Alaska and has some excellent articles about her including a well researched 69 page document done by the Democrats in 2006 before she became governor. Well worth the read.
The women is not nice and dare I say, she lies?
Not letting it spoil today, but tomorrow I’m back on my letter writing campaign!

Morning all — slept in a wee bit this morning. Woke up to find that The Peanut and Mr. ReddHedd are playing a game on the Wii together, so I can enjoy my cuppa coffee in the quiet for a little while. Need to get out to refill my bird feeder or there is going to be trouble. My Carolina wren couple is dancing around our shrubbery, chattering away at me through the window screen…

Bliss = good health… for endurers and caregivers alike!

We have a handful of orioles still. Don’t usually see them this time of year, but they’ve been feasting on the grape jelly all week. And the big platform feeder with its black oil sunflower seeds has been busy with squabbling blue jays. And yesterday the pileated woodpecker came close but then shied away.

Still missing the evening grosbeaks, though. Some say they’ve moved further north; but I wonder, are they like the 19th century buffalo…just gone?

Just talked to the chair of the Democratic Party in GA at the farmers market. She is getting nasty emails for calling this pig Westmorland on his uppity statement.

And then there is Drop Dead George-us… which pretty much explains the last almost eight years. Cheerleader. Liar.

Good for you on the weight loss. Am working a bit on that myself, although slowly. Sine my lupus diagnosis, I haven’t been able to physically do a lot without provoking joint problems. So, I’m trying to take the walking slow and steady — which is not easy for me considering I used to run and am used to pushing myself to the physical limit to a high point for interval training. I keep telling myself this is a zen exercise in long-term results and not short term gain…but it’s a hard adjustment.

Eating better, though, has been wonderful. Mr. ReddHedd and I are doing this together. I need to take off some of the excess weight that has crept on through the various steroid pack treatments I’ve had to deal with the last few months. Now that we found better medication for me, I haven’t had so much steroid ick — and if I can take off some pounds and keep eating a healthier, less inflammatory diet, I’ll be in much better shape going forward. (Here’s hoping, anyway…)

Hanna is starting to drop her raindrops here. The bird chattering which normally is quite loud around here has been displaced for the duration. The air is eerily still— no winds yet.

Those tasty ribs, and ice cream sandwiches were a very nice treat also Deb.

Christy
The Academy of Music has such a beautiful interior which added another to the experience of seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra for me.

How about the water, is there somewhere you can swim?

I think it depends on the school, but I don’t think there is much general music appreciate class any longer. No child left behind doesn’t leave much space for curriculum outside the testing requirements, and music isn’t on the test. I was in band in school, from elementary school forward, and my parents had me taking piano lessons from a young age, so I grew up with music. (Mainly because neither of my parents had the opportunity, so they were both determined to give that to me and insisted I learn to play an instrument. I ended up learning to play 7. *g*)

Most music appreciation knowledge that I’ve seen from younger kids comes from their parents and exposure to concerts and such. I like to watch Live From Lincoln Center and other programs like that with The Peanut when we can — and I think we’ve finally gotten to the maturation level that going to a live concert is just around the corner.

When I was in graduate school, I splurged and bought myself a season ticket for the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. I had nosebleed seats so high into the rafters that there were no seats behind me, but the sound was exquisite nonetheless. Didn’t really have the money for the ticket, but the ramen noodle meals were worth every note they allowed me to hear.

Amen to that.

I’ve been listening to a compilation of Bach this week.
Arioso, Prelude in C with Ave Maria, and Andante with Sonata No.2 have been my bliss this week.

Having the cool, crisp hints of Fall weather creep in have also been my bliss.

We have feeders outside one of our windows in the den. They are strictly for finches and hummingbirds. You can sit in a recliner and watch/listen to the finches eat/sing and the hummingbirds hover. Ah,that’s bliss.

We have other feeders too for larger birds and squirrels/chipmonks that are further away from the house. They provide us with endless humor just watching them eating and playing.

It’s been a great summer for us here in Lex, KY weatherwise and our flower filled back yard has provided us a much needed haven from the world.

Good morning christy and pups.

Bliss.

That picture of Jane in the RNC hall, with that amazing look of mischief.

Yesterday afternoon, I hear the kids from the elementary school, across the street, making a racket. Can’t see them, i’m writing on the comp. I get up, pick up my camera, and I find the kids are grouped by class, they’re marching around the block, each class representing a country or events at the olympics. They have flags, noisemakers, whistles. As I was documenting this, I couldn’t help but to be so proud of all these aware kids, making their voices heard loudly, for every country on this beachball.

Here are a few pics.

Absolutely gorgeaous weather for early september.

I’m rooting for the National Enquirer (who’d ever think I’d write that?). All this talk about her being a rising star is scaring the hell out of me. So, I’m hoping Ms.Palin was indeed indiscreet and that there’s something in those divorce papers that will reveal her true side. Normally, I’d abhor delving into one’s personal life but the stakes are too high. We’ve been playing by a different set of rules for too long, now. And as we’ve watched our rising stars (Spitzer i.e.) get sidelined for indiscretions, we’ve not been fighting fire with fire. Well, we can’t afford not to get nasty. The survival of this great country is in peril.

Good for her on calling him out on it. But tell her to please stay safe. If I learned anything in my prosecutorial days, idiots only need a little incentive to justify the painting of a target on someone, verbally or otherwise. I used to have asshats chase me through the grocery store to yell at me for a family DUI conviction (”So sorry your grandfather was out driving drunk and got caught a fifth time in a 3 year span. Clearly it is all my fault he’s a dangerous drunk let loose in a large vehicle on public streets.” *G*). We once had a span of about a year where if we wanted take-out pizza, Mr. ReddHedd had to order it because I had taken children away from one of the people who worked at our local pizza joint, and we had a feeling that rat poison might accidentally fall into the sauce.

So, doing the right thing is good. And getting people to see that requires someone to stand up and do it first. But when you are that person, there is almost always some risk involved. So please tell her to be wary and safe — and if she gets threats, report them to the cops. Nothing like a public shaming to shut up bullies, I have found, quite often. *g*

Sounds lovely!

What’s interesting is that she said she’s getting them from all over, not just here in Georgia.

Morning, oldnslow! Now that you’ve dipped a toe in the commenting waters, do keep it up. :) And the coverage was our pleasure, if not our lack of sleep as well. *g*

I agree with you on that–what I’ve seen for “music” class is a teacher putting a pre-recorded tape into a player and having the kids doing controlled, choreographed movements.

We used to have instruments to bang to the beat. None in sight.

We used to listen to classical music to really appreciate the genius of orchestra. None in sight. I even suggested that a teacher play classical music to her kindergarten class while they were drawing and such for “quiet time”…she ignored me the next time I saw her.

No Child Left Behind is a dull, boring, non-creative, non-stimulating lesson in micro-management of schools. Whom other than George W. Bush (or repubs) would think this was a great thing??

The Obama campaign had no immediate response. But the head of the Georgia Democratic Party called on Westmoreland to apologize, saying his comments were “more of the same, tired old politics that are dividing this country.”

“The fact is, political attacks like this don’t lower gas prices one cent, they don’t give one more American access to affordable health care, and they don’t get one more Georgian a job that pays the mortgage,” Jane Kidd said. “Lynn Westmoreland should be ashamed of himself.”

Someone’s put up her info on a message board somewhere, no doubt. Nothing like the Malkin treatment — her readership does that kind of crap frequently. Which is why our phone is not in my name, among other measures taken to protect my family from idiots and formerly incarcerated folks who might carry a grudge…

I grew up on Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts on the teevee. It was great. I wonder if they’ve made videos of those—off to the google.

I love the Philly museum. Is it still free to the public on Sundays? I used to take the bus over when I was in grad school and bring a book, find a seat in or near the temple ruins exhibit and do some of my reading there. It was such a peaceful spot and I loved it.

Their collections are quite good. There and also the Rodin museum — beautiful stuff!

Yea, it’s a little harder when you are the official head of the party in a state.

What’s been your bliss this week?

Enjoying a day at the beach rather than putting up the hurricane shutters, thanks to Ike’s south-southwest heading (pray for the poor in Haiti - it’s going to be awful there).

We’ve joined the Y here, so I’m hoping to do some water exercise classes as the weather gets yuckier. For now, I just need to walk a bit and do a little yoga — get things loosened up. This has been a long slog through finding medication that didn’t have an adverse reaction in my system. Just my luck that my body doesn’t properly respond to anything. *g*

But the current stuff is much, much better, which gives me some space to work on strengthening my muscles and having the time to cook more nutritious food and such. And that will have a better long-term payoff for all of us.

Off to shop for set dressings, we’re doing The Mousetrap this time around. Hanna will be stopping by later so off I go. I love that Agaths Christy stated in her will that as long as The Mouse trap is up and running, it can’t be made into a film.

And yes, the videos are available. It would probably be a great investment for the Peanut although the black and white that we saw as kids was the norm, not sure how youngsters would find it today.

And then there is Drop Dead George-ass…

Small tweak, no charge. ;-)

Does Hugh have a list of Palin’s maladministrations? It would be interesting to name the crime and show Palin’s response in her own words, labeled as lie, and let the gal own her words. It might get through to the public.

Now off for some bliss, Thanks Christy for another PUAC, desperately needed

It is “pay what you want” on Sundays. Not quite free, but they give you a CHOICE, something that certain people have disdain for.

It is one of the most beautiful concert halls I’ve ever seen. When I was in college, I got to attend an opera at the Bolshoi in Moscow while I was at a conference at Moscow State University. It’s gilded splendor was overwhelming, but the acoustics there were beyond amazing — especially given that we were dealing with it still being the Soviet Union back then and things were crumbling all over the place at that point. But not the Bolshoi — it was perfectly maintained.

But the Philly hall rivals the acoustics there, I think. And the way the stage is positioned seems to just float out to the audience — really well done interior.

Is Sarah Palin’s choice to wear an Israeli flag pin part of her Country First strategy?

-G

I just saw the Colbert interview with Westmoreland last night. It was hard to believe the guy wasn’t playing along, although I don’t know why it would be in his interest to do so. If not, he is the dumbest person I’ve ever seen in public office. He even appeared to lack a low animal cunning. He would think my dogs were acting superior to him, and they would be.

bliss this week
Back to School for lil Mack
She’s reading Pippi Longstocking to me each night
It’s a hoot.
(which is another favorite kids book chez Mack (Hoot and Flush)

Bliss?…much like when one imagines that they are content, or happy. An illusion at best. O/T…put a suit on a fresh dropped turd, a little lipstick in this case and what do we have? A funny looking smelly turd!

Sorry, I’m supposed to be thinking about my bliss. After this week, I’m going have to reread some Joseph Campbell to remember what that’s about. Still, there is a hint of fall in the air.

Oh, that’s right — it was “pay what you want or can” when I was in grad school, too. There were a coupla weeks where what I had to spare was 50 cents or so, and they were always just as nice those weeks as when I could toss in a bill or two. :) I think the Met in NYC does that as well — if folks haven’t been to the redone sculpture gallery there, it’s worth a trip. Just lovely. (Saw it on the trip to NYC that I took to do the Charlie Rose show that ended up getting bumped for George Tenet. I think getting to the Met instead was a good trade-off…)

Thanks, Christy. Woke up Mrs. Pillow with this, she was delighted.

My blissful moment — actually lasting a whole 6 hours — was saddling up my horse and riding out into the surrounding hills. Not spectacular scenary, but farmland. But just walking in the moring along where no animals scatter because the horse does not scare them. She (the horse) seems to enjoy it too. She is busy looking everywhere, ears up and alert, with a flick back to say ‘where are we going next Mom’?

she and I are eager for our adventures. We invent new paths in the woods, explore deer trails only to end up in thickets of rasberry (ouch) bushes, but she never falters. never questions where I want to go (o.k., sometimes she stops sand seems to say ‘you sure about this’? But still we move forward. Up very sandy hills, and down rocky slides where my life, literally is probably riding on her four sure footed feet.

Nothing to hear but birds, squirrels arguing over their fall collection of nuts, and the occasional woodpecker’s rat-a-tat.

And now that it is getting cooler, a fresh breeze. I forget all about the lady of the far north that wants to be VP. I forgot all about McCain’s people trying to stop a legitimate investigation into abuse of power (they will succeed) and my dismay over how Palin can even be considered. America is truly going backward.

For for one day this last week, I was home, at peace, on my horse. A sympony of a different sort - human and animal in total agreement.

I was in the Philadelphia area a couple of weeks ago and a friend from Glenn Greenwald’s blog helped me take in the sights. I especially enjoyed Bartram’s Garden and picked up a copy of William Bartram’s Travels while in the gift shop. I’ve been meaning to read that book since I moved to Florida because of its early descriptions of this area. A special treat is that there currently is an exhibit of Mark Dion re-creating Bartram’s travels in our day. Lots of really intriguing materials on display. There also is a website associated with Dion’s work, but I’m waiting to explore it (and to buy his book) until after I have finished Bartram’s book.

Good Morning, thank you for the lovely Debussy concert
For me Debussy is Claire de lune, not sure it sounded like this when I played it on the piano.

My mother used to take us to the local symphony on Saturdays, they had special matinées for us kids. RevDeb, I still have my Young People’s Concert book and record set, mini LPS. My father loved Bernstein. We did get music appreciation in the home; but we had it at school as well, it should be a community affair.

…
My favorite part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is — ironically — the armor but it’s been eons since I’ve been there. Oo and the Rodin is such a special treat.

btw, the ribs were the best ever, the chocolate cake WAS positively delicious, the homemade banana rum ice cream out of this world. And the company and conversation most delightful of all.

That sounds lovely, GrandmaJ

So, you haven’t seen Kingston from Savannah? Cue Marion!

P.S. I intend to leave in about an hour to do the very same thing today. Cooler today, high of 70, but lots of sunshine. Purrrrrfect riding weather. I will bring her treats. Her name is Jodee, she is a retired show horse (found out that running was way to fun and liked to run around the show ring — oops), but she does love the trails and going wherever she and I decide to go.

Deb — I found a boxed DVD set of them on Amazon. I’ll be saving my pennies to buy this one for The Peanut for Christmas this year. Thanks for the reminder — I watched those too, as a kid.

Sounds very fun — hope you and she have a lovely adventure this morning. :)

Jack Kingston and Greenwald

boogiecheck at 60 - it was truly a great day. And something my body and soul and mind really needed after stressing about the election way too much. I am a pessimist about this fall. I do my part by talking to lots of people I know (who all seem blissfully ignornant of the facts surrdounging both McCain and Palin) and stress that unless they loved what Bush had done in the last 8 years, they had better vote dem. I have been getting more and more upset with these people.

I try to stay mindful that I, too, was one of them (pay no attention to political matters and vote my gut) but…

Riding is my restoration project for my soul. And a dream I have had for a very long time - to ride again. and it has come true.

It should be a double treat for you then. You can watch for the memories and also watch the peanut as she takes it in.

What an amazing man he was.

Morning Christy and Pups.

Re: music. Does the Wheeling Symphony ever get down your way on their travelling concerts? Some fairy godfather/mother sponsors their educational outreach program.

How do I know? Heh, somehow I have learned that a number of the orchestra members are from OH and PA, hint hint, and someone I have known his whole life often subs when they need an extra hautbois. ;->

shhh. said fella has a huge audition coming up soon. please cross fingers if you would be so kind, puppies. music support has not been particularly high on the present administration’s list, and their budget management has seen to it that what opportunities there used to be in the field have slowed to a tinkle. Dammit.

Much better deal here. I’ve used deepdiscountdvd often. Good service, great selection.

Are you in Wheeling?? I spent a number of weeks at Oglebay Park in the 80’s. We’d fly to Pittsburgh and take the “Wheeling Limo” a cab with a steel plate welded on the bottom so, when it bottomed out when hitting the potholes, it wouldn’t crack the oil pan. Wheeling Downs, “there goes spunky”!

I have seen Kingston. I thought he did have the low animal cunning and wolverine (piss on what you can’t eat) nastiness. At least in the Colbert interview, it seemed like Westmoreland might be susceptible to ungulate fever.

Sincere congratulations GrandmaJ.

I am so-o-o jealous!!!

There is a riding stable near where we’ll be moving next year.

Hmmmm. I just might mosey on over, now that I have my bionic knees.
Whut the surgeon doesn’t know won’t hurt him….

Thanks for the music, Christy. I hear bits of that piece often when my wife is practicing her flute.

GrandmaJ: Our former show horse at home is in foal, due in late January. My wife takes the other horse at home out to the trails as often as she can. They both love it.

More bliss: My kids just informed me that I have to put up more shelves in their rooms for their trophies from horse shows.

heh, the parents spent many a vacation from us kids at Ogelbay

Both Colbert and Stewart were at the top of their form these past two weeks. The cast of characters that Jon has assembled is absolutely great. And Samantha Bee’s bit on Choice is The. Best. EVER.

Oh wow — thanks, Deb!

Good Morning Christy and Firedogs,

From The Top, a PBS series featuring young musicians, is a wonderful way to introduce children to music

don’t see it on our current line up but it used to be on very, very early (5 am) Saturday mornings - find it in your area and Tivo away. the link above is video of some of the performances

Hanna’s just touching us here, originally predictions for 5 - 10 inches of rain, so I corralled the cats and wrangled them inside. They were growly mad about it too. When the prediction dropped to 2-4 inches, I released them from captivity, in part because I feared for my safety.

I’m not sure cats appreciate the concept of “No”

This should help answer you question:

Candidates Compete For Vital ‘Idgit’ Vote

PEACE!

good job on the weight loss. I’d been losing, too (about 17 lbs; was pushing for 20) then the olympics came and the conventions and spent alot of time on the couch with snacks, of course.

my bliss? Didn’t think i had anything blissful, but as I look back at the week— my oldest turned sweet 16 and itw as a kind of milestone that made me think back on 16 years of memories. bliss

Hi Ellie,

Keep dry and safe.

Tell me, does having psycho cats say anything on the owner??? ;-))

here’s my bliss: A little Sondheim to brighten up your day. It certainly brightens mine, especially as the unspeakably lovely Neil Patrick Harris is featured.

Timely as ever, don’t you think?

ROFL — I know ours doesn’t appreciate “no,” or any variation thereof. Clearly a cat thing…

Colbert/Westmoreland

I don’t have a story of bliss this week but one of a young woman whose determination humbles me.

Thursday morning, after the Queen of Mean’s coming out party, I thought of a young Chinese-American woman I met while I was working part time as a computer lab assistant at school in 1998. At the beginning of the spring semester the program director asked me if I would be willing to tutor a student with a severe vision problem. She had a small program that magnified the print on the screen to huge, which was installed on a machine in each computer classroom. She was enrolled in a C programming class, struggling and frustrated. Turns out her progress was hampered by her not understanding return values and their significance. She was kinda shy and it took a few days to figure out that single issue was the roadblock. She went great guns after that. I met her parents the first day and saw them each time one of them came to pick her up. She wasn’t going to do the summer session because she had surgery scheduled for her eyes and she had other medical problems. Her interest and motivation had me anticipating our sessions in the fall and she was very upbeat about the summer and was looking forward to the fall semester.

The first day of the fall session all the lab assistants met with the program director for the regular bureaucratic junk. After the meeting I went to the director and asked if Susan (not her real name) was enrolled. Connie told me that she was not returning because the surgeries on her eyes had not been successful and her medical problems had worsened. I remembered the last day we’d met and how excited she was about mastering the language and returning to school. I went home and cried. And cried. And cried. I was in a rage at whatever forces had prevented this wonderful young woman from achieving her goals.

Whenever I get frustrated I think of Susan and her determination to succeed against all odds. Heroes come in all forms, shapes and sizes.

Hi Elliot. I’m baaaaaack.
Clair de Lune is one of my favorites also. Recently I heard a choral, a capella version. It was really different. Fun.
My bliss this week was finding a new author - new to me anyway. Sarah Vowell. I’m reading Assassination Vacation. The back flap says this: …exposes the glorious conundrums of American history and culture with wit, probity, and an irreverent sense of humor.

Regarding Hannah. . .

Oh, thanks for that! What a spirit in that girl — just what I needed this morning.

I’m happy to say that symphony chorus singing begins again next week: Mozart’s Requiem this Fall, always a treat to sing.

Good Morning: And maybe a kid thing?

Looking forward to a morning, once a month, of Conversation Cafe. Very thoughtful folks. The topic today is “What qualities would you like in the President?” Well, somewhat more interesting, relevant that when I first heard about it.

Some nice thoughts on a new day: “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
JB Priestly
…..
Because you have read JB Priestly’s words twice, maybe you
have it memorized. Remembering Rumi’s words, “The breeze
at dawn has secrets to tell you, so don’t go back to sleep,”

Christy,

the topic is a perfect reminder to remember what is working - have actually had a good week -

out of the blue, my work schedule changed to what I’ve been after for over a year, that oldandslow guy upthread is mr cbl. his situation embodies the dignity of work and the oh so positive effect being appreciated can have on a family’s life :D

omg, forgot to mention in all the election hoopla - the darling daughter is coming home to take grad school classes for a year (we haven’t lived together in 7 years !)

ooh and I turned off the AC for the first time since April

wow, I’m rich :D

Maybe not exactly bliss, but baby steps forward. Sonnyboy started High School last Wednesday. New school, no friends carried over from MS, ’cause it’s another school with an Asperger’s Program, so different neighborhood too. Bus picks him up right in front of the house, which is very cool. Save me about 100 a week from last year when I was driving him. The first day, he made several friends, which is hugely encouraging, and all in all, so far so good. He’s taking band and chose the bass drum. ??? Okay….

Good luck. Sounds like a good start. I am guessing maybe he does not have to practice at home…;)

When MiniRieszette was little she had no interest in music unless there was singing. At the time I thought it was a girl thing– you know, they say girls are more verbal. But I’m not so sure.

Anyway when she was a little older she saw the movie “Amadeus” and it really inspired her, and she showed more interest in classical music.

Also, when she was 11 I offered to get her in voice lessons. She took voice all the way through high school and learned to appreciate opera.

Good for Sonnyboy and you’re gonna have so much fun with that drum. *g*

Band is wonderful. MiniRieszette played flute in band from 5th through 12th grade. Band kids are a good influence and she really loved it.

here’s the thing with eating healthy for me;

I feel TERRIBLE when I do go off the diet, it makes me go right back on it.

Bliss…..

sitting outside by the pool watching the sun rise, the birds at the feeders and Miss Dog doing her prance around the pool

Having my parents settled in a rental house while their house is being rebuilt

Voting in our state primary Tuesday and having Democrats running in every race except one…..

demi, glad he’s making friends. Not sure about the bass drum thing (if he brings it home from school)

masaccio, enjoy your season, perhaps you will be on youTube?

Oh I forgot…AND Bob Geiger Cartoons….. are back now that is bliss
Bob Geiger Cartoons

McCain’s Rasputin, Ahmed Chalabi escapes suicide car bomb attack in Iraq.

Let’s see, Dick Cheney and Condi Rice are travelling the globe. Time for a new wave of death and destruction.

Mark your calendars.

-G

And RevDeb too, I might wait a minute before I actually buy one. Ha.
It’s not like we don’t have a few instruments in the house already…the synthesizer, the upright piano, the Hammond B-3, my flute and a trumpet.
On the other hand, I might be able to use the drum as a reason for the boys to clean out the garage!
I have to say here that marching band was one of my favorite parts of HS. That and choir.

Are you asking me, Raven? If so, no. I’m n.e. OH. Sonny’s CLE. A whole gang of budding world-class-types (grads of Oberlin, Cleveland Inst. of Music - Think Juilliard of the midwest - & the like) car-pool and help Wheeling and it’s guardian angel produce those concerts. Many of the same folk fill the ranks of Akron, Canton, Erie, Toledo, Youngstown OH symphonies. It’s hard. Decades of honing their skills, continually practicing to keep their edge, then cobbling together a career on poverty wages until that BIG JOB comes along, if it ever does.

I’m talking world-class talent and many already at world class performance level, but the good-paying jobs are very very scarce. And, as someone said upthread, the arts are one of the 1st things to go from the school curriculum in hard times. The wages in these part-time orchestras are poverty-level, & musicians have to put together several, plus be ready to sub at a moment’s notice, just to eke out a living. It’s not for the faint of heart.

If a big, full-time symphony opens a position, you might get 70+ applying for a principal (= top dawg) oboe position, 300+ for a section (usually last chair) position in cello or violin.
The person auditioning pays all his/her own expenses associated with the audition, and often an extra fee just for the privilege of having their resume considered (symphonies, being non-profit, can’t afford extras like that), even though the resume may mean squat.

A 30-sec. to 3 min. mini-performance of excerpts from the nastiest passages in the literature can and usually does determine your fate. The slightest bobble, or failure to perform in the style preferred by the conductor, and it’s all for naught. Failure to perform smoothly and effectively as a member of the symphony “team” will be grounds for denying tenure, even if you’re lucky enough to get a chance.

Don’t tell me music doesn’t build character the way playing sports does.

Yes, they love what they do, THAT much! That’s why it be so purty, at least to my ear, when it’s done well.

Pipe-fitters and school teachers and landscapers and small business owners are not the only ones suffering in this economy georgie has wrecked.

/r with apologies….

(((demi))) wonderful, wonderful news

RevDeb - Stewart/Colbert have been on fire this week and boy howdy that is saying something, The Choice segment is beyond priceless, the Rove takedown will be very useful in the coming weeks, ‘The Reformed Maverick’ is a gift to Obama oppo, but This One with John Oliver et al at the RNC as a hurricane shelter literally had us rolling on the floor, kicking our feet we were laughing so hard

and I can’t believe I missed Jane comparing Palin to Gladys Lehman in Drop Dead Gorgeous - that is a cult movie at chez cbl - kept wanting to ask barbara , Prairie Sunshine, and any other local firedogs if they’d seen it

Flautists! Good morning Christy :)

It’s amazing what one can get away with with a whole-tone scale.

The boids make a right bleeding din at our feeder. Titmice being the most foulmouthed. Wrens pass through with ear-shattering fanfare. For a while, there was a rooster from a neighbor’s yard roosting in a magnolia in our front yard who would wake us up at the crack of dawn. I think the feller has since been et by a wild critter.

I nice to be able to download all manner of video and audio podcasts of a cultural kind (including jazz), these daze.

oooooo, Xmas in September.

My bliss this week: got my daughter matriculated in college overseas (read: US of A), and in great weather to boot. She seems to be doing fine.

Don’t tell me music doesn’t build character the way playing sports does.
Discipline too. I was blessed to have a wonderful flute teacher while I was growing up. He played the bass clarinet in the LA Symphony. I used to ride my bike on dirt roads in the foothills to his house for the lessons. Nice memories.

Cool!

ah character yes, and then some

major studies (Harvard MS, Lancet, etc.)have shown again and again music lessons stimulate the entire brain in a way that fosters greater, fuller development - even if the child has ‘no ear’/talent, there are lifetime benefits :D

It must be wonderful having your daughter living with you again. Yay for both of you(se)

Demi. We are so happy for you and sonny. If he can come out the other end of schooling with a positive attitude, it’ll mean all your dear loving attention and care has been worth it. I know it’s not easy. I just do, that’s all. But you knew that.

Good on ya for not giving up until you found this new school.

oh heck. my bliss?

Both our “kids” are truly independent now, but they just love coming home and sharing a gab session with us, as do their friends. Can’t be beat!?!
Makes the heart go pitty pat.

And sonny the hautbois has taken the trubble to make sure we have cd’s of all his performances. nice instrument, if you’ve got nerves of steel, because he’s got mini solos in virtually every concert they recorded.

This mamma is spoiled rotten.

And to think, his first notes prompted our Siamese cat to pad down the hall to his room and answer in kind. Nuff said. There was indeed progress over the years, heh.

When Sprout was about 18 mos. old (9 now), I took him to the Norton Simon in Pasadena. He was in a sling in the museum, as his little toddler legs would have made a beeline for something delicate, I was sure.

So we walked around, looking at all the paintings and bronze statues When we got to the Van Gogh section he got real still. As we walked up to the Mulberry Tree painting he started kicking his legs and waving his arms very excitedly and wouldn’t let me go until he had studied that and the one next to it, a portrait of a shepherd, thoroughly. This amazed me because the day we went to the Van Gogh exhibit at the LA County Museum 9 years ago was also the day we found out we would be his adoptive parents.

We went back this week, his last before school starts, and he spent most of his time in the Van Gogh room and started drawing the Mulberry Tree when we got home. I didn’t tell him the story, this was on his own.

Van Gogh holds a very special place in my heart.

Don’t know if you are still here, Christy, but I too have had to move to a less inflammatory diet for my joints. The two things I have cut out are white sugar and all processed grain products and that has made a huge difference for me. If I eat out and am not careful, I really feel it for the next couple of days. Just a thought.

Thank you Adie…sorry I took a bit to respond. Walked down the street to a garage sale and got a couch and recliner. OMG we actually have two pieces of furniture for the living room that match.

We’re doing something very similar. I’m cutting sugar down altogether and using honey, maple syrup or agave syrup very sparingly — mainly relying on fruits for natural sweetness. We’d already made the switch to whole grains, and I’m going to try an elimination diet in the upcoming weeks to check on dairy and wheat issues. I’ve always been able to eat pretty much what I wanted and my metabolism was wonderful. But since I started having joint issues, what I ingest has had a direct correlation on how I feel — my body is so out of whack at the moment, I suppose.

So we are eating many more fruits and veggies and lots of fiber and nutrient dense food, lean proteins only with an emphasis on hormone-free chicken and salmon/fish where I can. And I can certainly feel a difference already. Are you following any specific book/advice? I’ve been doing a lot of nutritional reading over the last few months and anti-inflammation reading, and they all point to whole foods, low glycemic where possible, and as close to natural as you can get. Which means a lot of cooking from scratch, which I love to do when I have time anyway, and no overly-processed dreck.

Who’s the flutist? Trevor Wye?