On Monday nights in the month of November Scott and I drive down to Paris TN to participate in the community choir Messiah rehearsals. Paris is a small Southern Bible belt community — smaller than my town by a good bit. It has its poor black neighborhoods. It has its socialite class. It has its numerous churches. It has its Walmart. And – surprisingly – it has a vibrant arts association that gets a lot of neat things to happen, including the biennial Messiah production. Its public school’s music program includes a string program; my town’s schools do not.
The rehearsals and performance are hosted by the First Baptist Church of Paris, presumably because their large facility can accommodate this. They actually have a dedicated rehearsal room, with tiered seating area, Kawai grand, music library, etc. And for the performance they have a choir loft above an orchestra pit at the front of their sanctuary.
Tonight in the choir rehearsal room I noticed a flier on the wall about a “Madrigal Reunion”. I overheard our director informing the First Baptist music director that if he ever needs a bassist for orchestral productions, he should call Scott. It flooded in upon me that in our American culture where efforts at high art are increasingly rare in the daily life of regular normal people, this Baptist church in a small Southern town is putting money towards keeping musical art alive; providing a supportive place for youngsters to get started and for oldsters to share the music they studied in college and loved then and now.
You remember that Bach was a Lutheran organist. You remember all the great music that originated as church music. What I am appreciating tonight is a small-town Baptist church in the Bible belt that stands in this tradition. That cares enough about music to outfit a choir rehearsal room with a nice Kawai grand. That is on speaking terms with madrigals and the arts council. That hosts the community Messiah production. Twenty years from now, the musical bar will be set a little higher in our area because this church took a stand alongside the arts council and the public school for musical education, participation and performance. Thank you!!!
Not every church should do this. It takes a lot of money, I’ll warrant. But those that have a compelling gift in this direction should do it!
Last year our little church hired itself a 3-person choir of university vocal students – they sounded great! The plan was to start with a nucleus of hired singers and gradually add and then transition to congregant voices. This year we are down to one wonderful soprano from the university together with 3 or 4 older gentlemen from the congregation. In all this time, no women have joined. So the choir is pretty low key (heh) and its primary role is just to undergird the congregational singing.
Now that the worship service has been moved back to 10:30 AM, Scott and I were asked to consider joining the choir. We considered for about 5 minutes and decided to jump in. For me it’s all about the black and white Anglican choir vestments.
This is not my church!
And the procession. Just kidding (mostly). I love to sing, but I struggle with a quiet voice and vocal cord problems from years of silent reflux that went unaddressed. I’m starting to get a handle on that now, though. Singing hymns is one of my favorite parts of the church service and I hope that I will have something to offer – and maybe my presence will encourage other women to join, knowing they won’t be the only one.
Recently I revamped my business website and in the process I thought about what I have to offer that sets me apart from other web developers. Two things sprang to mind: most of my experience is in working with musicians and artists, and secondly, I really treasure the personal approach that I have the luxury of bringing to a project.
So I reworded my website to mention those things and recently I landed another client – a band. Now, the fact is that I have been blessed to have pretty much the right amount of work — neither too much nor too little — the entire time I’ve done this, but it was really neat to have a band on the other end of the phone saying, “we want to hire you.” The extra work I’d done to think about my business made me appreciate the call all the more.
And they’ve been *adorable* to work with. Once the project is over I’ll tell you more about them. It’s a grown up family band who are enormously talented and terrific entertainers. The more I work with their material, the more excited I am that there’s a band like them in the world, and I hope that they’ll have the continuing success they very much deserve. I love my job!
“SweetB” aka my friend Barb Kilby stopped by the house the other day to show me a new drawing she created for one of her clients. I thought it was so sweet. If you know anyone needing a special way to honor the birth of twins, you can send them to the Etsy listing for this piece – Barb can customize one just for them.
This has been so fun! With Jennifer Fairbanks in town, not only is there the gallery I mentioned in an earlier post, but she’s also teaching oil painting classes. I am so thankful a couple of friends mentioned having taken an art class with Jennifer when she was in town for a summer a few years ago.
I do not think of myself as the painting class type, but I didn’t really think of these friends as the painting class type either, so that helped me get over that misconception (that I need an art pedigree before taking an art class.)
My friends had described the painting class as a welcome change of pace in their day. I didn’t know what that meant, but I thought that if they enjoy it, I’d probably enjoy it. So I joined the new class.
A change of pace is exactly what it is. It is extremely absorbing. You step into another world, shutting out politics and economic woes and strife and illness and focus on one little problem: paint what I see. Of course that fans out into many interesting problems – including identifying what I really see – but bit by bit the problems seem solvable for the most part. Or if not, I say to myself, “oh well, this is only my third painting, I will improve.”
Jennifer creates a very supportive atmosphere and is a good teacher. I have already learned a lot in my three classes so far. The artwork of the women who have had more classes is really inspiring! So I really do think I’ll improve and already my eye is improving.
Hard to imagine a better birthday! A little family outing on a beautiful weekend, and all the boys were involved! I just loved it! We were down in Sewanee to see Punch Brothers.
And next morning we enjoyed visiting the Chapel (or cathedral) which was across the street from the cabin where we were staying.
If you’re in my town you need to go visit our friend Jennifer’s new venture over on 3rd Street just off the court square and if you’re not in our town, you can check it out on the web: Gallery 109. The above will be hanging in my home when the current exhibit is over. We are SO excited about that!
Some other favorites hanging in the gallery (and for sale!) right now:
This drawing is beautiful, large and has so much presence. It’s also beautifully framed.
This is a small piece but it’s mesmerizingly lovely in person. You can check the prices of these things on the gallery site. Very reasonable for such beautiful, true art.
This is one of my favorite desserts:
For the blackberries:
Mix in a heavy pan or dutch oven and bring to boil:
- 1 12 oz bag of frozen blackberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- sprinkling of salt to taste
- orange or lemon extract (several drops)
—————————————————————————–
For the dumplings:
Mix together:
- 2/3 cup Bisquick (or whatever brand of biscuit/pancake mix stuff)
- 1 tsp sugar
- REAL grated nutmeg 1/8 tsp or so…I don’t measure. REAL means get an actual nutmeg and grate it.
Then:
- Quickly stir in 3 TB milk (or so) to dumpling or wet biscuit dough consistency.
Then:
- Drop by teaspoonful into the bubbling blackberry mix.
- Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes or until the dumplings are done (when you stick in a toothpick and it comes out clean.)
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Oh my goodness, it’s good.
The above is enough for two generous servings.
One of my favorite color combinations for bouquets. The yellow is all Molineux. The pinks are. from left, face-downward Abraham Darby, pale pink Souvenir de la Malmaison, a spray of Ballerina (the little “wild rose”-looking thing) and the rest are Belinda’s Dream.
My friend Darlene has so much style – a style that is uniquely hers. One thing she cares about deeply is mothers and children, and as she gets older she has found ways to continue to be involved and supportive. In this charming blog entry, she shows through photos how she held a tea party for 8 little girls (and their moms):
http://lestermom.livejournal.com/139155.html
And don’t miss the video, here:
We took Amber–our standard poodle–to the “Doggie Day Spa” at MSU where the pre-vet students were bathing and toenail trimming dogs for $10. Amber wasn’t too happy to be led off to the baths by the students.
Then we drove to Paducah to see about some warranty work on D19’s laptop. BestBuy’s geek squad guy had good advice and we were able to turn around and drive home again.
Then Scott sold another pipe! And made the phone calls needed to get Dell to send us a new charger for D19’s laptop whilst I worked on a website.
Then we mailed off the pipe and took Amber for a walk at the park and then (best of all) took her to the dog park – a new feature at the park! It’s an enclosure where people can let their dogs play together off leash. Scott’s been taking Amber there every evening after their walk and I wanted to get in on the fun today. Six or seven of the pre-vet students were there with a bunch of their dogs and they recognized Amber (she was still wearing the neckerchief from the day spa). They told us they had bathed 160 dogs.
Scott grilled salmon for us and steak for D19 when we got home. Yummy dinner! After dinner I watched “Once” with D19; it’s one of his favorite movies.
I’m tired out!
The moral of the story is: feed and water your roses. This summer I stepped up the feeding and watering and the roses have repaid me by blooming more! Who’da thunk it.
Heritage wins the Most Beautiful Delicate Shell Pink Color Bloom Award.
This is Molineux (yellow) and Abraham Darby. Behind them is an unknown purple annual my Mom bought for me from Rolling Hills when she was here in May! It’s been a joy all summer, Mom!
Ah…Granada! I absolutely love this rose.
Another reason I love Granada…it is lovely at all stages. Happy, luminous circus colors and fragrant to boot. This is a great hybrid tea rose.
Daybreaker – a floribunda known for its disease resistance – has bloomed well this year.
Here’s Pat Austin. Pat’s blooms have a tendency to flop, like this, but it has such a lovely color.
This (above) is Falstaff. Bad photo but considering I had to reach the camera up over my head to take the photo…Falstaff is very tall. It also doesn’t bloom ALL that much, but when it does, the blooms have thousands of petals (maybe) and a rich, bright magenta color, slight fragrance.
Here is China Doll…a real honey of a rose. It is small, blooms freely throughout the season (though not always like this) and is comparatively disease resistant. It has lived in this pot for 5 years and suffers the part shade conditions of my patio. We call it “Impulse Purchase” because I almost didn’t buy it…but then I grabbed it at the last minute. I was conflicted because it was a whole $5 at an end-of-season clearance sale.
Here’s a closeup of China Doll. Being in a pot, it needs a little extra attention with fertilizer.
I do have quite a few red roses in my garden but my camera is not good at reds, which I have heard is a common problem in photographing red roses.
I have no idea who the interviewee in the article is (a man by the name of Todd Hunter) but I certainly like the positive press for Anglican spirituality and practice. The Accidental Anglican
They Shall Be Comforted
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Bible reading lately. Sometimes a person whose spiritual tank is on empty will articulate the sentiment that to combat this she plans to embark on a program of reading the Bible straight through — if only she could get started. As I talk with the person, I hear a great deal of guilt around the whole enterprise and many “shoulds” jabbing at them that are certainly nowhere in scripture itself.
Maybe the person “knows she should” start reading the Bible again like she used to do, but inwardly feels, “why bother? I already know what it’s going to say. Do this, do that. Be better. I’m already trying my best.” And then she feels a stab of guilt: good Christians love to read the Bible; they don’t think thoughts like that. Or maybe she gets started with it but is almost immediately bogged down.
For someone in that situation, I suggest going to Psalm 23. Even though it’s one of the “Greatest Hits of All Time”, it still counts as reading the Bible. (A consideration that those of us poisoned by the “does this count toward our grade” system always seem to be keeping an eye on.) Yes, if anyone was keeping score, it would count. It is God’s Word to us. Or if Psalm 23 doesn’t float your boat, read another of the “greatest hits.” These words of comfort and spiritual sustenance were written precisely for people who are feeling spiritually dry and adrift. Don’t trip yourself up with thoughts like “this is like eating dessert first”. It’s not.
Your good shepherd leads His flock beside still waters…so it can take nice long refreshing drinks. He restores your soul. Let Him. Hang out in the parts of the Bible that give you the most comfort for awhile.
It is 9:30 pm, and 63 degrees here in the sweet sunny south where I am. Amazing! The low tonight is in the mid 50’s. It was an extraordinarily pleasant day out for August here. Scott and I took the dog and went on a walk at Hematite Lake and had a picnic. Usually we see no wildlife out there, but today we saw a turtle, a frog, possibly a baby beaver (almost certainly a beaver dam) and two fawns who were apparently the designated picnic area cleanup crew. They had no fear of people or cars and as soon as a family left a picnic spot, they ambled down out of the brush on the hillside and scoured the vacated picnic spot. Amber was very interested but didn’t bark or try to go after them.
Kate Rusby - Awkward Annie
Shoot me if this isn’t the next album I buy. Listen to how beautiful this is. How wonderful the harmonies. (I could be biased, but I still think it’s gorgeous.)
Communion, Oil on linen, 1998, by Camilla Brunschwyler Armstrong
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
I will never forget how I sat on a sick woman’s hospital bed, held her in my arms, and read this psalm to her. She had been shaking with fear but calmed down and whispered the words along with me and seemed more relaxed and peaceful afterwards.
Have you had an encounter with this beautiful psalm that brought you or someone else deep comfort?
This summery dinner dish from Pioneer Woman Cooks was a hit here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/07/farfalle-with-zucchini-a-yummy-summer-meal/
I made it with zucchini and summer squash from the store and plum tomatoes and herbs from my garden.
We also visited a botanical garden when we were in Maine. I took some pictures of plants I want to investigate for my garden. Since I have Plant on the Brain, I may as well post those pictures here for later reference.
Cranesbill Geranium "Sue Crug"
Blue Corydalis elata
low growing Grey Owl Juniper
New Dawn climbing rose and unknown delphinium
Carol Mackie variegated daphne
Not at the botanical garden: The view from above Camden
A Caladium called Galaxy
Scott and I had a wonderful afternoon yesterday at the Missouri Botanical Garden and now all I can do is think about plants, dream about plants, look up plants on the internet, etc.
The weather has been amazing this weekend, so it was a great day to visit the Garden. A lot of other people thought so too! I love touring the rose gardens of course, mostly to see “in person” roses that I’ve heard about. But I also love the shady garden paths and sculptures throughout the gardens. This time we walked through the large Japanese garden area, and that was just beautiful. The part that is the most mind-blowing for me, though, is the Kemper Center for Home Gardening. There the scale is brought down to size. There is an amazing vegetable garden, a culinary herb garden, a medicinal herb garden, a fragrance garden, a bird garden, a city garden, a secret garden, a perennial garden, mailbox gardens (!) and all kinds of plant trials and such.
Strike it Rich
beautiful color combination
roses
Other roses that I really liked were Garden Party (subtle shades of cream, light yellow and light pink) and About Face (color like Pat Austin, bloom form like Distant Drums) and a bloomiferous loose-bloomed cultivar from the 70’s called Freckles.
It is thanks to a previous visit to the rose gardens there that I have 2 Distant Drums in my rose garden. No photo I had seen had done justice to this graceful, but unusual rose. They have a long bed full of them there, and it is a rose that benefits from a mass planting because the blooms vary in color.
Did you forget what Distant Drums looks like? Here’s some beautiful blooms from this evening:
Distant Drums
Distant Drums
This is a good GARDEN rose. It is disappointing as a cut rose. It has a lovely, unusual fragrance. I have planted both of mine right by the steps to my back patio so that when it puts out pretty blooms like these, I can admire their subtle coloration up close and have a sniff of the fragrance.
