BOB'S BLOGS ~ ~ ~

Special Day

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:57:44 GMT

Yes, it's true. Today, I am officially in my 59th year of life!
[Sorry, I've been a little lackadaisical with LiveJournal recently; hopefully, I'll be more attentive in this new year of life.]

Here's my birthday pose at today's luncheon:

I've had a great day!
There are more photos WITHOUT window glare behind the cut:

Pre-Birthday Shots in Rainbrook's Dining Room:

Pre-Birthday Luncheon Visit with My Aunt

Birthday Luncheon "Glass in Hand"

Birthday Luncheon "Fork in Hand"

I also prepared Rainbrook's Entrance
for today's Birthday Celebration:

Happy Birthday, Jessye!

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:22:14 GMT

[A continuation of my "Birthday du Jour" Musicians Series]

Yes, today is Jessye Norman's birthday, beloved operatic soprano. One biographer described Jessye in these terms:
"In opera, in recital and in concert appearances with symphony orchestras and chamber music collaborators, Jessye Norman’s thoughtful music-making, innovative programming and fervent advocacy of contemporary music share equal acclaim with the majesty of her voice."

I place "Jessye" along with Dame Joan Sutherland and Dame Janet Baker at the top of my personal list of operatic/oratorio vocalists. Sorry, Janet; I missed honoring you on your August 21st birthday. I particularly remember Dame Janet Baker's characteristic mezzo in a 1970s recording of Mendelssohn's Elijah. There's something about the "J" names and music performance, "J" Brahms, "J." S. Bach, "J" Pachelbel, "J" Walther, etc. [Pardon me, I seem to be slipping into an "organ lit." mode.] Here's to my current "J"s of the vocal world: Jessye, Joan, and Janet!

...if only in my dreams!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:22:49 GMT

Arranging, Stylizing, Improvising, Creating ...

These are some words describing my annual September through November practice of preparing new piano settings of Christmas carols for upcoming seasonal recitals and holiday concerts. For 19 years, during the fall, I used to devote hours composing pipe organ, harpsichord, or piano variations in preparation for my annual "Christmas Around the World" concerts. Each year, I would force myself to stretch the bar (so to speak) in stylizing two particular Christmas songs for piano: "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." I wonder why these specific songs fascinated me so!

The first is obvious, the welcomed themes of peace, love, hope, interpersonal harmony, etc. The second stems from the fact that for 27 years, my church schedule did not permit me to be home on Christmas Eve, our main family gathering time. For 19 of those years, I "poured my heart out" in concerts with extended trills and glissandos, desiring to be home ... to love, to embrace, to touch. Somehow, these melodic stylings and harmonic improvisations soothed the separation and personally interpreted my belief in a kind of long distance intimacy. Each year, my chromaticism became more pronounced as my emotions grew in intensity. Here's an extreme example from a December 8, 2002 concert. I remember weeping while performing this concert; at times, not fully comprehending what I was playing. The music seemed to evolve faster that I could compute. Its harmonic implications and voice leadings seemed to defy reason. I found myself (in a live performance) caught up in this pianistic frenzy for which I have no explaination.

Yes, the longing to be someplace else (to be with someone else) can produce unpredictable results. Yet, don't under estimate the power of dreams. I sometimes wish the concluding words "if only in my dreams!" did not emphasize the qualifier, only. In fact, my music improvisations were focused on the "only[s]" of the heart! The longing to be someplace else is first and foremost about that special "someplace" we make in our hearts (and in our dreams).

Here's the 2002 video:

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New Computer Prompts Reminiscing

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:01:27 GMT

A little over a week ago, I replaced my old computer. Attempting to adapt to new technology ... the new feel of the keyboard, new software, new look of monitor, etc. ... I find myself pining for those simpler, less technological times (only for an instant). Still, this recent computer set-up saga has prompted a recall of my (shall we say) vintage years (an adaptation from an earlier LJ post). Even though I’m not THAT old, it’s revealing to list (at random) “things of my past.” Here goes:

Electricity reached my street just a few years before I was born. An 8-house “party-line” telephone service arrived around 1953. [Our ring was “one long and two shorts.” Of course, we NEVER picked-up the phone to listen to one of our neighbor’s conversations. It’s hard to believe that back then each neighbor in the community was aware of the other’s phone calls, etc. Who needed TV with this kind of entertainment?] But, about that time, my father brought home our first TV, a (need I say) black & white 10” RCA (housed in a beautiful mahogany cabinet behind two ornate folding doors). As with the “battery” radio of the 40s, this entertainment center was actually the finest piece of furniture in the parlor (I mean “living room”) and, as such, demanded its central and commanding placement in front of the room’s main window. But, of course, we spent part of the time waiting for the "picture tube" to warm-up and the other part aligning the horizontal and vertical lines, i.e., tuning in “The South’s First TV Station” from Richmond, Virginia 25-miles to the East.

The road in front of our house was a hardened gravel mixture, but the side road was dirt. At the convergence of these two “streets” were about six “RFD” mailboxes. Since most people were always running out of postage stamps, it seems that in those days we were allowed to pay the postman 3 cents (or thereabouts) per letter right at the mailbox. In my 15 years living on that street, I rarely recall meeting any newcomers in the neighborhood. We were all family … aunts (“ah”nts), uncles, 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins, etc., with some of our ancestry homes dating back to the mid-1800s. On Halloween, everyone knew everyone, especially when dressed in our homemade costumes. There were no organized activities for children in those days; we did our "chores" and, when time would permit, played ball with neighborhood friends. Most of my spare time was devoted to piano practice. Before I had a piano of my own (at age 8), I used to walk up the road to Cousin Betty’s to practice on her upright. For this privilege, I would do odd jobs around the farm. [My favorite was churning butter.] Sometimes on weekends I would help gather, clean, and crate eggs on my grandparents’ farm (not far away on the same road). On Saturdays, I would help my two aunts at the “home place” [my mother’s home] with the early morning trip into town to sell eggs. When the wealthy city folk heard that I could play the piano, I was allowed to “entertain” … even at those early Saturday morning hours. What a treat for a boy of 7 or 8 to play a fine grand in a city dweller’s home! Later, (after a “few” lessons) I began playing organ at my boyhood “family” church …way before my feet could reach the pedals. [By the 1950s, our church had electricity, but no running water, and no central heating system. I still remember the stove (and that ugly stove flu pipe) situated on the right side of the nave. Also, with no running water, the church boasted two separate “convenience houses” out in the woods behind the cemetery. How convenient!]

I remember as a child teaching myself to type on this old 1930s Underwood manual typewriter. In 1968 while in college, one of my aunts gifted me with a portable manual typewriter which included a new gadget containing correctable white-out ribbon. “What will they think of next?” [This was BEFORE “Liquid White-out."] I continued to use that manual typewriter until I was introduced to an electric one in the mid-80s. But, you know, there’s nothing like a manual instrument for developing the strength and dexterity needed to play a tracker pipe organ. Also, there’s nothing like a “manual” typewriter for cutting green stencils. Remember the green (or blue) stencils for duplicating bulletins, etc. in those pre-copier days? In the late 60s/early 70s, I not only mimeographed bulletins and handouts for my choirs, but music manuscripts, as well! You haven’t lived until you experience the challenge of hand-copying SATB choir music onto a mimeograph stencil. This was only a step-up from the carbon copy method. Remember the carbon copies? “What will they think of next?” I used to pride myself in making 2 or 3 copies at once (white sheet/carbon paper/white sheet/carbon paper/ etc.). The only problem: if you made a mistake, each sheet had to be corrected (erased) manually (with all those erase shavings falling into the workings of typewriter). Actually, I did utter that “What will they think of next?” query one more time when, in 1978, the new church administrator introduced me to this newfangled contraption called “automatic stencil cutter.” I thought I had seen and heard it all!

My first introduction to any kind of sound reproduction device was the “Victrola.” Our neighborhood was full of these exquisite inventions, usually placed in the parlor or in the main hallway underneath the staircase. Later, this (requisite dark mahogany) ornate cabinet was replaced with the radio console and, subsequently, the television set. As a child (when visiting my great uncle’s), I was the one called upon to supply power for the Victrola, namely … hand-rotating the crank on the side of the instrument. Finally, at home in the mid-50s, we acquired an electric record player. As I recall, we owned only two 45 rpm disks, one of Christmas carols and one of children’s songs. (How appropriate!) It was not until Christmas of 1960 that I heard my first 33 rpm record played on a high fidelity system. We were invited to my uncle’s that Christmas to listen to a new release entitled “The First Family,” a comedic parody introducing the newly elected President Kennedy and family. It was not too many years later that my family purchased a portable Motorola STEREO (what’s that?) turntable (record player) with little speakers that could be separated from its humongous “PINK” cabinet. Yes, later in 1968, I proudly carried that big 1960s pink stereo to college. I remember cramming for many a music history test while listening to oratorio and opera excerpts on the conservatory’s borrowed scratchy 78s. After my conservatory days (in the early 70s), I purchased a quadraphonic system and eventually moved through an array of sound/video producing innovations: reel-to-reel, 8-track, cassette, BETA vision, the later universally accepted VHS format, and today’s world of CDs, MP3s and DVDs.

I’d better stop. I have to teach a piano lesson soon, and later this afternoon put gas in the car.

[Oh, by the way, 43 years ago I remember $2.00 would fill my 1961 Fairlane and last about two weeks, covering the round trips to school and the travel to and from my church job, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.]

Music and Grieving

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:13:14 GMT

Sorry, I haven't been too active on LJ lately. I'm still grieving over the loss of my dog Cappie. Yesterday, while visiting with my next door neighbor, the emotions overwhelmed me. I miss my little boy. When you least expect it, the tears start flowing. Cappie used to "sing" for his dinner. I miss that. I miss his frequent cuddles and the pressure of his curled-up body next to mine while watching TV at night. Yes, he was a very nice dog and close companion!

But, recently I've affirmed music's charm in soothing the soul, especially during this grieving process. Last night, I attended my biweekly rehearsal in this large Richmond chorus. On October 4, we will be performing Rutter's "Mass of the Children" and a number of Paul Halley's works, including his collaborative masterpiece with Paul Winter in "Earth Mass." Isn't it fascinating how composers find innumerable ways to interpret the texts of "Kyrie, Eleison" or "Agnus Dei." Most of the music is 8-part divisi, which many of you know is my preferred style in composing. For the first time since conservatory days, I am singing a chorus part in some very complex music, rather than conducting. To make matters more concentrated, I chose to sing 1st bass (instead of 2nd) for the first time. There is a completely different mindset with inner voice reading. As organist-choirmaster, I used to find the outer voices extremely easy to hear, to sing, to articulate, and to rehearse singers (sopranos/basses) in forms of counterpoint or harmonic structure. Of course, an organist is trained to connect to that lowest vocal line for "feet coordination." Now, my natural instinct to connect to the lowest low must move up a bit! I'm glad this music discipline comes during a difficult personal time. Music breathes new life into the void left by Cappie's death. The necessary focus on music (especially those inner notes) seems to parallel a requisite attention on inner self.

Music and Grieving ... they make great partners!

Count Your Blessings

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:32:51 GMT

Today, while perusing some newspaper clippings, I found a powerful message about “blessings.” Unfortunately, there is no author listed for this writing. It is called “Count Your Blessings…” If any of you are aware of its source, please let me know.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS…

* If you woke up this morning with more health than illness… you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

* If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation… you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

* If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death… you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

* If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep… you are richer than 75% of this world.

* If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace… you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

* If your parents are still alive and still married… you are very rare, even in the United States.

* If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful… you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

* If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Cappie's Death

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:31:28 GMT

I had to put Cappie to sleep this morning around 9:00. Two weeks ago, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and given two months to live. [He went fast!] I stayed up with Cappie most of last night and early morning, holding and caressing him. He was gasping for breath for hours, trembling in pain. I was helpless, not knowing what to do. Anyway, my little boy is finally at peace. He tried so hard to give "the best of himself" during the three years I had him in my care, always by my side with his head on my lap ... so affectionate. I miss him!

A Pensive Pose

Glamour Shot

Showing Off !!!

Mom's Birthday Luncheon

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:11:54 GMT

My mother's birthday was Thursday. In honor of the occasion I hosted a formal luncheon at Rainbrook for family and friends ... a total of eleven, including "moi." [I wanted to post something about this earlier but my computer finally DIED! It has taken Saturday, Sunday, and most of today, to set up and transfer files to the new computer. Now, maybe I can enjoy these LiveJournal offerings to their fullest, i.e., downloading files, etc..] What joy to honor mom, while sharing my newly decorated (rearranged) home with others. Rainbrook's additions include the recently completed RGS Archival Library on the 2nd floor (a mandatory stop on the house tour). After toasts, the meal, birthday cake and presentation of gifts, my guests moved to the living room where I entertained at the grand, featuring some Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Grieg, and Gershwin ... but concluding with Broadway Show Tunes and movie themes.

Here is the menu:

Fruit Salad - Chicken Breast in Cream Sauce (stuffed with Swiss cheese, mushroom, crimini and button) - Rice Pilaf with Sweet Peas and Carrots, Southern Fried Apples, Yeast Rolls

The Birthday Cake:
Strawberry Crunch Cake

Dining Room Facing West:

Dining Room Facing East:

With my 10 guests at the table, I ate at one end of the server.

We adjourned to the living room for stories, laughter ....

... and "Bob at the Grand."

I believe mom liked it.
She called twice to thank me!

Death is part of life

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:57:42 GMT

... a difficult part.

I should have suspected something when I arrived at the veterinarian hospital this morning with Cappie and immediately was ushered into this very plush room with quiet, ethereal music and aqua painted walls adorned with gold-framed seaside landscapes. They took Cappie from me the moment I walked in the door. Meanwhile, I was left alone in this immaculately cleaned space to peruse inspirational pamphlets on "man's best friend." It was only about a minute or so that I looked up to read this plaque above the entrance portal: "Pet Chapel." That's nice, I mused, the other rooms must be occupied today.

I had not planned on taking Cappie to see the doctor today. Last Wednesday, his sister, Luvvy, was hospitalized with a serious viral infection. Then, my 3rd Cocker Spaniel, Peggy Sue, was taken ill with a similar illness within an hour after eating her noon meal on Saturday. Cappie and I were in the hospital to pick-up Peggy Sue this morning after her hospitalization. But, in the process of making arrangements to receive Peggy Sue, I mentioned my real concern for the last month has been Cappie's gasping for breath, no energy, and this huge growth on the side of his larynx. I guess those were red flags. Cappie is now diagnosed with thyroid cancer. They give him maybe two months. He's been completely blind for most of the summer but knows his way around the house. Now, I want to keep him as comfortable as possible and let him curl up next to me as often as he likes. Rescue dogs are like that; they give all they have for as long as they have. I knew that when I adopted Cappie and his sister Luvvy three years ago. I used to say lovingly, "they're only little dogs." But these little rescue dogs are much more than "only." They are the embodiment of love. The "only" part is my privilege of loving them back! I'll try to care for Cappie the best I can. That's the least I can do.

What's in a name?

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:29:15 GMT

Even though this year I didn't make it to our family's summer cottage near Smith Point, Virginia, I have been remembering summers past ... the swimming, the boating, the fishing, and my unsuccessful attempts at water-skiing. I am reminiscing today, thinking of the 4th of July parades on the country road above Marshall's beach, and those fresh crab cakes mom served at the end of the day.

From the late 1960s to this day, we have enjoyed a summer place ... each cottage with its unique nooks & crannies to explore. One day, two summers ago, I discovered an intriguing children's bedtime storybook, stacked with a number of mismatched items high above a linen closet in one of the cottage bedrooms.

But, this was no ordinary book; this was a "gift book" presented to me in elementary school at the conclusion of the 1956-'57 school year, honoring my perfect attendance. This book brings back fond memories of a simpler time and place. On the front (inside) page cover was inscribed: "Presented to Bobby Swift for perfect attendance at school, 1956-1957." ~ signed by my teacher, Dell T. Cobbs:

Yes, until I reached college, I was known as "Bobby" ~ a common Southern name. Thank goodness, my parents did not follow the usual practice of combining first and middle names. I would have been called, "Bobby Gerald." Not all of my friends and playmates were so lucky. Let's see ...there was "Bobby Lee," and "Mary Lee." I wonder why so many children in Virginia are named "Lee"? [Duh!] Then, there was "Lucy Mae," and Sally Lou," and "Peggy Sue." It seems "Peggy Sue" was made popular from a favorite song in the 50s. "Peggy Sue" is also the name of one of my cocker spaniels.

Maybe tomorrow I'll recall some more southern (Virginia) names of the 50s. Until then, I rejoice in my achievement award received over 50 years ago. Perhaps that perfect attendance back then will come in handy as I try to remember some of my 1956 classmates' names.

A Teacher ... Mediocre, Good, Superior, or Great

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:39:20 GMT

The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.

William Arthur Ward (1921 – 1994)
- one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims

Recently, I have been reading the writings of William Arthur Ward which were published in Reader's Digest, This Week, The Upper Room, Together, The Christian Advocate, etc. throughout the United States and abroad. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the pages of Quote, the international weekly digest for public speakers. His biography appears in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Public Relations, and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. He was a member of the International Platform Association.

There are many quotes which I like, but the above descriptors/qualifiers for a teacher were especially profound. I hope I learn to move through the pedagogic ranks with inspiration my ultimate goal.

A Well-tempered Scale of Grace

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:54:35 GMT

Bob's Reflections on:
Well-Tempered Tuning & Praying

As a former tuner of harpsichords and pipe organs, it took a number of years for me to realize that the solution to creating a “well-tempered” scale was to systematically alter what initially seemed perfect. You see, after successfully tuning the fourth or fifth music intervals perfectly in tune, without any beat or waver, the last stage of tuning required the shading or modifying of each “perfectly” tuned note. For years, my problem was not that I misunderstood the physics involved, but that I lacked the courage to change those intervals which I believed to be perfect.

In the fine-tuning of life, prayer is that quiet time of tuning one’s spirit without fear of God’s well-tempered scale of grace. The courage to change and the willing acceptance of the unknown enables opportunities for turning on (or tuning into) the frequencies where God’s Spirit operates. That “single sound track of the Counselor’s Spirit” becomes a unifying force, while concurrently resisting channels of mistrust or unbelief. The encompassing registers of mutual love and affection are treasured jewels awakening the senses and luring us from misdirected plateaus of solitude.

It's Howdy Doody Time!

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:14:17 GMT

OK ... I couldn't resist!

Back in December, I made an LJ userpic icon of my favorite childhood marionette for the 60-year anniversary of NBC's "Puppet Playhouse" and included it in a journal entry dedicated to the puppet character, Howdy Doody. This is a re-posting of that tribute. [Forgive me, LJ friends who have seen this before.] I just remembered that in August, The Howdy Doody Show always would gear up for the children returning from vacations in time for school. Each year at this time Howdy Doody ratings would soar!

Do you remember ...
Buffalo Bob would shout:
"Say kids, what time is it?"

and the children would shout back:
"It's Howdy Doody Time!"

Then sing
(set to the tune of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay"):

It's Howdy Doody Time.
It's Howdy Doody Time.
Bob Smith and Howdy Do
Say Howdy Do to you.
Let's give a rousing cheer,
Cause Howdy Doody's here,
It's time to start the show,
So kids let's go!

Back in 1947 (December 27 to be exact) Puppet Playhouse had its television debut. Of course, there were only 20,000 TV sets in the United States at the time. We didn't get ours until about 1953, a tiny black & white picture tube, housed in this huge, ornate inlaid mahogany cabinet with swinging doors. [You see, NO one was to know there was a TV set behind those doors, not with its prominent location in the center of the parlor !!!] Anyway, I LOVED "Howdy Doody," a freckle-faced boy marionette. Secondary "love" goes to Howdy's sister, "Heidi" [Remember Heidi?] and Dilly Dally, Princess Summerfall Winterspring, and all the Flub-a-Dub animals. I remember EVERYBODY had to have the bedside Howdy Doody night light:

Then, there was Clarabell the clown (who communicated only by honking horns on his belt and squirting seltzer). In the mid-50s, I used to watch the program after school just before supper (later it moved to Saturday mornings). That is ... before I believed myself too old to watch "The Howdy Doody Show" with fellow school mates. Finally, in 1960 (on my birthday ... September 24), Clarabell spoke for the first (and only) time, saying "Good-bye Kids" to children everywhere. [Again, by that time, I was way too old to admit my "Howdy Doody Show" viewing to fellow 5th grade classmates.]

Immortal Beloved

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:53:17 GMT

OK ... so yesterday I watched the 1994 film "Immortal Beloved" (a Beethoven biographical sketch) and all last night and most of today I can't stop playing the "Pathetique" Sonata (at least the 1st and 2nd movements). This film reminded me once again of music's mystical power over my being. Last night's viewing of "Immortal Beloved" was a mysterious revelation of sorts. In Beethoven, I humbly recalled the sensations I felt while composing my last symphonic/choral piece. Here is an excerpt from my composer's diary three years ago:

"This merging of multiple choral and instrumental voices became a mystical touching. It wedded my senses, intertwining and crisscrossing to create a picture of ever-changing and perfecting textures. Through it all, I patiently experienced a primitive sense of nature, an action which became a process of anticipating and interacting, and a transformation of remembering and visioning which turned my memory into the present and my dreams into reality."

Music moves us; it enchants us; it energizes and heals us. In a moment, music can arouse within us compassion, comfort, and love. It clears our minds while stirring our intellect. Interestingly, until last night, I had almost forgotten how powerfully these musical attributes played upon my soul. I shall continue to relearn the "Pathetique." Even my meager pianistic endeavors grant ample dreaming, with much hope and aspiration.

Things to Forget ... Things to Remember

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:21:16 GMT

Today, I honor my Aunt Doris who died in August, 2004. She was born June 20, 1920. Here is an excerpt from one of her scrap book clippings. I believe Doris was successful in following the wisdom of these writings.

THINGS TO FORGET:

Forget each kindness that you do
as soon as you have done it.

Forget the praise that falls to you
the moment you have won it.

Forget the slander that you hear
before you can repeat it.

Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer,
wherever you may meet it.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Remember every kindness done to you
whatever its measure.

Remember praise by others won
and pass it on with pleasure.

Remember every promise made
and keep it to the letter.

Remember those who lend you aid
and be a grateful debtor.

Remember all the happiness
that comes your way in living.

Forget each worry and distress;
be hopeful and forgiving ...

and you will find
through age and youth
that many hearts
will love you!

Time for Some More Anonymous Quotes

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:52:33 GMT

Cheerfulness ...
will open a door
when other keys fail.

A song in the heart ...
gives the day a good start.

You will never stumble
onto anything good
while sitting.

The ordinary today
is the wonderful yesterday
in tomorrow's memory.

Friendship and true love
fill up all those little ruts
in the road of life.

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:47:22 GMT

Earlier this afternoon, I was informed that the first Sunday in August has been designated "Friendship Day" ... just the day to share an anonymous writing I have saved through the years. If anyone knows its source, please let me know so I can credit the author. [Now, I need to set these words to music!]

A FRIEND’S ALPHABET

A Friend...

ACCEPTS you as you are.

BELIEVES in you.

CALLS you just to say “Hi.”

DOESN’T give up on you.

ENVISIONS the whole of you,
(even the unfinished parts).

FORGIVES your mistakes.

GIVES unconditionally.

HELPS you.

INVITES you over…

JUST to be with you.

KEEPS you close at heart.

LOVES you for who you are.

MAKES a difference in your life.

NEVER judges.

OFFERS support.

PICKS you up.

QUIETS your fears.

RAISES your spirits.

SAYS nice things about you.

TELLS you the truth
(when you need to hear it).

UNDERSTANDS you.

VALUES you.

WALKS beside you.

‘X’-plains things
(you don’t understand).

YELLS when you won’t listen.

and…
ZAPS you back to reality!

Feeding, Weeding, & Watering

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:00:42 GMT

As documented in my July 24th entry, Farmer Bob has lost all his tomatoes to the squirrels or (as my father believes) to creatures of the two-legged variety. So, now, I'm concentrating on the rest of Rainbrook's estate. Yesterday, I gave plant food to several north and south gardens, weeded the rose gardens, cut the grass in both front and back lawns, and watered. This is a big place to keep up by myself, but I enjoy the exercise. There's also the pride in seeing things flourish (or at the very least ... survive).

Every morning and afternoon, I water the palm plants and geranium plants on the deck. Pictured in these photos, I am doing my good deed for the day:

Geranium Plant:

Palm Plant:

OOPS: I watered the chair!

An Introduction to a Concert

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:45:05 GMT

How does one excite an audience to listen attentively to music?

These are my concluding words while introducing a concert back in 2003. Once again, I quoted from Don Campbell's "The Mozart Effect." The exquisite "primal breath of creation itself" metaphors seem to put music's mystical powers into perspective.

The Ending of My Day

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:03:39 GMT

I began my day with a peaceful time on the deck, sitting at the table under the umbrella reading the paper and drinking coffee. [See previous post.] It was a peaceful start to the day. Since that time, I have taught some piano lessons, cleaned house, shopped at the local mall, cared for the dogs, enjoyed some delicious meals, walked the neighborhood, etc. I returned to the deck this afternoon for some sun. My first lesson this morning ended with the student exclaiming "You are SUCH a good teacher!" [I needed that.] Now, I'm enjoying some music from our local classical station.

Let me conclude the day with a video of me playing organ and conducting the choir in Mozart's "Gloria" from the "12th Mass" for an evening service a few years ago. I'm glad I recorded it. We were quite energized by the music!

Let Me Be Joy!

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:51:44 GMT

Let me be joy!
Let me be hope!!
Let my life sing !!!

I know I have posted this before, but today I feel the power of these words inspiring and discerning. [Sorry, I don't know the author of this writing nor the source of its discovery a few years ago.]

Make me too brave
to lie or to be unkind,
make me too understanding
to mind the little hurts
companions give,
and friends, the careless hurts
that no one quite intends.
Make me too thoughtful
to hurt others so!

Help me to know
the inmost hearts
of those for whom I care,
their secret wishes,
and all the loads they bear,
that I may add my courage
to their own!

May I make lonely folks
feel less alone,
and happy ones
a little happier yet.
May I forget
what ought to be forgotten,
and recall each kindly thing,
forgetting what might sting!

To all upon my way,
day after day,
let me be joy,
let me be hope,
let my life sing !!!

--------------------------------------------------

... Enjoying the Morning Sun
on Rainbrook's Deck

... Surrounded by Geranium and Palm Plants

... Reading the Paper and Drinking Coffee
at the Green Umbrella-topped Table

... Receiving Nature's Beauties All Around!

MUSICAL CLOCKS

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:04:55 GMT

... a lighthearted Haydn

Today, I share some selections from "The Musical Clocks" by Franz Josef Haydn. In a March 1992 concert, I decided to program five of the Musical Clocks pieces (including "The Song of the Quail") to add a jovial "lightheartedness" to the concert. The music is taken from a suite of seven short works written in 1792 for a famous clock in Vienna, Austria. [I visited this clock in August of 1971 while attending an international choral symposium at the Academy of Music.] As with many "music clocks" of the 18th century, music was played automatically on a small flute organ, operated by the clock mechanism.

Proportion ... 35 Years Later

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:01:39 GMT

It is proportion that beautifies everything.
This whole universe consists of it,
and music is measured by it.
- Orlando Gibbons

Yesterday, I continued to sort through some old family scrapbooks. These precious, archival jewels afforded a splendid afternoon of reminiscing! Later, I began to recollect (and locate) some of my own diaries, years before LiveJournal. Here's an excerpt from July 27, 1973. I was in my second year as full-time director of music ministries, serving a Virginia church with multiple choirs and a large private studio of piano/organ students. That particular summer Saturday afternoon found me in the living room quietly reflecting and recording in my journal:

July 27, 1973
"I had trouble with control knobs of the television today; attempted to repair using glue and duct tape. Hope that by tomorrow the glue will have set and I will be able to change the channel. At present, it's stuck on Channel 6."

My comment 35 years later
Realize, there were only three television channels available anyway. The remote control? What remote control?

Let's return to that 1973 diary ...

"I am sitting in the living room listening to some pipe organ records. Very pretty day outside! The town is busy with shoppers crowding the streets, pushing and shoving to be the first to save on bargains. This weekend is "Bargain Day Sales" in most of the stores. I'm content with the things I have. Why should I wear myself out shopping on my one day off? But, it's interesting to watch others from my apartment window."

My comment 35 years later
This ... from someone whose only multimedia home theater option is to view a 12" black and white (rabbit ear antenna) television with the channel knob stuck on Channel 6!

Back to 1973 reflections ...

"Regarding music ... I learned early in life that music had a great hold on my being. I'm a conservatory graduate; yet I must constantly develop new skills. There is so much to explore! Each day, I encounter new barriers to overcome, new challenges to meet. My mind is constantly pondering deep thoughts but I don't dare express them. In theory, I am close to understanding answers to many of life's questions. I desire symmetry, order, refinement. I am fascinated by the arts, the humanities, history, philosophy. For the present, I am edified by observing others who have mastered these skills and attained these goals. Maybe in time! It will be interesting to see how my feelings and aspirations of July 27, 1973 change with time. Possibly what I write is not truly what I feel."

My July 27, 2008 comment
Well, 35 years have past since these writings. I'd say the word "proportion" summarizes my yearnings of 1973. What was that quote of Orlando Gibbons? ... "It is proportion that beautifies everything." Maybe my 1973 "symmetry, order, refinement" descriptors were calling for a life of equal temperament (perhaps, not unlike a Bach pipe organ tuned to that "well-tempered" scale), or a life mentored and modeled by well-proportioned values and truths. I'm encouraged that Gibbons chose to use proportion as the subject of the verb "beautifies". Better yet, consider "beauty" to be the object of proportion! However one perceives beauty or proportion, let's acknowledge their presence in life. I, for one, give thanks that ... just as music is measured by it ... our lives receive beautification and qualification through "proportion."

Three Cheers for Triplets !!!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:19:10 GMT

[Inspired from a 2006 LJ post. ]

Konzert ohne Orchester en F-Moll
Concerto without Orchestra
Third Grand Sonata in F Minor, Op. 14

by Robert Schumann
(composed in 1835 and 1853)

Recently, I have been busy attempting to relearn (from "Conservatory" days) the "Third Grand Sonata" in F Minor by Robert Schumann. Actually, my primary focus has been on the movement: "Quasi Variazioni" Andantino de Clara Wieck. I love these four variations on Clara's original theme. One could accurately describe them as pensive, yet with rippling vigor! Even though all are composed in duple meter, I find the second variation's use of (inner-voiced) triplets to be my favorite.

This love of triplets reminds me of my original choral-symphonic setting of Psalm 103. [At one point in the work, I scored for organ, full- orchestra, two solo violinists, a solo vocal quintet (ssatb - featured in front of choir and orchestra), and the eight-part divisi choir ---all playing/singing simultaneously.] The music took three months to compose/score/computerize and another three to print/fine-tune/rehearse, but finally everything was ready for its November 1994 premiere. A week or so before the BIG day, I shared my manuscript with a musicologist (elitist-type) who had informed me she would be unable to attend the premiere. After quickly thumbing through the first and second movements, she remarked: "I find it 'interesting' that you would choose to compose Psalm 103 in triplets. Doesn't this text require the strength of duple meter?" To this day, I don't remember my response. [I'm sure it was gracious.] But, I believe subconsciously this comment (from someone who never heard my music) prompted me to compose more and more in triplet meter (3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, whatever). Two years following the Psalm 103 premiere, I employed a 6/8 meter in a setting of Psalm 121. Then, in 2004, I returned to the melodic and rhythmic motifs of Psalm 103 in a setting of "The Great Thanksgiving" responsorials (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, and Amen). [How presumptuous of me to use triplets at The Great Thanksgiving!] But, what vigor, what presence, what joy! That's the way I feel when playing Schumann's second variation. As I say in today's title, "Three Cheers for Triplets" !!!

Unfortunately, Psalm 103 was never video recorded; however, here is my Psalm 121 composition with plenty of triplets to spare!

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:45:19 GMT

This post is a follow-up to yesterday's journal entry. To make sure the photos are not too large for community margins, I've placed them under a LJ-cut.

Repair of The Vandalized Mailbox Flower Bed Border

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Re-painting of Rainbrook's Deck

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Further Proof of Improvement