Christmas was full of joy and love this year. First of all we are all healthy except for a few people I love and adore, and those
people are in my thoughts and daily meditations as well as my prayers. You know who you are and please know that you are loved and needed...
Sorry about posting the "bad picture" twice! Dhaaaa, must mean something.
Today was "boxing day" in New Zealand. England, Canada and other parts of the world call the day after Christmas Boxing day... thus you get rid of the boxes that protected gifts.
I was given a fantastic gift. It is a a piece that goes under your fitted sheets on a bed. Made from down and some synthetic
stuff... You do not fight a lumpy mattress. It caresses your body as you sleep! Also a Pendelton 100% wool blanket. It has images of the Tetons and it came with a pillow cover! The prints are beautiful and it is so warm to sleep under. Okay, so I will spend most of my holiday in a bed sound asleep under the Tetons!
Must practice my piano for a while before bed. I am working on the beautiful Reflets dans l'eau from Images book 1 by Debussy.
Also, some Bach (Always) and trying to do a bit of oil painting... writing and walking walking walking. Love my walks.
Hope all had a glorious holiday. The New Year will be the beginning of a new year which I pray brings peace and love to the entire universe we all share and live within.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Been a rough year!
Any one that reads my blog I wish you a very happy holiday season and most of all laughter, love and light in the new year.
Will write soon.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
I thank my lucky stars...
Everything was flowing like honey... smoothly. We printed out our boarding passes on Southwest Air, checked luggage and had ample time to rest, play on computer, drink coffee. Checked the gate number C-18, but we did not have the 'over 60' eye glasses on and read the gate number as C-13. Yes, we sat there writing e mails and catching up on news. Flight was called... Flight such and such leaving from gate C-13 for SEATTLE WA!!!!!!!!!!!! Nearly died. Read the boarding pass: Gate C 18 for LAX!
Ah, we missed the flight! Southwest had us on a plane to Las Vegas then into LAX within 5 minutes. Everyone on the Las Vegas flight were starring at us like we were the dumb asses that we are. Landed in Las Vegas, then flew into LAX. Once in LAX everything was great.
Air New Zealand is next door to Southwest Air Lines, so no need to walk miles to INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL. Walked down to baggage claim and realized I had left my backpack on the seat in the security section. OMFG! I could not get back into the secured Southwest area. First of all I had NO ID. My backpacks are like limbs on my torso. The backpack had my Mac Computer, my Cell Phones, ALL OF MY BLESSED MONEY, ALL OF MY IDENTIFICATION: PASSPORTS, DRIVER LICENSE, CREDIT CARDS, BANK NUMBERS AND ALL OF MY CONTACT INFORMATION AS WELL AS MY CHECK BOOK. My heart turned to stone and dropped like a missile to the bottom of my feet. I ran hysterically into the check in area for Air New Zealand.
A gorgeous black woman was helping people through the lines... nudging them gently along. She immediately picked up on my angst.
"Can I help you sir, you seemed distressed" "Lady you have NOT a CLUE about HOW DISTRESSED I AM!" I proceeded to explain my predicament. She told me to stay where I was and she would go up to the gate and see IF she could retrieve my backpack.
The minutes went by like hours. I thought she would NEVER, EVER, RETURN TO WHERE I WAS STANDING wringing my hand and looking out the sliding glass doors that open onto a busy street. I thought to myself: "This is it! Simply walk out that door and wait for a roaring bus, step in front of it and end this entire drama."
My 'Black Princess' arrived by my side. She asked IF, possibly there was something in the side pocket of my backpack. I blurted out a hyper YES! a banana. With the word banana she handed my by backpack with everything still inside it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I know why some people pee their pants when they are happy beyond words.)
This is the second time in my life a black woman has saved me from killing myself!
Once in NYC when I was about 21 I took a train up into the Cloisters for a rehearsal. I got on the subway and after what seemed hours I was the ONLY WHITE MAN ON THE TRAIN. I was in in Harlem. Back then the subways were VERY SEEDY and many bad things happened to people that were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Looking out the window of the train I read "HARLEM". I got off the train and to an extremely naive Mormon boy all I could see was an ocean of eyes and teeth! My body began to shake. A black woman was on my right side dressed in a red wool coat and hat. She clutched my hand, leaned into my ear and said: "Boy, you be LOST???!!!) I nodded a feeble yes as visions of my standing naked in a boiling cauldron drifted through my brain. She gripped my hand harder and said for me to follow her.
Then, I really thought it was over. I wanted to cry, I could not stop shaking and it was time in my short life that I honestly experienced the meaning of being "helpless." (I have a marvelous painting in my bedroom by a wonderful artist titled
that very word: HELPLESS!)
She walked me under the tracks to the other side of the rails and said: "You gotta go back into Manhattan boy! You get on the first train going this way." I said "thank you Mame, but please, oh please don't leave me until that train arrives..." She held onto my hand and within minutes the train arrived.
To this day I bless that woman. She knew how frightened I was and I am sure she had been frightened the same way somewhere sometime in her lifetime.
I so wish I had asked her name and address. I would have sent her roses for as long as I had enough money... The same situation applies with the beautiful black woman in LAX. I did not get her name or a contact number! She saved me from a terrible mess.
I did not sleep on the flight from LAX to Auckland NZ. I even took sleeping pills, two glasses of wine, tried to listen to music and meditated. Simply too tired from all the DRAMA.
I know there are "drama Kings and Queens" but I can usually hold my own amid any situation, however... this time my mind kept playing scenes from years and years ago regarding how many times a person has helped me sail through a predicament beyond my control! Our lives are watched over by many many forces.
I do thank my lucky stars for my guardian angels!
Ah, we missed the flight! Southwest had us on a plane to Las Vegas then into LAX within 5 minutes. Everyone on the Las Vegas flight were starring at us like we were the dumb asses that we are. Landed in Las Vegas, then flew into LAX. Once in LAX everything was great.
Air New Zealand is next door to Southwest Air Lines, so no need to walk miles to INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL. Walked down to baggage claim and realized I had left my backpack on the seat in the security section. OMFG! I could not get back into the secured Southwest area. First of all I had NO ID. My backpacks are like limbs on my torso. The backpack had my Mac Computer, my Cell Phones, ALL OF MY BLESSED MONEY, ALL OF MY IDENTIFICATION: PASSPORTS, DRIVER LICENSE, CREDIT CARDS, BANK NUMBERS AND ALL OF MY CONTACT INFORMATION AS WELL AS MY CHECK BOOK. My heart turned to stone and dropped like a missile to the bottom of my feet. I ran hysterically into the check in area for Air New Zealand.
A gorgeous black woman was helping people through the lines... nudging them gently along. She immediately picked up on my angst.
"Can I help you sir, you seemed distressed" "Lady you have NOT a CLUE about HOW DISTRESSED I AM!" I proceeded to explain my predicament. She told me to stay where I was and she would go up to the gate and see IF she could retrieve my backpack.
The minutes went by like hours. I thought she would NEVER, EVER, RETURN TO WHERE I WAS STANDING wringing my hand and looking out the sliding glass doors that open onto a busy street. I thought to myself: "This is it! Simply walk out that door and wait for a roaring bus, step in front of it and end this entire drama."
My 'Black Princess' arrived by my side. She asked IF, possibly there was something in the side pocket of my backpack. I blurted out a hyper YES! a banana. With the word banana she handed my by backpack with everything still inside it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I know why some people pee their pants when they are happy beyond words.)
This is the second time in my life a black woman has saved me from killing myself!
Once in NYC when I was about 21 I took a train up into the Cloisters for a rehearsal. I got on the subway and after what seemed hours I was the ONLY WHITE MAN ON THE TRAIN. I was in in Harlem. Back then the subways were VERY SEEDY and many bad things happened to people that were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Looking out the window of the train I read "HARLEM". I got off the train and to an extremely naive Mormon boy all I could see was an ocean of eyes and teeth! My body began to shake. A black woman was on my right side dressed in a red wool coat and hat. She clutched my hand, leaned into my ear and said: "Boy, you be LOST???!!!) I nodded a feeble yes as visions of my standing naked in a boiling cauldron drifted through my brain. She gripped my hand harder and said for me to follow her.
Then, I really thought it was over. I wanted to cry, I could not stop shaking and it was time in my short life that I honestly experienced the meaning of being "helpless." (I have a marvelous painting in my bedroom by a wonderful artist titled
that very word: HELPLESS!)
She walked me under the tracks to the other side of the rails and said: "You gotta go back into Manhattan boy! You get on the first train going this way." I said "thank you Mame, but please, oh please don't leave me until that train arrives..." She held onto my hand and within minutes the train arrived.
To this day I bless that woman. She knew how frightened I was and I am sure she had been frightened the same way somewhere sometime in her lifetime.
I so wish I had asked her name and address. I would have sent her roses for as long as I had enough money... The same situation applies with the beautiful black woman in LAX. I did not get her name or a contact number! She saved me from a terrible mess.
I did not sleep on the flight from LAX to Auckland NZ. I even took sleeping pills, two glasses of wine, tried to listen to music and meditated. Simply too tired from all the DRAMA.
I know there are "drama Kings and Queens" but I can usually hold my own amid any situation, however... this time my mind kept playing scenes from years and years ago regarding how many times a person has helped me sail through a predicament beyond my control! Our lives are watched over by many many forces.
I do thank my lucky stars for my guardian angels!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Antelope Island... Tabernacle... New Zealand
Arrived in Auckland November 30th. Loving each and every breath I take in this wonderful place. Still getting the house set up with groceries, digging belongings out of storage that need to be placed in drawers, on walls, in cupboards... gardens look great.
Our Land Lady set up a veggie garden for me! Russian Red Tomatoes, Blood Beets, herbs, all kinds of lettuces. Roses are in bloom and the pansies are grinning from ear to ear. My studio is up and running so lots of music, practicing, reading and messing around on my computer. I do love my MacBook Pro. The ONLY way to GO!
I grew up near the shores of the Great Salt Lake which is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. The lake is a remnant of pre-historic Lake Bonneville, which covered more than 20,000 square miles during the Ice Age. Four distint shorelines from the lake may be seen from Antelope Island and include Bonneville, Provo, Stnsbury and Gilbert. Great Salt Lake is currently 75 miles long by 28 miles wide covering 1,700 square miles. At this level, maximum depth is about 33 feet. Size and depth vary greatly with seasonal evaporation and precipitation. Salinity level ranges between four and 28 percent compared to the ocean at three percent.
When I was a little kid in grade school we were taught to observe the LINES the lake had made upon the Wasatch Range. There were actual horizontal lines along the face of the mountains east of the lake. Recorded depths of the lake on the mountains as it evaporated, altered it's levels beginning in the ice age.
One of my favorite natural events of every day life are SUNSETS. They haunt me like mountains. As a child and later young man I never missed a sunset over the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island. Antelope Island is in the middle of the lake. I've seen lightening strike the island and set it into flames! The Island comprises 28,022 acres, and is 15 miles long and 4.5 miles across at it's widest point. Frary Peak is the highest point on the island at, (get this) 6,596 feet above sea level. Get high up there without the help of drugs!
The oldest rocks on Antelope Isaland are some of the oldest found anywhere on earth! The Farmington Canyon comples, at 2.7 billion years old, is older than rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. These rocks, which are banded and controrted, comprise the sounthern two-thirds of the island. Antelope Isaland has 40 major freshwater springs found primarily on the east side of the island. These springs produce 36 million gallons ofr water each year that support the wildlife and vegetation on the island. Birds, Bison, Coyotes, Pronghorn fawns and bighorn sheep and yes, Antelope call this island HOME!
When the state of Utah built the first road from Syracuse Ut to the Island it was a gravel road. Often washed out. When the water erupts into white caps, the water is so heavy it can CRUSH, SMASH AND DESTROY anything in it's path! There were times I slept on the island and spent days alone hiking from end to end. Oolitic sand is unique to the island. These are round grains of sand that are formed when mineral grains of brine shrimp fecal pellets are coated by concentric layers of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate. This is similar to how perals are formed. In the yearly 70's I hiked to the west side of the island. I was stunned at the sugar white beaches... glistening white diamonds of light. It was Oolitic sand!
My afternoon on the island was very emotional. Seeing how it has evolved into a State Park and yet the austire, aloof beauty and peace this island emmits is awesome! There are 8 magor islands in the lake, but Antelope is the diamond of islands.
Moving along, I and a friend drove to SLC to hear and see the Tabernacle Organ on Temple Square. I studied with Dr. Alexander Schriner when I was 11-12 years old. He taught in the Asembly Hall early on Saturday mornings I took a Lake Shore Bus from Sunset Utah into SLC. Walked over to Temple Square and had a hour lesson with the Greatest Tabernacle Organist ever to touch a keyboard!
The Tabernacle is an acoustic wonder of the world. It was also built with leather tongs holding many things in place and of course it was not built to withstand earth quakes. Thus, the Mormon Church has restored it and made it beautiful. I remember sitting inside this musical wonder of a building listening to the USO, daily recitals, and other events such as when President JFK came to UTAH!!!!!!! I used to place my feet on the floor, sqweeze my butt to the bench and revel in the vibrations the organ made, most of all when the organist would place his feet on the Bombard Pedals. OMG, my entire soul soared to heaven and I promised myself that I would one day be a Tabernacle Organist! They are doing the daily organ recitals again!
After a day of so many exciting and hauting events I crawled into bed and thanked God for my past life! Then to think I am so blest as to be able to come NZ. This is my 21st year!
Will write more later...
Our Land Lady set up a veggie garden for me! Russian Red Tomatoes, Blood Beets, herbs, all kinds of lettuces. Roses are in bloom and the pansies are grinning from ear to ear. My studio is up and running so lots of music, practicing, reading and messing around on my computer. I do love my MacBook Pro. The ONLY way to GO!
I grew up near the shores of the Great Salt Lake which is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. The lake is a remnant of pre-historic Lake Bonneville, which covered more than 20,000 square miles during the Ice Age. Four distint shorelines from the lake may be seen from Antelope Island and include Bonneville, Provo, Stnsbury and Gilbert. Great Salt Lake is currently 75 miles long by 28 miles wide covering 1,700 square miles. At this level, maximum depth is about 33 feet. Size and depth vary greatly with seasonal evaporation and precipitation. Salinity level ranges between four and 28 percent compared to the ocean at three percent.
When I was a little kid in grade school we were taught to observe the LINES the lake had made upon the Wasatch Range. There were actual horizontal lines along the face of the mountains east of the lake. Recorded depths of the lake on the mountains as it evaporated, altered it's levels beginning in the ice age.
One of my favorite natural events of every day life are SUNSETS. They haunt me like mountains. As a child and later young man I never missed a sunset over the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island. Antelope Island is in the middle of the lake. I've seen lightening strike the island and set it into flames! The Island comprises 28,022 acres, and is 15 miles long and 4.5 miles across at it's widest point. Frary Peak is the highest point on the island at, (get this) 6,596 feet above sea level. Get high up there without the help of drugs!
The oldest rocks on Antelope Isaland are some of the oldest found anywhere on earth! The Farmington Canyon comples, at 2.7 billion years old, is older than rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. These rocks, which are banded and controrted, comprise the sounthern two-thirds of the island. Antelope Isaland has 40 major freshwater springs found primarily on the east side of the island. These springs produce 36 million gallons ofr water each year that support the wildlife and vegetation on the island. Birds, Bison, Coyotes, Pronghorn fawns and bighorn sheep and yes, Antelope call this island HOME!
When the state of Utah built the first road from Syracuse Ut to the Island it was a gravel road. Often washed out. When the water erupts into white caps, the water is so heavy it can CRUSH, SMASH AND DESTROY anything in it's path! There were times I slept on the island and spent days alone hiking from end to end. Oolitic sand is unique to the island. These are round grains of sand that are formed when mineral grains of brine shrimp fecal pellets are coated by concentric layers of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate. This is similar to how perals are formed. In the yearly 70's I hiked to the west side of the island. I was stunned at the sugar white beaches... glistening white diamonds of light. It was Oolitic sand!
My afternoon on the island was very emotional. Seeing how it has evolved into a State Park and yet the austire, aloof beauty and peace this island emmits is awesome! There are 8 magor islands in the lake, but Antelope is the diamond of islands.
Moving along, I and a friend drove to SLC to hear and see the Tabernacle Organ on Temple Square. I studied with Dr. Alexander Schriner when I was 11-12 years old. He taught in the Asembly Hall early on Saturday mornings I took a Lake Shore Bus from Sunset Utah into SLC. Walked over to Temple Square and had a hour lesson with the Greatest Tabernacle Organist ever to touch a keyboard!
The Tabernacle is an acoustic wonder of the world. It was also built with leather tongs holding many things in place and of course it was not built to withstand earth quakes. Thus, the Mormon Church has restored it and made it beautiful. I remember sitting inside this musical wonder of a building listening to the USO, daily recitals, and other events such as when President JFK came to UTAH!!!!!!! I used to place my feet on the floor, sqweeze my butt to the bench and revel in the vibrations the organ made, most of all when the organist would place his feet on the Bombard Pedals. OMG, my entire soul soared to heaven and I promised myself that I would one day be a Tabernacle Organist! They are doing the daily organ recitals again!
After a day of so many exciting and hauting events I crawled into bed and thanked God for my past life! Then to think I am so blest as to be able to come NZ. This is my 21st year!
Will write more later...
Friday, November 06, 2009
November 6,2009
November 5th marked exactly one year since I was operated on for cancer and other problems. A year ago I did not really care if I lived or died. I was that ill. I weighted 139 pounds. I looked like hell and felt worse than hell.
Yesterday I walked back into my "Green Cathedral" where I could tune into nature and thank the universe for all of my blessings.
Something caught my eye, in over 20 years of walking through these woods I have never noticed this amazing old apple tree. All it's leaves had fallen to the ground along with some very ripe apples. It was honestly a sight to behold. This tree which looks liked a broken umbrella all decorated in ornaments of different hues in reds, yellows, pinks and greens.
I reached up into the boughs and picked an apple. Polished it's skin to a brilliant sheen, then carefully took a bite out of this forbidden fruit!
It was delicious. I sat on the ground and leaned my back up against the trunk of the apple tree... then it happened, the most beautiful sound in the world... a symphony of birds. All the cedar and pine trees were full of choirs singing individual melodies yet all in symphony with each other's personal composition! The sky was pale blue and low rain clouds scudded by as the wind picked up tempo. I simply could not move. I sat there beside the tree eating it's gifts, rain drops kissing my head, neck and shoulders as I watched the wind and birds all fly away toward the west.
I had a marshal arts teacher that claimed eating a fresh peach could clear one's mind and body of all kinds of negative vibrations.
Well, I have found that a true organic apple, rain drops and bird song can fill one with unexplainable peace and joy.
Yesterday I walked back into my "Green Cathedral" where I could tune into nature and thank the universe for all of my blessings.
Something caught my eye, in over 20 years of walking through these woods I have never noticed this amazing old apple tree. All it's leaves had fallen to the ground along with some very ripe apples. It was honestly a sight to behold. This tree which looks liked a broken umbrella all decorated in ornaments of different hues in reds, yellows, pinks and greens.
I reached up into the boughs and picked an apple. Polished it's skin to a brilliant sheen, then carefully took a bite out of this forbidden fruit!
It was delicious. I sat on the ground and leaned my back up against the trunk of the apple tree... then it happened, the most beautiful sound in the world... a symphony of birds. All the cedar and pine trees were full of choirs singing individual melodies yet all in symphony with each other's personal composition! The sky was pale blue and low rain clouds scudded by as the wind picked up tempo. I simply could not move. I sat there beside the tree eating it's gifts, rain drops kissing my head, neck and shoulders as I watched the wind and birds all fly away toward the west.
I had a marshal arts teacher that claimed eating a fresh peach could clear one's mind and body of all kinds of negative vibrations.
Well, I have found that a true organic apple, rain drops and bird song can fill one with unexplainable peace and joy.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
September Song
"Oh, it's a long long time from May till September..."
The words and melody to this classic song will never die. Like the song, The Autumn Leaves... I love that melody.
When I sit alone at the keyboard and allow my musical muses to play my fingers I invariably play "The Autumn Leaves fall by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold..."
I have written about the Autumn Season many times within this blog and some that follow the blog know of my mysterious love for this time of the year.
Yes, I survived my summer of waking between 6 or 6:30 AM and going to sleep around midnight 24/7. Each morning the alarm jolts me out of slumber. I stagger to my sacred place, hit the green button on my Mr. Coffee Maker and turn my chair toward the eastern sky. After the first sips of java, I take in the morning star, the last traces of moonlight and watch first light blanket the earth... Then don my chef's cooking jacket, plop my battered ball cap on my sleep encrusted hair. Splash cold water on the face, brush teeth and open my journal. Write what memories remain from my dreams, plans for the day or random thoughts that float around inside mind...
The morning walk to the business is always refreshing. The symphony of the birds filling the fresh morning air is the most thrilling music one can ever hear.
Closed the business Oct. 4, 2009. Since then lots of cleaning, organizing and falling in love with my piano all over again!
I have played piano for at least an hour every day or evening since we closed.
I will fly to New Orleans on November 10. Spend three nights with my sister Teresa. Then fly into NYC. Visit my piano teachers. Seymour Bernstein and Carol Montparker. Walk the streets of a city that doesn't sleep taking in everything from Central Park, concerts and some unexpedted adventures. Will also start writing my blogs again! I know, I should be on Face Book and whats that other new thing? Well, blogger.com will still be my home for a few more years!
I walked up the Snake River Canyon yesterday afternoon. My legs keep reminding me! When I got out of bed this morning they were screaming at me! They are used to standing up to 14 hours and walking within my kitchen space, but not balancing on rocks and uneven terrain! The leaves were gorgeous and of course sunlight on the water!
It's good to be back with my computer. I tunes, E mails and learning so much about everything possible. More to follow in a few days.
The words and melody to this classic song will never die. Like the song, The Autumn Leaves... I love that melody.
When I sit alone at the keyboard and allow my musical muses to play my fingers I invariably play "The Autumn Leaves fall by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold..."
I have written about the Autumn Season many times within this blog and some that follow the blog know of my mysterious love for this time of the year.
Yes, I survived my summer of waking between 6 or 6:30 AM and going to sleep around midnight 24/7. Each morning the alarm jolts me out of slumber. I stagger to my sacred place, hit the green button on my Mr. Coffee Maker and turn my chair toward the eastern sky. After the first sips of java, I take in the morning star, the last traces of moonlight and watch first light blanket the earth... Then don my chef's cooking jacket, plop my battered ball cap on my sleep encrusted hair. Splash cold water on the face, brush teeth and open my journal. Write what memories remain from my dreams, plans for the day or random thoughts that float around inside mind...
The morning walk to the business is always refreshing. The symphony of the birds filling the fresh morning air is the most thrilling music one can ever hear.
Closed the business Oct. 4, 2009. Since then lots of cleaning, organizing and falling in love with my piano all over again!
I have played piano for at least an hour every day or evening since we closed.
I will fly to New Orleans on November 10. Spend three nights with my sister Teresa. Then fly into NYC. Visit my piano teachers. Seymour Bernstein and Carol Montparker. Walk the streets of a city that doesn't sleep taking in everything from Central Park, concerts and some unexpedted adventures. Will also start writing my blogs again! I know, I should be on Face Book and whats that other new thing? Well, blogger.com will still be my home for a few more years!
I walked up the Snake River Canyon yesterday afternoon. My legs keep reminding me! When I got out of bed this morning they were screaming at me! They are used to standing up to 14 hours and walking within my kitchen space, but not balancing on rocks and uneven terrain! The leaves were gorgeous and of course sunlight on the water!
It's good to be back with my computer. I tunes, E mails and learning so much about everything possible. More to follow in a few days.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Summer Time
Finally SUNSHINE... The moon is 8% full. A precious crest hanging in the western sky. We have had nothing but rain and more rain even more rain...
Today was one of the first times we have filled the patio for lunch. Beautiful weather. The Iris are in full bloom. The perfume from Iris is divine. Peonies are bending to the ground with their huge buds. We just finished the last of the lilacs but the wild flowers have been breath taking. Lark Spur and lots of Red Rockets. The sage brush are in blossom as well as the wild geraniums. Thus summer has finally spread it's wide smile across the rocky mountains. The Lupin we planted years ago are beginning regally show their majestic towers. Honey bees love their petals. These lupin are at least 19 years old!
I am well. Monday I endured another surgical procedure! But, the bladder is clean, the prostate is now fixed and no cancer any where to be found. Just possibly I will be back on the road again. LOVING and ENJOYING every moment of life. I am working morning, afternoon and evenings. I LOVE IT. I even play my piano every day. Reading lots of books before I fall into dreams.
Will write soon and hopefully the summer will prove to be one of the best ever even with the economic problems.
Must go out and gaze at the moon.
Today was one of the first times we have filled the patio for lunch. Beautiful weather. The Iris are in full bloom. The perfume from Iris is divine. Peonies are bending to the ground with their huge buds. We just finished the last of the lilacs but the wild flowers have been breath taking. Lark Spur and lots of Red Rockets. The sage brush are in blossom as well as the wild geraniums. Thus summer has finally spread it's wide smile across the rocky mountains. The Lupin we planted years ago are beginning regally show their majestic towers. Honey bees love their petals. These lupin are at least 19 years old!
I am well. Monday I endured another surgical procedure! But, the bladder is clean, the prostate is now fixed and no cancer any where to be found. Just possibly I will be back on the road again. LOVING and ENJOYING every moment of life. I am working morning, afternoon and evenings. I LOVE IT. I even play my piano every day. Reading lots of books before I fall into dreams.
Will write soon and hopefully the summer will prove to be one of the best ever even with the economic problems.
Must go out and gaze at the moon.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Last night the rain spoke to me...
I have used the title of this blog before... Last night the rain did speak to me!
Rain is a very sacred sound created by playing upon the instrument called earth. Every raindrop is like a note of music.
Last night the rain was sporadic. Heavy with sound, then suddenly it would stop leaving bars of long rests and resonating echos of it's drumming symphony. Then ever so gently it would begin tapping and sighing against the glass, the roof, dancing on the cement and rocks or quietly cascading into the grass and gardens.
I was busy helping close the house, packing bags, cleaning... all the last 25 items that MUST be done before leaving the country.
Most important: pass ports, credit cards, flight numbers, cell phones. (I have two phones. A Vodafone when I am out of the USA and a Verizon when I am in the States.) Chargers for I Pod, remember all the cables to computers, phones and KEYS.
Keys are very
important as they open the doors in New Zealand and they open the doors in WY.
Now that I am in my early 60's I have this array of drugs and supplements to pack into my kit of toilet items, the hassle of putting the one oz. bottles of gels and liquids in the plastic bag for inspection.
Closing a house is a big
job. Everything from shutting off power and water to making sure there are no food items, trash, or windows and doors left ajar!
Early in the evening I enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Boardwalk. One of my favorite restaurants. The food is perfect, but the chairs! Ah, I could sit in the chairs all night! Finally around midnight I fell into a fitful sleep. Up at 6 AM flying around the house in order to finish the final tasks. Taxi was on time for the ride to the air port. We arrived at Qantas, checked in the luggage and it was NOT over the limit.
I was feeling strung out... very tired. Then the intercom announced that the flight to Auckland had been cancelled due to heavy cloud cover and rain! I grabbed my Vodafone. Called the 0800 number, re-scheduling for tomorrow. Finally retrieved the luggage, made the new flight arrangements and back to the house! THANK
GOD FOR THIS HOUSE AND YES, I HAD THE KEYS TO THE DOOR! Broad band was still in service, the telephones were still on.
I threatened my two companions with their lives: "DO NOT SO MUCH AS FART because I have made myself sick getting this place in tip top shape!"
It was surreal to be driving up to a house which only a few hours ago you had "CLOSED".
We usually depart from NZ on April 28th, this year we were leaving on the 27th because of flight situations. Well, the pattern has not been broken! Sunshine is forecast for tomorrow the 28th of April. (Mind you, when I am in NZ I am in the future. Even though I fly out of NZ on the 28th of April I am going back in time and will arrive in LAX on the 28th of April. When ever I call the USA I have to realize the fact: I am a day and 4 to 6 hours ahead of where I calling!
The rain was singing all kinds of ancient earthen chants last night. Some where listened to very deep within my heart as I sensed we would not board the flight from Queenstown to Auckland.
My dreams were everywhere. From 2 AM until 4 AM I was awake... I laid listening to the rain and finally I lifted myself out of bed, walked outside and inhaled the scent of rain. I once read about a child that claimed rain was the odor of heaven. She may have been spot on.
In the early 70's I used to drive my VW Bug from Ogden Ut. to Denver Colorado to stay with a friend for up to a week. Driving across the WY desert can be a celestial experience or long hours of fighting off sleep. Often I would see rain clouds charging across the sky and drive directly into a cloud burst of glorious percussion from the mallets of rain drops. I'd stop the car, jump out and run through the sage brush and wild flowers.
Most clouds were so intimidating and yet so full of blessings I sensed no fear, only dampness and clean air and water!
There were times I simply drove into the desert and stripped naked... (I could do it without a thought when I was in my 20's)
and lay on the ground as the rain baptized my flesh, blood and spirit. I do believe in four sacred things: Water, Air, Fire and Earth. They all are my 4 in 1, they express peace and harmony to my life.
I will not be blogging for a few weeks. Enjoy the winter rains in the Pacific Islands, or the Spring rains in the USA and Canada.
(Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, China the list goes on and on...)
Spring is a reminder of our own birth... Remember: it is not 3 in 1, it is 4 in 1.
Rain is a very sacred sound created by playing upon the instrument called earth. Every raindrop is like a note of music.
Last night the rain was sporadic. Heavy with sound, then suddenly it would stop leaving bars of long rests and resonating echos of it's drumming symphony. Then ever so gently it would begin tapping and sighing against the glass, the roof, dancing on the cement and rocks or quietly cascading into the grass and gardens.
I was busy helping close the house, packing bags, cleaning... all the last 25 items that MUST be done before leaving the country.
Most important: pass ports, credit cards, flight numbers, cell phones. (I have two phones. A Vodafone when I am out of the USA and a Verizon when I am in the States.) Chargers for I Pod, remember all the cables to computers, phones and KEYS.
Keys are very
important as they open the doors in New Zealand and they open the doors in WY.
Now that I am in my early 60's I have this array of drugs and supplements to pack into my kit of toilet items, the hassle of putting the one oz. bottles of gels and liquids in the plastic bag for inspection.
Closing a house is a big
job. Everything from shutting off power and water to making sure there are no food items, trash, or windows and doors left ajar!
Early in the evening I enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Boardwalk. One of my favorite restaurants. The food is perfect, but the chairs! Ah, I could sit in the chairs all night! Finally around midnight I fell into a fitful sleep. Up at 6 AM flying around the house in order to finish the final tasks. Taxi was on time for the ride to the air port. We arrived at Qantas, checked in the luggage and it was NOT over the limit.
I was feeling strung out... very tired. Then the intercom announced that the flight to Auckland had been cancelled due to heavy cloud cover and rain! I grabbed my Vodafone. Called the 0800 number, re-scheduling for tomorrow. Finally retrieved the luggage, made the new flight arrangements and back to the house! THANK
GOD FOR THIS HOUSE AND YES, I HAD THE KEYS TO THE DOOR! Broad band was still in service, the telephones were still on.
I threatened my two companions with their lives: "DO NOT SO MUCH AS FART because I have made myself sick getting this place in tip top shape!"
It was surreal to be driving up to a house which only a few hours ago you had "CLOSED".
We usually depart from NZ on April 28th, this year we were leaving on the 27th because of flight situations. Well, the pattern has not been broken! Sunshine is forecast for tomorrow the 28th of April. (Mind you, when I am in NZ I am in the future. Even though I fly out of NZ on the 28th of April I am going back in time and will arrive in LAX on the 28th of April. When ever I call the USA I have to realize the fact: I am a day and 4 to 6 hours ahead of where I calling!
The rain was singing all kinds of ancient earthen chants last night. Some where listened to very deep within my heart as I sensed we would not board the flight from Queenstown to Auckland.
My dreams were everywhere. From 2 AM until 4 AM I was awake... I laid listening to the rain and finally I lifted myself out of bed, walked outside and inhaled the scent of rain. I once read about a child that claimed rain was the odor of heaven. She may have been spot on.
In the early 70's I used to drive my VW Bug from Ogden Ut. to Denver Colorado to stay with a friend for up to a week. Driving across the WY desert can be a celestial experience or long hours of fighting off sleep. Often I would see rain clouds charging across the sky and drive directly into a cloud burst of glorious percussion from the mallets of rain drops. I'd stop the car, jump out and run through the sage brush and wild flowers.
Most clouds were so intimidating and yet so full of blessings I sensed no fear, only dampness and clean air and water!
There were times I simply drove into the desert and stripped naked... (I could do it without a thought when I was in my 20's)
and lay on the ground as the rain baptized my flesh, blood and spirit. I do believe in four sacred things: Water, Air, Fire and Earth. They all are my 4 in 1, they express peace and harmony to my life.
I will not be blogging for a few weeks. Enjoy the winter rains in the Pacific Islands, or the Spring rains in the USA and Canada.
(Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, China the list goes on and on...)
Spring is a reminder of our own birth... Remember: it is not 3 in 1, it is 4 in 1.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Autumn Leaves of Paper Notes...
Most days I walk into the Center of the Village... I then have a cup of strong black coffee at any of many coffee houses.
I do have my favorites. "The Halo", "The Forge", "Books". With coffee I will have a salad or toasted sandwich. From the coffee house I walk to the Alpine Market. (Not the Alpine Market in WY!) The one in QT, NZ that was once called 4 Square. I purchase items for dinner.Greens, vegetables, breads, cheese, sometimes wine, but I prefer to purchase wine from Henry's.
Then I do "MY RAMBLE". I walk about town. I sit and watch people... I listen to sounds, I search the sky for signs within the heavens. Sometimes I write music, or I write in my Journal. I even sketch in the pages of my journal. Most days I go to the local gym and work on the rowing machine, light weights and stretching.
After all these tasks I will step inside St. Peter's Anglican Church. I have mystical respect for churches, cathedrals, synagogues. I cannot ever simply rush into such buildings. I sneak humbly into the bowels of such great architecture. After entering the doors I tip toe up to the baby grand piano. Lift my musical scores out of my back pack and the music maybe everything from Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, even Rachmaninoff. I place my "piano/computer" glasses upon my nose. Lift the desk of the piano and lightly brush my hands over the keys... I look at the light the stained glass windows refract across the alter... I smell lilies, roses, what ever flower arrangement the ladies of the Church have created... then I make music.
Most days I am in the chapel from one o clock until three o clock... I play the baby grand piano, I make mistakes, I correct the errors, I LISTEN to myself with ears I have only recently discovered. I find melodies hidden inside harmonies, I make notes to myself but most of all I actually enjoy what I am doing.
During my practice time many people, from construction workers to physicians and most of all tourists walk in and out of the church from all over the world. There are times they will burst into an enthusiastic applause or walk quietly up to the piano and stand watching me play. I have always had a habit of being "OUT THERE" when I am playing or practicing so after I have played a composition like Clair de lune, I softly let my hands rise from the keyboard and slowly let go of the damper pedal until the very last trace of sound can be heard. Then the person standing beside the piano awakens me into consciousness.
Most times I do not know what they are saying as I am NOT gifted in languages, but I do read body language and the cosmic vibrations of emotion.
It is autumn in New Zealand. Leaves are falling, colder nights, frost in the mornings. I love the fall time. Sometimes when I am practicing, or simply think I am performing I have a feeling, a sensation that someone is listening! I never look out into the pews... I want to savour the feeling of being heard and adored!
When I am finally spent and feel I must leave I rise up, dust the piano keys with the palms of my hands, lay back the desk and cover the keyboard. I then lay the quilted blanket of forest green over the entire piano to protect it from heat. Cold air will not harm a piano, direct heat is as lethal as the jaws from hell on pianos. I then place my music into my backpack, take off my "computer/piano" eye glasses and rise up from the piano bench where my body has become so entrenched with comfort!
Then I see them!............. The little scraps of paper on the carpet floor around the piano! Like fallen leaves they have drifted from people's hearts and hands... The notes say things I cannot define. Some are printed in typical European hand writing. "Thank you for the music! This has been one of the many highlights of my trip!" Others are written in Chinese! Some in Japanese.
I have many that are written in French. A few days ago a very famous German Artist came by the church. He and his wife wrote the note in English: "GOOD FOOD. We will reclaim the time with your piano in years from now." Okay, music is the food of love! but, reclaiming?
One person left a torn piece of paper from a grocery bag: "I come here day after day and bless the days you play. I cry the days your not playing piano..." Someone wrote a clever note: "If you had dedicated yourself more to the piano you would not be playing in a tiny church in New Zealand!"
Well, I had to admit I should and could have worked harder at playing the piano, but I cherish the times am able to play piano in New Zealand or anywhere in the universe.
The people cannot see my face as I am playing. They only HEAR, FEEL and IMAGINE who and what I am.
The ultimate was written on the back side of a business card from someplace in Arabia. They used very good English hand writing skills: "If you make love as well as you play piano I envy the person that has your hands and body against them all through the day or night!" This person did not see my face or body!
Being 62 can be very lonely because everyone is in transition... I however enjoy the fact I have a "PAST", I have a "FUTURE" and I have endured many THINGS and hope to endure ALL THINGS.
The Autumn Leaves fall by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold. The sunburned hands the kiss of summer, the autumn leaves fall one by one... (words to the song) but my autumn leaves have been kind notes written on scraps of paper from very young souls to very old souls. Some have hearts that have broken in half, hearts that have been healed, lives that are just beginning to reach out to the sky, earth and inside parts of both dimensions. Some of these leaves have been written by very wise and ancient hearts that are looking forward to the moment of crossing over into the void of eternal bliss.
Every human being is a musical note. Be it a 64th or 8th or whole note... it has a beat, a reason for seeking harmony and wants it's voice to be heard. When I went to NYC to study piano I had FOUND MY VOICE I simply wanted to know how to use it! We are all players in a celestial symphony.
April 1, 2009 I attended the opening concert for the winter season of the NZSO. I did not care for the first piece. The Barber Violin Concerto was marvelous. Performed by Cho-liang Lin. The Wagner Tristan and Isolde: An Orchestral Passion. Well, I am not a lover of Wagner. But, never the less live music is blessed. When I listen to a symphony tuning... I get chills. It is as if I am hearing the entire universe coming together as one vibration... A 440? As Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote after hearing a symphony by Beethoven: " Sweet sounds, oh, beautiful music, do not cease! Reject me not into the world again."
I thank my lucky stars for my musical leaves, of every emotion and color.
I do have my favorites. "The Halo", "The Forge", "Books". With coffee I will have a salad or toasted sandwich. From the coffee house I walk to the Alpine Market. (Not the Alpine Market in WY!) The one in QT, NZ that was once called 4 Square. I purchase items for dinner.Greens, vegetables, breads, cheese, sometimes wine, but I prefer to purchase wine from Henry's.
Then I do "MY RAMBLE". I walk about town. I sit and watch people... I listen to sounds, I search the sky for signs within the heavens. Sometimes I write music, or I write in my Journal. I even sketch in the pages of my journal. Most days I go to the local gym and work on the rowing machine, light weights and stretching.
After all these tasks I will step inside St. Peter's Anglican Church. I have mystical respect for churches, cathedrals, synagogues. I cannot ever simply rush into such buildings. I sneak humbly into the bowels of such great architecture. After entering the doors I tip toe up to the baby grand piano. Lift my musical scores out of my back pack and the music maybe everything from Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, even Rachmaninoff. I place my "piano/computer" glasses upon my nose. Lift the desk of the piano and lightly brush my hands over the keys... I look at the light the stained glass windows refract across the alter... I smell lilies, roses, what ever flower arrangement the ladies of the Church have created... then I make music.
Most days I am in the chapel from one o clock until three o clock... I play the baby grand piano, I make mistakes, I correct the errors, I LISTEN to myself with ears I have only recently discovered. I find melodies hidden inside harmonies, I make notes to myself but most of all I actually enjoy what I am doing.
During my practice time many people, from construction workers to physicians and most of all tourists walk in and out of the church from all over the world. There are times they will burst into an enthusiastic applause or walk quietly up to the piano and stand watching me play. I have always had a habit of being "OUT THERE" when I am playing or practicing so after I have played a composition like Clair de lune, I softly let my hands rise from the keyboard and slowly let go of the damper pedal until the very last trace of sound can be heard. Then the person standing beside the piano awakens me into consciousness.
Most times I do not know what they are saying as I am NOT gifted in languages, but I do read body language and the cosmic vibrations of emotion.
It is autumn in New Zealand. Leaves are falling, colder nights, frost in the mornings. I love the fall time. Sometimes when I am practicing, or simply think I am performing I have a feeling, a sensation that someone is listening! I never look out into the pews... I want to savour the feeling of being heard and adored!
When I am finally spent and feel I must leave I rise up, dust the piano keys with the palms of my hands, lay back the desk and cover the keyboard. I then lay the quilted blanket of forest green over the entire piano to protect it from heat. Cold air will not harm a piano, direct heat is as lethal as the jaws from hell on pianos. I then place my music into my backpack, take off my "computer/piano" eye glasses and rise up from the piano bench where my body has become so entrenched with comfort!
Then I see them!............. The little scraps of paper on the carpet floor around the piano! Like fallen leaves they have drifted from people's hearts and hands... The notes say things I cannot define. Some are printed in typical European hand writing. "Thank you for the music! This has been one of the many highlights of my trip!" Others are written in Chinese! Some in Japanese.
I have many that are written in French. A few days ago a very famous German Artist came by the church. He and his wife wrote the note in English: "GOOD FOOD. We will reclaim the time with your piano in years from now." Okay, music is the food of love! but, reclaiming?
One person left a torn piece of paper from a grocery bag: "I come here day after day and bless the days you play. I cry the days your not playing piano..." Someone wrote a clever note: "If you had dedicated yourself more to the piano you would not be playing in a tiny church in New Zealand!"
Well, I had to admit I should and could have worked harder at playing the piano, but I cherish the times am able to play piano in New Zealand or anywhere in the universe.
The people cannot see my face as I am playing. They only HEAR, FEEL and IMAGINE who and what I am.
The ultimate was written on the back side of a business card from someplace in Arabia. They used very good English hand writing skills: "If you make love as well as you play piano I envy the person that has your hands and body against them all through the day or night!" This person did not see my face or body!
Being 62 can be very lonely because everyone is in transition... I however enjoy the fact I have a "PAST", I have a "FUTURE" and I have endured many THINGS and hope to endure ALL THINGS.
The Autumn Leaves fall by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold. The sunburned hands the kiss of summer, the autumn leaves fall one by one... (words to the song) but my autumn leaves have been kind notes written on scraps of paper from very young souls to very old souls. Some have hearts that have broken in half, hearts that have been healed, lives that are just beginning to reach out to the sky, earth and inside parts of both dimensions. Some of these leaves have been written by very wise and ancient hearts that are looking forward to the moment of crossing over into the void of eternal bliss.
Every human being is a musical note. Be it a 64th or 8th or whole note... it has a beat, a reason for seeking harmony and wants it's voice to be heard. When I went to NYC to study piano I had FOUND MY VOICE I simply wanted to know how to use it! We are all players in a celestial symphony.
April 1, 2009 I attended the opening concert for the winter season of the NZSO. I did not care for the first piece. The Barber Violin Concerto was marvelous. Performed by Cho-liang Lin. The Wagner Tristan and Isolde: An Orchestral Passion. Well, I am not a lover of Wagner. But, never the less live music is blessed. When I listen to a symphony tuning... I get chills. It is as if I am hearing the entire universe coming together as one vibration... A 440? As Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote after hearing a symphony by Beethoven: " Sweet sounds, oh, beautiful music, do not cease! Reject me not into the world again."
I thank my lucky stars for my musical leaves, of every emotion and color.
Friday, March 06, 2009
One Year Ago...
A year ago I was in The Mercy Hospital undergoing surgery for a left knee replacement. Months later I would be in Jackson Hole WY at St. John's Hospital for the removal of a cancer in my left kidney ...
Days ago I was in the Gold Coast with one of my soul mates enjoying 4 days and nights of walking on beaches, sunsets, sunrises and fabulous food and wine... Two years ago my friend and I did part of Rail Trail... but I never thought I would ever do another walk on the wild side... Rutha was gentle with me.
Easy walks and long talks.
I am at home in Queenstown and loving autumn. Some hot days, some cold days, lots of rain then dry weather. If, anyone is interested( that possibly follows my blog) you must see VERBIER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS OF 2007. Wonderful! Also, I just returned home from viewing the movie "Slum dog Millionaire"... Just possibly the academy has been spot on with a movie.
Will write a long blog soon...
Days ago I was in the Gold Coast with one of my soul mates enjoying 4 days and nights of walking on beaches, sunsets, sunrises and fabulous food and wine... Two years ago my friend and I did part of Rail Trail... but I never thought I would ever do another walk on the wild side... Rutha was gentle with me.
Easy walks and long talks.
I am at home in Queenstown and loving autumn. Some hot days, some cold days, lots of rain then dry weather. If, anyone is interested( that possibly follows my blog) you must see VERBIER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS OF 2007. Wonderful! Also, I just returned home from viewing the movie "Slum dog Millionaire"... Just possibly the academy has been spot on with a movie.
Will write a long blog soon...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Birthdays... Deathdays...
February has always been a special month.
It signifies LOVE and we celebrate LOVE on February 14th because of a certain Saint having the name of Valentine! I think we should celebrate in some 'secret way' Christmas and Valentines everyday of our very very very short lifetimes, but, of course we don't!
I have no regard for politicians, therefore, I do not recognize George Washington's or Abe Lincoln's Birth dates, they just happen to have Birthdays that occurred during the month of February! I do think of one of my Grandmother's who's Birthday is in February.
DEATHS:
Every year I light a candle and play a piece on the piano for Percy Grainger. He died on February 20th 1961. When he died I was 15 years old. I loved his solo arrangements for piano of the great concerto themes and his folk tunes!
He was a handsome man, very much into WALKING, HIKING and HE ARDENTLY defended Crowell during that horrible episode of bigotry during the 50's against gays. Gay people were looked upon as the lowest of mankind! I am a most privileged pianist in the fact, that I was given an entire afternoon alone in his museum.
NO ONE ELSE was in the museum in Melbourne OZ. Yep, Percy was born in the land of OZ! He was a role model for me. I have a wee photo of him at the piano framed in pewter that I carry with me when I travel.
BIRTHDAYS:
Another great person was born on February 22, 1892. Edna St. Vincent Millay. This woman was and still is a role model for me. She was an amazing woman and her talent still rings with truth and magic! She died when she was 57. Her mother gave birth to her in the state of Maine 117 years ago!
Another shinning light and guide in my life as well as so many musicians seeking to FIND THEIR PLACE in the world of making music at the piano is a woman in NY. Carol Montparker.
She celebrated her 70th birthday Thursday February 19, 2009, and what a celebration! She performed a recital in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC. May she have many many more years of sharing and giving the gift of music.
Since I was 5 years old I was fortunate to find "my voice" the piano. I simply have always wanted to know HOW TO USE IT!
Percy, Edna, Carol, Virginia, Seymour, James, Frederic, Alex, Dorothy, Mary and my grandmothers and ever so many other TEACHERS from many other places have helped show me HOW to USE MY VOICE: The silver sound of a piano!
It signifies LOVE and we celebrate LOVE on February 14th because of a certain Saint having the name of Valentine! I think we should celebrate in some 'secret way' Christmas and Valentines everyday of our very very very short lifetimes, but, of course we don't!
I have no regard for politicians, therefore, I do not recognize George Washington's or Abe Lincoln's Birth dates, they just happen to have Birthdays that occurred during the month of February! I do think of one of my Grandmother's who's Birthday is in February.
DEATHS:
Every year I light a candle and play a piece on the piano for Percy Grainger. He died on February 20th 1961. When he died I was 15 years old. I loved his solo arrangements for piano of the great concerto themes and his folk tunes!
He was a handsome man, very much into WALKING, HIKING and HE ARDENTLY defended Crowell during that horrible episode of bigotry during the 50's against gays. Gay people were looked upon as the lowest of mankind! I am a most privileged pianist in the fact, that I was given an entire afternoon alone in his museum.
NO ONE ELSE was in the museum in Melbourne OZ. Yep, Percy was born in the land of OZ! He was a role model for me. I have a wee photo of him at the piano framed in pewter that I carry with me when I travel.
BIRTHDAYS:
Another great person was born on February 22, 1892. Edna St. Vincent Millay. This woman was and still is a role model for me. She was an amazing woman and her talent still rings with truth and magic! She died when she was 57. Her mother gave birth to her in the state of Maine 117 years ago!
Another shinning light and guide in my life as well as so many musicians seeking to FIND THEIR PLACE in the world of making music at the piano is a woman in NY. Carol Montparker.
She celebrated her 70th birthday Thursday February 19, 2009, and what a celebration! She performed a recital in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC. May she have many many more years of sharing and giving the gift of music.
Since I was 5 years old I was fortunate to find "my voice" the piano. I simply have always wanted to know HOW TO USE IT!
Percy, Edna, Carol, Virginia, Seymour, James, Frederic, Alex, Dorothy, Mary and my grandmothers and ever so many other TEACHERS from many other places have helped show me HOW to USE MY VOICE: The silver sound of a piano!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Fires
Australia is an amazing Continent, Island, what ever... (they never really tell you what they think they are land wise!) It is the same size as the USA lacking about 16 miles. The recent movie titled AUSTRALIA is a long long movie, but worth a view... It expresses the stoic strong soul of Aussies...
In 1988 Yellowstone was in flames... it truly was a terrible year. (It was also a DADDY BUSH YEAR! GO FIGURE!) Pine trees have "sap" from which turpentine is made ... it also has so many other wonderful healing elements. Pine nuts are one of the natural "nuts" loaded with protein. The Italians knew the tiny white nuts were of value. Pine nuts are one of the sacred parts of a great PESTO!
OZ is burning up and down! also drowning in floods... Like America. Hot, cold, wet, dry, as the Bible says, You will not know one season from the other!
Actually it is the earth evolving in her own progression as a living being. This spaceship we live on is cleaning house and developing some "NEW PARADISES... PLACES... PEOPLE..." Lots of humans like to think we are controlled by a God that JUDGES... well we are what we are and what we are is energy.
More stories begin tonight as it is raining and cold in QT New Zealand. This drop in the barometric pressure always sets my creative cells into motion... musically or written words... sometimes color, painting... I do not dance well in the rain anymore.
Secrets are escaping from the hidden chambers of my heart and mind that I thought I had buried years ago. Guess what? They are not bad memories, they are what has made me a person!
In 1988 Yellowstone was in flames... it truly was a terrible year. (It was also a DADDY BUSH YEAR! GO FIGURE!) Pine trees have "sap" from which turpentine is made ... it also has so many other wonderful healing elements. Pine nuts are one of the natural "nuts" loaded with protein. The Italians knew the tiny white nuts were of value. Pine nuts are one of the sacred parts of a great PESTO!
OZ is burning up and down! also drowning in floods... Like America. Hot, cold, wet, dry, as the Bible says, You will not know one season from the other!
Actually it is the earth evolving in her own progression as a living being. This spaceship we live on is cleaning house and developing some "NEW PARADISES... PLACES... PEOPLE..." Lots of humans like to think we are controlled by a God that JUDGES... well we are what we are and what we are is energy.
More stories begin tonight as it is raining and cold in QT New Zealand. This drop in the barometric pressure always sets my creative cells into motion... musically or written words... sometimes color, painting... I do not dance well in the rain anymore.
Secrets are escaping from the hidden chambers of my heart and mind that I thought I had buried years ago. Guess what? They are not bad memories, they are what has made me a person!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Ensemble
ENSEMBLE
An "ensemble" is when a group of musicians, dancers or actors come together in concert. It could also mean "assemble"? Bringing together people that will make something beautiful, good, possibly something so very devastating it could destroy the universe! I believe that "ensemble work" is a major learning experiences for any pianist. Why? Because, pianists are truly solo musicians. They have an entire galaxy of sound at their finger tips. Pianists also suffer incredible doubts, fears and ego problems that many times can isolate them from other musicians. Accompanists MUST give and take, share kindness that enhances one purpose: MUSIC! Many parts becoming one and the one being many parts that are separate yet all in one.
In the late 60's I was asked to be the pianist for a Musical Review called "HIGH FEVER FOLLIES". It was a community fund raising project that would create an "ensemble" of local people who within a short time frame of about two weeks would produce a variety show of comedy, dancing, singing backed by a small orchestra for the performance. The sponsor of the production was an Auxiliary from the Saint Benedict's Hospital. They were women who belonged to most local clubs, Junior League, MacDowell Society, Literary Club, The Symphony Guild... People who's names and faces you would see and read about in the "SOCIETY" section of the Sunday edition of the daily newspaper.
Cargill Productions was a theatrical company in NYC. They hired out a "package" a show with director, costumes, musical scores most everything that a fund raising organization could use to make money by producing a show from local talent.
I signed the contract. I would be the rehearsal pianist, which translated into many long hours at the piano of which I did not mind. Little did I know that out of this experience I would meet some of the most lasting and meaningful friends, love affairs and learning paradigms that would last through out my life time.
The person that asked me "if" there was a possibility I would take on the job was a lovely woman but, I sensed some kind of desperation within her energy. She was possibly 10 years older than me. She told me she had four children, loved music. She was a Catholic and had worked with various charity organization within the community.
She had dark auburn hair, a very athletic body. I could tell by her mannerisms and speech She was most definitely not born or raised in the state of Utah.
Previous to my meeting with her, I had seen her at a Utah Symphony Concert. The night of that concert she wore a long gown of dark greens and blacks accented with silver jewelry. (NO GOLD?)
During the intermission she stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. I being a smoker observed the way she held her cigarette. She radiated perfect health and her fingernails were not painted. They were hands that do things... possibly play piano, garden, cook... Little did I know that months later she would meet me in the parking lot of the local College and ask me to work with her in the Follies. This meeting was the embryo of a friendship that would last from that day into my forever. This woman became a guardian angel in my personal as well as musical life.
Most of the musicians were people I knew or had heard of... We had enough instrumentalists , but we were desperate for a drummer. I called the music department at the College. There was a young man who had been made the head of the "Percussion Dept." REALLY? Never heard of such a department at Weber State College... I called him. Yes, he would come to a rehearsal and see if the times, dates and most of all, the pay worked within his hectic schedule.
The "Percussionist" arrived at rehearsal. A gorgeous man. Dark wavy hair,
mustache that matched the hair on his head. Glasses, and beautiful hands. Soft shiny dark hair on the tops of his fingers and furry arms. Could I possibly have know this man in another lifetime?
He moved his drums into the orchestra pit. He set up behind the grand piano on my left hand side. He asked if the piano could be turned slightly so he could see my hands. The first time he made a cymbal crash I felt the heat of a 1000 shards of sweet painful glass explode through my veins. He did not read the sloppy scores, he WATCHED my every move at the key board and anticipated the movements of my body, hands and mind in perfect sync.
He was a walking, breathing, talking symphony orchestra. My musical life had found a soul mate.
I discovered years ago, when I was 5 years old, That to be 'adored' would become one of the most addictive drugs I could have ever imagined. It was a craving far more potent than alcohol or pot would ever become in my lifetime.
In 1968 my picture was everywhere because of a musical review wherein I was the featured pianist. When I would walk down State Street in SLC people looked at me. They smiled at me. I would glance and see them whispering.
For some unexplainable reason I thought I had "star quality"... The drug of being ADORED soared through every vessel of my body.
Drummer Boy and I became very close friends. We used to have dinner at an Italian restaurant where they served beer. I hate beer. I loved Vodka. He drank beer, I drank coffee while eating pizza. I watched every move he made. The way he held a can of beer. The way he leaned over the table as he talked while holding a fork in his hand. The way he would lean his head back and laugh...
He told me stories about his life. He witnessed his father die of a heart attack when Drummer Boy was like 5 years old. He was raised by his grandparents. He had a voice that was between a baritone and a tenor... His voice was recorded into the canyons of my mind where voices are imprinted forever... the voices that echo deep within your DNA and you never forget. he loved cats... he would confide in me events that had occurred through out his day being a young college professor. I'd listen, but my mind would be all over the place thinking: how I could MAKE this MAN WANT ME! I need this certain "FIX"!
I had never experienced a PERCUSSION RECITAL. He was presenting a FACULTY RECITAL. He asked IF I wanted to accompany the last half of the recital because it would feature his skill playing Xylophone and required piano accompaniment. I attempted learning the music, but I declined. In part, because I simply could not discipline myself to learn the music and I felt that the new woman who had been given the position as HEAD OF THE PIANO DEPT. should be the one playing this concert. I thought over and over: "How will such a musical recital be received by people that honestly did not understand percussive sounds or how they were set into motion.
In the 70's and 80's anyone that knew me had to know my Land Lady. She had the telephone. She screened my calls and when I was gone for weeks at a time took care of my check book. She was my secretary, PR representative and protector! She adored Drummer Boy!
The night of the concert was magic. The Theater was filled with musicians as well as artists, dancers and people from the drama department.
The stage props were drums, gongs, bells and more chimes and drums. A maze of brass, silver, glinted slants of light reflecting from surfaces, like flesh, waiting to be touched, struck against, brushed... set into motion. The lights dimmed. He walked onto the stage looking amazingly handsome and confident. Two energies all men seek and envy. He was in his 'element', he knew the secret of being 'adored'... being the creator of something magical gave him complete power: star quality. At times I have compared performers of music to Porno Stars... They are beautiful men and women, but have something other people do not possess: A MAGNIFICENT INSTRUMENT that can amaze and give life to the imagination... fantasy made reality.
He moved like a classically trained ballet dancer yet something so mystically balanced between heaven and earth gave flight to his every breath. Reaching, bending, sliding, stepping, arms conducting like an eagle in flight. It was a sensuous dance from some place beyond words. Every person in the audience felt it, swam in it's transparent star waters... One did not "LISTEN" they BECAME PART OF THE MOMENT! Forever, one must remember: There are no ordinary moments. The sound unlocked hidden ideas, thoughts, the stuff angels and cherub's silken midnight sperms are made of!
Xylophone and piano were gorgeous. The Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin being one of my favorite expressions in sound. The Saber Dance by Khathuturian was dynamic. This arm of the program was reaching out to the the heart's of many people in the audience who did not understand or care to listen to the cacophony of sounds that the percussive instruments breathed life into and touched the hidden secrets of their DNA. The Xylophone and piano gave peace and rest to those that dared not go where angels never tread.
The piano and Xylophone were bliss to my heart and soul. Piano was the silver sound that I had felt and touched with my heart and soul from my infancy and hopefully to the end of my mortal life.
The event came to an end. People stood, they talked, they moved... My Land lady and I sat... I like entrances. I would know when the time was right for us to walk on the stage and embrace the artist. From that moment on into eternity he belonged to my "Private Club". He was one of my celestial siblings.
Many people have walked in and out of my life for decades. Some still sing their songs to me in dreams. At times when I am walking or meditating I hear their voices. I know they live within my heart.
Drummer Man played percussion on my first LP recording. It was a great success.
After 1979 I suffered some very difficult times economically as well as mentally. In 1980 I began a journey on a spiritual path that to this very day I am still pursuing. Many of my closest friends died in the 70's and 80's. I became a recluse. I suffered unexplainable depression. I disappeared in numerous bottles of Vodka... I drifted "in and out" of reality.
Drummer Boy moved. He was out of my life and living on a different stage. Eventually I moved. Different lighting, different make up and different theater.
I decided to make a new recording. I called him asking IF there was a possibility he would share his magic in the creation of this musical endeavor. He said YES!
I had composed a piece of music in three parts. "The Other Side Of Time". I dedicated it to a person I love with all my heart. Everything fell into place except this original piece.
I laid down the piano and string lines before leaving the piece for the engineer to perform a re-mix. Anything to make it sound musical.
Unknown to me,Drummer Boy returned to the studio on his own accord and completely orchestrated "The Other Side of Time"... He literally married my piano to a cosmic pulse that finalized the composition's final breath onto cellophane! Cassette tape.
I learned a most delicate and fragile lesson from that recording.
Love is given in many different ways and Drummer Boy gave me the greatest expression of his sincerest love: HE MADE ME SOUND FABULOUS! There is no greater love... especially for someone that has to be adored.
An "ensemble" is when a group of musicians, dancers or actors come together in concert. It could also mean "assemble"? Bringing together people that will make something beautiful, good, possibly something so very devastating it could destroy the universe! I believe that "ensemble work" is a major learning experiences for any pianist. Why? Because, pianists are truly solo musicians. They have an entire galaxy of sound at their finger tips. Pianists also suffer incredible doubts, fears and ego problems that many times can isolate them from other musicians. Accompanists MUST give and take, share kindness that enhances one purpose: MUSIC! Many parts becoming one and the one being many parts that are separate yet all in one.
In the late 60's I was asked to be the pianist for a Musical Review called "HIGH FEVER FOLLIES". It was a community fund raising project that would create an "ensemble" of local people who within a short time frame of about two weeks would produce a variety show of comedy, dancing, singing backed by a small orchestra for the performance. The sponsor of the production was an Auxiliary from the Saint Benedict's Hospital. They were women who belonged to most local clubs, Junior League, MacDowell Society, Literary Club, The Symphony Guild... People who's names and faces you would see and read about in the "SOCIETY" section of the Sunday edition of the daily newspaper.
Cargill Productions was a theatrical company in NYC. They hired out a "package" a show with director, costumes, musical scores most everything that a fund raising organization could use to make money by producing a show from local talent.
I signed the contract. I would be the rehearsal pianist, which translated into many long hours at the piano of which I did not mind. Little did I know that out of this experience I would meet some of the most lasting and meaningful friends, love affairs and learning paradigms that would last through out my life time.
The person that asked me "if" there was a possibility I would take on the job was a lovely woman but, I sensed some kind of desperation within her energy. She was possibly 10 years older than me. She told me she had four children, loved music. She was a Catholic and had worked with various charity organization within the community.
She had dark auburn hair, a very athletic body. I could tell by her mannerisms and speech She was most definitely not born or raised in the state of Utah.
Previous to my meeting with her, I had seen her at a Utah Symphony Concert. The night of that concert she wore a long gown of dark greens and blacks accented with silver jewelry. (NO GOLD?)
During the intermission she stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. I being a smoker observed the way she held her cigarette. She radiated perfect health and her fingernails were not painted. They were hands that do things... possibly play piano, garden, cook... Little did I know that months later she would meet me in the parking lot of the local College and ask me to work with her in the Follies. This meeting was the embryo of a friendship that would last from that day into my forever. This woman became a guardian angel in my personal as well as musical life.
Most of the musicians were people I knew or had heard of... We had enough instrumentalists , but we were desperate for a drummer. I called the music department at the College. There was a young man who had been made the head of the "Percussion Dept." REALLY? Never heard of such a department at Weber State College... I called him. Yes, he would come to a rehearsal and see if the times, dates and most of all, the pay worked within his hectic schedule.
The "Percussionist" arrived at rehearsal. A gorgeous man. Dark wavy hair,
mustache that matched the hair on his head. Glasses, and beautiful hands. Soft shiny dark hair on the tops of his fingers and furry arms. Could I possibly have know this man in another lifetime?
He moved his drums into the orchestra pit. He set up behind the grand piano on my left hand side. He asked if the piano could be turned slightly so he could see my hands. The first time he made a cymbal crash I felt the heat of a 1000 shards of sweet painful glass explode through my veins. He did not read the sloppy scores, he WATCHED my every move at the key board and anticipated the movements of my body, hands and mind in perfect sync.
He was a walking, breathing, talking symphony orchestra. My musical life had found a soul mate.
I discovered years ago, when I was 5 years old, That to be 'adored' would become one of the most addictive drugs I could have ever imagined. It was a craving far more potent than alcohol or pot would ever become in my lifetime.
In 1968 my picture was everywhere because of a musical review wherein I was the featured pianist. When I would walk down State Street in SLC people looked at me. They smiled at me. I would glance and see them whispering.
For some unexplainable reason I thought I had "star quality"... The drug of being ADORED soared through every vessel of my body.
Drummer Boy and I became very close friends. We used to have dinner at an Italian restaurant where they served beer. I hate beer. I loved Vodka. He drank beer, I drank coffee while eating pizza. I watched every move he made. The way he held a can of beer. The way he leaned over the table as he talked while holding a fork in his hand. The way he would lean his head back and laugh...
He told me stories about his life. He witnessed his father die of a heart attack when Drummer Boy was like 5 years old. He was raised by his grandparents. He had a voice that was between a baritone and a tenor... His voice was recorded into the canyons of my mind where voices are imprinted forever... the voices that echo deep within your DNA and you never forget. he loved cats... he would confide in me events that had occurred through out his day being a young college professor. I'd listen, but my mind would be all over the place thinking: how I could MAKE this MAN WANT ME! I need this certain "FIX"!
I had never experienced a PERCUSSION RECITAL. He was presenting a FACULTY RECITAL. He asked IF I wanted to accompany the last half of the recital because it would feature his skill playing Xylophone and required piano accompaniment. I attempted learning the music, but I declined. In part, because I simply could not discipline myself to learn the music and I felt that the new woman who had been given the position as HEAD OF THE PIANO DEPT. should be the one playing this concert. I thought over and over: "How will such a musical recital be received by people that honestly did not understand percussive sounds or how they were set into motion.
In the 70's and 80's anyone that knew me had to know my Land Lady. She had the telephone. She screened my calls and when I was gone for weeks at a time took care of my check book. She was my secretary, PR representative and protector! She adored Drummer Boy!
The night of the concert was magic. The Theater was filled with musicians as well as artists, dancers and people from the drama department.
The stage props were drums, gongs, bells and more chimes and drums. A maze of brass, silver, glinted slants of light reflecting from surfaces, like flesh, waiting to be touched, struck against, brushed... set into motion. The lights dimmed. He walked onto the stage looking amazingly handsome and confident. Two energies all men seek and envy. He was in his 'element', he knew the secret of being 'adored'... being the creator of something magical gave him complete power: star quality. At times I have compared performers of music to Porno Stars... They are beautiful men and women, but have something other people do not possess: A MAGNIFICENT INSTRUMENT that can amaze and give life to the imagination... fantasy made reality.
He moved like a classically trained ballet dancer yet something so mystically balanced between heaven and earth gave flight to his every breath. Reaching, bending, sliding, stepping, arms conducting like an eagle in flight. It was a sensuous dance from some place beyond words. Every person in the audience felt it, swam in it's transparent star waters... One did not "LISTEN" they BECAME PART OF THE MOMENT! Forever, one must remember: There are no ordinary moments. The sound unlocked hidden ideas, thoughts, the stuff angels and cherub's silken midnight sperms are made of!
Xylophone and piano were gorgeous. The Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin being one of my favorite expressions in sound. The Saber Dance by Khathuturian was dynamic. This arm of the program was reaching out to the the heart's of many people in the audience who did not understand or care to listen to the cacophony of sounds that the percussive instruments breathed life into and touched the hidden secrets of their DNA. The Xylophone and piano gave peace and rest to those that dared not go where angels never tread.
The piano and Xylophone were bliss to my heart and soul. Piano was the silver sound that I had felt and touched with my heart and soul from my infancy and hopefully to the end of my mortal life.
The event came to an end. People stood, they talked, they moved... My Land lady and I sat... I like entrances. I would know when the time was right for us to walk on the stage and embrace the artist. From that moment on into eternity he belonged to my "Private Club". He was one of my celestial siblings.
Many people have walked in and out of my life for decades. Some still sing their songs to me in dreams. At times when I am walking or meditating I hear their voices. I know they live within my heart.
Drummer Man played percussion on my first LP recording. It was a great success.
After 1979 I suffered some very difficult times economically as well as mentally. In 1980 I began a journey on a spiritual path that to this very day I am still pursuing. Many of my closest friends died in the 70's and 80's. I became a recluse. I suffered unexplainable depression. I disappeared in numerous bottles of Vodka... I drifted "in and out" of reality.
Drummer Boy moved. He was out of my life and living on a different stage. Eventually I moved. Different lighting, different make up and different theater.
I decided to make a new recording. I called him asking IF there was a possibility he would share his magic in the creation of this musical endeavor. He said YES!
I had composed a piece of music in three parts. "The Other Side Of Time". I dedicated it to a person I love with all my heart. Everything fell into place except this original piece.
I laid down the piano and string lines before leaving the piece for the engineer to perform a re-mix. Anything to make it sound musical.
Unknown to me,Drummer Boy returned to the studio on his own accord and completely orchestrated "The Other Side of Time"... He literally married my piano to a cosmic pulse that finalized the composition's final breath onto cellophane! Cassette tape.
I learned a most delicate and fragile lesson from that recording.
Love is given in many different ways and Drummer Boy gave me the greatest expression of his sincerest love: HE MADE ME SOUND FABULOUS! There is no greater love... especially for someone that has to be adored.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Full Moon... Summer...
The fullness, the abundance and energy of moon light was divine. Last night marked the 1st full moon of 2009, but when the moon is FULL, BRIGHT, ROUND AS A PERIL OUT OF HEAVEN'S OCEAN I really don't count day by day the degrees that it is blossoming or decreasing in size... main thing: It is the same moon that has been there for eons.
I know all the people I have loved and never met in the flesh gazed on that same moon! I know many people that have crossed over in my lifetime and they too exchanged light and energy with the moon!
January 2009 has proven to be a magical year so far. One thing I do appreciate is my I Pod. I also use I tunes every night and day.
I listen to Classical music on a station that comes out of Laramie Wyoming! I cannot receive a tight connection with this PBS station when I AM IN WYOMING! but, here at the bottom of planet earth I have PERFECT RECEPTION. It is a wonderful station.
KYUW Classical 91. So, I have a part of Wyoming inside my ears most of the time!
Speaking of the moon, one has to be humbled thinking that in 1604 Galileo observed for the first time, the heaven's through a telescope!
Just think what he would see today! The International Space Station! The Hubble telescope... the Mar's Rover, just think only 400 years ago the Catholic Church tried to BURN Galileo because of the things he was seeing with his telescope. At last, most people are finally accepting WHERE WE LIVE WITHIN THE UNIVERSE, THE MILKY WAY!
Finished an interesting book last night. "Running With Scissors", by Augsten Burroughs. I have always been suspicious of psychiatrists. I have known a few in my lifetime and the results have been frightening. Not adding the medications, endless hours of talking and the Doctor does not banter back and forth in the conversations... HE LISTENS! The book is worth a read because of the humor as well as the tragic subject matter that created Augsten's childhood.
I am so pleased to be able to walk down the steep paths into the village and then walk UP the steep paths that lead to our house. For two years I have had a hell of time walking because of pain... well, today I went to Simon the Physio therapist. He is from England. Young and beautiful. He has stretched my legs and relaxed the stress inside my lower back to the place it was before I had the kidney removed! The Laying on of Hands. My masseuse, Sonja, has healing powers and almost every Thursday she kneads my gnarly body until it is pliant as bread dough.
I am living a life of bliss. I get up when I want and I go to bed when I want. I work in the gardens, then lay down in the sunlight. I bake bread, I create meals, I play my piano, I take long hot baths in Epsom salts and I am feeling like myself once again. OMG, I will probably explode into one of those obese, eccentric queens that wear long gowns and have sea shell glass frames... lots of grease on their faces and droopy eye lids... NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!
2008 was a rough year. Lots of LESSONS that had to be learned or put aside until another lifetime. The numbers 2 and 9 are powerful numbers which are in the equation 2009 and they = 11= a MASTER NUMBER!
We have a new President in the United States... He might end up being the same thing with a different mask? We are entering a new paradigm shift spiritually and the entire planet is moving into a slower hotter vibration! NICE!
I love re watching movies that I have loved for years, so tonight will be a "Let's see, what do I want to watch?" or, possibly just meditate, or forget it, put on the I Pod, grab the book I have been reading for months, "The Confessions" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Read until the ear buds fall out of my ears and the book falls to the side of the bed!
Summer is heaven on earth! I take nothing for granted. End of May I will be working 14 hours a day into the night... 7 days and nights a week! I never feel guilt during these 5 months! I HAVE EARNED EVERY RESTFUL MOMENT!
I know all the people I have loved and never met in the flesh gazed on that same moon! I know many people that have crossed over in my lifetime and they too exchanged light and energy with the moon!
January 2009 has proven to be a magical year so far. One thing I do appreciate is my I Pod. I also use I tunes every night and day.
I listen to Classical music on a station that comes out of Laramie Wyoming! I cannot receive a tight connection with this PBS station when I AM IN WYOMING! but, here at the bottom of planet earth I have PERFECT RECEPTION. It is a wonderful station.
KYUW Classical 91. So, I have a part of Wyoming inside my ears most of the time!
Speaking of the moon, one has to be humbled thinking that in 1604 Galileo observed for the first time, the heaven's through a telescope!
Just think what he would see today! The International Space Station! The Hubble telescope... the Mar's Rover, just think only 400 years ago the Catholic Church tried to BURN Galileo because of the things he was seeing with his telescope. At last, most people are finally accepting WHERE WE LIVE WITHIN THE UNIVERSE, THE MILKY WAY!
Finished an interesting book last night. "Running With Scissors", by Augsten Burroughs. I have always been suspicious of psychiatrists. I have known a few in my lifetime and the results have been frightening. Not adding the medications, endless hours of talking and the Doctor does not banter back and forth in the conversations... HE LISTENS! The book is worth a read because of the humor as well as the tragic subject matter that created Augsten's childhood.
I am so pleased to be able to walk down the steep paths into the village and then walk UP the steep paths that lead to our house. For two years I have had a hell of time walking because of pain... well, today I went to Simon the Physio therapist. He is from England. Young and beautiful. He has stretched my legs and relaxed the stress inside my lower back to the place it was before I had the kidney removed! The Laying on of Hands. My masseuse, Sonja, has healing powers and almost every Thursday she kneads my gnarly body until it is pliant as bread dough.
I am living a life of bliss. I get up when I want and I go to bed when I want. I work in the gardens, then lay down in the sunlight. I bake bread, I create meals, I play my piano, I take long hot baths in Epsom salts and I am feeling like myself once again. OMG, I will probably explode into one of those obese, eccentric queens that wear long gowns and have sea shell glass frames... lots of grease on their faces and droopy eye lids... NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!
2008 was a rough year. Lots of LESSONS that had to be learned or put aside until another lifetime. The numbers 2 and 9 are powerful numbers which are in the equation 2009 and they = 11= a MASTER NUMBER!
We have a new President in the United States... He might end up being the same thing with a different mask? We are entering a new paradigm shift spiritually and the entire planet is moving into a slower hotter vibration! NICE!
I love re watching movies that I have loved for years, so tonight will be a "Let's see, what do I want to watch?" or, possibly just meditate, or forget it, put on the I Pod, grab the book I have been reading for months, "The Confessions" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Read until the ear buds fall out of my ears and the book falls to the side of the bed!
Summer is heaven on earth! I take nothing for granted. End of May I will be working 14 hours a day into the night... 7 days and nights a week! I never feel guilt during these 5 months! I HAVE EARNED EVERY RESTFUL MOMENT!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
A New Year... 2009
I have great reason to be 'released' from 2008! I survived the past 12 months and I believe I have learned the lessons!
What a year of Lessons that HAD TO BE LEARNED and it seemed they could only be LEARNED via pain, suffering and forgiveness. Mind you, I had no idea I was carrying such an Gargantua amount of garbage and destructive emotional energy that began fermenting into quite a powerful toxic as well as fantastically healing brew from the time I was born!
I thank my lucky stars for every single vibration be it positive, negative or passive that has helped make me into the person I am today. Everything I am came from simply one word: VIBRATION!
Music was my gift, the simple 'talent' that would take me 'round the world and introduce me to some of the most bazaar as well as amazing human beings on this planet.
Music is a land where I did any damn thing I wanted because, more than any place on earth, it offered me the opportunity to CREATE my own reality. I could spend hours alone at the organ or piano IMPROVISING any image or emotions I wanted within the fame work of SOUND.
Cheat music and it will cheat on you!
Music is a land where DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION and DETERMINATION abound. Any composition will sound 'beautiful' and 'meaningful' or 'desirous' BUT and only IF, it is not performed as TRUTH, somewhere in the learning process of the composition you have "CHEATED"! I know this to be abso-fucking-lutely TRUE!
Beauty and truth in MOTION make music and dance come alive and touch the soul of the very universe we are all a part of.
Because of MUSIC I am who I am. My music lead me on a course of self discovery and learning I never imagined possible when I was a 6 year old boy! Even when I was a 43 year old man! Or when I was a 62 year old man!
2009 is an amazing number in numerology. 2 being an "active" number and 9 a number of "transition" or as some people claim it is the number of "completion"... 9+2=11... 11 is a master number!
This year is full of activity, through ongoing vibrational impulse, attempting to move everything toward transformation. When things seem to be going to hell this year REMEMBER: deliberately and consistently install moments of quietness, stillness and emptiness into your daily NOW... (these words are from my friend Diviana!)
I feel that all the people in my life I have 'created' and I see them as musical notes, triads and scales, arpeggios, some have been fast glissando's, some fortissimo, some pianissimo... some very Dolce or just andante!
Many of these gorgeous people have left the earth plane, but they vibrate and make a sound that I desire in my "Life's symphony" they are never far away, they are part of my very being. Every breath and heart beat they live and make their very presence known only to me!
My musical "mentors" are very much with me always! They are alive and live in New York, Idaho, Utah and some like Brahms or Bach have long left their bodies.
Brahms was a most complex man loving two people at once was not uncommon for him! He kept the company of men...He was extremely generous with his money, living quarters and gave men and WOMEN beautiful gifts. BUT, he was out spoken! Rude and very blunt... Honesty with no pretense.
He lost two of his dearest companions of his life within months of each other... Clara Wieck Schumann and Jochiem the violinist.
Brahms captured the confusing unsaid dilemmas of philosophy, of unrequited love, of words and touch not given in the physical but held in one's own private mind and a secret place within one's heart.
A most intuitive, very private as well as sexual thing. That is the JOY OF MUSIC! It is life!
This is going to be a "CRACKER" of a year.
What a year of Lessons that HAD TO BE LEARNED and it seemed they could only be LEARNED via pain, suffering and forgiveness. Mind you, I had no idea I was carrying such an Gargantua amount of garbage and destructive emotional energy that began fermenting into quite a powerful toxic as well as fantastically healing brew from the time I was born!
I thank my lucky stars for every single vibration be it positive, negative or passive that has helped make me into the person I am today. Everything I am came from simply one word: VIBRATION!
Music was my gift, the simple 'talent' that would take me 'round the world and introduce me to some of the most bazaar as well as amazing human beings on this planet.
Music is a land where I did any damn thing I wanted because, more than any place on earth, it offered me the opportunity to CREATE my own reality. I could spend hours alone at the organ or piano IMPROVISING any image or emotions I wanted within the fame work of SOUND.
Cheat music and it will cheat on you!
Music is a land where DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION and DETERMINATION abound. Any composition will sound 'beautiful' and 'meaningful' or 'desirous' BUT and only IF, it is not performed as TRUTH, somewhere in the learning process of the composition you have "CHEATED"! I know this to be abso-fucking-lutely TRUE!
Beauty and truth in MOTION make music and dance come alive and touch the soul of the very universe we are all a part of.
Because of MUSIC I am who I am. My music lead me on a course of self discovery and learning I never imagined possible when I was a 6 year old boy! Even when I was a 43 year old man! Or when I was a 62 year old man!
2009 is an amazing number in numerology. 2 being an "active" number and 9 a number of "transition" or as some people claim it is the number of "completion"... 9+2=11... 11 is a master number!
This year is full of activity, through ongoing vibrational impulse, attempting to move everything toward transformation. When things seem to be going to hell this year REMEMBER: deliberately and consistently install moments of quietness, stillness and emptiness into your daily NOW... (these words are from my friend Diviana!)
I feel that all the people in my life I have 'created' and I see them as musical notes, triads and scales, arpeggios, some have been fast glissando's, some fortissimo, some pianissimo... some very Dolce or just andante!
Many of these gorgeous people have left the earth plane, but they vibrate and make a sound that I desire in my "Life's symphony" they are never far away, they are part of my very being. Every breath and heart beat they live and make their very presence known only to me!
My musical "mentors" are very much with me always! They are alive and live in New York, Idaho, Utah and some like Brahms or Bach have long left their bodies.
Brahms was a most complex man loving two people at once was not uncommon for him! He kept the company of men...He was extremely generous with his money, living quarters and gave men and WOMEN beautiful gifts. BUT, he was out spoken! Rude and very blunt... Honesty with no pretense.
He lost two of his dearest companions of his life within months of each other... Clara Wieck Schumann and Jochiem the violinist.
Brahms captured the confusing unsaid dilemmas of philosophy, of unrequited love, of words and touch not given in the physical but held in one's own private mind and a secret place within one's heart.
A most intuitive, very private as well as sexual thing. That is the JOY OF MUSIC! It is life!
This is going to be a "CRACKER" of a year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)