We've earned this one...

>> Saturday, July 5, 2008






One of the things that Steph and I have always dreamed of having is a beautiful bedroom. After all, our bedroom is the room where our relationship flourishes. We spend more time together in this room than in any room in the house. It is where Steph has her office and does her web design, and unlike many families, we don't have a television in the living room, (we don't have a separate family room), we each have a television in our own rooms. It is also the room where we spend most of our time talking together and dreaming together.

The last eight years have been difficult ones for us as a couple--right after we moved back to Stillwater, Steph's mother had a stroke and we moved her, along with Steph's son, Joel in with us. After that, I got emergency custody of all three of my children, and soon after that, we moved into the house where we live now. Not four months after we moved in here, Steph's mother died unexpectedly, and then about a year-and-a-half later, Steph's youngest son, Micah, came to live with us. Steph and I have spent the last several years as a couple taking care of everyone else and seeing to it that their needs were met first, and rightfully so. However, our needs seemed to get neglected, perhaps too often. Finally, this year, we had a financial "break-through" and things have started looking brighter, so when my income tax refunds and stimulus check came through, we decided to spend it on us. We've been working all week on this project, and here it is!

The two photos are of our bedroom--before and after. (In the before picture you'll see a picture insert on the top left of what we wanted to do with the wall behind our, bed, but we changed our minds and didn't paint the stripes, after we got it all together.)

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It's the funny little things you do...

>> Sunday, June 29, 2008


Yesterday was a great day. Steph and I drove to Tulsa for the afternoon where she had an eye doctor's appointment. While we waited for Steph's glasses to be made at Lens Crafter's, we drove over to Mimi's Cafe for a late lunch and then walked through the mall and window shopped. We didn't buy anything, but it we had loads of fun just being together. While walking around, we saw one of those kitschy little photo booths that you see on the boardwalks at Cony Island and ducked in to have our picture made together. We laughed and cut up with one another. Then after Steph got her glasses fitted, we drove back home and went to the new wine bar in town, Zannotti's where we enjoyed a wonderful Pinot Grigio and a cheese plate.

It was a completely enjoyable day.

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The World's most beautiful music: Handel's "Ombra mai fu"

>> Thursday, June 26, 2008

Handel: He's more than "Messiah", folks. Don't get me wrong-I absolutely love "Messiah", but when people tell me that "Messiah" is their favorite work by Handel, I usually ask them if they've heard any of Handel's operas and the most common reply is, "Oh, I didn't know he composed opera!"

Here's an example of some of Handel's best-"Ombra mai fu" from "Xerxes" sung here by the incredible Welsh baritone, Bryn Terfel.


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She's HOME!

>> Monday, June 23, 2008

After ten months as a foreign exchange student in Brittany, France, our daughter, Lauren, returned home safe and sound, albeit severely jet lagged and exhausted, last night at around 10:00p.m. She had a wonderful experience and of course had mixed feelings about returning home, along with experiencing some reverse culture shock. Below are a few pictures from her return and subsequent "Welcome Home" party with the family.












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The Payne County Celtic Music & Heritage Festival 2008

>> Saturday, June 21, 2008

Where can you listen to some of the greatest Celtic music both traditional & modern, drink Guiness to your heart's delight, thrill at the performances of young Claddagh dancers stepping high in the Hard Shoe, see Scottish men in kilts tossing boulders and poles at one another, and meet members of your own Clan all in one place? At the Annual Payne County Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, that's where!

What a wonderful time we had--Steph, Joel, our friend, Allen, and myself! First we enjoyed the music of the Irish band, Boru's Ghost, tapped our feet to the traditional sounds of Killavil, had our hearts warmed by the young dancers of the Oklahoma Academy of Irish Dance, (under the direction of Chelsea Barron), and thrilled at the exciting performance of the dancers of the Hill School of Irish Dance. In addition to the above there were booths featuring food, history & information, genealogy, culture, jewelry & clothing, musical instruments, and even a Guiness truck! And in the end I was thrilled to meet two members from my own Clan--Kyle Erwin of Drum, Jonathan Irvin of Bonshaw.

Below are some pictures of today's fun. For additional photos, click on THIS LINK.



















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The progress of human thought


That which is looked upon by one generation as the apex of human knowledge is often considered an absurdity by the next, and that which is regarded as a superstition in one century, may form the basis of science for the following one.

~ Paracelsus

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The accuser

>> Friday, June 20, 2008


Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

~ Louise Hay

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Happiness is a new me!

>> Thursday, June 19, 2008


You may have noticed that I have posted a new picture on my profile page. I took this one at the beginning of the week, just after I hit the 22 pound mark. That's right! I've now lost 22 pounds, and it feels GREAT! And though I have a ways to go, (about 58 pounds more), I'm already feeling younger, fitter, stronger, and all around healthier. Steph says that the diet and exercise has already taken about 15 years off of my appearance, and of course, I won't complain about that either.

Life is good.

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You are what you see

>> Wednesday, June 18, 2008


The vision that you glorify in your mind, the idea that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, and this you will become.

~ J.L. Allen

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The World's most beautiful music: Howard Goodall's 23rd Psalm

>> Monday, June 16, 2008


One of the many great things that Steph has done for me is to introduce me to BBC sitcoms. Sunday evenings on Public Television, Steph and I always sit down to watch our favorite British sitcoms, including "Are You Being Served?", "As Time Goes By", and "The Vicar of Dibley".

One of the things we love most about the "Vicar of Dibley", (besides Dawn French), is the gorgeous opening theme, composed by British composer, Howard Goodall, to be used especially for the program. It's a divine piece and worthy to stand alone, apart from the zany, quirky, British sitcom for which it was created. A sublime piece, it stands in complete contrast to the show and it's crazy, eccentric characters, including, and most especially, the Vicar herself.

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The aroma of percolating coffee

>> Thursday, June 12, 2008


I've never been much of a coffee drinker. I'm not particularly fond of it, and if I drink too much of it, it gives me a headache. However, I've always been rather partial to the aroma. I love to walk by coffee shops and/or cafes and take in the delicious aroma of all the various brews. I most especially like the smell of coffee when mingled with the redolence of eggs and bacon frying in a skillet. It always triggers something in me that leaves me feeling warm and content. One day I sat down and tried to figure out what it was about these aromas that were so appealing to me and it quickly came to me that they brought back some very pleasant childhood memories.

My maternal grandparents lived on a large farm near Bowden, a small rural community just between Tulsa and Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Their house was a large Victorian, built a few years before statehood, (that was in 1907). It was two storied with a creaky wooden stairway, a front parlor, a dining room, and kitchen in the back, with a squeaky wooden screen door that locked with a metal hook. It had a huge wrap-around porch with a gigantic oak tree in the front. Grandpa hung a tire swing from one of the branches for us to swing on. I'm not sure how many acres he had, but it was quite a lot. He had cattle & chickens, two large ponds that he kept stocked with catfish, a big wooden barn with cats, a huge vegetable garden laden with lettuce, tomatoes, squash, peas, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn, fruit orchards with peaches and pears, red & green peppers of several varieties, blackberry & raspberry bushes, and a flower garden. There were streams and meadows, and lots of places to run and play. It was a childhood dreamland.

One of my fondest memories is waking up early in the mornings to the smells of bacon and eggs frying in Grandma's cast iron skillet, and freshly ground coffee perking in the percolator, (this was before automatic drip coffee makers). I would try to sneak down the creaky wooden stairs in my footie pajamas, down the hallway, through the dining room, past the huge gas stove, to the kitchen doorway. I'd hide for just a second and then I'd jump out, shouting, "BOO!". Grandma would always jump and pretend to be startled. "You SCARED me!", she would exclaim, although I knew she was kidding because there was no way that she couldn't have known I was coming, between the squeaky stairway and creaking floorboards.

Years later, the aromas of bacon frying and coffee brewing always bring these happy memories forward and I am reminded of how very blessed I was to have grown up with such experiences. As a child I didn't understand that it wasn't like this for every child, and that one day I would cherish these memories, and even long for those early mornings at Grandpa and Grandma's farm.

UPDATE: JUNE 16, 2008

I received a phone call from my dad in Tulsa informing me that Grandma had collapsed in her nursing home room sometime during the night. She is currently in the hospital battling a number of infections in her intestines as well as pneumonia. She is 96 years old.

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Fitness report

>> Wednesday, June 11, 2008



Nearly 2 months and 20 pounds later, I've dropped two sizes and I'm feeling GREAT! My energy and stamina are continuing to increase, and I actually look forward to my workouts and guard them jealously from anyone who wishes to intrude and make demands of me when I'm scheduled for a workout. I never thought I would feel this way about diet and exercise, but I can honestly say that I don't remember a time when I've felt better!

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Cat on a fence

>> Tuesday, June 10, 2008


One of the most enjoyable things about sitting out on our patio is watching the cat as she goes about doing her "cat thing" in the backyard. Cats are fascinating creatures, and ours loves it when we all come out to sit on the patio. Our backyard is small, but we have created an oasis where we retreat on warm summer evenings and on weekends. And Sweetie is never happier than when we're all out there. That yard is her domain and she is content to jump up onto the 8 ft wooden privacy fence and walk up and down the rails, scouting out the numerous birds that fly dangerously close, while we all watch her, and laugh out loud over how she tries to balance the fence rail at the same time she's leaping up, trying to snag one of those winged dive bombers, that are trying to divert her attention from the nest they've built in the corner of the patio overhang.

One evening, as Steph observed how the cat tried to keep her balance in the corner of the fence, she got the idea to build her a small perch behind the rose trellis, right in the northwest corner. Steph went out and bought a cheap piece of plywood and nailed it right onto the railing, as well as the the trellis. I've never seen a cat take to anything more quickly! Sweetie spent the whole evening on her perch, scouting, observing, and sunning--just the perfect place for a cat!

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The World's most beautiful music: Sergei Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, 18th variation

>> Sunday, June 8, 2008

The first time I ever heard this was in the film "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. I fell in love with it and later, purchased a recording of the entire concerto. It is worth it to sit and listen to the work in it's entirety.

Featured here are the 18th & 19th variations played brilliantly by Russian pianist, Mikhail Pletnev. Enjoy!


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To love me is to know me

>> Saturday, June 7, 2008


We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

~ Sam Keane, To Love and Be Loved

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Love is the only Truth

>> Friday, June 6, 2008

No one holds the corner on truth. Know that for every belief or doctrine to which you are convinced is "the truth" there is someone on the other side of the world, or even in your own neighborhood who holds another, perhaps very different belief with every bit as much fervor and conviction, and regards that belief and/or doctrine as "the truth". Remember that your mission in life is not to convert others to your truth, but to live out love, for love is the only universal truth.

~Lynette Erwin

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The 2nd Annual Stillwater Celtic Music Festival

>> Saturday, May 31, 2008

We missed this last year, but this year Steph and I will be there! It's being held at the Payne County Expo Center, (the Fairgrounds), on Saturday, June 21st, and Sunday, June 22nd. Below is a video of some of the festivities from last year's event.

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Internal Summer


In the depths of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

~ Albert Camus, French philosopher and writer, 1913-1960

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It's a start!

>> Wednesday, May 28, 2008


Six weeks and 16 pounds lighter, I have now officially dropped a full size. I still have a ways to go, but I'm determined that I'm going to loose this extra poundage. Already I'm feeling 500% better--more energy, more stamina, and I know that my blood pressure has dropped considerably and that I'm getting stronger.

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The Divine spark


Whomever you meet, remember this Truth: Each person is a unique expression of God. Even the person you consider the most vile is God's child too, and has a core self that is never lost to our Creator. We can bring to each encounter extraordinary respect, looking always for that aspect of the Divine.

~ Mary Manin Morrissey

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The World's most beautiful music: Dalla sua pace from Mozart's "Don Giovanni"

>> Monday, May 26, 2008


In the scope of Mozart's vocal pieces, it seems that a small percentage of those works are for tenor. This is because Mozart composed mainly for the voices that were most readily available to him. The most famous of the Mozart tenor roles include Tamino in The Magic Flute, and Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte.

In January of 1783, a new group of singers arrived in Vienna who were to comprise the Emperor's newly-formed Italian opera company. Among this group were two English singers, (Nancy Storace and the Irish tenor Michael Kelly), with whom Mozart would later develop very close friendships. At first, Mozart seemed to regard Kelly primarily for his comedic talents and less for his vocal prowess, as the first opera that he composed for this group, (Le nozze di Figaro), didn't include a leading tenor role. However, in late 1786, after the opening of Figaro in Vienna, and it's huge success in Prague, Mozart decided to collaborate again with the Italian/Jewish librettist, Lorenzo DaPonte, on an opera based on the legends of Don Juan, entitled, Don Giovanni. The leading tenor role of Don Ottavio was most certainly intended for Kelly as well as the role of the servant girl, Zerlina for Nancy Storace, however they both suddenly announced in late 1786 that they would not be renewing their contracts with the Emperor and would be returning to England as soon as their current ones ran out. Don Giovanni was nearly completed by that time and the roles intended for Kelly and Storace would have to be given to whomever the Emperor hired to replace them.

Featured here is Don Ottavio's aria, "Dalla sua pace", sung by the late Swedish tenor, Gosta Winbergh. After hearing this, you'll wish that Mozart had more opportunity to compose for tenor.

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Happy Anniversary

>> Sunday, May 25, 2008


Today Steph and I are celebrating the 7th anniversary of our Holy Union service, which was held at the College Hill Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We publicly acknowledged and celebrated our love and commitment to one another in the presence of those who understood that love is just that--love. Family who celebrated with us were my precious Aunt Pat, who although she didn't quite understand completely, opened her heart and accepted us, and my daughter, Lauren, whose loving and open spirit rejoiced with us in our happiness. The rest were some of our close friends and the supportive members of the College Hill congregation.

One day, when this country wakes up and realizes that love isn't about one's gender,(or perceived gender), and that people should be free to share their lives with whomever they choose to share them, then we will be legally married.

I adore you, Steph. You're everything I have ever wanted or needed.


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Another milestone reached

>> Saturday, May 24, 2008

Yesterday was a big day at our house. Heather graduated from high school and the whole family and a number of our friends were here to help her celebrate her accomplishments. A special thanks goes to Steph who worked hard the entire week on getting the house ready and on the wonderful food for the reception. It was really amazing! Here are a few pictures! (Taken with our brand new digital camera!)








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Busy day

>> Friday, May 23, 2008

Today began with my going to the gym to get my work out done before the rest of the day's activities overtake me. Heather graduates from high school today and we have family and friends coming in from out of town to help us celebrate this milestone in Heather's life. Next I have to get out the ironing board and iron the outfit that I plan to wear this evening, as well as iron Heather's graduation gown. Then I plan to help Steph with all of the last minute cleaning--vacuuming, etc.

I'll check back in tomorrow with pictures from graduation and Heather's party...

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The World's most beautiful music: Baïlèro from Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne

>> Saturday, May 17, 2008


I first encountered this enchanting piece of music several years ago when I bought a CD of various arias and art songs sung by Kiri Te Kaniwa. The first time I listened to it I thought it to be the most heavenly music I'd ever heard.

Marie-Joseph Canteloube de Malaret (21 October 1879 - November 4, 1957), was a French composer. Canteloube was born in Annonay, Ardèche and died at Grigny, Essonne, a part of the Île-de-France region.

He is best known for his collection of orchestrated folk songs from the Auvergne region, Chants d'Auvergne ("Songs of the Auvergne"). Canteloube himself believed that "les chants paysans s’élèvent bien souvent au niveau de l’art le plus pur, par le sentiment et l’expression, sinon par la forme" ("peasant songs often rise to the level of purest art in terms of feeling and expression, if not in form").

Canteloube studied music in Paris under Amélie Daetzer, a former pupil of Chopin. He also studied composition under Vincent d'Indy. His first composition, Colloque sentimental, dates from 1903. His other works include the operas Le Mas and Vercingétorix. In 1925, he founded La Bourrée, an association whose aim was to promote the Auvergne. In 1941, during the Nazi occupation of France, Canteloube joined the Vichy government, an action that has been attributed to political naiveté.

As well as collecting and arranging traditional folk songs, Canteloube wrote extensively on the subject of music. His works include biographies of his former teacher, Vincent d'Indy, and of Déodat de Séverac.

Information source: Wikipedia

This version features Finnish soprano Karita Mattila, and has the English translation of the French text at the bottom of the screen.




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The path to happiness

>> Friday, May 16, 2008



There's no way to happiness, happiness IS the way.

~ Wayne Dyer

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Shame on you, Mayor McMillian

>> Thursday, May 15, 2008

Once again, I am appalled and disgusted by the sheer childishness and arrogance displayed by a public official, only this time it's Stillwater's own mayor, Roger McMillian. For those of you who don't know, Mayor McMillian, who is the current president of our branch of The Bank N.A. has been sued by three female employees, (two of them are now former employees), for sexual harassment or in their words, for creating a "sexually charged, and hostile work environment" by engaging in derogatory and sexually demeaning behavior and language directed at female employees and even bank customers.

Steph has written a great entry about it, so I'm going to direct you to her blog where you can read in more detail about this disgusting and embarrassing turn of events.

I'm completely appalled.

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As you love yourself

>> Monday, May 12, 2008


If you don't have love for yourself, you are not trusting on the wisdom that created you.

~Anonymous

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I'm hooked!

>> Saturday, May 10, 2008



I'm nearly 48 years old, overweight, and in the throes of menopause. About a month ago I went to bed feeling like crap. It hit me all of the sudden, I mean menopause. One day I felt pretty good, aside from being overweight and out of shape. But considering, I felt good. Then it seemed the very next day it hit me with a vengeance--every symptom of menopause that could hit--fatigue, memory loss, irritability, debilitating hot flashes, horrible burning and tingling in my hands and feet, lack of energy or motivation, depression... You name it, I had it. It scared me and I made the decision then and there that I was too young to feel old and that I HAD to do something about it. So I immediately changed my diet, went out and bought a menopause supplement at GNC and then I went to the gym where the company where I work has a corporate membership and signed up with a trainer and started a rigorous weight training and work-out routine. Within a week the hot flashes diminished, the tingling in my hands and feet virtually disappeared, and within two weeks the fatigue and lack of energy & motivation disappeared. I went to the doctor this last Tuesday with a mild sinus/bronchial infection and when I weighed in it indicated that I have already lost nine pounds, and my blood pressure, which had been soaring out of control over the last year, (even on medication), was down to 118/82, which is ideal! This all after only THREE WEEKS! I've worked up from 10 minutes to nearly an hour on the treadmill and over doubled my pace. I've already increased my weight limits on some of my exercise machines, and what's so wonderful is that I FEEL GREAT! It's amazing how quickly the body will begin to respond and heal itself once you start treating it well and giving it what it needs.

I did it. I just quit making excuses, kicked myself in the butt, and did it. Now I'm hooked on feeling great. No more "Chicken Fat" for me!

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The World's most beautiful music: Les chemins de l'amour

>> Sunday, May 4, 2008


Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc, (January 7, 1899–January 30, 1963) was a French composer and a member of the French group Les Six. He composed music in all major genres, including art song, chamber music, oratorio, opera, ballet music, and orchestral music. Critic Claude Rostand, in a July 1950 Paris-Presse article, described Poulenc as "half bad boy, half monk" ("le moine et le voyou"), a tag that was to be attached to his name for the rest of his career.

Poulenc was born in Paris in 1899. His mother, an amateur pianist, taught him to play, and music formed a part of family life. As he was a capable pianist, the keyboard dominated much of his early compositions. He also, throughout his career, borrowed from his own compositions as well as those of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Camille Saint-Saëns. Later in his life, the loss of some close friends, coupled with a pilgrimage to the Black Madonna of Rocamadour, led him to rediscovery of the Catholic faith and resulted in compositions of a more sombre, austere tone.

Some writers consider Poulenc one of the first openly gay composers. His first serious relationship was with painter Richard Chanlaire to whom he dedicated his Concert champêtre: "You have changed my life, you are the sunshine of my thirty years, a reason for living and working." He also once said, "You know that I am as sincere in my faith, without any messianic screamings, as I am in my Parisian sexuality." However, Poulenc's life was also one of inner struggle. Having been born and raised a Roman Catholic, he struggled between coming to terms with his unorthodox sexual appetites and maintaining his religious convictions.

Poulenc also had a number of relationships with women. He fathered a daughter, Marie-Ange, although he never formally admitted that he was indeed her father. He was also a very close friend of the singer Pierre Bernac for whom he wrote many songs; some sources have hinted that this long friendship had sexual undertones; however, the now-published correspondence between the two men strongly suggests that this was not the case.

(Information source: Wikipedia)

Les Chemins de l'amour is a torch song composed near the end of WWII for one of Paris' famous night club singers, Yvonne Printemps. I discovered this chanson years ago, and fell in love with it and several years later used it as the closing piece on my master's recital. Sung here by one of the world's greatest singers, Jesse Norman, you'll hear why this piece is so beloved.

The English translation of the French text is as follows:

The paths that arch of the ocean
protect our crossing,
flowers losing their leaves
and the echo under the trees,
Our two bright laughs.
Alas, from days of happiness
radiant joys take flight,
I journey without recovering your traces
In my heart.

Paths of my love
I try to find you always
lost paths, you don't exist anymore,
And your echoes have been muffled.
Paths of despair,
Paths of memory,
Paths of first love,
Divine pathways of love.

This I am duty-bound to forget one day
the way that life obliterates all things.
I want in my heart that a memory will rest
More strongly than another love.
The memory of paths
Where trembling and completely passionate,
a day I have felt above myself
to burn and be consumed by your hands.

(text by Jean Anouilh)


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She's all grown up

>> Monday, April 28, 2008




Just had to share some photos of Heather with her friends at her senior prom this last Saturday night. She looked so beautiful...

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The World's most beautiful music: Bachiana no. 5

>> Saturday, April 26, 2008


Steph and I were discussing the beauty of the Portuguese language when I remembered this beautiful aria from Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras. I first discovered this incredible piece of music when I was a young college music major, and I fell in love with its haunting beauty. Sung here by the famous Brazilian soprano, Bidu Sayão, (Rio de Janeiro, May 11, 1902 - March 12, 1999), this is probably one of the most passionate recordings of this piece, ever.







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In the company of greatness

>> Wednesday, April 23, 2008


Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can be great.

~ Mark Twain

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We've got tickets to see "The Magic Flute"!

>> Tuesday, April 22, 2008


I did it! I ordered our tickets today, and next Friday night Steph and I are taking Heather to see the Tulsa Opera production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, (yes, it will be sung in German with English subtitles scrolling above the stage)! I've seen two different productions of "Flute"--one in Tampa, Florida with the New York City Opera touring company and the second, years later, a student production at Oklahoma Baptist University, which was quite good. And I have sung the role of the Third Lady in the OSU Opera production of Flute, when I was in graduate school. I'm looking forward to this particular production for several reasons: 1) It's the first time I will see "Flute" with Steph, 2) It's the first time that Heather will have ever seen it, 3) It's the Tulsa Opera, and the last Mozart opera we saw there, ("Figaro"), we absolutely loved. The Tulsa opera is rated one of the top regional operas and is kind of a "farm team" for new, up-and-coming opera stars. They get the most talented young people right out of school, when they're just starting their careers. It's really exciting and always high quality. I took Heather to see Madama Butterfly three years ago and she loved it. I know she'll love this production as well!

I'm SO excited!!







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The World's most beautiful music: Trio "Soave sia il vento"

>> Monday, April 21, 2008


The last of the three Mozart/Da Ponte collaborations is Cosi fan Tutte, ("Thus do they all"), commissioned in 1789 by Emperor Joseph II, who died shortly before it's premiere in the Emperor's theater, (the Burgtheater), in Vienna on 26 January 1790. Mozart had only a little under two years to live after its premiere.

Mozart and Da Ponte took as a theme "fiancée swapping" which dates back to the 13th century, with notable earlier versions being those of Boccaccio's Decameron and Shakespeare's play Cymbeline. Elements from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew are also present. Furthermore, it incorporates elements of the myth of Procris as found in Ovid's Metamorphoses.

This trio is from the first Act and features Don Alfonso, (bass), Fiordiligi, (mezzo soprano), and Dorabella, (soprano). In a coffee shop, Ferrando and Guglielmo (two officers) claim that their fiancées (Dorabella and Fiordiligi, respectively) will be eternally faithful. Don Alfonso joins the discussion and lays a wager with the two officers, claiming he can prove in a day's time that these two women (like all women) are fickle. The wager is accepted: the two officers will pretend to have been called off to war; soon thereafter they shall return in disguise and attempt to seduce each other's lover. The scene shifts to the two women (they are sisters) who are praising their men. Alfonso arrives to announce the bad news: the officers have been called off to war. Ferrando and Guglielmo arrive, brokenhearted, and bid farewell (quintet: Sento, o Dio, che questo piedo è restio—"I feel, oh God, that my foot is reluctant"). As the boat with the men sails off to sea, Alfonso and the sisters wish them safe travel (trio: Soave sia il vento—"May the wind be gentle").

This particular trio is one of the finest examples of Mozart's incredible vocal ensemble work and is one of my very favorites.







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Taking a vacation day for music

>> Friday, April 18, 2008


I'm not going to work today because I took a vacation day to go and hear my daughter, Heather, sing her solo at state solo and ensemble music contest in Shawnee. This is her senior year and her last year to get to sing at state contest and so I wanted to be there. As an added plus, I'll get to hear her sing Voi che sapete from my very favorite opera of all, Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and one that she sings so well!

UPDATE: Heather sang beautifully and received a Superior rating (I) on her solo, Friday! Way to go, Heather!

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It's the little things that count

>> Thursday, April 17, 2008


There is nothing that does not matter. The faintest breeze changes the course of the world. The softest cry is heard by all. The greatest love is you and it is me.

~ Carson's commentary

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Abundance!

>> Wednesday, April 9, 2008


Every time you praise something, every time you appreciate something, every time you feel good about something, you are telling the Universe, More of this, please! More of this, please!

~Abraham

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Reversal of fortune!


A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about how everything seemed to be going to hell in a hand basket, how life had just taken a proverbial dump on us, all at one time and left us reeling. Well, now we've experienced a complete reversal of fortune! It's totally amazing!

1. I got the first of several IRS refund installments on Monday, (it's too complicated to explain here), which has given us the financial boost we needed to get us out of the pit and put us on solid financial ground.

2. My ex called and said that he had just bought a new car and said that he had been planning on giving the car he was driving to Lauren. Since Lauren doesn't return from France until June, he said that if I would continue to pay the insurance on it that I could drive it until I can get my van fixed and Lauren gets back! (Thank-you Dan!!)

3. We found out today that Steph got the job as a web developer that she applied for and she starts tomorrow! Not only that, they offered her the position at 50 cents higher an hour than what they had originally quoted. In addition to that, she contracted with another huge client to create two new web sites for him!

4. I recovered from the bronchitis/pneumonia and am back teaching and back at Chamber Singers rehearsals!

Now I'm doing the GRATITUDE DANCE!






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The World's most beautiful music: The Albinoni Adagio in G minor

>> Saturday, April 5, 2008

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (June 8, 1671, Venice, Republic of Venice – January 17, 1751, Venice, Republic of Venice) was a Venetian Baroque composer. While famous in his day as an opera composer, he is mainly remembered today for his instrumental music, some of which is regularly recorded. The "Adagio in G minor" attributed to him (actually a later reconstruction) is one of the most frequently recorded pieces of Baroque music.

(source Wikipedia)


Featured here is the Berlin Philharmonic. This one is lengthy, but oh so worth it!





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Darkness & Light

>> Friday, April 4, 2008


Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.

~ Ruth Rendell, English writer, born 1930

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Aint she sweet?

>> Wednesday, April 2, 2008




My daughter, Heather, just had her senior portraits taken this last weekend by photographer Averi Blackmon. We just got the proofs back yesterday and I couldn't resist showing a couple of them off! Averi did a great job, but I have to admit that her subject didn't stink!

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