Sep2
Visiting in Archbold, OH
Category Archives: adventure
Aug15
Musical Symposium
Texas Choral Consort has an August concert in Austin after a short but intense six-week rehearsal schedule. This year we’re singing opera choruses—a rather daunting summer symposium. These are some of the more famous and popular choruses from 18th century Handel to 20th century Bernstein). It has been educational as well as challenging. Instead of one entire opera, a narrative arc has been added to introduce these works and link them together.
Artistic Director Brent Baldwin will conduct four wonderful soloists, an orchestra (including an anvil for the percussionist!) and a chorus of 80+ voices on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 7:30; and Sunday, Aug. 19, at 3; both at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr (off Far West).
Come see what we can do in thirteen 3-hour rehearsals! (I’ll add a shout out to Old Koenig Lane Christian Church for providing rehearsal space.)
Here are the titles for you opera buffs!
Viva L’Opera! Famous Opera Choruses
Narration
Chorus of Enchanted Islanders (Alcina, by G.F. Handel)
Voyager’s Chorus (Idomeneo, by Mozart)
Narration
Villagers’ Chorus (Guillame Tell, by Rossini)
Narration
Mira, O Norma (Norma, by Bellini)
Narration
Habanera (Carmen, by Bizet)
Te Deum (Tosca, by Puccini)
Narration
Waltz Scene (Eugene Onegin, by Tchaikovsky)
Wedding Guests’ Chorus (Lucia di Lammermoor, by Donizetti)
Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin, by Wagner)
Narration
Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor, by Borodin)
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco, by Verdi)
Narration
Rataplan (La Forza del Destino, by Verdi)
Narration
Matadors’ Chorus (La Traviata, by Verdi)
Brindisi (La Traviata, by Verdi)
Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore, by Verdi)
Narration
Make Our Garden Grow (Candide, by Leonard Berstein)
Jul29
Armchair Games
Ah! the Games are here–with road racers, runners, swimmers, jumpers, riders, shooters, and more–all over NBC and its affiliates plus news outlets and the web. Fanfare, fantastic dreams, dreadful falls, and we get to watch some of the best athletes in the world.
Aggravations: Television coverage is terribly U.S.-centric. For many years I have also been annoyed by the “medal count” as a competition of its own. Yes of course athletes play for nations, but in most cases the comparative wealth of those nations tends to predict overall wins. And some sports require more money for equipment and training, plus a larger pool of competitors. I expect that national pride gives some of these athletes extra incentive to perform their personal best. Yet even the tiniest countries sponsor outstanding competitors. Let’s hear a little more about them!
The Obvious: Life informs sport informs life. We get to hear stories of individuals and how they have overcome devastating life events, injuries, and illnesses. Winners four years ago can be nudged aside by the up and coming. Most never make it to this level and we may not know about them at all. Competition brings its own challenges in turn–wins, losses, near misses, and terrible accidents. Just like life.
Armchair Angling: How much to watch? Which sports? I like to learn something about many of these sports and what constitutes excellence. Gymnastics and diving are so fast and exacting, for example, that I’m often astonished when the commentators and judges see errors.
The first Olympics I remember featured winning diver Greg Louganis. My older cousins were divers and I had seen them in action, so it’s no surprise that a world-class diver would attract our attention. Am I imagining this or did I really see him at a regional competition? It was part of the team’s training. Watching in person is far better than from a recliner.
Watching a neighborhood school’s field day is just as much fun as world class competition. (Reminds me of my 3rd grade 3rd place ribbon in long jump–the peak of my athleticism!)
Better yet, get up and get active! Kids in particular tend to stay inside more than when I was young. They often have less opportunity even for active play at school. If you’re in my league of fitness, there’s a lot we can do to get even a little stronger.
Stay tuned for the Paralympics a month from now (Aug. 29-Sept. 9) for extra inspiration!
Jul24
Bending a life
For those of you who have wondered from my previous blog, I have no plans at present to move. (It could happen some day but not for a long while.) There have been opportunities presented to me and some that I have pursued on my own. Although each of them had positive attributes they ultimately did not fit well enough with my priorities–the things I value more.
Instinct, conscience, and family carry a lot of weight. The story of my life … still unfolding, outcome uncertain. For now I am content and very fortunate to enjoy the unfolding. Life is good.
How about you?
Theodore Parker said (and has often been quoted): “The arc of the moral universe is long, and it bends toward justice.”
Shrink that down a great deal and you might also consider: The arc of my/your life is long and it bends toward _________________.
Something positive, I hope!
Your past may well be full of hard knocks, understanding, or humility. (Better those than hanging on to emotions like anger, resentment, or remorse.) But look ahead, especially when faced with one of those crucial decisions. What has been the arc of your life, where is it going, and why? Most importantly, how does it serve your higher purpose?
Blessings to all!
Jul23
Open and Shut Case
Opportunities come and go. My first impulse is to imagine how I might fit into that scheme or place or plan.
Take house hunting. Of course you have some basic things in mind: how much bedroom or office space do you need? Is the yard suitable for children and/or pets? Is there a view from the kitchen window? How do you like the floor plan? What’s the neighborhood like in the evenings or during the day?
Underneath these questions is the bottom line: What would it be like to live here?
Again, my first impulse is to imagine what it might be like to live in that house in that neighborhood.
But before making a big decision like that it’s important to ask yourself why. Keep up with your friends and colleagues; move into a better school district; downsize or expand to fit your family; start building some equity.
Every decision has similar questions to ask. Moving, starting a family, choosing a job–these are not just one-time options but they will become part of your story for years to come. Are your answers the whole truth? Can you look in the mirror and tell yourself the real reason to do this?
I always have to take a giant step back to consider the drawbacks as well as the appeal. It’s seldom easy to reverse a major turn. I have to ask myself: “Is this consistent with my values and how I want to live my life?”
Since it will become part of my story, I want to know the truth about why, and I want to be able to tell the truth of my story in a couple of sentences. No matter how momentous the decision, some years down the road it will be told in one short paragraph.
What is my story and how do I want to carry it forward?
More to come . . .
Jul4
Two Transylvanias
Back from a month of travel and books!
My last blogs placed me in Brevard and Asheville, NC, visiting friends. Beautiful people, beautiful forests, waterfalls, and cool air. On Sunday morning of our visit, Jon and I walked about 4 blocks to the Unitarian Universalist church in Brevard. It’s called Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County, a very descriptive name (trans + sylvania = through a wooded land).
In May of 1999 Jon and I made a more distant journey to Transylvania, formerly part of Hungary and now part of Romania. Many of the people are historically Unitarian. They experienced a great deal of persecution for their religion and language. The irony is that the Unitarian King John Sigismund issued an Edict of Religious Toleration in 1568 – “The Edict of Torda (or Turda), also known as the Patent of Toleration (Act of Religious Tolerance and Freedom of Conscience), was an attempt by King John II Sigismund of Hungary to guarantee religious freedom in his realm. Specifically, it broadened previous grants (to Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists) to include the Unitarian Church, and allowed toleration (not legal guarantees) for other faiths” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Toleration)
Public schools do not teach Hungarian and no Hungarian is allowed in the public square on signs or in speech. Therefore the Unitarian churches keep Hungarian culture and language alive. Their motto, counter to Trinitarianism, is very simple: “God Is One.” In Hungarian it’s spelled Egy Az Isten and pronounced Edge Oz Eeshten. That simple yet profound declaration is posted over every church gate and in the sanctuary.
Our host in the city of Brassó (“Brasov” in Romanian) was the Rev. Sándor Máthé and his wife Sindike. They live next door to the magnificent church in a parsonage from which we could go directly down to the church in a driving rainstorm. Twelve children participated in catechism and Confirmation that day (11 boys and 1 girl!) and received as adult members in the faith. [Fun fact: they used Jon’s pen to sign the Membership Book.] The Unitarian Church in Eastern Europe is far different from this country’s. Its depths of history and tradition are inspirational.
A memory trip indeed! I’ll get back to my intended topic by and by . . . Happy Independence Day, wherever you live!
Jun4
Asheville, NC
On the road from Brevard, NC, Jon and I drove about 30 miles and stopped again for a visit. Our friend Janelle moved to Asheville about a year ago and has been busily remodeling a lovely home in a historic district.
The city is much bigger than Brevard and has some bigger city problems like a lot of intersecting highways with signage that works perfectly if you already know which lane you should occupy!
Janelle lives within walking distance of downtown, but since it was raining we drove up the hill several blocks and walked from there. Lots of beautiful churches along with new development–restaurants, bars, an art museum. It was a Tuesday when the historic one-screen theater has movies at half price! After a quick snack of white asparagus we bought tickets to see Monsieur Lazhar. I had seen it at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin and was glad to have a chance to see it again!
This old theater still uses reels of film. Near the end, snap!
We waited for a while until the technician admitted defeat. The film was damaged beyond simple splicing. Too much of it would have been lost. After folks got passes for a free flick (and we gave ours to Janelle) a bunch of us went back in so I could give them a summary of the ending and answer questions! It’s a good movie, so see it if you can.
We spent the night, had some homemade granola and fruit for breakfast, and went on our way a little further toward home. Thanks, Janelle, for your gracious hospitality!
Here are some pictures, mostly of the house, but a few from downtown Asheville. In the store window you can see that not all North Carolinians voted to ban same sex marriage. In her front yard she has special plant protectors that are filled with water to keep the temperature stable as plants are taking root and to keep pests out–they crawl up the side and fall into the bladders filled with water. I had never seen them before.
May22
Rockbrook Camp Memories
Jon and I enjoyed a wonderful road trip to Brevard, North Carolina, to see our long-time friends Gayle and Gordon. Every day we stepped outside or drove a short distance and found beautiful places to walk and appreciate new trees and flowers.
Marco Trattoria, Brevard, NC
A long, long time ago I was a camp counselor at Rockbrook Camp for Girls, near Brevard. In fact, it is just 4 miles from Gordon and Gayle. When I browsed through Rockbrook’s website, I discovered that the 1921 founder Nancy Carrier was the great-granddaughter of the famous P.T. Barnum.
What a walk back in time!
I remember looking through job opportunities in a publication of some sort at Stephens College. It was near the end of my Freshman year. Since I had been a Girl Scout, a camper, and a counselor, it looked like a great way to spend a summer. Besides, I wouldn’t have to spend it at home! My parents drove me there
I was hired as a hiking counselor, so I took groups of girls on hikes every day and on 3-day or longer trips as well. One of the best destinations was Lake Toxaway, where we swam at the base of Toxaway Falls. So much fun!
Although there have been changes over the years, I could still remember various places–the dining hall, of course (we were there 3x/day) and the layout of the cabins. It’s hard to believe that I still have the red sweater that was part of the uniform on Sundays and Spirit Nights (last night of camp). It was fun to rediscover lots of memories.
Rockbrook still offers crafts, horseback riding, archery, swimming, hiking, riflery, etc., on 200 acres. When I was there I got a sharpshooter certification during days off (in prone, kneeling, and standing positions). Girls under my supervision came for either 4 or 6 week sessions and a few of my campers stayed for multiple sessions. The girls are 6-16 years old, divided into Junior, Middler, and Senior Camps. They get to choose their activities and change them up every few days. A very rich experience.
I remember the time my boyfriend came for a visit on his motorcycle. I didn’t leave the camp, but I did persuade my hikers that they really wanted to do something else. (They were happy to cover for me.) Burton and I went hiking on our own and found a field of raspberries that were quite delicious. It was a wonderful afternoon–except that we were spotted on Castle Rock by the Camp Director. Oops! Not a huge amount of trouble, as I recall.
One girl named Denise gave me the honor of naming her donkey Trichel, my last name at the time. (“Trichel” rhymes with “Michelle”). She thought it was a pretty name and it was a way to remember each other. How many of YOU have had a donkey named for you?
May9
A new normal? Exhausting!
My favorite water coaster says, “Pretending to be a Normal Person day-after-day is exhausting.” But in a good way!
My sister Madeleine loves Austin so we try to pack in a lot of restaurants and even touristy things while she is in town. The heat was rather a welcome respite from the chill left behind in Columbus, Ohio. They had a very warm March in which everything bloomed, then a late frost killed off some of that bounty. Now they’re warming up again.
A baker’s dozen of things we did:
- Austin Overtures 90-minute tour with our friend Maggie who loves Austin probably more than anyone else. She knows the history and even where the bodies are buried–in the Texas State Cemetery. As it happened, everyone else on the tour that day was also from Ohio. Originally from the Cleveland area, these 7-8 friends have an annual reunion from all over the place. This year they chose Austin. We’re so glad they did!
- Favorite restaurants such as Magnolia, Zocalo, Galaxy, Wildflower Cafe; and pot lucks with friends.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which is absolutely bursting with spring blooms. QR Codes provided information about various sections right on my phone, either spoken or in text. I took lots of cell phone pix as well and we enjoyed browsing in the gift shop.
- More shopping! Madeleine needed something special for a wedding luncheon and the wedding itself. I helped her spend lots of money on some good values.
- A children’s orchestra performance on the plaza of the Long Center. Jon recognized Elizabeth Whitehead, their conductor, who was a friend of his daughter’s from 15 years ago. I took pictures, including one of the two of them together.
- Conspirare Symphonic Chorus and the Austin Symphony, conducted by Peter Bay and Craig Hella Johnson. This was a wonderful concert that included two Stowkowski interpretations of Bach (Toccata and Fugue in D Minor; and Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor).
- The Chorus sang Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms. Orchestration was mostly with woodwinds and not a single violin or viola! . . . and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. How beautiful! A boy soprano, Lucas Revering, sang the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew. It was dramatically interrupted by the chorus breaking into a furious “Why do the nations rage?” Then the boy’s clear voice came back in and sang, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Familiar text added to the effect.
- Lost cell phones! Madeleine literally lost hers somewhere. We retraced our destinations as soon as we could, to no avail. She was eligible for an upgrade so it cost her about $1 plus some angst. On the very same day, my iPhone completely died! It’s only 2 months old, but even Apple’s Genius Bar expert said it gave her an error message she had never seen before. They gave me a new phone, but I lost the day’s pictures from the Wildflower Center. Fortunately, Jon had emailed himself some of the pix of him with Elizabeth Whitehead so those were safe in cyberspace. Phone contacts were restored through iCloud.
- Tapestry Singers concert! It was wonderful, if I say so myself. Since I was concert co-coordinator I was grateful all the logistics went rather smoothly. A great committee makes a world of difference. This year we added colorful scarves to the basic black and we added a Scarf Diva to the concert committee. Well done, Sonya! Excellent conducting Jenn Goodner; sound by Tom Johnson of AltaVistaRecording.com. We eagerly await the polished recording. Already we enjoyed watching the video of the concert at our after-party. It was fun to sing our favorite parts again and to laugh at our missteps. (Literally: Mary missed a step and fell, though she is just fine.) Musical mistakes are not nearly so noticeable in the video as they had loomed in our minds!
- Tapestry Singers were joined beautifully by Westlake High School’s Chamber Women’s Choir, also directed by Jenn Goodner; and the Westlake Middle School Choir, directed by our accompanist Andrea Snouffer. Each choir sang one song and they all came up for the encore. Over 100 voices sang another favorite, “For Good,” from the musical Wicked. (“Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, but … because I knew you … I have been changed … for good.”)
- More shopping! I had borrowed Madeleine’s new skirt for the concert and decided I liked it well enough to get one of my own. The ruffles make it swing nicely. I also found a crocheted top that will look great over a camisole.
- The Bakery Jam! We topped off Madeleine’s visit with my weekly musical jam. It was something of a house-warming, too, in the newly remodeled home of one of the Jamsters. Sheryl was thrilled to have us fill her home with joy, laughter, and best of all, music.
- Up around 4am Monday morning to get to the airport in time for Security Follies. Even with a doctor’s note about her fake knee, she always has to be patted down :~) … Love and hugs as she goes away for a while. We are already planning our next get-together.
Now I’m just waiting to know she landed safely back in Columbus (she did). A wonderful week and new memories. Plus, I recorded her telling some family stories from long, long ago. Deviled eggs, pie and ice cream also made this week heavenly and special.
Two full days later and Jon and I are about to hit the road to visit friends in North Carolina. More travel tales await!
Mar30
An official departing milestone
Since today is March 30 it seems appropriate to mark one month remaining at Live Oak. My focus over the next weeks will be on three primary tasks: sermons, a class I’m teaching on listening ministry, and on transitions–passing on information and saying goodbye. Writing this letter two months ago was poignant for me, a little like ripping off a bandaid:
January 30, 2012
Dear Members of the Policy Committee,
As a formality pursuant to the congregational vote on November 13, 2011, I hereby resign my position as Minister of Congregational Life, effective April 30, 2012.
I very much appreciate your work this year in deciding on the best course of action for Live Oak. It has truly been a learning experience for all of us–an experience we might not have undertaken by choice but by circumstance.
Thank you for your support in multiple ways over the years–as well as the challenges that continue to shape me and my ministry. May you thrive in ways we we cannot yet imagine. I will brag on you at every opportunity!
Blessings,
Kathleen
KaleidoscopE 