Sort of took it easy today, by Chautauqua standards. Did not stay for the sermon after we sang in church. .helped the choir manager sort music back into numerical order. I don't know why I love doing stuff like that so much. Making order out of disorder. Considering my lifelong challenge with keeping my living space picked up. I also like unraveling knotted yarn or string. I guess it's because it is so obvious the steps to take to do these tasks. With everyday organizing, I just don't know how to get started. Or maybe I just don't want to do it. Oh well. . . I digress!
Did go to the lecture which was Dr. Evelyn Gates of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. She has a personal interest in matters of outer space. Her talk was accompanied by slides (okay. . .Powerpoint) and was very interesting to see. But I have never liked science. I'm curious about just about everything else in the world, but science leaves me cold. I don't get it, and frankly, I don't want to. I guess it's a good thing that my dad talked me out of nursing and into music!!
Went to an organ recital at 12:15. This is a weekly recital on a smaller tracker action organ in one of the climate controlled buildings on the grounds. I always enjoy hearing Jared, our choir director and organist extraordinaire play. Sometimes my fingers and feet just can't stay still in the process.
I moseyed (I hardly ever mosey around here) back to my room, stopping along the way to chat with several friends. Changed into my workout clothes and went to the gym. I chose the main gym because their showers have hairdryers. And really, it was time for my hair to do what it was supposed to. However, humidity such that it really didn't matter. But I got a really good workout in.
On the way back I ran into Joe Holt and his partner Paco. Joe was the associate musical director of the Choral Arts Society. Gifted musician, concert pianist, and choir director. He retired from the Army Band Chorus as accompanist and solo pianist, and thus retired from Choral Arts as well. He now lives and works with a choir in Sarasota, Florida. But what a treat to see him up here!
Dashed into the spa and was squeezed in for a pedicure. A big splurge with all my "people" needing to be paid back at home. But it was glorious and the toes look smashing, which is after all, very important.
Choir practice at 7:00. We sang in quartets.. . that is, instead of all the altos sitting together as usual, we sang all mixed up. Challenging and lots of fun.
Joined Joe and Paco at the orchestra concert tonight. Grieg Piano Concerto and I could see Joe's hands moving around as he listened to this wonderful artist play a piece that I know he has played many times. I've been invited back to the house where they are staying after the Thursday night concert.
And it's time for bed!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sacred Spaces Day 2
This morning all 5,000 people who packed the AMP were treated to the velvet voice and thoughtful perspective of Ken Burns. The 30 minute film he showed is not new, but rather the 2nd part of a 3 part film he shot awhile back about his friend, philosopher William Segal who died in recent years at the age of 95. On Wednesday night he will have an evening presentation about battle fields as sacred spaces. David McCullough, when he was here last year, said that more people learn history from Ken Burns than in any other way. He is so delightful to hear, and he has been spotted walking the grounds with his family. As an aside, this unbearably young-looking man who is over 50 has a daughter who is expecting Ken's first grandchild in December, not to be outdone by his wife who is due in October. As he said, "Yes, there is much in production in my family."
I finished The Lost City of Z last night in the nick of time to attend the book review given at noon followed by a book discussion. Here's how you know it's Chautauqua. . . you go to a book discussion with 40 people present, and well over a quarter of them have been to the Amazon!!!!! And a couple more are going in the next year. I pretty much kept my mouth shut ( I know, I know. . . but it wasn't that hard since I knew I would probably humiliate myself) and just listened. What a crowd we have up here.
Heard the afternoon lecture by a Muslim gentleman who is director of Islamic studies at Stanford University. The afternoon topic this week is the Sacred Space that is Jerusalem as seen from all perspectives. Very insightful.
I'd like to give a big shout out to my new 3 dollar lawn chair which I got at the flea market. It has been named "most valuable possession" since I got it. Now I sit comfortably at afternoon events. This can be a problem if I don't also have my iced coffee after lunch (made in my $1 coffee carafe from the same flea market) as I tend to succumb as one of the many who need to drift off after lunch. I had iced coffee today and still needed a nap after the lecture. But now I'm ready to go again. I'm such an old lady!!
My main objective for the rest of the day is to attend the piano recital given by the winner and runner-up of the annual piano competition. The winner pocketed $7500 so this is no small deal.
Also am communicating fast and furiously with realtor Ed who is in charge of the homefront. He's supervising the burning of brush, weeding of driveway, cleaning of house, negotiating the mold issue in the crawl space of the new house (YIKES!!), and pretty much anything else that needs doing. He will have earned his commission by the time this is all over. Off to the post office and looking forward to homemade stuffed peppers from the farmer's market for dinner. It's a tough life but someone's got to live it!
I finished The Lost City of Z last night in the nick of time to attend the book review given at noon followed by a book discussion. Here's how you know it's Chautauqua. . . you go to a book discussion with 40 people present, and well over a quarter of them have been to the Amazon!!!!! And a couple more are going in the next year. I pretty much kept my mouth shut ( I know, I know. . . but it wasn't that hard since I knew I would probably humiliate myself) and just listened. What a crowd we have up here.
Heard the afternoon lecture by a Muslim gentleman who is director of Islamic studies at Stanford University. The afternoon topic this week is the Sacred Space that is Jerusalem as seen from all perspectives. Very insightful.
I'd like to give a big shout out to my new 3 dollar lawn chair which I got at the flea market. It has been named "most valuable possession" since I got it. Now I sit comfortably at afternoon events. This can be a problem if I don't also have my iced coffee after lunch (made in my $1 coffee carafe from the same flea market) as I tend to succumb as one of the many who need to drift off after lunch. I had iced coffee today and still needed a nap after the lecture. But now I'm ready to go again. I'm such an old lady!!
My main objective for the rest of the day is to attend the piano recital given by the winner and runner-up of the annual piano competition. The winner pocketed $7500 so this is no small deal.
Also am communicating fast and furiously with realtor Ed who is in charge of the homefront. He's supervising the burning of brush, weeding of driveway, cleaning of house, negotiating the mold issue in the crawl space of the new house (YIKES!!), and pretty much anything else that needs doing. He will have earned his commission by the time this is all over. Off to the post office and looking forward to homemade stuffed peppers from the farmer's market for dinner. It's a tough life but someone's got to live it!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Week 7 begins
I know it isn't rocket science, but I now fully appreciate the "heat" component of hair dryers. Having forgotten mine, and needing a shower and hair wash after working out at the gym today, I used the fan in my room to dry my very fine, easily dried hair. And my hair looks like. . . . well it looks like I've been sitting in front of a fan. . . .which is to say NOT GOOD. Oh well. I'm not up here to attract hot guys. . . .at least I'm not now! But it feels good to be exercised and clean. Luckily there are very few mirrors around here.
The theme for the coming week is Sacred Spaces and already it promises to be a popular topic. Hardly a vacancy anywhere on the grounds I'm told. The book for the week which I am about finished with is The Lost City of Z, about the search for the mythical city which the explorer Percy Fawcett searched for many times in the early 20th century, eventually disappearing in the quest. It is not a book I would have chosen for myself. As I tend to read while eating, this is not the book for that unless you have an iron stomach. Luckily for me I have an iron stomach. But if ever there was a book to convince me that traipsing around in the Amazon jungle is not for me. . .this is it. I don't even like traipsing around in my own woods during mosquito and tick season. The fact that men (women were too smart to do this) would go into the jungle, suffer every kind of disease, animal infestation, maggots, cannibalistic native attacks, gargantuan snakes, pirhanas, starvation, dysentery, deaths of friends, and then come out and decide to go again is just something around which my brain cannot wrap!!!!
Tomorrow's lecturer is non other than Ken Burns, whom I saw last year. He will give the lecture tomorrow which will include a new 30 minute film he has made, and then Wednesday night will be An Evening With Ken Burns program in the AMP. So it's possible that we will see him around the grounds between engagements. I'm guessing if he sees me, he will not recognize me from last year. Especially with this hair!!!
Our Sacred Song Service tonight promises to be meaningful. I love the music we are doing, and I think we can actually sing most of it. It will involve a ceremony linking the various religious groups: Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. I'm a big fan of tolerance and acceptance and am looking forward to this program tonight.
My parents' friend, the Dutys and their daughter Jean are here so that will make the next two weeks special as well. Weather gorgeous. Life. . . exceedingly good.
The theme for the coming week is Sacred Spaces and already it promises to be a popular topic. Hardly a vacancy anywhere on the grounds I'm told. The book for the week which I am about finished with is The Lost City of Z, about the search for the mythical city which the explorer Percy Fawcett searched for many times in the early 20th century, eventually disappearing in the quest. It is not a book I would have chosen for myself. As I tend to read while eating, this is not the book for that unless you have an iron stomach. Luckily for me I have an iron stomach. But if ever there was a book to convince me that traipsing around in the Amazon jungle is not for me. . .this is it. I don't even like traipsing around in my own woods during mosquito and tick season. The fact that men (women were too smart to do this) would go into the jungle, suffer every kind of disease, animal infestation, maggots, cannibalistic native attacks, gargantuan snakes, pirhanas, starvation, dysentery, deaths of friends, and then come out and decide to go again is just something around which my brain cannot wrap!!!!
Tomorrow's lecturer is non other than Ken Burns, whom I saw last year. He will give the lecture tomorrow which will include a new 30 minute film he has made, and then Wednesday night will be An Evening With Ken Burns program in the AMP. So it's possible that we will see him around the grounds between engagements. I'm guessing if he sees me, he will not recognize me from last year. Especially with this hair!!!
Our Sacred Song Service tonight promises to be meaningful. I love the music we are doing, and I think we can actually sing most of it. It will involve a ceremony linking the various religious groups: Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. I'm a big fan of tolerance and acceptance and am looking forward to this program tonight.
My parents' friend, the Dutys and their daughter Jean are here so that will make the next two weeks special as well. Weather gorgeous. Life. . . exceedingly good.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Settling In
I'm sitting on the floor of the porch outside my room because that is the only place I can get internet. It's so dark I can't really see the keyboard. I think I'll blog in the daytime from now on!
I feel like I'm settling in now. I moved from my 3rd floor temporary room to my 2nd floor home for the next 3 weeks. This room is huge in comparison. A double bed AND a twin bed. Farther from the bathroom though.
Saturdays are characterized by a flurry of activity in the morning as weekly people meet the deadline for leaving. Then the quiet of mid-day. And then at 3:00 the new people arrive. It's fun to be here on a Saturday and not be checking in or out.
I got up and drove first thing to Mayville to the grocery (as opposed to going 25 minutes to Jamestown to Wegmans). Just needed a few things. Bought my paper and planned my day while I had breakfast.
At 10 I ran my errands. Stopped by next year's condo to get the payment envelopes. My landlady for next year, Anne, was putting up a curtain valance in what will be my apartment and asked my advice since it will be my home next year. I'm really looking forward to living in this space! And I don't give a rat's patootie what color valance is on the window!
Went to retrieve my gym pass from my friend Deloras who I loaned it to while I was gone. Stopped by the DOC house where I stayed during weeks 1 and 2 to see Betty and David, the hosts, and two of my favorite people on the planet. After all that reconnection I feel completely grounded here again.
Went to one hour's worth of the finals of the annual piano competition. Heard two gifted young piano players who were required to play 30 minutes of the music of either/or Schumann and Chopin. This year is the bicentennial for both composers. What exquisite playing. If my dad were sitting next to me when each player was finished, he and I would have turned to each other and said in unison, "He sure can render!" This is a line from the old Andy Griffith television show during the episodes where Briscoe Darling and his family played jug band in the jail. They were priceless . . . and Briscoe used to say of Andy's playing, "Sheriff, you sure can render." My dad and I loved that line and used it in many situations.
At 3:00 I went to the Contemporary Issues lecture and heard a wonderful talk about stem cell research. After dinner I had choir and then the orchestra pops concert featuring the resident opera company doing the music of Lerner and Loewe. Fabulous.
Happy to be in my little home for the next three weeks. NOw if I only had a hairdryer. . . . .
I feel like I'm settling in now. I moved from my 3rd floor temporary room to my 2nd floor home for the next 3 weeks. This room is huge in comparison. A double bed AND a twin bed. Farther from the bathroom though.
Saturdays are characterized by a flurry of activity in the morning as weekly people meet the deadline for leaving. Then the quiet of mid-day. And then at 3:00 the new people arrive. It's fun to be here on a Saturday and not be checking in or out.
I got up and drove first thing to Mayville to the grocery (as opposed to going 25 minutes to Jamestown to Wegmans). Just needed a few things. Bought my paper and planned my day while I had breakfast.
At 10 I ran my errands. Stopped by next year's condo to get the payment envelopes. My landlady for next year, Anne, was putting up a curtain valance in what will be my apartment and asked my advice since it will be my home next year. I'm really looking forward to living in this space! And I don't give a rat's patootie what color valance is on the window!
Went to retrieve my gym pass from my friend Deloras who I loaned it to while I was gone. Stopped by the DOC house where I stayed during weeks 1 and 2 to see Betty and David, the hosts, and two of my favorite people on the planet. After all that reconnection I feel completely grounded here again.
Went to one hour's worth of the finals of the annual piano competition. Heard two gifted young piano players who were required to play 30 minutes of the music of either/or Schumann and Chopin. This year is the bicentennial for both composers. What exquisite playing. If my dad were sitting next to me when each player was finished, he and I would have turned to each other and said in unison, "He sure can render!" This is a line from the old Andy Griffith television show during the episodes where Briscoe Darling and his family played jug band in the jail. They were priceless . . . and Briscoe used to say of Andy's playing, "Sheriff, you sure can render." My dad and I loved that line and used it in many situations.
At 3:00 I went to the Contemporary Issues lecture and heard a wonderful talk about stem cell research. After dinner I had choir and then the orchestra pops concert featuring the resident opera company doing the music of Lerner and Loewe. Fabulous.
Happy to be in my little home for the next three weeks. NOw if I only had a hairdryer. . . . .
Friday, August 6, 2010
Later that night
Well, I've learned a valuable lesson today. Do not mention famous people by name, and if you are going to do it, do not malign them in any way because people who are googling their names will find your blog and post rude remarks.
So, to recap, I did end up skipping the concert by the two artists who shall remain nameless. However, there was a huge crowd, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the presentation.
I went to see The Last Station, a movie about the final years in the life of Tolstoy. Great cast and beautifully filmed.
I would advise anyone against trying to pack for a three week absence at the same time you are trying to get a house ready to show. I have discovered that I'm up here without a hair dryer and my special pillow. I can live without the hair dryer, and I guess I'll have to live without the memory foam neck supporting pillow as well because there is no store for miles with that item. The book store definitely does not have it.
But I went to the flea market today and bought a coffee maker carafe so that I can make my own iced coffee every day, thereby saving the cost of a Starbucks every afternoon so that I can stay awake. Also found a folding lawn chair for three dollars and took it to the 2:00 lecture. So much more comfortable than the historic, straight backed wooden benches in the open air Hall of Philosophy.
This was the end of the week concerning the state of public education and both presentations I saw were excellent. There is not much good news in this field right now, and the remark was made that it was a depressing week, especially for a large state with lots of cowboys on the gulf of Mexico which shall remain nameless in case any of its residents find this blog and decide to comment. But apparently this particular state has more educational issues than the others. I'm just delivering the message. . . . .
Also saw a concert of opera scenes at, where else, the opera house. I missed the big operatic productions this year which were held the weeks I was gone. But these were great.
Two pieces of good news. . .the weather is very cool. Sweatshirts appropriate for after dark. I love it when it is like this. Also, tomorrow morning I switch from my two night temporary room on the third floor, to my home for the next three weeks which will be on the second floor. These rooms are about twice as big as the one I ended up in last time. Kind of like a double nun's cell! (I hope the nuns don't google themselves and then post rude remarks on my blog.)
So to bed. Maybe Wegman's tomorrow. I need grapefruit juice!
So, to recap, I did end up skipping the concert by the two artists who shall remain nameless. However, there was a huge crowd, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the presentation.
I went to see The Last Station, a movie about the final years in the life of Tolstoy. Great cast and beautifully filmed.
I would advise anyone against trying to pack for a three week absence at the same time you are trying to get a house ready to show. I have discovered that I'm up here without a hair dryer and my special pillow. I can live without the hair dryer, and I guess I'll have to live without the memory foam neck supporting pillow as well because there is no store for miles with that item. The book store definitely does not have it.
But I went to the flea market today and bought a coffee maker carafe so that I can make my own iced coffee every day, thereby saving the cost of a Starbucks every afternoon so that I can stay awake. Also found a folding lawn chair for three dollars and took it to the 2:00 lecture. So much more comfortable than the historic, straight backed wooden benches in the open air Hall of Philosophy.
This was the end of the week concerning the state of public education and both presentations I saw were excellent. There is not much good news in this field right now, and the remark was made that it was a depressing week, especially for a large state with lots of cowboys on the gulf of Mexico which shall remain nameless in case any of its residents find this blog and decide to comment. But apparently this particular state has more educational issues than the others. I'm just delivering the message. . . . .
Also saw a concert of opera scenes at, where else, the opera house. I missed the big operatic productions this year which were held the weeks I was gone. But these were great.
Two pieces of good news. . .the weather is very cool. Sweatshirts appropriate for after dark. I love it when it is like this. Also, tomorrow morning I switch from my two night temporary room on the third floor, to my home for the next three weeks which will be on the second floor. These rooms are about twice as big as the one I ended up in last time. Kind of like a double nun's cell! (I hope the nuns don't google themselves and then post rude remarks on my blog.)
So to bed. Maybe Wegman's tomorrow. I need grapefruit juice!
Breaking with tradition
Well, I've decided I just might not blog every night because this internet thing is again an issue, and I may use times during the day when I can get through. Or maybe I'll write more than once a day. Or maybe I'll skip a day! I'm just a loose cannon blog-wise right now. I could do ANYTHING!!!
It's Friday morning after church. The weekly choir breakfast was this morning. Pretty cheeky of me to turn up for the first time on breakfast day. I actually ate their breakfast which is usually some form of cheesy potatoes made by choir members. Most of the time I eat breakfast and then turn up for sparkling conversation. But I haven't made my Wegman's run yet.
However, I have made my first farmer's market visit at 7:30 this morning. On the way I bumped into Bill Duty. . . the now 92 year old gentleman who used to be good friends with my dad. He and his wife Phyllis (age 89 I think) originally told me about Chautauqua years ago. They still drive up from Kentucky or Florida every summer. This summer as they were driving in they hit a fierce storm which spawned a tornado not 20 miles from where they were. Yikes. My worst fear and they sailed through it. Maybe that's why he's a spry, active 92?????
Anyway. . .farmer's market. Got salad stuff, a piece of veggie pizza, a quart of red lentil soup, and a container of homemade 4 bean salad. Should do me for a few days of lunch and dinner until I get to Wegmans. We have farmer's market every morning but Sunday. How cool is that?
When I got in yesterday I realized that I had made it in time to catch the Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard show which is tonight. For those of you out of the loop. . . these are American Idol winners from several years ago. This is back when I was watching American Idol. Well, I was going to go for sure. But this morning in choir our director told us that the AMP was going to be really busy today because of all the special demands being made by these two B level artists. . . special furniture and lamps for the dressing rooms, loads of snacks and drinks. I know this is common practice for celebrities, but it has made me decide to go to the movie I wanted to see tonight instead. Give me a break. . . you're going to be here for one afternoon and one concert. You don't need special furniture. Stay on your 8 million dollar bus between rehearsals. Or better yet. . . get out and walk these gorgeous grounds. And while you're at it, remember Rule #6: Don't take yourself so frikkin' seriously.
Well, now that I've ranted about that, I feel cleansed for the day ahead. I may write tonight. I don't know. The theme for this past week has been Public Education so I'm anxious to hear the final lecture today and maybe even the 2:00 lecture as well which will feature a panel of urban principals. Leave it to Chautauqua to tackle the very real issues about American Education. Ciao!
It's Friday morning after church. The weekly choir breakfast was this morning. Pretty cheeky of me to turn up for the first time on breakfast day. I actually ate their breakfast which is usually some form of cheesy potatoes made by choir members. Most of the time I eat breakfast and then turn up for sparkling conversation. But I haven't made my Wegman's run yet.
However, I have made my first farmer's market visit at 7:30 this morning. On the way I bumped into Bill Duty. . . the now 92 year old gentleman who used to be good friends with my dad. He and his wife Phyllis (age 89 I think) originally told me about Chautauqua years ago. They still drive up from Kentucky or Florida every summer. This summer as they were driving in they hit a fierce storm which spawned a tornado not 20 miles from where they were. Yikes. My worst fear and they sailed through it. Maybe that's why he's a spry, active 92?????
Anyway. . .farmer's market. Got salad stuff, a piece of veggie pizza, a quart of red lentil soup, and a container of homemade 4 bean salad. Should do me for a few days of lunch and dinner until I get to Wegmans. We have farmer's market every morning but Sunday. How cool is that?
When I got in yesterday I realized that I had made it in time to catch the Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard show which is tonight. For those of you out of the loop. . . these are American Idol winners from several years ago. This is back when I was watching American Idol. Well, I was going to go for sure. But this morning in choir our director told us that the AMP was going to be really busy today because of all the special demands being made by these two B level artists. . . special furniture and lamps for the dressing rooms, loads of snacks and drinks. I know this is common practice for celebrities, but it has made me decide to go to the movie I wanted to see tonight instead. Give me a break. . . you're going to be here for one afternoon and one concert. You don't need special furniture. Stay on your 8 million dollar bus between rehearsals. Or better yet. . . get out and walk these gorgeous grounds. And while you're at it, remember Rule #6: Don't take yourself so frikkin' seriously.
Well, now that I've ranted about that, I feel cleansed for the day ahead. I may write tonight. I don't know. The theme for this past week has been Public Education so I'm anxious to hear the final lecture today and maybe even the 2:00 lecture as well which will feature a panel of urban principals. Leave it to Chautauqua to tackle the very real issues about American Education. Ciao!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
ACT 2 - Chautauqua revisited 2010
I'm baaaaaaaack!!
I may be having internet difficulties here like I did last year. So I shall try to get this out for all of you who have been worried sick all day that I was out on the cruel highway. . . . . .Yea, I know.
Big shout out to the Temptations Cafe in Berkeley Springs, West Virgina. I love great routines and today I established a new one because and for the second time this summer, I left home around 6 am and got to the Temptations Cafe around 9 for breakfast. This restaurant has the good sense to offer real food, prepared from scratch, using mostly local products. This is pretty much the only kind of establishment I bother with anymore if possible. I had the most scrumptious Summer Harvest Omlet. . . eggs, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. Oh my. I eschewed the grits or hash browns and Gary the waiter brought me instead the most delicious wheat toast. . bread made from scratch at the restaurant. And bottomless coffee with a cup to take on the road. That is pretty much what kept me coherent on the drive.
I lost some sleep this week due to the fact that I bought a house. Yes, this is true. A tiny little cottage that will require a complete gut job to turn it into the small residence of my dream. Great lot, right across the street from my gym. Perfect in every way. . . . particularly when the rennovation is done. Of course that cannot start until I sell house #1 - I bit the bullet and listed with realtor Ed who will also be my builder for the next project. Hopefully this makes him highly motivated to get the house sold. Also new this week, yard workers par excellence. . . Fred and Richard. They work like fiends and have already transformed my jungle like existence to a tame, trimmed showcase. I also have Barbara and Christine who are cleaning my house while I'm gone prior to listing. Wow. . . I have PEOPLE! Like. . . I'll have my people call your people. What fun!
I also had a memorable time working at the Wintergreen Music Festival for the last three weeks. I squired around visiting artists: a tv chef from Austria, an Austrian painter/composer/musician named Wolfgang who was terrific. I also helped two other interns hang and art show. . . oil paintings from the Austrian Embassy. Do I know how to do this??? Absolutely not. Did I help do it. Yes!
So coming back up here was a little wild today. My heart felt still back in Nelson. But after the sweaty moving in process and a bit of dinner. . . .I got to go to my choir rehearsal. Heaven. We sing the Faure Requiem next week and we got a head start on it tonight. One of my very favorites. And I saw a wonderful orchestra concert - Beethoven overture, Haydn Cello Concerto, and Schumann's Rhenish Symphony. All viewed by me from the choir loft where I could look right over the orchestra's shoulders into the face of the conductor. Two very heavy rains already, but we've gone from warm and humid to cool and fresh. Ahhhhhhh! Should be a great three weeks!
I may be having internet difficulties here like I did last year. So I shall try to get this out for all of you who have been worried sick all day that I was out on the cruel highway. . . . . .Yea, I know.
Big shout out to the Temptations Cafe in Berkeley Springs, West Virgina. I love great routines and today I established a new one because and for the second time this summer, I left home around 6 am and got to the Temptations Cafe around 9 for breakfast. This restaurant has the good sense to offer real food, prepared from scratch, using mostly local products. This is pretty much the only kind of establishment I bother with anymore if possible. I had the most scrumptious Summer Harvest Omlet. . . eggs, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. Oh my. I eschewed the grits or hash browns and Gary the waiter brought me instead the most delicious wheat toast. . bread made from scratch at the restaurant. And bottomless coffee with a cup to take on the road. That is pretty much what kept me coherent on the drive.
I lost some sleep this week due to the fact that I bought a house. Yes, this is true. A tiny little cottage that will require a complete gut job to turn it into the small residence of my dream. Great lot, right across the street from my gym. Perfect in every way. . . . particularly when the rennovation is done. Of course that cannot start until I sell house #1 - I bit the bullet and listed with realtor Ed who will also be my builder for the next project. Hopefully this makes him highly motivated to get the house sold. Also new this week, yard workers par excellence. . . Fred and Richard. They work like fiends and have already transformed my jungle like existence to a tame, trimmed showcase. I also have Barbara and Christine who are cleaning my house while I'm gone prior to listing. Wow. . . I have PEOPLE! Like. . . I'll have my people call your people. What fun!
I also had a memorable time working at the Wintergreen Music Festival for the last three weeks. I squired around visiting artists: a tv chef from Austria, an Austrian painter/composer/musician named Wolfgang who was terrific. I also helped two other interns hang and art show. . . oil paintings from the Austrian Embassy. Do I know how to do this??? Absolutely not. Did I help do it. Yes!
So coming back up here was a little wild today. My heart felt still back in Nelson. But after the sweaty moving in process and a bit of dinner. . . .I got to go to my choir rehearsal. Heaven. We sing the Faure Requiem next week and we got a head start on it tonight. One of my very favorites. And I saw a wonderful orchestra concert - Beethoven overture, Haydn Cello Concerto, and Schumann's Rhenish Symphony. All viewed by me from the choir loft where I could look right over the orchestra's shoulders into the face of the conductor. Two very heavy rains already, but we've gone from warm and humid to cool and fresh. Ahhhhhhh! Should be a great three weeks!
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