Thursday, April 25, 2013

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment." ~Ellis Peters

Milky white dogwoods in bloom

Not sure what kind of bush this is, but it's lovely!


A quiet lane is a lovely place...

Fading light in the northern hills of Georgia

A tree blossom (apple, maybe?)

All is green and lovely!
It's that time of year when there is so much new life and new beauty to behold that it seems as if, like what Ellis Peter's said "every spring is the only spring." This season is certainly my favorite out of all four, though I love each one in its own way.

It's also a favorite season because that means the spring semester is drawing to a close. This upcoming week will wrap up a few finals and a violin studio recital. Then later in the week I'll start the drive homeward, where my family has been (what seems like) buried in snow this season! Would apprecitate prayer for endurance physically, mentally, emotionally, and for safe travels also.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Desiderata

After the Aural Skills II students did their "rhythm performances" (Takadimi system in compound meter, anyone???) our professor gave us a lovely lecture that detoured from music, chord functions, melodic and rhythmic dictation.

She brought up a poem that was apparently found on an old church wall several decades ago, and read it to us. It was so beautiful that I almost got choked up. Glean what you can, as I did, and be blessed:

[The pecan trees behind the music building have been in full bloom this week]

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

--Max Ehrmann

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Housekeeping

Spring break in Michigan was wonderful. The time to rest, relax, laugh, shop, practice (a musician cannot leave her instruments!), sort through old family photos, tell stories, and so much more was exactly what I needed.
 

There were at least three days that Grandma and I went out antique shopping. Grandma found a few things, but then realized she had to make room for them in her dining room hutch. She pulled out a couple pieces that she hasn't used in awhile. She bought them from an older neighbor lady several years ago who said they were her grandmothers.

"They can be yours when you set up housekeeping," Grandma said. She has already handed me a few other things and they are indeed very special.

This fall it seems as though I'll be setting up house with a few other music friends by way of splitting an apartment or house in town. We are quite excited, and my domestic side is wanting to kick into high gear already. :)