Part of the daily view around here – either in the chair or on the piano bench or on the sofa.
I like it.
My sister sent me a huge box of my grandmother’s sheet music – a lot more than I expected! I haven’t opened it yet. I’m wondering where this was stored over the years. I don’t remember seeing it and I’m the one who took lessons and inherited her piano. Maybe it was in storage at her house? Anyway, this morning I’m going to open it and tomorrow I’ll share what I found with you.
Maybe it will inspire me to get the piano tuned. It needs it – I know that because I played a bit the other day and cringed at the sound.
It’s sunny today and really, really cold. I’m sorry, isn’t it almost April 1st? For the last couple of nights we haven’t heard the peepers. They don’t call out when it’s this cold. Though I did hear the bullfrog. Another cold night tonight and then it should gradually get warmer. Can we stay in spring now?
I started reading this beautiful novel yesterday. I purchased it on a visit to Books are Magic in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn. It’s on the shorter side – 278 pages long – and I’m already entranced. As you know, I love Powers’ writing. He has the ability to talk very technically about the universe, or nature, or space, or mathematics and science, or music and make sense of it – especially to this reader. He manages to do all of that and write a work of fiction with beautifully written characters and an engaging plot.
I find his mind utterly fascinating.
My back is getting better. It’s at its worst first thing in the morning but I am recovering from the initial pain much more quickly and the rest of the day I feel fine. I’m still careful, of course. For example, I want to start painting in oils again and the best place, really the only place, to do that is at the kitchen table. I want to bring my easel downstairs, along with all my supplies. But first, I have to add pillows to the chair so that I can use the easel without aggravating my back.
It’s cold today, too cold to work outside (which I probably wouldn’t do anyway) and, though I’m reading a lot these days, I need to do something else – like painting. Egg cup? If so, which one? I’m pondering.
I’ve closed comments and deleted yesterday’s post. I got a comment from someone that’s never been here before accusing me of being racist, which couldn’t be further from the truth. If my husband, who is white, had done that, I would have said the same thing. If anyone of any ethnicity or race or color had done that, I would have said the same thing. I know and have witnessed that same kind of violence in white men and have spoken out about it on this blog. I have no patience for people who don’t know me, but have no problem attacking me based on my having an opinion that never once mentioned his color. It wasn’t about that. I don’t need trolls coming after me.
Anyway, we will now move on.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
The sheet music should be fun to go through. Lots of reading here lately and trying to rest the back and get over allergies. Always something it seems. Hugs!
I threw a lot of it out because it was shredding in my hands. But some of it is lovely and some of it has my grandmother’s maiden name written on the cover in pencil.
Stay safe, Linda.
So sad that these trolls have no life !!!
Agree, Dawn.
Stay safe.
Totally agree. Life is too short to dwell on or with trolls. With you, Dawn & Claudia, all the way! xoxo
Thank you, Martha.
Stay safe.
This is why I have no social media
People take things the wrong way and berate others
I read a few blogs and that is it
I started your because of your book reviews and enjoy it
That is sad
I often warned my students that they should stick to subjects that are safe…maybe not good advice but employers check social media before hiring.
Even in my texts and emails and my column I avoid issues
Sorry I am too old for the arguments of others.
Sorry this happened to you but wise to take down the response
Thanks, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Adios trolls. Good riddance.
Indeed!
Stay safe, Chris.
Jeez, I commented a lot yesterday, in reaction to what I witnessed of ‘the incident’ on the TV program while I was watching it in real time, and it was all over the news on every TV channel last night. The reason it all struck a nerve with me was because of the violence; behaviors. Am I not allowed to respond to something so startling? We get enough of violence in the current news headlines of war. Saturated with it. My goodness; my cousin is white, married to a man who is 100 percent Japanese, her kids by another husband are half Latino and one of them, her blonde-haired son, is marrying a black woman in June who is being welcomed into our family. Not a racist to be found.
Indeed, move on.
So glad your back is slowly getting better, Claudia; just in time for spring planting! We are lovely here in Southern Calif after a couple inches of rain yesterday for which we’d had none since December. Sunny and a clean/washed world (formerly dusty and dry) out there, 57 degrees, 9:30am PST. Grateful!
Bad behavior and violence are not to be tolerated – no matter who commits the act.
This sort of comment – by the person I’ve never heard of – is guilty of what that person is accusing me of.
Oh well. Nothing I can do, but pour out my heart to Don, which I did. It hurts me that someone would think that of me.
Stay safe – I’m glad you got some rain, Vicki!
Just like the Oscar episode of violence between two people that had absolutely NOTHING to do with race: When I pointedly, in terms of example, ‘describe’ my cousin as having blonde hair and marrying a beautiful woman with black skin, it has NOTHING to do with race: It’s about two young people falling in love; soulmates. Nothing else matters. Planning a long, happy life together. Nothing to do with color of eyes or skin or hair or how tall they are, if they’re lean or obese, if they wear eyeglasses or don’t, if one likes to read and the other doesn’t. What counts, and how they MUST be ‘described’, if they even HAVE to be described, is that they are good citizens of the world, they’re kind to animals and each other, they are hardworking and talented ‘kids’ who are responsible and reliable and creative and talented; they love their families and friends. They’re not Jack and Jill, a ‘mixed-race’ couple. They are A COUPLE. Leave the adjective to ‘couple’ out of it; it’s just words, and these two fine people who happily found each other, aren’t about words; they’re about JOY.
Okay, move on. Or you’ll have to delete this post, too.
I appreciate your thoughts, Vicki. I just read a very thought provoking take on the incident by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I quote “With a single petulant blow, he advocated violence, diminished women, insulted the entertainment industry, and perpetuated stereotypes about the Black community.” Interesting to hear his thoughts.
xo
VERY interesting to hear his thoughts; thanks for sharing his words. The man is so well-spoken ‘on the page’ and has written a ton of books. All thru my entire teens from the time I was actually a preteen, he was ‘huge’ in my neck ‘o the woods because he was such a star player for UCLA; he was known then as Lew Alcindor; I definitely remember his birth name from my youth. My dad was a basketball fan and dearly loved his ‘hometown’ college/pro (L.A.) teams (I’m not a sports enthusiast; but I think Kareem also played for the Lakers after UCLA); anyway, yeah, I’ve read that Kareem does pen some articulate, intelligent online commentary these days, as indicated by your quote. I can remember him advocating non-violence from years ago; it’s of course a tenet of his religion as well, to resolve conflict through peace.
xoxo
It will be so interesting to go through that music. My husband’s 89 year old brother recently gave my husband a large box full of sheet music, also. His family has always been musical, so there was a lot! His brother has his Masters in Piano Performance from the UW , many years ago, & hubs has his in Music Ed. Nearly 20 yrs apart in age, but that bond of music is so strong! It will be fun going through the box, I am sure!
So cold here, too, and quite dreary. Chance of snow showers tomorrow & Thurs. Way beyond tired of it.
Just “ugh” to the other. Take care.
I threw several pieces of music out because they were so old they were falling apart in my hands. But I did keep others – very happy to have the music with my grandmother’s maiden name carefully written in pencil on the cover.
I am so tired of the cold and the wind!
Thanks, Chris.
Stay safe.
Good grief. Don’t you hate trolls? I do. There was NOTHING wrong with your post. Just my opinion. But, probably good to take it down. Who needs the aggravation?
What a relief that your back is on the mend. If it stays cold long enough, you’ll be good to go for the garden. Oh dear — that’s a tough one, isn’t it? Very cold here, too. When I was on my breathing machine, I briefly opened the back door for natural light to read but it was so cold, even with the storm, I closed it quickly and settled for the artificial light. I’m dying to get some plants but I know it will be a long time before they can go in the ground.
I am tearing through “The Splendid and the Vile.” Now I want to go back to Netflix and find the Churchill doc I saw posted. Watched one on Acorn about Churchill and his paintings. He was so prolific as an artist. How he managed to do that with his career as well — beyond me. I’ve picked up the brushes again and doing some online workshops as well as my own stuff. It feels wonderful.
Enjoy the week!
How did he find time to paint, indeed? What an incredible man he was.
This cold weather needs to leave, please.
Thanks for your support, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I have my dad’s old music from his ‘big band’ days. He didn’t play in Glenn Miller’s band, but in a local Midwest band that traveled every weekend that played the big band sound. It’s a treasure to me…and he was really proud of that time in his life.
Glad to hear your back is doing better. Outside work is beckoning I’m sure, but it might be too early to do that. At least it is around here.
I’m sorry to hear about the troll…grrrrr. I personally saw nothing wrong with your post. And it’s unfortunate that there are people out there who would make such comments. I hope you can put it aside and enjoy your day! ;)
How wonderful that you have that music, Donnamae!
There wasn’t anything wrong with my post. He/she also said to me – and forgive me for the language, but I’m quoting: “filthy, racist bitch.”
Lovely, right?
I’ve blocked the email address now, as well.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
I did not see the incident (except on the news) because when the 2 host people came on without much to the tops of their dresses, I quickly changed the channel! Thankfully I still have my modesty at 75.
I’m so sorry to read that someone said such horrible and hateful words to you, Claudia, You are such a kind and caring person. You definitely don’t deserve that and it makes me so sad that anyone would think so. So many vicious people in the world these days…
Take Care,
Lily
So much anger and rage out there.
Thanks so much, Lily.
Stay safe.
I wonder how some people even find a blog like this to comment on? It is pretty clear to me what you are about and that’s why I’m here. If you don’t like the content move on. It is possible to have an unexpressed though no? Ah well. Sorry you have to deal with this. I do want to mention a competition show I have started to watch and can’t stop. It’s The Portrait Painter of the Year on Prime. It’s very unfair to put time constraints on artists but I’m totally amazed at the talent of folks. I am watching less tv in general but had to laugh at my husbands comment on my current taste in shows. “ so now your watching paint dry?” Yep I kind of am. Lol
Oh, this show sounds really interesting, Deb! It’s on Prime? I’m going to investigate it today. It sounds perfect!
Love your husband’s comment!
Thanks so much, Deb.
Stay safe.
So many people with so much rage and the ability to remain anonymous behind their keyboards…cowards!!
NY is finally starting a warm up by this weekend,Spring seems so far away during these dreary days
Stay safe,feel better!
Now we’re going to get rain and storms in NY, but it’s warmer out!
Stay safe, Pat.
Spring is creeping in and your back is healing. I will dwell on the good. We should treat one another in a polite manner, The internet is a blessing and a curse. I attempt to never say anything behind a screen that I would not say to a person if they were a guest in my home, As a stranger would I come into your home and pass judgement on you…I think not. I appreciate the opportunity to share viewpoints and books . Keep it a polite place Claudia Thanks so much . I wrote a lengthy rambling post then realized I was part of the problem not part of the solution . I then edited to express my appreciation .BTW I am going to do a search for the book you are reading Sounds like my cup of tea
Bless you for being positive, Patricia. Thank you.
Stay safe.
I am glad your back is getting better. I am having trouble with mine and need to get it figured out soon before we travel.
Will Smith was wrong. He said he was wrong. People of all colors said he was wrong. Let’s hope he uses his mistake to promote non violence. I was a little surprised at Jada’s reaction. It was almost as if she approved.
I know. I was surprised, too.
Thanks for the support, Kay.
Stay safe.