Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

Thanks Continued

Tonight I find myself so happy to have married John's family when I married John!

Be well, Friends.

English Retreads, etc!

Hello and Happy Nearly-Next Year, Everyone!

First a quick note especially for those of you who were with us at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Art) yesterday to see me drooling over the $209 bag I successfully talked myself out of buying:  The manufacturer was English Retreads, and the company just gets cooler!  This is a company (an artist, really - Heather English is her name) making amazingly beautiful handbags, totes, and a few accessories out of recycled inner tubes!  Actually talking myself out of buying a $209 bag wasn't difficult, but I was smitten.  So...  John helped me remember the name of the website, and I'm still smitten.  So much so that I just ordered a different bag from the same company (but off of Ebags.com for slightly less $$)!  The pic is the "Coupe" bag that I just ordered!

We had a great (and exhausting!) day at the DIA yesterday with John's family!  The DIA might be mildly disappointed to know that my favorite experience of the day was walking into the "great hall" of the museum that was hung with thousands (at least - I can't imagine how many there really were) of tiny mirrored discs on nylon string.  The effect was breathtaking - sparkly, shimmery circles all the way to the ceiling - a little like being under water and in space at the same time.

Tonight is New Year's Eve, of course - and I'm going to be working my first NYEve show at the club.  Some of you will appreciate that part of the job tonight (for someone - hopefully several of my brave and experienced volunteers!) will be corking about 6 dozen bottles of champagne.  The rest of you will appreciate knowing that I am TERRIFIED of champagne corks!  I'm also thrilled with the fact that there's a winter storm watch for tonight with 5-8 inches of snow predicted.  Whee...  driving home after midnight on New Year's Eve in the snow AND with merrymakers on the road?!?

All will be fine and I will be careful, but I sure won't be overly calm.

And so I end this year filled with gratitude and happiness.  Work is exactly where I should be (even on a stressful day), and Home is even more exactly where I should be.  Family are ever-present in our lives, music is ever-engaging, and Scrabble is ever-challenging.  To my Husband: I love you! 

In the new year I aim for perhaps a move of our home into Ann Arbor, a LOT of collaging that has been neglected these last several months, continued growth and focus at work, and better sleep! 

Happiest end of this year to You, Friends.  I'll see you in the New Year, we'll elect a new president (!), we'll have plenty of good times (regardless of the new president's identity), and I'll continue to report on the silly and sometimes pointless points of my life here.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other!

Dialog with Myself

Hello and Welcome, Friends!  I'll try to make this shorter than the long-and-rambling thoughts that are in my head, but here's a bit of my inner dialog.

Every year at this time I find myself knee-deep in vats of thought about Christmas, religion, children, and specific to all of those bits - the sacred text of music (especially choral).  As a singer (solo, church, choral, collegiate, etc) I have sung countless pieces of music with sacred text.  As a spiritual but perhaps-not-very-religious liberal individual, I can think and talk for hours on end about the texts, the poems, the religious images, and all the other bits and pieces that go with them.  The shortest version of my thoughts I can offer comes from a writing I did a few years ago for a Masterworks newsletter: 

"As for the larger world... I can't donate even close to what I would consider to be an appropriate amount of money.  I can, however, sing.  I can gather with folks from several walks of life and create glorious sound where there didn't used to be any.  I can focus on the text, dissect its meaning, and choose the interpretation that speaks to me."  That's it, really.

Christmas speaks to me and "gets me" for the child connection.  Here are two bits of text that resonate with me:

(From "Christmas-tide," poetry by Janet Lewis set to choral arrangement by Bob Chilcott - regarding Mary's love for Jesus)  "And did she love Him more because an angel came to prophesy His name?  Ah no, not so, she could not love Him more, but loved Him just the same."

(And a bit of favorite text from a reading in the Unitarian-Universalist hymnal, by Sophia Lyon Fahs)

For so the children come

And so they have been coming...

No angels herald their beginnings.

No prophets predict their future courses.

No wisemen see a star to show where to find the babe that will save humankind...

Each night a child is born is a holy night -

A time for singing, A time for wondering, A time for worshipping.

Happy Day and Happy Season to You, Friends!  Be Warm and Safe and Filled with What Feeds You!

(And to quote an artist from the stage at work several nights ago, "Sorry for the Jesus stuff!")

It's Raining In The Ark!

Today, in honor of my "day off" of work (to help account for far too many work hours over the last couple of work weeks), I spent about 6 hours at work.  Do I know how to relax, or do I know how to relax?!?

I headed to the club this morning for a quick stop - I needed to follow up on something from last night's show that really couldn't wait until I'm back to the office on Monday.  As I was headed out after my tasking, I noticed water on the floor.  I, being unable to ignore things like that - especially at work, investigated the source of the water, and discovered water dripping from the ceiling in several spots.  Curses!

The story gets very long and convoluted, so I'll spare you the details here.  Essentially, we have some significant roof damage, it's under control for the moment, and the club is filled with all our trash cans catching water from the ceiling.  Ahhhh, another good day at work.

The best few moments of my non-working-work-day came this afternoon at the offices, as I was desperately trying to figure out who to call about the water.  My coworker and friend offered to handle something else that I needed to finish, and I seized the moment to spend a few minutes sitting on the floor with her baby.  Our "office baby" is one of the best bits of medicine I know - what a joy!

John and I just came home from a late and exhausted dinner out, and only as we were running through the rain to the house did the true humor of my water adventures strike me.  John asked "Do you know if it's supposed to rain today?"  I answered "No, but it's raining in The Ark!"  HA!  If only God could see The Ark now...  what a laugh she/he would have!

Even on a non-working-work-day, my cup runneth over.  Truly.

With gratitude and thanksgiving, Friends - I wish you All a wonderful holiday tomorrow.  May we always have the things we need and some chocolate, May our circles of family and friends embrace and shelter us, and May we never have rain in the ark! 

Work is Good

What a joy, after a few too many months of feeling like I was working (at my last job) in a poisonous environment, to feel at home and "well-matched" in my new job.  I am challenged, engaged, and thoroughly enjoying the gig, PLUS I get actual feedback (good!) about the work I am doing!  Wooohooo!

Peace, Friends.  Happy Thursday evening to you!

We Have Heron

I watched the first Great Blue Heron of the season fly down to our little lake this morning!  Of course I can't be sure it's the first one, but I've been watching - and I kind of figured we might see some this weekend with the great weather.

Today I have seen the heron, a swan (just one - the pair I saw a few days ago may have just been visiting), lots of mallards and Canada geese, and lots of assorted bugs.  There are also woodpeckers working in a couple spots around the lake, but I have only heard them so far.  I find myself grateful for this morning that seems to say "It's here, it's here, spring is actually here!"

This springy Saturday is also National Auctioneer Day, so hug your favorite auctioneer!  I forgot to make sure everyone knew this past Thursday was National High Five Day, so please make up for it today.  High five at least 3 people, ok?

Happy Day, Friends!  I hope the sun visits everyone today!

Merry Christmas!

Oh Happy Day to all, Friends!  I hope this holiday morning finds everyone happy and well, in good company, well-rested, and looking forward to something special in the winter months ahead!  (Yes, I'm still confident that we will get some winter - even though I have moments of doubt!)

(No, that's not our house - but isn't there a teeny little part of everyone who wants to have a house decorated like that for Christmas?!?)  I am reminded of a Christmas Eve not long ago - probably only about 5 years or so.  Aaron (my brother) and I drove into Bloomington, IL to spend the holiday with our family there.  Dad and Deb had just moved into a new house (side note - I think this was the same time we went to the wrong house - but that's a story for another day!), and hadn't had time to decorate yet.  We spent the evening in the frigid outdoors hanging lights.  I will never forget the malfunctioning lighted/motion reindeer in the front yard.  (Yes, you Illinois family folks remember it well!)  One was supposed to look like it was eating, but the head was stuck "down."  It just kept sort of twitching - looked a lot like a reindeer with a seizure disorder.  Dad tried to fix it several times, and I'm sure there was some rather un-Christmas language involved.  Ahhh, poor reindeer!

My favorite part of the Christmas Holiday is the thought it always inspires in me.  I appreciate this holiday and this season for all that they can be for different people - different sets of beliefs, different family dynamics, different religions, different perspectives on the world we live in.  For your reading pleasure, here is a short bit (edited for length) of a favorite reading of mine.  This is from Sophia Lyon Fahs.  I  am a person who is often considering and re-considering my beliefs and where they come from.  The sentiment of these words touch me every time, and my thoughts on the subject never waiver:

"For so the children come and so they have been coming.  No angels herald their beginnings.  No prophets predict their future courses.  Yet each night a child is born is a holy night, Fathers and mothers - sitting beside their children's cribs feel glory in the sight of a new life beginning.  Each night a child is born is a holy night - A time for singing, A time for wondering, A time for worshipping."

Peace to you all in this season of lengthening days, honking geese, family and friends gathering together, and overeating.  May the days, seasons, and years ahead bring to our families the bits and pieces of life that sustain us.

Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other!

   

Kitchen Gifts

A greeting from our adventurous Ford Lake geese as I jot down a few thoughts on dinner, cooking, and the gifts that have made me adventurous in the kitchen.  I was cooking tonight when I looked out on the lake and saw this scene.  I'm not sure how much you'll be able to tell from the photo (courtesy of John), but you might be able to see legions of geese at rest on the "far" side of the lake.  The ever-increasing geese and gull populations, and the ever-steady and present Mute Swan population have been spending all their time on the far side of the lake - almost no activity, and generally just sitting on the ice.  I glance out tonight, and this little gaggle of adventurers is trekking across the lake.  The rebels!  I can hear the leader's voice in my head - "Come on gang, keep going!  We can do it!  We CAN get to the other side of the lake - no whining!"

I tried a new recipe tonight from Cook's Illustrated (my favorite magazine).  If you aren't familiar with it, check out their website at www.cooksillustrated.com  I've had a subscription for several years now and have passed it on to several others over time too.  If you are the least bit curious (you know who you are...  you've got a question or two about everything!) this is the magazine for you.  Recipes are printed with full articles about everything they tried, everything that failed, and how they happened upon the magical "just right!"

Tonight's dinner was White Chicken Chili from the January/February issue.  If you're interested in the recipe let me know - I'll send you a copy.  (It's too long to put here!)

As I was cooking and cleaning up with John, I was suddenly aware of all the gifts from many years of generosity that make up our kitchen.  Our cooking tools themselves are from many varied sources - mixing bowls, canisters, cookbooks, and countless other tools from my mom; awesome cookware from my dad and step-mom; our favorite kitchen knife, cookie sheets, silverware, and myriad other pieces from my Aunt Judy's house; china from my Grandma Cass via Aunt Judy; cookbooks from many sources including John's family recipes from his mom; several generous wedding gifts from friends and family including our stand mixer and blender!  More than all other things my curiosity in the kitchen, willingness to make a mess, and love of really incredible (as well as really basic) food comes from every single corner of my family!

So - the White Chicken Chili was a big success.  Next time I'll make a full batch so we can eat it for a few days.  We've also confirmed yet again that you can't go wrong with Jiffy corn muffin mix as a side!

Here's to the season of eating, sharing, and enjoying each other, Friends.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of All of You!

Giving Thanks

Some things I find myself giving thanks for - both in this moment, and over and over and over in my life:

• My continued employment
• Our comfortable lifestyle
• My husband's constant, calm, beautiful, and loving presence in my life
• The geese on our little Ford Lake
• The careful attention and caution of so many of the drivers I share the roads with every day
• My family's love and encouragement throughout my life
• My brother's ridiculous sense of humor
• My opportunities to sing and share music with others
• The change of seasons
• Plentifulness
• Our new car (I had to add that one!)

I hope this holiday of Thanksgiving finds all of you and all the people in your lives happy and well!

(For anyone who's wondering, the new car's name is Charlotte Pearl!  She's the first of my cars to have a middle name.)

Peace to you all, Friends!

Simple Pleasures

Some things I count as my simplest and most basic pleasures that have washed over me tonight:

• Washing dishes while my husband plays his piano
• Soup (That didn't literally wash over me, but I had a moment of realization - I really like soup!)
• Our cats in all their whiny neediness
• Creating beautiful things
• Our little lake and marginally city-fied wildlife it brings us
• My dearest friends, even though we are all mutually bad at staying in touch
• My "new" office that I may actually be completely moved into this week
• Tori's willingness to share her couch with us when we ask nicely  (Umm, see picture) 

If you're interested, take a peek in the photo album of the Girls - there are a few new pics there.

Also, for everyone in the Toledo area:  The Lights Before Christmas opens at The Toledo Zoo this Friday evening (November 17).  Masterworks Chorale (including me!) will be singing for the opening.  This is a first - we sang on a Sunday evening concert this past summer at The Zoo, and they invited us to sing for this pretty big event.  If you'd like to come see the lights (it's a spectacular display, if you haven't seen it before!) we'll be there.  There is a tree lighting sometime between 6:00-6:30 (at the whim of the local TV stations who will broadcast) when we will sing, and then we'll stroll and carol for the evening.  Please think of coming out to hear us if you have the evening free - it should be fun!

Thank you to everyone who brings me joy - that's ALL of you!  Peace to you, Friends.  Be Well and Be Taking Care!

One Whole Year!

Here we are - one year since our beautiful perfect wedding day!  I still can't believe my good fortune in finding John.  First anniversary! 

On this day a year ago, the sun was shining and leaves were turning.  The park was breezy and the shawls by Honnie were perfect!  The laughing was raucous and the smiling was unstoppable.  Wendy's words were exactly "us."  The Royal Garden Trio was flawless.  The walk through the park was lovely.  Our families were all present and equally joyous.  The food was yummy, the cakes were many, and the ice cream was the perfect cap for the party!  My husband was (and is, and ever will be) a Beautiful Man!

My best description of my love for this man is still in my vows:  "My ultimate joy will be to spend a loving lifetime of dreaming, laughing, learning, playing, and being together.  I hope for our union that we will both be none other than our whole selves, honoring always our individuality...  I ask you to share a lifetime of peace, happiness, and love with me.  I ask you to be my husband."

I love you, John!

Today is also World Food Day - please consider giving food to someone who needs it, or some money to an organization that can put it to good use in fighting hunger.  Today is also Dictionary Day - consider playing a game of Scrabble!

Many thanks and much gratitude to our family and friends who helped move John and I towards each other.  I can't imagine a place in our lives that either of us would rather be.  Also, thanks to Ami for providing John with his awesome sword to fend off any competing suitors a year ago today.  Phew!  We made it over that hurdle! 

Oh Happy Day!

Oh Joy!

My husband John is playing the piano upstairs.  This is one of my greatest joys!  I count myself lucky in many ways, not the least of which is the length of my gratitude list when I take a few moments to really think about it.  Off the top of my head, some of the things I am grateful for:

• My husband who I get to come home to every day
• Our cats and their antics
• My job which is trying and stressful at times, but also engaging and rewarding, and has enormous significance in a world where jobs are not a given
• My family who has been ever present and ever supportive in my life
• My Sense of Self
• My gift of voice
• My sense of humor
• My brother and his sense of humor, which is a large influence on my own twisted humor
• The changing seasons that remind me (even as we swing towards winter) that change is inevitable and that hope springs eternal
• Our lifestyle that is simple but rich, and which allows us to live in comfort
• My cache of friends who never quite fade away even though none of us are the best at keeping in touch
• The opportunities I have for creative pursuit
• My husband's musical talents, passions, and offerings
• And did I mention my incredible husband who I get to come home to every day?

Thank you, husband, family, and friends, for all you are and all you do, and all you allow me to be.

That's John rockin' out with his Walkman.  Yes, his Walkman - with actual cassette tapes and everything!  We have some fancy technology, but he still likes the old-school stuff.  (Plus we found all of his old tapes and the Walkman in Grandma & Grandpa Reed's basement)

Peace, All - Be Well and Be Taking Care.