Time Out!

Listening to and loving Dave Brubeck's Time Out album!  Always a classic!

Because it's Bach!

Listening to various performances of Goldberg Variations, all of them wonderful, because it's Bach!

French Polka?

I've been listening to "Musette de Paris" for the past 90 minutes, and it's finally getting on my nerves! Ha!  It's mostly accordion music in polka style and should sound German, but somehow is distinctly French.  'Can't figure out why that is.  At any rate, it's fun, jolly music, for a while, then it becomes a bit annoying! LOL! :)

Classical Gas

Listening to "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams on grooveshark.  I loved this piece when I first heard it as a 10-year-old in Aibonito, Puerto Rico in 1970 (or was it '71?), and I still love it!  Great energy and articulation, besides fun, modal melody.  Plus, I enjoy the mix of genres/styles/instruments.

Btw, the link I've given for Aibonito shows the street on which I lived, and I believe the very house, although most else has changed.  When I was there, we were the newest house on the block and there was a large bamboo forest behind our house and to the east (if I have my directions oriented correctly).

Spanish Guitar

I'm listening to Spanish Guitar music on Grooveshark.com.  The selections are from an album of the same name.  This collection includes a wide range of styles and genres, but they are all played on acoustic guitar, sometimes including other instruments, and are either composed or performed by Spaniards or in a Spanish style, I presume! :)

How To Breathe.

Today I'm listening in layers.  I have Yo-Yo Ma playing baroque cello in the studio while on my laptop via grooveshark.com I'm listening to Sara Groves' "All Right Here."  I'm all a-jitter.  I'm too easily made anxious.  Something's coming up that I'm looking forward to but I will either have to cut my time short w/ it or find a sub for a much-loved responsibility.  I'm favoring cutting the new thing short.  I'm also hoping on Monday to find out if there's an alternate date.  Meanwhile I feel anxious.  Part of me wants to say "so silly."  But I'm not silly!  This is my life!  God made me with an anxious nervous-system.  Who am I to say God's work is "silly?"  (Smiling.)  So I let my mind weave itself around two tracks: one calming and orderly, the other expressive of my restlessness.  It's good.  It helps me breathe.  Lord, can You use my restlessness?  Can You use my familiarity w/ anxiety?  Surely Lord, You create only that which can glorify You!  Use me, Lord.  You are my whole raison d'etre.  I love You Abba-Papa-Lord-Jesus-Christ-Holy-Spirit-Lover-of-my-soul-Eternal-One-Only-One-Beloved-Life-Life-LIFE-!!!!  Praise be Your Holy Name! :)

In time of grieving

'Listening to Sara Groves on Grooveshark.com  ... a little boy from our local community died this past weekend.  I don't know the family well, but I know many people who know them.  Some of my piano students are best friends with James and his siblings.  The whole community is grieving.  I'm listening to Sara Groves because I find her authentic expressions of faith (and questioning) very consoling in times of suffering.  Lord, please hold and console James' family and friends while they grieve.  May they eventually feel the peace and joy of knowing James' Joy in You, and meanwhile, may they feel the life-sustaining support of their friends.  Bless them, Lord.  Bless the whole community with Your Gracious Spirit.