plans

I get giddy planning trips. What a blessing to have a job that runs on an academic school year! I do teach a few lessons in the summer, but it's a very flexible schedule. I think I'll go pull out my suitcase, so I can pack a week and a half in advance... (just kidding - I still have to wear the clothes I'm taking!) :) Cousin time, here I come!!!

introductions

I met Mr. Tupman this morning. He hopped out of the row of radishes I was weeding, rather frightening me by his sudden appearance. I jumped up and let out a shriek - he jumped and let out... well, you know toads. He gave me a suspicious glare and hopped with great dignity into the row of squash at the other side of the garden. Time will tell if he will continue to grace the garden with his presence.

looking

Well, I finished (nearly) my arrangement this morning, but now I've cold feet about submitting it. The publishers that already stock a cappella women's ensemble music don't take submissions and the publishers that take submissions don't seem to carry a cappella women's ensemble music. Submitting is free (if you don't count blood, sweat, and tears-of-rejection), so maybe...

Working on an old hymn arrangement of mine, hoping to submit it for consideration for publication sometime soon.

Bought a plane ticket to visit my cousins.

Practiced with Mama for our upcoming music audition (!!) to play at a local coffee shop some Saturdays. My talented mom taught herself guitar in highschool and has continued to play. I was going to play guitar with her on "Here Comes the Sun," but I can't keep up (I've only really been playing for a year and a half) so I'll probably stick to vocals and perhaps djembe. :)

Tried out a mom and pop's Middle Eastern restaurant with a few girl friends tonight. It's a favorite of RD's. I would say their sage tea (hot or iced), za'atar pitas, and seasoned fries (they had a name that I've forgotten) were my favorite. I still like chai tea better, but the sage tea was a unique experience!

RD, C, and I went to the closing evening of a Christian music conference. "Our God is God" was my favorite of what we heard. Some of the music was disappointingly fuzzy in the theology department. Crescendos and timpani and emotive phrases just don't make up for truth in music. I am grateful for music that is true and beautiful.

student quotes 1

Yesterday, towards the close of his lesson, JR turned the page to see his next piano piece. The concept reinforced there was a 4/4 time signature, with a counting exercise and an example piece to practice at the bottom of the page. Plus a colorful cartoony picture of two giraffes. (Incidentally, the name of the piece was "Two Giraffes." Handy that.) JR's comment was, "Look Miss Anna! Two Geraffics!" I love teaching.

words

Do you ever roll a word around in your head simply because you like the sound of it? (I do!) Some of my current favorites are wistful, quelquefois, and lavish. You can almost hear the costly extravagance in it. Lavish.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us. Unearned, unconditional, costly, extravagant, redeeming love.


Here's the rest of the verse, 1 John 3:1:

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."