Wednesday not in Montreal

Today we took buses to Quebec City. A long ride. I think we all fell in love with the city, found it very romantic and would love to return. Unfortunately one of the buses broke down so some folks had a bit of an extended stay by Le Château Frontenac. Tough - except they were pretty tired by then. They said the repaired bus would arrive about half an hour after we left.

This is Quebec City's version of the Duquesne Incline.

This guy was playing a song (which was appropriate but I won't mention) on a glass harmonica.

Still the photographer - see my photos from Austria.

We visited the falls at Montmorency.

Didn't buy these but couldn't resist a photo.

Tomorrow we are in Église St.-Jean-Baptiste for the first time. Morning rehearsal just us then afternoon with orchestra. Tomorrow night Shelly and I and two other ladies will go to Cirque du Soleil. You may see a post tomorrow but don't count on it.

Tuesday in Montreal - updated

There was one chorus this morning that seemed very unfamiliar but I had a marking or two so we had gone over it. Wonder where else I'm that lost.
UPDATE We ran the piece tonight. There are LOTS of places that seemed unfamiliar. Of course we have three more rehearsals but I definitely need to do some studying sometime between now and the concert. Argh.

The faculty gave a little concert after rehearsal. Those are always good and this one was especially fun. A song by Tom Lehrer and a special one by Rossini were featured. I won't say what or who in case someone reading this goes to Sheffield and they repeat them there.

Conductor Julian Wachner had an extended question and answer session after that. An amazingly talented young man. When asked if there were something he dreams of doing, he finally said that being the BSO conductor would be it.

This afternoon I set out to find the McGill bookstore. It was a bit of a walk but it was where the map said it should be. Bought a device for reading camera cards. Interesting that it was cheaper in Canadian dollars than at home. Also some blank CDs. Can now make CDs of photos for some folks.

Then I started home taking a different route. I didn't take a map but looked at it carefully, I thought, before I left. I got kind of lost and probably walked four or so miles including some hilly places. Had the iPhone with me but the battery was dying. Lasted just long enough to get me to a street that led home then died. Whew! Thanked my guardian angel profusely. Saw some interesting parts of Montreal. And didn't get any blisters tho one toe feels like it was developing one. Have had my exercise.

Meanwhile those who have read my blog for awhile know that I look for unique flowers and ducks wherever I go. Well I haven't seen any mallards yet. But I did get a photo of my favorite flower.

Monday in Montreal

Sometimes when we go back over stuff we did Saturday and yesterday it feels like I've never seen it before. Of course, when I've done something at BCF then go back to it years later I often wonder where my brain was the first time.

Our conductor Julian Wachner really is wonderful. He has all sorts of tricks to get problems cleared up. He reminds me of Brady Allred in some ways. I doubt I will ever sing Paulus again but I suspect I'll remember it if I do. And I'm learning How Lovely are the Messengers auf Deutsch.

We learned about next season. I signed up for one week in Sheffield conducted by Anton Armstrong. I've done the Poulenc Gloria. I've never done Rutter's Te Deum or Bizet's Te Deum. Haven't decided about Italy yet. I wish I had a specific person to go with and room with. If I decide against that I may go the first week to do Handel's Judas Maccabeus which I don't think I've ever sung. Our Austria conductor is doing that. The concert in Italy will be all a cappella including RVW's Mass in G. I would love to return to Montreal to work with Jane Glover but not to do Die Schöpfung (Creation). If anyone reading this is interested, email me and I'll send the rest of the schedule.

My roommate is happy. We finally have a phone, a working floor lamp and a working TV. I am going to regret the last. She watches stuff that will give me nightmares. Ugh.

Shelly and I planned to visit the Science Museum or whatever it is but we got started too late. We rode the Metro down to the waterfront and walked around a bit then came back. We found where Cirque du Soleil is. We will take the Metro down probably after rehearsal then find a cafe - there seem to be hundreds - until the performance at 8.

Evensong - updated Sun eve

Attended evensong at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal this afternoon. All but one other person was from our group tho I couldn't see the people in the nave, if any. Church was HOT!!! For those who might be interested:

Prelude: Tierce en taille - de Grigny
Introit: O gladsome light - Bourgeois
P&R: Thomas Ebdon
Psalm: Cooper, Corfe
Hymn: 26 Te lucis, To Thee before the close of day
Mag & Nunc: Ridout
Anthem: Round me falls the night - Adam Drese
Hymn: 30 Ar Hyd Y Nos - God that madest earth and heaven
Postlude: P & F in a, BWV 543 - JSB

Sorry but I took no photos.

We have sung thru almost all Mendelssohn's Paulus (St. Paul) in 3 rehearsals. I still have some rough spots mainly due to the Deutsch. Julian Wachner has some second altos singing with the tenors now and then. Low Ds are fun. The president of Bach Choir of Pittsburgh knows the conductor and told me to say Hi for her.

Austria roommate Shelly finally got her suitcase this afternoon and is returning all my clothing. One of her friends bought a Mondsee shirt which is too small for her so Shelly gave it to me. It is too big for me but I don't care. Shelly is pretty meticulous. I'm not as you all know.

My roommate is from Singapore and is a pediatrician. She was at Vancouver with us last year and was surprised to see herself in my photos.

I'm sitting next to my favorite alto so all is well with me. So far.

Updated: Excitement! Shelly and I got VERY expensive tickets to Cirque du Soleil Thursday night. Can't wait. Neither of us has seen them live.

Friday shuffle from Montreal

1. Spanish Harlem - Ben E King
2. Rumor Has It - Reba McEntire
3. Embraceable You - Scott Hamilton
4. Gold Rush - Mark O'Connor
5. Hurt So Bad - Little Anthony & Imperials
6. Mendelssohn: Paulus, Bekehrung und Taufe... - Rilling
7. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
8. Willie & Laura Mae Jones - Dusty Springfield
9. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It is? - Chicago
10. RVW: Love Bade Me Welcome - Westminster Choir
Interesting that a chorus from Paulus came up as that's why I'm in Montreal. The Berkshire Choral Festival is doing Mendelssohn's other oratorio.

Graces

In the clover

The groundhog is enjoying the clover in the jungle between the house and the barn. I can't mow it because there are large rocks and roots in the dirt. My string trimmer isn't strong enough to deal with the weeds that thrive there. Most of the plants are taller than my waist. I have a path to the feeders but that's it. I've asked my neighbor to think about plowing it for me. He's too busy for now. Maybe in fall, I hope. (Photo taken thru the window.)

Love our bishop!

Click to embiggen.

In defense of same-sex marriage

After decades of rising cohabitation, divorce and out-of-wedlock births posing a threat to traditional marriage, we should be delighted that gays and lesbians are trying so hard to prop it up.

That is the last line of Clarence Page's column in the Chicago Tribune on 17 June. Unfortunately bigots like Robbins and Eichelberger will probably tell you that the LGBTs caused this havoc.

A prejudiced fool

Listen to PA Senator Eichelberger make a fool of himself on the radio. For the life of me I can't understand how his reason functions as it doesn't seem to at all. He repeats and repeats fallacies that the bigots stress and refuses to listen. He seriously seems to believe that LGBTs do nothing for society. He needs to get a life and his constituents need to get rid of him. He is evil.

By the way, Eichelberger is NOT from western Pennsylvania. His district is in the south center of the state. To people from Philadelphia, Harrisburg is the center of the state and everything west of Harrisburg is western PA. Harrisburg is in Dauphin County. Eichelberger's district includes Bedford, Huntington, Blair and Fulton Counties as well as part of Mifflin County. Well, those are west of Harrisburg.

Local ugliness

is definitely NOT Working for a Better Pennsylvania. He is one of the sponsors of Senator Eichelberger's bill to insert bigotry and discrimination into the Pennsylvania Constitution by banning marriage equality.

He doesn't care if partners are not allowed to visit each other in the hospital. He doesn't care that the family of one of the partners can steal everything that is not in other partner's name when their family member dies. He doesn't believe that two people can love each other unless they are opposite sexed. He doesn't believe science. He believes that one class of Pennsylvania residents is somehow less than the rest and not entitled to his representation.

Bob Robbins seems to have bought into prejudice, particularly that preached by those who do not understand the message Jesus taught. I used to think he was a decent guy. Boy, was I wrong!

Senator Robbins should be supporting Senate Bill 935, the Marriage Equality Bill. Please tell him by calling or emailing or writing a good old fashioned letter. His information is on his website.

Friday cat blogging

Lines

CNBC is monitoring the lines at Apple Stores this morning. They seem amazed that people will line up waiting for an opening with a new product. I've stood in two opening lines - for Apple Stores themselves. It's fun. The people are friendly and interesting. Some are obvious nerds. Some seem normal. All bound by a preference for Apple's products. Maybe we're a cult?

Friday shuffle

1. PDQ Bach: 1712 Overture
2. Handel: Zadok, the Priest - Kings College Choir
3. The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
4. Callejon Del Muro (Minera) - Paco De Lucía
5. Anon: Romance from Jeux interdits - Pepe Romero
6. Byrd: Ave Verum Corpus - Westminster Choir
7. Were You There? - Rajaton
8. Donna - Ritchie Valens
9. Snoopy & the Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen
10. The Ballad of the Green Berets - Sgt. Barry Sadler

YES!

On a secret committee to study homosexuality

The Episcopal Church bigwigs appointed an 8 person committee to study homosexuality but refused to say who is on the committee. Two participants were revealed in a Nashotah House publication. The others will probably eventually be named. There has been much angst over the entire matter. Secrecy is not the Episcopal way of doing things.

And why study homosexuality again? And again? And again? It is. It has been. It will be. Either we are all Godde's creation and loved or we deny what the Bible says about Godde. Jesus didn't say to pick and choose and exclude some over others. Jesus told his followers to love everyone and leave judgment to Godde.

Most of us are tired of this fight. The best way to study homosexuals is to know someone and learn that the homosexual lifestyle is as normal and boring as everyone else's. The way I confront someone who opposes gay marriage is to ask how someone else's marriage affects theirs. If the idea of gay sex is repulsive, don't do it. If it isn't an option, it is irrelevant in a person's life.

TEC needs to uphold baptismal vows and strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. GC 2009 needs to get rid of every prejudicial aspect of past decisions. Barack Obama needs to suspend DOMA and DADT immediately and deal with the political fallout later.

Committees are not needed for either. Just, um, cojones.
Perhaps a study of prejudice should be initiated?

Me

"Would you drink out of a cup held by THIS woman?"

Friday cat blogging on Sunday

Tipper is a rather large cat...

What if...

What if people worried more about their own lives and allowed others to do the likewise? What if people stopped being preoccupied by how other people relate to each other in love? What if people stopped being preoccupied by what consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedrooms? What if people were able to walk a mile in someone else’s moccasins? What if people were able to accept a person as they relate to others rather than as they look or talk or believe? What if Christians were willing to do as their Jesus taught - love Godde, love each other, take care of each other and leave judgment to Godde?

In other words, what if those who claim to be “Christians” acted in ways that don't seem to be the opposite of what I believe the Bible says Jesus taught?

What if people ignored difference as long as being different doesn’t hurt someone else. Americans seem terrified of difference. Why? We avoid people who are blind or deaf or missing an arm or are otherwise physically different. We avoid people who don’t dress like we do. We avoid people of a different social class. We avoid people who have a different lifestyle. We avoid people others avoid.

What if people weren’t so quick to judge something or someone different as wrong? We are quick to judge others’ habits as wrong. We are quick to judge others’ beliefs as wrong. We are quick to judge others as wrong simply on appearance.

What if the people arriving for worship toward the end of the eucharist last week were told to not bother? There was no later service. I’m happy to say I didn’t think of them as “wrong” but I did wonder why they bothered. In their culture time seems to be relative. It is not my culture. Should I consider them wrong if they don’t exactly do what we do when we do it?

What if we all admitted we can't know exactly what is “right” in Godde's world anyhow?

Lost turtle

I almost hit this with the mower. She reminded me of Hildy. She is about the same size.

This is what she had to find her way thru to get to my driveway. As I said, I need help. Anyhow she was about 300 feet from water. I didn't see her leave but she did after I put the mower away. She didn't seem to deposit any eggs as the little hole was empty and dry. The mower and the cats probably traumatized her. Turtles have often laid eggs closer to the water. When I mow that area I should probably walk it first. One year I found dozens of turtlettes scurrying toward the water. The neighbor kids were little at the time and were fascinated. For some reason they didn't try to catch any of them.

Help wanted

Weeding help desperately needed. I thought I had dug up all the Asian lilies and given them to my neighbor. I guess I missed a few.

Prayers for Bonnie and family

Today The Three Legged Stool told us of the passing of Ed Spivey on 22 May 2009. Our hearts and prayers go out to Bonnie and those who share her love for Ed. Prayers also for Wolfie who surely misses him too.

The other hungry one

This one visits every evening and eats whatever the cats leave. S/He is quite bold and comes over to look in the kitchen.

St Barnabas, Monmouth Junction, NJ

The gal I stayed with in New Jersey is the organist at St Barnabas Episcopal Church. When my plans for church fell thru she asked me to sing tenor with her choir.

This was the first of ten young people confirmed during the service.

The parish has many members from Africa and various islands. The women wore beautiful, colorful dresses which I was unable to photograph successfully.
The Right Reverend Sylvestre Romero, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, celebrated and preached.

LASHIR

Raanan Shefa's choir in Princeton, NJ

The New Brunswick Party

This was THE dessert last night. Fried pudding with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. For more news about the party, go to Telling Secrets for now.

Friday cat blogging

Tzaki and Tipper

Becoming an Ubuntu people

Friday cat blogging

Breakfast this morning.

Discernment

How does a person "discern"? I find it easy to live with unanswered questions. Many people don't. I used to drive Mom crazy with questions and I'm sure plenty of others as well. Yesterday I asked some questions of an Episcopal priest. He hasn't answered yet. I wish I would have thought of using the word "discern".

He said, for him the Word of Godde (using my spelling) is Truth. For him Truth is of the utmost importance. Godde's Word is the Bible. I didn't ask which translation. He doesn't trust the APA - the topic addressed in his original message was the usual homosexuality - because it is too political. He apparently believes that only the Word of Godde in the Bible contains Truth without political implications. I asked if perhaps the men who chose the writings to include in the "official" Bible weren't also very political. I find it difficult to believe that a group of men who could have their control of the church wrested away by others would really listen to the Holy Spirit. How does one "discern" who is being political and who is responding to the Holy Spirit? Perhaps I'm too cynical?

Earlier I wondered about the difference between worshipping the Word of Godde and following the Word of Godde. For me it is an easy "discernment". I am curious to know why others are so tied to words and rules and what may be only the writings of men who had a good thing going and want(ed) to preserve their privileges. Yes, I believe that many of those/these men believe they were/are faithful to Godde and Jesus and were/are good people. I believe many of them try hard to be good servants and shepherds. I question how they "discern(ed)" they were/are so "right" to the exclusion of all others.

And how does one "discern" a call to the priesthood? What if many roadblocks are placed on the path? How does one "discern" whether the roadblocks are trial by fire or serious? What if everyone "discerns" one path for a candidate for ordination yet the person "discerns" and pursues something else in spite of roadblocks?

I'm afraid I don't have much love for "discernment". I do not believe that I am better at "discerning" than anyone else. Or that I am any more right or wrong than anyone else tho I wonder about people who use their Words of God to abuse, exclude or otherwise denigrate other people. I believe that those of us who take seriously the admonition to love everyone unconditionally, even when it seems impossible, have better, calmer, happier lives. That isn't "discernment". It is experience.

Culture without the Arts is dead

I do not like this jerky, sound bite, disjointed presentation that has become popular these days. No wonder our kids have attention problems. The message is important regardless of my irritations.

Arts and Citizenship from Pittsburgh Filmmakers on Vimeo.

Don't want to pay for health care

"My friend spent her last years suffering not only the pain of cancer but the indignity of having to worry about how she was going to pay her rent and feed her child. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer 2½ years ago, and was able to get Social Security disability payments only nine weeks ago."

Read it all here.

If there is one Christianist out there who wants to keep as many pennies as possible without helping anyone else except those s/he chooses, may I suggest s/he go read the Bible s/he worships, especially the things the Bible says Jesus taught. People without health care will bankrupt the system eventually as they flood hospital ERs then can't pay. And their illnesses are far more expensive than they would be with early intervention. This is not a Christian nation. It is a cruel collection of individuals who will donate huge sums to international disasters while allowing their neighbors to die.

This has been a nasty day.

But Sotomayor is a bright spot. Too bad the uglies are parading their venom all across the media. Ugh.

Thoughts on Sotomayor

Yes! Far more qualified than any of the sitting justices.

What do I think about what the antis are saying? See the post below. Pretty much the same folks at the root.

Thoughts on Prop 8

On second thought, I'd better not. Mom was right that I shouldn't say anything if I couldn't say something nice. I have nothing nice to say about Christianists.

Even and especially Jesus...

My Memorial Day 2009

This was my third year to march in the Memorial Day parade with Women in Black. It seemed to be an odd parade. One band - MASH - then lots of cars and firetrucks with some very loud cannon blasts or something - fortunately way ahead of us. Many of us carried 4 flags but there weren't nearly enough of us to carry all 193 flags - one for each soldier from Pennsylvania killed in the Iraq war.

After the parade I had a delightful lunch of tube steaks and macaroni salad with friends. He has three cats. This is Lexie. She has a brother Nicki I've never seen.

And this is Paz.

PT's portrait

After a brief absence, PuddyTat returned this morning so here is her portrait. I was getting very worried about her and was happy to see her in the annex - where she still is. She is not an early riser.

Rising above the crowd

The little yellow blooms lay close to the ground. Now more than 2 feet tall they are determined to blow away over everything else.

The Word of God

There is an interesting article in Church Times called "The Word is made of flesh and blood, not ink". For me it addresses the essence of much of the turmoil in Christianity today. What is the difference between the Bible being the Word of Godde and Jesus being the Word of Godde?

Are Christians to obey the rules set down in the Bible as dictated by Godde through the Holy Spirit? Or are Christians to follow what Jesus taught which is "Love Godde and love your neighbor"?

If our neighbor is doing something we believe is wrong, is it our duty to tell the person in order to "save" him or her? If so, what justification do we have for naming the sin? By what authority may we warn the neighbor? If the person continues in what we perceive as sin, should we walk away?

Or is it our duty to love all people unconditionally as Godde loves us? If so, what responsibility do we have toward and with the other?

Ambition

Tim's tail was twitching...