Snow today in Western New York

These photos are of I-86 in Western New York. This was the left side of the road.

This was on the other side.

And a little farther toward Jamestown.

Um. It is snowing ahead.

The people in the boat are surely nuts.

Two photos of the snow showers over Lake Chautauqua.

And on the way home - gorgeous.

Freedom day

As of around 2 pm today, I became a free soul. No longer a bishop's warden. No longer a member of the bishop's committee. No longer a choir member. No longer a lousy secretary. No longer a marginally competent "treasurer".  No longer responsible. "Not my problem" is a delicious phrase.

I left a mess. Actually a whole bunch of messes.  I apologize but only so far. I warned the people that I am terribly disorganized. They've been able to see that. It will be hard to pick up the pieces. Sorry. There are plenty of people to pick up the pieces if they will do so. I believe they can and will.

A week and a half ago I had a sort of plan. That was trashed by three barely coherent emails full of control issues, projection, paranoia, and more. They hurt, especially since I have no idea what was being asked of me. One issue I understood. I am unwilling to let someone else choose my friends. It didn't take long to realize that those missiles actually set me free however. I would have jumped from the frying pan into the fire but they pushed me off the stove. Thank you, C. (Sniffle.)

So onward. Weather permitting, I'll be driving 100 miles for church in the morning. There are plans for the remaining Sundays as well. After more than 50 years of being tied to church choirs, what fun!!!

NaBloPoMo? Who knew?

Apparently November is National Blog Posting Month. No, I'm not interested in any competition. It might be rewarding, however, in some odd way to resume posting somewhat regularly. Here goes.

November 1 is All Saints and, this year, NWPA Diocesan Convention Day. Our table is at the very back of the room, sort of alone. Not wise to isolate us. Or apparently the folks who shared our table. We were not terribly well behaved, especially since the sound didn't carry to us very well and we had little light this morning. Our tablemates are from Osceola Mills, PA. Unfortunately it is waaaay too far to travel there for a church visit. One of them and I got uncontrollable giggles this afternoon when some of the others fell asleep.

We voted and voted and voted and voted. I think we have to vote again tomorrow too. I don't want to vote for any of the people who are in the remaining contests. It's always the same old - old - people. If that name is on the ballot, who will run against them? It is just another contest among those old names. Sigh.

R and I sat with the guy who runs the voting and his wife at dinner. Lots to talk about including how people ruin ballots. One of the best things about convention is meeting other Piskies. And the dinner was excellent. We didn't stay for the speed dating.

A half day tomorrow - unless we are still voting - then we're done for another year. It is very doubtful I will attend another convention. More about that tomorrow.

Saying farewell to Manly

 

We had a farewell party for Manly at Coffee Hour. He is retiring as a guide dog. Manly and I have a special friendship from when I walked him while Peg was in the hospital. I will get to see them off at the Erie airport early tomorrow morning. It is sad for all of us. Peg's brother will take him so he will still be in the family. The first of October Peg will bring her new dog home for us to meet.

Rainy morning cats

The view on the way home from Bible study

BCF 2013 Week 2 Sheffield (MA, not England, MP)

BCF 2013 Week 1 Sheffield

I didn't take many photos this week. Actually I didn't take any until the party after the concert. I didn't even carry my camera. Sorry to all those who expect to see them.

Great way to celebrate a birthday!

I'm at the Berkshire Choral Festival rehearsing for a performance of Bach's B minor Mass Saturday night - 13 July 2013. So many old/good friends here! So much good singing! Such a good conductor! I'm in heaven temporarily...

Chasing the moon

Tonight I went in pursuit of the moon. In the process I took the following photos. All but the last two were taken at Pymatuning. The last two were taken up on a hill out of Greenville where I could actually see the moon.

Friday cat blogging on Saturday or what I don't need

This little guy has been around for a couple of weeks. He is extremely shy and runs away as soon as he sees me. He's pretty with four white feet.

I didn't see this person when I went to get something out of the car but when I returned to the house, there s/he was - looking like s/he owned the place. Very friendly with me. Allowed me to pet and scritch. Very antagonistic with Tim. The two of them hissed and growled at each other. Tim retreated to one of the boxes by the window while the newcomer jumped down and lay down by the door.

I do not need more cats. I hope they have happy homes elsewhere!!!

Organ dedication, 3:00 pm, Sunday, 9 June 2013

The Dedicatory Recital

The Ahlborn-Galanti Organ

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross
51 W Main Street
North East, Pennsylvania

Sunday, 9 June 2013 at 3:00 pm

     At 3 o’clock on Sunday, June 9, Washington, DC area organist Lynn Allen Dean will dedicate new Ahlborn-Galanti organ, just installed, at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in North East, PA. Lynn is a friend of the parish who worships at Holy Cross when he comes to North East on vacation each summer. The rest of the time he is organist and director of music ministries at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulton, Maryland.

     Lynn holds degrees in Music Performance and Liturgical Music from the Catholic University of America and the Oblate College, and has also studied at Westminster Choir College and in Paris, France. He has played for services and in recital at the National Cathedral and many other locations. Lynn lives in Olney, MD with his wife Mary Kay; they have two grown daughters and a pug puppy.

     We are delighted that Lynn has agreed to play for us as we dedicate the new organ in honor of Harold Page, who has led us in worship for so long, and in gratitude to Neal Durchman, who has masterminded the project from the beginning. Lynn’s program is designed to exploit many of the vast possibilities of our new organ. It features music from many centuries, and opportunities for the congregation to join him in hymns. We hope that everyone will come and celebrate this great day. +

Chaconne            Francois Couperin (le Grande) 1668-1733

Passacaglia in d minor (BuxWV 161)            Dietrich Buxtehude 1637-1707

The Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation - H525

            Music: St Theodulph – Melchior Teschner (1584-1635)

From the Suite du Premier Ton             Louis-Nicolas Clerambault 1676-1749

            Duo           

            Basse et Dessus de Trompette

Fugue in g minor (“The Little”) (BMV 578)            Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (BMV 147) with the Rev’d Carol Carlson

Toccata and Fugue in d minor (BMV 565)

The Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus - H460

            Music: Hyfrydol – Roland H Prichard (1830)

Adagio for Strings             Samuel Barber 1910-1981

             (orchestral reduction for organ- William Strickland)

The Hymn: Earth and All Stars – H412

            Music: Earth and All Stars – David Johnson (1922-1987)

Carillon (opus 31)            Louis Vierne 1870-1937