Tall Tales from Kansas

a moment of perfect contentment

She (one of the shrewd local librarians) found it!  And within a week or so of my request. High marks to the Lawrence public library. 

Which means I have been introduced to Penelope, Nancy, Olivia, and Cosmo.   I am not at all sure about that Nancy, or her seemingly worthless children and husband George.  But it's early on and I shall keep an open mind.  All of this means that I will be strolling through the Cotswalds, with the occasional train trip to London, and a short jaunt to Ibiza this weekend.  All from the comfort of my home, where we have gray skies and a steady gentle drizzle. 

I do also intend to plant pansies, make banana bread, and be available to supervise Chris as he prepares a brisket and coleslaw for supper. 

And one more thing.  While I am rambling on... yesterday after attending a class and having a most excellent Bloody Mary with a friend (at The Webster House in Kansas City - if you live near you should try one), I jumped in the car to head home and This is Love by Mary Chapin Carpenter was on the radio.  I turned it up full blast, opened the sun roof, and recognized that I was experiencing a moment of perfect contentment.  I love it when I can appreciate (when it's happening) these simple joys.  Happy Sunday.  

 

off to practice my dance moves

Dottie sent this to me this morning and it is SO SO SO worth watching that I am posting it here for you.  In case you haven't seen it yet.

 

More later, I am off to practice my dance moves.  Soy YO!

we all are fine musicians we practice everyday

Tonight, for your listening pleasure, I present the first live concert of the bathing Watsons.  You saw them here first. 

 

Please note they take their craft very seriously. 

orange, four footed, garden supervisors, with white tipped tails

On weekends, in February, when it is 70 degrees outside, you can be sure that oranges will be sliced, flowers will be arranged, and cats will petted. 

I may or may not begin the spring flower bed cleaning.  It all depends on whether any orange, four footed, garden supervisors, with white tipped tails, are outside or not.

P.S.  In case you missed this on PBS Friday night - go and watch it!  So many things I did not know about Carole King... and so much good music. 

if you are into that kind of thing

As much as I love going on an adventure, I crave days that are full of pure ordinariness.  Chopping up an apple, appreciating the texture of this felted tweed yarn, being able to buy flowers at the store, scrubbing the kitchen sinks, making a to-do list for the weekend, savoring a spicy chai tea latte, and watching the sun go down at the end of it all. 

Today was that kind of day.  And it was lovely.  Do you know Janalea Hoffman?  I listened to her "musical accupuncture" CD today when I was knitting in front of the fireplace.  Highly recommended if you are into that kind of thing.  Which I am. 

trying to decide if Mary Ann would prefer to do Hark the Herald Angels Sing or The Little Drummer boy

There was a delightful (and not one bit frightful) barbershop quartet at Angie's place recently.  The music totally captivated her.  

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music.  I have a lot of Christmas pageants, folk choir Christmas masses, and high school holiday concerts in my past.  That means I can harmonize to lots of songs and there is nothing I like better than singing along with Garth Brooks to "Silent Night" or to "The First Noel" with Suzy Bogus.  If either of them realized how much the addition of my alto part added to their performances they would likely re-record that old Christmas from the 90's CD - and include me of course.  

My sister is coming tomorrow.   I am going to talk her into singing a Christmas carol with me to post on the blog for the 25th.

I'll just be here waiting for Santa and trying to decide if Mary Ann would prefer to do Hark the Herald Angels Sing or The Little Drummer boy.   If this never materializes you know it's because she put the kibosh on it.

they could march right up and perform in bare feet

 

The Kansas state fiddling and picking contest was held this past weekend in Lawrence.  We stopped by to have a listen.  August in the park, under the shade of some big old trees, listening to music.  As Ray Moss would say... you can't beat that with a stick.

We were not the only ones out enjoying the day.   Did I mention there was no admission fee?  

My hands down favorite part of the day was watching the youth fiddling competition.

The kids I watched were great AND they looked like they were enjoying themselves.  I loved that they could march right up and perform in bare feet and a t-shirt or their fanciest skirt and barette.  If I had a child I would take them right down to the fiddling and picking school and get them enrolled.  I can't remember when I have ever been as completely delighted by a group of performers.