Strawberry Popsicles

A friend recently wrote of a longing for a simpler time, and tonight while watching my young'un eat her ice cream I couldn't help but think of it. Somehow, this is summer the way we want to remember it: warm lingering twilights out on the porch; watermelon, fireflies and ice cream, with a seemingly-endless vista of days filled with nothing but possibilities.....

Summer.

Congratulations....

... to my daughter, who yesterday received an achievement award for her contribution to the Children's Chorus with which she sings. Proud mom couldn't resist taking a few photos!

Through a series of links I chased...

... I happened to stumble over this marvellous blog/column by casting director Bonnie Gillespie. While written for actors and presenting things from a film industry point of view, there is much of relevance to just about any branch of the performing arts, and I'm finding it refreshing to read things seen from a slightly different angle. Recommended.

It's not over yet

Another established area company hit by financial uncertainty; another cancellation to my season. Although deeply saddened by the news both artistically and financially, I'm trying not to think about it too hard since it's too much of a downer to dwell on it. The matter is out of my hands and all I can do is keep my own spirits up and try to keep the joy in making music, even as the world around me is spinning out of control. Surprisingly, it's proving easier than I thought; maybe the sadness will affect me more down the road, but so far this particular hit is making me want to put my energy into moving forward rather than dwelling on what's now done and outside my control. Here's hoping.

In the meantime, the garden has finally burst forth in full bloom. The weather pattern for the year means everything is terribly late, but now that it's getting started, it's been worth the wait!

"Busy" doesn't even begin to describe it

All my good intentions to blog regularly in recent weeks have clearly travelled the proverbial road. Oh well.

The concerts last weekend were a wonderful experience. Following a satisfying week of intensive rehearsals, the performances were moving and deeply rewarding as a performer, and it was a wonderful week at so many levels.

Alas, I brought home more than the warm glow of a job well done, as I was laid flat by a bad upper respiratory infection almost as soon as I crossed my own threshold, and this week was basically crossed off the calendar even though it included my daughter's 11th birthday. I wound up on antibiotics and cancelled almost all commitments (except the birthday, which was thankfully a very happy one) until Friday when, fully recovered or not, I simply had to get out to teach my long-suffering students (finals and recital week coming up), attend a long evening meeting/rehearsal for my daughter's dance troupe (final rehearsal before they perform in NY at the Ronald McDonald house), turnaround the next morning to take said-same daughter to a girl scout event (I stayed long enough to watch some of the fascinating work this event offered the girls - more on that in a future post, I think) and then get myself out to the photo studio to take some pictures for some singer friends.

Today was a quiet Mother's day, but maybe that's a good thing! Rest was perhaps my most-required "gift" today. Ok, I admit it - a flawless clean house (engendered by somebody else, of course) wouldn't have gone amiss either, but I'll take what's offered and a day with no commitments anywhere except at home was a welcome luxury.

Things you don't see if you fly...

By the side of the rural road, high on a hilltop....

On the road again...

Wow. I get to be a singer again for a week! After the enforced hiatus, I appreciate my luck at being able to make a career out of a passion even more than usual, and am really looking forward to this one (for so very many reasons, not least of which an amazing piece to sing, and with colleagues who are not only wonderful musicians but old and valued friends).

Of course, with unerring accuracy, my time away seems to hit with THE busiest times at home: in the next week our daughter has:

- Girl Scout camping
- all-county honor chorus
- her children's chorus performance
- school orchestra concert

I think (hope!) I've managed to line everything up so that my absence won't cause too many logistical problems, but I always worry that something will fall between the cracks. Thank goodness for helpful grandparents, good friends and great neighbours.

And now, off to complete the usual pre-gig marathon of laundry and packing. Since this is a concert, I have gowns to get in order as well as the usual stuff, so a busy 24hrs ahead of me. But it's the best kind of busy, especially in anticipation of the amazing music I'll get to work on next week.

Life is good.