3 Ring Binder

Today is brought to you by the lovely, vocal-like lilt of Gabriel Faure 's sweet Berceuse, Op. 16. Enjoy.

These are videos of two of the song that we are singing in our intergenerational homeschool chorus this year. Sadly, they are nothing much to watch, but they were the best video/audio performances I could find of the particular arrangements we are singing. Both songs are vocally interesting (to me, an untrained singer, this means it takes a while to learn how to hit the correct notes), but the poetry into song aspect is lovely. Happily, whilst I have been chagrined by other matters, I have been going around singing these lovely tunes with my daughter. Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924. Part Two: Nature II WILL there really be a morning? Is there such a thing as day? Could I see it from the mountains If I were as tall as they? Has it feet like water-lilies? Has it feathers like a bird? Is it brought from famous countries Of which I have never heard? Oh, some scholar! Oh, some sailor! Oh, some wise man from the skies! Please to tell a little pilgrim W...

On this date of his birth, enjoy some of the fabulous music of Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741).  I find the 3rd movement of Summer to be especially fitting as I write to my congressmen about their unscrupulous efforts toward health care bill reconciliation. Presto Alas, his worst fears were justified, as the heavens roar and great hailstones beat down upon the proudly standing corn. While I read the letter over, making certain that I have been strong, but clear, I'm inspired by Winter , 1st movement because to me it represents the joy of life over the destructive adversity of the cold. Allegro non molto Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds; running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill. That part of the sonnet does not include my triumphant feelings from the music in words, but that's what it inspires in me. Finally, when I put the letters in the mailbox, I will hear the hopeful music of Spring , 1st movement...

Was it is about this, that inspires this, and this? And is it a good thing?

This is the description of a new picture book (26 pages) entitled Going Green from the editorial staff at Amazon. This imaginative book offers a unique approach to our world "going green," through the wide eyes of a little girl. Combined with beautiful illustrations, the story unfolds with each surprising change that is noticed by the girl. First, it happens to her good friend, Cynthia beginning with a leaf...then a branch. She observes many more people changing in very special ways. She watches as Congress "goes green" and even the President and First Family are in various states of metamorphoses. Although some people are slower to change, will the entire planet eventually "go green"? And, what will happen to the little girl? Can you think of anything better than extolling the virtues of congressmen going green? Screw lush imaginative fanciful morality tales people, feed your pre-schoolers some good old-fashioned political stumping. But not really on a s...

From time to time, my ten year-old poses interesting hypothetical questions to me. She poses hypothetical questions to me all the time, but only from time to time are they interesting. Today, she asked: If you had to live without one of your senses, which would you choose? It was kind of a toss up between taste and smell, but in the end, I went with taste. I’m quite sure that taste has been essential for our survival as a species – I’d guess that a majority of poisonous substances have no smell before they’re mixed with saliva – but now, it that sense really necessary? Taste can be trained to help us evaluate and consequently elevate the enjoyment of the food we eat. I know that we can use our other senses purely for enjoyment as well, but they all seem to be vitally necessary. Only taste seems to be optional for our enjoyment. Being reminded of the inspirational success of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan, no doubt, prompted her question. I remember playing this game w...

Today was an another unseasonably warm day in the northeast, so we took the ladies out again. Here are the pictures I promised. Here they are milling around in the pen, being pretty happy. And here they are one second later after I say, "Hey chickens!" which I normally do. Don't believe me? Here it is in video: And before you ask: No - my voice is not normally that high pitched, and Yes - I do, on occasion, laugh like Muttley from Wacky Races.

This won't help.

Okay. Not really, but I've been thinking about it and this beautiful little song. We're singing this song in chorus this year. I love the memories of watching this on TV when I was young, but even more, it sounds beautiful when we are singing it all together now. I hope Martha Stewart has some awesome, low-cost things to make for Christmas this year. I'm going to need the help budget- and spirit-wise.

I just thought this little baseball story had an interesting twist. I can't locate the original Sun Sentinel article as posted by them, but it seems to be here in its entirety.