Seeing Red

No, I'm not angry or upset in any way, as a matter of fact the Lord seems to be giving me an extra measure of joy for which I am grateful. This time of year is difficult for me as this past Sunday was the anniversary of my Mother's passing. Usually this time of year brings a heaviness and the year she died was also a Sunday so it seemed especially real again, but God has been showing me my blessings and giving me a joy I didn't expect which has helped me tremendously in getting me through this week.

Anyway, back to the "red"...

Saturday was a busy day. We didn't get to go out to breakfast as I had hoped, Hubby had to meet a team out on the trails for a work session. I decided to practice early, only to go over to the church and find Women's Aglow having a meeting in the basement (directly under the organ). I didn't want to "tip-toe" around, so I decided to go home, take care of some other projects and practice later in the day. One of my summer projects is painting a chair and a side table to match my new bistro set we purchased for the back deck. I had wanted to get it ready for the 4th, but didn't make it. You may remember the chair from a previous photo I've used here:

 I only got my painting started when I ran out of paint, so a trip to the hardware store on my way back to the church was in order, then after my 4 hour practice time I tried to finish it up, but I didn't get to finish before it got too late in the day. I like the red color against the turquoise of the house.

For offertory this Sunday I chose one of Gordon Page's organ arrangements to play. I did it as close to perfect as is humanly possible during my practice time on Saturday, but when it came time to do it publicly, I messed up and it took me a couple of measures to get it back to something recognizable. GRRR. Ok, maybe this did have me seeing some red. I was truly upset with myself for that one.

This week Hubby brought home some freshly picked strawberries that he purchased from a customer. Eight quarts which needed to be washed, sliced and frozen. I took care of a couple of quarts on Saturday in between painting and practicing, but last night (Monday) we knew we needed to get them put away or they'd spoil so after another 3 1/2 hour practice session, and a weeding of the entire garden after cooking and cleaning up supper, we washed and sliced the rest. Our reward was fresh strawberries over ice-cream for dessert! Needless to say, I was one tired pup last night!

Our rose bush bloomed again, but it looks like these are the last for the season. I liked how they draped so nicely over the driftwood. 

We have been seeing lots of wildlife in the neighborhood the last couple of weeks. This young lady has been a frequent visitor and we enjoyed watching her until she made herself at home in the garden and nibbled a swath through the kale and beet greens!

Hubby now has hung what he calls his "scare deer" on the line outside in hopes of keeping her away. I have caught it out of the corner of my eye a couple of times and wondered who was in my backyard!

We also seem to have a large skunk that has made a couple of attempts to get under the garden fence. I'm not sure what to do about that one, of course we're forever scaring off the bunnies...cute as they are!

Yesterday during my organ lesson I started another new piece. This one is for Advent and will take that much time to get comfortable, I'm sure. I've heard my mentor play it every year for the last 20 years, but it wasn't until this year when I heard him play it that something came over me and I knew I just had to learn it. My mentor said, "you mean you realized you had to allow it to go into your system and become part of you so you can then let it flow out of you. I know, if you're not a musician, especially an organist you may think that sounds pretty flaky, but I'm here to tell you, it's true. He also said "you can call the guys in the little white coats to come get me any time...hardy har har". :D

Sometime during the night last night I had an awful nightmare. I have no idea why, but I woke up gasping in the middle of the night because I had dreamed I witnessed the church where I have my lessons being bombed! The "good" thing was, I somehow knew there was no one inside. The weird thing was I didn't "hear" anything happen in my dream. I was standing out front, looked away for a moment, then looked back and the towers were both gone, only smoke "towers" were left...like ghosts. The rose window was broken (the organ frames it on the inside) and smoke was pouring out, I knew the organ was gone and I wept as though I had just lost a family member. I shared this with my mentor and this was his reply: This world, as we know it, is passing on...it is so interesting about the destruction. I dreamed once (25 years ago??) that the church was packed with people, but it had nothing to do with the worship of God. It was all about us worshipping ourselves, because there was no mention of anything regarding Christ and His Sacrifice or even acknowledging God...The organ was gone and the console was used to put guitar cases, etc. upon. People were singing and carrying on, but it was all about ourselves. Black and white and tragic. Yikes. You have to wonder about imaginations. God help us all.

I don't know what it means, but it has left me a bit shaken. It was awful.

In the midst of all my business, I found time to make another set of cards:

and lose 2 inches off my hips and abs and 1 1/2 inches off my waist!! Onward and downward...FINALLY!!

Today our high temperature was a cool 52* and it's been breezy so I haven't been out to finish my painting project. I'm hoping for tomorrow.

Christmas Planning

It's difficult to type with my hands wrapped around a coffee cup on this cold, cold morning. I'm fighting with myself not to crawl back under the covers...decided I wouldn't get back to sleep anyway. I've noticed this week that "hibernation mode" has begun to set in, I've been fighting that too because I have so much to do and so many plans for the upcoming months, but it's so hard when all I want to do is sleep and eat. Comfort foods found their way into my shopping cart yesterday and after I indulged, my body didn't feel good, nor did my spirit. I hate it when I give in. Two students brought me boxed chocolates for Christmas presents and I decided since I never and I do mean never have boxed chocolates, I would enjoy a few, but I set them on the table to share. I have been "good" up until yesterday, so I decided through Christmas day...maybe the day after depending on what other goodies need to either be consumed or a new home found for them, I will not go looking for delicacies to tempt me away from my diet, but if they come knocking at my door I will enjoy a taste or two...or three and start fresh in a few days.

The plan for today is to stay home and work on Christmas cards and letters. I have nothing ready for Christmas...all I have had time to do is teach and practice. Morning chores are done, I've started a loaf of bread and have plenty of leftovers in the refrigerator so I won't be cooking today. I have one student this afternoon, I hope she won't mind having a lesson amidst my card making clutter. 

Plans for Christmas are still up in the air. I'm hope, hope, hoping I can go hear my mentor play on Christmas Eve. Several years ago now, we would go down for their midnight mass (which was actually held at 8:00 p.m.) and he'd always invite us to sit in the balcony with the choir. On occasion I was asked to help turn pages for him. When my kids got older and more vocal, I gave up my desires for theirs and we stopped attending. One year in particular, I remember just my mother and I drove down. There was no snow that year! Like me, she thoroughly enjoyed the music and the readings and the second we stepped out the door to leave it began to snow! I always love when we enter the church the manger scene near the steps has an empty manger and when we come out, the baby is there. This year I have requested to go again and those who want to join us may. I'm not getting any solid answers from anyone yet, including my Hubby, but I'm so hoping he'll drive me down. I still don't know when everyone is planning on arriving in town. I just found out that they have returned their midnight mass to midnight, but my mentor suggested we come to the one they offer at 4:00...so that's what I'm "planning". For me, there is absolutely nothing like singing Christmas hymns with the pipe organ - especially when my mentor is playing it! 

Well...things aren't getting done sitting here....