Month: September 2013

By now everyone has probably seen this, but here is an endearing translation of a conversation between two dogs.

And this is a picture of a window garden behind my building. I wish it was my window garden.

I was in Pennsylvania yesterday, talking about my book at the Wellington Square Bookshop and at West Chester University, at a meeting for the local chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

My God, Pennsylvania! I mean, first, check out the cookies below. I took this at the Wellington Square Bookshop where Donna McFadden had laid out these wonderful musical themed cookies (which were delicious). Wasn’t that an incredibly kind and thoughtful touch?? I felt so welcome and appreciated. Why didn’t I sneak some more in my pocket for the train ride home?? Seriously, they lit scented candles, made me tea, it was lovely. Thank you so much Donna and Wellington Square Bookshop.

Then, I didn’t know how I was going to get from the bookstore to the University, plus there were also hours and hours between events (an unavoidable scheduling issue). Well, Gail and Mary Lou, who came to the reading, live near the college and they drove me over!! And gave me a tour of the beautiful church where they sing (a centuries old converted barn)!! And I saw a baby deer!! And afterwards I went out to dinner with Gail and her husband Charles!! Thank you so much Gail and Charles and Mary Lou.

At the University, Erin Price and Mark were my next wonderful hosts. They’d just come from a big performance (they’re all music undergrads and grads) and they probably wanted to just kick back, but they came to my talk, and everyone who was there were all so funny and charming and relaxed (I think all but one of them also were part of the performance). I talked, they asked me questions, I asked them questions—the future singers and musicians of the world will be in good hands with them. Then Erin and Mark took me to the train and insisted on waiting with me until the train came (so polite). Thank you Erin and Mark.

I’m going to take it easy today, and maybe watch the EMMYS which I recorded last night.

The picture below is of a sign I passed by on Bleecker Street, two blocks from where I live. Oh how I laughed and laughed. Yeah. Right. Sigh. (I’m sure it’s a great deal.) There’s a street fair on Bleecker Street right now. It’s a gorgeous, windy day. I walked through the fair after swimming, and I felt so healthy and alive. It was kinda perfect.

I’m going to Pennsylvania tomorrow, to talk about my book Imperfect Harmony at two places, the Wellington Square Bookshop, and at West Chester University, at a meeting for the local chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. I’m a little nervous. Public speaking. Always a little nerve-wracking. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to get through my Tedx talk in November.

Woohoo! Imperfect Harmony was reviewed in the Atlantic, alongside Jhumpa Lahiri. I seriously love this review. “In this one-of-a-kind celebration of singing with others, I’d call her pitch nearly perfect … The thrill of being caught up in rare and rigorous communion, not just with a composer’s creation but with other voices, is contagious.” Thank you!!

My dragonfly came back. I’m sure it’s the same one. Totally. He missed me.

I looked over and saw this, and I immediately thought: trouble. Usually a scene like this would be followed by Bleecker pouncing on Finney, me jumping up and shouting, “NO!” to Bleecker and “I’m sorry,” to Finney. Sorry for bringing this little terror into his life, for what should have been his peaceful twilight years.

Instead, Bleecker sat as close as possible to Finney, but not too close to make Finney jump off the couch to find another spot to sleep. You can almost see the longing in Bleecker’s eyes. He so wants to be right next to Finney.

Soon, Bleecker was peacefully asleep. No one was more surprised than Finney.