Stacy Horn

A couple of people who have reviewed my book talked about the need to hear the music I wrote about. My publisher looked into including recordings in the ebook edition, but I think between getting permissions and the cost it just became unworkable.

I worry that people won’t find the right pieces. For instance, Victoria wrote more than one Agnus Dei and there are two in the mass I wrote about. The Agnus Dei I feature is the second one. I found a lovely version on YouTube, sung by the Choir of St Martin in the Field.

I thought of putting together a Spotify playlist. But how many people use Spotify? Perhaps I should make a page of links here.

Grace Church, the place where the Choral Society sings, in 1846, when it was just built …

Grace Church now.

I have gone back and forth and back and forth about how I want to spend my pub date and so far all I’ve managed is swimming in the morning and a few errands. I am out of my mind! What is wrong with me?? I think I will light a sparkler. No, I should wait until it’s dark. <—— SEE? I've been like this all day. This is Charles Street, which I sometimes take on my way home. Lucky are the people who live on Charles Street.

I didn’t sleep last night. This isn’t good. My publisher has set up a bunch of radio interviews, beginning today. Well, I’m sure I will rally.

My friends and I passed by this small makeshift shrine to James Gandolfini on our way downtown. According to the sign this is where the first episode of The Sopranos was shot (one of the scenes at least). I had the movie Fallen on in the background yesterday and Gandolfini was in it. It was weird to see him in a role that had none of the gravitas or depth of Tony Soprano.

For people following this blog, you might be surprised to learn that I’ve never been to the World Trade Center Memorial. (I was a volunteer down at St. Paul’s Chapel during the recovery period.)

This shot is of the north fountain, and on the far side you see treetops, and coming out of the treetops, a steeple. That St. Paul’s. If you bear in mind that this fountain represents the footprint of that massive tower, and you’re only seeing one section of the fountain, it becomes even more incredible that tiny St. Paul’s is still standing. More pictures below.

Even though there were signs asking people not to leave objects on the fountain, there were still a few here and there. I turned over this picture and learned that it was Robert Penninger, whose name was inches away. I googled Penninger and everyone talked about how he loved his green Mustang—the car he’s sitting in, in this photograph. Penninger was on Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon.

I liked the spot and the memorial, although it still has a construction site feel to it. It will be nicer when it’s done, and all the buildings are built and this park feels more like an oasis.

The United States is going to retire most chimps from research. I wish it was all chimps, but it’s a great step. As some of you know, I can’t watch a movie or read a book if there’s any animal harm, even if the harm is completely fictional. When I think of animals in real research settings I get so upset I honestly wish there was a god so all the people involved in animal research would end up in hell, while all the animals would end up in Heaven.

I’m sorry animal researchers, and I know on one level some of you are really trying to do good work, but, well, you know the arguments. But maybe for you guys, purgatory. Don’t worry, I’ll be there with you because I’m no saint. You can berate me there.

A few days after that article this one appeared about understanding mortality by looking at chimps. How could anyone perform experiments on animals after reading this?

I took these shots of the furballs taking it easy on a Saturday afternoon. This is Finney …

And this is Bleeck. I woke him up to take the shot. He has such beautiful eyes.