Stacy Horn

Christ. The Army sends these guys out to the Arctic, and if it weren’t for the wife of the head of the expedition, they would have just left them there. But she got all this publicity and so they had to make an effort to rescue them. The Army was mad about how they had been embarrassed by the whole thing, for abandoning the men, and so they took it out on the men, taking years to pay them, etc. This kills me. They’re the bad guys, but they punish the men.

The documentary also showed how Greeley, who had been a bit of a jerk, and had crumpled under the adversity at first, hiding in his sleeping bag, etc., eventually rose to the challenge. He became strong, and compassionate, and the men who had said terrible things about him in their diaries came to love and respect him.

Don’t you wonder what you’re made of? I do. I’ve never been tested like that. The relatively minor tests I’ve gone through in life have brought mixed results. Sometimes I’m strong. Sometimes I’m a whiner. Oh! Oh! That reminds me, in a recent Bones episode Caroline said to Sweets, “We’re all just people, cherie.” It brought tears to my eyes. I watched that scene three times. I always think I have to be super-human and I loved the idea of letting go of all of that and allowing myself to just be a person.

Buddy yawning. Every time I try to catch the cats mid-yawn it comes out slightly out of focus. I think because I get so excited and I only have a split second and I never manage to calm down and focus before shooting.

One of the speakers on my desk has blown. I’m sure in some way, shape or form a cat is responsible. Unfortunately, new speakers are going to have to go on my “to buy when I have money again” list (damn you dental issues), but I’m already looking around and picking them out. I’m thinking about these [removed the link because I don’t want those anymore!].

Neat musical tidbit: “John Wesley is reported to have said that he did not see why the Devil should have all the pretty tunes.” – What Ralph Vaughan Williams answered when asked about incorporating some secular musical tricks into his sacred music.

I’m thinking of making “Neat musical tidbits” an on-going thing. I’m probably the last person in the world who uses the word “tidbit.”

Hey Finn. Okay, I know the blown speakers are not your fault, but something else invariably is. Oh you’re too cute, I can’t resist. Come here you.

If I wasn’t such a wuss. (And could afford it.) Instead I go to the library. The check-out line took forever. I’m not used to being on the check-out line, but the way this branch works, they send any copying you have done here and you have to wait on line to get it. Not the best system. (For me.)

I’m way behind in all my regular shows because I can’t stop watching the news about Egypt. Still rooting for the protesters. Boo to the government thugs who got violent. The army is surrounding the square today so it has been peaceful so far.

It’s cold out there. But instead of having to jump over puddles I can slide across them! I took this picture of a 15 foot long jump (or more) that I decided I couldn’t make.

As some of you may know, I’m writing a book about singing for Algonquin Books. I’m focusing on choral societies and I’m looking for choral societies in small towns and rural America in the 19th century (and early 20th).

I’ll be doing plenty of googling and calling local historical societies to find them, but I thought I’d say something here. You never know. Maybe one of you had a grandparent or earlier ancestor who belonged to a singing society of some sort! Or maybe you know someone or are in a choral society with a long history. Either way, please email me.

The Shawnee Welsh Choral Society of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, who sang at the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. I got this from the New York Public Library’s digital image collection.