Stacy Horn

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.

I recently got email announcing two animal protection bills that were recently passed in New York. From the email (and edited down):
 
Eliminating Animal Cruelty
 
Tethering an animal for a long period of time is not only cruel and unusual, but it’s also illegal now thanks to our new anti-tethering law (Intro. 425). Specifically, our new law prohibits anyone from chaining or otherwise tethering an animal outside for more than three straight hours during a twelve-hour period.
 
It also includes a number of other important protections, including a ban on the use of tethers that are too heavy and that can become entangled, and a requirement that tethered animals have access to food, shelter and water …
 
Encouraging Spaying & Neutering
 
Under our new spaying and neutering law (Intro. 328), the fee for licensing dogs that aren’t spayed or neutered will rise from $11.50 to $34.00.  
 
The additional $25.50 per license will be used to help support animal population control programs around the city.  The money will also be used to provide pet owner education, free and low-cost neutering, and other important veterinarian services to New Yorkers and their pets.
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It’s icy out there. I can hear people scraping up the streets right now outside my window. I’m also experimenting with the “vignette” effect in Photo Studio.