|
rmcclain
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Ruth Ann
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Metro: Memphis
Gender: Female
Interests: All things flute, particularly teaching; classical music; the Anglican Church/Communion; Macintosh computers; my family; most kinds of pets; travel and good food.
Expertise: Most things related to flute, particularly teaching and playing; former orchestral player; member of flute and harp duo; web design (some!); cooking.
Occupation: Other
Industry: Other
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  deltaflute
Member Since:
8/3/2005
|
|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| 25 year Aneurysm Survival!July 22 marked 25 years since I had a cerebral aneurysm, so definitely cause for celebration. I learned from friend that a friend of his had an aneurysm a few days ago, and is having a tough time, so please do remember Cathy B. in your prayers, and her husband Mickey.
I was very lucky in that mine did not rupture, but leaked, and they were able to go in behind my right eye and put in a clamp and repair it before it blew. I was in some pretty heavy pain for 3-4 days before going to a dr. to see what was going on, so again, I was very lucky. Recovery from the 7+ hours of surgery was several weeks, but I felt so good when I woke up, with no headache! After effects include not being able to have an MRI, and my right eyebrow doesn't move much, so students think I am giving them the "evil eye" quite often! I also have dent in the side of my head, but hair pretty much covers it up.
Just remember that people do survive!
On a different note, finished the UofM Flute Institute with help from teachers Beth Lafrenz, Charles Lewis, Jenny Davis, and at the end, Logan McNeive. Was a big success, thanks to Samuel and Nancy in the University of Memphis Community Music School.
Still in the throes of redoing Arkansas kitchen, and other repairs, and then off to the NFA convention Aug.5-10.
| | |
| More about the concerts, computers, and travel............It has been a very fun week with Luciano and the others here for the festival. Some really good music and music making all week long, ending with the final concert last night, followed by a party catered by my daughter.
If you would like to see photos from the festival and also music (if not up not, should be soon), go to the site: http://www.belvederefestival.org Luciano, I, and Jen Rhodes, bassoonist with the MSO, played for the morning service at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church along with Wesley Emerson, organist/choirmaster. Again, great fun making music.
We also spent another day at the Apple Store yesterday, making some purchases, and tomorrow off to Arkansas for a few days.
| | |
| 2 days in a row!My friend Luciano arrived safely last night, and we have been talking non-stop since then, whenever we are awake! He had his introduction to Memphis BarBQ earlier when friends took us to Central BBQ. As quite the BBQ lover myself, this was my first trip to Central. I thought it quite good, but no better than Corky's, or our Marianna BBQ, Jones, which is the best!
We just spent most of the afternoon, after BBQ, at the Apple Store...........we Apple geeks/nerds really love checking out the latest from Apple, and no doubt, we will go back while he is here. So now we are off to a party to kick off the Belvedere Music Festival.
More, I'm sure....................
| | |
| Again, way too long awayI have not meant to neglect this for so long, but losing both parents within 6 months, as well as other parts of my life going on somewhat normailly, has just dealt me a blow. I am going to try and do better, once again.
Mostly everything is getting back to normal. I am really looking forward to a visit from my good friend Luciano Tristaino! I haven't seen him since 1970. We met in Slovenia is 1998, and then some friends and I did a mini tour of the area around Florence, Italy, and he was kind enough to make several connections for us, and showed us around Florence. He arrives tonight, and will be performing in the Belvedere Chamber Music Festival next week. After the festival, we will do sight seeing around Memphis, and I will take him to Marianna, Arkansas, so he can get a real taste of the Mississippi Delta area.
I have also made some changes, and when in Memphis, have begun attending St. James Reformed Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, I have only been a few times, but hope to go more in the future, and also like what I see so far, and what I am learning about the REC, mainly, that it is NOT attached to Canterbury! That is a real plus for me.
I am looking foward to attending the NFA convention in Kansas City, and have decided to drive this year. It is only 7-8 hours, and by the time I deal with the early arrival, flight, bag restrictions, security, I would rather drive. The airlines, specifically the "dinosaurs" as they are called by The Travel Insider, David Rowell (really great site and newsletter), have made flying a real pain, and continue to do so. What used to be fun is now mostly unpleasant, and they have noone to blame but themselves, and their total disregard of the flying public, i.e., the people who pay them!
Hubby and I are getting ready to do some much needed remodeling in our house, built in 1919! We are doing some in the kitchen, including new countertops, new oven and refrigerator, new sink, and we are adding long needed cabinets on our back porch. Also painting the outside trim, and other outside things. I have to keep thinking about the results, as the preparation is no fun (cleaning out cabinets).
And lastly, in spite of the fact that I disagree with John McCain on some issues, I will vote for him and support him this fall. The thought of Obama winning is just too scary. What is even more scary is that a lot of the general public seems mesmerized by him.................shades of Hitler and his influence over the German people in the 1930s. Obama will destroy our military leaving us wide open to attack by terrorists, and also losing many freedoms which our forefathers worked long and hard to achieve. He has the most liberal, leftist voting record in the senate, and is a Marxist. MSM has just done everything they could to destroy President Bush for the past 7 years, and here Obama has made gaffe after gaffe, and climbs higher and higher on MSM's pedestal. Read RJ Gore's Xanga blog for some really good insight and links about Obama. While some may think otherwise, just remember that much of what Bush is, and has been, criticized for, could NOT have been done without the approval and backing of congress!
Maybe I can get back into the blogging mode. Thanks for visiting my site........................until next time.
| | |
| Counting; A Must Read!!Again, a long time since my last post; hard to believe. Will definitely try to do better.
Patricia George had another good post on Flute tonight:
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 23:01:40 +0000
Subject: Re: Density 21.5
I wish there were a simple answer to your question. Unfortunately, counting is counting.
When I was a little girl studying the piano and being asked to count EVERYTHING out loud, I thought: I can hardly wait until I am older and then I won't have to count. I thought that the older players weren't counting. Little did I know that they were counting silently!
The more that you study music you will find that the best musicians count. They count parts of parts. Most teachers who are working with players who are on the audition circuit will tell you that RHYTHM is the number one thing on the first round of auditions.
My hero, Nadia Boulanger, said "To live you have to count. One who counts best lives best. One should be a saint to be a true teacher." (This is from Don Campbell's book Master Teacher: Nadia Boulanger.) So, slow down and figure out the subdivisions. There are no shortcuts.
Best, Patricia George
| | |
|
