It's not about making sense

1) I really did get the scooter, and I love it! Such a joy to be out on the rail trail again.

2) I just applied to make a presentation on Thomas Commuck at the National Hymn Society meeting next year! Now I wait...

3) We've had our current cats for almost a year. They came from a hoarding situation and then a long time in fostering; definitely some trauma. Livvy is very needy, and wants a LOT of both play time and cuddles. Lilly has been much more cautious. I'm deeply grateful that her foster people gave us her scratching post and cardboard scratching box, as they are still her safe places. She loves to be petted, but absolutely NOT to be held or on a lap.

Neither cat sleeps with any of us, so I was surprised and delighted when I felt a cat snuggle up to me last night. I was extra delighted when I discovered that it was Lilly! She stayed with me most of the night!

4) Just had another set of online dulcimer workshops, and am feeling inspired.

This year a flock/family of 8 turkeys walks through our yard most days. As Laura and I started our walk today, we found a glorious big turkey feather, and picked up (because you have to pick up feathers, right?).

Shortly on our walk, we encountered a very little boy riding his bike, with his parents walking along. His helmet was decorated with big feathers! Of course we gave him ours, and the world was happier all around.

Three years ago I injured my left foot quite badly, which set off a year of botched attempts to get a custom brace for it, and as a result two years ago it got infected, and I almost lost my foot or even my life. My foot was left quite deformed, but I finally managed to get a perfect support boot and generally stabilized the situation. I can walk comfortably, almost as much as before, and relearned how to play organ pedals. The one thing that still causes me sadness is that I can't ride a bike.

I've been looking, occasionally, for an electric ridable thing that would work. I have doctor's clearance to try an ebike, but would have to modify a pedal to suit my foot. I could do a mobility scooter but I really want something that looks and feels like riding a bike, not sitting on a mobile chair.

Today, after trying lots of different web searches, I finally stumbled on something that looks almost perfect-- and for MUCH less than my imagined budget. After discussion with my family, I clicked "buy"-- it arrives Thursday! It is basically a small, low powered electric motorcycle. Ebikes are allowed on my beloved rail trail-- I can hardly wait!

I need to write up a detailed note for sharing these, but omigosh they're both live!!

Recording of my presentation about Thomas Commuck, including 10 of his tunes:
Music in the Air


My transcriptions of Indian Melodies to modern notation:
Indian Melodies

It's been a bit. Mostly I've been amazingly busy with creative stuff.

My job is music, of course, and both church and piano lessons are going well. One of my older students has stopped (no, not Dylan!) but I understand that, and he is well enough along that I suspect he'll continue to pick things up by himself.

I'm polishing the long version of my research on Thomas Commuck, and trying to be patient as my kid finishes editing the recording of the service I led on June 2. I did my Master's Thesis just before word processing programs were able to easily create and organize footnotes, so that part is kind of fun right now. My transcriptions of the tunes are all on IMSLP now, and once the recording is done I'll be begging you all to help spread them around!

Still playing hammered dulcimer. Trading time between other people's compositions, and arranging Commuck tunes.

Finally... for all the years I've been helping Laura learn to quilt, and watching her grow into being a modern art quilter, I've been content to do traditional quilting, though with a modern twist to my design and color choices. But a little idea has been nagging at me, and suddenly I find myself well into creating my first actual art quilt! In fact the top is more than 2/3 done and moving quickly; but once it's together I'll have to pause and work on my actual quilting skills before completing it.

... a teenager came out to me today, because I was wearing a pride pin.

... also, dealt with some of my frustration by uploading the first file of Commuck in modern notation to IMSLP, and prepped the next ten for tomorrow.

... and now I have some consolation. Two different video recordings both failed-- but there is an audio recording! I'll post it tomorrow when I can include time stamps.

dulcimer

Every few months I take some online dulcimer workshops, rather than taking continuing lessons. This is my main challenge piece from the last set-- or at least 2/3 of it. There's a C section that's still a bit rough so I skipped it tonight. The piece is "Come to the Waters" by Amanda Roberts.

Still working on my big project, with a deadline just over 3 weeks away. I've got a solid rough draft ready (two actually, short and long versions) but had some serious writer's block regarding a conclusion.

Today I had a wonderfully long spell of "house time" with no one else around. After relaxing for a while and doing a few tasks, I spent an hour in plain silence; I snacked and took a walk without my usual headphones. And at last, my conclusion took shape, and is half written now! I also created an IMSLP account so I can begin to upload the music I've transcribed.

And then I baked brownies, because it's time to celebrate!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOCUh5xJ_uY

Old Indian Hymn, as written down by Thomas Commuck, a Narraganseett/Brothertown Indian, in 1845.

(Still getting comfy with it so there are some tiny bloopers, but eager to share.)

13 for communion tonight.

At least it was Ash Wednesday and not Maundy Thursday.

:)