Seize the day – with a Reverie Harp! Pete and I ran off to the beach this afternoon. We got in a 7 minute walk before the wind and rain got to us. We then dined at the newly renovated Mo’s at Cannon Beach. We watched the sunset from inside the car while I played the new harp. That was cool. Finally, on the drive home, we went through white out SNOW conditions!!! It was wild!
From inside the restaurant. Notice the lights reflecting on the window.
Just a few moments later.
Ahhhh
Harpe Diem!
The delivery will be easy but I think my wallet needs an epidural – haha. Look at the *gorgeous* Reverie Harp that’s on the way to my home. I REALLY want to provide therapeutic music to folks, especially and hopefully at the DREAM job I applied for at the children’s hospital. Anyone can play this harp because it is set to a pentatonic (5 note) scale where every note harmonizes with every other note. It’s impossible, even for non-musicians, to hit a “wrong” note. The soothing sounds and the vibrations from having this harp on your lap, or on your chest if you are in a hospital bed, are stellar. And from what I’ve heard, even quadreplegics with some arm motion can play this. How awesome is that???
22 strings, 20″ X 12.5″
Lightweight, portable, gorgeous sound, anyone can play it!!
The “face” on the harp reminds me of this character.
Other than popping into PCC’s chamber ensemble 2 weeks ago, I have not played any instruments since last October. Hoo boy – going through withdrawal for sure!
I’m getting repertoire together to play at the children’s hospital. If one can get the commercial aspects out of one’s mind, many Disney songs are quite lovely from a melodic perspective. I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”.
Figuring out melodies/harmonies in 2 different keys
Flutetastic work of art. Love those keys!
We were in Bellevue, WA for Wintergrass, 2013 – an *enormous*, indoor bluegrass festival, where there were, literally, 24/7 jam groups. It was stellar!
We went to a cello workshop with Rushad Eggleston. This guy is an extremely talented, creative, out of the box, cello virtuoso.
Wild man Rushad
Rushad playing cello while jumping off chairs
I wanted to add a cool video of Rushad playing a complex piece while hopping around on one foot, but neither WordPress nor Facebook will allow it. Here’s a YouTube video of Rushad playing at lightning speed, being more serious and staying stationary, which is unusual.
Double neck mando. Top neck is strung like a ukulele. Bottom neck is strung like a viola. Cool, huh? Had a nice sound! (This pic is making me look gray and blond. I’m neither. It’s the lighting!!)
It’s too hard to summarize the awesomeness of Wintergrass in words. You have to experience it for yourself!
Warming up for a vigorous scarf dance!
Doing the Elephant Stomp!
High energy scarf dance. Kids coming through. Stand back!
Thanks to LLF for the pix!
My fourth and final Kindermusik practicum class took place at my home today instead of at the church where we had been for 3 weeks. It was FUN and I’m sad that, for now, it’s over. I’m running into some walls trying to find a rental place from here on out. And I’m sure the city will fight me on my having a business at home. Sigh. More pix coming in the next post, but doesn’t this one just scream “Kindermusik is happening here because not all the neighbors have a penguin on their mailbox!!”?
When physical therapy tape attacks one’s back.
In bad German, “Pfun with Pflasters”
Uh – ouch. But 20 points for shooting a picture over my shoulder!
Houston, we have an owie!!
And now, for something completely different…
Hoping for spring! (Seen on my walk today)
Right now, I’m in a seized up, can’t see straight, pain fest. (Can’t wait to hear the good in this one, she mutters to herself). The first good thing is that my ever fabulous PT, Dan, was able to fit me in for a 90 minute appt that should have lasted 45. He is always incredibly generous.
I figured all these muscle spasms are from my just being so out of shape because of all the past injuries and traumas. Well, I am out of shape, but fortunately, that’s not the entire picture. I happen to have a hypermobile spine that also has alot of torsion in it. So yay – I’m about 90-95% not at fault for my spine being a big ol mess.
The “more bad” is that I have to rearrange my last Kindermusik practicum class next week and I have to postpone my playing music at the hospital. I hate doing that because I don’t want to appear as a flake, but sometimes ya just have to. Poor Pete, who is working 18 hour days and gearing up for another impending business trip, will have to do all the work to get our family room ready for my Kindermusik class but at least I can still have it, as scheduled, here at home.
The good in that is the family room will get really cleaned up and tested as a prospective Kindermusik site!
So, alot of good from La Poop! I just wish I could breathe deeply without half my back going into spasm. Oh, oxygen is so overrated. Let’s do anaerobics!!
The 3rd Kindermusik practicum class today was FUN, FUN, FUN!!! I love the kids, I love the grown-ups, I love the singing/dancing/playing we’re doing. I’m truly transported to a magic space, which is important to keep in mind. This Bama born and bred gal (me) ails ALOT with the Oregon gray weather. I’ve been itching to move somewhere tropical. Maybe I just need to hold Kindermusik classes ALL the time instead of heading to Florida?? 🙂
Here’s what I’d really like to do. Live in Oregon, April 1st till Dec 6th, and then live somewhere WARM from Dec 7th until March 31st. Hey, other snowbirds do it, why not? Nothing beats Oregon summers – or tropical winters 🙂
If you haven’t done so yet, check out www.kindermusik.com In the bottom left corner where it says, “Try a free preview class”, my schedule will soon be listed!
Keep singing and dancing y’all!
mariannedecher 