Links to Enjoy #33

Below are some links that caught my attention recently.  I hope you enjoy one or two of them.

My grandfather had a musical instrument he called a sweet potato but which, as far as I know, he never played.  A number of years ago I learned that a sweet potato is also called an ocarina. 
 

I was thrilled to find this video of an ocarina septet.  Enjoy! 


If you enjoy writing, love the English language, this post about semicolons may be for you.  Do you think semicolons are overused?  I thought this was interesting, especially the little semicolon test near the end. 


These photos of Owls in Towels come from all over the world. 

Rescuers and members of medical teams wrap injured owls in towels to assess their injuries and to prevent them from flapping their wings.  Mostly too cute, but a few look grumpy.  At the website, click on an owl to learn more about him or her.


Leaf cuttings!  Such fun.

Instead of paper Lido uses leaves as the background to create tiny scenes and silhouettes of animals.  Patience, precision, creativity, a sense of humor.  Look at some of his Instagram photos here, read a more detailed article here.  And this link is the best because if has a close-up photo of a bear with a basket of sweet gum balls using tongs to hand a porcupine baby back to its mother.  Its title is, "Wait a second!  That's my baby!"  The detail in the image and the humor it makes me chuckle.

I hope you found something to enjoy at one of these links.

--Nancy.

Links to Enjoy #22

I haven't been around the internet much these past few weeks, or the sewing machine either, for that matter, so I have only three links to share.  I hope you enjoy them.  (I'm sorry they're all videos, but they're short, if that helps.)

Oh, roundabouts.  I don't like them.  I still think a red/yellow flashing light or even a stop sign works better than a roundabout.  There is one large one in the country not far from us with fields on all four of what-used-to-be corners.  It seems a silly waste of money because there is so little traffic.  Then there is one in a residential area of the city on a narrow side street.  It's probably not more than about 12 feet across.  Another waste of money (in my opinion) and almost a u-turn when a simple left turn was adequate.  And many Ohio drivers don't know how to use them.  Some drivers will sit at the entrance to the roundabout until there are no cars in sight, wait another minute or two, then slowly move into the circle.  I'm happy to drive but I really don't like to waste time in the car.  Let me just get where I'm going.  All that to introduce this roundabout in Swindon, England.  If I go to England, I will avoid Swindon.


Are you a fan of roundabouts?

I used to think making a wine glass sing was a stunt or a trick. Then we bought a few goblets at the thrift store just to try it and learned that they really do sing, though I don't think we ever managed to "play" a song.  We learned that it requires wet fingertips.  (In the video below you'll see the musician dip his fingers into the glasses of water near the center front and rear of the table.)  Our paltry effort was nothing compared to the expertise of this musician.



And then there's the glass armonica, created by Benjamin Franklin, an instrument in which he put glass rims on a revolving rod which rotates for the musician to play.  Amazing!  Many years ago we saw someone play one of these at Colonial Williamsburg.



I think these have such an ethereal sound.

That's it for this installment of Links to Enjoy.  I hope you enjoyed at least one.

--Nancy.

A Little Slow Stitching

I decided against the large upside-down teardrop shapes on these flowers for Bramble Blooms 1, but that broad expanse was too broad and bare.  I'm trying these pointed oval shapes.  At just about an inch and a half in length, they'll be easy enough to remove if they don't do it for the flowers. 

I only discovered this music a year or so ago.  It is called "Spiegel im Spiegel" (which translates to "Mirror in the Mirror") and was written by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.  Not everyone may enjoy the slowness, but for me it's perfect for an occasional Sunday of stitching.  I love it.



I hope you're having a peaceful Sabbath whether you're stitching or not.  And if you're in a cold climate, I hope you're staying warm!

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thank you for hosting, Kathy.

--Nancy.

Parsonsfield, Tubas, Tomatoes, etc.

I finished Parsonfield (the top only) a few weeks ago but have had trouble getting a good photo.  Lori's quilt is white leaning to greys.  I knew I'd be happier with whites, creams, and tans.

Who knew low-volume/pastel quilts were so hard to photograph?!  In real life, the colors are somewhere between these two photos.  The above photo was taken with a flash, the photo below with natural light.  My top measures 23" which, I think, is slightly larger than Lori's. 

Parsonsfield was a sewalong offered by Lori of Humble Quilts.  I'm linking this post to Lori's linky party along with others who finished the quilt.  Thank you for recreating this little quilt and giving us the opportunity to recreate it, too, Lori.

Attending Merry Tuba Christmas has become one of our Christmas traditions.  This past Monday we enjoyed hearing the tubas play Christmas carols.  I like to sit in the balcony where the sound flows up from the tubas and descends from the ceiling to envelope me.  I think it must be like sitting in the middle of the stage surrounded by tubas.

It's hard not to appreciate the glitz and glitter (even though it's not my usual style) of the tubas.  In this photo, above, the players were giving a tuba cheer which is causing the blurry appearance.  Since their hands aren't free to clap, they lift and lower their instruments again and again.   It's a fun sight to see in person and almost as fun on video.



You can watch the tuba cheer at 17:20 minutes.  And you can hear one of my favorite tuba Christmas songs, "Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas," with its history, beginning at 23:54 minutes.

We've had more than a few days with beautiful blue skies.  Of course, the weather has been cold and we've had wind most of those days, but it's been great to see the sun.  We did have two really grey days and one snowy day with snow that stuck to the ground.  I've always loved snow but I'm finding more and more that I love it most when I'm watching it through a window in a warm house.  Snow or not, freezing temperatures or not, I won't get to stay inside this winter with Nona here.  I may have to invest in some warmer winter wear.

The tomatoes are ready for Christmas!  I, on the other hand, am having a hard time, not just getting ready, but even wanting to get ready.  My theme song for this Christmas could be, "Where Are You, Christmas?"  The usual joy of the season has bypassed me.  Not that I haven't done some preparation.  The gifts are bought, but not wrapped.  We put up a small tree and added lights, but no decorations.  There are candles in the windows but only because they're in the windows  year-round.  Our front door has no wreath and I haven't pulled out any other decorations.  I haven't baked cookies or made candy.  I'd rather sleep or read, or maybe stitch or watch a movie, than do anything else.  I push myself to do, but my heart's not in it.  Dear Christmas, where are you this year?!  I realize that some years are just like this and accept it.  Next year's Christmas will probably be a wonderful one!

I hope you're making great memories this holiday season!

--Nancy.

Basting a Stem & a New Song I Love

If I have minutes to slow stitch today, preparing this stem for one of the flowers on my Bramble Blooms center is my priority.   I haven't mastered turned edge applique so will baste the edges.

The flowers are large, almost flamboyant, and I argue with myself whether to make calmer, smaller, more static flowers.  Maybe mine aren't "improv-y" enough....  Myself and I are still having that discussion so we'll see soon how it turns out.

I first heard this song a few weeks ago.  I couldn't hear the words but thought the music haunting and ethereal.  The tune stayed with me.  Just this week I learned the title of the song, listened again, then looked up the lyrics.  For its pure beauty, I'm sharing it here. 



It makes me think of lullabies I've known with its gentle, soothing tune, and comforting words to encourage peaceful sleep.  Lyrics are here if you want to read along.

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Kathy.

--Nancy.

Typewriters and Music on the Brain (but no quilts today)

There's really such a thing as a typewriter orchestra?  Yes:  The Boston Typewriter Orchestra!  Who knew?!  I'm sharing because sometimes things are just too unusual not to share.

This is a Kelly Clarkson interview with several of its members.  If you only want the music, it starts at 2:39 minutes.  Be prepared for percussion "music."  You can learn more at their website.



And then there's this orchestra playing "The Typewriter," a delightful bit of music.



It's pure silliness, but I love this performance and the music.

Now I'll to go back to quilting.

--Nancy.

A Beautiful Song for This Early Spring Day

The day is almost over but I wanted to share this beautiful song I heard for the first time this morning.



It's called "Awake and Arise, All Ye Children of the Light" and has a delightful, lilting melody. It seemed just right for this early spring morning and the accompanying images are, I think, perfectly suited. (The video has several more songs after this one if you want to watch.)

To see the words, hover your mouse on the lower right of the video screen and click the little box with "CC" in it.
I hope you've had a beautiful day!

--Nancy.

A Hymn for Sunday

My husband, daughter, and I were at this performance of The Cardinal Chorale in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse on June 18, 2019.  We had just come off the adjacent elevator and I thought we might have arrived in Heaven, the music was so exquisitely beautiful.  The acoustics there are amazing:  the singing rose to the height of the Rotunda which doubled it and sent it back to our ears.

These are the lyrics for The King of Love:  

     The King of love my shepherd is,
     Whose goodness faileth never.
     I nothing lack if I am His,
     And He is mine forever.

     Where streams of living water flow,
     My ransomed soul He leadeth;
     And where the verdant pastures grow,
     With food celestial feedeth.

     And so through all the length of days,
     Thy goodness faileth never.
     Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
     Within Thy house forever.

The Cardinal Chorale is a group of young people from high school juniors to college sophomores.  They are involved in a workshop for a week or so each summer, then at home they learn and practice the music until the next summer when they gather to perform.  Their performance at the Statehouse was for their benefit, to experience the sound in that setting, and there was no audience except those of us who happened to be there. 

I wish you a wonderful Sabbath.

--Nancy.
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How Bright Is the Day

I just rediscovered this American folk hymn and, because I love it so, thought I would share.  The lyrics are below.




       How Bright Is the Day

       How bright is the day when all people
       Receive the sweet message to come,
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.

       The angels stand ready and waiting,
       The moment the spirit is gone,
       To carry it upward to heaven,
       And welcome it safely at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.

       The saints that have gone up before us,
       All raise a new shout as we come,
       And sing hallelujah the louder,
       To welcome the travelers home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       And be there forever at home.
       To rise to the mansions of glory,
       And be there forever and ever and ever and,
       Be there forever and ever and ever and,
       Be there forever and ever and ever and,
       And be there forever and ever and ever and,
       Be there forever at home.

I wish you  a joyful Sabbath.

--Nancy.
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Music on Glass Harp and Glass Armonica

Wasn't that beautiful?  There's another instrument, called a glass armonica, that creates a sound like this.  Our family learned about glass armonicas when we visited Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, a dozen or so years ago.  We were surprised to learn that such beautiful music could be created from glass and moist fingers.  It was ethereal. 

Benjamin Franklin created the glass armonica by arranging glasses of graduated sizes on a horizontal spindle.  Using foot-power to spin the armonica and moist fingertips to touch the rims of the glasses as they spun, he was able to play music.  Genius!  Below is, again, "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" played by William Zeitler, this time on the armonica.



Enjoy!

I hope you have a restful Sunday.

--Nancy.
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Oh, To Be Able to Dance!

Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and lots of other
dancers, too. High energy and lots of fun!

How Can I Keep from Singing?!

Amazing Grace!

Joy for Grace

Blessings to you this Sabbath Day.