Fading Embers

Is Nothing Sacred?

This time our "mythbusters" mentality has simply gone too far.  According to an Associated Press article in today's Sun Gazette, "catnaps" are a hoax.  In a study which utilized "cat cams" -- mini cameras programmed to take photos every 15 minutes -- attached to cat collars, "about 22 percent of the cats' time was spent looking out of windows, 12 percent was used to interact with other family pets and 8 percent was spent climbing on chairs or kitty condos."

What about sleep?  "Just 6 percent of their hours" were spent catnapping.  This has stunned me.  I mean, if catnaps aren't real -- what is next? 

Even more thought-provoking is the fact that a research team spent hours analyzing "777 photos" of cat behavior, which, by the way, also included cats "looking at a television, computer, DVDs or other media".  So, perhaps we should ask housecats what they think of Comcast becoming even more of a media giant. 

Well, at least I know this -- my dog, Duke, sleeps a heck of a lot.  He must be making up for those overactive cats. 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

This Sunday, aside from being Gabrielle's birthday, marked the start of a time of preparation, a time of reflection, a time of anticipation -- no, not for the holiday shopping season -- for Christmas. 

Despite all signs from the secular culture and media, it is not yet Christmas.  It is, in fact, Advent.  Michael and I have always been somewhat hard-core about celebrating Advent -- some years, it's been the 22nd or 23rd before we broke down and bought a tree.  In part, this has been due to a hectic performance schedule in December, but it stems mostly from a respect for the liturgical calendar and the symbolism inherent in it. 

It's simple, really.  We take time to prepare our homes for special guests: we clean, we spruce things up a bit, we make the beds, we take out the trash.  Advent is a time to prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Christmas -- for the true meaning of Christmas.

As a parent, it is crucial to me that my children fully understand the religion that we practice.  Trust me, it's not easy when you have a 3 year-old and a 4 year-old who want to decorate the house with Santas.  To an extent, we indulge them -- we have more holiday decorations in place right now that we ever have before.  But, we also talk about "getting ready for Jesus' birthday".  We make an Advent wreath; we have an Advent calendar.  Not only are these symbols educational tools, they are fun activites for the family. 

 Aidan and Gabrielle and I made the wreath tonight (while Michael was in Lewisburg, singing Handel's Messiah).  We were a wee bit late for the wreath, but we did use the candles on Sunday, at least.  I realize now that if I keep doing the fall play the week before Thanksgiving, I am going to have plan far in advance for Ellie's birthday and Advent.

Aidan loved using the "big kid" scissors, and Gabrielle had fun with the wire.  And a thank you to Aunt Michelle and Uncle Adam for the scads of evergreens they brought us.  We could have made 10 wreaths...seriously.

 

Happy Third Birthday, Gabrielle!

It doesn't seem possible, but my little baby girl just turned three on Sunday.  What a year it has been -- Gabrielle has blossomed into a verbal, expressive, emotional, and humorous little person.  I love you, little girl!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving was spent going to Mass and then to my parents' house in Roaring Spring.  We went out to eat with my mom and my sister and her husband and son.  As is typical of Thanksgivings, we all ate too much and didn't regret it one bit.

Great Run, Arsenic and Old Lace!

Kudos to the kids and adults involved with the Montoursville High School production of Arsenic and Old Lace.  I am very proud of the performances given each night by our cast and crew! 

Leaf Me Alone!

Ahh, fall.  When the weather turns cold and children the world over are forced into labor crews of leaf collection and compliation.

And when they get hungry, they stage mutanies!

 
 

A Little Privacy, Please!

A star is born?

Opening Night: A True Success!

Congrats to the Cast and Crew of MHS's production of Arsenic and Old Lace! Last night's first performance was great.  I am so incredibly proud of what my students have accomplished -- everything is entirely run by students, from the backstage work to the onstage work to the sound and light booth work.  We've got a special group of kids who make me proud to be a teacher and who remind me why I became a teacher in the first place.  We have two more shows -- tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.  Knock 'Em Dead, MHS!

 

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On Sunday, November 15, I had the awesome opportunity to attend Michael's last concert with the Bucknell Concert Chorale.  He conducted a new work of his called "Invictus" -- the title means "Unconquered".  The test is by William Earnest Healy, and while it begins by describing the "clutch of circumstance", the speaker of the poem (and the singers of the song) "thank whatever gods may be for [their] unconquerable soul[s]."  The climax of the poem asserts, "It matters not how strait the gate, punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." 

The Chorale frequently expresses their appreciation for Michael as a conductor and fellow singer, and they truly enjoy the music he creates for them.  One student told him that after being introduced to his piece of music, she taped the words, "I am the master of my fate" to a place above her work station.  She says that reflecting on these words every day has helped her grow in confidence as she pursues her dreams in college.

Dedicated to his LHU Choir director and his Bucknell director, the piece of music was, like all of Mike's works, beautiful -- filled with tension, close notes, and soaring moments of glory. 

Another piece in the concert, "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine", took the audience on a journey inside the genius mind of Leonardo DiVinci as he contemplated human flight.  The vocal painting and effects capture the audience and before we know it, we are being lured by the siren song of the wind: "Leonardo, Leonardo, come fly."

The concert was filled with such pieces of music -- works that grasp the hand of the listener and pulls him into another world, into another perspective, into another consciousness.  I felt that I walked away a better, more enriched person.  That is the power of music, the power of honesty in music, the power of art.

"Momma! That's MY shirt!"

Tonight at play rehearsal, Aidan and Gabrielle were with me for part of the evening.  At one point, Aidan removed his sweatshirt and tossed it on his personal, walking clothes rack (me).  So I started to put it on.  My students bet me that I couldn't do it...

Well, getting it off was another story... Luckily, there is no film footage of that! :)