Brahms, Death, and just being there

Readers, I lost someone dear to us tonight. I’ll write a tribute later. For now, I’ll bring up a piece of wisdom from a past post.

A long time ago, when I was young and studying piano, I was struggling to play Brahms. I could play the notes, it sounded nice, but my performance was lacking in the emotion and the intensity that makes Brahms’ works the dramatic pieces that they are.
My teacher stopped and thought. Then she told me:

I once had trouble playing Brahms. I couldn’t express it properly, and I didn’t know why. I didn’t know what was missing. I never knew what to say at funerals, either.
Then my husband died. And I realized what I had never known; that there was nothing anyone can say at funerals. All you can do is be there; and being there is the most important thing of all.
And then, then I could play Brahms.

Well, I stuck to Debussy and Chopin for a long time. But I know now; even if there is nothing to say, no way to help the grieving, it’s important to be there.

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Daisy’s traveling purse

The short version of the story: I saw this.

The green option.

The green option.

I said to myself, “Oh, self, that is amazing. Can I find one like it?”

So I did.

Pink Purse hanging in cubicle

Pink Purse hanging in cubicle

Tonight, we went out to a local restaurant for dinner. I set my purse on a shelf next to the table. It seemed to work.

The waiter did a double take.

The waiter did a double take.

So, friends in the blogosphere, expect more adventures of the Pink Watering Can Purse. I predict more adventures like this one.

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Seedlings

They’re here! The seeds are coming up. They’re kind of spindly, though, and they’re stretching their little necks – er, stems – toward the wee bit of sunshine that comes through the windows.

Okay, everybody, lean!

Okay, everybody, lean!

I set them outside a few days ago when the temperatures got near 60. Then I brought them inside to soak in the heat of the grow lights. If I can do that a few more times, it’ll help the spindly stems strengthen. Say that ten times fast, if you can.

I have herbs that wintered indoors, tomatoes, peppers, and — radishes.

Radishes in coffee cans - Chuck's suggestion.

Radishes in coffee cans – Chuck’s suggestion.

We’ll see how they all grow. Most years, I put the pedal to the metal, er, the seedlings in the soil at the end of May. These little tiny starters should be ready by them.

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Bunnies! Spring decor

I’m not a designer or a decorator. I’m content if the Christmas decoration are put away by the time the snow melts. So putting away the snowmen and snowflakes during Spring Break was a reasonable goal.

The next set of decorations featured – do you want to guess? Oh, I gave it away already. Bunnies. Spring means rabbits.

La Petite's collection

La Petite’s collection

This set of (mostly) bunnies was in La Petite’s old room. In the process of turning that into an office-slash-guest room, I’m taking down some of the decorations. These will do a little time in the den, and then I’ll pack them up with bubble wrap and bring them to the bunny whisperer herself, La Petite.  Here, take a closer look.

Kids with bunnies

Kids with bunnies

Oops - This one doesn't belong.

Oops – This one doesn’t belong.

Okay, readers, it’s time to share. What are the signs of spring in your humble homes?

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Bean Soup – times ten

My sister-in-law gifted me a few delicious bean mixes from the Women’s Bean Project.

Bean soup cover

I did it my way, of course, and didn’t follow the directions exactly. I made it in the crock pot instead. It was delicious. The soup tastes good and does good, too.

Bean soup back

Of course, me being me and liking to cook from scratch, I tried to find out what the spices were. I can replicate the beans, but the herbs and spices were perfect. Can I deconstruct this mix and recreate it?

Bean soup ingredients

 

Maybe not. It just says “spices” plus paprika and turmeric. Readers, what do you recommend? Rosemary? Thyme? Sage?

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Krumpet and Biscuit

La Petite sent me a text message with a photo of a cute little lion head bunny that wasn’t her little lionhead bunny. The series of texts went something like this.

LP: It’s a male bunny up for adoption at a small animal sanctuary someone I know runs. And part of me wants it to be Krumpet’s husband.

Me:  Cute. Possibilities.

Me (a few seconds later): Oh, dear. Did I really say that?

LP: Well, Krumpet has seemed lonely and a bit mischievous lately.

LP: She’s great and clingy when I get home, but when I’m gone she gets into things.

Me: When we got Sadie, Peanut gnawed a lot less. He just needed company.

LP: I’d have to meet the little guy, probably even schedule a greeting with Krumpet.

Me: Sounds promising.

LP: They just called. He’s still available.

Me: Is he fixed?

LP: Neutered and litter trained.

Me: Do it!

She did it. She introduced her own little bunny to the potential “mate” on Saturday morning.

bunnies bonding

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(Almost) Actual Email Exchanges

Subject line: Urban Myths that Should be True

Teacher 1: When indulging in a Little Debbie nutty bar and a diet soda, the latter should cancel out any calories in the former.

Teacher 2: Little Debbie? We have Little Debbies?

Teacher 1: She’s helping little Mary with her fundraiser.

Subject line: Good news, Bad news

From me to Chuck:

Good news: The Girl Scout cookies are here!

Bad news: I walked to school today!

Good news: I walked to school today!

Bad news: The cookies will have to wait until tomorrow!

The best news, however, is that Spring Break starts this afternoon. I need a nap- or about a week of naps.

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Thinking Spring

Last year i posted Spring Fever related material more than ever. Our cold weather seemed to last forever. I started seeds, but they were ready to go outside long before the outside temperatures were ready for planting. I ended up in the hospital in late April, an experience that left me in pain and easily fatigued.

This year:

  • the seeds are started
  • the garage is emptied in preparation for its demolition and replacement
  • compost (some) is spread
  • so far, I’m healthy

It’s a short list, but it’s a good list. Come the end of April, I will have made it a full year without a hospital stay or surgery. That might just be reason for celebration, no matter what the weather.

 

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‘Twas the night before a field trip – encore

We had a field trip to the state capital today. Good tour guides, well-behaved students, and nice weather all fell into place for us. I behaved, I didn’t say or do anything untoward in the governor’s conference room, and we had Starbucks for a pre-trip snack. And – you guessed it, I was reminded of this post. To sleep, perchance to dream.

I was tired the night before the field trip. I thought “Good. I’ll sleep well, be rested for the trip.” I didn’t think, “To sleep, perchance to dream.”

In my dream, we were on a trip to the Capitol for a tour. We had plenty of adults along, so I slipped out to get Starbucks for the teachers. Somehow, I got lost on the way to the coffee shop or on the way back. I’m not sure which. When I finally found the others, I was missing my jacket and my shoes. I was freezing and damp; rainy weather.

In real life:
We took a field trip to the Capitol building for a tour.
We had plenty of adults around; most were very good with the kids.
I didn’t slip out for coffee – for myself or the other teachers.
I waited for a student to run back to the bathroom for something she lost or forgot. When she got back, we got disoriented under the Capitol dome and ended up going out the wrong door. We walked around Capitol Square and eventually made our way to the museum, our next stop. The classes hadn’t gotten there yet, so we waited outside for the rest. The girl understood why we didn’t go back to circle Capitol Square; she knew we could end up circling and circling while they did the same.
It was breezy and cool, but neither of us lost a jacket. One girl misplaced her jacket on the bus, but found it later. To my knowledge, no one lost a shoe.

Maybe I’ll pull an all-nighter the night before the next field trip. I’m a little afraid of what I might dream before we go to the Civil War reenactment!

Today’s trip, like the one years ago, was uneventful. I waited in Starbucks (oh, such a sacrifice!) while my coworker parked the rental car. I met several of my students (I teach online). I bought two tee-shirts and three books in the gift shop (oh, those are dangerous places for me) but I did not buy any shoes. I came home tired and sore from the walking, but relaxed and happy from a fun and productive day. 

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Justice League – Not in Lego Just Yet

Oh, Lego. This would be awesome. I’d buy a set to sit on my desk at school. After all, it’s art and it’s history, both of which are on my course load.

Justices in Lego Brick

Justices in Lego Brick

Unfortunately, this set of fancy Lego sculptures can’t be purchased anywhere yet. The Lego design team refuses to manufacture the female Supreme Court justices, claiming the set would be too political. 

I guess I’ll have to settle for the Lego White House model.

If you’d like to sign a petition to pressure Lego into making this awesome historical piece, look no further than here. 

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