June 14, 2008

Flag Day


To all my "Nor-eastern" relatives who live in this exoctic land - a bit of history in honor of Flag Day . . .



A star-spangled bummer for Stravinsky? Even if we haven' t traveled to exotic lands with strange customs, taboos and fetishes, we've all heard cautionary tales of how ignorance of local laws and customs can lead to mishap.

On this day set aside for honoring a prominent Western symbol of
liberation and union, we offer the rueful tale of Igor Stravinsky, composer,
plying his trade in an exotic land of strange customs, taboos and fetishes
called "Massachusetts."

In the winter of 1944, Stravinsky led a concert of his music with the
Boston Symphony. He included what he called "a vehicle through which I might
express my gratitude at becoming an American citizen . . . I chose to harmonize
and orchestrate the beautiful sacred anthem 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"

Though Boston audiences might not have been able to articulate that
Stravinsky had introduced an unorthodox modulation into the subdominant in the
cadence, they knew messing with the National Anthem when they heard it. And that was a crime. Literally. Chapter 264, Section 9, of Massachusetts's law forbad
rearrangements of "The Star Spangled Banner." There were complaints. The Boston
Police Commissioner arrived with backup for the next performance, prepared to
slap the evil genius with a $100 fine. But the "perp" was tipped off, the new
arrangement cancelled, and, as Musical America reported, "the police refrained
from taking action, and quiet was restored to the banks of the Charles."

Courtesy of Composer's Datebook

June 6, 2008

June 1, 2008

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking . . .

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.


When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."


Thanks Linda.