Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Tag: Music

A Shock, an Album and a Milestone

certainyears

Our daughter and her husband released this new album recently!

This morning I woke up to a shock. My hard-won weight plummeted this week. So did my body fat. Not good. So, like Ms Garmin, I’m recalculating my route from here to there–wherever that would be.

A few days ago I told D I felt I might not be long for this world. I think about death often. Am I ready? Probably. But do I want to die in my 70s? No. I’m not raising an alarm here—I’m just trying to point to change in my inner world.

I never used to think this way about myself. Not even when I was in desperate need of retiring from being dean. Back then I thought retirement would improve my health and wellbeing, including the likelihood that I would live to a ripe, healthy elder age.

Still, this past week had plenty of good news. Most exciting was the arrival of a vinyl recording of our daughter’s latest album, Certain Years. Our daughter is Two Ton Boa. She and her husband, also a musician, just released this album in several formats. It’s stunningly beautiful. A different take on life than her earlier recordings.

Our daughter has kindly given me permission to blog about the lyrics on this album and in any of her earlier truth-telling music. I don’t know when I’ll begin doing this. In the meantime, if you like music that haunts you in a really good way, at least take a free listen to the second track on the album, Lion Snow.

The other wonderful event—well, sort of wonderful—was turning in our two cars and downsizing to one. We went for a hybrid (Prius), and took advantage of year-end specials. We just picked it up two days ago, and though I haven’t driven it yet, I hope to get my chance this weekend.

And why was this only ‘sort of’ wonderful? It’s hard to give up that symbol of independence! So I’m counting on the heated front seats being so soothing this winter that I’ll forget all about my dearly beloved wheels that now languish somewhere without their proper owner.

Thanks for listening to this ramble. I pray your health is good enough to get you through today and the weekend without too much distress. I pray you’ll have a good Sabbath rest this weekend. And I pray you’ll be cheered and comforted by memories of certain years that, in wondrous ways, shaped you into the person you are today.

Love and hugs from the blogosphere,
Elouise

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 19 August 2016
Album cover for Two Ton Boa release, Certain Years

Music | #3

Van Cliburn performing in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory during the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958

Van Cliburn performing in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory during the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958

I’m out with D, my temporary chauffeur, for a quick trip to *Raider Joe’s, aka Trader Joe’s. On our way home, heavenly music begins pouring out of the car radio. When I get into the house I turn on the radio to listen to the entire piece….

#3
Music from heaven
Washes over my soul and body
Soothing beauty from angelic fingers

It’s Van Cliburn playing Tchaikowsky’s Piano Concerto #1. Read the rest of this entry »

Faculty Wife | Part 13

1972 Sep Elouise with Scott and Sherry in the art museum2

Hmmm . . . . Are we happy yet?  Rodin’s Thinker at Getty Museum , 1972

I’m sitting here looking at the title I gave this series: Faculty Wife. Was I a Faculty Wife during the four short years we were back at the Bible College? If not, Read the rest of this entry »

Playing with J.S.Bach

One, two, three
Maybe four
Rarely five
Notes move in and out
Baby steps
Interrupted by Read the rest of this entry »

The Dean and I | Part 12

DSCN2121Griswold Hall at Harvard Law School in 2003

D and I were guests in the Griswolds’ house for about six months. Here are two favorite memories from our first months in the house, plus a few pregnancy photos. Baby is due near the end of August.

The Sisters Next Door
Before leaving for Washington, D.C., Mr. Griswold gave us contact information for two sisters who live next door. Shortly after we move in they invite us to lunch. They’ve heard I play the piano. Read the rest of this entry »

Courtship and Engagement | Part 1

What was it about this man who seemed to have eyes only for me but couldn’t get the words out of his mouth? Read the rest of this entry »

swells rise

P1040924

swells rise fall

float calmly

toward my feet

* * *

God waits Read the rest of this entry »

Favorite Nativity Scenes

Here are a few of my favorite nativity scenes.  Just looking at them brings me joy.  In fact, I’d be happy to leave them out all year round!

These are the smallest items–made in Peru.
An egg and a candle. Read the rest of this entry »

“Give me a world. . . .”

December.  Time to feel eagerly impatient.  Eager to escape the weariness, the heaviness of waiting to be set free.  To discover new life that’s been incubating all these years.  Surely you’ve been there, too?  Or are?  I am. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mom, It’s Christmas!

Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Christmas 2005

Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Christmas 2005

 

Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Christmas 2005

Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Christmas 2005

I’ve been listening to Christmas music and thinking about you these days.  Remembering what it was like to sing together as a family during the Christmas season, with you at the piano leading us.  We stood behind you, looking over your shoulder or singing from memory Read the rest of this entry »