Disclaimer: I can say what I'm about to say because I'm not a Northerner. . . I'm a Midwesterner. :-P
Since moving to the South, I have noticed two grammar atrocities that drive me absolutely crazy. While I know that these atrocities are not specific to the South, I seem to notice them a lot more down here than I ever have anywhere else I've lived.
First of all, people, have you ever ever heard of what we call a past participle?? (Pause) Yeah, that's what I thought. Let me give you an example of what I hear on a daily basis:
"I had went to the store . . . ."
"I had ran across the street . . . ."
"I have chose . . . ."
"I have gave three dollars to . . . . "
"I had ate five grapes. . . ."
AAAGGGGHHHHH!!! Okay. Quick grammar lesson, people. Here we go:
All verb tenses can be formed from one of the three principal verb parts. We have the first principle part, also called the present. There's the second principal part, also called the past. And there's the third principal part also called the past participle. (It's important to realize that principal parts are NOT tenses; they are merely the parts we use to form the tenses.)
Most verbs are regular verbs. That means the 2nd and 3rd principal parts can be formed by adding a -d or -ed to the end of the 1st principal part. For example:
Present (1st) Past (2nd) Past Participal (3rd)
walk walked walked
bake baked baked
jump jumped jumped
Now, to form the simple tenses from these principal parts is quite easy:
Present tense = 1st principal part (walk, bake, jump)
Past tense = 2nd principal part (walked, baked, jumped)
Future tense = will/shall + 1st principal part (will walk, will bake, will jump)
You probably noticed that the 3rd principal part, the past participle, isn't even used when forming the simple tenses. Pretty easy, huh?
Okay, what about the perfect tenses? (What on earth is a perfect tense?!?!?) Glad you asked. A perfect tense shows an action or state of being that has been completed or was true before a certain point in time.
For example, in the sentence, "We had studied nine authors by the time we reached the end of our literature books last year," the verb had studied shows an action that was completed before the time we reached the end of the literature book. It's like the past of the past. We call that the past perfect tense.
In the sentence, "We have studied twelve different authors this year," the verb have studied shows an action that has been completed during the present time period (this year). It's like the past of the present. We call that the present perfect tense.
In the sentence, "By the end of the year, we will have studied 17 authors," the verb will have studied shows an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future (the end of the year). It's like the past of the future. We call that the future perfect tense.
Perfect tenses are easy to form. They are always formed by using the auxiliaries have, has, or had and the 3rd principal part, or the past participle, of the verb.
Past perfect = had + 3rd principal part (had walked)
Present perfect = have/has + 3rd principal part (have walked)
Future perfect = will have/shall have + 3rd principal part (will have walked)
Seems simple enough, right? Of course it does! So where does the problem lie? Well, you may have noticed that with a regular verb, the 2nd and 3rd principal parts are identical. This leads some people to unwittingly believe that the perfect tenses are formed using the 2nd principal part, and they will use the 2nd principal part to form their perfect tenses. This isn't really a problem until we get into our irregular verbs. That's right, folks, irregular verbs.
An irregular verb means that the second and third principal parts can't be formed by just adding a -d or -ed. Therefore, there's going to be a difference between the 2nd and 3rd principal parts. Let's take a look at the principal parts of some irregular verbs.
Present (1st) Past (2nd) Past Participle (3rd)
go went gone
run ran run
choose chose chosen
give gave given
eat ate eaten
fly flew flown
So to form the perfect tenses of these verbs, we would have the following:
Past perfect = had + 3rd principal part (had gone, had run, had chosen, had given, had eaten, had flown)
Present perfect = have/has + 3rd principal part (have gone, have run, have chosen, have given, have eaten, have flown)
Future perfect = will have/shall have + 3rd principal part (will have gone, will have run, will have chosen, will have given, will have eaten, will have flown)
This means that you should NEVER say had ate, will have ran, has gave, etc.
That, my friends, is Grammar Grumble #1. Stay tuned for Grammar Grumble #2 . . . .
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
What's Wrong with Today's Kids?
Not too long ago when discussing chronological and spatial paragraph organization with my students, I assigned them a homework assignment in which they were to describe their bedrooms using spatial organization and describe their morning routines using chronological organization. Seems like a simple assignment, right? Well, this simple assignment revealed the answer to one of America's most terrifying questions: What's wrong with today's kids?
Here's the answer:
Out of the 17 paragraphs turned in that described bedrooms, 14 of those paragraphs described bedrooms which had televisions in them. About seven of those also had some sort of gaming system. One student described his entertainment system in his bedroom in great detail but neglected to mention that he had a bed. A bed in a bedroom--what a novel concept.
Of the 14 students who said their bedrooms had TVs in them, 10 of them mentioned that they watch TV as part of their morning routine.
If the paragraphs about the morning routines are accurate:
Here's the answer:
Out of the 17 paragraphs turned in that described bedrooms, 14 of those paragraphs described bedrooms which had televisions in them. About seven of those also had some sort of gaming system. One student described his entertainment system in his bedroom in great detail but neglected to mention that he had a bed. A bed in a bedroom--what a novel concept.
Of the 14 students who said their bedrooms had TVs in them, 10 of them mentioned that they watch TV as part of their morning routine.
If the paragraphs about the morning routines are accurate:
- None of the students read their Bibles in the morning.
- Seven of them don't brush their teeth in the morning.
- Eight of them don't eat breakfast.
- But TEN of them watch TV. . . .
Friday, January 13, 2012
Musical Musings
January 12th marked the third anniversary of the day I took my first official dulcimer lesson. Thinking about this date made me look back and remember all those who led me and encouraged me on this journey.
My love for music really began at a young age. I remember Mom teaching me and my classmates hymns using her giant picture books that went along with each one. Singing time was always my favorite part of the school day in the small Christian school I attended where my mom taught 1st-3rd grades all in one classroom. She'd teach us the hymns during our Bible time in the morning and we'd all take turns getting to hold up the pictures for all the others to see. In the afternoons, we'd sing fun folk songs. We always loved it when she'd get out the rhythm instruments and let us keep time. Although she teaches in a much larger Christian school now in a much bigger city and the times have definitely changed, she still teaches these songs to her students.
Dad is the one who taught me how to just sit and listen without distractions to a song for pure enjoyment. I remember many evenings when Dad would put some of Granddad's old records on the turntable and turn the lights off, close his eyes, and just sit in his rocking chair and listen as the music filled the room. My sisters and I loved sitting and listening with him. Dad wasn't much of a singer, but every once in a while, we'd hear him humming along. We learned songs like the "Wabash Cannonball" and "Tennessee Waltz." Dad especially liked the old gospel songs that spoke of heaven like "The Unclouded Day" and "By and By, When the Morning Comes." Sometimes I'd wonder what he was thinking about when he'd sit in his chair with his eyes closed listening to these songs. Probably heaven. Now, he's in heaven hearing music that is more beautiful than we could ever fathom! It was at this young age when I dreamed of someday taking violin lessons and learning to play "Dad's songs."
My parents knew of my desire to learn how to play the violin, but I grew up in a very small town in southern Iowa where the only music lessons available were piano lessons. Mom got me started taking piano lessons from a lady who would come to the school once a week, but I lasted only about three months. I just had no desire for the piano and we had no piano at home to practice on. I didn't miss it at all when I stopped lessons and I still don't regret quitting. My desire was to play the violin.
Well, the years went on and we eventually moved to Des Moines about a month before I turned 15. I started attending school, making friends, and I got my first job working at a grocery store. One summer day after work, my mom came to pick me up. (I was one of those uncool kids who didn't have her driver's license, let alone her own car.) I was just a couple months shy of turning 17. She said she needed to run an errand before we went home. As we were driving along, we passed a music store. The neon signs in the window advertised that they offer lessons. My mom, who is notorious for thinking out loud, wondered whether they offered violin lessons.
"Why?" I asked.
"Don't you still kind of wish that you could take violin lessons?"
"Oh, I've wanted to practically my whole life."
"Let's turn around and go see if they offer violin lessons."
"Aww, Mom. I'm too old now. I can't read music. I'd look like an idiot."
"No, you wouldn't." And she u-turned the car and pulled into the parking lot. The next thing I knew, we were walking out of the store with a rental violin and I was signed up for lessons. That was back in July of 2001. My first lesson was to be a few weeks later in August. I'm so glad my mom didn't let me convince her that I was too old to start learning the violin. And after meeting a couple in their eighties at Fiddler's Grove Old Time Music Festival in North Carolina who were both just starting on violin lessons, I'm convinced that you are never too old to learn an instrument.
My first violin teacher was Deb. She was a local university student who was working on her music degree. Deb taught me how to read music. I knew that the little dots on the lines represented notes, but other than that I had no clue. Lessons were only a half hour long, which wasn't long enough. I wanted to play for hours!! And that's what I'd do during the week. I'd practice for hours. I was in love with the violin. I flew through my first two and a half books within four months, thanks to all the practice. However, Deb graduated from the university in December and I was left without a teacher.
Lucky for me, a lady at my church was a phenomenal violinist. She worked full-time somewhere, so she had only one violin student. My mom talked to her and she agreed to take me on as a student, too. Mrs. Wahlstrom was the best violin teacher I ever could have asked for. She taught me how to properly hold thefiddle violin and bow. I can still hear her voice: "Relax!" She taught me that "vibrato covers a multitude of sins" (intonational sins, that is). I also learned how to tap my foot to help me keep time. (The metronome and I never got along. I had to use my feet.) Mrs. Wahlstrom also convinced me to play in front of the church for the prelude. "Our Great Savior" was the first song that I ever played in front of an audience, and I was scared out of my wits. But with her encouragement and guidance, I made it through. It also helped that it was just during the prelude when everybody's talking and finding their seats and paying no attention to the musicians. :-) I missed her immensely when I went off to South Carolina for college, and I was always glad to be able to resume my lessons when I came home for the summers. Even though I live out of state now and play a lot of old-time fiddle music, she still keeps me accountable to make sure I'm holding my fiddle violin correctly and play the role of the dignified violinist once in a while. :-) Thanks, Mrs. Wahlstrom, for the years you put into my musical journey. I really did learn most of what I know about playing the violin from you.
When I went off to college, I knew I didn't want to quit taking lessons. I was afraid that if I put the violin on hold for four years, I might never take it up again. The university offered a violin class that anyone could take, but if you wanted private lessons you had to audition. I decided I would audition for the private lessons, since the violin class consisted mostly of beginner basics. I made it through the auditions but failed the music theory written test. However, I was still allowed to take private lessons as long as I also took Introduction to Music Theory. I signed up for lessons and the theory class. The theory class met one day a week, but I struggled throughout. Fortunately the class wasn't for a credit so we didn't get graded. :-) (Music theory has always given me trouble, but over the years I've been learning it little by little. I still feel very inadequate in this area, but when I look at what I know now that I didn't know then, I am comforted that maybe I am learning it after all.) I was very nervous about taking private lessons at a university. Lessons counted for a credit. That means there would be a final exam at the end of the semester. It also meant that it could doom my g.p.a. if I didn't do well.
Mrs. Hutton was assigned to be my private teacher. Being a non-music major taking lessons in the same building with all the musical prodigies, I was very nervous. But Mrs. Hutton made me feel very comfortable and I learned a lot from her. The most important thing I learned from her was how to "play nicely with others" or at least play nicely with unruly piano accompanists. (Well, they seemed unruly to me, but I'm sure it was I who was the unruly one.) It was during these four years where I learned how to play under pressure, although I know I haven't mastered that yet. We'd spend the entire semester working on two pieces, a classical and a sacred piece. The classical piece would always involve shifting into extremely high finger positions. It would take me just about the whole semester to get those songs learned! And let me tell you, playing a solo in front of a panel of judges and knowing you are being graded is traumatizing! Nevertheless, I managed to get through seven of those final exams during my four years there without ever passing out.
Well, after I graduated from college I got a teaching job offer here in Memphis. I was afraid that I would lose what I had learned over the past five years of violin lessons if I didn't find someone here who taught lessons. Finding an affordable teacher was one of the first things on my to-do list once I got settled in to my new job and my apartment. Well, it wasn't too long after I moved here that I met Mr. Barley, the man responsible for my conversion to old time music.
On my first Sunday at my new church, the pastor's wife asked if I would be willing to serve punch at a reception that the church was having after the evening service. She figured it would be a good way for me to get involved and meet people. I willingly obliged. (Everybody knows it's less intimidating to stand behind a punch bowl serving punch than to stand around awkwardly in a room full of strangers, hoping for some kind soul to pull you into his conversation.) I hadn't been serving punch for too long when a very exuberant man walked up to get his punch.
"Hi! You wouldn't happen to be a violinist, would you? You just look like the type of girl who would play a violin."
"Um, actually, I do play the violin." I was a little leery of him.
"Have you ever fiddled?" he asked me in a very peppy, hopeful voice.
"Not really. My roommate in college taught me one fiddle song."
"Well, my name's Mr. Barley and I'm the minister of old time music here at Central, and I need a fiddler for my string band. You interested?"
I was slightly taken aback by his offer. I mean, I'd never heard of a church that had a music minister AND a minister of old time music. And a string band?? Huh?
"Well, I really don't know how to fiddle."
"Eh, it doesn't matter. We'll fix that."
"Um, okay, then sure."
The next Saturday I was at the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association's weekly jam, where Mr. Barley had arranged for a fiddler to give me some tips on how to play a song fiddle-style. The very next day I was up on stage at church with the Cement Pond String Band playing "By and By, When the Morning Comes." And that was the beginning of my love for old time fiddling.
Mr. Barley also took me further in my musical journey by persuading me to join the church choir and later, the Promised Land Sacred Harp Singers. He is also a source of great encouragement whenever I'm extremely nervous before playing an offertory in church. And when I totally botch a song, he always tries to make me feel better. One of the most significant things he did for me was to introduce me to Larkin Bryant.
Originally, I was to take old time fiddle lessons from Larkin. Mr. and Mrs. Barley agreed to let us meet at their house for our first lesson. After my lesson, Mr. Barley insisted that Larkin play a song for me on his dulcimer. Before moving to Tennessee, I had never heard of a dulcimer. Larkin graciously obliged and played "Song for Polly," her own composition, and "What'll I Do with the Baby-O?" I loved it. For the next six months I would go to Larkin's house once a week where she'd teach me a new fiddle tune or show me how to "fiddle-ize" one of the tunes I was going to play with the Cement Pond String Band, but all that time I couldn't get that dulcimer out of my mind. I just knew I had to learn how to play one. Somehow, the topic came up once with Mr. Barley. He told me that "Desire is nine-tenths of everything" and that I should go out and get a dulcimer. A couple months later, I was the proud owner of a McSpadden Walnut dulcimer. I began taking dulcimer lessons from Larkin, with a fiddle lesson thrown in here and there.
One of the most important things Larkin has taught me is how to play music from the heart. (I find that hard, though, sometimes when my nerves get the best of me.) Her beautiful and graceful way of playing the dulcimer absolutely mesmerizes me. I don't think I could ever find a dulcimer player in all the world who can play like she does. I'm so privileged that she's my teacher! Larkin has also helped me begin to arrange my own songs for the dulcimer, something I thought I would never be able to do!
Not only do I have the people already mentioned to thank, but I also must thank the many people I've met at dulcimer jams who've shown me little tips and given me encouraging words. And, of course, the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering has played a huge part in my learning of the dulcimer. There's always a line-up of superb instructors. I've had the privilege of learning from some of the greatest mountain dulcimer players such as Janita Baker, Lee Cagle, Stephen Seifert, Lorinda Jones, Joe Collins, Molly McCormack, and several others.
All of these people in this post really stand out to me as those who have charted my course throughout my musical journey. Their dedication, patience, and encouragement have made this musical journey the journey of a lifetime. And I'm glad to say it's not over yet!
My love for music really began at a young age. I remember Mom teaching me and my classmates hymns using her giant picture books that went along with each one. Singing time was always my favorite part of the school day in the small Christian school I attended where my mom taught 1st-3rd grades all in one classroom. She'd teach us the hymns during our Bible time in the morning and we'd all take turns getting to hold up the pictures for all the others to see. In the afternoons, we'd sing fun folk songs. We always loved it when she'd get out the rhythm instruments and let us keep time. Although she teaches in a much larger Christian school now in a much bigger city and the times have definitely changed, she still teaches these songs to her students.
Dad is the one who taught me how to just sit and listen without distractions to a song for pure enjoyment. I remember many evenings when Dad would put some of Granddad's old records on the turntable and turn the lights off, close his eyes, and just sit in his rocking chair and listen as the music filled the room. My sisters and I loved sitting and listening with him. Dad wasn't much of a singer, but every once in a while, we'd hear him humming along. We learned songs like the "Wabash Cannonball" and "Tennessee Waltz." Dad especially liked the old gospel songs that spoke of heaven like "The Unclouded Day" and "By and By, When the Morning Comes." Sometimes I'd wonder what he was thinking about when he'd sit in his chair with his eyes closed listening to these songs. Probably heaven. Now, he's in heaven hearing music that is more beautiful than we could ever fathom! It was at this young age when I dreamed of someday taking violin lessons and learning to play "Dad's songs."
My parents knew of my desire to learn how to play the violin, but I grew up in a very small town in southern Iowa where the only music lessons available were piano lessons. Mom got me started taking piano lessons from a lady who would come to the school once a week, but I lasted only about three months. I just had no desire for the piano and we had no piano at home to practice on. I didn't miss it at all when I stopped lessons and I still don't regret quitting. My desire was to play the violin.
Well, the years went on and we eventually moved to Des Moines about a month before I turned 15. I started attending school, making friends, and I got my first job working at a grocery store. One summer day after work, my mom came to pick me up. (I was one of those uncool kids who didn't have her driver's license, let alone her own car.) I was just a couple months shy of turning 17. She said she needed to run an errand before we went home. As we were driving along, we passed a music store. The neon signs in the window advertised that they offer lessons. My mom, who is notorious for thinking out loud, wondered whether they offered violin lessons.
"Why?" I asked.
"Don't you still kind of wish that you could take violin lessons?"
"Oh, I've wanted to practically my whole life."
"Let's turn around and go see if they offer violin lessons."
"Aww, Mom. I'm too old now. I can't read music. I'd look like an idiot."
"No, you wouldn't." And she u-turned the car and pulled into the parking lot. The next thing I knew, we were walking out of the store with a rental violin and I was signed up for lessons. That was back in July of 2001. My first lesson was to be a few weeks later in August. I'm so glad my mom didn't let me convince her that I was too old to start learning the violin. And after meeting a couple in their eighties at Fiddler's Grove Old Time Music Festival in North Carolina who were both just starting on violin lessons, I'm convinced that you are never too old to learn an instrument.
My first violin teacher was Deb. She was a local university student who was working on her music degree. Deb taught me how to read music. I knew that the little dots on the lines represented notes, but other than that I had no clue. Lessons were only a half hour long, which wasn't long enough. I wanted to play for hours!! And that's what I'd do during the week. I'd practice for hours. I was in love with the violin. I flew through my first two and a half books within four months, thanks to all the practice. However, Deb graduated from the university in December and I was left without a teacher.
Lucky for me, a lady at my church was a phenomenal violinist. She worked full-time somewhere, so she had only one violin student. My mom talked to her and she agreed to take me on as a student, too. Mrs. Wahlstrom was the best violin teacher I ever could have asked for. She taught me how to properly hold the
When I went off to college, I knew I didn't want to quit taking lessons. I was afraid that if I put the violin on hold for four years, I might never take it up again. The university offered a violin class that anyone could take, but if you wanted private lessons you had to audition. I decided I would audition for the private lessons, since the violin class consisted mostly of beginner basics. I made it through the auditions but failed the music theory written test. However, I was still allowed to take private lessons as long as I also took Introduction to Music Theory. I signed up for lessons and the theory class. The theory class met one day a week, but I struggled throughout. Fortunately the class wasn't for a credit so we didn't get graded. :-) (Music theory has always given me trouble, but over the years I've been learning it little by little. I still feel very inadequate in this area, but when I look at what I know now that I didn't know then, I am comforted that maybe I am learning it after all.) I was very nervous about taking private lessons at a university. Lessons counted for a credit. That means there would be a final exam at the end of the semester. It also meant that it could doom my g.p.a. if I didn't do well.
Mrs. Hutton was assigned to be my private teacher. Being a non-music major taking lessons in the same building with all the musical prodigies, I was very nervous. But Mrs. Hutton made me feel very comfortable and I learned a lot from her. The most important thing I learned from her was how to "play nicely with others" or at least play nicely with unruly piano accompanists. (Well, they seemed unruly to me, but I'm sure it was I who was the unruly one.) It was during these four years where I learned how to play under pressure, although I know I haven't mastered that yet. We'd spend the entire semester working on two pieces, a classical and a sacred piece. The classical piece would always involve shifting into extremely high finger positions. It would take me just about the whole semester to get those songs learned! And let me tell you, playing a solo in front of a panel of judges and knowing you are being graded is traumatizing! Nevertheless, I managed to get through seven of those final exams during my four years there without ever passing out.
Well, after I graduated from college I got a teaching job offer here in Memphis. I was afraid that I would lose what I had learned over the past five years of violin lessons if I didn't find someone here who taught lessons. Finding an affordable teacher was one of the first things on my to-do list once I got settled in to my new job and my apartment. Well, it wasn't too long after I moved here that I met Mr. Barley, the man responsible for my conversion to old time music.
On my first Sunday at my new church, the pastor's wife asked if I would be willing to serve punch at a reception that the church was having after the evening service. She figured it would be a good way for me to get involved and meet people. I willingly obliged. (Everybody knows it's less intimidating to stand behind a punch bowl serving punch than to stand around awkwardly in a room full of strangers, hoping for some kind soul to pull you into his conversation.) I hadn't been serving punch for too long when a very exuberant man walked up to get his punch.
"Hi! You wouldn't happen to be a violinist, would you? You just look like the type of girl who would play a violin."
"Um, actually, I do play the violin." I was a little leery of him.
"Have you ever fiddled?" he asked me in a very peppy, hopeful voice.
"Not really. My roommate in college taught me one fiddle song."
"Well, my name's Mr. Barley and I'm the minister of old time music here at Central, and I need a fiddler for my string band. You interested?"
I was slightly taken aback by his offer. I mean, I'd never heard of a church that had a music minister AND a minister of old time music. And a string band?? Huh?
"Well, I really don't know how to fiddle."
"Eh, it doesn't matter. We'll fix that."
"Um, okay, then sure."
The next Saturday I was at the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association's weekly jam, where Mr. Barley had arranged for a fiddler to give me some tips on how to play a song fiddle-style. The very next day I was up on stage at church with the Cement Pond String Band playing "By and By, When the Morning Comes." And that was the beginning of my love for old time fiddling.
Mr. Barley also took me further in my musical journey by persuading me to join the church choir and later, the Promised Land Sacred Harp Singers. He is also a source of great encouragement whenever I'm extremely nervous before playing an offertory in church. And when I totally botch a song, he always tries to make me feel better. One of the most significant things he did for me was to introduce me to Larkin Bryant.
Originally, I was to take old time fiddle lessons from Larkin. Mr. and Mrs. Barley agreed to let us meet at their house for our first lesson. After my lesson, Mr. Barley insisted that Larkin play a song for me on his dulcimer. Before moving to Tennessee, I had never heard of a dulcimer. Larkin graciously obliged and played "Song for Polly," her own composition, and "What'll I Do with the Baby-O?" I loved it. For the next six months I would go to Larkin's house once a week where she'd teach me a new fiddle tune or show me how to "fiddle-ize" one of the tunes I was going to play with the Cement Pond String Band, but all that time I couldn't get that dulcimer out of my mind. I just knew I had to learn how to play one. Somehow, the topic came up once with Mr. Barley. He told me that "Desire is nine-tenths of everything" and that I should go out and get a dulcimer. A couple months later, I was the proud owner of a McSpadden Walnut dulcimer. I began taking dulcimer lessons from Larkin, with a fiddle lesson thrown in here and there.
One of the most important things Larkin has taught me is how to play music from the heart. (I find that hard, though, sometimes when my nerves get the best of me.) Her beautiful and graceful way of playing the dulcimer absolutely mesmerizes me. I don't think I could ever find a dulcimer player in all the world who can play like she does. I'm so privileged that she's my teacher! Larkin has also helped me begin to arrange my own songs for the dulcimer, something I thought I would never be able to do!
Not only do I have the people already mentioned to thank, but I also must thank the many people I've met at dulcimer jams who've shown me little tips and given me encouraging words. And, of course, the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering has played a huge part in my learning of the dulcimer. There's always a line-up of superb instructors. I've had the privilege of learning from some of the greatest mountain dulcimer players such as Janita Baker, Lee Cagle, Stephen Seifert, Lorinda Jones, Joe Collins, Molly McCormack, and several others.
All of these people in this post really stand out to me as those who have charted my course throughout my musical journey. Their dedication, patience, and encouragement have made this musical journey the journey of a lifetime. And I'm glad to say it's not over yet!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Reality of Christmas. Think about it.
There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and carolers out in the snow. There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Ahhh! The Christmas season--I love it! I love the decorations, the sights, the smells, the music. I love it all. I truly think it is the most wonderful time of the year! When I was a kid, people used to tell me that I would "grow out" of Christmas and that the older I got, the less exciting the season would be for me. "Just wait until you're older when you have to drive in the snow and fight crowds to buy Christmas presents! Just wait until you have to frantically rush around at last minute to finish Christmas baking, wrapping presents, and cleaning the house for company! You won't think Christmas is so exciting then!"
All I have to say to those people is bah, humbug! I LOVE the busyness of the season! I love baking! I love finding just the right presents for my friends and family. I love wrapping presents! And I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. (It's my gift.) I love watching the shoppers pass by with their treasures! (I've always enjoyed people-watching.) I love going to Christmas programs. I love the music of the season. I love the lights. As I said, I love it all!
Maybe you're like me, and you love the Christmas season, too. Unfortunately, it's far too easy to get caught up in all the sights and smells and sounds of Christmas and forget the reality of Christmas. Oh, sure, we all appreciate the signs and decorations and Christmas cards that remind us, "Jesus is the reason for the season!" However, how often do we stop and contemplate that statement? How often do we let the reality of Christmas really sink in and affect our outlook on the Christmas season? No Christian would deny that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, but are we inadvertently leaving Him out of our celebrations because we get too caught up in all the wonderful festivities that surround us at this time of year?
Don't worry. I don't believe at all that we should give up all the things we enjoy during this time of year. There's nothing wrong with these things. I'm just asking all of us to reflect--and I mean really, truly reflect--on what it meant for the world when Jesus was born. I believe that Jesus came to us as a little baby and grew up only to die in our place. But I'm like a lot of Christians: I believe it, but I don't always reflect on it as I should. It's very easy to believe something is true, but sometimes it's hard to make it a reality in our lives when it happened so very long ago.
This year our choir at church sang one of the most beautiful Christmas songs I have ever heard, "Candlelight Carol" by John Rutter. You can listen to it here. The third verse is my favorite:
Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger:
Christ our redeemer asleep in the hay.
Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation:
A child with his mother that first Christmas day.
Just think about those words! I mean, really think about them:
Think about Christ our redeemer! According to the American Heritage Dictionary, to redeem something means "to set free; to rescue or ransom; to save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences; to make up for or compensate for; to restore the honor, worth, or reputation of." Christ redeemed us! We are unworthy to stand before the God of the universe. We are dirty, rotten sinners. We deserve to spend an eternity in hell. But Christ redeemed us! We don't have to spend an eternity in hell, separated from God! We can spend a glorious eternity in heaven, worshiping and adoring our Creator and Redeemer! Think about that.
Think about the Godhead incarnate! Incarnate means to be embodied in human form. The Godhead in human form! And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth! The Godhead incarnate: Christ as a little helpless baby, born to a poor, young virgin who had no place other than a feeding trough to lay her precious newborn. Christ spending 33 years on this earth, a fallen and wretched world, eventually suffering a death more horrendous and painful and humiliating than any of us will ever experience. Why would He be willing to do all of that for us?? Think about that.
A child with his mother that first Christmas day. Think about that and all that it encompasses this Christmas season.
Ahhh! The Christmas season--I love it! I love the decorations, the sights, the smells, the music. I love it all. I truly think it is the most wonderful time of the year! When I was a kid, people used to tell me that I would "grow out" of Christmas and that the older I got, the less exciting the season would be for me. "Just wait until you're older when you have to drive in the snow and fight crowds to buy Christmas presents! Just wait until you have to frantically rush around at last minute to finish Christmas baking, wrapping presents, and cleaning the house for company! You won't think Christmas is so exciting then!"
All I have to say to those people is bah, humbug! I LOVE the busyness of the season! I love baking! I love finding just the right presents for my friends and family. I love wrapping presents! And I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. (It's my gift.) I love watching the shoppers pass by with their treasures! (I've always enjoyed people-watching.) I love going to Christmas programs. I love the music of the season. I love the lights. As I said, I love it all!
Maybe you're like me, and you love the Christmas season, too. Unfortunately, it's far too easy to get caught up in all the sights and smells and sounds of Christmas and forget the reality of Christmas. Oh, sure, we all appreciate the signs and decorations and Christmas cards that remind us, "Jesus is the reason for the season!" However, how often do we stop and contemplate that statement? How often do we let the reality of Christmas really sink in and affect our outlook on the Christmas season? No Christian would deny that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, but are we inadvertently leaving Him out of our celebrations because we get too caught up in all the wonderful festivities that surround us at this time of year?
Don't worry. I don't believe at all that we should give up all the things we enjoy during this time of year. There's nothing wrong with these things. I'm just asking all of us to reflect--and I mean really, truly reflect--on what it meant for the world when Jesus was born. I believe that Jesus came to us as a little baby and grew up only to die in our place. But I'm like a lot of Christians: I believe it, but I don't always reflect on it as I should. It's very easy to believe something is true, but sometimes it's hard to make it a reality in our lives when it happened so very long ago.
This year our choir at church sang one of the most beautiful Christmas songs I have ever heard, "Candlelight Carol" by John Rutter. You can listen to it here. The third verse is my favorite:
Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger:
Christ our redeemer asleep in the hay.
Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation:
A child with his mother that first Christmas day.
Just think about those words! I mean, really think about them:
Think about Christ our redeemer! According to the American Heritage Dictionary, to redeem something means "to set free; to rescue or ransom; to save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences; to make up for or compensate for; to restore the honor, worth, or reputation of." Christ redeemed us! We are unworthy to stand before the God of the universe. We are dirty, rotten sinners. We deserve to spend an eternity in hell. But Christ redeemed us! We don't have to spend an eternity in hell, separated from God! We can spend a glorious eternity in heaven, worshiping and adoring our Creator and Redeemer! Think about that.
Think about the Godhead incarnate! Incarnate means to be embodied in human form. The Godhead in human form! And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth! The Godhead incarnate: Christ as a little helpless baby, born to a poor, young virgin who had no place other than a feeding trough to lay her precious newborn. Christ spending 33 years on this earth, a fallen and wretched world, eventually suffering a death more horrendous and painful and humiliating than any of us will ever experience. Why would He be willing to do all of that for us?? Think about that.
A child with his mother that first Christmas day. Think about that and all that it encompasses this Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
O Holy Night
This post is for my Facebook friends who have been asking me to upload another dulcimer video to my FB page. Well, I've recently discovered that uploading videos to my blog is a WHOLE LOT faster than uploading them to my FB page! Sometimes it takes six or seven hours for me to get a short video clip uploaded to FB, but this took me only about three minutes!
"O Holy Night" has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. This version I'm playing on my dulcimer was arranged by my favorite dulcimer player in the world, Larkin Bryant, who also happens to be my dear teacher. :-)
I was still learning the song when this video was made and I don't have any video editing software, so there are quite a few mistakes and I am playing it a bit too fast. But, anyhow, merry Christmas to my dear friends, and thank you for encouraging me in my attempts at learning the dulcimer. :-)
"O Holy Night" has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. This version I'm playing on my dulcimer was arranged by my favorite dulcimer player in the world, Larkin Bryant, who also happens to be my dear teacher. :-)
I was still learning the song when this video was made and I don't have any video editing software, so there are quite a few mistakes and I am playing it a bit too fast. But, anyhow, merry Christmas to my dear friends, and thank you for encouraging me in my attempts at learning the dulcimer. :-)
Monday, December 12, 2011
It's Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Christmas!
I love baking anytime, but Christmas baking is the best! I've already made a few of the Christmas "staples" with my roomies, but I decided to try a new cookie recipe tonight. These are called Ginger-Lemon Delights. The cookies are a sugar cookie base with molasses, ginger, clove, and cinnamon added. The icing is made from powdered sugar, lemon juice, and grated lemon peel. The "sprinkles" on top are crystalized ginger. The flavor is very exotic and is a little too rich for my taste, but according to my roomie, who really likes the cookies, "The taste hits your senses before the cookie even hits your mouth."
Saturday, December 10, 2011
How to Get into the Christmas Spirit
Here are some pictures of some our Christmas decorations! And to think we actually thought about not decorating this year! Once we finished putting everything out, we were so glad that we did. It's amazing how having Christmas decorations up can put you in the Christmas spirit! If you haven't decorated your house for Christmas, do it NOW!! It's not too late! :-)
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| I love having a real fireplace with a mantel! |
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| My favorite display |
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| Our Christmas tree. :-) Among the three of us, we have just enough ornaments to decorate it. |
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| Even the kitchen gets decked out for Christmas! |
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