Bach's "Refreshment of the soul"

"Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak." ~ William Congreve
I bet most people don't know the rest of that quote after thinking it says "soothe the savage beast". But I know it to be so true. I couldn't live without music. Take my eyes, my nose, my mouth, but leave me my ears so I can still hear the babbling brooks, the humming bees, the clanging church bells, the thunder of the sky, the serenading of the birds. I think of so much in terms of music. (Not theory for goodness sake!) But you know in the way an architect thinks in terms of design and form; the way a mechanic thinks in terms of how this fits into that and what makes something work and move and function. How certain creatures work together like sections in an orchestra to create their own symphonies in nature and even the rhythms of industry can be turned into percussion for a new anthem.
Of course not everything is music to my ears. For those sounds that drive me crazy, I just conceptualize a bad school band during rehearsal.

I think people envision heaven in terms of what seems like paradise to them now. I envision it with the most brilliant of orchestras, every band and singer I have ever loved, and the opportunities not just to listen in the front row, but to play or sing with all of them at any time I ever want. And, I would sound really really good! In the meantime though, music certainly makes me feel like I'm closer to my idea of a heaven. By far, I have always felt some of the deepest emotion and inspiration by participating in or being aurally swept away in music. I am a savage beast without music. It would be worse than having no more sun. And I find that when my mood is particularly low, or I am especially lazy or dull, it's because I have lapsed from making it, or allowing it to overwhelm me. We all have those things which speak the loudest to us. The stuff that actually does soften our stubborn, rock hard heads, and loosens the knots inside of us. For me...you guessed it.

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” Johann Sebastian Bach

The revival of my national Spirit...

Let's face it- I was thinking "Can I get a witness!?" when Michelle Obama said: “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country ... because I think people are hungry for change.” She went on to say, “I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment.” I can't begin to tell you the frustration and disappointment I too have felt, over the past eight years especially. And frankly, I've lately been embarrassed to be an American because of the crumbling state of affairs and state of mind our country has been demonstrating. I, for one, can attest to what it's like to work in and for things you fervently believe in, only to find out how corrupt and mired down with bureaucratic idiocy those things really are.

Don't get me wrong here. I believe in our American way- the processes that set us apart from others since the day the Declaration was born. But I have been severely disillusioned by what has happened here. I long for the days when people wanted to pull together. Yes, because they had to, but also because they were dedicated to a "spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves." With presidents like Lincoln and FDR and Teddy who didn't just say they thought everyone should get a "square deal", but acted upon it to see that it was so. Men of the caliber that can be judged upon the content of their character, and come out ahead.

My hopes are that Mr. Obama is of the same caliber. And if true, someone like this can make the difference. Someone who cares not about being the most powerful leader in the most powerful country in the world, but who knows that "our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please" and that "our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

Someone like this inspires us to be the change we want to see in the world. I do believe there are better days ahead- certainly not based solely on this man, but because of his position to facilitate the possibility of and inspiration for us all to take responsibility to make a difference.

I am a patriot. In the tradition of the founding fathers, I too seek revolution and will rebel against injustice and oppression. My commitment to my country is self-evident, having volunteered to serve in its military and in its Justice system. Yet, I am also a minority. One who still is considered "separate and not equal" in some aspects - particularly within the supposed moral arena, rather than the social. But no different than our new president, and every man, woman and child of every culture, religion and nationality, I too have a dream that I will one day live in a nation where I will not be judged based on an inherent difference of orientation, but by the content of my character.

I am revived with new hope and am ready to face the challenge to "reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." Yes, I am a believer once again...Can I get a witness?

Finally Friday

I like my sister's idea of having a regular Friday something or other. Lord knows (and DOES he!) that Friday is my favorite day of the week. So I will try to dedicate Fridays to be a discussion of whatever it is that's made me oh so thankful that it's FINALLY FRIDAY, again....

And this week couldn't be any easier for such a discussion! The weather up here ALONE has made it so unbearable to just exist, as I skulk between the insides of anything in order to keep from freezing in the below zero temps of the last couple weeks. The part that's even more ridiculous is that it looks so pretty outside when it's that cold. Truly. Things just look "crisp" (for lack of a better word) and typically the sun is bright, and reflecting off the snow. But all you really have to do to be jolted back into reality is look toward the sky to see the exhaust coming from one of the buildings and how it literally hangs in the sky, dark and thick as though it were contaminated. But it's not- it's just frozen. This is NOT the winter of my youth my friends. It's a WHOLE nother animal and it's no house cat, let me tell you! And while the omniscient Midwestern meteorologists (NOT!) are predicting a Minnesota heat wave for Monday (that means upper 20's Mom), I am unfortunately aware that winter typically does not end here until sometime in April...or May.
Anyway, I'm also glad for this particular Friday, as Monday (my least favorite day) happens to be the MLK holiday- which we Federal employees always have off. And what do I plan to do on my 3-day weekend?? Please refer to the second sentence of this discussion, above.
Happy Friday!

Top of the top

Ooh Ooh! I LOVE lists, and I'm also one of those people that love those "get to know me better" Q&A lists too! So when my sister ( her blog: Try, Try Again) published her most recent blog of things I want to do/have done before I die, I HAD to join in! Here are mine in the same fashion as hers (what I've done is bold) and then my top 10 at the end.
P.S. I altered some of the items on the list, as I didn't want to do all of the 100 on the other list....

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Play in a band (not sure if playing with an orchestra counts?)
4. Visit Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Give more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jump
12. Visit Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Mentor a child
16. Get stitches
17. Walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grow my own vegetables
19. Go to the Louvre in France
20. Sleep on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Played a lead role in a play/musical
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. See the Northern Lights
26. Go skinny dipping
27. See ALL of the Smithsonian
28. Ride in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Go on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visit the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Learn a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Go white water rafting
39. Go rock climbing
40. Visit Rome
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Buy a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visit Alaska
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Learn to ride a motorcycle- and take a road trip
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Vacation in Italy
50. Backpack through Europe
51. Go scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Be in a movie
56. Visit Australia
57. Participate in the Ireland Habitat for Humanity build
58. Take a kick boxing class
59. Visit Canada
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Volunteer at least once a month for a year
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Go sky diving
66. Find the love of my life
67. Bounced a check
68. Fly in a helicopter
69. Fast for a whole weekend
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eat a 7-course meal in a really fancy place
72. Learn to play the guitar
73. Attend a GLBT Prom
74. Camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)
75. Spend three months getting my body into optimum shape.
76. See the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Publish a poem
81. See the Coliseum
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walk in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visit the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Save someone’s life
90. Sit on a criminal jury case
91. See La Boheme at the Met
92. See a favorite musician at the Red Rock amphitheater
93. Renovate/create the house of my dreams
94. Ride a mechanical bull
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Witness a Supreme Court hearing
97. Learn to surf
98. Visit FBI Headquarters at Quantico
99. Be stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

MY TOP 10-
10. See ALL of the Smithsonian
9. Renovate/create the house of my dreams
8. Go to the Louvre in France
7. See La Boheme at the Met
6. Participate in the Ireland Habitat for Humanity build
5. Volunteer at least once a month for a year
4. Play in a band/Learn to play the guitar
3. Camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)
2. Backpack through Europe
1. Find the love of my life

Would LOVE to know any of yours!