I'm still processing our trip to Southern California.  It was both a wedding celebration and a mini family reunion, including the colorful Croatian characters (she said fondly) who are our family-by-extension. 

There were hugs in abundance.

And I was always a bit off, don't you know.  Out of sync. 

When I hug, I head straight for the shoulder.

But their first destination is the cheek, for the preliminary kiss just before the hug.

It made me think.

How many styles of hugs are there? (Caveat: I'm strictly talking about hugs between friends, not between lovers.)

Sooooo --- how do you hug?

On the importance of listening:

On his dislike of music on headphones:

"But the real reason I don't use personal audio stereo equipment is because I do not need it.  My life in music as someone who grew up with it, continues to listen to it with great care and joy, has given me a headful of melodies that surge forth unbidden.  They resonate in my mind and in my ears; they float away only to be replaced by others.  A life in music can do this and you can be a part of it."

Both quotes by Fred Plotkin in Classical Music 101

These passages captured my attention this past weekend. 

The second quote made me wonder: how often do we (individually or as a culture) sing in our daily lives?  We had coffee with an old, dear friend who told us about his life-changing trips to South Africa.  He talked about how musical their culture was, how spontaneous outbreaks of singing occurred regularly.  When you listen with headphones (and I do) the aspect of community is removed from the listening experience.  Individualism wins and connectedness loses.  At the wedding reception in California, the DJ played old songs; what fun to lean in to the person next to you and croon the song together.  There is power in singing together.

I think that is why the singing at our church is so potent: everyone sings with gusto and singing together is better than singing alone.

When is the last time you sang aloud?

*photo is my mom's brother Gordon and my husband Curt talking and listening at a rendezvous last year

The mountains (when you can see them) provide a spectacular backdrop.

This vintage ice chest was packed full of chilled drinks.

Plants we never see at home: bougainvillea and bird of paradise.

Our nephew, his wife and their child.

Don't you just love paper lanterns? I'm considering some for our patio...

Have you heard of Magnatune.com?  There is a wealth of independent music on this site.  And get this: you can listen to it for free.  I haven't the time to explore all the details, but I really like what I've heard. 

I know a handful of independent musicians and the struggle it is for them to get paid for their efforts.  So I'm delighted that when I purchase a CD to download, the musician gets 50% of the money I've spent. 

There is a Free Song-of-the-Day you can download, if you like.

One CD I'm playing often - Dusty Porch by John Williams. Some great acoustic guitar picking, soft and just a touch sassy.  Local friends - it sounds like it could be Darrell or Craig playing.

So if you get a chance to explore magnatune.com let me know what you like, okay?  Please?  Thanks.