Cool Things!

Today I went to the local yarn store with Brandy, and there I finally caved and bought some Cascade 220 (so called 'cause it has 220 yards).   Check out the color card--I have been coveting color #4009 for months.  One of these days I'll make a sweater out of it...  This is lovely, soft wool that is fairly reasonably priced--all the colors is of course an added bonus!  I bought 8400 and 8585 to make a secret present for some dear Canadians...  I can't wait to see how these turn out!

Notes from the Dragonlair

Note:  Sorry for the delay--unexpected friends meant that I was not able to publish this yesterday as expected.  I apologize for any withdrawal symptoms this may have caused you. ; )


This week I have been enjoying my new CD, "Angel Voices, Libera in Concert."  I first heard Libera in the car on the way down from Englhart to Toronto last month.  I was entranced by the clear, lovely sound and by the way some of their songs were based on classical pieces.  Here is one of my favorite songs they do, "Sancus".  This is an older video, but it sounds better than the newer live one.  While I know that many people find boys choirs 'creepy,' they have long been an integral part of worship and I for one think it is wonderful that boys are still getting this wonderful training in classical singing.  Browse their other videos--enjoy!

Cool Things...

This is one of those strangly compelling on-line games--a game that involves art, luck, and skill, and gives you a new perspective into the lives of the humble spider.  Go check out Arachnophilia on Digyourowngrave, and enjoy the subtle yet functional beauty of a spiderweb.  Watch out for the Stag Beetles!

Quote of the Week

"Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once."
--Neil Gaiman, "Neverwhere"

Neverwhere is the BEST Gaiman novel, and one of my favorite books.  VERY scary, very clever, very exciting, very well told, and not long enough.  

Also, the above quote is TOTALLY TRUE.

Music From the Dragonlair

Today I've been listening to a lot of music (purely instrumental 'cause my poor brain can't do music with words while I'm studying) as I have been working on a project for PACT, and I thought I would share a favorite 'study CD' with you!



I have a great love of soundtracks, and one of my favorite almost-all-instrumental soundtracks is from the movie "Miss Potter."  As most of you who know me know, "Miss Potter" is one of my favorite obscure movies.  Ever since I saw it last spring it has captured a place in my heart as one of the sweetest love stories ever as well as managing to capture all the restrictivness of Edwardian England and all the magic and imagination of Beatrix Potter.  



At the end of the wonderful soundtrack, is a track that is worth buying the CD just for that one song.  The simple guitar accompanyment and beautiful voice of Katie Melua combine to make a song that is tug-on-your-heart-strings beautiful.  Go listen to "When You Taught Me How to Dance" and see what I mean!  It makes me want to go pull out that movie again...

Cool Things...

I would argue any of you who are crafty or handy with pointy sticks to consider participating in the Red Scarf Project this year.  As a recent college grad, ministering to college students in a woolly way is close to my heart.  Check out the website here for details of scarf dimensions, styles, and recommended patterns.  If you like doing things like this in groups, head over to Ravelry or Facebook to plug into a group of people who are also playing with red yarn.  The deadline is October 31--that is plenty of time to churn out a scarf or two for deserving students!  I've already started--how about you?

Quote for the Week

"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx

Ha, maybe I SHOULD go eat a whole chocholate bar...

Music from the Dragonlair...

Of all the music I remember from my childhood, one of my very favorites is the music of Roger Whittaker.  Perhaps listening to him all those years in Daddy's woodshop explains my love of folk tunes, ballades, and Irish music.  There was this one tape of his that had most of my favorites--"The Foggy, Foggy Dew," "The Star of the County Down," and my all time favorite rendition of "Oh my Love is Like a Red, Red Rose."  I have been searching for a copy of that tape on the Internet for a few years now; it was never made into a CD.  



Roger Whittaker is a British singer/songwriter who was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1936.  He mainly sings folk songs and easy listening, but he has a few songs that reveal his African background.  He is still singing, whistling, and recording, and there are a number of his CD's and individual tracks available on Amazon.com for your listening enjoyment.



As I have gotten older, I have found that I love some of Roger's original songs as much as those three favorites, if not more.  One that has been going through my head a lot this last week or so is,
I Don't Believe in If Anymore
I love the tune, and the pensive words have been very true in my life as I deal with the emotional drain that was my former job.



As well as having a wonderful, rich voice, Roger Whittaker has an amazing whistle.  His haunting version of the Sky Boat Song is refreshingly different, yet the same dear tune that we know and love.  If only I could whistle like that!  



This one is just fun--Roger demonstrates "African Whistling" and plays a catchy African tune.
Human Whistle



Finally, in closing, I want to share one last favorite song, New World in the Morning.

I hope this inspires you to go look up some more of Roger's music on Youtube or Amazon.com--more people aught to know about this wonderful artist.  I just hope that I will still be making music when I'm in my 80's!

Thoughts...

Quote of the Week- "It matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth."
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain