EPO Concert

This charming couple accidentally dressed in similar colors and attended the Evansville Philharmonic         Orchestra concert at the Victory Theater downtown Evansville.  The concert was titled Raise the Roof .  And raise the roof they did!                                                                                 

                                                                         

This is what Dr.Michael Daugherty, composer, has to say about his unusual music.  (The quote was taken from the Evansville Philharmonic program book.)  "Raise the Roof brings the timpani into the orchestral foreground and is the foundation of a grand acoustic construction.  I have composed music that gives the timpanist expressive melodies, and a tour de force cadenza.  The timpanist uses a wide variety of performance techniques; extensive use of foot pedals for melodic turning of the drums, placement of a cymbal upside down on the head of the lowest drum to play glissandi rolla, and striking the drums with regular mallets, wire brushes, maraca sticks, and even bare hands."

Before the concert began, they demonstrated these different techniques-- I liked the maraca drum sticks and the wire brushes the best.  It was nice to get that preview and then to experience the techniques in action when they played the piece.




Dr. Michael Daugherty, Composer

 

Twenty two years ago I spent the day cleaning our house and I remember finally collapsing into a chair at around 9:00 pm when the phone rang.  It was the doctor and the question he asked was, "How would you like to have your baby tonight?"  I didn't answer right away because I was plenty tired already but I was also very ready to have my baby.  I was just about ready to say, "Well, I'd rather not.  I'd rather have a long bubble bath and then hit the sac.  Maybe another time," when he said, "I have a couple women in labor right now and have plans for the weekend so it would be good if you came in..." 

  I delivered Janine in 45 minutes.  She's always been full of life and had that urge to go, go, go...  Happy Birthday Janine!

My friend, Barbara Barrett, is standing in the nice, little cafe off Green River Road in Evansville called Cafe 111.  We enjoy having lunch there and right now they have pumpkin spice coffee too.  Anyway, note how Barbara and the man in red are dressed for the fall weather.  I ask, 'What was the guy between them thinking?'   Maybe he's been asleep for a month--just woke up and decided to visit the cafe-- shocked to find the season autumn--ya know all damp and cold?




Cold Legs



People at the Writers Retreat

Some of the writers at the Inn in McCormick State Park.  My roommate was Aimee Blume who is pictured in the light blue shirt.  As writers we are constantly thinking about our manuscripts and the writing process.  This picture shows four people sitting in the presence of one another, but I bet deep in thought about things that are very far away.  One of the words I used to describe my weekend in Spencer, IN was excitement.  I find it exciting to be with other people who love to use their imagination and care about writing fiction as much as I do.                                                                                              

Writers Workshop

This weekend has been both challenging and relaxing.  I am at a Writers Retreat/Workshop in Spencer, IN  staying at the Canyon Inn in McCormick State Park.  It's just beautiful here with all the large trees.  Most of the leaves have fallen. The silence of the woods speaks louder than thunder...

An added bonus to this beauty is all the learning and work I have been doing on the craft of writing.  I have much to learn.  I think I am drawn to writing because I am naturally a creative person, but also because I have trouble expressing myself.  With writing you can work the problem until it is right. 

 Although I don't have any people pictures at this point, I promise you I have been able to talk with my friends from Evansville.  And, it has also been great to make new friends! 

Annabelle enjoyed looking out the window today.  It was raining and both of us needed to go for a walk...  The closest we came to it, however, was looking out the window.  This is what Annabelle saw:

I love the color on our neighbor's cypress trees!

This is the Mimosa that has those beautiful pink flowers in the spring and early part of the summer.  It isn't as bright right now, but the fern-like leaves and pods make it interesting to look at.  I'm thinking we are going to have to rake those leaves into a huge pile just for Annabelle.  We'll wait until it stops raining first, though.

Tiger Lily

                                                  A Tiger Lily from my parents garden.
If this flower could speak, what would it say?  Does it appreciate the lake view from where it stands?  Does it know how beautiful it is?  Does it feel vulnerable or Tiger Fierce?

Halloween On My Street