Saturday, April 11, 2009

Gracious Gift 4/11/09

Once in a while you have to take a break,and visit yourself.

Audrey Giorgi
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Hello again.
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Lori of Dusty Pages has given me this Kreative Bloogers award and now I must visit myself to see if I deserve it. Well I guess maybe I do, I don't know. There are a lot of creative people out there. I just enjoy writing, so I write every day. I like to share my thoughts with people. I've always liked that. Good conversation is a delicious dinner with a fine wine. So even though I dine alone....

I am supposed to list 7 things I love. Anyone who reads my blog knows that I'm a lover of fine music and good literature, but here are some specifics.

1. The music of J. S. Bach. When I first heard the Bach B minor Mass I thought it was the world's greatest piece of music and I still think so. The opening chorus lasts from 10 to 12 minutes depending on the conductor and during it the chorus sings only the 2 words "kyrie eleison" in a slow majestic fugue,

2. 52 years ago, as I approached my senior year in high school, I had a job in Boston for the summer. One day, in Harvard Square I went into the Harvard Coop and picked off the shelf a complete Shakespeare. It's a very small volume. It measures 7" x 5" x 1" and yet it contains all the plays and all the poems of Shakespeare. It cost $6.50. I bought it, wrote my name in it and it has been with me ever since. It goes with me wherever I go.

3. One afternoon in New York City I went to the Museum of Modern Art during a time when they were renovating the building. Most of the art work was stored but some of the pieces were on displays on peg board sections. I turned a corner and came face to face with The Piano Lesson by Henri Matisse. I spent at least 20 minutes staring at that picture. It definitely changed my life.

4. I spent my adult life as an actor. Sadly, I can't do it anymore or I would be, right now. If I were to grow suddenly wealthy and could afford to get all of my physical problems solved, healed or under treatment I would gladly go back to the stage, because I can remember performances which when I did them I said to myself "I love this more than life itself."

5. I love my friends. They are not too numerous to mentions, but I won't mention them because I don't want to make the mistake of leaving anyone out. They know who they are.

6. The music-dramas of Richard Wagner. Like most opera lovers I came late to an appreciation of Wagner's work. I thought it was too heavy, ponderous and verbose and it gave me a headache. Until one afternoon, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City I sat through a performance of Tannhauser with Astrid Varnay, Margaret Harshaw and George London. During the third act I had an epiphany. I suddenly heard, saw and felt a spark, a momentary flicker of light into the whole mystical Wagnerian universe. Since then the light has grown brighter and is still growing.

7. Although I can't do it anymore, hiking the trails of the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and Maine. All by myself, striding up and down those hills and through those forests, I don't think I have ever been happier in my life.
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I am also supposed to pass this award along to 7 other bloggers. So from my humble corner of the journalistic world here are 7. No explanations necessary.

1. http://theworldinblackandwhite/
2. adebanji alade - urban sketches
3. raymond shurtz - cowboys and bohemians
4. ImagesByBacon@aol.com
5. valerie - joy in the rain
6. Big Mark 243 - Stars Like Grains Of Sand In My Pocket
7. Judith Ellis - The Being Brand

I could easily choose 10 more, but these will do.

Thank you Lori

DB The Vagabond
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May you have unexpected joy today.
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12 comments:

Linda S. Socha said...

BEAUTIFUL and real post DB. I LOVE WAGNER and one of my life dreams to attend the Bayreuth Festoval

http://www.worldwideticketing.com/festivals/bayreuth-wagner-festival.htm

Linda

Anne said...

You have listed several wonderful things to love. I have never had the pleasure of visiting Maine or New Hampshire. My nephew has a second home in Maine and I am excited to visit him. I now listen to the classical station when I am driving. It soothes my soul and nerves. Anne

Joyce said...

Wonderful to read what you consider favorite things. BTW, I was born in Bangor, Maine. Also lived in CT for a while. New England is beautiful and I think maybe New Hampshire is the most beautiful.
Hugs, Joyce

Linda's World said...

Lovely post DB. I wish you could come with me to the monthly organ recitals. I'm sure you'd love the music. I've never been able to spend much time in art museums. I know I should but somehow they have never caught my interest. Catch you next time...Linda in dreary Washington

Beth said...

I enjoyed your list very much, D.

You mentioned that the Matisse painting changed your life. I can't say that a piece of art has had quite that effect on me, but I've definitely been awestruck a few times. The first is the Grande Jatte painting by Seurat. It's huge, and I remember walking up slowly to it and letting the figures dissolve into the little dots. I got within a couple of inches of the painting, just amazed that those individual, nonsensical dots became a peaceful and cohesive scene when you backed away.

The other painting that amazed me was an El Greco, also in the Art Institute in Chicago. I've never been much into El Greco, but seeing one in person was wonderful. It was much larger than I expected it to be, and the colors were so VIVID and gorgeous.

I enjoy seeing pictures in art books, but you can't get the full impact of most unless you see them up close and personal.

Love, Beth

Gerry said...

Interesting entry. Even back in college I learned that some of my issues were going to be unpopular, but I decided this was why few would address them, and they needed talking about. With the legalizing of abortion which I was against, I found myself fighting for another cause that was going to cause me continued unabated unpopularity. It is ironic that fighting for the right to life for all makes one unpopular, but this shows the dangers inherent in embracing a popular philosophy without examining its contents. I always remind myself that as lng as I am unpopular for my views on right to life, there is a lot more work to be done.

Arlene (AJ) said...

If anyone deserves the award it is indeed you, DB. As usual a wonderful post, just reaffirms that you were the perfect person to receive this award.

Rose said...

An Award well deserved! Kudos!

Hugs, Rose

Valerie said...

I have a studio book of Van Gogh's paintings and am awestruck by each and every one of them. Wow. I also have some of his writings. He is such an interesting fellow. Thanks so much for the award, DB. It means alot. Sending a big ol' hug to you, my friend. Love, Val xox

Unknown said...

Mazol Tov your award. You deserve it.
Laini

Judith Ellis said...

DB - Thank you for your memories. I visit your blog rather frequently, as I love your words. The award that you have given me is greatly appreciated and I am most happy that you thought of me. Many thanks!

Lori said...

Well of course you deserve it! I always enjoy your posts even if I don't always comment. Loved your list of seven things you love. Got to learn a bit more about you from them.