Fall Is Here

So, I think it's pretty much official. Summer is over and fall has arrived. The leaves are changing and falling, and it's definitely cooled off. Last week it was still regularly in the 80's, and it's not expected to get much above 70 anytime soon. I always enjoy the changing of the seasons, which is one of the reasons I wasn't a big fan of Texas. There are basically two seasons in Abilene: hot and less hot. Now, back up north, I get to experience all four seasons. It's nice. My only regret is that I can't nap in this perfect napping weather. I love napping when it's rainy. Or just curling up on the couch with a blanket, a book, and a mug of hot chocolate. Mmmm....I do enjoy cold weather clothing and cold weather activities.

News Of a Piratey Sort

My friend Katrina has informed me that it is National Talk Like a Pirate Day (Arr!), so in honor of that I present you with my pirate name:

My pirate name is:

Red Bess Flint

Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
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The New York Phil's Opening Night

Last night was the New York Philharmonic's Opening Night concert. And I got to watch it. Granted, it was on PBS, not in person, but it was still fabulous. They played a program of pieces all by Dvorak (for the uninitiated, it's pronounced "de-vor-zhak". It should have a little upside down ^ symbol above the r, but I don't know the keyboard command to do that. Anyway, he was Czech, thus the odd pronunciation.) It was great. Yo-yo Ma played the Dvorak Cello Concerto, and, of course, played wonderfully. I was in awe. The broadcast started at 8:00 pm and didn't get done until 10:00, so I stayed up too late. 5:45 comes quickly when you're not in bed early enough. Despite that, it was a wonderful close to the evening. After work I was able to make dinner quickly (it's amazing how remembering to thaw the chicken ahead of time speeds up cooking times), then I practiced for about an hour. It's wonderful to be playing again. I'd missed it more than I realized. The five grad school rejections in quick succession were just too much for me, I guess. That's really why I stopped playing for so long. Now that I am playing again, it makes me miss Boston and the opportunities that I didn't take advantage of while I was there. At least I'm playing and teaching again. And I still get to hear some of the best orchestras in the world, just on PBS rather than in person.