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Merry Christmas!

We are having a quiet day, relaxing and contemplating the Christmas tree. The past few weeks have flown by, filled with work and activity so it is nice to have some “down” time.

It has been a long time since I last posted. I’ve been laid low by a cough that would not go away. When you cough for 22 days straight, you start to feel a little tired, and that’s where I was when I finally gave in and saw a doctor on Friday. Having been brought up in Christian Science, it always makes me feel a bit of a failure to seek medical help. I also have a general suspicion that western medicine has a tendency to cut what it could untie, but then again, sometimes a little codeine helps.

Last night was the big night at St. James. At the “midnight” mass, we sang most of Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F Major, and it was so much fun. We had string instrumentalists, David Gay at the organ, and four wonderful soloists. After the ordeal of singing “Morning Star” as part of a trio in the morning service, I was quite ready to be one of the alto pack again. There is something very satisfying and secure about being in a group of altos. Dave recorded it and we will probably be posting some of that music shortly.

In particular, I would like to mention that our tenor, Oliver, held up his section (being a section of one) beautifully, all the while singing his solos, conducting the rest of us and supporting the basses on some of their entrances. His voice just floats above it all. And I can’t not mention Bitsy’s beautiful soprano shining through, too. The other soloists are no less deserving of praise. They were Sue singing alto and my own sweet Dave singing bass.

Today we’re planning a quiet roast chicken dinner. We had the ultimate fabulous Christmas dinner on Saturday at Heidi’s. Bruce pulled out all the stops as usual and produced a meal to die for. I don’t know how he does it, but he certainly gives the rest of us something to aspire to.

I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas with good people, good food and good music, too.

Poems

December 19, 1997

My diagnosis. Mine. You hear it over
and over at the cancer center.
Funny this need to own it.

Mine came at me from nowhere.
One minute at the crowded office holiday party.
Secret Santa surprise.

The next alone in my cold kitchen,
playing back the message from the doctor:
“Call me at home. Anytime. Please!”

Doctors don’t give you their
Home phone number for no good reason.

The kitchen floor was hard. My high heels
Clicking nervously after I dialed and paced and paced.

The phone rang slowly. One dog threw herself
Down at my feet and snorted, expecting dinner.

And then I was curled on the couch,
Both dogs agitating around me, throwing their black,
sealskin bodies at me, bringing me back to life.

Solstice, Winter

What a Goodly Thing

I took our friend, David, to the dress rehearsal for this year’s Christmas Revels production by Revels North. David is the former artistic director of the show so we had special sentimental reasons for being there (and many friends amongst the cast). It was a terrific show. I know we Revels people say that every year, but it was. Truly!

The theme was music, stories and dance from Appalachia. I have to admit, my initial reaction to the theme was “not so much” and that was part of the reason I didn’t go to auditions (that and not being sure I could live through another production week). That all flew away once I was in my seat in the Spaulding Auditorium.

The title of this post, by the way, comes from the peace round sung with the entire audience during every show: “What a goodly thing / if the children of the world / could dwell together in peace”.

The new directing team did a great job with all aspects of the show. I loved the set, in particular the beautiful quilts hung on either side of the stage. The cast was energetic and sang their hearts out — in a good way. The kid’s chorus was exceptional. And the dancing (which involved a lot of clogging) was great, too.

There are six performances this weekend, starting tonight at 7 PM. Call the Hopkins Center box office at phone: 603-646-2422 for tickets or see the web site link above.

Every Christmas Revels closes with this blessing from the Sussex Mummers Carol, sung by the chorus while encircling the audience:

God bless your house,
Your children too,
Your cattle and your store.
The Lord increase you day by day
And send you more and more
And send you more and more

For me that heralds the start of the holidays more than anything.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man