the piano plays on...

We never had a piano in our home when I was growing up...and though I am not so sure I would have enjoyed the practicing...I often wished I could play.  We bought a brand new Yamaha piano when our children were of 'piano playing age'.  There were other things we would have rather spent the money on...but giving our children the gift of music seemed the right thing to do. Our oldest was quite excited about learning to play piano...for a time.  Our second son had no interest whatsoever in playing any instrument...and we decided not to subject him to lessons.  Our daughter played a little piano...and a little flute...and loved to sing. 

When we moved from the farmhouse six years ago...we decided we would not move the piano.  Moving a  piano is not an easy task...and why did I need a piano?   Our middle son...the one with no interest whatsoever in pianos...moved into the farmhouse...and found himself with a piano.  Though it was not technically his...we all know that 'possession is nine-tenths of the law'.  Since he still had no aspirations of becoming a piano player...and since it is not good for an instrument to sit idle year after year...his daughter has been taking piano lessons this past year.  Spencer invited us to her year-end recital over the weekend...

...and did a fine job of her pieces.  She would rather play behind closed doors...and without an audience...but she stepped up to the challenge...and we were so proud of her.

Her dad was in the audience...checking the program frequently to see how long until his daughter would be playing.  Ryder yawned...and stretched...and rolled his eyes...during one well-rehearsed piano piece after another.  Finally...it was Spencer's turn.  Now everyone was paying attention!  And when the clapping died down...her father and brother slipped out...unnoticed...while the recital continued.  I don't think Ryder will be playing the piano anytime soon...

...but maybe if he had the same teacher his sister has...he could be coaxed to give it a try.  She is the best of teachers!

I'm glad the piano is still making music...after all these years.  Music...it's good for the soul.  

'There's nothing remarkable about it.

All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.'  

~Johann Sebastian Bach  

Smile!

together in unison...

We gathered to pay our respects...friends, neighbours and family...remembering a kind, thoughtful man who had touched the lives of many and will be missed. To us he was a neighbour...and until recently we would see him working on his yard or riding his bike. Those days are over.

The funeral was held in a Catholic church...with great acoustics...a wonderful place to make heavenly music. It has been used as a recording studio by choirs on many occasions...and we have attended concerts at this very venue. We noticed that all the songs were sung in unison at the funeral...and only the melody line was printed in their songbook. Since the songs were mostly unfamiliar to us...we towed the line and sang melody...just like the rest of the throng. Toward the end of the service, there were a few familiar hymns...and without giving it a thought, we broke into harmony. Elmer sings bass...I sing alto...and we don't really need notes...we just harmonize. The moment the funeral was over, the lady in front of us whipped around and asked us if we were from a choir. Well, no...but we grew up singing in choirs and in church...and at home. Well, she almost insisted that we go sign up for the choir. I was speechless for a bit...and then informed her that we don't actually attend this church. "Oh. Well you should convert...we need you in the choir." We laughed about that as we left.

It was a lovely tribute to a man whose time on earth was over...and we came together from all denominations in a Catholic church...and remembered Lambert...and sang in unison, songs of praise to our God. But is there some reason we can't sing harmony? I wonder.

some things in life are still free...

Most things seem to come attached with a price tag in this day and age...but there are still some great events that are free. We had the privilege of checking out a wonderful community concert on the weekend...no tickets required.

Over the summer months, our local Business Improvement Association has sponsored a Friday night concert in Central Community Park and a night market at the same location. Friday night was the grand finale for this summer...and so we took our lawn chairs and went to enjoy some great bands on a warm summer evening. We were in good company...there were over 3000 others who decided to spend their Friday night in the very same way.

We weren't there long...before some friends happened along...and set up their chairs next to ours. These are friends who live in our neighbourhood...but who we don't get a chance to catch up with all that often. So catch up we did...while the bands played on! Now I'm not talking about subdued background music...but rather loud and robust country and rock. So our talking must have been more like shouting...because we all left with rather hoarse throats when the night was over.

While we chatted together...we reminisced with our friends about our climb up Mt. Cheam together many years ago. We guessed it must have been more than 10 years ago...but our friend knew it had been August 28, 1998. How coincidental was that? Eleven years to the day after our mountaintop adventure...we met by accident at our local 'party in the park'.

We had a good evening...good music, good company, good weather...and it was all free (even the hoarse throat). Some of the best things in life are free!

Have a terrific Tuesday...

always something to sing about...

This was my nephew, Jamison...not so long ago.

Although, from the photo you would think he looked somewhat the philosophical type...he was actually an entertainer...with a great sense of humour...and music in his soul! He played the drums before he could talk...and entertained his pre-school classmates with Beach Boys songs when he was three years old.

At the age of two...he led a choir of cousins in song. That wasn't really the plan...but when it comes to leading the music...Jamison just can't help himself.

He is still ever the entertainer...

...and even willing to give my grands impromptu music lessons...when the opportunity arises.

Jamison majored in music...all through school. He has spent the last several years in a worship arts program at Columbia Bible College...

...and worked as an intern at our church this summer...leading worship on many occasions. He even preached the sermon last Sunday...and although we were not there to hear it...I listened to it on-line...after the fact...and must say he did a fine job!

Yesterday morning Jamison led worship at church...and in the afternoon he left with his travelling band...for an end of summer tour. Who knows...he may be making music in a town somewhere near you. He is a wonderful musician...has released a new CD recently...and was featured artist on CBC Radio recently. I wish him much success as he uses his gifts and talents to glorify God.

Enjoy the day...

music and art in my backyard...

I'm not one to go to art shows...or world-class musical productions for the most part...but when the opportunity arises right in my back yard...I take it all in!

Out in the country...not far from our farm...a sculptor has been very busy over the past while. Last year...I took you over to see his eagles. Since then...he has completed a huge work of art which dwarfs the eagles...a Chinese Imperial water dragon.

Rather awe-inspiring...at about 35 feet in length and 12 feet tall...and consisting of more than 12,000 individual pieces. This humungous work of art was unveiled at an open house over the weekend...so I stopped by to take a peek. Oh yes...it's for sale for $10,000,000 (count those zeros)...but peeking and snapping photos are free!

I had another 'creative art experience' over the weekend...one that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It was a black-tie event that was not advertised to the public...a fundraiser for the Mennonite Educational Institute.

Ben Heppner performs at the most world's most celebrated venues...but on Saturday night he was part of an intimate concert at the Grand Ballroom of the Wall Centre in Vancouver. The concert was dubbed "Songs from the Heart"...and included performances by Vancouver Chamber Choir, Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir, MEI Chamber Singers, and Festival Orchestra. It was an evening of wonderful music...with the highlight being the world-renowned tenor...Ben Heppner.


He sang a few pieces in Italian...one that he normally sings in the fifth hour of an opera performance...and a few traditional songs. The grand finale was the performance of How Great Thou Art...sung by Ben Heppner...together with the three choirs and orchestra. It was music that touched the soul!


I was thinking that a little art...and a little music...go a long way in brightening up the day!

Have a wonderful day...

daddy sang bass...

We all know Johnny Cash could really hit those low notes...and I still love to listen to him sing some of those oldie/goldies. But here's what you likely didn't know...I have my own 'Johnny'. Yup...he can reach those low notes as well! I just don't hear him singing nearly as often as in years gone by.

Some of my earliest memories of my hubby go back to the church choir that we once sang in. He sang tenor back in those days...and a good tenor at that. After high school graduation...he went away to school one winter...and discovered he was actually a bass. I'll never forget when he returned...and showed up at choir practise with full intentions of singing bass. Our choir director asked him to please sit with the tenors...but he replied it was bass or nothing. He held his ground...and has been singing bass ever since.

Here's a quartet pic I found in the files from some 37 years ago (hubby on the right)...

...and the funny thing is that same quartet is still called on to sing every so often. (The original baritone's son now sings in his place...and the first tenor has been replaced as well.) They jokingly call themselves the 'funeral quartet'...since they mostly sing at funerals!

Last night, however, they were asked to sing at a non-funeral event......and jumped at the opportunity.

If you look closely...you will may even find two guys that bear a slight resemblance to two on the top photo (extreme left...and extreme right).

The crowd was most enthusiastic...and some wondered if they'd be putting out an album soon! (Did I tell you most everyone there was over 50...and well beyond?)

Choirs and quartets seem to be a thing of the past...but it's good to hear the OLD quartet blending their voices once in awhile. I like hearing 'daddy sing bass'...well, I guess he's grandpa now!

Daddy sang bass, mama sang tenor
Me and little brother would join right in there
Singin’ seems to help a troubled soul
One of these days and it won’t be long
I’ll re- join them in a song
I’m gonna join the family circle at the throne.

It's Monday...have a good one!

The River

We've been to the river a few times recently. We camped at the Kettle River...we walked along the Vedder River and we rode the mighty Fraser River this past week.

My favorite Sunday morning music is playing...and I'm singing along with Brian Doerksen as he sings 'The River'. It's a beautiful song...click to hear it.

The River

Brian Doerksen, Michael Hansen, Brian Thiessen

To the river I am going

Bringing sins I cannot bear

Come and cleanse me, come forgive me

Lord I need to meet you there

In these waters, healing mercy

Flows with freedom from despair

I am going, to that river

Lord I need to meet you there

Precious Jesus, I am ready

To surrender every care

Take my hand now, lead me closer

Lord I need to meet you there

Come and join us, in the river

Come find life beyond compare

He is calling, He is waiting

Jesus longs to meet you there

©2004 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Blessings to you this Sunday!

paul brandt comes to town

I may live in the country...

...but I can't say I've been to many country music concerts before. There's a first for everything, and last night I had the privilege of attending the best country music concert that has ever come to this town...I am sure!

Until several years ago, we had no venue large enough to bring in the big names...but our 'new' Prospera Centre has changed all that.

Last night we heard Canada's country music favorite...Paul Brandt. I loved his first big song about 10 years ago...and have listened to his music ever since. He is one super guy...a pediatric nurse before he became a full-time musician. He is the most awarded male country musician in Canadian history, and besides turning out wonderful songs, he works tirelessly for Samaritan's Purse and World Vision. He is also the spokesman for Ford Motor Company...he probably sells a truck or two!

At last weekend's Juno's, Paul received the Allan Waters humanitarian award for his charity work. In his emotional acceptance speech, he shared with the glitzy and glamorous crowd about some of the children he has encountered in the most desperate corners of the world. Paul travels worldwide to deliver packages collected by Samaritan's purse for the underprivileged kids. His most recent campaign is to raise funds to purify drinking water where none is available...and even last night he encouraged the crowd to make a difference in the life of a child and contribute to this cause.

The concert was great...as was the audience! We gave Paul a good home-town welcome....when the first concert sold out immediately, another was added for Saturday night. Paul Brandt is Canadian (from Calgary, Alberta)...and I'm not sure how well he's known in the U.S...but he's worth getting to know.

One other thing...at least Paul knew when it was time to go home. By 10:15 we were all on our way, and even had time for a cup of coffee...unlike the marathon hockey game I attended at the same place two weeks ago. Hockey at midnight just isn't that appealing!

And thanks to my kids for a wonderful birthday gift...my birthday may have been months ago, but these concert tickets were compliments of the occasion. And I think I get to go to another concert soon (not country next time!)...as I help hubby enjoy a Christmas gift.

And now I need to get my life organized so that I am free to work outside all day tomorrow...because the sunshine is on the way. Wahoo!

(Paul Brandt photo source)