Welcome 2011

This is it, the end of 2010. We are going to welcome 2011 today. Won't sum up the past year since you have a good idea what it was about if you have read the blog and if you have not then perhaps it is time to try it.
Have a wonderful evening and all the best for the New Year.

2011!

Time to start thinking of the New Year.
1. I have booked courts for next Monday, Sunday was already done. Tomorrow, I will be one of a number who will book for Wednesday. Oh my, there is plenty to be done.
2. Have work to be done on the heating system, that is planned for next week Tuesday. I will plan to be home the whole day. When the first part was done, I was called on every once in awhile to help answer a question, sort out a problem.
3. Getting travel plans underway. My goodness, there are plenty to do. Michael and I are going to Portugal in the spring, the Maritimes in the summer and to New England some time in the fall. We will go and see some one's presentation and then visit the Red Lion Inn in Massachusetts.
4. Want to start planning some of the home renovations. The coach that was given to us by friends needs some TLC, and we have been talking about an island in the kitchen. Both good ideas.
Will have more ideas as the days go by.

Amaretto Cheesecake

We have friends who love Amaretto, especially the husband. Because they are coming over tomorrow, I baked an Amaretto Cheesecake. Time to start making new recipes. Want to finish my cookbook. Guess that I was inspired by Julia Child's biography. She was certainly a force to be dealt with.
Here is the recipe:

Amaretto Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
2. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs and the 3 tablespoons white sugar. Add the melted butter and mix well. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and cornstarch, and mix until smooth. Add sour cream, vanilla, amaretto liqueur and salt. Mix until well blended. On low speed of an electric mixer, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour batter over crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes. Remove from oven. Loosen around the edges with a knife and cool on a wire rack while still in pan. Refrigerate, remove from pan when completely chilled.

Merry Christmas 2010

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and happy holiday. Hope that you have time to spend with family and friends.
All the best.

Christmas Cards for neighbours

Christmas cards are still coming from unexpected sources which is nice. I don't mind responding to those. I am up to date except for the fact that I have not put out the cards that we have received for display. There are quite a few. I always thought that once I retired the cards would diminish a great deal but that is not the case. Putting out the cards is a job for today as well as getting up some decorations. Want the house to look festive.
Today, I will get cards ready for the the neighbours so that they can be delivered tomorrow. Do not want to deliver too early causing neighbours to feel an obligation to us. Realized that our neighbours have an extensive collection of pewter ornaments. The pewter ornaments are from Amos Pewters in Mahone Bay. Amos Pewters makes a lovely unique ornament each year. We have been giving them an ornament each year for over 20 years. Soon their tree like ours could be decorated with just pewter ornaments. That would be a lovely site.

Cards from lost friends

Today, the cards that I was preparing were for friends who I had not heard from for quite some time. Does that happen to you? One of the people had not contacted me for quite a few years and now she has separated from her partner, I don't think that they got married and she wants to get together. I will wait for her to make the next move. I have sent a card in response. Strange after all these years, it has been since my retirement and I retired over 4 years ago.
Another person is a person I met at music camp a number of years ago. I had forgotten about her since we do not correspond during the year. Time to change that. She is a nice person who has had family problems the past few years. The same kind of problems that we all experience as our parents get older.
The third card today was from someone I have served on a board with for many years. All of sudden he has sent a card. Not sure why this happened this year. I did send a card in return. I try to do that when there is time and we do have 4 days of mail left.
Will be interesting to see what tomorrow's mail brings.
Actually, I forgot there was a fourth card for someone who I had not heard from since her wedding 2 years ago. I thought that I was no longer part of her life but it seems that love and marriage had taken over her life. Now she is thinking about others.
Will let you know if there are any exciting cards tomorrow.

Christmas Entertaining

Now that the cards are out, most gifts have been purchased, I will play my last Christmas concert tonight, it is time for entertaining. The real part of Christmas, getting together with friends is the focus. That is the best part of the holidays. Having time to enjoy with friends. Michael has already purchased some wine so it is now my responsibility to come up with menus. I think that I am going to make things that can be left in the oven cooking while I enjoy friends. Not spend my time slaving over the stove. That is for another time.
Will post some of the recipes.
Happy holidays.

Elliott Carter still composing

Since I am still very much involved in music, I was fascinated to read that Elliott Carter is still alive and composing. He is now 102! What a feat and to be composing is wonderful. Wonder if his secret is Carter's little liver pills. That is the source of his wealth. He is part of the family.
Just read in the paper today that the New Music Concerts put on a concert that featured his music that he wrote since he reached the age of 100 plus.
The reviewer was quite complementary about Carter's music. This is at time that many centenarians would be in a senior's home trying to survive not write music for concerts.
What an inspiration! Not sure what I want to be doing at 102 but working at something is the trick.

Cards are done!

The Christmas cards are done. If you know me and do not receive one, it is because I am planning to see you during the holidays or the card got lost in the mail. I sent many cards. As I mentioned in the previous post, it is my way of staying in touch. Not everyone has e-mail which is another way of keeping in touch and I still like to send a card to those people.
Now that I am done, there are no more excuses, time to clean and get things ready to entertain. Have to make plans to meet with people and have some over. It is a nice time of year as long as you do not try to do everything.
Hope that you are enjoying your preparations.

Christmas 2010

It is that time of year again. I am busy writing Christmas cards. Catching up with people and also remembering people. It is amazing how many people touch your life. Some of them do drop out and others take their place. There are friends who are environmentalist and they do not send cards because they are saving the planet. I agree theoretically but still love to send and receive cards. Have not had received today's yet. Everyday there has been at least one card. I think the number will increase as we get closer to the holiday.
Can you believe that I am up to the letter N. I am working my way through my phone book. I do have cards that I will deliver personally. Most of those are done already.
Some people will get a newsy letter to accompany the card. Fun to reflect on what you have accomplished the past year. Good way to think of goals for the coming year.
Hopefully, I will not miss anyone.

Missed Rehearsal

As you know, yesterday we had snow. Not too much in Toronto proper but in the outlying areas there were significant deposits of the white stuff. I was supposed to go to a rehearsal last night in one of those areas that according to the news broadcasts had plenty of the white stuff. I play one piece and it lasts about 10 minutes at the most. I also double the cellos and double basses. For this, I was supposed to travel for about 1 hour to a rehearsal and then back home. What I saw on the television suggested to me that it would be wise to stay home, not travel in the snow. Amazing what some people think is appropriate. Perhaps, he did not check how much playing I actually have to do.
Will let you know what happens.

Snow!

It is strange but I have been saying for months that this winter will be more difficult than last. Last year, we got a couple centimetres of snow the whole winter. Not a good things since many plants need the snow cover and some areas need the snow run off for water. The impact of lack of snow was not too bad since the summer was rainy.
It has been snowing for 24 hours on and off just a dusting so far but I think that it will start to amount to more. I am hoping that it is not too severe because I have a rehearsal tonight but if the snow has accumulated I will not go. Better to stay home and practise, not worth being out on the roads sliding around with others.
Hope that you enjoy the snow because it will be a snowy one this year.

Bookings!

Some of you may know that I do some volunteer work. Recently, I was asked to help find a performer for an event at a non-profit that I help with. I worked on this and have done this for someone else in the past. The other person always gave me the assignment and I found someone willing to perform. This time, there was a new contact. She asked me for a performer. I found someone and then she told me that she had someone else booked. Wish that I had known that and I would not have wasted my time. Hate it when someone does not tell you what they are doing and then lets you know once you send information about the performer that you found. Madding!
Oh well, will have to make sure that I know the terms that we are working with in the future.

Contractors and good ones!

Oh my. It seems that this is a rant that I have been on. Now that there are supposed to be people coming to do some work at 8 a.m. I am ready. Not doing anything noisy. Trying to make sure that I am close to the front door. It is now one and a half hours after the people are supposed to arrive and no show. I have called the company and they claim that they should be here and should have called if they are running late. Well, it is 9:25, no show and no calls. I have my cell phone clipped to my waist, not taking any chances. Have made sure that the number at the front of the house is uncovered.
I have the feeling that I need to learn how to do more of the work myself. Unfortunately, digging out a crawl space and then insulating it is not my line of expertise.
Hopefully, the people have not had an accident. Will keep you posted.

Happy News

Was in touch with a friend who started me blogging a couple years ago. The reason that she started was not a pleasant one. She continued until recently and now she has stopped. Hopefully, she will start again when the mood strikes her. She is worried that right now all she can do is complain about her situation and the things that she faces.
I think that not complaining in your blog is a good philosophy although as you may have noticed I will complain about contractors and others who are supposed to get work done and do not do it in a timely manner. In some cases, this is a warning to me to get things done.
I have good news, I am helping a friend at One of Kind. Time to get ready to help.
Got to run.

Contractor

Good news, the contractor finally sent the information. I know that the work might be more than we had actually planned but it will be good to have it done. I think that these companies are happy to have bigger jobs so our job was not significant. The job will be done in two stages but I made sure that the part that had to be done, keeping the rad pipes warm was done the first stage. Not sure when the second stage will be done but it will happen before Christmas. Guess these companies do not care what things you have to rearrange. And rearrange, I did.
Will let you know how things progress as the work gets done.

Contractors!

Don't you hate contractors who come to do the estimate and then after several days still have not submitted an estimate? What are they waiting for? That you become so desperate to have the work done that you will do anything and pay any price to have the work done?
I am very frustrated with these people. I am now going to make more phone calls to find another company. Wish that the estimator or company would just come out and say that they are not interested in the work and recommend someone else instead of having you hang on and wonder what is going on.
Feel like starting a list of company that you can trust. Why bother giving the companies that are disreputable a forum?
Good luck with your work.

Plans using e-mail

Making plans using e-mail is certainly easier than the phone. Many years, I used to the phone to arrange gigs for a quintet that I used to be in. I would have to call the other 4 players and get their commitments, sometimes it would take two or three phone calls. Right now, I am busy arranging a luncheon with a group of friends and we have settled on the date, now the location. Using e-mail, the date has been confirmed although one of the members does not have e-mail so I check with her when I play tennis with her. We play a couple times a week.
The same can be said of my trio, I send out an e-mail and then receive responses about dates for performances. So much easier.
I am glad that I have e-mail for these purposes.
Sometimes, I wonder how I managed before.

Landing a rewarding Job

The perfect gift for a high school, college or university graduate: a professional career counsellor?
My goodness: $50 for a professionally produced resume. You can not do it yourself? If you can't should you be applying for the job?
Several thousand dollars can buy career coaching, interview coaching and a step-by-step plan on how to land a rewarding job.
People are willing to spend upward of $40,000 to get a MBA but then don't spend a penny on learning how to get the job they want. If they are capable of getting a MBA surely they don't need career counselling, they can give it.
The article points out an important point that it is not easy finding bona fide counsellors.
The resume is now a marketing tool according to the article, hasn't it always been.
Interesting, another career opportunity but not for those who looking for jobs. What a strange world that we need people to write resumes for us and point us in the right direction.

Slow Movement enters the design mainstream

I love the Slow food movement. It is important to cook and enjoy food, not rush out to the local fast food emporium. Now, it seems that the slow movement has also entered the realm of design. The Slow movement in design wants us to allow for reflection, association and appreciation to become part of the design process. This translates into a renewed enthusiasm for traditional over high-tech, the local over global and the artisanal over the mass-produced-with the additional value in the design content of made-to-last quality over the cheap and disposable.
Chief among the stylishly slow practitioners is a New York based textile company called Pollack whose line is available to the trade in Toronto through Primavera Interior Furnishings. Pollack's design director, Rachel Doriss recently gave a presentation at the Textile Museum of Canada.
Doriss talked about her grandmother and her skills with a sewing machine and knitting needles. "We live in a super-throwaway society now", observes Doriss. "There used to be a fix-it guy who could fix your washing machine and your TV. Now, if it's broken, we just throw it away and get a new one."
Doriss' designs and desire to work slowly are running into problems as small companies go out of business. Hopefully, there will always be companies that agree with her philosophy. I certainly do.

Many Facets of People

Earlier today, I received an e-mail asking about information about Miep Koenig. When I found some information, I was told but the person who they were looking for lived in Toronto. Well, further research revealed that Miep Koenig, part of the family that hid Anne Frank and her family during WW II was the same person who moved to Toronto and had been an educator. It seems that the person who asked about her did not know her background. Fascinating. On the weekend, I participated in a course about writing. The participants also had varied backgrounds. It was interesting to find out more about each individual. One was a former top model, another had lived in Burma and then worked for the UN, another a statistician. Each of these people had stories to be told and unless you dug dip enough you might never know about the many facets of these people.
Amazing that people do have many sides to them and that we do not always see the other side.

Lost Violins

Why do so many violinists lose their instruments?
As a general rule, violin cases should come with wrist manacles.
Whether it's down to their travel schedules or the fact that the gene responsible for musical talent is also the one that causes scatterbrainedness, violinists are always losing their instruments.
The latest: A jet lagged German musician who remembered his dirty underwear but forgot his $1.4 million violin on a train headed into downtown Munich this week. He had just gotten off a plane arriving from Asia.
The instrument fashioned in Italy in 1748, was left propped on a seat. When the unidentified 45 year-old musician finally realized what he'd done, he phoned up his manager and then had a panic attack that required emergency medical treatment. Fortunately, the violin was where he left it.
The list goes on.
Our conscious mind prioritizes things by importance, but on a cellular level, our memory does not.
Bottom line: If you can lose your car keys, you can also forget a briefcase full of cash- or a priceless violin.

Hydro Costs

Among the many things that the provincial government is arguing and debating about is the cost of hydro. The government is claiming that old meters did not accurately meter the hydro being used. Well, okay but if you look at a hydro bill most of the costs are not the actual hydro being used. The costs are other fixed costs that no amount of fiddling with times of usage would change. I think that the government needs to look at the hydro bills carefully. The fixed costs have risen a great deal and this has nothing to do with meters and how smart they are.
The New Democrats asked that the HST be removed from hydro bills and the government does not seem to be budging at that either.
Wonder what other things the government will increase?

Twinkie dieter drops 26 pounds

Now this is a diet that I might consider. After 10 weeks on his celebrated Twinkie diet, Mark Haub has lost 26 pounds, sleeps better and has more energy.
He's been downing Little Debbie Twinkie and Zinger snack cakes steadily since August 25.
What started as a four-week experiment stretched to last Friday because the results were so good. Haub told the Star on Monday. Now that his weight has slipped inside the "normal" Body Mass Index range, he's working out a slightly more extravagant diet.
But Little Debbie will still feature heavily in it.
"My wife says she wishes I'd been like this the whole time we've been married," the Kansas State University nutrition professor says.
As the weight dropped off, he stopped snoring and burned off his new-found energy by doing chores around the house.
His cholesterol levels, once high fell to normal.
The secret, the 41 year-old Haub contends, is how much you eat, not what you eat.
A veteran of low-carb and low-fat diets, the 5-foot-10 Haub was 201 pounds when he gave up whole grains and meat for Little Debbie. A daily calorie intake of around 3,000 slid down to about 1,700.
"Basically, my diet was lactovegetarian," he says of his milk and junk-food regime.
"The message from the movie Super Size me was 'Fast Food is bad,' But that's taking it out of context. His rule was he had to eat everything. It's not the fast food, it's the amount.
He points out he is "physically and mentally improved by increasing what's not recommended and decreasing what is."
Interesting premise that it is the calories that count, not where they come from. Food is fuel and nutrients.

Garden at school

Just read about a garden at D. A. Morrison Middle School. Wonderful what a teacher decided to do. Apparently the front entrance of the school was not very attractive and a teacher decided to do something about it.
Four years ago, Rita Strautins decided that it was time to take back the space and along with students she planted a garden. She created a garden that eliminated the weeds that had taken over the space and grown to the height of two feet. Most unattractive in front of the school.
Initially, Strautins was told that there wasn't much point in starting the garden because students would trample it, but she hasn't had much trouble with that. In fact, she said, the students generally respect the garden.
Safereerah Zainab, 12 is a student in Strautins' French class. She thinks having the garden is a great way to start being part of the community and make the world a better place.
"It shows we actually care about the environment," she said. "It's really nice and it represents the school very well."
The kids are now starting a garden club and next spring they will be tackling a spot near the rear of the building under an old tree. When it's finished, it will make some of the students like Ricci Crowder, 13, happy because she'll be able to eat her lunch outside by the garden.
Strautins did most of the weeding and the students did most of the planting. She found it difficult to take almost 30 student out to build the garden so she began taking a few students at a time on the preparation period. The front garden has different flowers that bloom almost year-round.
The school board did not give D.A. Morrison any money for the project. Instead teachers, students and community members donated resources. But most of the plants come Strautins herself.
What a wonderful example of what can be done!

Trees on our property!

You have read about my complaints about city trees before if you have read this blog in the past. You know that I am not pleased with the care that city trees are receiving. Today, I had another experience with our city tree. Over 6 months ago, a branch fell from our tree and hit the neighbour's car. The branch caused about $7,000 of damage. Yes, you read correctly. The branch hit the edge of the rear window and then gradually slid down crumpling the window and other parts of the car. It took over a week for the repair. The city would not pay and also claimed that our tree is fine. Today, many months later a company from Keswick came to trim the tree. How they know which branches are fine when there are no leaves on the tree is interesting in itself. According to my neighbour the company came and looked at the tree several days before. I am sure that the company manages to charge for each trip all the way from Keswick. Again, why can't a Toronto company do this?

Thank Goodness, I am retired!

Oh dear, life is never a straight line. Michael and I discussed the worst things that happened to us and it would be the death of our parents. We were comparing terrible things because yesterday we developed a heating problem. Oh yes, the rads starting leaking in one spot. Thank goodness, it was not on the second floor. Good that the temperatures are not like they will be in a couple weeks. Not sure how difficult it will be to fix the problem but we will deal with it. Someone is coming this morning and then once heat is back on we will figure out what the next steps are. In other words, do we have to do some remodeling etc?
Hopefully, the rest of you are having uneventful lives and have no major repairs.

Health

Just wrote to a friend who is experiencing health issues. Have another friend whose brother developed pancreatic cancer and those of you who have some knowledge of these things know that the prognosis is not good. However, I did hear that Libby Znaimer had pancreatic cancer and she is a survivor- one of 6%. There is always a chance.
My cold is much better and I just have sniffles and I am grateful that is all that it was.
All else does not matter if you do not have your health. For that I am thankful again and hope that everyone else can enjoy their good health and help those whose health is not as good.
Time to think about these issues. Michael and I have a number of possible trips in the near future and I will use my supply teaching money for them. Will be a good use of the money.
Will tell you about the trips once they are confirmed, but they should be good.

Cold?

How do you catch a cold when you are no longer teaching full-time? I got a cold and a bad one at that. I am finally up and not napping constantly. I think that I will actually practise my instrument to prepare for a performance tomorrow evening.
I have not been able to do much the past few days and as always, I gage how sick I am by how much TV I watch. I have been able to watch plenty and not get bored. Have you noticed how few good shows are on these days and I don't mean just in the afternoons? I actually find that there is more on in the afternoons than in the evenings. Murder, She wrote is a favourite stand-by but how many times can you watch the same shows? I have seen a few more than once. Oh well, I am better and now can be productive. Knitting scarves is good but I watch television when I do that. Oh well, plenty of practising that I can do. Time to do it.

Halloween

It is Sunday and Halloween. I know that this area does not have many children out for Halloween but so far I have not seen one child. The light is on, I am eager to give out some chocolates and Michael bought good ones. He picks good ones so that he can enjoy a few before the big day. Michael is away and I am on my own giving out chocolates but so far nothing. I thought that I heard some foot steps but no luck.
Wonder what happened? Did the neighbours on either side turn off their lights and now there is no reason to come to our house? What a disappointment. I do not expect many children but none?
Hope that the rest of you had more.

Schnitzel!

I love to have a good meal of schnitzel once in awhile, too often it is not good. One of the places that we enjoy is the Coffee Mill which has been in business for 47 years. Not always in the same place because of the changes not created by the restaurant. It has been in its present location for quite a number of years.
According to an article by Amy Pataki, restaurant critic of the Toronto Star, it is her favourite restaurant. I feel reassured that it is okay to enjoy a place like this. Sometimes, I wonder if I am enjoying food at a place that has become passe.
Apparently, the Coffee Mill sells at least 30 schnitzel sandwiches at its take out each day. I think that I will add to the count today and get a sandwich after I attend a concert at the University of Toronto. It will be a concert that features an octet by Emil Bernard and an octet by Franz Krommer. Music that my octet has played and hopefully will play again.

Chess Champ spreads love of the game

Yuanling Yuan is a restless chess champion.
The 16-year-old from Victoria Park C.I. recently spent a couple weeks in Russia playing as a member of Canada's team at the World Chess Olympiad.
She ranked 27th out of the 564 female players, the highest a Canadian has ever finished.
When she's not busy being a chess whiz, she busy championing the game which a wonderful aspect of her game.
Two years ago, Yuan founded Chess in the Library, a smart sounding club for smart-sounding people. "I just wanted to do something to promote chess in Canada." she said of the day in spring 2009 when she walked into Brookbank Library and told head librarian Denise Drabkin that she wanted to start a chess club.
Less than two years later, Yuan's idea has turned into a weekly ritual for people of all ages across Toronto. Chess in the Library now operates in 12 Toronto libraries and has more than 40 volunteers.
The program also operates in a library in Ottawa and recently it expanded to a library in Victoria B.C.
Each library has between 20 to 30 participants coming to learn and play chess every week. That's more than 250 people participating in the program altogether.
What a wonderful achievement for Yuan to have given back.

The car

Well, now I can report that the car will cost over $1000 to get road worthy. $400 to stop the noises and $600 for regular maintenance. What is interesting is that the maintenance is $110 to inspect the car but they know already that they are going to want to replace certain fluids and to do certain adjustments. Why pretend that the work will only be $110 when that is only for oil and to look at the car. When was the last time that they looked at a car and said okay it is road worthy. The car is only over the mileage for free work by a couple kilometres but I bet that the particular problem would not be under warranty.
I am not pleased with the work and attitude that it is acceptable to charge so much. We are looking for a much cheaper car when this one gives out.
If there are more problems, will probably tell you what kind of car we are driving.

Wedding

Just got back from the wedding of a dear friend's son. He is 35 and he took his time making the decision but it seem to have been a good one. The wedding took place in a country church built in 1865, near St. Mary's and the reception was in a community hall about 10 km. away. We got to sit at the family table for the groom's side. The bride had a table for her side and because she has a few more relatives the table was a little longer.
Food was served buffet style which meant that you did not have to have more food than you could manage and also have more of those things that appealed such as the mushrooms which were different and tasty.
The wedding was a nice reflection of the families and a pleasure to attend.
Now what was not so nice was the noise the car starting making as we drove to the reception. Luckily, we managed to get home and then drove to the nearest Toyota dealership and dropped off the car. I will call tomorrow morning and see what the problem is. Hopefully, it is not too serious and can be fixed without too much trouble.
As Roseanna Dana said "It is always something!"

Selling Scarves and cards

Finally, I was selling my cards and scarves today at the Retired Women Teachers Luncheon. Last year, the scarves were on sale but because I was working, I was not able to attend the sale. This year, I was there. It was interesting to see what people were attracted to. Will help me decide what to make. The cards sold and I think that I will prepare more plant and scenes. People were interested in the card that is the water purification plant. Wonderful scene. Unfortunately, because I did not take a digital picture I can not upload the picture. One of these days, I will do that.
Now back to the knitting and picture taking and will get ready for future sales. It is time to do more and profit from the time that I spend knitting.

Tennis indoors or out

This is the time of year when tennis transitions. This morning, I will be playing indoors, much too cold to play outdoors when it is only 4 degrees centigrade and then this afternoon when the sun has had a chance to warm things up, it is time to play outdoors. I am greedy and taking every chance that I can to play. In a few weeks, I will be playing 4 days a week which is still good but it will be indoors only. I need to make sure that the other days I get out and do some exercise even if it is walking to the store. Must keep active.
I need to get new tennis shoes as well. Without winter tennis, I would wait until the spring for shoes but with tennis several days a week, I do not think that my shoes will hold up. Oh well, better than getting 5 inch stilettos.
Not sure that I am looking forward to the winter. I think that we were spoiled last winter when we had two small insignificant storms and almost no snow. The temperatures were mild as well. Wonder what this winter will bring.

Yo-Yo Ma

Yesterday, I had the privilege of seeing Yo-Yo Ma do a presentation. A former student invited me to come and attend the presentation. What a wonderful experience to see his joy at hearing others perform. I have a feeling that he was going to explain further aspects of performance in the following presentations that were scheduled yesterday morning. I had lunch and chance to talk to Natalie which was nice. Natalie is a medical student and also very involved in a number of projects. A role model for the rest of us.

Curried Turkey

At long last, we have some turkey. Our friends gave us enough turkey to make Curried Turkey. Love that left over.

Curried Turkey with Fresh Fruit
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

2 cups long-grain rice
3 tbsp butter
2 medium onions, cut into eighths
2 tbsp curry powder
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
1 banana sliced
1 red-skinned apple, cut into thin wedges

Cook rice according to package instructions. About 15 minutes before rice is finished cooking, melt butter into a large saucepan. Add onions, and sprinkle with curry powder. Saute until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the bouillon. Blend cornstarch with a couple tablespoons of cold water to make a smooth paste. Gradually stir into chicken bouillon mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth about 5 minutes. Then stir in turkey and fruit. Cover and simmer just until turkey is heated through about 3 minutes. Spoon over hot rice.

That's it and it is a wonderful way of finishing the extra turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here it is Thanksgiving weekend. The last weekend before the Christmas holidays. My goodness who would believe it.
Tomorrow, we are going to visit friends for dinner. What a wonderful surprise to be invited out. For many years, we have gone away on Thanksgiving weekend and this year we ran out of steam and did not make plans. Luckily, good friends invited us and we were pleased to accept. I will bake a cake, a bundt cake because it will travel well. In case, you can not tell we are pleased to be invited out.
Hope that the rest of you have a wonderful dinner and weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Kennedy 50 years later

Can you believe that is 50 years since JFK became president? My goodness the years have passed quickly. Last week, I was in Paris, Texas and picked up a copy of USA Today outside my hotel door. This particular issue focused and the fact that there will be celebrations for the next three years marking 50 years since his presidency. Sadly, on Jean Kennedy Smith remains of the Kennedy clan of JFK's generation. She is the torch bearer along with Caroline Kennedy.
Will be an interesting and sad time of remembrance of good things and I am sure of the fashions of Jackie Kennedy who was very much part of this time of Camelot.
Will be a time to remember what could have been.

Art helps the economic future

Who would have thought that in the recession cultural centres would become economic centres. Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner had never heard of Grand Rapids, Michigan (wonder where he had been all this time?) before a friend entered him a a new art contest there last fall.
Since winning the $250,000 top award in the city's inaugural ArtPrize competition, Ortner's career has blossomed.
Art Prize also provided a boost to Grand Rapids, in western Michigan. the works of more than 1,200 artists drew an estimated 200,000 people downtown far exceeding expectations according to executive director Bill Holsinger-Robinson.
As the nation's economy has struggled amid falling property values, many other communities are counting on the arts as a means of economic development. In downtown areas of Baltimore and Phoenix and smaller towns such as Pudach,Ky, officials see the arts as chance to bring development, grant dollars and people back to struggling neighbourhoods.
It is interesting that communities have little use for the arts when they are thriving, they are seen as a frill. They depend on for profit companies. Artists are expected to manage on their own but once the economy falters, arts are supposed to be the source of development. Time to rethink this attitude.

Bassoon lessons and other opportunities

Today, I will be giving my first bassoon lesson of the school year. Next week, I might be starting another student as well. Wow, who would have believe that this could happen. Should be good. At the same time, I received an e-mail about playing chamber music with the orchestra. Not sure that I will make that commitment. Right now, I am trying to decide about my commitments and as strange as it sounds I am having trouble balancing all the things that I want to do. One sign is that I have not written in this blog for several days. Not because I have nothing to say but because I have not got the time. Too many things to do and take care of.
Time for the lesson.
More later.

Luggage recovered

If there was any doubt, thought that I would let you know that my suitcase was returned. Spoke to the person who returned it and he told me about someone whose suitcases were missing for 26 days. How does this happen? I find this fascinating since the airlines are concerned about terrorists and making sure that luggage goes on the same plane as the person. Now, when I turned in my claim form, I was told by the official that 98 per cent of the time suitcases arrive with the person. That is not very comforting because that means on a large plane, 2 people will not get their luggage. Hopefully, it will not take 26 days to match the person with the suitcase but you begin to wonder what happens. I was lucky that I could manage to be home. Not sure what would have happened if I couldn't.
As I mentioned earlier, my packing plans are very different. I am going to become very good about my packing. I have friends who will impressed with the change.

Luggage

What do I have to do? First of all be very careful about what I pack for a trip. No extras, none! This is the second trip in a row that my suitcase has not arrived. Can you believe it? The first trip was to Paris, Texas and thank goodness, we had planned to stay one night in Dallas before going on to Paris. The luggage arrived the next morning and we were just about to head out of the airport after checking when my husband received a call on his cell phone saying that the luggage had arrived and been located. We did not trust the airline and had gone to check about the luggage. This time it was just my suitcase that did not arrive in Toronto.
Now, please explain why when we checked in all the suitcases at once that one does not arrive in Toronto with the rest. The other time, the airline switched planes and all small luggage did not arrive.
I will be a happy person when my luggage arrives.

Eddie Fisher dies

Eddie Fisher died this week. My goodness, I remember well the scandal when Eddie Fisher left Debbie Reynolds for Elizabeth Taylor. At the time, that was a scandal which was compounded when 5 years later Elizabeth Taylor left him for Richard Burton. Now that would not receive the attention that it did then. Witness, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, that was a scandal but morals have changed so Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are considered to be a respectable couple despite the fact that they are not married.
At the time, Eddie Fisher's career never recovered and he went into a tailspin emotionally.
A sad end to what had started out to be a wonderful career.

Low-income heat subsidy for the Queen!

What possessed employees of the queen of England to apply for low-income heat subsidy. Granted the Queen pays $1.5 million a year for heat but low-income? What possessed an employee to do this?
Her Majesty's application in 2004 was politely turned down by the government and quietly forgotten until the Independent newspaper published the correspondence Friday after obtaining it via a freedom-of-information request.
The documents quote an unidentified functionary as gently reminding the royal household the program was meant for people in need.
Guess that means that different ideas of need are held by some.
Apparently palace officials were trying to reduce the cost of heating borne by taxpayers. Now, that is interesting by in reality the cost would have been paid by the taxpayers no matter what just from a different account.
Taxpayers fund the royal household to the tune of $60 million a year. My goodness and the queen needed a subsidy for heat?

Car cleaning

Yesterday, I took one of the cars in for detailing-the lowest level of detailing. I had made the appointment and admit that I had to change the appointment because something came up that needed my attention. However, I had booked the appointment. Once I arrived with the car was told that no the car could not definitely be ready at 2 p.m. which I had requested. The earliest they could promise was 5:30. This meant a serious change of plans, I was going to high school where I am helping and this would require a change. Not impossible but not as convenient. What I found annoying was that I had made the appointment, asked the questions and then was told that no I could not be accommodated. 5:30 was the firm time which meant that the dealership would have the car for over 9 nine hours. A bit excessive for a simple cleaning.
What I found disturbing was the attitude displayed. There was no acknowledgement that I had asked the questions and was not in the wrong. In fact, I was made to feel that I was in the wrong and why was I bothering them with these details about time lines.
Anyone else have problems?

Friends!

Now that I am well and truly retired, it is time to visit with friends. I am trying to see friends as regularly as possible. Today, I am off to Ajax to visit with a friend. We will take a walk and then have a lunch, not necessarily a large lunch but a pleasant one. I have known this friend since I was about 8 years old, over a century which is an incredible number at this time.
Tomorrow, I will visit with a friend who I have known since I started teaching and that is over 34 years, a long time again. Not all my friends are of such long standing but they are all precious. I am pleased that I am able to visit with so many of them. At this time in our lives, I have a sense that time is precious. We must visit and keep in touch.
Visit with your friends.

Tennis!

Off to play tennis this morning. This is the time of year that I question my sanity, playing out doors. The other morning, my opponent and I were dressed very warmly and just managed to take off our jackets after half an hour of play but our pants never came off. We both agreed that we were on the weather edge when our hands would not appreciate the cold. Thank goodness we are heading indoors in a few weeks.
Next week, I will miss tennis on the Sunday and I will miss it for a luncheon and wedding in October. What a month. Will need to start some other exercise as well.
What a challenge trying to make sure that I get in shape.
Time to get changed and ready.

Finnish Schools at the top

Kids don't start school until they're 7. The school day is shorter than in most developed nations.
The country does little standardized testing and only on a sample of schools. Educators don't talk "literacy" and "numeracy" -instead, the buzzword is "citizen skills".
So how is Finland at the top of world rankings when it comes to international testing?
"We emphasize the teaching profession," said Timo Lankinen, director general of the Finnish National Board of Education, who spoke Tuesday at Ontario's first ever education summit Toronto.
Lankinen said teaching is a prestigious profession in Finland-although the pay is average-with just 13 per cent of applicants snagging a teacher-training spot. ( Ontario's applicants should not be discouraged with these numbers.)
All teachers earn master's degrees as they progress in their careers and they are well supported, he said. Class sizes are small, usually less than 20 students in schools with generally no more than 300 kids.
"It helps teachers give individual attention," he said in an interview after his speech, and they also focus on giving students experiential learning to keep them interested in school.
The country is not sitting on its laurels and is now planning reforms "to go from good to great"-more arts and physical education in the curriculum and a longer school day in order to fit them in.
Another presenter also mentioned a focus on arts and physical education. Wonder what effect these facts will have on Ontario education where the arts are not well supported and physical education is almost non-existent for students after grade 9.
Interesting food for thought.

Plan garden based on Shakespeare's plays

Now that is an interesting thought. Plan your garden based on Shakespeare's plays. What plants to grow? Monk's hood-that's good, I have some of that, blue granny-bonnet columbines- now will have to check but I think that I have some of that too. Must get better at recording what I plant. Wild pansies are in order, don't seem to have much luck with them but worth a try, pinks-dianthus always one season and they are gone. Marsh marigolds- have those as well. I am well on the way. I think that this will be a good way to garden. At least part of the garden will be devoted to Shakespeare's flowers.
Will report next year how it goes.

Dalhousie students plot a greener diet

Two separate plots of land at Dalhousie University are producing everything from beet greens and brussel sprouts to heritage tomatoes to lavender and edible flowers. But one group of students found that getting permission to plant was as difficult as an organic chemistry exam.
"It took us a very long time to get this place, and this was not the space we wanted," said Kaleight McGregor-Bales of the group Campus Action on Food.
"This model of garden, since it's in a container, can go on a concrete space, and what we wanted to do was take back unused concrete spaces on campus and use them for growth instead. However, the big open concrete space next to the library that is completely underutilized was denied to us for this season."
Sonia Grant, also with the group, said "the reason (given) was that it was too visible of a space."
The group's Edible Campus space is on a small strip of land next to the back wall of the Student Union Building, where dozens of plastic containers are filled with Swiss chard, beet greens, nasturtium, string beans, kale, tomatoes, peppers and radishes.
Students who work on the garden share in the food and Campus Action on Food has held a session to teach newbies how to use recycled materials to build the containers, which include a watering system built into a false bottom.
The SeeMore Green collective garden is a few blocks away and they have been in existence since 1996.
What a wonderful effort. Hopefully, more students who are on campus during the summer will see the validity of this.

Japanese Elders

Where have all Japan's elders gone? Apparently, they are not still all alive as statistics and their children would have you believe. Thousands of centenarians cannot be located, fueling fears that families are hiding deaths of elderly relatives in pension schemes.
More than 230,000 Japanese people listed as 100 years old cannot be located and many may have died decades ago, according to a government survey released Friday.
It seems that more than 77,000 people listed as still alive in local government records would have to be aged at least 120, and 884 would be 150 or older.
The figures have exposed antiquated methods of record keeping and fuelled fears that some families are deliberately hiding the deaths of elderly relatives in order to claim their pensions.
This exposes two problems: one that I have always claimed is the problem with tracing young children. There are no records of them if they do not work. If they leave a school, no one traces where they go to. Authorities wait to hear from the next school and if the family leaves the country there is no traceability. Well, apparently the same problem must exist with the elderly, if they no longer work there are few records of them unless someone takes the time to let authorities know that there has been a change. The other problem that I see among my students is that their parents work very hard and as a result have little time for their children. These children who were ignored as children will in many cases react the same way with their parents and ignore them as they get older. This is what happened in Japan, their parents worked very hard after the war to the determint of their children.
This case of missing elders makes you wonder how many other things are hidden or ignored as people do not post things with authorities, the official record keepers.

Cable TV

Yesterday was a lovely day despite the cold weather. I went to a bassoon recital at the university and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. After went out for a bite to eat with an oboe friend who was the person who advised me about the concert. We had a nice time. In the evening, yesterday performed at Sunnybrook K-wing for the veterans. It was a lovely time. We always enjoy performing there.
Now for the cable news, today I am not watching the US open and it is only because I can't. The neighbours boy, who really is not a boy since he is in his early twenties cut through our cable line. He did this while pruning bushes. He usually does not seem to do anything around the house, what possessed him to do it yesterday? We were not able to watch TV last night and cable repair person is not coming until late this afternoon. I had to reschedule a car appointment and this was the second reschedule-it is for a free car cleaning.
I don't plan to start cooking dinner until they have come and gone. My luck, I will be in the middle of cooking the schnitzel and they will arrive.
Oh well, this means that I will get some other things done. Waiting for the mail right now so that I can take the mail with me when I go to the corner store.

Where did summer go?

It is time for the U.S. Open for tennis and I am used to watching players struggle with the heat but not the wind and cool weather. Since Monday, it is has not been summer. It is as if the weather just changed and instead of a nice Labour Day weekend, we had the kind of weather that we might expect but do not want Thanksgiving weekend. It has not warmed up since and has been windy. Saturday, I accidentally did not check the weather report and wore shorts and a top-what a mistake! Since then, I have been careful to dress warmly, sweat shirts, pants and warm socks. I am still hoping that the weather changes and that we get some warm weather. I am not ready for fall just yet.
Here's hoping that we get some more summer.

First day of School

My memory must very bad but I do not remember parents busy taking pictures of their children on their first day of school. Maybe because we did not have digital cameras and had to pay for every print that was developed. This morning, these are not just kindergartens who I might understand but also older children whose pictures were being taken.
I foolishly ventured out near school this morning in my eternal quest for everbearing strawberries. On my way, I passed children heading off to school. Many parents were walking their children to school which was a good sign. Now, will they continue walking their children to school or will the cars come out at the first sign of cold weather?
However, back to the photos, how many of you were busy taking pictures of your children on the first day of school. Love to know.
Time to get ready to play tennis.

Happy New Year 2010

It is that time of year again. School starts which does not mean a great deal for most of us except that the traffic patterns will be different, more buses and we need to watch when driving. Groups start to meet again. I know of choirs, orchestras and bands all starting within the next week, night school starts as well.
The weather is changing and if this weekend is any indication, after a hot summer it is cooling off quickly.
Interesting how things change and it is the end of summer. Hope that everyone enjoyed their summer and is ready for the changes ahead.
At work, if you are not a teacher, summer hours end and most people are off their vacations. That is not to say that no one will be off but it will be those without children.
Happy New Year and enjoy the coming year.

Burning up the course

"Fire" was the cry of the day for a golfer whose off-target swing sparked a 12-acre blaze in Southern California." Associated Press reports. "The golfer of the Shady Canyon golf course in Irvine landed a shot in the rough on Saturday. On his next swing, his club snagged a rock, causing a spark that lit the rough ablaze and eventually attracted 150 firefighters to the scene. Fire officials say the fire burned through the rough, into vegetation next to the course and over two dry, brushy hillsides.
My goodness, think I would give up golf after an event like that.

Ralph Billinger

Just received sad news. The bassoonist who I played beside for nearly 10 years just passed away two days ago. He had told me that he had cancer in the winter but I assumed that he was going to beat it and that we would be back sitting beside each other at rehearsal in a week. My goodness, what a difference the summer makes. So many changes and not all of them good.
I will be going to the funeral which is the least that I can do. Hard to believe that this has happened.
Hope that Ralph did not suffer too much at the end.

Volunteering

I have always said that you need a reason to get up in the morning. It seems that "If you're getting up in years, and the basic activities of daily living have become something of a struggle, doing volunteer work is probably the last thing on your mind," Tom Jacobs writes for Miller-McCune magazine. "But new research suggests there's an excellent reason to make the effort. You may actually live longer. That's the conclusion of a study just published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, which examined death rates of a representative sample of American seniors. It found difficulties with basic daily activities, including those caused by decreased mobility or upper-arm strength, 'are associated with an increased risk of dying only among participants who almost never or never volunteered.' The study adds to the mounting evidence linking volunteering with health, well-being and longevity, and suggests this association may be particularly significant toward the end of life."
What this suggests is that you must find something(s) to care about and become involved in. Very important.

Teachers and the Sky Dome!

This is one day that I am glad that I no longer teach. Not sure how I would deal with a trip to the Sky dome along with all the rest of the teaching staff for the whole Toronto school board. The new Director of Education, he has been in the position for a year now arranged this event at the end of last school year. Originally, it was going to last all day- can you imagine! They are supposed to hand out material to all the teachers. It could not be decided if it would be on CD's or in print form, either way it is very costly and for what reason?
This event is not free to a school board that is struggling with costs. How can he justify this feel good event that is going to cost a great deal and will really not reach most of the staff. The teachers are going to arrive feeling very angry at having to come to this event that does not have enough parking for most of them. Teacher come from many locations and some of them are going to have a challenging time returning to school and getting home.
I am going to check the media to see how they view this event. Will get back to you soon.

La Via Campesina

I just finished reading "The Value of Nothing" by Raj Patel, a very interesting read about how corporations are destroying the economies of some countries as well as the environment. However, based on this book all is not lost. There is an organization of peasants and it is world wide, La Via Campesina which is trying to make things right and help those who do not seem to help themselves.
Check the web-site and read the book. Time to start thinking about the world a little differently and start examining how some corporations are ignoring the problems that they are creating.
We need to start asking questions.

Cleaning has started!

Yesterday, we started cleaning the mess. Hard to believe that it has started. We should take before and after pictures but then again, I don't want to end up on the Hoarder show. All kidding aside, we are not that bad but there are areas that are not good. It is amazing how much stuff is accumulated when you are looking after relatives. It is hard to look after them and clean up their things at the same time. It is easier to just put things in the basement and hope that they will clean themselves up. Strange but the things just sit there and don't move.
We cleaned up two shelves on the book shelf in the office area. We had computer material from over 10 years ago and with computer material that is a long time. It was definitely time to dispose of it. We recycled a great deal; I will take some material to Crippled Civilians.
Maybe when all the cleaning is done,I will take some pictures.
Hope that you do not have the cleaning that I have.

Friday and last chamber music performance for seniors

Friday was the last performance of the summer chamber musicians. This summer the students performed at 5 residences and hospitals, one concert featuring a pianist and this coming Wednesday, some of the musicians will help at a fund-raiser. They have been busy. It has been nice to get messages from some of the students letting me know how much they appreciated the opportunity to play.
Time to plan for the coming year. Was thinking that I will take students to perform on PA days. Will be a wonderful opportunity for them. They give and seniors and patients enjoy their contributions.
What a win-win situation.

Lost and found on the bus

Today, I went to Toronto General Hospital with my student performers. As usual we went to catch a bus to go downtown. One of the students picked up a paper and started to do the crossword in a paper that she picked up. She was happily doing the crossword and then we got off the bus and boarded the Subway. It was then that she realized that she had left her music on the bus. Luckily it is photocopied, I carry the originals. She did not have her piano music unfortunately but that was not something we could anything about. Luckily, we had plenty of music and the performances in the cardiac ward and psychiatrict wards went well.
Then after a snack, it was time to head home. We retraced our route taking the subway and deciding to go back on the same bus route. We got on the bus and noticed the same messy seat, one of the musicians looked in the corner and found the piano music folded. The folder and clarinet music were missing but the piano music was there. What were the odds of getting on the same bus? This is a very busy bus route and we just took the first bus.
Too bad that the folder and clarinet music were missing but I will copy them tomorrow.
Very strange!

Dinosaurs in Edmonton Sewers

Imagine you are working in the sewers of Edmonton and you discover a dinosaur tooth. That is what happened to a pair of sewer workers last week. They discovered a tooth 70 to 72 millions years old. Now that is a discovery!
Ryley Paul and Aaron Krywiak were jackhammering their way through a sewer, 30 metres below an Edmonton street when they unearthed a well-preserved tooth.
"I was pretty surprised. I heard from other people working here 30 years that they have never found anything," said Mr. Krywiak, 21, a member of Edmonton's drainage crew. Perhaps, he was being more careful or it was an accident that he didn't pulverize the tooth. What a wonderful find.
Donald Brinkman, director of preservation and research with the Royal Tyrrell Museum, said that while it is not uncommon to find dinosaur fossils in the Edmonton area, bones are not usually found nine storeys below a city street.
Both Mr. Paul and Mr. Krywiak are going to continue working but very carefully. Hopefully, they will find more evidence of life from over 70 million years ago!

Waist Watching

As I age, I find that watching my weight is an interesting practise but seems to be all that I can do. It has crept up during the past number of years. Not alarmingly but up none the less. A recent study indicates that weight is not what I need to watch but how much mass is "dunloping over my belt". Thank goodness that has not happened yet but I do want to keep the weight under control for health reasons. It seems that there is a greater risk of disease if I gain more weight.
Will watch my weight and try to exercise more and as I have said for health reasons and also so that I can move around the tennis court. Need to be agile since I do not have height in my favour, have to run down those balls.

Chinese Traffic Jam

My goodness, can you imagine sitting in a traffic jam for days. Beijing has had a traffic jam for 10 days. Some of the drivers have been in this jam for days on end. My goodness, China has not figured out how to deal with growth in a serious way. 20 million people is no longer a village and it needs serious roads.
It was interesting but one quote that occurred more than once was that the drivers did not want to use toll roads so were willing to be caught in this jam.
Area residents suggested setting up concerts for the drivers. They also gouged the hungry drivers charging them 4 times the value of the food.
I will never look at a traffic jam the same way.

Work to be done

Checked when I last posted and wondered what have I been doing? Well one of the things that has taken my time is working with students who are playing chamber music for seniors and shut-ins in hospitals. Today they are going to perform at Sunnybrook K-Wing. These students are outstanding and while I live by the philosophy "keep them busy keep them off the street", these students would not be on the street, they would be doing something else to occupy their time. I have no concerns about them. Although after last night's performance at a church, some of them were going home to watch America's got Talent. Now that is an interesting choice.
The other thing that I am doing besides playing tennis and playing music myself, I play in an octet/dectet which is going to perform tonight, I am working on booking home repairs. Finally booked the roof work that we need and then it is time for the tree work and painting. There is always something that needs our attention. Amazing that abandoned homes stay standing at all.
Hope that everyone is doing well. Time to practise for tonight.

The Mail

Today, I received an e-mail from a member of the summer chamber group that I work with each summer about missing music. For about 7 years at least, I have worked with students on chamber music. They prepare music and then go out and perform at seniors homes and hospitals. Last week, because we were not going to meet, I copied some music for 5 of the members and mailed it a week ago Monday. It seems that the mail is very slow. One of the group received the music last Wednesday which was not unexpected. One of the others received her music this morning and then the others had not received their music. I recopied the music this morning before meeting the students.
My goodness, but the mail is slow!

Saturday in August

My goal has been to post everyday. You are wondering what happened to Friday. I am as well but I figured out this morning that I accidentally posted to my trio site. Have to be more careful when posting, I might post to the wrong blog again in the future but will try to be more careful. Those people looking for music must wonder when I do that.
Today is the day that I send in our dining request for a wedding-is it unusual to ask guests what they would like to eat? Nice gesture but do no recall having that happen before.
Going to perform at a senior's residence this afternoon. Should be nice although I have been told that it is going to be very hot. Will see.
Then I am meeting with a former student who is now in medical school. She is going to be at Sick Kids Hospital soon for a spell and would like me to help with one of her projects and also wants my help with publicity for the band that she is involved with. It is a Saturday morning band for former high school students. They would like the band to grow but are at a stand still for the moment.
Later in the evening, we will finish off with dinner with friends which should be nice.
A good day all in all.
Hope that your day is good.

Work?

Time to book the roofing. We had 5 estimates done. The 6th company went on vacation two weeks ago and we have not heard from him since. Strange time to go away, I would recommend the winter when there is no roofing or send some of your staff away but not all.
I think that we have asked all the questions and are ready to start. Then it is time for the painting. My, it is hard to get all the things in order. Each roofer has some little difference that makes you wonder if you are making the right decision.
The painting will take a few days and I certainly do not want to be sitting around waiting for all the work to be done in fact depending on when the works happens can not be sitting around.
What to do.?
More projects underway. Will list them later.

Music and Relaxation

A bubble bath, an episode of American Idol, a hot stone massage, and NFL-packed Sunday afternoons are just a few things we cherish and indulge in to relieve tension and stress. Picking up your Les Paul or popping in the old standby Beatles album Abbey Road are just as essential, if not more effective, in helping to momentarily escape everyday pressures we can't avoid.
A groundbreaking 2005 study published by research journal Medical Science Monitor showed for the first time, that playing a musical instrument can reverse the human body's response to stress at a very basic level. In the study, Dr. Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Centre in Meadville, Pennsylvania, found that a group of people who participated in an introductory group keyboard class called the Clavinova Connection by Yamaha, had greater levels of stress reduction than those that simple read newspapers or magazines of their choice.
Some positive health benefits of listening and playing music include the lowering of blood pressure, assistance in digestion elevation in mood and the production of heart-healthy chemicals that protect your ticker.
Besides inducing a state of euphoria, similar to what people with addictive behaviours seek to receive from a game of blackjack or a glass of beer, playing a musical instrument also relaxes the inner lining of blood vessels, improving overall health in a person's cardiovascular system.
Dr. Mike Miller, a research cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies the effects of happiness on people's hearts and recently discovered that music may be one of the best destressors out there.
In order to get the most out of playing music and listening to it, mix it up a bit. Doctors say playing the same song over and over reduces its positive health benefits. Try learning a new melody, or discovering a new artist or genre, in order to get the most out of your destressing routine.
Guess, I need to destress later today. Have a performance to prepare for. Always trying to look after my health.

International Festival Institute at Round Top

Apparently a very small town in Texas has caught the attention of Toronto Star, Music Critic, William Littler and that is because it is home to the International Festival Institute. James Dick, a prize winning pianist at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow wanted to establish a place far from the crowd where young musicians could spend several weeks passing through the challenging pre-professional period between school and career.
Continent-wide auditions bring fewer than 100 of the aspiring professionals to Round Top each summer. They are all on full scholarships and are coached by leading figures. They play chamber music and participate in weekly concerts as the Texas Festival Orchestra.
Architecture critics call the place a musical Disneyland. Dick prefers to think of it as an antidote to the current generation's lack of historical imagination, a place where the present is connected to the past, where young people are made aware of yesterday as they prepare for tomorrow.
This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the Internation Festival Institute at Round Top. It began in 1971 with a few concerts in the town square and students billeted with local families.
It has grown after a long and arduous basis. The founder and others built as funds permitted.
This is a reminder that things can change.
I hope to get to Round Top on a future visit.

Music Boy

When PS 37 in Jamaica, Queens, was strapped for cash and could not longer afford to pay the band teacher, an unlikely candidate stood up and took the baton. An 11-year-old pianist and saxophone player, sixth-grader Paul Sheriff started conducting the school band more than a year ago. This band now plays tunes from popular artists Bob Marley, Ben E. King and Bow Wow.
"Music makes this school more alive," says Sheriff, leader of the Cynthia Jenkins School Band. "The school is better with music in it."
Budget constraints in the 600-student school forced administrators to abandon their music program. Last December, Sheriff was acting out while students were lining up in the auditorium. to keep him busy, parent coordinator Joan Estick-remembering that Sheriff played the piano-told him to play the "Pledge of Allegiance."
It soon became a morning routine. Within a few weeks, Paul looked into starting a band with his friends.
About a dozen children meet at lunch and after school to practise with a band made up of piano, drums, sax, trumpet and other instruments. The band has played at a district wide concert at nearby PS 147 and the school's multicultural festival. Next, the band plans to perform at graduation and career day.
This is wonderful but the enrollment of the school is 600 what about all the others. I understand that some of the students are very young and not ready to play a band instrument but that does not mean that they could not benefit from some music. Interesting that the article and school feel that this is a solution to the issue.

Orchestras lend a helping hand

American orchestras, inspired by the film The Soloist staring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx, mobilized to feed the hungry. The movie which I have mentioned in the past tells the true story of a friendship between a Los Angeles Times columnist (played by Downey) and a homeless, schizophrenic Julliard-trained cellist (Foxx).

At least 163 orchestras participated in food drives before the movie's recent release. Participating orchestras included New York Philharmonic, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The food was distributed to local assistance organizations associated with the group Feeding America, which provides food to more than 25 million Americans a year.

"The story of The Soloist reminds us that classical music has the power to sustain spirits and change lives, even under the most difficult circumstances," says Jesse Rosen, president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, a national service organization that organized many of the food drives.

Downey Jr. is also a singer, songwriter, and pianist, who has released an album, The Futurist. Before his acting career, Foxx played the piano professionally, and studied classical piano and music theory on scholarship at San Diego's US International University.

Amazing what orchestras can and could do and what music can do for people.

Piano Delivery

With all the relief efforts and aid that was needed in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina, Central New Yorker, Norm Andrzejewski, a former New Orleans resident couldn't sit on the sidelines.
Founding Operation Southern Comfort, Andrzejewski travelled down to the Gulf Coast 19 times,helping to rebuild homes in Mississippi and Louisiana. One his most important deliveries was a collection of 13 pianos bought from a Syracuse music store that was closing.
Hauling the large shipment down to high schools and churches in county-sized St. Bernard Parish, where only one piano in the school district survived the flooding, was a worthwhile endeavour.
Flood waters cut off access to life's necessities for residents for quite some time after the hurricane, and with several big chain stores gone, the arrival of the pianos seemed like a luxury.
"I was on the delivery for the last six pianos and I was able to meet the principals, music teachers and kids," say Andrzejewski. "I had the honour to hear the teachers play and the kids sing and it was just beautiful."
Wonderful how the things that seem less important can have such a wonderful impact on people's lives.

Music and Emotions

According to researchers from Northwestern University, musicians are better attuned to detecting emotions in sound.
Their study provides the first biological evidence that musical training improves a person's ability to recognize emotion in speech or sound. The more years of musical experience the musicians has and the earlier they began their training, the better their nervous system's ability to process emotion in sound.
Researchers observed the subjects' brain stem responses to pitch, timing and timbre of a scientifically tested sound. Participants, aged 19 to 35, listened to a 150 millisecond fragment of a distressed baby's cry. Electrodes measured their responses on whether musicians or non musicians could zero in on the complex emotional part of the sound as opposed to the more basic element of the sound. The music-minded members of the study fared well, possessing "finely tuned" auditory systems.
According to another study of music recognition conducted by Richard Ashley, associate professor at Northwestern, musicians might even be able to sense emotion in sounds after hearing them for a mere 50 milliseconds.
Study author Dana Strait believes musical training may help people Asperger's syndrome and autism better identify emotion in others.
Interesting where studies are leading researchers and helping subjects.

Texans are friendly

Recently, we got back from a trip to Texas. I must say that small town Texans are very friendly. Everywhere, I went they would say hi in a very sincere way. When I went out for a walk in the noon day sun, three cars stopped to offer me a ride. These were all nice people, some were women and they were concerned about me being out in the sun.
I have never thought about Texans very much but must say that the small town people are very nice.
When I went shopping they could not do enough. Our clerks in Toronto could learn a thing or two from them.
Will report more after I down load, Jesus in Cowboy boats and the Eiffel Tower.

Musicians and brain waves

Apparently, musicians who play in unison with others have similar brain activity, according to a new study from researchers of the Max Planck Institute in Germany and the University of Salzburg. The study show that the brain waves of guitarists playing a jazz song together were synchronized.

Eight pairs of guitarists were hooked up to an electroencephalography machine, which measures electrical activity in the brain. The results showed that the more the guitarists played, the more synchronized their brain waves became. Several regions in the brain reflected this synchronicity. The areas where it was the strongest were the frontal and central regions. Other areas affected were the temporal and parietal regions.

BMC Neuroscience, who published this study, suggests that coordinated activities that people do together, like playing music, are preceded and accompanied by brain wave synchronization. The authors say there are many types of activities where two brains coordinate-for example, walking with someone at a set pace, playing sports, dancing or playing music as a group or duet.

To see a video clip of the experiment, visit: www.makingmusicmag.com/vibes/brains.

Interesting study. Wonder the long term implications are of these types of activities? Further thought needed about this as well as research.

New Audiences for the price of a coffee

It seems that some orchestras are trying creative ways to reach audiences. The New World Symphony, a training orchestra in South Beach, Miami is no exception. For $2.50, pocket change that would barely cover the price of the wash and dry cycle at a local laundromat, or a latte at some coffee emporiums, the symphony offered mini concerts in November and April. Wonder why they picked those months?
Each concert ran 20 to 30 minutes and listeners heard a reduced version of the orchestra in the form of a clarinet quintet that played Mozart, Handel and Brahms and Bartok in the symphony's Lincoln Theatre home. Dress was casual, so patrons in flip-flops and shorts could attend a concert without the fear of being turned away or forced to wear a rental jacket.
What a wonderful idea but what does this do for the symphony? Hopefully, it will encourage some of these patrons to reconsider their musical choices.
April's concert brought in more than 900 listeners.
"We intend to lower the threshold for everyone who passes our theater," says Howard Herring, president of the New World Symphony orchestra academy.
Certainly musicians need to look at new ways of reaching audiences. Hope that this works.

Luthier, Linda Manzer

Now, that I am officially retired from teaching, I am looking for other possibilities. One of those possibilities will not be Luthier. Recently, I read an article about people whose careers are outside the norm: fireman, teacher, Indian Chief.
Linda Manzer is a master Luthier who builds guitars for the likes of Bruce Cockburn, Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana and Liona Boyd. Quite the rooster of guitarists. Manzer's reputation has spread world-wide and she builds guitars for a select few. She is so busy that she has closed her public order book and only works for on special projects which keeps her quite busy.
Now that is an interesting career opportunity.

Jellyfish to solve Alzheimer's

Amazing, after 15 years of watching jellyfish protein glow, Mark Underwood is finally seeing the flicker of real progress.
This month, Quincy Bioscience, the Wisconsin company co-founded by Underwood, received a U. S. patent for the jellyfish protein aequorin.
Last month, they released test results that showed the protein does improve memory.
This fall, they're trying for the gold standard: human clinical trials on people with the first stages of Alzheimer's and dementia to see if, finally there is something that works on a disease that destroys millions of aging minds.
Tests reported that people who "had a memory concern" saw better scores in 60 days of taking the jellyfish protein.
What a wonderful thing if this group finds a cure for Alzheimer's. "If we can push Alzheimer's back by five years, we can reduce it by 50 per cent. The challenge is keeping the brain alive."

Music Therapy

Wonderful to read about medical cures that are non-intrusive. I know that this is not always possible but marvellous when it happens. Music Therapy is one of those medical therapies that does not require any actual medical interventions. It is for those who can not be reached any other way or to help patients on their journey. Sometimes, patients have few resources left except to enjoy music and what it can bring to their lives. It is fascinating that music is one of the last skills that leaves us. Drum circles seem to work well with many patients. And sometimes, patients can even work at higher level musical skills. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to help. Read about these therapies in an article: Empowering Souls, Music Therapy unleashes imagination to heal. The article in an older issue of Making Music, July/August 2009.
Perhaps, this is one of the reasons that the Taffanel Wind Ensemble, a group that I am part of enjoys playing at seniors' homes so much. We are able to bring something special to people's lives.
(You can read more about the trio on www.taffanelwindensemble.blogspot.com. )

Laptop launches author at 80

Now that I have more free time, some friends have encouraged me to do more writing. Well, I discovered what might help. A laptop. It seems that author, Liam Dwyer who started on his 80th birthday received the impetus to work on books when he was given a laptop for his 80th birthday. Since then he has written 5 books, mysteries that take place in Muskoka. Apparently, he has sold more than 4,000 copies of the book at Sleuth of Baker Street which is one of my favourite book stores.
As well as selling books, a film company is now looking into filming his books as a television series.
Time to get that laptop.

Problems?

As I reflect on my issues, my problems seem minor to those of some friends. I need to find a roofer and that search is nearly over. We will be picking a roofer on the weekend and then getting the work set. As I look for a roofer, I begin to realize that it is a very competitive field, perhaps because people think that it is easy that they can do it. The margins are similar, with the exception of one company, all the others are coming in at relatively the same amount. The difficult part is to decide which company I feel most comfortable with.
After the roof is painting. Now one company that I am not eager to deal with is one that called me last night and it sounded like they were yelling at me for not calling back after they had told me they were on a cell in the car. Don't yell at a potential customer. It is not their fault that you were in the car and not able to answer your cell. I will certainly pick a company with someone who I can talk to. I understand that things might happen and want to be able to discuss what might have gone wrong or needs extra attention.
After that, I think that it is the fence that needs attention among other things. There are plenty of projects to be dealt with.
This is all easy because I can set time lines. A good friend is experiencing many difficulties which seem to be hitting him one after another. The most recent is that his partner had a car accident when he blacked out. The car was totaled which is a serious problem. The car was old so it is unlikely that they will get much from the insurance company and in fact the insurance company may argue that my friend's partner should not have been driving due to his medical history. This is an issue that he can not deal with right now. His partner is in emergency and has been for two days. There does not seem to be room in the hospital proper at this time. Hopefully today will be a better day.
His partner was driving because he wanted to be part of the search for his brother who went missing a couple days ago with two dogs. One dog turned up and the other has not been seen and the brother has not been seen as well. The searchers did a grid search yesterday and will keep searching today.
This is all much more difficult to deal with. Roofing and painting are simple.

Busy Day!

Yesterday was a very busy day. I got up: dry cleaner, followed by a quick trip to the local farmers' market. Love those ever-bearing strawberries. They are wonderful. Home and then time for some tennis. Managed to get in an hour and half of tennis and then it was time to shower, change and head up to the school. Students who were going to perform were waiting. Most of them had checked the schedule and were there at 12. One of the students somehow managed to be late and in fact needed a call to let him know that we were all waiting. The students performed really well for the seniors. I was very proud of them. After getting them back to the school and some of the students went to other stations, I drove home quickly. Did not break any speed limits. Not interested in getting a ticket. Time for a quick dinner and then it was off to octet. Good rehearsal. By the time, I got home it was time for sleep.
Today was a much quieter day. The most strenuous thing that I did was purchase a new door mat. Got two more estimates for roofing and painting. The roofing estimates are done. The painting estimates have just started. Of course I played tennis but that doesn't count. I need to play. Time to get in shape.
Hoping that tomorrow is more relaxed.

A year of Food Life

I love to read which is why every once in awhile, I will mention a book that I am reading. The latest is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. It is an interesting read. Right now the author is writing about making cheese. I believe in the 100 mile diet, not a bad idea in principal and I try to do it as much as possible but making cheese that is going further than I am prepared to go. I find it fascinating reading about all the work that she and her family do to prepare food but when does she write? Hoping that she will explain that. I believe in making food myself as much as possible but cheese?
Recently, Michael and I decided that we are going to eat out less. It seems that food at restaurants is not that exciting. We can do better in most cases. It is time to explore new recipes but I can tell you that we will not be making any kind of cheeses soon.

Honest business person

Today, I came across an honest business person. Recently, I had a slip of paper put in the door saying that some of our brick work needed attention. Well, that is definitely down on my list of priorities but I had a few minutes to see about getting an estimate done. Well this person looked at the brickwork and said he did not see what needed to be done. No sale and he was not unhappy, just concerned that others with his firm had suggested that work needed to be done. Wow, so nice to finally come across some who is honest. Hopefully there will be more.

More estimates!

Had another estimate this afternoon. It was interesting, this person knew about the quirks of the other companies. Waiting for his estimate which will come by e-mail. Much better than a sit down meeting-he will e-mail the estimate and pictures. Wonders of technology. Have one more inspection and then we make a decision.
Will let you know what the decision is.

Estimates!

Now, that summer has arrived, it is time to get some work done on the house. We are starting at the top and working our way down. The roof is first. So far, I have actually received two estimates and they differ by $10,000. Now that is significant. I am asking people who they have had do work. Just talked to a neighbour who I am subbing for in tennis and got her roofers name. Will call and hopefully get them to do an estimate soon. Who would have believed that the estimates could differ so much.
Another person is insisting that my husband and I both sit down with him to discuss the estimate. Mentioned that to my husband and he was surprised. He trusts me. Surprised that contractors are so sexist, at least some of them.
Talked to a friend and she is getting fence work done and the company does not have a phone. I would not deal with anyone who does not have a phone.
Will let you know more about the exciting work.

Where have all the leaders Gone?

With all the hot weather that we have experienced, I have been reading to keep cool. Too hard to do strenuous activities. It is finally a little cooler and we are going out for breakfast which should be lovely.
One of the books that I read was "Where have all the leaders gone?" by Lee Iacocca. I don't necessarily agree with a career that was built on making cars that consume incredible amounts of gas and only now that there is a shortage is he willing to reconsider the cars however he raises interesting issues about leadership. He does explain that he could not run the country because as a business leader he is not used to the give and take of politics. He is used to making a decision and having it implemented.
The book is worth a read to find out how he built a career. He does seem to be a decent man and he cared about his first wife who passed away much too soon a consequence of her diabetes.
Looking into some other books that I will let you know about.

Heat Wave

It is well and really summer. The heat wave has arrived on schedule. Michael and I always say that the second and sometimes third week of July is the week for extreme heat. I find that if I work in the basement it is not too bad. Good chance to get caught up on phone calls and appointments- have roofers coming over for appointments, plumbers- need them to come for a second appointment, different problem, then the tree people need to come to see about taking down a tree. Those are the main things and I am sure that I will find a few other things that need attention.
I think that those people who love to sit and have a drink on a patio are happy at least that is what one radio host said this morning.
Enjoy the heat because as I am fond of saying in the middle of winter, we will remember these days.

What next?

Now that the summer has finally arrived, I am setting up new routines. One of these is doing some cleaning everyday. I think that eventually I will get caught up. My goodness that will be amazing. Will definitely post a blog about that and might even post pictures of the results.
What I do find interesting is my computing files. I certainly did not get around to doing the writing and other computing that I wanted to do last year while I taught. Hard to believe that a whole year passed. I was surprised when I checked my files. I think the fact that I tried to be at school by 8 every day and picked up a newspaper, mailed my mail each day added to things that needed to be done. It was hard to work at my computing since I was interrupted regularly during lunch and my break. Oh well, it was for a good cause.
Right now, I have a plumber roting the bathtub. I certainly hope that he is able to take care of the problem by roting. Do not even want to think about what else might need to be done.
Going to practise my instrument more now that school has finished. I am pleased that I did as much as I did but now want to really get back at it.
Will keep you posted about future activities which include going out for lunches.

Banjo Museum

Did you know that there is a banjo museum? I certainly would not have known if I didn't read Making music magazine. It has information about a variety of instruments and encourages adults to become involved in music in whatever way they can.
The museum is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was founded in 1998 with the donation of 60 ornately decorated four-string tenor and plectrum banjos by Jack Canine. The museum recently acquired a million-dollar collection 0f 200 jazz-age banjos from a private German collection. Who would have thought that there would be a collection of over 200 banjos.
Apparently the banjo has been around for 350 years in the United States.
The museum honours historical and contemporary banjo performers. Wonder if the museum honours Steve Martin who plays the banjo? The induction into the Hall of Fame happens in April and is followed by the Bricktown Banjo Bash which should be something to hear.
The museum also sponsors classes in hopes of keeping banjo playing alive.
Wonder if there is a bassoon museum? Should check.

Farmers' Markets

Now that school is finished, it is time to enjoy the summer and one of the things that I love doing is going to the Farmers' Market to get fresh produce. My favourite is the ever bearing strawberries. Discovered those a couple years ago. They are strawberries that keep bearing fruit until the first frost, oh wonderful. I love fresh fruit especially berries. Blueberries are a good price right now and will be around for a few weeks.
Will let you know what I discover at the market. A number of sources all list the many places that provide fresh produce, hopefully they are all good. Going to make it a mission to try more than my usual haunts.

Table manners

It is a vast chasm culinary that separates the English and Americans. I subscribe to only one magazine now since I have enough trouble keeping up with all my reading-I borrow from the library, and friends exchange books and I purchase the occasional book. It seems that I always have a backlog. This magazine explains that not only do we differ in our use of liquors but also cutlery and cuisine. Tea time which for those of us on this side of the ocean is a small meal in the afternoon is a major meal in England.
British cuisine has changed with the arrival of top-selling cooks like Jamie Oliver. However, the article that I read waxed on joyously about tea at a special hotel. One of these days I will make my way across the pond and try a real English tea.
Do read the latest issue of Victoria magazine and learn about tea and other lovely Victorian decorating ideas. It is a lovely calming magazine.
I read three daily newspapers so I am not ignoring the world and what is happening around me.

Young @ Heart

Today's paper had an article about Young @ Heart, a vocal ensemble based in Northampton, Massachusetts. The ensemble is composed of members who are all over 70 years of age and led by Bob Cilman who has worked with the group since 1982. None of the original members are part of the group for obvious reasons.
The group will perform in Toronto on July 10 as part of the Just for Laughs festival. I am not sure that the group is a comedy act although some parts are very touching and will bring tears and laughs to the audience.
This group is still enjoying life. Jeanne Hatch, 83 commented that "I've been to Europe 12 times and had the time of my life". Now that is how life should be lived. Having reasons to get up in the morning.
I won't be seeing this group but certainly there are life lessons to be learned. Let's see if we can not all be Young @ Heart.

Canada Sings

Neighbourhood Singalong's are the newest attempt to get everyone involved in music, at least singing which is much easier than playing an instrument. http://www.canadasings.ca/ is the site for this venture. I have not checked and maybe I should have so that I could see how much is happening across Canada.
In Toronto, the second Tuesday of each month, there will be neighbourhood singalongs. There will be guest choirs and next May the group is hoping to have Jim Cuddy, singer and songwriter of Blue Rodeo.
Oh, just checked and found that the group is also encouraging random acts of singing. Wonder if the group's effort will be posted on you-tube?
What a wonderful idea. Hope that it takes off.

Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day. What a lovely day it is here. The clouds have left the sky, it is time to get out and garden. Having a good day. Just watched a Wimbledon Match-Serena Willams against Kvitova, an up and coming player who will do well. Finished a book, not happy but the ending does give hope. The book is "Eating Pomegranates" and I received it after winning along with others a draw held by Random House publishing. The book was sent to the first hundred who replied to an e-mail. Who knew. I will keep responding to e-mails and hopefully win some more books or tickets would be nice.
It is now time to go outside and get some gardening done. I am hoping to get some gardening done each day and make the garden flourish. There is much to be done. Will post pictures once I get some more clearing done.
Have a wonderful day.

Clean House

Now that I am finished school and off for the summer, I will tackle the first and most important job. Clean the house. It is superficially clean but now I must take on the more intensive work. Also going to work on getting big jobs booked- the roof needs attention, the side of the house will need to be done and that is after the eaves troughs are taken care of. We have a tree that needs to be taken down as well.
I don't think that I will have trouble finding things to do. It is a matter of deciding which are the priorities. In the meantime, there is time to spend with friends catching up. Spent the day with a good friend in Cobourg yesterday. We went plant hunting, bought 6 hostas-$4 each and they were hostas that I did not have yet. That was a find. Had a lovely lunch and a chance to relax. I managed to drive home all the way on the highway, an accomplishment for me.
Much to be done.
Will keep everyone up to date and hopefully, the work will be exciting.

New Phase

Tomorrow, I start another phase of things. I will be finished teaching. This time, it is not hard, I am ready to move onto other things. Michael has asked me to help with his consulting. I am ready. This means more posts again.

Music fights Depression

"If you pick up your guitar and strum a few chords every day, or are otherwise involved in the arts, chances are you are happier than those who don't play a musical instrument or participate in the arts." A survey conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology studied almost 50,000 individuals from varying socio-economic backgrounds in Norway and found that there is a positive correlation between participation in the arts and self-perceived health for men and women. "For men, there is also a positive relationship between cultural participation and depression-in that there is less depression among men who participate in cultural activities-although this is not true for women," say Professor Jostein Holmen, a researcher in the experiment.
What surprised Holmen the most was that, despite a person's socio-economic status-manual labourer, teacher or the CFO of a bank-those who participate in music or the arts experience a positive effect on their sense of health and well-being.
The studies were controlled for socio-economic status, chronic illness, smoking and alcohol habits. Holmen noticed that participation in culture, music and the arts seemed to protect people from feelings of depression, but not necessarily anxiety.
The researchers hope the results of this study will encourage politicians to find other ways to provide preventative health care.
Wonder what the study will find if it studies musicians against the general population?