Stuff....

I think it's about time for one of those ramble updates.

It's cold and snowy outside, but at this time of year it shouldn't last for long. I am starting to think about my garden. What shall I plant, and where? Hopefully we can build a few more raised beds so I'll have more room. I want to get some lavender, among other things. Should put in the peas, spinach and lettuce soon; they like the cooler weather. There is enough yard work here to keep me busy for a very long time.

I am reading through the Bible in 90 days; started Feb. 1 and should be done by the end of April. It has been really good; it's fascinating to see all of God's plan over a much smaller period of time than normal. It means, however, that I don't have time for as much other reading. I've been wanting to read John Adams by David McCullough for some time now and I really should have it done by Living History Day (end of April again), but poor Mr. Adams has been sorely neglected of late. I must reform my reading habits.

I have several sewing projects that need to be finished at some point, but my sewing has slowed nearly to a stop. I think the problem is that practicing and sewing cannot seem to co-exist in my world these days, and the piano almost always wins. I'll have to get to it sometime, though, because of these things called deadlines. I always have more ideas for projects than time or inclination to complete them. Is it that way for everyone?

I have pretty much decided not to do any piano competitions this year. Thanks to siblings, I'll still be around the competing world... I'm currently preparing Chopin's Etude in Cm op. 10 #12 (nicknamed the Revolutionary Etude) for recital. It is quite a left-hand workout; 5 pages of almost solid 16th notes! Lots of fun. Also working on a Bach Prelude and Fugue, messing around with a Mozart sonata, and learning Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess. Working occasionally on the Chopin cello sonata in Gm because my cellist brother wants to play it. Hard but will be really neat if we ever get it together.

For musicians, spring is also known as Performance Season. We have orchestra concerts coming up this month, my student recital in exactly 3 weeks and 2 days (I think we'll make it!), and our family recital in April. Must work on order of events and programs and invitations and things of that nature--not to mention finishing outfits and practicing. Ah, the life of a musician! Wouldn't trade it, though. :) Not in my saner moments anyway.

In closing: I'm finishing up The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias. I saw this last night...

"More than anything else, prayer enables you to see your own heart and brings you into alignment with God's heart. Prayer is not a monologue in which we imagine ourselves to be communing with God. Rather, it is a dialogue through which God fashions your heart and makes His dream of you a reality. It is truly the treasured gift of the Christian that through direct answers and not-so-direct answers, the follower of Jesus begins to love God for who He is, not for what he may get out of Him."