Monthly Archives: April 2011

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Today we’re attending Easter services at our home church, Dane Street Church in Beverly, MA. I’m playing the cello in a performance of Don Francisco’s “He Is Alive!” We’ve rehearsed quite a bit, and I think it is going to sound great, and hopefully send a great message to the many people I expect will be attending today.

After church, we’ll be heading out to Townsend to have Easter dinner with Rebecca’s parents. After that, we’ll be leaving on a road trip to Washington, D.C. My cousin, Kim, is getting married in the area next weekend, and we’re going to spend the preceding week doing some sightseeing. I’m really looking forward to the whole week.

Today also marks the end of my Lenten Challenge, where I had given up Facebook and Twitter for Lent. I succeeded in abstaining from both of those for the duration. However, I’ll be glad to get back on Facebook. While I do think that I’ll be more conscientious about my use, it’s too valuable for staying connected to my family and church life for me to consider giving it up entirely. Rebecca can attest to the number of times she’s had to relay important news and information to me that was only posted on Facebook.

Maundy Thursday Drawings

When it comes to taking small children to church, Peter and I are of the opinion that kids are a welcome and loved addition to any service. We’re very lucky to be part of a church family that feels the same way. Our girls are never the quietest or best behaved in the crowd, but they love to be there!

Last night was our Maundy Thursday service, which is traditionally a quiet, contemplative occasion. Peter was already planning to attend (as he was playing his cello for the service) but I wasn’t sure about bringing the girls along. In the end I decided that it would be better for them to attend as long as they could and it would be a good opportunity to see their Papa worship with his music.

Catherine brought along a notebook that hadn’t yet been drawn in. She was fairly intent on her drawings, which kept her relatively quiet and still. Afterwards I realized that it would be the perfect opportunity to see what kinds of things the service had inspired her to draw. I am really intrigued and would love to know just what she was thinking and feeling!

~~

This one is Peter playing the cello. (I know because it is very similar to some others she has done this week)

The rest here are a little more open to interpretation.

null

null


For larger photos click here to get to the gallery!



null

I should also note, in case it makes a difference to anyone, that all these drawings were made using Smencils. So in addition to the pictures looking great they smell fantastic!

Saturday Driving Music

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of driving, alone, for a total of three hours. Peter loaded up my iPod for my drive, and I couldn’t have been happier with his choices. There’s other music that I like, but this list seems to be a pretty good distillation of many of my favorites (with Seal thrown in as a pleasant surprise!)

Here’s the playlist, with links in case you want to pretend you’re me rocking out!

The Essential Billy Joel, vols 1&2
Fascinating Creatures, Frances England
Flood, They Might Be Giants
Graceland, Paul Simon
The Immaculate Collection, Madonna
Les Miserables, Original London Cast
Made in England, Elton John
Mortal City, Dar Williams
Newsies, soundtrack
O Sister! The Women’s Bluegrass Collection
Rotary Ahead, Mike DiBari Trio
Seal, Seal
Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits
Somewhere Near Paterson, Richard Shindell
Spy Game, soundtrack
Willie Bobo’s Finest Hour, Willie Bobo