This morning, I return to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), the Berliner Philharominiker, and Beethoven’s incomparable Symphony No. 5 in C minor. We’ve had a blustery, cold, rainy Fall here in West Michigan. October is my favorite month – normally. This year, it’s one of my least favorite. It’s been too cold and rainy … [Read more…]
My office today is the balcony, sans flowers and pots, I not only have a great view, but a very find lunch to boot: a ginger-turmeric kombucha, a turkey wrap sandwich, and a Jonagold apple that we picked ourselves a week or so ago. Classical music and a delicious lunch. What could be better? Not … [Read more…]
My office this morning is Baker Book House, perhaps the largest Christian bookstore in the Midwest. The Used section, alone, is larger than most bookstores. Baker is one of the largest repositories of theological books around. It’s a great place to get coffee, study, and listening to great music. I wish I was doing all … [Read more…]
This morning is a return to the top of the batting order with Claudio Abbado (1933-2014), the Berliner Philharominiker, and – this time – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. In addition, today marks the return of me visiting the Restaurant-Chain-That-Must-Not-Be-Named. So, shhhh. Don’t tell anyone. Before I really get rocking and rolling, here’s … [Read more…]
My office on this beautiful, sunny Sunday is the balcony overlooking the lake. Current temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Time is 12:23pm. I first encountered Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan’s famed 1977 Beethoven cycle on… Day 11. Rating: “Meh!” Day 29. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 47. Rating: “Huzzah!” What will today bring – “Meh!”? Or “Huzzah!”? … [Read more…]
My office this morning is, once again, Chick-fil-A – one of my favorite restaurants, especially at breakfast time. It’s quiet, not crowded, and they serve (“My pleasure!”) a fine cuppa Joe. I like their cheesy advertisements, too. All that cow stuff. (Cows telling people to “Eat Mor Chikin”.) It’s corny. But I think it’s clever … [Read more…]
My listening post today is my happy place – the second floor of the local library. Here, I can survey the landscape and think thoughts as big as the vista before me. It’s the perfect setting for listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major as rendered by Austrian conductor Karl Bohm (1894-1981) … [Read more…]
My office this morning overlooks the lake. The temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a slight breeze out of the East. I’m sipping a Breakfast Blend coffee from Bagel Beanery, munching on Dry Roasted & Salted Almonds from Trader Joe’s, and pondering why in the hell I like Leonard Bernstein’s performances so much. I … [Read more…]
My office this morning is the one and only Chick-fil-A, a restaurant chain run so well, so politely, serving such delicious food that it ought to be a crime to not eat here. Today starts a whole new cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies for me, which means I’m back to the “A” in my conductor roster: … [Read more…]
After trying and failing to find an “office” location this morning, I ended up right back where I started: home. So, I made my own coffee. I ate a bowl of home-made chicken noodle soup. And I gazed out at the ducks meandering on the lake out back. In the background, just slightly out of … [Read more…]