My office this afternoon comes complete with Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and a glass of cold rice “milk.” (It’s actually called Rice Drink. But it’s the color of milk and it comes in a half gallon carton like milk does. So I call it milk.) This time of year is when the Pumpkin Whoopie Pies emerge … [Read more…]
This morning, I find myself listening to German conductor Otto Klemperer (1885-1973), Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. I’ve experienced Maestro Klemperer four times previous to this morning, on… Day 12. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 30. Rating: “Meh!” Day 48. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 66. Rating: “Meh!” Two “Huzzah!” and two “Meh!” ratings. … [Read more…]
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…]
This morning, I am listening to German conductor Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. I have encountered Maestro Jochum four times previous to this morning, on… Day 9. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 27. Rating: Not quite Meh, but not Huzzah! either Day 45. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 63. … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is the same as it was last night: my recliner. Only this time, the movie on in the background (that I can’t hear because I’m listening to German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor) is The Exorcist. Take that, wife! … [Read more…]
My listening perch tonight is in my recliner in the living room, with Disney’s Moana in the background, as I recover from a temperature of 101 last night that included plenty of aches and pains. I have no idea what I had, or if I still have it. But I do know I barely slept … [Read more…]
My office this afternoon is on the balcony overlooking the lake. It’s a lovely fall day: sunny skies, winds at 9 miles per hour from the north, and a temperature of 61 degrees Fahrenheit. I’d be a fool if I did not carpe diem. Since my Momma didn’t raise no fools, here I am – … [Read more…]
My office this morning is my office this morning. Mea Culpa: I jumped the gun yesterday by listening to Leonard Bernstein rather than Daniel Barenboim. However, instead of posting Bernstein as if I’d written it today, I kept my mistake intact and so today I’m listening to Argentina-born conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942- ), Staatskapelle Berlin, … [Read more…]
My office today is Red Hot Inn, legendary purveyors of some of the best chili dogs you’ll ever eat. An order of fries and an ice-cold root beer are the perfect toppers to a meal that will surely give me heartburn later on. Oh, not because the food isn’t good. It’s great. I’ve been eating … [Read more…]
This morning, I find myself listening to conductor George Szell (1897-1970), The Cleveland Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. I first encountered Maestro Szell in my Beethoven project on… Day 16. Rating: “Meh!” Day 34. Rating: “Meh!” Day 52. Rating: “Huzzah!” What will today bring? I’ll soon find out. Beethoven wrote … [Read more…]