My listening post this evening is in the living room, with House, M.D. (Season 8 Episode 19 – “The C Word“) on TV, tree and trimmings glowing joyfully, and American conductor Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), Wiener Philharmoniker and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor in my ears. Before I go any further, I’m going to … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is with the classic 1954 holiday movie White Christmas (the first movie filmed in VistaVision) in the background, this year’s Christmas tree (as yet undecorated) on my right, a fresh sliced avocado on the table beside me on my right, a cup of fresh-brewed coffee on my left, and German … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is New Beginnings Restaurant, an hour after it opened. It’s empty in here because of the snow storm we had overnight. We only got about two or three inches. But it’s icy, and this is the first major winter storm of the season. So all schools are closed, and drivers … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is Baker Book House, a simply wonderful place for research, reading, drinking coffee, and buying books. Lots and lots of books. They have the largest selection of used books – theological books – in the Midwest. I know people who live in Nashville who shop at Baker. I can’t tell … [Read more…]
This evening, with the smell of baking bread in my nose, I’m listening to one of my favorite conductors: Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), Wiener Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major. I’ve experienced Maestro Bernstein’s leadership five other times previous to the Sixth, on… Day 3. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 21. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 39. … [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…]
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, once again, overlooks the small lake behind our residence. It’s a bit chilly this morning (65 degrees Fahrenheit) under partly cloudy skies. So, unlike on previous mornings, I had to wear what I call a “shammy,” which is in this case an oversized, button-down flannel shirt I purchased from Cabela’s. Don’t … [Read more…]
I won’t lie. I think Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is my favorite conductor of Beethoven’s symphonies. Whenever I listen to one of Bernstein’s performances, I’m filled with joy, awe, and reverence. I am caught up in his unbridled enthusiasm because I think the orchestra is, too. Even this, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major, … [Read more…]
This morning, my office is Spyro’s restaurant, which bills itself as “Fort Wayne’s Breakfast Eggsperts!” The coffee is good. The Irish Skillet is wonderful. And the biscuits and gravy were better than I expected. The only downside is I’m using my iPhone’s Personal Hotspot setting as my WiFi connection. This restaurant doesn’t offer WiFi to … [Read more…]