It’s a day of great movement in my life, many things are in flux.
First, I found out that the job opening which seemed possible at some point has now slipped from my grasp. So the probability is now vanishingly small that I’m going to get an HP job in the next three weeks.
On the plus side, my son returned safely from a wonderful trip to California, where he engaged with leading minds in the homebrew community and learned a great deal. Can’t wait to hear the scoop from him.
On the downside, I’ve heard lots of bad news – relatives of friends dying, more people losing their jobs, and on and on. There’s a great number of people we need to pray for this week.
But the big positive: We just began the 19th Sacred Music Colloquium tonight. We started right off with a bang, singing Veni Creator Spiritus. There’s absolutely nothing like hundreds of people coming together to sing a beautiful hymn like that – and doing it successfully! My heart leaps with joy.
We practiced some other music for tomorrow’s Mass, with varying levels of confidence. Ah well, more work to do.
I signed up for the polyphony choir being led by Jenny Donelson, and we had the first practice for that group tonight. The hymn O Salutaris Hostia (Pierre de La Rue) actually came out in 4-part harmony pretty well after a few run-throughs. An attempt at solfege was a bit rockier, that exercises parts of my brain that aren’t turned on very well.
But it’s only the first day. We wouldn’t want to get it perfect right from the beginning. 
I am rediscovering Bach cello suites–both to listen to and to play!–and find entering into music a great balm for the soul.
Jon
Yes music is a balm because it touches the soul. Whatever the pains and the joies crossing our path, rely on your soul and let your values guide you. Be brave, Carl. Your values are of the most extraordinary ones I ever met. I feel pain in your words, welcome positively the new coming year !