Ageless in Spirit: Discussions and interests for our times

July 27, 2021 I've been immersing myself in piano music playing with finding pleasure in pieces such as Butterfly by Grieg, La Diva De l.Empire and other pieces of Eric Satie, Schubert's Moments Musical and music of Jules Massanet. I had been concentrating more last month on Beethoven Sonatas including #30 which has a set of variations that are so beautiful. I also tackle from time to time some jazz a different experience that requires rhythm and ability to understand some dissonance. I also have been interested in some of the biographical information about these composers. The issues with hearing loss (Beethoven), alcoholism including Absinthe addiction Satie, and early death of Schubert due to syphilis bring me to see the genius and humanity of their lives. Getting wrapped up on the piano learning the notes and then putting together the tempo, rhythm, and  tonal emphasis has special pleasure for me though I'm not at all ready to perform these works for your pleasure. Too ...

 July 16, 2021 July 4th was a strange day and evening. Muted with little fanfare. I did not notice many flags. Celebrating independence day in a divided country with news headlines of flooding, heat waves, forest fires, armed conflict and cultural wars that have become increasingly ugly in my view. The revelations of the insurrection keeps some of us shaking our heads while many others endorse the big lie and attempt to suppress their opponents from voting so they can prevail. Rebecca was talking with her old friend in Las Vegas about the climate change issues with peaking temperatures and attendant harm but her friend said she does not believe climate change is the result of human causes. Rebecca suggested that science had some bearing on the "truth".  I do enjoy reading about these issues and puzzling over our irrational camps of leaders and followers declaring delusional perceptions and understanding as THE TRUTH. Today I read about how some people in the technology and ar...