"Ever On" Dan

I just learned this morning that one of my favorite singer/songwriters died on December 16th of prostate cancer. Tears are in my eyes right now as I write this tribute. Dan Fogelberg was a huge part of my youth. He musically defined so many of my feelings and experiences when in my 20's and 30's. It feels like we grew up together as we are only four years apart in age. As his life changed, my life changed. As he "grew up," I "grew up."

1973......driving my car down Greenburg Rd. in Tigard OR.....suddenly, over the radio, I hear this voice singing about a lost and vain love. Though I was late for something I immediately drove home (no cell phones!), called the radio station and then went straight to the store and purchased my first Dan Fogelberg album. The song was "Stars" and the album "Home Free."

Every new album was an event. I would be at the store the day it was released, take it home and set it in front of my stereo. Not until the next day would I take off the cellophane and let myself read the liner notes. Not until the third day would I let myself remove the record from the sleeve, place it on the turntable, carefully clean it and then sit down to listen. Hours of my life were spent listening to his music; not listening while cooking or cleaning or having dinner with friends but listening....just listening.

He was the musical unrequited love of my life. I loved his voice, his face, his music, his hands, his questioning, his passion, his love of nature and the joy he obviously took in life and music.

Farewell Dan and.....

May the trail rise up to meet you
May your heart rejoice in song
May the skies be fair above you
As you journey ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on
And in this planetary circle
We are but a single stone
Spinning on our fragile axis
Through the endless night alone
Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on
May your love be there to guide us
May it always keep us strong
May we walk within your footsteps
As you lead us ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on--ever on
Ever on

The 12 Days of Christmas

"These are a few of my favorite things...

Of course top billing goes to my dog Miles! Doesn't he look positively thrilled!


This makes me happy. I think that reindeer are amazing creatures. I just read recently that they can travel over 200 miles in 24 hours without stopping for water or food. Feel free to take this reindeer quiz. I'm so fond of my reindeer that here is another picture of her. Someone just told me that female reindeer have antlers in the winter and male reindeer in the summer but I haven't had time to check and see if that's true.



Here is a photo of a few of the reindeer displayed in a yard in my neighborhood. I didn't take a picture of Santa in his sleigh because the reindeer are so cool that I hardly notice him.


Another aspect of Christmas that I really like are the lights. Granted some could adopt the "less is more" attitude, but in general they literally brighten up the long, dark nights. I particularly like blue lights.




Here's a question for the musically inclined. Do the blurry blue lights remind you of anything? If you're not sure click on the photo below to make it larger and I think that you will see what I see.


I even like lights when they are covered with snow.






Here are some of my favorite Christmas ornaments. I bought a number of these wooden angels during my first trip abroad back in 1980.






These two ornaments I bought on the NWPR musical Mozart tour a few years ago. The green glass ball is from Praque and the blue star was bought at the Kriskindlmarkt in Vienna right in front of City Hall.





This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas ornaments. I realize that it is just a cheap piece of plastic but as a child these were magical! I was fascinated by the bells, santas and snowmen "captured" inside the bright, glittering balls. The colors have faded over the years but the magic has not; hanging them on the tree is still a thrill for me.

















When I hear the word "crafts" I generally start to feel faint, nauseous and disoriented but I confess to making dough reindeer one year with my mom. I think that they are really cute!



Spritz cookies!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah!!!!!!! I love to look at them and I love to eat them....I just don't like making them. In fact, I have NEVER made a spritz cookie in my life in spite of the fact that they are delightfully delicious.



Something happened to our family Nativity scene and it had to be thrown away but I always thought that it was an especially nice one, primarily because the stable was made of real wood. One year my mom purchased this one for me. It's not quite as nice as our old one but I still enjoy taking it out and putting it up every year.



Check out this picture I hang on the wall behind my tree. I found an old card that I made for my parents, a note to Santa and a note from Santa and taped them to a board with some wrapping paper on it. Another attempt at crafting! Frankly, this deer picture was the highlight of my artistic career.



What are some of your favorite things about the holidays?

"Music is organized sound."

I like this quote from French composer Edgard Victor Achille Charles Varese. It means that music can be found anywhere; composed by anyone or anything.

Take a closer look at the above picture. Haven't you heard music in the soughing sound of wind playing across a telephone wire, in the liquid sound of falling rain, the staccato sound of clicking high heels, the rhythm of fingers on a keyboard?

Next time you're in Croatia check out this rather odd instrument.



Here's another bizzare instrument. Try this for spicing up that next road trip in Japan!



And finally, when was the last time you really sat down, relaxed and reveled in the sound of the Aquaggaswack?



J.B. (a listener) sent me this link from the Wall Street Journal link about a new instrument called a "Thummer."