Harping Again!

I returned to St. Joseph Hospital yesterday to make my musical rounds again and it was delightful to be harping again. I have been off for a few weeks with a painful left ankle, but yesterday I did my usual wards/units without trouble.
And a hello to Tom who I discovered knows this blog...!
Rain at last--not that I mind the fog we have been having, but it's been cold and freezing a wee bit too much.
I'll write more about the Folk Harp retreat I am going to this weekend...will be great to see old and new friends.

Peace
Duncan

Music...

I'm still working on trying to get some harp music to play on the blog, but experimenting with two music options for the moment.
The Tuna radio does not let me choose a Celtic genre, but if you click on the Renaissance button and then the play button, you will have some good music.
The Celtica player just below is from Celtica radio and plays the stream. It's set to autoplay, if you want to listen to Tuna, just pause the Celtica player,
Been dealing with a very sore left ankle and have not been to the hospital for a couple of weeks, I miss being on my musical rounds.
But I am looking forward to attending the Winter harp gather of the Puget Sound Folk Harp Society to be held the last week in January in Arlington.

Stay warm,

Duncan

Advice from A Tree

Found this on a Pagan blog and it's too good not to share...and I need to take it's advice most of all!

Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The energy and birth of spring
The growth and contentment of summer
The wisdom to let go the leaves in the fall
The rest and quiet renewal of winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

~ Ilan Shamir ~

 Snow expected tonight, so I will leave the snowflakes up on the blog for awhile.

Blessings on your path.

 

Christmas Eve...

A bit of Dickens this day, from his "A Christmas Carol", found a card published by the legendary Cahill and Company publishing company.

Christmas Time--the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem - by one consent - to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of the people below them as if they were really fellow-passengers....and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

Granted there is the upper class vs lower class distinction in this quote, but I still see Dickens awareness of what a message of love and compassion can bring to the world.

May your Christmas and Yule be both Merry and Bright,
Blessings,
Duncan

White Friday information

Joanna Mell, a well known harpist and healer, has created WHITE FRIDAY for the 21st of December as a way to honor (in her words from the Harplist):
" I wanted to start an annual tradition on the Friday before Christmas to bring LIGHT into the darkness that fills the world right now. Black Friday celebrates all that is wrong - greed, selfishness, materialism, violence, consumerism and worship of the accumulation of unnecessary junk. WHITE FRIDAY will celebrate all that is right and good - giving, selflessness, peace and love.  So, harper/harpist, think about playing a peaceful concert in a public place - or in the warmth of your home or studio. Light a candle. Harp music goes a long way to bring cheer and warmth into others' lives."

This is an absolutely wonderful idea and I plan to  play on W.F. in the spirit of what Joanna is helping to create and I invite all other harpers and non-harpers to spend a bit of time either playing or lighting that candle and remembering those who need our love and our compassion--especially in the dark days of winter.

And sorry for the lack of music on the site, Mixpod has folded and I am looking for another good online application for my blog.

Stay warm,
Blessings to all,
Duncan

A Pagan Muse found again!

I have just re-connected with Leanne who blogs at http://talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com/ which got me inspired to start my own blog...and she was so helpful with providing me with advice and counsel.
I have updated her link (she had to re-incarnate her blog) so that you can visit one of the very best Pagan/Goddess blogs on the net.
And I very much appreciate all of her wonderful apps, pictures and links on the right side of the blog--go visit!.

The Wheel turns on.

I cannot believe that it's October again! Been a busy month between gardening and increasing harp playing time at the hospital. I love the Fall  season best of all, but find that as I get older I would love more light during winter. (Dream on, my Harper).
Will be attending the annual conference of the Music Thanatology Association International this weekend at Providence Medical Center in Everett to connect with other harpers and musicians who provide music in healthcare settings.

And may be playing for a memorial service in the near future. I have played for weddings and church services, but this would be my first memorial service and while I have a bit of trepidation, good harp friends have given me kind guidance and support as I decided to take the plunge if my schedule allows.

Blessings of harp and peace to you all,

Duncan