Bubble Castles

The air sparkled like a diamond, the sky was bright with sunshine hidden by clouds that had given all they could, and the breeze wafted the clean, sweet scent of greasewood toward the green-roofed cabin on the tree-line. All morning wave after wave of wet warriors had swept across the meadow, throwing themselves against the ground in futile attempts to crush the defiant foliage. The triumphant vegetation stood proud and dripping, each sagebrush leaf and meadow grass spike was coated in the remains of defeated raindrops.

I sat on the weather stained porch tracing the paths of long dead worms in the log walls of the cabin. My small purple plastic jar sat open on the wide grey plank beside me with its bright green wand peeking over the rim. I pulled the wand out of its soapy hiding place and blew one glorious, wobbly, gigantic bubble. As it floated toward the meadow I dreaded its inevitable demise. It drifted downward and settled intact on the meadow grass. I blew another and another and watched in awe as the bubbles joined forces with the remains of the raindrops to vanquish the meadow, not by force or strength but beauty. My family joined me and barefoot in the mud we spent the afternoon on the meadow building castles made of soap with neon green and pink wands.

Chichester Psalms*

For those of you who don't know I'm in the school choir and for our spring concert on April 21 we are performing, among other things, the Chichester Psalms composed by Leonard Bernstein. Dr. Erb has told us to find a version to listen to, and I thought I'd let y'all find it right here. I love the theme of the first movement, and the surprise in the second movement valde mihi placet. *Ahem* Sorry, it makes me very happy. Enjoy!

Chichester Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra/I. Psalm 108 (verse 2) & Psalm 100 (complete) - New York Philharmonic;Leonard Bernstein

Chichester Psalms For Chorus And Orchestra/II. Psalm 23, entire; Psalm 2, verses 1 - 4* - Leonard Bernstein

Chichester Psalms For Chorus And Orchestra/III. Psalm 131, entire; Psalm 133, verse 1 - Leonard Bernstein

White As Snow*

This is the most amazing song. Only U2 could write a song about a Muslim dying of a gunshot wound and looking for 'the lamb as white as snow' and actually get away with it. People will be going around singing it without realizing what they are saying. My favorite element of the song is the melody. They use the main theme from O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, but they never get to "Rejoice! Rejoice!" because there is nothing for the Muslim to rejoice about.

White As Snow - U2

The Fortnightly Purse at Amoretti

This is one of the coolest purses so far. Check it out!

Amoretti