tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post2394421218614154437..comments2023-11-03T04:57:11.073-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Back to BachLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-12421614505942707102011-09-04T22:50:38.786-04:002011-09-04T22:50:38.786-04:00Jeanne, also watch out if the GR comes over. He sa...Jeanne, also watch out if the GR comes over. He said he has an aubergine belt in Chik Kan Do. I have no idea what that qualifies him to do!!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-53746756970211626602011-09-04T22:49:43.665-04:002011-09-04T22:49:43.665-04:00Jeanne, when you go back to Tae Kwon Do, just watc...Jeanne, when you go back to Tae Kwon Do, just watch those mouth harp-playing fingers. I mean, we welcome drop-ins of all types, but it's hard to find a decent mouth harpist!!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30758923395139674132011-09-04T22:48:36.304-04:002011-09-04T22:48:36.304-04:00Jeanne, that makes you PERFECTLY qualified for the...Jeanne, that makes you PERFECTLY qualified for the Bandita Jug Band. You, as official mouth harpist, will often be called upon to sing lead. Take it away!!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-13765172711546082912011-09-04T22:46:56.075-04:002011-09-04T22:46:56.075-04:00Joanie, I didn't actually see the lizard, but ...Joanie, I didn't actually <i>see</i> the lizard, but I've been told he's around. I told the DH we could live in peace with him as long as he wasn't scurrying across the bed while I sleep. That's just creepy! <br /><br />He may, indeed, be a spy. If so, I'll have to activate my counter-spy - when he returns from Jane's house!<br /><br />I figure I'll find the lizard hiding behind my computer tower, since it's nice and warm there. Either there or in the laundry room by the dryer. Sheesh!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-3848262976701897502011-09-04T22:44:50.857-04:002011-09-04T22:44:50.857-04:00Oh, and as to a skill I'd love to pick up agai...Oh, and as to a skill I'd love to pick up again, I'm with Jane - martial arts.<br /><br />I'd love to go back to Tae Kwon Do, now that I'm not thinkin' 'bout birthin' no more babies.<br /><br />Grins.Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-19462097060720995252011-09-04T22:44:11.615-04:002011-09-04T22:44:11.615-04:00Caren said: Still, I'd love to try one of thes...Caren said: <i>Still, I'd love to try one of these days. You take up banjo, we'll get Jeanne on mouth harp and Suz on whiskey jug and we'll have us a string band!</i><br /><br />Hey Caren! Now, you're talking! That's an instrument I can actually PLAY. Grins.<br /><br />I ahve a fiddle, which I tried to play as a violin with only moderate success all the way through school. Fiddles have flatter bridges, so I had to change out the bridge. I made do.<br /><br />I also play piano - well, don't let me fool you - I LEARNED piano. Just like I learned the fiddle and violin. Oh, and the oboe. (Whole 'nother story...)<br /><br />The only instrument with which I have any talent is my voice. I can technically play the piano, the violin, the fiddle and the oboe (and lord help me I'll never pick up the oboe again!). However, I cannot "do" anything with them that doesn't require squinting, squeaking, a lot of cursing under my breath and so on.<br /><br />Singing? Whoooolllleee different story. I've been known to be like a musical, and break into song at random moments, both appropriate and in appropriate. SNORK!!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-36127398771156412292011-09-04T22:33:16.229-04:002011-09-04T22:33:16.229-04:00Still, it's strange for them to dart indoors i...<i>Still, it's strange for them to dart indoors in NC!!</i><br /><br />Was he wearing anything???? Spy gear? iPod? Semi automatic???<br /><br />:DJoanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566704374877697300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-58933847169719863452011-09-04T22:19:50.455-04:002011-09-04T22:19:50.455-04:00Kim in Hawaii, my husband told me that in Hawaii i...Kim in Hawaii, my husband told me that in Hawaii it's considered good luck to have a little lizard in the house. Is that true? 'Cause, apparently we have a little lizard in the house. They don't freak me out too bad because we had geckos EVERYWHERE when we lived in Houston. Still, it's strange for them to dart indoors in NC!!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-27047895858854945552011-09-04T22:09:51.789-04:002011-09-04T22:09:51.789-04:00Louisa, I'm so glad to hear you still sing. I ...Louisa, I'm so glad to hear you still sing. I hope you sing where others get to hear you - as I would love to do one day! <br /><br />Hm...maybe we'll have to con you into singing some folk tunes with the Bandita Jug Band! (Please note, we are now in capital letters and, thus, official - but not Facebook official. Yet.)<br /><br />I keep telling myself I'll have time to pursue all the many things I want to do in the years to come. I am still just 46 and will be only 47 when the baby goes to college, so hopefully I'll have years to work everything in!<br /><br />Of course, there's the DDJ to consider...but there will be no more meetings to run and events to chaperone, etc. Whee!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-52586904090425979082011-09-04T22:05:43.989-04:002011-09-04T22:05:43.989-04:00Daz, your cooking blog is amazing! I really want t...Daz, your cooking blog is amazing! I really want to try your cauliflower soup, but I don't have truffle oil! Is the truffle oil a must-have ingredient or would some other nicely-flavored oil work as well? It sounds marvelous!<br /><br />I'm so impressed with your creativity and variety. It could keep you and "the Boy" busy for many years to come! Oh, and you might want to mention some wine pairings, too!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-36334783192121389372011-09-04T21:55:16.404-04:002011-09-04T21:55:16.404-04:00Kate, hopefully we will get our Bandita jug band t...Kate, hopefully we will get our Bandita jug band together and get work up some tunes. Someone will have to ensure the GR is cooped up somewhere far away, though, or he will try to hog the limelight by "singing" along. Quelle horreur!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-13086920139151848112011-09-04T21:52:55.762-04:002011-09-04T21:52:55.762-04:00Fo, I think one of the really great things about p...Fo, I think one of the really great things about playing violin well, but not <i>really</i> well was that there were no solos. There is a kinship in an ensemble or chorus or orchestra that soloists don't have. <br /><br />I imagine playing piano is a very lonely pursuit. All those solo recitals! That was one upside of no private lessons - no recitals on my own. We just had incredibly painful concerts where the whole school was forced to listen to us and we had to endure the mocking afterward. We grew thick skins. ; )Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-59288013790341934382011-09-04T21:38:31.088-04:002011-09-04T21:38:31.088-04:00Foanna, I KNOW you took the GR to a Chik Kan Do to...Foanna, I KNOW you took the GR to a Chik Kan Do tournament. He told me all about it at the Christmas party when he'd had a few rum and Cokes! <br /><br />By the way, I do NOT recommend giving the GR rum or whiskey of any sort. Especially not if he's talking about martial arts!!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40667343911400186782011-09-04T21:36:44.419-04:002011-09-04T21:36:44.419-04:00Fo, I think you're onto something with the imp...Fo, I think you're onto something with the imperfection driving us back to the creative process. I think most writers are closet perfectionists. <br /><br />We keep thinking that one day the story we see in our head will magically be transcripted onto the screen as we type. Of course, we know full well that NOTHING ever turns out as we hoped/dreamed/imagined. The times when it gets close, even somewhere in the neighborhood, make all the crappy writing worth it. <br /><br />Either that, or we get disgusted and quit - just like musicians! *g*Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-53647599737285322042011-09-04T18:57:50.361-04:002011-09-04T18:57:50.361-04:00Good job, Jane! Wonder what musical instrument the...Good job, Jane! Wonder what musical instrument the GR plays?<br /><br />Brava, Caren for taking up the violin again! Definitely one of the toughest instruments to play. The only thing violinists ever told me they did to toughen up their fingertips was to play, play, play! <br /><br />I started piano lessons at nine, clarinet and bassoon lessons at twelve and voice lessons at sixteen. I still practice voice (and thus use my meager piano talent,) but I haven't touched the other instruments in years.<br /><br />I have let my cross stitch, quilting and tatting go by the wayside since I started writing and I would love to have time to take them up again. <br /><br />I haven't ridden a horse since my last horse passed away 13 years ago. I wouldn't mind riding again, but I'm not sure the body could take the pounding!Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39660309330935233062011-09-04T17:30:18.994-04:002011-09-04T17:30:18.994-04:00Caren, when you get here definitely look me up. I ...Caren, when you get here definitely look me up. I will cook for you for sure. In the meantime, I am blogging about the cooking. dazinthekitchen.blogspot.com.Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16126833660091932854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-13676616287300027052011-09-04T16:59:50.331-04:002011-09-04T16:59:50.331-04:00Ah Caren, how wonderful that you get to revitalize...Ah Caren, how wonderful that you get to revitalize your violin playing! I love listening to a great violin player and I love Bach, too. And no, I can't play a darn thing! I tried taking piano lessons in college and also tried guitar. Those were sad, sad experiences. I think the technical term for my musical ability is ... sucky. Yeah, that's me. And yet I remain a music lover. :-)<br /><br />I hope we get to hear you play in the Lair one of these days! <br /><br />And congrats to Jane for snagging the Golden Choookie!Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-22919422149571412822011-09-04T16:39:33.127-04:002011-09-04T16:39:33.127-04:00Deb, what a lovely musical family. Actually it'...Deb, what a lovely musical family. Actually it's lovely to be able to play for your own enjoyment, isn't it? Something I loved was I got to a point where I used to accompany a few singers. That was fun - piano playing is lonely compared to being in an orchestra.Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-13241104438248455182011-09-04T16:36:21.615-04:002011-09-04T16:36:21.615-04:00Caren, I've actually kinda decided one of the ...Caren, I've actually kinda decided one of the things that keeps me writing (and sporadically coming back to the piano) is that you NEVER get it right. You can get it better but never right. Therefore you never get bored with the process - it's always a struggle. Seems odd that we make ourselves suffer, but I think in a strange way we do. Does that make any sense at all.<br /><br />By the way, I LOVE Nimrod!Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-76543667633417284382011-09-04T16:34:27.092-04:002011-09-04T16:34:27.092-04:00Chik Kan Do???? You crack me up like an egg before...Chik Kan Do???? You crack me up like an egg before an omelette, Caren!Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-42355146161324488012011-09-04T14:29:22.770-04:002011-09-04T14:29:22.770-04:00Keira, did your parents force you to keep playing ...Keira, did your parents force you to keep playing violin? I've found that most people who despise their former instrument, no matter what it is, were either forced by their parents to continue LONG after they wanted to quit or they had some horrid teacher - like the nun who taught Joan guitar! <br /><br />I'm so glad you're singing again. What a joy! I love to sing and have great pitch, but I don't have a lovely voice. I've always thought it was a huge waste of good pitch, but there you go. I sing in the car and at church, but I won't be torturing others with my voice anytime soon. Only with my playing! <br /><br />Enjoy your song-filled autumn, darling Keira!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39684159424640042032011-09-04T14:25:39.852-04:002011-09-04T14:25:39.852-04:00Minna, those amigurumis are so cute! I'll bet ...Minna, those amigurumis are so cute! I'll bet the Angry Birds ones are much in demand. You could probably barter them for any number of things!<br /><br />I may hunt up the knitting book you recommended. My brain has a really hard time translating 2D directions into 3D hand movements, so things like knitting or origami instructions tend to baffle me. I do much better with an instructor where they can show me or do something hand-over-hand so I can make a sensory memory. <br /><br />Except with knitting, which for some reason never takes. I have a feeling it would just require more perseverance. I hope to have some one day in the future! Meanwhile, my daughter would really love a Hufflepuff scarf... :)Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-86125349436558950342011-09-04T14:20:42.404-04:002011-09-04T14:20:42.404-04:00Lori, congratulations on taking up the piano again...Lori, congratulations on taking up the piano again! You know, I've already found that I'm a much more relaxed player than I used to be. I'm still learning the art of playing on after making mistakes, though. Being a musician is hard for perfectionists!<br /><br />I hope your piano playing brings you endless joy!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-14920219439084423362011-09-04T14:18:04.681-04:002011-09-04T14:18:04.681-04:00Joan, Joan, Joan. You do not understand the snobbe...Joan, Joan, Joan. You do not understand the snobbery involved in buying a violin. Even with all the work done and things bought, I've only spent about $250. To get a decent violin appropriate for my (former) level of playing, it would easily be three times that much. To get a really lovely, old one (like Deb's great uncle's) would be much more than that.<br /><br />The problem is, most "student" violins are factory made these days. The two I have are handmade. The one I'm mainly using was made in the 70s by a West German company. The older one that needs cracks repaired (but still has a nice sound) is American-made. It was made in 1917. I haven't researched the company yet, but it seems like one of the many small midwestern companies that were in business around the turn of the 20th century. No idea what, if anything, it might be worth but a violin with good structure and tone is definitely worth keeping and repairing!<br /><br />And I WISH I could play fiddle. It's an incredibly different style of playing and it's difficult for classically trained violinists to get the hang of. Still, I'd love to try one of these days. You take up banjo, we'll get Jeanne on mouth harp and Suz on whiskey jug and we'll have us a string band!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-47544313857692652642011-09-04T14:14:40.161-04:002011-09-04T14:14:40.161-04:00My dear friend: Another thing we have in common: M...My dear friend: Another thing we have in common: Music. I, too, learned the violin as a child and hated it. I learned for nine years, played for five years after that, and since then haven't touched it and have no desire to do so. However, I've recently restarted voice lessons, which I had stopped for ten years. And oh, yes, it's glorious to be singing again. I've also joined a church and their choir with rehearsals, services, and concerts. Fall's going to be busy-busy-busy.<br /><br />Love Bach for his complicated polyphonic music. Every time I hear a harpsichord, I'm reminded of him.Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.com