Music of the year

The last day of 2011 feel like it needs a big long list of accomplishments. Unfortunately I didn't seem to accomplished anything profound this year. Nothing write a whole post on anyway.
 Book list?
Nah. Everyone is doing those. Plus a list of titles isn't very interesting.
Music?
Ah, now there's a different story... Yes, I think I'll run with that idea. In fact, I think it deserves an impressive title....

Gwyn's List of Profound Music

Discovered in the Year of Our Lord 2011

This has been a great year in music for me; both in my own career and in the continuous hunt for new, inspiring, unique, and beautiful songs. So much so that I have had to narrow it down to my absolute favorites; the ones that fill all the criteria above and otherwise completely blow me away.

+ Now We Are Free - Lisa Gerrard

I picked up the dvd Gladiator(R) at the library this summer, excited to have found another historical-fiction film by director Ridley Scott {The Kingdom of Heaven(2004) | Robin Hood(2009)}, plus Russell Crowe was again the lead actor. While the movie itself was good, it was the music that made it a favorite. I felt I had died and gone to heaven. Hans Zimmer has long been one of my favorite composers, then paired with Lisa Gerrard, the closest I can find to an Enya rival; it's magic. I can't tell you how much this song has inspired me, in so many ways.
 The language in which Lisa sings is her own.

+ Guinevere's Tears - Enaid

What can I say? The Legend of Skyrian in a bottle. I seriously went whoop!-ing around my room after hearing this the first time -- it fits my story so perfectly! The slow mysterious sadness that haunts much of the melody but is brightened in the middle by the merry sounds of pipes reminiscent of a medieval festival, all before plunging back into the achingly beautiful theme from the beginning. That is my story.
 Sweet and nostalgic at first, lanced suddenly with loss and the knowing that nothing will ever be the same. Then comes a time of healing and happiness, long summer days, and the chance to change the future. But those days can never last. The days ahead are daunting. But you are stronger now, and face the dawn with new understanding. Life, though hard, is beautiful.


+ To the Sky - Owl City

Changing gears here, To the Sky is simple joy. It never fails to cheer me up and often times will turn a grey day into something special where I go out and accomplish, rejoicing in the free air.

+ Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars

Gives me goosebumps how real and true to the book this song is. Cold, grey melody + heartstring beat and harmony; couldn't be a better song for The Hunger Games. It's good to hear Taylor Swift singing something more deep than her usual, too. She has such a great voice, I wish she would branch out more often.

+ I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - H. W. Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play.

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come

The belfries of all Christendom

Had roll'd along th' unbroken song

Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair, I bow'd my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song,

Of Peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With Peace on earth, good will to men.

I was unable to find a suitable video for this as I first heard it on one of my Mum's numerous Christmas albums and can't find the arrangement on the Web. (I see that Casting Crowns has done a rendition of it but cannot recommend it because Youtube is not working for me right now.) However, the potent and timeless lyrics earned it instantly Favorite Carol in my book.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a Christmas carol based on the 1864 poem Christmas Bells by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator's despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that "there is no peace on earth... for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men". The carol concludes with the bells bestowing renewed hope for mankind.


I could go on forever listing songs I love, but these will rank tops for a long time, I think. Please do tell me about you top songs for 2011, and tell me if any of these made you list!

Have a lovely and blessed New Year!

Dia,

-Gwyn

Word.

I am told that's the new 'It' word, replacing 'cool'. So instead of saying, "That sunset is cool!" just look at it and go, "Woooord!"

I digress.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Summer is officially here! And I have become smitten with paper and ink.
 There  is nothing I  love better in the evenings after a good ride but to come in and read a good book. And 'good books' are no longer just Fantasy/Adventure in my book. I'm enjoying mysteries, histories, some non-fiction {gasp!}, and even some poetry {double gasp!}. You may have already noticed, but I have added my 'bookshelf' to my sidebar so you can see exactly what I'm reading and what I've read.
 And of all the bargains in the world, I stumbled on the best today at a little up-cycle/antique store in town: The complete Sherlock Holmes Adventures, 1929 edition, and Hair and Scalp Treatments, circa 1940. Both for $3. Awesome.
 Wondering about the Hair book? It has an amazing cover.

This infatuation has also extended to -- music! My brother bought a lovely mandolin a few weeks ago and yesterday and today {while he's off at work} I've been strumming until my fingers bleed. Well, not bleed exactly. But my thumb got a blister from it!

me and the rocky road to dublin*

My quartet group has also been dive-bombed with gigs, which is fantastic. Mostly is the easy stuff like background music for anniversary parties, church functions, and such. No weddings yet, and that's okay with me :)
 Hopefully all these performances will add up to a camera by the end of the summer! I'm excited.

Gardening moves apace. I am in the process of at last hammering together my boxes! They should be finished tonight and then it's fresh herbs and fruits all season long!

Jumping to another topic...
 I have been inspired lately by some fellow writer/bloggers who have pages devoted to snip-its and 'book covers' of each story they are writing, have written, or even have thought of. I'm thinking I must do this. Especially make a book front. I love that kind of thing.
 I so want to share my writings some how without being copied and this just might be an outlet. I'll let you know.

I apologize for such sporadic postings that cover no particular thing except life, but there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day to think out a deep meaningful post. I'm finding I have less time now then when I had school. Hm.
 I'm up earlier, too, and then I'm out the door to feed my animals and then it's to the garden to weed, back inside to eat and read, back out to weed some more, plant some more flora, ride; watch the sun go down to the sound of Miss McLeod's Reel*. And that's how it's going to be from now until school begins again.
I love summer.

-Gwyn

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Oh, dear...

alternately titled 'Here we go again'

You have again caught me between ultra-busyness and the dreadful doldrums of energetic boredom. You deserve an update, so I'll do my best to give you the short version:

 This week the weather has been nice {read: above freezing + drizzlings of rain} except for the wind which has been awful even in the local standard, so naturally it is the time Da decides my brother and I should put up new pasture fence for summer grazing ground. Thankfully we already have a skeleton to work with: most of the posts are still there {except for the gate post I ran over one foggy October morn}, but we haven't used that pasture in so long that a lot of the wire needs replacing. A note to animal owners everywhere: Never use electric wire to fence your animals. It's fickle and usually only keeps your extremely stupid animals in. I hate the stuff.
  A couple years ago we switched the stockpens to Electrobraid and that works sooo much better. We were even planning to fence the rest of the pastures in with it this year, but the grass is growing to fast and we wouldn't have time to dig all the post holes. So wire for another summer. Wheee.

 But speaking of growing grass... Grass is growing! Green grass! Aaah, I'm so excited! At last! I've been digging ing my garden beds and finding daffodil shoots and tulips and iris poking up. Nothings blooming yet, but we just got an inch of snow two weeks ago plus this is the Great Plains: Springs doesn't come fully till the last two weeks of May or so, then summer hits about the middle of June.
 Still, loving the sunshine in the mornings.

Ack! I have so many things to build this month! Our chickies are coming possibly the 23rd {Saint George's Day - who knew?} so I need to get on building another mobile house for when they're bigger. There's the kitchen garden boxes I still have to bang together, and... hmm I'm forgetting one. Anyhow, rest assured I have to hammer something else as well.
 Oh! And Mum and I have been planning some home improvements, too. So far we're still in the tearing out pictures from Southern Living and Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Gardens stage. But we've also gone through closets and unearthed a few lovely antiques! Frames, hats, jewelery, etc. Cool stuff; I'll have to take photos for you.

Music this month is... has... There's a lot of it. Too much of it. Last night was only the beginning with my piano recital and a fine arts fair. Over the next week I've got six violin practices with various groups and, finely on the 17th, the actual concert. Bugger.
In my 'spare time', whatever that is, I drew this ---

Not the best photo, but I seem to have misplaced the full version on my desktop somewhere... But you like? My photographer friend took the amazing photo of her little sister and I knew I just had to draw it :)
 I need to get back to drawing horses again - it's been at least a month since my last one. Sad. When I was little I drew a picture of one every night before going to sleep. I wonder where all those stacks went...
 Okay, now you're really going to hate me for saying this but -- Istartedanewstory. Don't spear me! I know, another one that puts TLOS on the back burner. again. But I couldn't help it! Honest. It all started  late last Sunday when I was on Polyvore {see my sidebar} and I came across this picture of a girl with the biggest saddest brownest eyes you've ever seen.... Well, she had a story she needed to tell. I'm sad to say it's not a happy one, not at first. But it may become a mystery. That idea really intrigues me - I've only done Fantasy so far. But I love mysteries! So we'll just have to see where this goes, right?

Here she is...

the artist's daughter by The Celtic Cowgirl featuring butterfly tops

Winding things up, you may have noticed but I've added a FAQ page and a few other things including my Polyvore sets to my sidebar for you to browse. I'm not on Polyvore hardly at all because 1) It takes up a lot of time just to make one set and 2) I'm not that interested in clothes. But it is a great place to find inspiration, but I think you've gathered that already. But don't expect updates on Poly all that often ;)

Well, I really hate to leave you but the fence is calling. Really hate to leave. really.

-Gwyn

Stunning violin {and viola} performance

Holy mackerels....

I hope I learn to be at least half as good as they!

-Gwyn

Find a happy place, find a happy place!!

*deeeeep breath*

Well. It's day two of NaNo how is everyone else coping? I myself am off to a rather rocky start. Friday my grandpa had to be taken to the ER, and it turns out he had pneumonia really bad. The doctors were amazed he was doing as well as he was with the amount of fluid in his lungs. He's still at the hospital receiving antibiotics and meds for nerve damage{something he's had for a long time}, so thank heaven he's doing better now. Even a cold at his age is worrying and could go either way, let alone pneumonia.

My writing nook by my bed.

That was all very concerning but what hit my planning/writing hard was on Sunday I woke up feeling positively awful. I didn't even go to church{I hate missing church}. I missed all the Halloween parties too. I guess it's a good thing then that I don't care much for All Hallows Eve.

L-H My pumpkin, My older brother's, and my younger brother's

A horseshoe. For me, a little predictable but me none the less :)

Not because of all the voodoo about how it's supposedly the devil's birthday or whatever {sorry if I'm being insensitive}, but more because I really don't see the point of the whole deal. I mean, what are we celebrating anyway? Cheap latex? Free candy? The basic urge to scare the dickens out of a fellow human being? It's worth a thought. :)

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes...
 Monday I was still feeling peakéd but was able to scrape out about a thousand words by midnight. Today I typed it out and wrote some more, and, as you can see above, reached 2,470. I'm still behind a bit, but I'm not going to worry about it too much because I have two music recitals this week (!!). Violin next Sunday and piano on Friday. I'm slightly apprehensive about both of them.

 The violin recital I'm playing in two separate groups. In the elite group we play Orinoco Flow by Enya, great song but a very difficult arrangement. It must have been a nightmare to compose!
 In piano I'm playing Brahms Lullaby duet with my teacher. I am ashamed to say I haven't practiced -- I hope my teacher isn't reading this *smiles winningly*

Okay this post is just sad so I'm going to stop trying to write with what's left of my fried brain and add some pictures.

-Gwyn

The day I felt fancy

The following is the account of my grand day yesterday at the 10th and last annual Presidential Sculpture Unveiling.  {As you may already know my brother and I as well as my friend Luseach* were to play lobby music.}

My day began early in the morning. I stumbled half asleep down the hall to my parents bedroom where Mum curled my hair; the first step to my rather dramatic transformation from the groggy, tousle-haired morning me, to the poshed** up musician that followed two hours later when we arrived at the theatre.
 The car ride there was long, so I made the most of it by sleeping most of the way.
*I translated her name for privacy purposes
**British informal word: stylish, upper classy, etc.

The theatre was done-up with all sorts of patriotic things for the day, bulletins and presidential brochures were handed out at the door.
Feeling a bit over done, we unpacked our instruments only to find that the theatre had no place set up for us. It was three minutes till we had to start. We scrambled to the manager's office and he sent one of the staff to get us chairs. We waited but she soon returned chair-less. They apparently had been moved to heaven knows where.
 At five past nine we had finely tracked down someone who knew where the chairs were and set up, beginning the song almost before we had adjusted the music stands.
 Not to brag or anything, but I think we were fantastic! {says modest me ;)} At least for pulling it together in two days, not bad at all.

The ceremony was grand in itself, and slightly emotional for the president of... well, the presidents project, it being the last real unveiling and all. Yes, it was nice to listen to the speakers and sculptors{my Da included} talk about the newest stationary members. But afterwards I shall remember always. Afterwards was the VIP Presidents-associated people only dinner at a five star hotel, complete, may I add, with foreign waiters.
 For someone used to going to steakhouses the elegant chandeliers, white linen tablecloths, and waiters with accents{I could listen to them talk all day}, it knocked me sideways! Don't think I don't like the rustic ranch restaurants we usually visit, heaven's above no! I love the atmosphere there! But this, this was something completely different. And the food was so beautiful and carefully made..! Of course I snuck pictures, even though the dark-haired lady gave me several disapproving looks. She probably thought I'd never been to such a place. Which of course is true.

Dinner was three courses(!) First, a light appetizer of french bread and garlic butter, and lemon water{above}. I admit that because I had had no breakfast I consumed five pieces of bread and three glasses of water. I would have eaten more bread but Mum said I had to share with my brothers.

 I was hungry!

Second was the main. Gourmet tender steak {which I didn't care for. Meat should taste like meat, not plants} and a whole lot o' salad. How ever much I may hate eating greens, in the spirit of experiencing new things I bathed the leaves in Italian dressing and gave it the heave-ho. On reflection, I should have realized that they would have made the dressing fancy in some way and that I should have tasted a tad before sticking a forkful of saturated foliage in my mouth. But I didn't and therefore the taste I faced was not the tangy make-your-mouth-tingle taste I love that comes from plastic bottles, but the strong bitter flavor of white wine. It was so strong that I could actually feel my sinuses clearing. What an awful surprise. Especially to someone who has just plucked up courage to eat salad after years of refusing its dreadful leafy bits.

 After that unfortunate event and the main course was over coffee was served. *angel chorus* What delicio café it was too! Yumyumyumyumyum! I cannot drink plain house coffee, I just can't. But if it comes from a coffee shop or some place like this *sighs*. There are just certain things in this world that are set high above their kinds. Food: Çhocolat  Animal: Horse  Drink: Coffee  :)

I like my café best with about a third cream and two table spoons sugar or even black with honey.

I love this photo, by the way. Doesn't it just look so warm and cozy? Perfect for the chilly autumn days ahead.

 *Takes deep breath* And then there was dessert. *needs another deep breath* 

Okay, I am not a food person{though I do have a sweet tooth}. At all. If I could survive I would probably go days without eating because I simply don't care for food. But this..! Dessert was just so beautiful! This was my Mum's Cremé Brulé. She let me taste it. It's like the best vanilla pudding on the planet with a crunchy, sugary, caramel-y top. 

I got about two and a half cups of the richest apple cobbler ever. The cinnamon alone was to die for! And as an artistic touch they spiraled caramel over it. I'm making myself hungry now.

My younger brother had apple cobbler too, and my older one had chocolat cake, which he described as like a muffin -- but not!

 Oookay... Moving on!

 Having artistry in the blood, us children of course took the opportunity to 'play with our food'. This is Older Brother's plate. Sadly, I had no chocolate sauce to draw with.

All too soon the glamorous party dinner came to an end, alas. But I shall always have fond memories of my first really fancy dinner. The whole thing was a little surreal; I kept thinking that in a few hours I'd be back in my blue jeans seeing to Roanie, cleaning her feet and applying smelly ointment to the sores on her belly and back where the flies ferociously gather, knowing their pathetic days are numbered.
 It was like for two hours I was two very different people. Kind of a fun sensation. :)

 Now it is Sunday night and yesterday already feels so long ago. But if there's one thing I learned yesterday{besides taste gourmet things with caution} it's that you don't always have to be outdoors to experience an adventure.

-Gwyn

Behind The Curtain and other works of art

My goodness I've been busy! And stressed. It's no good starting from the beginning because, quite frankly, I don't know when that was. So I'll say this, about a week ago I was asked by Da who was asked by the board of the City of Presidents{a sculpture event in which my Da is one of the artists} if my older brother and I would play the introduction music for the last Unveiling{we've run out of presidents, you see}. Of course I said yes, as it is rather a big deal, but did not realize at the time that the Unveiling is Saturday. As in this Saturday.
 My brother is rendered useless at organizing anything because of his college studies, so it was all down to me. I immediately dove into our deepest music stores in search of patriotic type pieces but all I came across was celtic, celtic, and more celtic.
 I guess there is a downside to pursuing one form of music so thoroughly.
But at last I found five good ole' songs that were old enough to suit my tastes{1800's} and very American. I also enlisted the help of my extremely-talented-in-everything-including-music friend to play second harmony on the violin. It seemed we were saved. Until Monday. It was then that Da informed me we were to play for thirty minutes. I had barely enough music for fifteen. Aah.
 I'm still scrabbling to pull things together in time for Saturday, but amidst all this I found time to unwind an create my latest best artwork.

{Sorry for the poor picture quality, something went wrong...}

This was intended as a portrait of my character Cilla in her younger years {maybe at age nine or ten}  when she still belonged to the group of bards, jesters, performers, etc. {I have yet to name them appropriately}. I tried to portray how things really were behind the masks, makeup, lights, and curtains. The truth was that the life of any entertainer was hard and unforgiving, no matter their age; though their music and acts may suggest a carefree life.

 I tried to really bring out the contrasts of what you see on stage {the makeup and glitter} and the actual reality {the patched and threadbare clothes, cheap brass jewelry, and sad eyes}.

 I don't know how well I succeeded, but there you have it.

 Next is just a relatively simple sketch, yet I am pleased with it beyond sane reason. You see, it's my first ever decent horse with it's head down! It's grazing and it looks natural!! *yells for joy* At last!

I have also started yet another story. I know you must be thinking, "Gwyn get ahold of yourself!" because I am too.  Yes, I know I have yet to finish one story, but still... Let's just say I've always had a weakness for new story ideas -- I can't let them go by!
 This one I hope won't be very long so I'll probably post it here *when* I finish it :)

{For lack of anywhere to post a picture of a holy potato I post it here.}

I was peeling potatoes the other day for a stew when looky here! It's the Mother and Child! I should have put it on eBay and made a fortune, but instead I snapped this photo and then finished peeling. In short, we ate the hundred million dollars I could have made off the same guy who bought the piece of toast with what looks like Jesus' portrait burnt on it.

Apparently there's one of Mary too{right}

 Oh, well.

I hope you've enjoyed my rather strange post.

 I must go now to do battle with Sir Algebra and then rejoin Sir Gawain on his quest to defeat the Green Knight. Onward!

-Gwyn

My epic, epic day

Yesterday was one of the best — probably the best — day this year! My day started with getting up at seven am and loading up the family to go for a hike in the hills. A beautiful time of year for it.
 I'm not sure what it is about taking long walks in a forest, but an exhilarating feeling rushes over me when I look on a new piece of Creation, one I have not yet explored.
 Naturally, I took the camera {how could I not??} and took... Are you ready? ... A whopping 238 photos.
Gulp.
 Imagine editing all of those! Well, for you, my friends, I'll only show you my best photos of my adventure, which is still a lot! So bind up your hiking boots and lets get going...

Mr Snail and Mr Wormy

Take only pictures, leave only footprints

A faerie bath?

My personal favorite

A deer path

Our destination

This hymn kept repeating itself in my mind over and over as I walked. It would seem wrong not to post it.

-How Great Thou Art-

O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The works Thy Hand hath made,
I see the stars,
I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout
The universe displayed;



When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;

Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!

We saw a few chipmunks and squirrels, but most of them were too fast to catch with my camera. Okay, make that all of them were too fast. But all the same everything felt perfect. Our hike was only about 3 miles, but since I was taking a billion pictures every two feet, it took us me three hours to walk the whole way. By that time we decided to grab something to eat before heading home to wash up and go to my friend's going away party. She is going to a convent in Wis. and possibly in a year or so, to one in Poland. That's a sobering thought. My (older) brother and I grew up with her and her sister, we had a string quartet together for, gosh! Five years?? Okay, now I feel old!  It's going to be hard. *sigh* But God is calling her and that's a good enough reason for her to go for me.

To top my awesome day off, at eight o'clock sharp the most amazing sold out concert of all time began:

Celtic Woman

Songs of the Heart

Omigoodness, there are no words to describe the experience to it's fullest. I could use words like breathtaking, stunning, awe-inspiring, staggering, fantastic, beautiful..... But in the end, you just had to be there.

 Music touches me emotionally like nothing else on earth. I'll make it clear now that, being half German as well as Irish, I am not overly emotional — at least I don't show it. But music breaks down any barriers I may have, it opens my heart. And live music with drumbeats that resonate though my very being? ... An incredible feeling. Oh, and when the three of them sang Oh, Danny Boy, my grandmum's song and one I have not played since her funeral, I was crying. That right there is proof of their wonderful singing.

 Cloë was extremely personable, talking to the audience like we were all good friends, telling us about her {quote}"Typical tourist" day. She said the whole group went out and bought tee shirts and post cards and mug and key chains, all sorts of souvenirs from our "lovely and charming" state.

Though I didn't get a picture of her, Máiréad the fiddler was there. She reminds me of a sprite dancing and leaping with her fiddle, she was incredible. If I'm ever able to play one tenth as well as she, I'll be content.

 The entire group was _____!!! {I'm running out of adjectives}

We got home really late and had to go to early service at church this morning so that my eldest sister could catch her plane back to school. So now she's gone. *sad face*

 Today is also Mum & Da's anniversary, so here's a Happy Anniversary shout out to them!!!

Now I must bid you all good night: it is late here and I am super tired. *snors* Huh? Wha? Oh! I hope you enjoyed my "epic post" :)

 G'night! 

-Gwyn