Christine Smith's Blog

Music, dance, Mexican food, firewood, and work – Life is so good! & photos

An early morning blog entry

August finds me quite busy writing (completing two projects and embarking on two others now), and also already preparing for winter.

Stacking firewood and gathering kindling is important to be done before it gets cold. In between writing projects, I’ve been doing these and other activities for autumn and winter. Been receiving much rain lately, so it’s somewhat cooler (though a few of those days while stacking firewood were very hot and sunny). In Colorado, August vacillates between hot days in the 90′s to cooler days in the 60′s. Wildflowers are abundant right now.

This summer is and has been most happy and fulfilling. I feel more enriched than ever, waking each morning filled with energy for everything I choose to do, and a deep contentment. Life is so good.

I am singing often as I can and plan to share a few songs online shortly. I do love music from hymns to folk/country to classical and more – my musical tastes are eclectic. (I have been asked to possibly sing at my church as a cantor, I am considering this as well as involvement in a couple other ministries there). Just bought a new cd (Puccini’s “Turandot” Highlights (with Sutherland, Caballe, Pavarotti, and others), and found the photos, story telling, and information about the composers from the Metropolitan Opera International Radio Broadcast website most interesting (you can view/listen to any number of operas), for example: Turandot.

Am on my way out today, and hope to find a Patricia Barber cd at my local store, if not will order one online. Her “Summer Samba” (“So Nice”) rendition is so sweet, and a couple others I’ve heard I liked, so want to get some of her music. I’ve quite a collection of music, particularly classical and a variety of country music and classics, but never really listened to jazz at all. But Barber’s “Summer Samba” has made me decide to listen to some of her other songs as well.

This summer, I’ve also learned to Foxtrot as well as a few other dance steps (and have discovered once you start to learn to dance, you can’t stand still no matter where you are when you hear music!). All my life, people have been surprised I knew not one dance step, not even a two step, but now, at least, I do one relatively adequate/well so far. More to learn, of course. Have found I really enjoy it (though I am a mere novice!). Somehow, learning dance, enhances my appreciation of music…perhaps it’s the timing…whatever it is, I like it.

The photos shared with this blog entry depict a few summer activities: firewood, playing in the sun at swing set, enjoying a meal at my favorite Mexican restaurant (I love Mexican cuisine – both at good restaurants with authentic Mexican or cooking…Mexican or Italian cuisine have always been my favorites to eat or cook).

(Note: If photo slideshow does not automatically start, simply refresh the page by clicking this blog entry’s title and it will begin.)

Starting out early this morning, many activities to do today. (Note: to those who have written regarding my blog entries “Debate with a Socialist,” “Happiness,” and my pieces about Catholicism – I have appreciated your sharing your thoughts – though I have not had time to yet respond to several, I intend to.)