In the basement, a rare inter-seasonal meeting of S.N.O.W (Society of Neat Ornaments, Washington DC) convenes to determine the fate of Olivier and Sebastian. Put forth as evidence are the weapons used in the attempted assault on Piney, as…
Having been discovered by a passerby before they could strike, the two would-be assailants are relegated to the garden. Piney does not wish to press charges, choosing to bid the naughty little pumpkins “a simply marvelous season” instead, which only…
Wearing disguises, Sebastian and Olivier make their move.
The pumpkins seek the advice of the wise old wreath, who is rumored to have been on the stoop for a long time.
A closer look at the intruder.
Olivier and Sebastian are suspicious of the new visitor to their stoop. The tag still attached indicates that he is going to be returned- the sooner the better.
“….I confessed that I had a burning desire to be excellent, but not faith that I could be. Martha said to me, “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and…
One of my favorite things about Hermione is that her back feet seem to belong to some other, larger cat.
I came to DC in 2011, but unlike Baltimore before it, this place is about as far away from home as I can imagine. I am utterly out of place here. My life’s work is of no value or…
I’ve been taking inspiration from ballet lately, as the journey and discipline of a classical musician closely parallels that of a dancer. My new favorite is “Bunhead1027″ on instagram. Most of the pictures are of her practicing, and every time…
A confession: I rely on teaching to keep me on the straight and narrow in my own practice. One of the biggest changes in my approach over the past decade is an emphasis on the mental game in parallel with…
Do you have a favorite day of the week? For a while mine was Monday, because it used to be my day off. I would sleep in until 8, watch the news in bed with some tea, and revel in…
One of my long-term students is following her heart and moving with her husband to Nepal to do some missionary work. While I’m sad to see her go, I’m thrilled to be the recipient of her amazing keyboard! Woo hoo!…
I can’t call myself an audiophile, but I am definitely a sound-a-holic. I collect sounds and certain tactile experiences and search them out compulsively. When I saw Amélie for the first time, this scene reassured me. Perhaps I have unseen…
A few years after the 9/11 attacks, the media reported on a government alert that ended with the suggestion that citizens might want to purchase plastic sheeting, duct tape and a week’s supply of drinking water- “just in case.” I…
Bella waits for P to come home. Her allegiance is clear.
I can’t be asked to play something like this without at least a little bit of the side-eye. Photo taken this summer while subbing for PASO. h/t to my amazing friend Diana, who is as brilliant at…
When I started SRCB in 2007, I could not imagine what the next 7 years would hold in store. Since that time, I have: flown airplanes moved 11 times published one book and 50+ articles in Strings plus one ignominious…
It is with great sadness that I report Lucy D. Cat, aka Goony, has passed away. It happened nearly a month ago, and I have been trying to cobble together some kind of video montage to post here, but I…
I promised the participants at Lone Star SCOR some kind of run-down on topics we covered during the two workshops I gave. In the spirit of “better late than never”, I’m posting a PDF with the basics from the…
Flying with any instrument is a challenge. Flying with a huge instrument is a HUGE challenge, especially with the bizarro security antics going on around the country. So when I excitedly accepted my cousin’s request to play for her wedding…
The thing about wishing a “Happy” Memorial Day is fairly simple to parse into sides, both of which come from decent enough places. Some say a day that pays respect to the fallen should be marked with a somber tone.…
This post was supposed to be a big wrap-up of the teaching experience at Lone Star SCOR! and an overdue thank-you to the two violin shops who provided me with stellar instruments in both Los Angeles and Austin. These things…
It’s cherry blossom time in DC, so here’s an obligatory photo from the neighborhood. In a few weeks, I’ll pay my first visit to California since 2011- it seems like forever ago. We’re flying in for my cousin’s wedding and…
My studio had a recital over the weekend. I hold recitals for the singular benefit of students- there’s nothing quite like the accountability of knowing your efforts will be heard by strangers to focus and intensify practice. The performance part…
Yesterday was Fridge Day. At the end of Tuesday’s efforts, I put all of the moldy nightmare food left by the AU s̶t̶u̶d̶e̶n̶t̶s̶ savages in the freezer, in an attempt at stench abatement. I actually heaved outside after handling a garbanzo…
P and I have been renting an Edwardian-ish house that is now in the process of being sold. It needed lots of TLC before we moved in, so last July involved much painting and sanding, some rewiring, much creative use…
I used to post cat videos a bit. This one is “Timo the cat and his hammock, part II”.
I fired another student a week or so ago. Basically, he was a very nice gentleman who systematically refused to do anything I asked him to do. In over a year of lessons, he progressed less than any other student…