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Month: January 2023

Tuesday Tunes – Ombra Mai Fu and an Excerpt!

Tuesday Tunes – Ombra Mai Fu and an Excerpt!

Going back to Handel for this Tuesday Tunes, though there is a reason I’d use this particular composer again. In 1738, Handel resented the opera Serse (Xerxes, based on the Persian king–the name is the Italian form) in London. The opera was, unfortunately for Handel, a failure, lasting only five performances, for various reasons we won’t go into now. After a revival in the 1920s, the opera rose to prominence and is now Handel’s most well-known. The opening aria from the…

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A Glimmer of Gold – Children

A Glimmer of Gold – Children

I thought I’d do an AGOG (“A Glimmer of Gold”) post about children. First off, I must say that whoever thinks having children is easy must not be the one taking care of them. In addition to basics like cleaning laundry, changing diapers, and picking up toys, here are some things you have to worry about: Babies choking on anything from tiny doll shoes to overlarge sprinkles. Babies suffocating from blankets, toys, and overeager siblings. Toddlers jumping on and falling…

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Second Impressions – The Queen’s Thief Series

Second Impressions – The Queen’s Thief Series

As you may or may not know, an earlier version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was entitled First Impressions. And as we all know, first impressions can be misleading. But what if you decide that something is actually worth a second look? That leads us to what I hope will be an occasional series: Second Impressions. This will address works (books, television shows, etc.) that are worth not only a first look but a second look. In line with that,…

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Trivia Thursday – The Messiah

Trivia Thursday – The Messiah

In the summer of 1741, George Frideric Handel was presented with a libretto composed by Charles Jennens. The libretto was arranged entirely from portions of scripture, in particular the Old Testament, and became the lyrics for Handel’s famous oratorio, The Messiah. Many stories have been told about the composition of this famous piece. It is true that he composed the entire work in the space of about three weeks, and many have taken this as a sign that Handel was…

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Romance Archetypes

Romance Archetypes

For today’s blog post, I thought I would discuss romance archetypes. There are, of course, numerous archetypes out there, so this may only scratch the surface. But I am noting some that are of particular interest to me. I’m also granting them names for ease of reference. Finally, while I am discussing male characters primarily, these can apply to female characters as well. The Rogue Qualities: Engages in an occupation such as a pirate, smuggler, or thief. Usually self-assured. Makes…

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A Glimmer of Gold and New Year’s Resolutions

A Glimmer of Gold and New Year’s Resolutions

The New Year is upon us and I’m sure a lot of people indulged in the time honored tradition of coming up with, then announcing to the world what they resolved to change, improve, quit, etc. in 2023. I might be a little bit late exploring this subject, but there is a method to my madness. The practice of making promises at the beginning of the new year is not a recent invention, unless one considers four thousand years in…

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The Origin of Common Sayings

The Origin of Common Sayings

Did you ever wonder why poor people are called “piss poor?” The saying originates from the practice of using urine to tan animal skins. (Gross, I know!) Families who did this to survive would pee in a pot and sell the full pot to the tannery. I don’t even want to think about how the tannery smelled! Of course, if you were so poor you could not even afford to buy a pot, then you “didn’t have a pot to…

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What’s Up Wednesday – Well, Nothing Really

What’s Up Wednesday – Well, Nothing Really

Today is what’s up Wednesday, where I tell you what is up! Well, there’s not really anything going on with me. I have been listening to eBooks and cleaning my house of late. I just haven’t had much time for doing writing, but I keep hoping that might come sooner rather than later. Something else I have been enjoying is watching movie musicals (though I usually have to watch things in 20-minute spurts). If you didn’t see Spirited with Will Ferrell…

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Growth Amidst Chaos

Growth Amidst Chaos

  I have been thinking about changes I’ve gone through since I decided to follow (far, far behind) in my brother Jann’s footsteps and become a published writer. Part of the impetus was my move to Calgary to help care for my mother, but a larger consideration was the fact that I was fast approaching retirement and wanted something that would keep me busy and generate extra income. Jann had been writing for a few years and his choice had…

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The New Year

The New Year

We have come to a new year. I don’t look back especially fondly on 2022. There were good times, certainly, but we lost my soulmate dog in November, and I just don’t think that’s something I can easily recover from. As the days go by, I don’t see him as often from the corner of my eye, and I don’t as often plot out strategic shutting of baby-gates or placement of cat food to ensure he goes where he is…

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