10 Favorite Symphonies

Yup. Sometimes a good list is all that’s required. Today you get my 10 Favorite Symphonies. They’re current to the moment but fluid and subject to change.

10 Favorite Symphonies

1.     Dvořák                      Symphony no 9                  E Minor

2.     Brahms                      Symphony no 4                  E Minor

3.     Shostakovich           Symphony no 5                  D Minor

4.     Brahms                      Symphony no 3                  F Major

5.     Beethoven                Symphony no 5                  C Minor

6.     Schubert                   Symphony no 9                  C Major

7.     Mozart                      Symphony no 40                G Minor

8.     Mahler                      Symphony no 5                  C-sharp Minor

9.     Beethoven                Symphony no 7                  A Major

10.   Mahler                     Symphony no 8                  E-flat Major

Feel free to post your own list as a reply.

Stop Signs!

Just a few days ago, I posted the following on Facebook:

Some folks in our neighborhood run the Stop Signs frequently. Living next to an elementary school seems to make little difference – even when kids are going to school or being released. Police know but just can't be here all the time. Any suggestions?

I received several helpful responses and entertained also the possibilities of shotgun and flame-thrower . . .

Earlier this afternoon, I posted the following on the Colorado Springs Police Department FB Page:

A Question, please.

 I live in the Sand Creek Division. Being recently retired, I can't help but notice a lot of folks running the stop signs in the neighborhood. This is of special concern since we live next door to an elementary school. It doesn't seem to make a difference; people run the signs just the same--even as kids are walking to school in the morning and during their release in the afternoon.

How can I help calm this down? Is Photography of the offenders at all helpful? I'm thinking Video in particular.

I'm concerned and annoyed and would see our neighborhood a better and safer place.

Thanks for all you do!

This is a major concern I have. I’ll keep you apprised of what I find out.

Ten Influential Titles

Several weeks back I read a very interesting review about writers and their personal libraries.* For each of the selected authors, the editor included an interview and respective list of the10 books that have affected and influenced them the most.

I'm skipping the interview part but thought it'd be interesting to post my ten titles. Perhaps you'd care to respond and include your own list? Could be kinda fun to compare notes.

I haven't included the Bible though it's first and foremost, and supercedes any such earthly compilation I might cobble together.

Ten Influential Titles

Anna Karenina

~Leo Tolstoy

Pillar of Iron

~Taylor Caldwell

The Robe

~Lloyd C Douglas

 The Origin of Species

~Charles Darwin

 Lee: The Last Years
~Charles Bracelen Flood

The Words We Live By

~Linda R Monk

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson

The Golden Ratio

~Mario Livio

Stars and Planets

~Petersen Guide

The Source

~James Michener

*Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books, ed Leah Price

'neath the Beaver Moon

‘neath the Beaver Moon
10 November 2011

‘neath the Beaver Moon

silence erupts steadfastly
breaking down my Fears

Concerns flittering
Conversation with MySelf
Arthritis argues

Pocket Brain’s Display
Neurons sluggish and fatigued
Somnolence does Reign

Double-Fiber Bread
Orange Juice fifty percent
slaps the Fasting Climb

‘tis quite the Challenge!
Hypoglycemic Haiku
in the Dead of Night

Electric Rhythms
accompany the morning
face the world anew

Grace can be SO Amazing!

A few minutes ago, I finished a FB Message to a young friend who'd asked me about a recent post I'd made regarding 'Grace.' I don't think this person would mind if I shared my response with you . . .

Good Morning, __________

A little over two years ago, Debra took me to the hospital--chest pains. Through the usual treatments and tests we agreed that I needed a heart-bypass (4x) procedure that would re-route blood sufficient to keep my heart working and me alive. I was not a very friendly person for those first couple of days.

I saw nothing. I heard nothing. No bright lights entered the room No glow in the corner. But sometime during the night before surgery it was made plain to me that regardless of what happened, I'd be OK. I calmed down and went on to sleep--quite a surprise that I could do so.

I had the surgery, went through the pains of recovery, etc. but never again had the crippling fear of dying, of leaving Debra and my Family. The change was remarkable and Debra and several others noticed the difference. This is God's Grace.

There have been other times He's extended his Mercies as well over the years. Sometimes for me; more often for Family Members and Friends. Much of the time I've been aware. But I suspect we've been blessed otherwise when I never knew it.

The best treatment on Grace I'm aware of is 'What's So Amazing About Grace,' by Philip Yancey. The Biblical references are there and the writing is superior. I recommend it highly.

Oh, at work a couple of days ago, a Guest gave me a note that she'd been prompted to write. Essentially, it was from Jesus and she felt led to do this for me. It came at precisely the right time and was something I needed to hear. This is Grace also.

Kindly Regards,

Kim

Kim Chi 101

Rub not your eyes, neither scratch at the nether regions, after processing with naked hands the Pepper Jalapeno. Kim Chi 101.02  01082011

Dear Writers, Published Authors, Editors, Publishers, etc.

Recently, I've connected with several of you on FaceBook. Thank You for agreeing to our new Friendship after this fashion! I've written for many, many years. Educational and Academic Papers of all kinds. Business and Technical Writing the past few years. I can hold my own with Poetical Forms and I'm really excellent with Essays and Articles. I've a couple of dozen Book and Film Reviews on Amazon I'm partial to, writing under the name of Russell de Ville. I've even taken a turn at this Blogging Thing.

I've had it in mind for years to write a Novel. I've now finished a Historical Western, 'Cheyenne Swirling,' save for Final Revisions and Polishing. I think it's pretty good. Really Good even! Tell you what though . . . sustaining such a long form for over two years has been a new experience with an amazingly challenging Learning Curve! Whew!

Point Being, thanks for connecting with me. I look forward to learning more of YOU by means of FB, your Web-Sites, your Blogs--and especially your Writings otherwise. I want to absorb your Experiences, Styles, Choices of Genre, and general knowledge of the Craft of Writing according you YOUR Interests and Tastes. It should be an interesting Journey.

Oh, for anything of mine you see in print? Please feel free to offer critique and criticism. And especially encouragement!

You Guyz Rock!