Power of music and art

It's been a busy week as Keith has said. He's been going through pre-surgery tests, and the waiting for the re-staging of the cancer that goes with it. The waiting really is almost unbearable. Keith has been understandably tense.

While he has been doing those things I have been traveling to Baltimore and Washington and back. Then went to mom-in-law's place to close up her apartment, with the help of Aimee and Luis. Got a new job teaching high school English.

Why is it that everything always happens simultaneously? Does Murphy's Law always have to apply?



The Jethro Tull concert with our friends Ted and Mary Ann was marvelous. Ian Anderson's flute is almost magical. It is as if the music just flows directly out of his soul. He looks like a crazed pirate on stage, but the sounds are heavenly. (The photo of Anderson is from the group's website.) All of the musicians were phenomenal, but I was especially impressed by guitarist Martin Barre who soared on the electric and acoustic guitar and John O'Hara who was positively amazing on keyboards (including the accordian!). O'Hara evidently also scores and conducts Anderson's orchestral work.

Keith and I both felt transported by the music. It had been a long time since we had attended a concert. I think maybe too long. I had forgotten how truly wonderful it is to become lost in a live performance that way. When all of this illness stuff is behind us I think we will need to make a stronger effort to include such things more regularly in our life.

It is very easy to forget the importance of art, music and drama. Whether it is standing in front of an exquisite painting by Van Gogh or Monet, or listening to the sparkling sounds of the flute dancing with a mandolin in a crazy medley of music celebrating America by a Scotsman with boundless energy and talent -- every such experience is enriching beyond measure.

Cancer drops into the background during these experiences. Keith and I hold hands in the dark theater and feel ourselves lifted into another world -- one with beauty, joy and clarity of thought and feeling. We don't spend our time waiting for life to begin -- we are living our life together at these times.

So, thank you to our long-term friends. And also thank you to the musicians who gave us so much pleasure Monday night. Such a wonderful gift in so many ways.