Tubas and Frubas

Yep...who knew how amazing tubas of all types would sounds when played together on a cold day in Boston I had the immense privilege of attending the Tuba Christmas for their 25th anniversary of playing Christmas songs in front of Quincy Market. I really must admit that this was quite the sight to see...people of all ages, literary 12-75 with all kinds of tubas and relatives of tubas: Euphonium, Sousaphone, and oh yes the Fruba (which of course doesn't exist at all, but when you are listening to Tuba music for hours in the freezing cold your mind comes up with all kinds of creative things). So a few things I learned while at Tuba Christmas:

1. Granite stone radiates coldness up through the soles of your shoes and into your chattering teeth, sparing no extremity of your body in its wake.

2. Singing and dancing along to the music, no matter what age, will bring joy to you and strangers watching you...as well as some off-handed looks

3. Apparently, in "We wish you a Merry Christmas" tidings are brought to "you and your kin"...not King?!

4. Traveling with a group of 15 or more family and friends is an insane idea...do it as much as possible!

5. Ask for the complementary cornbread at a restaurant, even when just ordering drinks, it is ALWAYS worth it

Now I just have to search for a "More Cow Bell" Christmas and this season will be complete.

Street Art

I have been photographing art I find on the streets of my neighborhood over the last few months. Here are some of my favorites so far.

Don't forget to look all around you for beauty, human-made or not.

A Few of My Favorite Things...A Thanksgiving Tribute

This year Thanksgiving had an interesting feel to it. A night that will forever be a reminder that good friends, too much food and candlelight conversation can be renewing in an unexpected way. Here are a few highlights from the table: Mom's spiced nut recipe housed in my favorite bowl next too two other favorite: cheese! and my valentine wine glasses. Beautiful tulips given to brighten my day. And a salad with the perfect amount of avocado. This year I found that it was the untraditional moments of thanksgiving that I loved the most, specially the news of new life!