FRI 01 DEC to SUN 31 DEC 2023
From the beginning of DEC until k's day D, M, and I went on a family trip with U July and A Iou. We had some fun, and some difficulty, too. Fun included: winning the second tier in the cumulative team trivia contest, going to a sustainable ecotourism plantation, visiting a US National Forest, and visiting natural bridges, an aloe farm and factory, and a butterfly farm. Some of the staff were unusually helpful, which we were exceedingly thankful for, being differently abled (disabled). Our difficulties arose from a severe mismatch of services and resources (for our disabilities) and the room assigned to us (made by a travel agent three months before the vacation). I also spotted the fact that a very helpful maitre d' from 9 years ago, who helped children in our party navigate health issues was present, too. He met with me, sat down at D, M, and my dinner table to chat, and left a thoughtful gift for us. So many nice, helpful people.
We then spent a half week with Auntie E, J, and D. Wonderful food, both homemade and restaurant-based (Japanese). A highlight was soft granola-like chocolate and nut-topped cookies and cream cheese- cranberry-nut cookies. Auntie E has a lovely garden!
Upon returning, I attended TUE 19 DEC- An NHI meeting, which included a presentation by Pat Mc (went to a class meeting afterwards, then to an appointment).
WED 20 DEC 2023- An appointment with the upper extremity doctor, and brought M to her Dermatology appointment.
THU 21 DEC 2023- Brought M for 2 appointments at Mercy, had a video appointment, then a choir rehearsal which was directly followed by a big birthday celebration for BFG. Yay!
FRI 22 DEC 2023- Took care of a big bill.
SAT 23 DEC 2023- SCN led our Zoom yoga class. k and K arrived early in the evening, with I and P.
SUN 24 DEC 2023- After breakfast of P Bagels, homemade clam dip, and a discussion of customer flow, k, K, and I went to the Andy Warhol Museum. We spent some time in the Factory making stamped Holiday Cards, silkscreened items to be added to one's wardrobe, and blotted ink drawings. Much fun!
Choir rehearsal started at 20.00. Christmas Eve Mass started at 22.00, with prelude music starting at ~21.30. Bishop David A Zubik celebrated the Mass with Fr Kris Stubna. Nathan Sudie cantored, and Ben S was one of the servers.
We then spent a half week with Auntie E, J, and D. Wonderful food, both homemade and restaurant-based (Japanese). A highlight was soft granola-like chocolate and nut-topped cookies and cream cheese- cranberry-nut cookies. Auntie E has a lovely garden!
Upon returning, I attended TUE 19 DEC- An NHI meeting, which included a presentation by Pat Mc (went to a class meeting afterwards, then to an appointment).
WED 20 DEC 2023- An appointment with the upper extremity doctor, and brought M to her Dermatology appointment.
THU 21 DEC 2023- Brought M for 2 appointments at Mercy, had a video appointment, then a choir rehearsal which was directly followed by a big birthday celebration for BFG. Yay!
FRI 22 DEC 2023- Took care of a big bill.
SAT 23 DEC 2023- SCN led our Zoom yoga class. k and K arrived early in the evening, with I and P.
SUN 24 DEC 2023- After breakfast of P Bagels, homemade clam dip, and a discussion of customer flow, k, K, and I went to the Andy Warhol Museum. We spent some time in the Factory making stamped Holiday Cards, silkscreened items to be added to one's wardrobe, and blotted ink drawings. Much fun!
Choir rehearsal started at 20.00. Christmas Eve Mass started at 22.00, with prelude music starting at ~21.30. Bishop David A Zubik celebrated the Mass with Fr Kris Stubna. Nathan Sudie cantored, and Ben S was one of the servers.
Brian Gurley conducted the music, Ken Danchik was the accompanying organist for the Saint Paul Cathedral choir, with mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti, and the Carnegie Brass Ensemble.
Music (sung by the choir, and played and/or sung by Other) included
Prelude
O Magnum Mysterium- Giovanni Gabrieli, arr for Brass and Organ by S Drummond Wolff
All This Time- William Walton
L'Homme arme' de Messe en Orgue- Gloria-- Margaret Vardell Sandresky
Maria Wiegenlied, from "Simple Melodies," Opus 76 No.52 ["The Virgin's Slumbersong"]- Max Reger; Text- Martin Boelitz (Deu), Ed Teschemacher (Engl)
Sung by Marianne Cornetti; accompanied by Ken Danchik
La Nativite'- Jean Langlais
Ne Timeas Maria- Tomas Luis de Victoria
Where Shepherds Lately Knelt- Carl Schalk
Proclamation of the Birth of Christ- Sung a capella by Bishop David A Zubik
Entrance- O Come, All Ye Faithful- Adeste Fideles, John F Wade
Kyrie- Missa de Angelis, Mass VIII; Gregorian Missal, Mode V
Gloria- Gloria in Alternatum- Polyphony by Donald K Fellows
(Reading 1- Isaiah 9:1-6)
Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13
(Reading 2- Titus 2: 11-14)
Alleluia- Festival Alleluia- James J Chepponis
(Gospel Reading- Luke 2:1-14) Proclaimed by Deacon Tom Berna
Homily by Bishop David A Zubik
Offertory| Presentation of the Gifts Anthem- All Bells in Paradise- John Rutter
Preface Dialogue- Chant
Sanctus et Benedictus- from A Community Mass- Richard Proulx
Mystery of Faith- from A Community Mass- Richard Proulx
Amen- from A Community Mass- Richard Proulx
Our Father- Traditional Chant- adapted by Robert Snow
Agnus Dei- from Roman Missal, ICEL 2010
Communion
The First Nowell- English Melody
Angels We Have Heard On High- 18th Century French Carol
O Holy Night (sung with Marianne Cornetti, Mezzo-soprano)- Adolphe Charles Adam
Recessional Hymn- Joy to the World- Antioch, arr. from George Frederic Handel; setting by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins
Postlude Voluntary- In dir ist Freude, BWV 615 ("In Thee Is Gladness")- J S Bach; played by Ken Danchik
MON 25 DEC 2023
Stopped by Cathedral and ran into RiMo as I was heading home. Arrived early to sing for the noon Mass, celebrated by Fr Kris Stubna. Music program was pretty much the same as last night, except Marianne did not sing with us this noon service. Also, the readings were slightly different, except for the Gospel reading (which was proclaimed by Fr Kris). The piece by Schalk/text by Vajda was sung later in the Mass, as well.
I took an afternoon walk with P, and an information-seeking neighbor wanted to know about P and k.
M, K, k, and I watched The Sound of Music (1965) until late into the night/early in the morning. We shared with each other our knowledge of the book, the actors, the filming of the movie, and more as we watched the movie.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_sound%2520of%2520m
M with k and K made M's banana bread recipe--3 loaves worth--this evening.
TUE 26 DEC 2023
After breakfast and K's gentle massage of M, k and K with I and P departed for home.
Took care of most end-of-year and before the beginning-of-year personal finances.
WED 27 DEC 2023
Took care of rest of my personal finance issues before the New Year.
THU 28 DEC 2023
Rainy day. Work day. I spent time at and near the Ice House and at and near the Life in One Cubic Foot visiting exhibit which is travelling from the Smithsonian Museum.
https://carnegiemnh.org/press/carnegie-museum-of-natural-history-presentslife-in-one-cubic-foot/
Choir holiday today.
FRI 29 DEC 2023
SAT 30 DEC 2023
About 10 attendees at SCN's online Zoom yoga class. As usual, an international bunch.
Some of the attendees had multiple cameras on screen.
SUN 31 DEC 2023
Couldn't find my aqua rain shoes for the wet weather today. Attended the televised Mass with M; D attended in person. Purchased sundry seafoods at the fishmongers in the Strip District. We had lunch, chillaxed/chilled/rested for part of the afternoon; Zoomed at a later time with the H and the H crowd. We watched Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27145269/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_mr.%2520monk%2520and%2520the%2520
I particularly enjoyed the last few scenes of the movie, with all the people. It was reminiscent of some footage from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_7_nm_0_q_It%27s%2520a%2520w
We then watched television to see the ball drop from Times Square, New York City. We rang bells and took photos! Late night turn-in.
posted by Grace @ 12/25/2023 03:31:00 PM
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