Wordless Wednesday - 157

Lisa Lectura says Lovely photo!

Anne MacFarlane says Julia, love seeing pictures of your gardens. Mine's a little overgrown right now - between the heat and the rain - and, oh yeah, my lack of discipline.

Nessa says Very pretty.

Through the Opera Glasses - 62 - Courage to Climb Higher

It's probably hard to imagine that orchestra conductors don't emerge fully-formed from the womb in white tie and tails.

However, these elite artists have to train like anyone else in order to harness the potential of a live performance.

While I was rooting around on You Tube some time ago for pieces from Stravinsky's Apollo, I came across this clip of a young conductor learning his craft. He takes the orchestra through the second Apollo variation, one of my favorite pieces of music, during a masterclass with Russian conductor Yuri Simonov.

Artists are forever fine-tuning their techniques. Learning and growing should never end for those of us who create. The key is to never confuse instruction with a message of not-good-enough. Embrace refinement of your craft. Find the courage to climb higher.



Travis Cody says "Embrace refinement of your craft. Find the courage to climb higher." I could put that on my 3x5 card I keep in my wallet. That is outstanding advice.

Shelley Munro says I've never thought of a conductor needing to learn his craft before. I don't know why. Maybe I thought they popped out of the womb ready to go. *shaking head*

Janet says I agree with Travis - fantastic advice, Julia. You might just see that on Inspiration Wednesday one of these days - I'm cut/pasting it into my quote document :)

Poetry Train Monday - 160 - I'm Your Man

I'm in a rather romantic state of mind after my anniversary weekend, so for today's post I'm turning to Leonard Cohen's raw passion and his masterful crafting of these lyrics.


For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!
















I'm Your Man


If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner
Take my hand
Or if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man

If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver
Climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man

Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and could not keep

Ah, but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby
And fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart
And I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please, please
I'm your man

And if you've got to sleep
A moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me awhile
Across the sand
I'm your man

- Leonard Cohen



Illustration of Victoria receiving news that she is queen by H. T. Wells

Toni says That smokey voice and the stark black and white images....draws you right in.

Marinela says Lovely creative work, enjoyed it :)

Akelamalu says I so enjoyed that, thanks for sharing Julia. :)

Summer Stock Sunday - 22

A vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.

Once upon a time, 18 years ago today, my brand new husband and I took our places on the dance floor for our first dance as Mr. & Mrs.

Our song was Pretty World by Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66.














We used all our samba moves we'd learned at ballroom dancing class, which we took especially for this moment. And we had a ball.

Thomma Lyn Grindstaff says Oh, Julia! How delightful. Happy Anniversary! :)

Ann Pino says Wow, Happy Anniversary!

Dimple says Happy anniversary!

Weekend Writer's Retreat - 15

Here's the latest installment of Scorpius' boyhood back story. For the first twelve scenes I've posted for the Weekend Writer's Retreat, we've followed him as a seven-year-old, when he outgrew the nursery where he'd been brought up with the other children of the blood.

But when no one from his family came to claim him, Scorpius was released to serve a falcon master as an apprentice. We rejoin him at age ten.

You can follow the progress of this dark fantasy story arc by clicking on the Works in Progress link just under the blog header.


Scene 15


No fear, he heard Richolf say in his mind. Don’t let them sense any fear.

But the hot line of pain across the back of his head distracted him. “No, my lord,” he forced out, struggling to banish the shaking in his voice. “I would never forget something like that.”

A quick glance across the field showed his master watching him, the other lord whispering something to Richolf. This noble before him still stood too close. What if he could see that Scorpius trembled?

“It is not your master’s answers I’m interested in at the moment,” the noble said.

Richolf had needed stitching up that day, when the nobles had fought. Scorpius remembered how the royal brother had stayed so very long at the table, drinking wine and shedding tears. And how Scorpius had been shut up in that cabinet for hours.

He mustn’t say the wrong thing. They’d hurt Richolf before. And Richolf had kept Scorpius out of sight until the royal guard and the drunk brother had gone.

He had to keep it all straight in his mind. He couldn’t get it wrong. The noble tightened his grip on the stick, his gloved hands veiling the power lurking beneath. Scorpius swallowed but did not flinch away. Show no fear.

“Were you serving the falconer when Lord Nizhnii disappeared?” the noble asked.

Scorpius’ heart pounded and pounded. Surely the noble could hear it. “No, my lord.”

“Where were you, then?”

“Still at the nursery, my lord.” He had to pay attention, pay attention and remember. He had to tell Richolf exactly what he was telling the lord now.

“Can you describe Lord Nizhnii for me?”

The chilling image of Nizhnii’s body seized up in a pool of congealed blood came clearly to him. “No, my lord.”

“And Lord Zorjak?”

Scorpius shook his head, the memory of the imposing nobleman in tears never very far away. “I’m sorry, my lord.”

“Are you?” the noble said, his lips nearly touching Scorpius’ forehead. “Sorry?”

Scorpius nodded. “I have served many nobles since I came here, but never Lord Nizhnii. And not Lord Zorjak, my lord.” He couldn’t stop the shaking now. There was no way the nobleman could miss it.

The lord pressed the edge of the stick hard against Scorpius’ cheek. “Are you a good boy for your master?”

“I try to be, my lord.”

The nobleman laughed then. “Such a careful answer. A very good boy, indeed.”

© Julia Smith, 2010

Janet says The tension continues! Poor Scorpius - definitely not liking those nobles. I couldn't pick a favorite line because the whole thing is great. It flows - reads beautifully, no one line standing out.

Alice Audrey says This just gets worse and worse for Scorpius. Now I'm really, really glad he didn't try to take them out on his own.

Travis Cody says More great tension. As much as we're learning about Scorpius, we're also learning so much about the world he inhabits and the people he must learn to deal with.

I'm blogging at Popculturedivas - Scroll down for 5 on Friday

I'm posting three of my poems over at my group blog, Popculturedivas, today. Hope to see you there.

5 on Friday - Set 22

On Sunday, my husband and I will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary.

I know - crazy!

For today's set, here are five pieces of music that played during our wedding and reception.

For more amazing tunes, visit Travis at Trav's Thoughts.

1 - Gymnopedie No. 1 - Erik Satie

At the time of our wedding, I didn't know the name of this piece, but I'd heard it before and had always loved it. Brad had always loved it, too.

The pianist for our ceremony had a selection of music which she played while guests arrived and were seated. As I was in the side room getting my bouquet and veil arranged, I heard this music and was filled with joy. From his spot at the front of the church, Brad heard it too, and had the exact same reaction.



2 - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack

I walked down the aisle to this song.

"I felt your heart
So close to mine
And I knew our joy
Would fill the earth
And last
Till the end of time
My love

The first time
Ever I saw
Your face"

- Ewan MacColl



3 - Canon in D major - Johann Pachelbel

Our recessional music began at the 2:46 mark, where the triumphant, joyous section begins.

Although our wedding was in July, I have to say the slide show that goes along with this clip just takes my breath away. Fall is my favorite, favorite season - perhaps one of the reasons my wedding color was red.



4 - Pretty World - Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66

This is the song we danced to for our first dance. We even took ballroom dancing beforehand so we could samba.

"We'll hang a little sign that just says
'Paradise: Population 2'
I know together
We can make a pretty world
For me and for you"

- Adolfo / Alan & Marilyn Bergman / Gaspar



5 - A Bushel and a Peck - Dee Dee Lennon and Larry Dean

My mom and Aunt Sheila sang this song at the reception in order to get Brad and I to kiss. Since Brad had a habit of singing this to me, I just loved that they'd picked this one in particular.

"I love you
A bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck
And a hug around the neck

Hug around the neck
And a barrel and a heap
Barrel and a heap
And I'm talkin' in my sleep

About you"

- Frank Loesser



Nikita Banerjee says Samba...wow! I am making a list of songs we like as well! We are going to have a sangeet ceremony so some dancing is going to be involved!

Charles Gramlich says Happy 18th. My wife and I are only on #3.

Anne MacFarlane says Happy Anniversary Julia and Mr. Julia!!