2016 slowly winding down

Dear Friends,

Lauren and Ben took us to an unknown location (turned out to be Cove Point Lodge on Lake Superior's north shore) over Thanksgiving this year.  We didn't know where we were going until we actually turned into the lodge's access road. We tried to get some clues but they were really tight-lipped.  :-)  Liz and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with our children doing all the cooking - including the turkey for Thanksgiving!  It was an incredible Thanksgiving-and-Anniversary!  Thanks so much to Lauren and Ben!

Ben was home for Christmas; Lauren and Kevin went to his folks' place in Michigan.  We opened gifts the evening of 26 Dec because it was the overlap of Lauren/Kevin coming back home and Ben readying to return to Madison.  It was a delightful evening!

Christmas was bittersweet because of the situation with our good friends Jeff and Kristen.  Their Christmas Eve fire made their house uninhabitable and so they are staying with us for the time being.  So many people have asked how they can help - it is wonderful to hear of that generosity.  They have been through a lot this fall and could use all our prayers and support.   (Let me know if you'd like to help and I'll tell you how to do that.)

Other news includes my entry of a composition (flute, clarinet, bassoon) into "Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame."  It is an ongoing project of premiering pieces for different instrumental ensembles - all pieces under 60 seconds long!  I should find out in January if mine was selected to be performed in May or June.  …in California…

I hope you had a truly blessed Christmas and that your New Year will be safe and very happy!

I voted today!  …the first time I've ever voted early.  I was surprised by the lines - on a Thursday morning.  But that's okay.

I watched the Cubs beat the Indians in the world series last night…  well, actually, was concerned about the length of the rain delay (in-between inning 9 and 10) and so went to bed just as it (the rain delay) was starting.   About 45 minutes later, I heard Kevin downstairs give a great "Hooray" shout, so was pretty confident that the Cubs had won!  We also got a nice text from my sister Cathy.  Chicago hadn't won a World Series since 1908 - only took them 108 years to get one…  :-)

I am hopeful that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats will win most seats in the Mn Legislature and US House/Senate.  I would hate to see all the good things that have happened these last 8 years get undone.

Well, now that I've remembered emails and passwords, I hope to write more often…  :-)

Please vote on or before next Tuesday.

Hello,
Just wanted to share some news:  I have 3 original piano pieces that are being considered by Dr. Stan Rothrock for his sabbatical project.  [Stan is the music department chair here at Inver Hills Community College where I work.]
One I began in high school (Chappellean Encore), one I transcribed from a recorder consort (Song for James) and one is brand new (Cool Stream).  The last one is in memory of my parents; the middle in memory of my high school friend (Jim Jorgenson) and the first is in honor of another high school friend - who is a year older (Eric Chappelle).
I will keep you posted as to the progress…

thanks.  :-)