Necessary Chocolate

Reading outside

A couple last hurrahs before the hurricane hit! Tanglewood Friday night, and Jacob's Pillow on Saturday.

This is my setup for Tanglewood. I love my candle. And I love my nook. Oh, and my new iphone that has the nook app. So many ways to read in the moment!

Friday night, the BSO (or maybe the Pops?) performed a concert of Porgy and Bess. I've always wanted to see Porgy and Bess, but I have to admit that I Do Not Like Opera. I like La Boheme, but I suspect that I like it for it's short length as much as the music.

So, I'm a Philistine when it comes to the opera. And I have no issues with reading during the parts between songs that I like (note - I wasn't even tempted to read during John Williams' and the Pops Film Night). Especially when I've only paid 9 bucks and I'm on the Lawn.

I wasn't tempted to read much at Jacob's Pillow - just a bit during intermission. I've always wanted to go there, and to see the Mark Morris Dance Company. It was all that I imagined. Look how beautiful it is:

My freshman year at BYU, I took a modern dance class because my mother loved modern dance. I wasn't much good at the dancing, but I spent a whole lot of time learning about modern dance pioneers. Mom just kept coming to mind as I walked the grounds that those pioneers founded. I can't believe that I only live an hour away, and can do this every summer.

 

A little more Shakespeare

At the moment, I'm expecting the power to go out, and hoping that the basement doesn't flood (yeah, right) and that a tree doesn't fall on the house. (Don't worry - the trees around my house are really old and big - that one probably won't happen.) (Edited to add - so far so good at 8pm) No church today while we wait, so I'm grabbing this opportunity while I still have power to catch up on some posts. I'll save the spiritual stuff - don't need electricity for it!

Thank you for all of your great comments about reading Shakespeare (or Gary Schmidt)! I love that we're scattered across the world but sharing this one moment. And speaking of sharing Shakespeare:

(image from Shakespeare & Co.)

My friend Janet (the mother of the Arizona kids) was in town, and we took in Shakespeare & Co.'s production of As You Like It. The production was, as usual, exciting and accessibile. The best part, though, was watching Janet's reaction as she realized just how much fun Shakespeare is when performed well. She's one of the most gracious women I know - so she didn't hide any of her enthusiasm (I tend to act a little too cool for school). So I now have another convert! I really must plan an expedition to the Cedar City Shakespeare Festival - within a day's drive for so many of my friends and family.

Shakespeare, to start with

You know, if I'd ever bothered to look at the cover of this book (I read it on the Nook), I'd have realized that Shakespeare figured in to the plot. This funny, compassionate book, and its recent companion book, "Okay For Now" are this summer's discoveries. They're now among my favorite books of the year (or years). If you're looking for some Shakespeare without immersing yourself in, well, Shakespeare, check it out. Or you, too, could become obsessed with Audubon's prints in "Okay For Now".

Reading with frozen treats

Guess how I'm surviving the hot summer?

In Utah, much to my delight, there are shave ice stands in every neighborhood. Even the population-1500-town in Arizona has a shave ice stand. Yet there are none to be found here in the NY capital district.

Turns out that my blender does just fine for snow cone ice. It even managed to make snow cones for the whole office when the AC was out during the hottest days. (How to impress new employees and interns? Provide snow cones.) I've ordered lite syrups from here; they have 4 oz sample sizes and they ship fast. So far my favorite is a mix of black cherry and buttercream. But there's a long list of flavors still to try!

Thanks to all who've left comments for "Read for Fun" this year! I've been in UT, AZ, and VA over the last month (can I just point out that none of those places included a pool or beach - step it up, family! - oh, and apologies to those who I didn't visit; they were all quick trips) but I'm in town for the rest of the summer, I think, and should be able to respond and post more often.