Hello from the Red Cardinal nest - as Summer really begins to bite..
The tinder dry countryside has seen bush fires these past few days.
We enjoyed our recent Symphony Orchestra concert very much indeed..
We had dinner at the theatre restaurant, the Lyrebird.
I do love Tiramisu...
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| Small garden entrance to the Dvorak home |
As well as the fabulous Mendelssohn Concerto for Violin & Orchestra, definitely a family favourite, we loved the Symphony No. 7 in D minor by Antonin Dvorak. My mind went back five years to our wonderful European cruise on the River Elbe, from Berlin to Prague.
As we approached Prague, we visited the town of Nelahozeves, birthplace of Dvorak, whose music I always loved...
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| Birthplace of Dvorak |
The house has been converted to a small museum, full of fascinating memorabilia:
Late in the day, we listened to music by the great composer as we cruised into Prague. What a magical moment!
Today I went to my second meeting with my new Book Club.
As mentioned in a previous post, we read 'A Terrible Kindness' by Jo Browning Wroe. Everyone rated it very highly, and enjoyed the complex layers of the story, and unusual subject and motifs.
Our November book is the popular 'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus. Have you read it?
Three small children we know very well, are Very Excited about next week's Halloween festivities.
I am even tasked with a little sewing job on a Princess Dress (how I have longed for a little granddaughter to stitch for). I would, of course, sew anything she wished!
Halloween is also the birthday of Mr. Red Cardinal.
Some years we greet the rather alarming number of Trick or Treaters around our area, and hand out treats. Other times, we turn off the lights, go down to our basement at the back of the house, have a quiet birthday drink and supper and ignore the whole business.
Time will tell what the birthday boy wants for 2023!
Stay cool, or warm, whatever suits.
XXXXX
My husband was born and raised in Czechoslovakia for a few years, and although he was too young to remember much, his parents did tell us that Czech composers, artists and writers were the most cultured of all. Thus Dvorak :)
ReplyDeleteBut I have never seen the Museum. Were you impressed?
I was impressed with the museum, because of the presence of Dvorak: his violin, his letters, manuscripts and other documentation. It was small but charming and we loved the visit.
DeleteDearest Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWhat a world of difference are our times with the Halloween and then back to those great Eastern European Composers...
Yes, we both love Dvořák, Brahms, Smetana — such magical Bohemian music! It is food for our souls; in itself a rarity nowadays.
Oh, those jacarandas... my favorite!
Hugs,
Mariette
Ah, yes, the Bohemian composers are indeed magical, and I never miss an opportunity to hear the works live. The Jacarandas are doing their utmost to charm our city, and as usual, there will be some Halloween activity despite the oppressive heat of Summer!
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DeleteOh a concert and dinner out sounds so very civilized! I have read Lessons in Chemistry and found it a very enjoyable story…I think there is a movie now too. Although I rarely see the films of books that I have read as it is never the same!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun sewing :-))
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
It was a lovely treat, having dinner too. We usually eat at home first, but you only live life once! Somebody suggested there was a movie of Lessons in Chemistry but I will definitely read the book first. There is always something to be stitched in this house :)
DeleteYour concert and dinner sound like a wonderful way to spend an evening. I love Dvorak's New World Symphony, and how fun for you to have visited his home.
ReplyDeleteI've not read either of the books you've mentioned, but will add them to my ever-growing list of books to read.
Sewing for a granddaughter is so much fun. I'll be making nightgowns and pajamas for Christmas as I usually do.
Oh yes, the New World is so beautiful. We used to sing the main theme in my ladies' choir (unfortunately now disbanded). I am sure you will enjoy your sewing of Christmas nightwear. What a lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteA lovely time at the symphony, Patricia. It looks like a magical production. Tiramisu is scrumptious. I had it one time at a Christmas party dinner years ago. How sweet that your granddaughter will wear a princess dress, and I can't think of a better person to do the alterations than you. I hope your husband has a nice birthday whatever you decide to do, and I smiled at your idea of turning off the lights and going to the basement and having a quiet supper. I have seen my share of trick-or-treaters in my day, and your plan sounds nice. So glad to hear you are enjoying your book club too. : )
ReplyDeleteA good October week to you, Patricia.
~Sheri
Hi Sheri, now we are retired, we enjoy gentle pursuits and a quieter life. The book club was a good idea, and I am catching up on more reading. Maybe we have the energy for trick-or-treaters, or maybe not!
DeleteHappy (Early) Halloween!
ReplyDeleteThe concert and dinner sounds lovely. Listening to live music thrills the soul.
So true, while recordings are wonderful, a live symphonic orchestra is indeed thrilling. It was a lovely night out.
DeleteBlue skies etched with Jacaranda blossom makes for perfection, but so too must have been your night out enjoying Mendelssohn's Concerto and Dvorak's Symphony.
ReplyDeleteDo show us the princess dress when you have made it.
Happy birthday to Mr Red Cardinal, whether it be trick or treat night, or a lights out and s peaceful drink down in the basement.
Thank you Rosemary, I do enjoy the Jacaranda season. I will take a picture of the princess dress - I hope she loves it. I suspect it will be down in the basement this year - so much more relaxing!
DeleteHi Trish! Lovely pics of that trip! I so hope to do a river cruise one day. Since Annie is too old to trick-or-treat now and may just go off with friends, we're not sure if we want to hand out candy or ignore the whole thing too. Lol It's wonderful you're a wonderful seamstress and can work on that for your sweet granddaughter. I hope you stay cool and prayers for rain and no fires!!! 🙏
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, Guess what? rain is falling as I write... a nice little storm of rain to refresh our parched city. I hope it moves to some of the serious bush fires out in the countryside. So grateful. I am enjoying working on a pretty pink satin Princess dress - it's a first for me :)) xox
DeleteI haven't eaten Tiramisu in several years. I supposed the pandemic and staying home has contributed to the length of time. I wish we were heading into summer, always my favorite season of year! I do worry about the earth getting heater and heater and the bush fires that erupt due to warmer temperatures.
ReplyDeleteAlso I hope you post your princess costume, once completed, Trish!
DeleteHello Debra, Tiramisu is a special occasion dish for us too - it had been a while for me too! There seems no doubt the earth is getting warmer, and we have been warned of the hottest recorded Summer over here. We had some welcome rain overnight, but it will not last. Yay for the little Princess :)
DeleteI don't blame you for getting in that quiet spot for Halloween. Too many Trick or Treaters can drive you nuts! Happy birthday to your hubby on Halloween!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to read fiction but I was thinking of buying a book of fiction for a friend's birthday gift and I looked at "Lessons of Chemistry" at Barnes & Noble. I read the first few pages and that was WAY too much for me! LOL! I did NOT buy it!
Also, I love all the concerts you get to go to!!
I love the concerts, though they are getting expensive for retirees. The classical music always wins for me, however I would rather have liked to be going to see Paul McCartney who will be in Brisbane this coming week. But hey, I remember when he came here back in the sixties and I saw him :) Wow, the Chemistry book might be a bit much for me too - but I like the ladies at the group, and the meeting in a local coffee shop. I also usually read non-fiction, especially biographies. Am reading Sam Neill's atm.
ReplyDeleteYes! I saw Paul McCartney was in Australia AND that he loves the Aussies!
DeleteDon't pay any attention to me about fiction, I really try but I just can't read it. LOL! Sam Neil's book, that sounds more like a book for me! I love him. x
The concert must have been lovely, Trish, and what marvellous memories it evoked too. Dvorak has long been a great favourite of mine so I’m quite envious of your live performance there. We don’t really do Halloween here in NL. A few people try but it’s not big at all. I can’t say I’m sorry. 😂 Happy birthday to your beloved, and no, I haven’t read either of the books you mentioned. Let us know if you enjoy the Chemistry book!
ReplyDeleteHalloween was never something we do in Australia until comparatively recently. Now the stores are full of costumes and decorating items - which I ignore! Dvorak is very popular, and I watch the concert lists for anything of his and try to go. I am making notes as I read - feel like I am back at Uni. doing English Lit, lol.
DeleteWhile I haven't read Lessons in Chemistry I did just start watching the show on Apple TV and am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having wonderful time.
Ah, it is a show on TV, that is interesting. Yes, all is good here. Thank's for dropping in.
DeleteI love looking at the houses of famous people. I have never seen Dvorak's house, but did visit the Mendelssohn house in Leipzig, and of course Bach lived there too. I loved Mozart's flat in Vienna - somehow it gave me a feeling of how I imagine him to be. Here in London we have a house which, centuries apart,sheltered both Jimi Hendrix and Handel!
ReplyDeleteOh Jenny, I have also been to Mozart's flat in Vienna. It was wonderful, and I loved it too. How fantastic to have a Hendrix and Handel house - I'd love to visit that one day. :)
DeleteI went to it many years ago, before it had really got going as a "musician's house" It was quite old and quaint, but looks as if there is much more there now. Actually I had forgotten all about it before I saw your post, so I am rather glad to have rediscovered it and will pay a visit one day when I want to do something different!
DeleteOh, I meant to post the url. Here it is. https://handelhendrix.org/
DeleteHow wonderful so sew for your darling grand daughter! And what a lucky little girl is she!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamera, I waited many years for a granddaughter, and she is the sweetest child. What a treat in our old age.
DeleteI loved your post! Your insights are fantastic. Please keep writing and sharing your valuable perspectives.
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