Category Archives: Holiday

2019 “Uketide” Tunes – Part I

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“Uketide” Tunes is back for the holly jolly season! Aria and I are talking about songs to do together, but I’m also performing a few solo pieces. I’m not sure about a release schedule so check back regularly throughout December. Ugly sweaters are promised at some point.

Let’s get started! A favorite Christmas hymn of mine is the 19th century Irish carol, The Snow Lay on the Ground, which paints the scene of the Christ Child’s birth in a Bethlehem manger. Why there is snow on the ground in a Mediterranean climate I don’t know, but the snow is only mentioned once. It is the repeating Latin chorus that is most notable: Venite adoremus Dominum. Translated: Come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. This is also the refrain in O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The melody line for The Snow Lay on the Ground  is uncomplicated, and while I start playing simply, there are embellishments and chord additions throughout the song that make it more interesting. The carol has four verses, but I play it slightly differently through two:

An American song, with Aria, is next!

Thanksgiving 2019

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Another year. Another span of 365 days to be grateful for. Here are a few things I have appreciated the most in 2019:

1. There have been trials, but the whole family is alive and well.

2. Aria transitioned easily from preschool to kindergarten and is thriving there.

3. My friend, Garrett. What a guy.

4. The family got to visit Hawaii again this year.

5. I love the new solid wood ukulele I picked up in Honolulu.

6. I’m doing my first recital in December and in an actual theater with stage lighting. (No fog machines though.)

7. My car has held up on the long and sometimes dangerous commutes from Salem to Portland. The car is also paid off!

8. I got to carpool most of the year, saving gas and wear and tear on the car.

9. I have plans for 2020. A pinkie swear is involved.

10. The bright light of justice is finally shining in Washington, D.C. Frankly, it’s a relief.

Every night at bedtime we ask Aria what she is thankful for that day. Last night I asked her what she was thankful for this year. She said, “Family. Friends.” I asked if there was anything else. She responded, “Doughnuts.” Love that little girl!

How about you? What are you grateful for as you look back over the year? However you celebrate the holiday, enjoy your turkey, turducken…or tofu. Happy Thanksgiving!

Eastertide 2019

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From the Gospel of Luke:

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking spices that they had prepared.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.

The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”

Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

The women did the heavy lifting sharing the news. (They were also the ones who stuck around when things were bad on Friday.) Then, there’s poor Peter. He looks at the empty tomb, is amazed…and goes home. For a snack? For a snooze? He made up for it later, but seriously, he didn’t tell think to tell anyone before taking a break?!

Wishing you a joyous Easter. Don’t take a nap before sharing the news!