Monday Musings

  On Sunday afternoon, we had the pleasure of attending a local classical music concert, held in the nave of  St. Mary’s of the Hills Episcopal Church  in Blowing Rock, NC. The pipe organ pictured above was installed in 2014 to replace the original, circa 1973. This historic house of worship, consecrated in 1921, hosts a summer series of music programs sponsored by the  Friends of Music at St Mary’s . Sunday’s concert featured a pianist and saxophonist. A small audience of two dozen enjoyed these skilled musicians. We have the pleasure of listening to Mr. Shagdaron play the piano and organ each Sunday at our own place of worship,  Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church , located across the street from this venue. This was our first opportunity to hear Mr. Kallestad’s notes. He did not disappoint. The concert consisted of both solos and duets by these accomplished artists. The hour-long performance was delightful. Do you enjoy musical programs by local artists? What...

  “Tis the Season” to begin to decorate in earnest: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. At our home we blend the adornments of the first two. As you approach our gate, mums and a yard flag begin the theme. Next up a big greeting from “Bones”, the resident skeleton, as he pedals my decorative bicycle. Last year, he “hung” out in a guest room backlit with black lights to welcome visitors. As you pass the greenhouse, ghoulish jack-o-lanterns grin nefariously. At night, one is lighted. On the front porch, a pumpkin planter joins the year round buddha. At the front door, a harvest note. Once welcomed in, you’ll see the theme continue with mantel fun… …And next tabletop decorations on the coffee table and dining room table. And last, in the kitchen, Halloween towels announce it’s time to collect goodies. Thanksgiving linens await as ready replacements. Do you like to decorate for the holidays; if so do you have a favorite? You can follow the Author on her  Website  or ...

  Status quo : a state of stability or equilibrium maintained by resisting change or innovation. Boring but easy, yet it can be deadly. Human beings are naturally risk-averse. We feel more comfortable in a known environment rather than one of uncertainty, as illustrated by the saying “the devil you know”. The proverb is a perilous fallacy. As a young woman, I dealt with this situation for several years as I stayed in an abusive relationship. Fortunately, I left while I still could. Status quo bias  is a type of cognitive inertia. It is easier to keep doing the same old thing unless there is a compelling incentive to change. The danger is stagnation, being “ stuck in a rut ”. My life was headed for disaster. I stepped out, got a college education, then moved on to medical school. Our world perception creates our life experience . It is not what we look at life, but how we look at it. Challenge yourself to take a deeper look at your thoughts. As a victim of abuse, I never imagin...

We spent a long weekend in Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, founded in 1733. Initially, an English colony, the city has the most extensive National Historic Landmark District in the USA. Live Oak trees draped with Spanish moss line the streets, plazas, and squares. America’s first planned city was designed by General James Oglethorpe: the wards surround 24  central squares  (23 remain). Lots on the east and west sides of the squares were reserved for churches and public buildings. The result is a lovely, shaded walkable city. We stayed at The Kehoe House, built in 1892, now a B&B. Our room, Fiore, was on the second floor, where we shared a balcony with our travel companions. Interestingly, the balcony was accessed by climbing through a window in the bedroom. The film  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil  captured our imagination and drew us to the city. The home featured in the movie has been converted into a museum. A humorous and informative docent led...