IrishOboe

Hurray for short weeks!  Of course, I can’t complain about the work that I do during the week, but it was wonderful to have Monday to do my own work on my own time and Tuesday was just one of those special days.  A genki crew from BCF set out for a hiking trip in the Jura Mountains.  It was perfect weather: sunny and cool with a slight breeze.  The fields were bursting with tall, bright green grass and wild flowers.  As we walked along we enjoyed the shade of the forest or threw the Frisbee in the open fields.

Our first stop was Bechburg, which is a respectable name of a castle.

We have fun crawling around in it and Jimmy and I even scaled one turret to peek inside.  It awoke such desires in me to climb as we used to on the side of the Blue Ridge State Parkway.  What parents would pull over to let their kids climb the rocks and eat wild blueberries?  I’m not sure that would happen anymore, but it sure makes great memories.

While wondering which path to take next an old Swiss farmer came out and invited us to watch a mother goat with her two newborn kids.  It was very neat to see, though it would have been more exciting to be there half an hour earlier!  This picture is courtesy of Stephan, who did a great job of capturing the scene.

After a few hours walk (though some in the group complained it was a rigorous hike) through the beautiful country we reached the top of Belchenflue, which held a beautiful view despite the fact that it was too hazy to see the Alps.  We ate our lunches and rested on the rocks.  Stephan was busy taking pictures and you can see them here.   After a short nap I couldn’t resist myself and pulled out my whistle for a few tunes.  Stephan captured both moments, but I won’t reproduce them here.

We began the leisurely descent at some time or other that I was blissfully unaware of.  Stephan could have led us all like sheep to the slaughter.  Some people might have described it in that way, but I was ready for more when it was over.  However, there was a big barbeque feast waiting for us at the house of a BCF family, so I wasn’t too disappointed to stop hiking and start eating.  The family happens to homeschool, so we had a fun time talking together about that and many other things.  We had a lovely meal and enjoyable conversation despite the fact that I somehow got to talking about Isaac’s story and everything that goes along with that.  I had an attentive audience so I kept talking, episiotomies and all at the dinner table . . .

Yet somehow people still seem to enjoy my company.  I didn’t do the talking the whole time, however, and graphic subjects were finished with by the time the roasted chocolate bananas and homemade ice cream were served.  I haven’t enjoyed such an intense dose of calories in a long time.  Oishiiii!  We stayed until dark (which means it must have been midnight or something) and took the train back in Basel.  I was pretty tired out kept hoping I had an extra day before my Wednesday classes . . .

Somehow I survived my classes I had a good lesson with a student fiddle player who could help me with posture since he plays “up.”  I made a recording of my fiddling for the record (remember, I’ve been playing for two weeks) and if it’s not too long I’ll post it.  If it’s not here, then you’ll be spared the torture.

M and her family (see My Sunny Sunday) came to the dance classes that evening and enjoyed themselves greatly.  M is a beautiful and graceful young lady so I was touched by her comment that I seemed to have the style of the Renaissance dance down.  Baroque is quite another matter.  I’m getting there, and have even managed to add in some arms.

Friday (May 4) I had another miracle lesson with Randall Cook.  There’s only so much he can do with a student who’s been playing for a week, but when I expressed my frustration at getting the lower two strings to speak he played around with my fiddle and decided to move the sound post.  If I’d been blindfolded I would have sworn it was a few fiddle.  I can’t believe what a difference a few millimeters change in the position of the sound post made!  The whole fiddle seemed to resonate together and the lower two strings sounded like they belonged to the same instrument as the upper two.  The man is a genius or a magician, or maybe a bit of both.  I suppose it’s more year and years of experience, but it’s amazing none the less.  By the way, I have been very much enjoying my ‘new’ Baroque oboe and reed.  I can just play, and play, and the sounds just comes and the intonation only needs some massaging.  Oh, what fun!

If my emotions had been up and down all week they went berserk on Friday evening.  I was finally able to get to the music fellowship evening at church, at it was precious time.  We first gathered around the table eating cookies and milk and talking.  Then we sang four part settings of the psalms all the while laughing and enjoying the fellowship.  M and her family were there and they brought the psalm books, otherwise I think we would have done more praise songs.  I hear it’s a different combination of music, fellowship and prayer every time, though I would say music and prayer are part of fellowship . . .  It was not enough like a ‘happening’ of my childhood to bring strong tears to my eyes, but it was enough to bring be back and make my misty-eyed.  Oh what joy to be in the presence of the Lord in His home, joining in His praises with all of creation!  I can’t wait to hear what that music will be like!  Okay, maybe I can wait a little bit . . .

Saturday I worked hard all the day long and it felt good to accomplish so much.  I was in some pain after working at the computer and practicing three the instruments all day, so I took the evening off and enjoyed some time at Stephan’s.  I enjoyed the evening, though I must admit my ego came out limping.  I’d brought two favorite games of the family and though I enjoy My Word, I never hope to beat even my little cousins in it.  Since Stephan is well articulate in English (and I assume equally articulate in German and Swiss German) I was not surprised that he won easily, but Set is another story.  Set is my game, or it used to be.  I must blame it on being rusty, but I just wasn’t seeing the sets.  Stephan was quick to catch on and in the first and only game we played he creamed me 16 to 9.  Obviously I’ve been away from my game-loving family for far too long!

Sunday was a delight, as usual, and the sermon contained some timely reminders as well.  Quite a big crew went out to lunch then the faithful five went on a little visit to Arlesheim, a cute little village that was a Romantic summer getaway from the Basel elite.  We walked around a hill with cute huts on cliffs and grottos and waterfalls.  We stumbled upon a soapbox race and enjoyed watching the kids do a few runs.

The Dom in Arlesheim is just like a small version of the one in Luzern.  It’s too pastel and frilly for my style, but impressive none the less.  We enjoyed treats at a café then retired to Avronne’s place for a barbeque.  It is always so nice to hang out with these different, but lovely brothers and sisters in Christ.

I originally blabbered on about how I feel about leaving and going home and coming back or not but unlike in Japan, my readers do not only consist of friends and relatives looking out for my emotional health from afar so I feel a bit self-conscious.  Maybe everyone but my Mom and sis are relieved not to have to read about my ups and downs.

Peace be on you!