Driving the cold winter away

In a variety of ways, starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday a.m., to be exact. Yaaaawn.

My old house, while very charming, is notoriously cold autumn through spring. Friends don't even have to be reminded anymore to bring their slippers and extra sweaters along when they come to visit. So when my trusty old thermostat bit the dust, it was rather an emergency to get it fixed. My nice Dad came over this morning to replace it for me before he headed out hunting.

Ah, warmth again.
Amazing what new technology can do.

By the time my band showed up for our To Drive the Cold Winter Away holiday concert rehearsal at 9:00, the house was decidedly less chilly. I was fortified with hot tea, slippers and sweater, and my fingers were getting warm enough to feel like playing. Jingle Belle, however, was still in heat-seeking mode and went straight for the first place that offered insulated protection.

And that happened to be
SamTheDrummer's drum case.
Sound familiar?

Once toasty, she decided to come out

and help Sam with some percussion.
Which he appreciated very much.

It was such a good rehearsal. We played through everything several times and I fell in love with the music more each time. As Martha said, French music is so "lyrical and elegant." Even the ancient folk songs we're playing, with their interesting chord progressions and modal melodies, are still so refined and pretty. I don't know how I'm going to get through the week waiting for the concert day to arrive. I'm ready.

SamTheDrummer captured this shot of me
during rehearsal.
I think I was smiling at something hilarious
Martha was saying.

Music, laughter, good friends, adventurous kitties, a helpful Dad, a heated house...the world is so much warmer for these.