Sounds very much like the behavior of the latest versions of Internet Explorer, which does exactly this, all on the strangest of occasions...Not only blogs but elsewhere too.

Hope you can resolve it. I think you'd make a good friend. Though that would be up to you....

win

If so, I would very much appreciate knowing about it.

win

This is not a proper choice.

I shall read you however I may, and I will study French to do so.

End of story.

Wishing you a good day.

Win

1. Take a good look at it.

2. Decide whether or not you find it agreeable....

3. Hold her close but freely.

4. Find the best translator you can, because you'll never understand it anyway.... All you really want is time with her, her touch, her scent, her perfect warmth, but most of all the memory of her, day in and day out.....

5. Then MARRY HER.

After that, well then, have a cup of coffee, a crousant (however you spell it) a cigarette perhaps and then a moment of HER.

Don't worry. If you've gotten the order wrong for any of these events, she'll tell you about it. Or she won't. Worry is an inappropriate response.

It only takes a glance.... And in that glance you may find LIFE.

That should do it, if you are lucky.

If not, try again.

Repeat, until you get it right !

It should be a pleaure... First to last. Though it's very hard work... And you can never hope to understand it. That's the thing. That's part of the mystery.

I like mysteries. They keep me young and vital.

Welcome to the world Sport's Fans -- where the translation is always and universally BAD. Where you never really understand.... But you get to TRY. For awhile.

Good luck,

win only

Draft I

A language in person is a whole lot different than a language alone, written or spoken.

For the visual cues, the taste and smell, the gesture, the glance all tell volumes on their own.

A conductor waves a stick at a bunch of instruments and nothing happens.

But when he indicates the downbeat to an ochestra the whole world comes to life and light.

It is pure magic. Every time.

Will I continue on this theme?

Well, the dear only knows. I might and I might not.

I send you my best wishes with every post.

win ONLY

Thus far this week I have experienced an genuine (not simulated) engine-out emergency while being vectored out over the great Atlantic Ocean to depart the English main, and just barely within range of being able to return on one engine. We are a trained and talented flight crew, and we were actually afraid there for awhile.

I've caught a ride back home with our un-namable military consort and friend, that I might do several appearances for yet another friend.

I've had a spat of significant proportions that, while not literally life threatening, did give me pause enough to doubt reconcilliation. A singularity of enough proportion to have made a grown man weep.

We hit a patch of clear air turbulence that sent me flying into a wall (a bulkhead) that injured my right arm enough to seek medical attention, sufficiently that I shall have to conduct left-handed for a month or more...(how many have you seen do that trick, anyway? I've only seen it twice, myself. You can take my word that such is rare in indeed).

I don't know when, if or how I shall see someone I love again... And now, having met our sister-ship, Sister 2, our consort, our duplicate, really, we return to Europe where we pick up FunFlight to resume where we left off and fly our various excursions from Britain, through Italy and France. And then we return to the south of France, where we will look into establishing another base for FunFlight, a major undertaking for her and for our crew; an endeavor that could possible change the way we live, the complexion of how, when and where we operate.

And this hasn't been a bad week. Just a hard one. An emotional quagmire. A week fraught with one sort of tribulation or another that accomplished little but survival.... And I'm really pissed-off about some of it, while I am, simultaneously, enormously relieved that no one actually DIED this week; that the various breaches and riffs are healed, if only barely.

And finally, I have a friend, or I think I still have one, who keeps telling me that she is X ONLY. Well, on the face of it, I understand that of course, as I am Win ONLY. But what I mean by that and what SHE means by saying it, I am quite uncertain.

Oh great. And there we have the uncertainty principle, also. Wouldn't Dr. Hawking, the eminent physicist, and one of my favorite authors, be utterly transfixed by such a statement as this? Hmmmmmm. Maybe HE could make something of it. God knows, I've no idea most of the time about what or how women think. It is mine but to love and admire them. As for understanding? Forget about it.

And finally, and after all, there is still no spelling/grammar checker for the blog world. I stand amazed! And mis-spelled yet once again.

Am I lucky or am I not?

You decide. I've keyed enough text this week to have written a new best seller twice over, my right shoulder hurts and I want my mommy -- as if anyone really cares. Shit.

So I send you my love and devotion from Sister 2, in Flight, over the Great Atlantic, once again.

win3xp,
Mission Commander
as my #1 remains with FunFlight.

Out.

Any Ideas?

[A performance of the song is at the bottom of the page]

Music composed by Aaron Copeland (1900-xxxx)
His song cycle Twelve Poems by Emily Dickinson in 1950, writing that "the poems centered about no single theme, but that they treat of subject matter particlularly close to Miss Dickinson: nature, death, life, eternity." The American composer and critic William Flanagan called "Heart, we will forget him," the fifth song of the cycle, "a love song of surprisinglly undisguised sentiment."

And this particular performance of it, is indeed poignant.

*

Heart! We will forget him!
You and I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light!

When you have done,
pray tell me,
That I my thoughts may dim!
Haste! lest while you're lagging
I may remember him!

--Emily Dickinson

So what is the point? At last...but to carry on?

Oh, do tell....

win

Or don't like.

That's completely available.

And so everyone loses.

Too bad.

Next up?

Maybe. Maybe not.

No matter how dear that friend may be. That such an occasion has arisen not once but twice within a few months is unthinkable. When it's only happened once before, ever... And that quite by accident.

In such a case, perhaps...sorrow is the appropriate response. Life goes on, just not quite as it did before.

On the up-side: I can still read my favorite pages unimpeded thanks to Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and now that a couple of my favored accounts have pretty much been restored to their former state. Pretty much. And maybe close enough. Save for one missing soul.

For those of you bloggers who wish to continue our chats; those who wish to continue being blog friends, also, please check your settings as I check mine -- to be sure everyone who's present and accounted for.

Hope to see you all in a little while,

win

While I never thought I'd have occasion to do so, I must thank Microsoft Tech Support for Windows Live Beta for fixing/restoring my hotmail account. It was a mess. And I thank you very much for fixing the accounts in question.

This is only Draft one.
Stay tuned as the article develps.

....

And so they invent it. But this could not be farther from the truth.

Though I have known this happen...

Perhaps they are feeling threatened. Most commonly, a relationship becomes a little too close for their comfort, for some unfathomable reason, and so they do or say something to destroy that which has become too dear. Sometimes they choose to believe a tale, or they tell themselves a story. It matters not how perverse this is. It is simply a fact of life in some quarters.

But the true facts are as follows: While we may indeed wind up right next door to the individual in question, we are good citizens. If said individual does not wish to see us, we shall be invisible to them. Such is our committment and ability given our resources and skills.

So one needn't make an excuse. Only must only hint at such a desire.

We only want volunteers around us. We have no need of anyone but volunteers. We ourselves are volunteers, though we're prosperous indeed.

So, everyone can relax now. We are indeed bound for England, Italy and France (not necessarily in that order) when we depart the US this time. We are indeed contemplating a European home base in France, because we spend so much time traveling back and forth there. We would indeed like to meet friends and family as we pass by on our way. But we will never be a threat to anyone who wishes to remain apart from us -- for whatever reason of their own.

For if the truth be told, we are an immense blessing to those who befriend us. We bring with us a great wealth of possiblilty. And it is our duty to be the best we can be, for ourselves and for others. We do not tolerate mediocrity among ourselves. We will tolerate almost anything else, so long as it is just, rather than inflict pain or discomfort on anyone else. We are for the most part great people. Some of the best anywhere, though we are only just people, also.

These things you can take to the bank. This is our charter and our pledge, as this is our mission.

I speak for myself and for our entire crew.... We salute you. And wish you well.

I am, win3xp of FunFlight at rest
with Julie #1, Aircraft commander.
Dateline: Teterboro, New Jersey, USA
Outbound this night over the great Atlantic

But is it all too late?

I suppose it just may be.

Old win is having a pretty bad day. And so is all the rest of the crew. For which I'm sorry.

win3xp
#2 of FunFlight at rest
Status: Preflight, Power-up: Teterboro, New Jersey.

But now it may not matter anymore.

How very sad for us all.

Win

They are flying the airplane. Have been ever since....

Take care everyone.

Julie #1 of FunFlight
Status: Airborn: Enroute.

We'll proceed on profile.

I've often wondered what other writers do to work up their creations from whole cloth. For me, it's often that I see something that moves me somehow. And mostly, I suppose, that others write about what the see and feel as well. And so they do much the same as I do. They divine an idea from the ether or from their particular muse, then they fill in the blanks as they go along. Draft after draft things take shape until finally and with blinding suddenness, it a complete thing. Or complete enough. And so then they publish it.

The fine thing about blogging is that you can continue to tweak the text and develop the ideas long after the publication is done; that others may watch as any given piece is transformed with each sequential draft. That you can watch it all happen, as I do, is an amusing side effect of the giant white board out in cyberspace.

I hope you are all amused by this process. For surely it can be full of strife and frustration at times.

Hope you all have a fine day. I'll see you all later, in blogland.

win

Today I regularly read in French. It is an amazement to me. An accomplishment attributable to only three things: Practice. Repetition. Necessity.

Yes. Of course, I still run the tranlators routinely to check on the accuracy of my perception/comprehension. But it has become relatively good. If nothing else, I get the drift of it, at least. If I don't concentrate to hard on it. If I just let it wash over me.

---the point of an art song or a piece of poetry written by a native speaker *for* a native speaker, is easily lost or obscured when translated into another language. So it is in other languages, also. But I do love words, even when they lead me a merry chase. ---

If you had asked me a few months ago if I thought any of this was even possible, I would have said no. It is NOT possible to have learned so much so quickly. But necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

And while I still can't write en Francais without the aid of the translators; can't think in that beutifully elegant language, I can read it with relative comfort. As for having a conversation in French, well, that might be problematic.

Is that not remarkable for someone who had only enough French to translate art songs -- a word or a phrase at a time. Whose French colleagues all speak to him in English?

Ah, well. It is fortunate that she speaks English very well and can write it too. While she looks for the occasional word, we understand one another very well. I suppose I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle if she could not. But fortunately, she can and she does.

I'm a lucky man today. And I hope it goes well with all of you, also. I've had some great moments -- all more than I could have asked for in the first place, since I didn't even know, starting out, what to ask for....

Catch you all on the flip-flop.

So long for now,

win

Today I was given a gift that was both addressed to me and made available for me. And it is priceless.

A gift of music and photos that only makes my experience here come more vividly to life, and all the more so now.... It is unique to her and so more personal than even a signature might be...and so much more beautiful by far.

And to those who made such a gift possible.... I offer my humble thanks as well. For were it not for your gifts...well, there would be no such thing at all.

I wonder if any of you would mind my downloading them and burning them to CD to preserve them.... Yes. They are priceless. And while I'll never forget them, hard drives do fail from time to time. And I don't want to risk losing this particular gift. For it cannot be replaced.

Well, she can tell me later, when she comes back....

You have my best, K. It can scarcely get better than this, save for one other gift that might very well take place in March. I guess I could call a birthday gift as it will no doubt occur during that time. And I do so look forward to it. But until then, there is now. And I'll take it. One small moment at a time. One kiss. One embrace. One single moment.

To have been so astoundingly fortunate is beyond all belief. But it is one true thing. A treasure.

Store ye not up treasures on earth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Well, sorry kids. My treasure is here and now. I could not have asked for better. And I thank you all very much for delivering it safely into my keeping. So that I might now stand watch over it, in waking and in sleeping....

My best to you all.

Win

I believe it was from safriz that I first heard the term. I just didn't know what it meant then.

Not until now anyway.

But I do understand now just how useful this blog-chatting can be. For it is not always possilbe to hook up with friends and loved ones in real-time with out some serious interruptions, at the very least.

And so we blog to preserve our special connections with one another. Connections that form and grow strong for our ability to express them here.

Oh, there is a place for real-time chats, to be sure. I've had a few that were both memorable and worth preserving. As it is, however, I'll take blog chatting over silence any day, and be very thankful to have it, too.

Best to everyone,

Win

For there are too few answers.

And the why of it is so often inexplicable anyway.

One bows instead and accepts of it gladly, and with good grace.

And then one learns instead to ask who, what, where and when. For therein lies the hope of answers, if only now and then.

Good morning everyone,

Best,

win

Back now.

E

I miss you, K.

You are much in my thoughts.

I hope this post finds you well. I've sent you a couple of messages earlier.

Though it seems a very long time to wait, I shall bear it gladly.

Kisses,

E.

win

But I am a musician. And I know differently.

There is nothing greater at the end of a magnificently played work than silence. But one is fortunate to hear it once or twice a year.

Oh, God....

I'm not suicidal.
Sheesh.

But I send you much love, to be sure.

Kiss you,

E.

More fragments from the void, though not of CJ's this time.

Any suggestions?

I broke mine more than a year ago, so....

win

To feel love for someone you've never met. Well, perhaps we've met. Virtually, anyway.

win

And I love it. So shoot me.

So there! Just ME. Just Katia.

Indeed. But there's no just about it.

Loic's work today. Or yours?

E.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLvOuzlfdE

He did all my roles, except for 3. As does Carerras. Hmmm. Sing a few, conduct a few, play a couple. And fly away home. Poof. Gone.

http://uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-5eT4R6U0d6rVD.0r2Y...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeTOZX2m8FYMiro

Norma

You can even hear the prompter in the backgroud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB2VP7R02lo

Dawn is at 6:13 today.

The weather is a little chilly but excellent.

FunFlight is now boarding! So all you flakes out there on the jetway, it's time to rock and roll.

5:55A when we expect to receive our final departure clearance.

All crew memebers are present and ready to execute the Departure Sequence Beta 5.

Initial Destination: Paris, France. Additional stops after Paris will be announced in flight. You all know what stops to prep for, and what are alternates need to be. We're at Max fuel so our legs are very long today.

I'm glad to see you all. We'll have power up for the networks thorughout our take-off roll today. Just be sure you're seat belts are on and snugged up tight.

I bring you Greetings from our raison d'etre, Lord Flyte, also, who will be flying as #2 tonight.

So standby for FunFlight Launch. We are in countdown mode now.

In as much as we're also live just now, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for showing up and for flying with us. And I also want to wish DreamGirl all the best -- plus some rest, if not some very good sleep. That's right. That's you, Katia. Your name aboard FunFlight is still DreamGirl. As well it should be. Can't very well call you "just Katia," right? Right.

I am Julie #1 of FunFlight
Our Status Is Countdown: Preflight Inspection pending departure.

Julie, Out.

Guinevere's Farewell to Lancelot -- From Camelot (1960)
by Frederick Loewe (1901-1988)

"Before I Gaze at You Again"

Before I gaze at you again
I'll need a time for tears.
Before I gaze at you again
Let hours turn to years.

I have so much forgetting to do
Before I try to gaze again at you.

Stay away until you cross my mind
Barely once a day.

Till the moment I awake and find
I can smile and say:

That I shall gaze at you again
Without a blush or qualm.
My eyes will shine like new again,
My manner poised and calm.

Stay far away
My love far away
Till I forget, I gazed at you today...
Today.
Today.

- Alan Jay Lerner

--Omitted in fact --
No sign of fear,
Not even a sigh.
And so till when
We meet again, Goodbye!

It will be good to see you all again.

Lord Flyte is now content. Glory be.

Thank you DreamGirl.

Julie #1 of FunFlight
Status: Fueling: Departure Prep.

And Lord Flyte is smiling again. He must have heard from DreamGirl. That's a relief.

Report 8 and 9.

Julie #1 of Funflight
Status: Departure Prep: Fuel for French Riviera, alternates Rome, London.

Standby for updates.

And Lord Flyte is in something less than happy mood at the moment. So standby thunder storms or squalls, ship-mates.

Stand by for preliminary intinerary and other orders.

Report by phone.

Do it Now.

You know the drill.

We're up. So are you.

Hope you enjoyed the time off.

All leaves are herby cancelled.

I say again: REPORT.

Julie #1 of FunFlight
Status: Departure Prep.

Sometimes.

But wrapped in a sovreign nation's flag. That's not funny. That's just mean!

E.

Music by Frank Bridge (1879-1941)

Love went a-riding,
Love went a-riding over the earth,
On Pegasus he rode . . .

The flowers before him sprang to birth,
And the frozen rivers flowed.
Than all the youths and the maidens cried,
"Stay here with us." "King of Kings."
But Love said, "No! for the horse I ride,
For the horse I ride has wings."

Love went a-riding . . .

* by Mary Coleridge (1861-1907)

The English composer, violist, and conductor Frank Bridge (1879-1941) was the most profoundly influential mentor of the young Benjamin Britten, who honored his teacher in his "Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge." Fittingly, Love went a-riding (1914) was a recital favorite of Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten during the duo's illustrious performing career.

Oh. Indeed! -laughing-

Il était un soir...
by violoniste in Libellule, états d'âme d'une Liiiiib 47 min. ago
Chutttt... maintenant on rêve...

Liebe schwärmt auf allen Wegen;
Treue wohnt für sich allein.
Liebe kommt euch rasch entgegen;
Aufgesucht will Treue sein.

Passion throngs all lanes and byways,
Constancy hides in redoubt;
Passion tracks your footsteps always,
Constancy must be sought out.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

by Stephen Foster (1826-1864)

No one to love in this beautiful world,
Full of warm heaats and bright beaming eyes?
Where is the lone heart that nothing can find
That is lovely beneath the blue skies?

No one to love! No one to love!
Why, no one to love?
What have you done in this beautiful world,
That you're sighing of no one to love?

Dark is the soul that has nothing to dwell on!
How sad must its brightest hours prove!
Lonely the dull brooding spirit must be
That has no one to cheriesh and love.

No one to love!
No one to love!
Why, no one to love?...

Many a fair one that dwells on the earth
Who would breet you with kind words of cheer,
Many who gladly would join in your pleasures
Or share in your griefs with a tear.

No one to love! No one to love!...

- Stephen Foster

A lifetime of repertoire.

win

I mean when you say something here, and then you read it from outside, and sometimes the very same thing is just shocking.

That's happened. In fact, I just did it to myself. I wrote something, went to my other computer, looked at the post I'd just done and I took it down again, right then. I can only wonder at who saw it in those precious few seconds it was up. Ghastly business. Ugh.

Maybe certain things are best kept among friends, while others may be published for everyone to see. To learn which things are which is at times difficult. As difficult as learning what should never be said.  And there are many such things. At least in my view.

To those of you who've read this blog from time to time, I apologize if I've said anything to hurt you. Things look very different from the inside. And sometimes, when they actually hit print, they are not at all what you had in mind; what you wanted to say or do.  I'll try to remember that. And that sometimes things in print look a lot worse than they seem -- in here.

The power of the press. And all that.... It is easy for one person to think that no one out there really cares. But that is untrue. I think there are people out there who do care, and who try to do it right. And then there are those precious others for whom you care; those for whom you very much want to get it right. Unforntunately, it's a trial and error sort of thing. And it's not all that comfortable looking back over what I've said, in some cases. But still, one can have a care.

Getting it wrong happens a lot here in blog-land. I just want to do it better. To get it, if not right, then at the least, not wrong.

Have a great day, everyone. And thanks for your help along the way.

Win

Quand tu chantes, bercée

* by Vicomte Victor Marie Hugo (1802-1885) , from Marie Tudor, Journée 1, Scene 5.

Quand tu chantes, bercée Le soir entre mes bras,
Entends-tu ma pensée Qui te répond tout bas?
Ton doux chant me rappelle Les plus beaux de mes jours.
Ah! Chantez, Chantez,ma belle,
Chantez, chatez toujours!

[ L' homme c' est mon homme. La Voix elle s' approche à chaque couplet. ]

Quand tu ris, sur ta bouche L'amour s'épanouit,
Et soudain le farouche Soupçon s'évanouit.
Ah! le rire fidèle prouve un coeur sans détours!
Ah! Riez, ma belle, Riez, toujours!

Quand tu dors, calme et pure, al' ombre, sous mes yeux,
ton haleine murmure des mots harmonieux.
Ton beau corps se révèle sans voile et sans atours...
Ah! Dormez, dormez ma belle... dormez dormez toujours!

Traditionally omitted

Quand tu me dis: je t' aime ! ô ma beauté! Je croi ! Je crois que le ciel même s' ouvre au-dessus de moi! Ton regard étincelle du beau feu des amours... aimez, ma belle, aimez toujours! Vois-tu? Toute la vie tient dans ces quatre mots, tous les biens qu' on envie, tous les biens sans les maux! Tout ce qui peut séduire tout ce qui peut charmer... chanter et rire, dormir, aimer

When you sing in the evening cradled in my arms,
can you hear my thoughts softly answering you?
Your sweet song recalls to me the happiest days I've known.
Sing, sing, my pretty one, sing on forever!
When you laugh, love blossoms on your lips,
and at once cruel suspicion vanishes.
Ah, faithful laughter shows a heart without guile.
Laugh, laugh, my pretty one, laugh on forever!
When you sleep calm and pure beneath my gaze, in the shadow, your breathing murmurs harmonious words.
Your lovely body is revealed without veil or finery.
Sleep, sleep, my pretty one, sleep on forever!
Serenade - Gounod

Serenade - Gounod

The music by: Edouard Lippe
The Poem: Elizabeth Barret Browning

"How Do I Love Thee"

Music By Edward Lippe

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

from Sonnets from the Portuguese

XLIII

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men might strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,–I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!–and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

And my crew thinks I'm a little nuts.

Oh, well. They'll get over it.

...so I'll bid you a fond farewell for now.

You are in my thoughts and in my prayers each day. But surely you must know that....

Andrò sempre dovunque tu andrai
Darò tutto l'amore che ho per te

E.

Just an update.

And in the blink of an eye.

I am a very fortunate man today, for having seen this one thing, just once in my life.

Much love, K.

E.

That's fine with me. You've got hundreds of other friends.... And I'm content with that, though you may now regret that you said anything.

I've felt the same way upon occasion. But I'm glad you told me. I'm glad to know, at least... So that I can do what little I can do....

So I'll just go on about doing my little things and I'll just be here with you until I write my sign off note to you. Ok?

We're about an hour out of hombase now, so.... I'll be around a bit longer.

Much love, Katia. Always, and at the very least.

Kiss,

E.

Ah, Curiosity.

He was, he IS, a once in a lifetime tenor. Irreplacable. And never to be seen again.

Not this lifetime anyway.

I sang it for love on a day when I could not sing.

I post it for love on a day when I sing no longer.

But today, I devote these two humble songs to you, and to Luciano, also, who would be amused. But that you both might be cured....

Ogni sera di sotto al mio balcone
Underneath my balcony every evening

Sento cantar una canzone d'amore,
I hear a love-song,

Più volte la ripete un bel garzone
Repeated several times by a handsome young man

E battere mi sento forte il core,
And it makes my heart beat faster.

Oh quanto è dolce quella melodia!
O how sweet is that melody!

Oh com' è bella, quanto m' è gradita!
O how pretty, how I love to hear it!

Ch'io la canti non vuol la mamma mia:
My mother will not let me sing it,

Vorrei saper perché me l'ha proibita?
Though why she would forbid me, I don't know.

Ella non c'è ed io la vo' cantare
Now that she is out I am going to sing

La frase che m'ha fatto palpitare:
The song that I found so exciting.

Vorrei baciare i toui capelli neri,
I'd like to kiss your raven hair,

Le labbra tue e gli occhi tuoi severi,
Your lips and your solemn eyes;

Vorrei morir con te, angel di Dio,
I would want to die with you, O heavenly angel,

O bella innamorata tesor mio.
My beautiful beloved, precious jewel.

Qui sotto il vidi ieri a passeggiare,
Yesterday I saw him walking by,

E lo sentiva al solito cantar:
And heard him sing as he always does:

Vorrei baciare i tuoi capelli neri,
I'd like to kiss your raven hair,

Le labbra tue e gli occhi toui severi!
Your lips and your solemn eyes!

Stringimi, o cara, stringimi al tuo core,
Clasp me, darling, clasp me to your heart,

Fammi provar l'ebbrezza dell'amor.
Let me feel the ecstasy of love!

A very free tranlslation of Segreto (Secret)

I sang it for love on a day when I could not sing.

I post it for love on a day I sing no longer.

Amor, amor che langue il cor
La sua canzon ti vuol cantar
E ti vo' dir i suio martir,
Le pene che Lolita può sol calmar
Ah vien, che i baci che ti vo' dare,
Le stelle in ciel non le potrian contare,
E le carezze ed i sospir
Tu sola o bella li potrai ridir. Ah.
Amor se `n vien, è l'ora gradita,
Senza il tuo ben dimmi come fai Lolita?
O lezza il fior e dolce invita
O mia Lolita.
Vien all'amor, ah vien diletta,
Più non tardare, che al seno stretta
Ti vo' baciar, baciar
Ah vien diletta la vita, vien
Che morire mi farai se tu non vieni.

by Arturo Buzzi-Peccia (1856-1943) , "Lolita: Serenata spagnola"

In flight. Going home?

Every now and then, one comes to face the blog and wonders what can possibly be said that has not been said before. When you think of it, almost everything has been said before. And on such a morning, flying into the gathering darkness, the only real question remaining is one for any individual who can conceive of it.

Have I said the most important things; have I done the most important things? Have I said the most important words to you; the most important words in any language? Recently, to you. If one has, then one might rest more comfortably as the wind sweeps by outside at 36 degrees below zero.

And if one has not?

These are just a few of the things that keep us awake when we very much just need sleep.

What have we not done? What have we not said? And to whom.

As for me, well, I have said these things often, to those closest to me. And I try not to dwell on night-thoughts in the brilliance of a new day.

But is it not in the brilliance of a new day that you most want... ?

And that's the thing, finally. Whether or not, on this brilliant new day, you still find yourself wanting. Something or more likely someone.... Or are you beyond wanting?

Are any of us beyond wanting while we live? Finally, and after all? I have indeed thought so of myself. And I have been wrong.

So what about today? What are you wanting? Or whom?

What can I do or say to fulfil just one promise of this day.

For you. And for me, also.

Day thoughts.

And the last thought? Do you really want to publish this? No. I do not. But I'm going to anyway. If only for an hour.

Win.

It might even be a samll comfort, if but barely an allowable thought. But that's rarely the case. People are not interchangeable. Not like that, anyway.

And if they were? I would be saddened by "the very thought of you."

win

The turn in the weather, will keep us together, so I can honestly say, that as far as I'm concerned it's a lovely day,
and everything's ok.

It has been indeed. And so it shall be for you, too, I trust....

No more blue songs. Only hoopdeedoo songs. For you've got the love I need so much....

And it nearly did.

Except that it didn't....

You speak very good English indeed. Hmmmm.

E.

Captions boxes like the small white boxes you see at the bottom of some photo posts. They're smallish. Like for a dedication to someone, or an author attribution, a website citation or an authors name, perhaps to contain a very short statement of who sent you the photos you're posting or where you got the photos. That sort of thing. Not on all posts have these caption spaces. Just on some. One of my friends does it sometimes. I think it's a neat feature.

If, by rather inept description of them, someone know how to use them or where to look to find them, I'd find in very useful.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm also still looking for the blogger's version of a spell-checker to catch all those nasty typos that occur in live posts. If there such a thing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

E.

Who cares about my little ugly blog anyway. Sheesh.

Just talking to myself. And to who ever happens to be watching.

E.

A couple of secrets, really, that I would share with all the Newbies.

First, choose your friends carefully. Then....

If you don't want to make the headlines, find a few friends...and then *only* respond to *their* posts.

That is, at least, one way to avoid the headline news.

For those who want to become famous or even infamous, don't just respond, POST. Always write a new post. And make it Public.

There you have it. Two secrets. And I wish you all very good luck with it, too.

E.

Oh, yes. To be sure, my dear.

I look at your lovely face, read your pages, and voila. Words virutally pour forth.

It would be fair to say that without you, there would be no words at all. Only silence.

Kisses, K. And many thanks.

E.

Just the other day I was talking to a particular real-life friend who made a great remark. What I don't know is whether or not she knew what she was saying. But she had a point.

But for a couple of crucial pieces of information, one could conceivably put all the pieces together.

The question is, does anyone outside our small circle of friends, know enough to do that. If so, I've yet to see it done.

And while I hope no one does piece it together, I also and simultaneously hope that one day they will, because it's a great story, an epic journey, and maybe just a great piece of literature, as well.

Of course, it can not be me. Never can it be me who tells.

Julie #1 of Funflight at rest.
Status: Preparing for departure.

Yes, I'd rather post here than to my own blog. Who can know why?

See ya'll.

Partial Posts

What's special about this recording:

Win is a guest artist with the incomparable AnnieLM, who at the time of this performance was 68 years old. Is she not Fabulous? She retired this year from ISU Bloomington. She is a great teacher. Maybe one of the last of the greats.

Listen to her, if not to me. Then tell me what you think.

A YouTube performance is coming up...if ever I can figure out how to use the blasted thing. Yes. A performance of this particular piece by two people I knew and loved while I was still perfoming: Franco Corelli and Renata Tebaldi. Of course there are also performances by Jose Carerras, Luciano Pavarotti, and other great performers.

More on this later. I'm also looking for this piece as sung by La Callas. Anyone know of one?

And much of the time you would be correct.

I'm talking first to my muse, K. Who is a many splendored thing, as those of you who know her know for yourselves.

But if I actually publish something, it is also addressed to and for everyone, also.

Does this make any sense?

Well, I hope so.

More later.

E.

To sketch ideas or outline stories. Thence to fill them in. Everyone approaches writing differently. I just do what's comfortable at the moment.

Then fill in bits of it later, as time and new inspriation go on.

I hadn't removed friends pictures. There was just no place for them in that design. So, on to the next design. One that does provide for them.

Wishing a good day to you and your family, from me and mine.

Kiss you,

E.

I'll try and sort out the other one but....You know how that goes.

Thanks for noticing. You're the best.

More kisses and hugs for you and your family, also.

E.

But I can assure you, that if I had the chance of telling her again myself, I would do it. Just do it. It's easy, compared to the other choices.

Of course, I'm just borrowing some lines from a friend, and have no need of this dicussion in my house at present.

I hope it should go so well with you....

E.

Dis-le moi encore...
par violoniste @ Jeudi, 14. Sep, 2006 - 17:51:23

Dis ?
Quoi ?
Tu m’aimes ?
Ben oui, je t’aime ! Quelle question ! Pourquoi tu me demandes ça ?
Bah comme ça… Tu me le dis pas beaucoup…
Ah bon ? Tu trouves ? …

…

Et tu m’aimes comment ?
Comment « comment » ?
Ben oui ! tu m’aimes comment ?
Comment ? Ben… De loin et de dos…
Maiiis…Non ! Comment ?
Je t’aime très fort !!
Moi aussi, je t’aime très fort !

….

Et dis…
Oui, mon amour, quoi… ?
Tu as dit « mon amour » !
Enfin ! tu voulais que je te dise quoi ? Madame ?
Tu m’aimes pour la vie ?
Et toi ?
Non ! trop facile ! C’est moi qui a posé la question !
Oui, je t’aime pour la vie, tu le sais !
J’te crois pas ! Fais voir tes yeux et dis-le moi encore!
…

All original performances by the famous and the infamous alike. What do you think?

Another old tape transferred from analog to digital. A treasure, to be sure. But only if you like Opera, and Puccini in particular.

It's sheer hell to sing this stuff when you've got a cold. But, oh well... (wink) The show went on.

I can upload the final duet, if you want.

Much Love,

E.

Guess I found out today.

New feature, my ass. It was a bloody nuisance.

Just one man's opinion.

E

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/Ihaveadream.htm

Mezzo-Soprano, wife, mom, granny, beautiful, giver of all good things.
That's Dad there, giving the girls and the camera a severe look that doesn't quite come off because of MattiePups in his arms.

Do I look like this in public? Well, not really. But maybe close enough that you'll recognize me should we meet. One eyebrow raised, the wry grin. Not very handsome really. Or distinguished either. But I do come bearing the gifts of my chiefs. And if you were a player under his baton, you'd swear you'd heard it and seen it before.

Thankfully, we are on the international circuit. We only do about 10 regional performances in any given year.

I hope we do meet one day. But you know what they say: hope springs eternal.... And all that....

Thanks for another great post, K. You have my admiration. Indeed my devotion.

Much love,

E.

Well, ok then. One must face the facts:

I'm never going to be as good at this as K. But I do love it that she is....

Yes. I do. Truly.

E.

Is Loic not quite famous by now? I hope so. And I hope he's enjoying it too.

But for one reason or another, that isn't happening just now. I succeded in uping the song, but as for the rest, well, I'll try again later.

Thanks for another great post today. I'm going back to look more closely in a few minutes.

I don't know how you do it, but I'm very happy that you do.

Hope you have a great day....

Much love to your friends and family, from mine.

Kiss,

E.

Wink

Each day before I run my shut-down check-lists, I think I'll just check on K -- just to be sure there are no surprise posts of lovely legs or other intersting things.

It seems a wise thing to do in the circumstances considering the quality of the legs in question, and that of Loic's photos, no? And "Free Time" was definitely a bonus. Right? (large smile)

So I check. One last time before I put everyone to sleep.

Have a good day, K.

Kiss,

E.

Horror of horrors.

FunFlight has made the news again. Gasp. Choke. Repaint???? Maybe.

E.

Cherie (right) Soprano
Apryl (left and bottom) Mezzo Soprano.

After a six month tour. "The Girls" at rest.

E.

She asked. I answer.

It is my pleasure to do so, too.

E.

E. Apryl (wife) Michael (son), Chistie (daughter in law) Apryl's brother: Jimmy Hill (brother in law) a wonderful man.

The Thirteen Gun Salute.

I'll be watching for any more legs, though. You can be sure of that...

Here's to mysteries. And to the joy of good friends.

E.

This was the sermon title listed for the church up on the corner.

I'll have to drop in and here this guy. He's got that right, anyway.

Best, everyone.

...And we're going for the shut-down checklist in about 24 minutes.

?????

I said I'd ask.

My God.

Mysteries.... Indeed.

K's my mystery.

Kiss

E.

...And they let us see through the camera along with you.

I'll post a couple of my old ones, just for fun. One is hanging on the wall.

You know very well that I don't much like posting much to blogz, or rather in public...

But then I do it anyway.

I call that great gamesmanship.

Of course, I do rather like to play, too....

Best to Loic, grandson, and mom and dad too.

Love,

E.

Yes. I see it. And....

Katia's Playground Shot.

Yes. I see it. And I see it also in black and white...the colors of yesterday long faded but not gone. Never gone.

I even hear them: The children in that distant school yard, those of long, long ago; thoseo of the once-upon-a-time land.

And I would bear it with you, since I cannot bear it for you.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

There is no substitute, and there never can be. In a way, we must be thankful for that. For if we could substitute one for another, would we not then invalidate the unique wonder of the original? The Only?

I think we might. People cannot be duplicated, they just are, for a time, until they are not. They exist for us in the right now, right at this time only. And always only for the now. And in precious memory.

But as for me and my house: We have lost much, also. And we  too weep for them each day. It is part of having lived these many years - with some unwanted.  But in weeping for their loss we also affirm their existence here, and so we also remember them and pray for their peace; for their place in the hereafter of a heaven we are only told about, even as our told to hope by our only hope of Heaven who tells us to do so.

Easy answers to complex questions. Yet the fundamental question is ever thus: Do we believe, or do we finally shut ourselves away? Cast ourselves out into lonliness, away from others, and so to embrace forever in our grief.

But for all this, I should need the help of a priest, and a very kind one at that.

You have all the love I can possibly send you. All the sympathy and condolence I can find, from anywhere, everywhere; for anyone, ever.

You are unique. And even as I wish you healing, I wish you Joy, also.

And I wish you grace enough to stand fast, you're hand in mine. For I will hear your heart. I hear it whether or not you want me to.

Pray bear that in mind. I hear it too; and I feel it.

Lucky me. Incredibly, stupefyingly, lucky me.

Much love, K.

Kiss you,

E. (the mystery)

I love it when she does these things.

No matter when or to whom they are dedicated. That's of no consequence. What matters is that she does them. Because they comfort me. And because I know that she's watching, too.

Kiss you, K.

Much love,

E.

The words are coming -- sometime...

 

Not exactly a repost.
The music is posted here too,
for those who care.

"Les Berceaux"

The Cradles

Gabriel Fauré (1882)

Le long du quai les grands vaisseaux,
Que la houle incline en silence,
Ne prennent pas garde au berceaux
Que la main des femmes balance.
Mais viendra le jour des adieux;
Car il faut que les femmes pleurent,
Et que les hommes curieux
Tentent les horizons qui leurrent!
Et ce jour-là, les grands vaisseaux,
Fuyant le port qui diminue,
Sentent leur masse retenue
Par l'âme des lointains berceaux.

*

Along the quay the great ships
Rocked gently by the surge
Do not head the cradles
Which the hands of the women rock.
 But the day of farewells will come;
for women are bound to weep,
and the curious men
must strive for the horizons that lure them!
And on that, day the great ships,
fleeing from the diminishing(vanishing) port
feel their bulk held back
by the soul of the distant cradles.

The Poem by: Sully Prudhomme

translated by Christopher Goldsack and me.

Hmmmm.... I mean, what do you all do?

Both of us have really bad colds for this performance....

Oh, well. The show must go on. And so it did.

Hmmph, Ah CHEW!

E.

But still, I'll try to find some more.

At Tommorrow,

Much love,

E.

Blogging these.

Blogging these.

Forgot to Blog These.

Blogging these.

http://www.blog.co.uk/

or they don't yet show up on the blog page itself, though I think I know why.

E.

Check again. See if you can see them now. Ok?

If not, I'll try to fix them.

There are many more to come, if you like these....

Love,

Mystery

Much, love, K.

Much, Love.

Hope you got some sleep.

If worse comes to worse.

E.

I have not accent keys. How to type the umlaut, the accent grave, or .... the many others. Oh, well. Here's the general idea, though I'm not at all sure German can be written thus.

Klange (Nr.2)
Claus Groth,

Wenn ein muder Lieb begraben,
klingen Glocken ihn zur Ruh,
und die Erde schliest die Wunde,
mit den shonsten Blumen zu,
mid den shonsten Blumen zu.
 
Wenn die Liebe wird begraben,
singen Lieder sie zur Ruh,
und die Wunde bringt die Blumen,
doch das Grab erst schliest sie, zu!

Phanomen (Phaenomen)

Aus dem westostlichen Divan von Goethe

Poco Andante

Wenn zu der Gegenwand Phobus sich gatet,
gleich steht ein Bogenrand farbig bechattet, farbig,
farbig beschttet

Im nebel geeichen Kreis seh ich gezogen,
zwar ist der Bogen weis, doch Himmels bogen,

So sollst du, munterer Greis, dich nicht betruben;
sind gleich die Haare veis, doch wirst du lieben,
doch wirst, doch wirst du lieben.

German without accent marks. What can I be thinking?

E.

A special "Thank You" to K. -- for posting this particular shot.

If one is to dream of such a face, of such eyes as these, then at the very least, this is something one can take home; something with which to traverse the thousands of miles left between us with but the blink of an eye.

For Julie#1 and the whole cast and crew of FunFlight, I wish you comfort and I wish you...rest.

Much love, Katia.

E.

Mais toujours, je suis heureux de voir que vous êtes à la maison et coffre-fort.

Funflight part Londres...
Statut : Préparation De Départ.
Destination : À la maison.

Nous serons en arrière la semaine prochaine, mais maintenant, je vous souhaite l'amour, paix, mais peut-être surtout en ce moment, sommeil.

Beaucoup d'amour, Katia.

Embrassez-vous,

E.

Oh, I do so hate this translator, but... I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say.

Funflight departs London...
Status: Departure Preparation.
Destination: Home.

...And so we'll be back next week, but for now, I wish you love, peace, but perhaps most of all just now, sleep.

Much love, Katia.

Kiss you,

E.

It was all about love, really.... Made available now by magic.

But still, they are just for you.... For you, first of all.

More later? Maybe.

E.

Not exactly a repost.

The song itself may be found in the Media section, for those of you who care.

I hope you like it.

I'll post the words here, since the formatting capability in the media section is not very good.

E.

     

Your comments, opinions, experiences, anything you care to share about *your* Pro experience, though I think most of you have very much enjoyed it.

To post other songs, assuming any cares about songs, well, there must be DISK SPACE, as you all know.

Good morning, everyone.

And a momentary Kiss, for K., and the baby, too. Isn't he just glorious. And a special "Thanks You" to Loic for sharing his unique gifts with all of us out here in blogland....

E.

There but for the Grace of God go I.

Prayers for and from the greater Family of God.

We are long delayed here in Rome, there being much work for us to do.

This will not be a story well told, for that would take too long.... Rather it's a quick summary of events as they unfold.

Today, we took a few hours to pay a long delayed visit to our friends at Vatican City. Friends Win made years ago and well before these particular friends had achieved anything like their present eminence.

Win asks that I help him in writing this post, and so we shall do it together and post it on both our blogs.

I shall write this post in two parts: Part one preceding the event. Part Two, after the event when we have returned to FunFlight.

Yesterday, or what amounts to yesterday for us, anyway, Win posted a note: To wish K Joy of her newborn grandson, Mateau.

And in her brief reply she said that she very happy indeed. But also that she hoped that this glorious child might help to fill the void left in her heart by the untimely disappearance of her daughter, in a fatal car accident. She was only just 26 years old; a great and enduring sorrow for all parents who come  to outlive a child; who come to endure after such an egregious loss.

So today, Win goes not only for a visit with old friends, but also to ask that masses and prayers be said for his friend, K., for her newest grandson, and for the eternal repose of the spirit of her 26 year old daughter, and finally to ask for blessings for Ks entirely family.

It will no doubt be interesting to see how Win explains just how he knows K, the individual for whom he asks such a special blessings. How he explains the blog universe, if indeed he does attempt to explain it at all.

And so we continue with a momentary glimpse of our time at Vatican City.

Upon our arrival we are greeted as though we are visiting Royalty of some sort, but with warmth and exquisitely personal regard.

We are then greeted by our friends who appear together, and proceed to share a time of reminiscence, a time of discussion of many things.  As it turns out, it is not necessary to explain the Blog. One of our friends has one of his own. We all laughed when he said so.

While it is true that those who inhabit Vatican City lead cloistered lives, they are not necessarily cut off from the outside world.

We go on to talk about our recent activities, engagements, journeys. Our friends speak of what is going on in their lives and their families at home as well.

But when we get around to talking about a mother's untimely loss of a daughter, there are nothing but words of sympathy;  condolence and understanding. It is a serious, sober moment shared among friends.

One of our friends excuses himself as we sit quietly with the other friend, and we chat about things in a general way for awhile. A short time later our first friend returns flanked by a young priest, his secretary we believe, who then bids us come; to follow.

There is amiable silence as we walk through these vaunted corridors, glimpse the expanse of rooms to each side. We are led to a rather splendid waiting area where we are shown to seats, where we are offered refreshment; and served coffee and biscuits, some almond cookies, by yet another young priest.

Win is in a thoughtful mood, as I am, and we are quiet as we take in the wonders of the rooms in which we rest. We wonder at all the people and how busy they seem. We wonder about all the colors and marks of rank we see coming and going, and how splendid they look. As they pass us, they nod and they smile as if they know us and why we are here. Indeed, perhaps some of them do know, for it is my impression that news travels exceedingly fast here. At least, that is my personal observation, thus far.

While Win has been here before, he is not all very much familiar with all that goes on here, no more than any other tourist, really. He comes to see friends as friends. Not out of consideration for or of the hierarchy of Mother Church. A very mysterious thing....

And so a few minutes pass, and another man wearing crimson who speaks English comes our way. Our friends introduce us to him. He bows and we bow to kiss his ring, as we are directed in whispers to do.

Long story short, we are through some other rooms and then to a room of great magnificence. Magnificent in every conceivable way. And now we are a party of six, no,  seven, making our way through yet another set of exquisite corridors and doors.

The last door is opened to us. It appears as though we are expected. And so we enter yet another chamber, still more glorious than all the rest.

And we are greeted by a man all in white whose face is kind, and whose manner is both gracious and friendly. It is obvious by now where we are and in whose presence.

With greetings exchanged, bows and whatever elegance and dignity laymen can muster under such unexpected circumstances, we are ushered to a sitting area where we are asked to tell our story in our own words.

And so Win does, with my occasional help.

And now, suffice it to say, that masses and prayers will be said, the first mass in the morning and the last of the day by His Holiness himself: For K, and for her newborn grandson, and for her entire family.

And suffice it to say that prayers are being said, even now, and that they will continue to be said for Ks newest grandson; that K herself might be comforted by the Holy Sprit Himself, the Holy Comforter; and for all mothers who have suffered so, that they might also receive His beneficent mercy.

And finally, masses and prayers will be said for that most cherished of souls, that of this one daughter, she who is disappeared from us, and from our sight. She who was only 26 years old at her passing.... That her soul may find eternal rest in the arms of our God, in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Lord, our saviour, and our constant Hope of Heaven.

Dateline: Rome

Funflight at rest.

We are,

Julie,
#1 of Funlight,
with win3xp

The joy of a child. The joy of a grand son.

I have three little angels, two boys and a girl. I am richly blessed.

Well then, so it IS true. They say that anything can happen in blog land, and so I see that they are right.

Much love to you and to Matteu.

Kiss you,

E.