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Yesterday a post on Facebook that I shared stated "The biggest killer on the planet is stress and I think the best medicine is and always will be music." To a fairly significant degree, I agree. So let me just say that my husband and I blew off a little steam last night at a show in a nearby city. Since we're both fans of live music, I purchased tickets to see this unknown (to us) blues guitarist as a Christmas gift for my sweetie. I had, of course, checked him out on YouTube first, but even so, you're never really sure what you're going to see up close and personal. Which, it turns out is exactly how we saw him. Though it was held in a familiar concert venue, we were titillated when directed in a different direction than is usual.  Entering into the front of the hall, we climbed steps to the stage, which had been extended, and were guided to a cafe table for four. The intimate setting proved perfect for hearing this particular artist since he was a band

It won't be long before spring makes its official arrival. Before that though, there's still a fun occasion to enjoy.  In just over a week,  we will mark the final celebration of the winter.  Since the solstice, there have been holidays and events of varying significance,  each with its own traditions and unique symbols.  In western culture, winter began with one of the biggest festival events of the year, Christmas, a time saturated with meaning and ritual. We exchanged gifts, we feasted, sang carols, attended candlelight services and gathered with family and friends. On its heels was New Year's Eve, a countdown to the end of 2015, highlighted by parties and noisemakers. February brought us the groundhog, his shadow and the promise of six more weeks of winter, as well as Valentine's Day for the romantically inclined.  There are, of course, other inconsequential, strange or obscure events on special holiday calendars filling the spaces in between. The aforeme

In just a week,  St. Patrick's Day will be upon us. And with it comes the whimsy of leprechauns and pots of gold, shamrocks and rainbows. Marked every year on March 17 since 1737,  the day is intended to honour Ireland's patron saint.  The first celebration was organized by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. The tradition continued in other communities until today when many cities world-wide host a St. Patrick's celebration of some kind, highlighted by parades, festive drinks and music.  In Ireland, the occasion has more of a religious theme. However, you don't have to be Irish to go green. From wearing the colour that day to drinking it out of a beer mug, from attending church to watching a parade,  many people of all denominations and cultures will recognize the occasion. Growing up in a small town surrounded by a predominantly German farm community, St. Patrick's Day wasn't discussed much at home. For me it was typically the projects we under

Another weekend has come to an end. Mine was highlighted by an two-day visit from my big sister and her husband. It was a nice time, full of fun, food and drink and relaxation. My brother-in-law is an early riser. Up with the sun, he heads down to the coffee shop to mingle with the locals and catch up on the community gossip. Having heard him set off on Sunday morning, I pushed myself out of bed sooner than usual so had a quiet spell to myself over my own cup of java. Just as my husband joined me, I heard the soft trill of a bird in the distance.  As I looked out the window at the snow that still carpeted the landscape, what I was hearing seemed too good to be true.  Since our guest was returning just at that point, I asked him if my ears had deceived me or if that was indeed a robin. His response made my morning shine. The first sign of a robin for me is as uplifting as the pure fragile bud of a snowdrop breaking through the ground. Their welcome home begins the spring music t