POETRY: Month of April

 Celebrate April

Poetry is my least favorite of the literary genres. I find it difficult to understand.

But if I were to choose a poet and his works, hands down, it would be William Blake: poet, engraver, artist, and visionary; and the quatrain To See A World In A Grain Of Sand.

One of his most famous and oft-repeated quotations, it opens his Auguries of Innocence, written in 1803 though only published in 1863, decades after his death.

To see a world in a grain of sand

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour.

I love the juxtaposition of vast things with minuscule objects.

A world in a grain of sand?

Genius.

How about seeing heaven in a wild flower?

It is hard for our imperfectly evolved brains to conceptualize the vastness of things. Yet, Blake affirms that we only need the palm of our hand to hold infinity.

Complex concepts become understandable when viewed through the lens, if you will, of the very small.

As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.

As is the atom, so is the universe.

As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind. – Deepak Chopra

P.S. If comprehension of Blake’s mystical idea fails, try this.

To discern an astral shape in an elastic band

And create a star in the palm of Lolo's hand

Catch a glimpse of joy in young Hapa Grandkids' gaze

Fascination in a moment, envisaged.

Hawaii, February 2022

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS, I.T.V. Production: April 19

 Celebrate April

Music is the language of the heart without words. – Shinichi Suzuki

This celebration may not have been on the list of National April Celebrations, but it's tops on my list.

Why?

Because it was a musical event that was produced by Second Daughter. That's no mean feat in itself.

It started with the idea.

The idea for this concert was born last autumn, when I mused that King Avenue has so many talented musicians, and we so often are accompanying others. Nothing wrong with that, but I thought it would be wonderful to have our own concert. (Program note from I.T.V.) 

Instrumental music. No vocals.

The name for the concert was easy, borrowed from the title of a 19^th century piano work by Felix Mendelssohn. (Program note from I.T.V.)

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS. For when words fail, music speaks.

It was to be a benefit concert for UMCOR.

Overseeing the managerial aspects for staging, she had worked months gathering together a musical ensemble and managing their schedules as well as arranging for technical light and sound staff.

Then, there was securing the venue and handling logistical arrangements.

While overseeing the event, she promoted the concert through an advertising strategy.

The anticipation is half the thrill; the music will soon fill the air.

Now, let the concert begin.

Kitty Friends and Music Critics, the heartbeat of any great performance. Photo: I.T.V., Columbus, 2026

Welcome to the concert.

We’re here to make music, not to fix your Wi-Fi - so let’s get started! 

N.B. Artist names not included for privacy reasons

Trivia Nugget: Euphonium is a brass instrument known for its rich, warm tone and extensive range. Often used in brass bands, military ensembles, and orchestras, it’s one of the most beloved instruments in the brass family.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: carillon (not in pic)

 Suite from the Victorian Garden: clarinet, piano

And So It Goes: tuba, trombone, horn, euphonium

12 Danzas Espanolas from Andaluza: violin, piano

Trivia Nugget: Flugelhorn, also spelled fluegelhorn, flugel horn, or flügelhorn, is a brass instrument that resembles the trumpet and cornet, but has a wider, more conical bore. 

 Someone Like You, This is the Moment: piano

Blues and Variations for Monk: unaccompanied horn

Flower Song: flugelhorn, euphonium, piano

Trivia Nugget: Ashokan Farewell, composed by American folk musician Jay Ungar, served as a goodnight or farewell waltz at the annual Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camps.

Piano: Ashokan Farewell | Fix You | Etude No. 6

Trivia Nugget: Event Producer, noun

1. A person who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data

2. Someone who solves problems you can’t

See Also: Wizard, Magician

Says Fav Grand/D: Bare feet are the best shoes.

If you’re not barefoot, then you are overdressed.

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights, it's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!

 

Muppet Show Theme Song: Bell Choir

Did someone say, Intermission?!

Hide yo’ snacks – the snack thieves are here!

Precious Lord, Take My Hand: Bell Choir, clarinet

Pan! Pastoral: flute, piano

24Jan25: marimba

Life’s a blast when you got a trumpet. Let’s blow this party wide open.

Arutunian Concert: trumpet, piano

Someone to Watch Over Me: flugelhorn, piano, drums

GRAND FINALE!

Here’s to reaching the finish line in style. All musicians on deck. For when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

Does anyone know why the audience laughed when I.T.V. tuned the baritone sax before My Favorite Things?

 My Favorite Things: Ensemble, baritone saxophone, trumpet, flugelhorn

Wahoo! Bravo! You did it. Congratulations on such an awesome wow concert!

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS has washed away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Today is a perfect day to say that no one could have done a better job. This endeavor is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.

For me, music is so expansive: giving clarity to know when to bring an idea to life, gathering people together, and moving the soul. Really, there are no words. (Program note from I.T.V.)

It wasn’t just a concert. It was an experience.

May your life be like a flower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.

Jolly good job, Ms. Event Producer!

Wonderful is the power of instrumental music, absolute music without words that may convey impressions, deep and lasting, no words could give. - Aubertine Woodward Moore

P.S. Concert raised $2,400 for UMCOR. Yay!

EARTH DAY: April 22

 Celebrate April

The miracle is not to fly in the air or to walk on water, but to walk on the earth. – Chinese Proverb

EARTH DAY is here.

It is an annual event celebrated on April 22.

First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

How to celebrate?

Gaze in wonder at the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf, the sweet perfume of a sturdy branch, the breathtaking delicacy of flowering blossoms.

Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven. - Rabindranath Tagore

AZUL’S TREE (actually a CRABAPPLE) displays an abundance of pink blossoms. Photo: I.T.V. Columbus, April 2020

 

TREE TRIO

Left-right: AMERICAN ELM. Front garden, Columbus home, 2025; PALO VERDE and PALM TREES. Phoenix, 2026

Better still, hug a tree. Be-leaf it or not, trees love hugs, too.

Or just gaze at it in admiration, be it miniscule...

BONSAI yeah! Rooting for my little buddy. Photo: I.T.V. Columbus, September 2020

 

... or gigantic, such as a BANYAN tree, undeniably magnetic in its sheer size and the way its roots grow down like ancient pillars.

But beware!

 

It is believed to be an abode of spirits and deities. Don’t sleep under it at night, as you might disturb these entities.

Get your spooky on!

 

BANYAN-Lined Shore. Photo: V.E.V. Waikiki at Kuhio Beach

Perhaps, to play it safe, better just make a FAUX indoor tree.

Left-right: G’s and FAV GRAND/D’s DIY projects. Columbus, 2024

Other things to do?

Plant a seed. 

Save the earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate. Like a rental car, earth needs to be returned in good condition.

Reduce, reuse, recycle… and if all else fails, pretend you don’t know where the trash came from.

Have you ever tried lying under a tree and walking barefoot? it could be the most spiritual thing you could ever do.

The planet is cooler than TikTok.

Let’s take care of it!

FIFTY-FIVE WHA??!!: April 17

Celebrate April

Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory. - Abraham Lincoln

I’m not sure about that. I’m not Catholic. 

Anyway, what can I say, but, remarkable! Can’t imagine over five decades of having survived being together, mildly annoying each other.

So, let’s celebrate. 

Sorry, no refunds.  Warranty expired.

Sometimes soulmates, sometimes cellmates.

Food is the ingredient that binds us together.

Sarap! Dinuguan, tocino, sinigang, adobo, pancit, and lumpiang Shanghai. Laguna Bay Bistro: Columbus, Ohio

We never met a dessert we couldn’t eat.

Dessert treat from Second Daughter: chocolate chiffon cake slice, tiramisu tarts. Paris Baguette: Avon, Ohio

Well, we’ve weathered each other’s quirks for yet another year.

I’d say that’s impressive, deserving a medal for endurance, won’t you agree?

Sloth: proof that slow and steady can still win the race... eventually.

Confirmation Sunday: April 12

Confirmed In Christ 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13

Today, our Fav Granddaughter, together with eleven other young people, were confirmed in Christ at King Avenue United Methodist Church.

Congratulations on your confirmation day, dear child!

Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit

They say confirmation is a rite of passage.

 I’ve heard others say it’s the only time you can wear a fancy dress and still be told to sit still. 

Getting confirmed is like getting a diploma in “How to Sit Quietly in Church.”

Still someone has commented that it's just a really long church service with cake.

Seriously, today’s service was an affirmation for the confirmands and for their family as well of commitment to the Christian faith. 

Through Christ, we are bonded not just to Christ, but to each other as a community of faith.

It was a milestone initiation into full church membership and a personal, mature acceptance of faith.

Confirmed in Christ

Confirmation: when you finally get to say, 'I do' to the church, but still can't say 'I do' to chores.

R.M.M. (behind, right) with Confirmands, after delivering Called In The Dark message 

Confirmation: the moment you realize your grandparents and Mom are more excited than you are.

And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them.

Left: Piano Rendition by I.T.V. Friends – Michael W. Smith, in celebration of the Confirmands and friendships formed

The welcome will not end, Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know, That a lifetime's not too long

To live as friends.

To our beloved A.V.S.:

May your heart always shine with faith,

 

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you today and always!