This and That Thursday

Hello!

I hope this post finds everyone well and safe. So here is what I have got up to this week other than reading.

Jigsaw

I have started another Jigsaw and now just have the sky left, I always find the sky to be the worst part in a jigsaw.

Cooking and Baking

I have been trying to do a recipe each week that I have never made before and this week was spaghetti carbonara, it was very yummy. I also made one of my favourites, rhubarb crumble with soya custard.

Walking

We are still going on daily walks and regularly go and see these three sheep we have affectionately nicknamed the Three Amigos!

Flute

I have been really enjoying practising the flute everyday for at least an hour, it is so nice to enjoy playing again.

New Skill

I bought a Ukulele and so today I started learning how to play it. Thankfully, I used to play the guitar so it is all coming back. I’m really enjoying learning a new skill so will see how it goes.

So, that is what I have been up to this week. Please drop me a comment with what you have been up to as well.

This and That Thursday

Hello!

With everything going on I am doing lots of things as well as reading to fill my time, so I thought every Thursday I would do a post about my other hobbies other than reading. So here we go…

Jigsaws

I finally completed my Christmas jigsaw that I started in 2017 and started a second jigsaw which was of course cat related. I have at least another two jigsaws to keep me going. All my jigsaws are 1000 pieces so they should keep me busy.

Baking

I have also baked some little cakes with lemon butter icing. I was following a new recipe by Mary Berry and I must admit there seemed to be a lot of icing but they are very yummy. I’m planning Easter nests next as I gave up chocolate for lent so this will be a nice reward.

Exercise

I’ve been trying to keep my fitness up so have been walking everyday and also playing on my Ring Fit Nintendo switch game as well as doing online exercise.

Studying and Music

I have also been studying but it has been disappointing that my final assignment for this year has been cancelled. I have also been practising the organ everyday with the hope of taking another exam either in the summer or winter.

So, that is just a few of the things I have been up to as well as house chores and gardening. What has everybody else been up to over lockdown?

Stay safe.

Music and Reading

Hello my fellow book dragons!

Over the last few days I have been pondering something that happens to me and I was wondering if it happens to any of my fellow readers.

As a musician music is a massive part of my life and so is reading and often the two go together as I do like to listen to music and read at the same time. However, when I reread a book I notice I associate certain parts of the book with certain songs. This happens the most when reading Harry Potter. When I first discovered the Harry Potter series I was visiting my sister in Scotland and read the books on the car journey to and from her house. At this time I also had a massive Linkin Park addiction and so now whenever I read one of the first four Harry Potter books I think of certain Linkin Park songs.

Now this evening whilst teaching one of my flute students I also had the same experience. My student is currently learning a piece I performed at university and had to write a massive essay on comparing 4 different performances of the same piece. This meant for weeks I was constantly listening to this piece, I was also commuting back and forth to university on the train and when I wasn’t writing essays on the train I was reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Now when I hear this piece I think of the book and it brings back very nostalgic memories of one of my favourite books.

This happens a lot with me whilst reading and I was wondering if anybody else experienced it or similar situations? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please drop me a comment.

p.s My cat Lyra wanted to feature in the photo as well but wouldn’t keep still.

Mid Week Quote: Frederick Delius

Hello Everyone!

I can’t quite believe it is the last day of July, it really has flown by.

I have chosen a musical based quote for this week, which I think is perfect. The quote is by English composer Frederick Delius.

“It is only that which cannot be expressed otherwise that is worth expressing in music.”

Frederick Delius

Happy Reading!

Mid Week Quote: George Eliot

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far.

My chosen quote this week is by George Eliot.

There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
George Eliot

George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Ann Evans was born in 1819. She was an English author, poet, journalist and translator and one of the most popular authors in the Victorian era. She passed away in 1880.

Happy reading.

Mid Week Quote: William Congreve

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

I thought it was time for a musical quote this week.

This weeks quote is by William Congreve who was an English playwright and poet of the Restoration period. He was also a minor figure in the British Whig Party.

“Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

William Congreve (1670-1729)

Lady Book Dragon.

Mid Week Quote

This weeks quote is inspired by all the music teaching I have been doing.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

I studied Philosophy for one of my A Levels and I must admit that I did not agree with a lot of Nietzsche’s theories but this quote I completely agree with.

Friedrich Nietzsche was a german philosopher, cultural critic, composer, poet, and much more. His work had a profound influence on Western thinking.

Lady Book Dragon.