Steven Sondheim (March 22, 1930 – November 26, 2021)

 

From wikipedia: 

Stephen Joshua Sondheim  was an American composer and lyricist. Among the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater.  Sondheim was praised for having "reinvented the American musical" with shows that tackled "unexpected themes that range far beyond the [genre's] traditional subjects" with "music and lyrics of unprecedented complexity and sophistication". His shows addressed "darker, more harrowing elements of the human experience", with songs often tinged with "ambivalence" about various aspects of life.

Sondheim started his theatre career by writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959) before becoming a composer and lyricist. Sondheim's best-known works include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970) Follies (1971),  a Little Night Music (1973),  Sweeney Todd: The demon Barber of Fleet Street  (1979),  Merrily we Roll Along (1981), Sunday in the Park with George  (1984), and  Into the Woods (1987).

 

  “Even in a time so full of loss, this news feels like a unique punch to the heart. Which is appropriate, I guess, given that is exactly how his music always affected me. What do you say when the ocean goes away, or when a mountain disappears? Steve was that elemental and irreplaceable a part of my career and my understanding of art and life. And I’m surely not alone in that feeling. I don’t really have the words. Steve would.”-Michael Cerveris

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

 

 “Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love." Thinking of loved ones near and far. May your Thanksgiving day be full of wonderful blessings. Also thinking of the many far less fortunate that we. May our hearts be full of gratitude especially on this day.

Thinking of My Mom and Dad

 My friend Sherri  began posting daily gratitudes for the month of November. It has been nice to begin my mornings reading things that fill her heart with thankfulness. I began a daily mile walk a couple of weeks ago. It also is a good way for me to begin my day and gives me time to think on things I'm grateful for. The past two chilly mornings I have worn my dad's old, soft,  cozy cartigan. It was one of his favorites. As I walked this morning I was thinking about my gratitude for such loving parents. They taught me so many good lessons just in the way they were. Through my father I learned patience and the art of stillness and observation. From my mom the lessons were many. She was the opposite of my father in a lot of ways. She was not still like my dad. She was a wanderer and an explorer always wanting to learn new things, see new places, meet new people. She was kind hearted and generous of spirit and loved to laugh and entertain. I miss both of them and their loving open hearts. Holidays are times when I miss them so much yet feel their presence the most. I'm imagining days of old when they were busy in the kitchen working together to prepare a feast for the family. My mom would always greet us at the door with open arms. She was always ready for a celebration. I think that's a good way to live one's life.

 

A Trip to the zoo

 

Back in the Saddle Again

 Sunday Mike and I did a two hour hike above the wetlands preserve area. He asked me at the end of our hike how I was doing and I assured him I was fine. He said “ I think you’re officially back to your old self!” Yesterday I had my  6 week post op appointment with my surgeon Dr. Gorab. Thankfully everything went fine and he agrees with Mike “I’m back in the saddle again.”

 

Santa and Sofia and Bobo

 Santa paid a visit to the SMU campus last night. He was at the Dorm that Sofia is the mascot and I heard she usurped all of Santa's time. She asked him so many questions. "Is Rudolph coming to get you? Do your reindeers speak English or animal? Can you get quieter shoes this year because last year I think I heard your footsteps? How long is your naughty list?...and many other questions. When I asked Sofia what she asked Santa for she whispered: "I asked him for a Barbie wheelchair and a Barbie schoolhouse set".

 

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (Sherri and Maria's)

Maria's Turkey Stuffing

 

Seasoned Basic Dressing Mix

Uncle Ben's Wild Rice Mix

1 c. chicken broth

1/2 c. butter melted

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 1/2  cups toasted slivered almonds

2 cans water chestnuts sliced

Italian seasoning to taste

salt optional 

fresh mushrooms sauteed in butter and sherry (san antonio brand)

 

Bake in buttered casserole  9x13 for 30 minutes 400 degrees 

 

Preferred brand of stuffing

 If you can't find the above use this.