Hi Friends,
Welcome Autumn!
I like summer, but I love autumn and especially early autumn when there is still hope of warm summer-like days along with that crunchy crispy feel to the air that tells us it's fall. I just couldn't wait to "get into" autumn so it was a weekend filled with autumn activities. Yesterday we headed to a "Scarecrow Stomp" where you actually made a scarecrow decoration for your front lawn. We stuffed a raggedy shirt and pair of pants from home with leaves, twigs and lawn clippings and bought a burlap bag for stuffing the head. My child had the honor of drawing our scarecrow's face. He also named him "Max." Don't ask me why...I couldn't tell you, but Max it is. Since I won't put him (Max) out on the lawn until we buy a straw hat for him (must complete the ensemble) I've got what looks like a lifeless "body" in my car right now. I probably should hide Max in my trunk. Let's just say, either way, I pray I don't get stopped by any State Trooper on the way to work this week...
On Saturday my little family went apple picking. We got eating apples and pie apples, some late peaches and plums and Asian pears. I don't buy pumpkins in September. I always get them late in the fall so I can steam them ready for holiday pie baking. Also, I've got a "thing" against decorating the house with fresh pumpkins (or any real food)---I can't stand the waste of food when there are so many hungry people in this world. I believe "faux" still gets the autumnal message across. Anyway, I'm looking forward to an industrious week ahead that includes making apple pies Monday, peach and plum jams and preserves Tuesday, fresh Asian pear salad Wednesday, apple sauce and cider Thursday. Friday is back to jellies, preserves and jams because I'm a bit behind on my yearly "canning." BTW: my preserves don't get canned. They get glass jarred.
Anyway...Welcome Autumn!
Welcome the start of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's 2009-10 season. The Gala Opening Night is Wednesday the 23rd. WCRB begins broadcast of the BSO's Saturday night concerts with your host Mark Edwards this Saturday the 26th. Has it been awhile or maybe have you never been? Treat yourself or someone you love and buy tickets at 888-266-1200. Like the Swan Boats in spring the BSO season is important to the autumn and our shared Boston experience. And count on us here at WCRB to bring you the rest of the BSO and Boston Pops season Saturdays at 8:30.
'Til next time,
Laura
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Lesson Learned
Hi Friends,
Had to share this little exchange with you.
My "7 and 3/4s" year old son and I were having one of our chats about "life stuff" a few days ago and he mentioned playing that day at recess with a classmate we can call "Albert." "You played with Albert?" I said, surprised. "I thought he wasn't your friend any more after what he had said to you last year." You see, right at the start of the new school year last year Albert told my son that "Since Tommy, (another classmate), is going to another school next year I don't want to be your friend this year, I just want to be Tommy's." Albert proceeded to ignore my child pretty much all school year long and purposely excluded my child in many activities. In fact, Albert made it a point so loud and so obvious it was actually embarrassing more than a few times. The whole business cut my boy to the quick---he had done nothing wrong and couldn't understand Albert's choice to handle the situation this way. Anyway, my son went on to meet and play with other kids in their class and discovered there was life and happiness even after such treatment Now, a year later, I was hearing that he and Albert were playing together at recess. "Of course he's my friend," my child insisted. Hmmm. Older and "wiser" mother, full of motherly protective instincts and hoping to impress on the son that one should stick up for oneself said... "Oh. Now that Tommy has gone he wants to be friends with you again. Don't you think if you ignored Albert it would be a good idea so you could really teach him a lesson?" My son, head cocked to the side, eyes meeting mine, didn't skip a beat. "I am teaching him a lesson, Mama, I am teaching him how to be a friend." Lesson learned. By me.
I still have so much to learn. Thank you for showing me the way, Little Man.
I think I'll be spending many hours with gorgeous music ....so I can just think about things. Join me. Check out our Composer Marathon Weekend, starting Friday afternoon at 4 and going right through Sunday.
'Til next time,
Laura
Had to share this little exchange with you.
My "7 and 3/4s" year old son and I were having one of our chats about "life stuff" a few days ago and he mentioned playing that day at recess with a classmate we can call "Albert." "You played with Albert?" I said, surprised. "I thought he wasn't your friend any more after what he had said to you last year." You see, right at the start of the new school year last year Albert told my son that "Since Tommy, (another classmate), is going to another school next year I don't want to be your friend this year, I just want to be Tommy's." Albert proceeded to ignore my child pretty much all school year long and purposely excluded my child in many activities. In fact, Albert made it a point so loud and so obvious it was actually embarrassing more than a few times. The whole business cut my boy to the quick---he had done nothing wrong and couldn't understand Albert's choice to handle the situation this way. Anyway, my son went on to meet and play with other kids in their class and discovered there was life and happiness even after such treatment Now, a year later, I was hearing that he and Albert were playing together at recess. "Of course he's my friend," my child insisted. Hmmm. Older and "wiser" mother, full of motherly protective instincts and hoping to impress on the son that one should stick up for oneself said... "Oh. Now that Tommy has gone he wants to be friends with you again. Don't you think if you ignored Albert it would be a good idea so you could really teach him a lesson?" My son, head cocked to the side, eyes meeting mine, didn't skip a beat. "I am teaching him a lesson, Mama, I am teaching him how to be a friend." Lesson learned. By me.
I still have so much to learn. Thank you for showing me the way, Little Man.
I think I'll be spending many hours with gorgeous music ....so I can just think about things. Join me. Check out our Composer Marathon Weekend, starting Friday afternoon at 4 and going right through Sunday.
'Til next time,
Laura
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day 2009
Hi Friends, We had an awful lot of fun seeing what you voted for in the WCRB Labor Day 500 countdown. We were overwhelmed, frankly, that thousands of you took the time to do this, especially since voting took place in the last couple of weeks before Labor Day and so many people just aren't around. Thanks so much for voting and being a part of this. Some pieces were "naturals" (yes, of course we expected Beethoven's 9th, Pachelbel's Canon, Vivaldi's Four Seasons) and then there were some things you voted for that took us by surprise. It made for a really interesting countdown, really interesting listening, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Other than checking back with WCRB for your favorite pieces, how did you spend the rest of your holiday weekend? WCRB's countdown accompanied us all weekend. We got some chores done on Saturday (but never the whole list--who are we kidding?), and did a family day trip Sunday, not far, just an hour from home, but we went someplace we had never been, and on Monday we had a wonderful cookout with my parents (yay, Grandma and Papa are here!) courtesy of Mother Nature's good mood. The weather was glorious and even though the food was so simple (most of it from our gardens) it was a day of... riches. As glamorous as, say, jetting off to Paris for the weekend sounds, I'm OK with letting that be for others. At this point in my life I preferred my day which included having my little one show his grandparents his just-bloomed sunflowers and his newly-decorated baseball room, of seeing three generations at our kitchen table, of catching up on the doings of family and friends, of serving Italian food complete with my homemade pear crostada (rustic pear tart) made with recently picked pears from Papa's pear tree, on this holiday honoring labor, honest work, with family members who have labored honorably their whole lives. Who knows, dahling, someday I may jet off to Paris for the weekend... but for now, for me, Labor Day 2009.... was a day of riches just as it was. It will go down as my favorite Labor Day so far.
Until next time,
Laura
Monday, August 3, 2009
Alaska or Bust
Hello,
I had this really long checklist, started a year ago when I learned that I'd be representing WCRB on a listener cruise to Alaska, that I felt sure would get done, considering the lead time. Not only did I not lose 50 pounds, memorize the history of Alaska, and learn absolutely everything there is to learn about dog sledding (I can assure you the list was about 4 pages long, single spaced) I have been scrambling right up until this afternoon to get everything done that needs to be done---taking care of (not in any particular order) my parents, passport renewals, securing home, tomato plants, window boxes, U.S. mail, shopping (I feel that my family alone has stimulated the economy into absolute giddiness---who would have thought we had to pack for summer and winter in the same vacation?), WCRB production work, bills, prescriptions, mailing out birthday cards so we don't miss special dates, cleaning out the fridge of potential "science projects," well, you get the idea. Hubs, child and I are so exhausted from all the "to do's" getting done on the list. There is still some left-over packing to finish...and then...look out Alaska, here we come. We won't be the most rested travelers Alaska has ever hosted...but we're certainly going to be among the most enthusiastic. The WCRB listeners who signed up for this trip are already there...having started last week on a luxury coach tour through the NorthWest. We'll all meet up on the ship and if I can figure out how to do it I'll try to remember to send photos for our station Facebook page. I can't wait to meet my "Inaugural WCRB Travel Club" members (that's what I'm calling this venture---I want to do a trip a year... hint, hint, Boss) and explore the 49th state. I can't wait to see and do it all....and then I'll share it with you, right here, in about a week. I'll miss all of you and your warm voice mails, snail mails and e-mails...but I'll come back on August 17th with stories to share. Please say a prayer we (all) have a safe trip--I'd appreciate that.
'Til next time,
Laura
I had this really long checklist, started a year ago when I learned that I'd be representing WCRB on a listener cruise to Alaska, that I felt sure would get done, considering the lead time. Not only did I not lose 50 pounds, memorize the history of Alaska, and learn absolutely everything there is to learn about dog sledding (I can assure you the list was about 4 pages long, single spaced) I have been scrambling right up until this afternoon to get everything done that needs to be done---taking care of (not in any particular order) my parents, passport renewals, securing home, tomato plants, window boxes, U.S. mail, shopping (I feel that my family alone has stimulated the economy into absolute giddiness---who would have thought we had to pack for summer and winter in the same vacation?), WCRB production work, bills, prescriptions, mailing out birthday cards so we don't miss special dates, cleaning out the fridge of potential "science projects," well, you get the idea. Hubs, child and I are so exhausted from all the "to do's" getting done on the list. There is still some left-over packing to finish...and then...look out Alaska, here we come. We won't be the most rested travelers Alaska has ever hosted...but we're certainly going to be among the most enthusiastic. The WCRB listeners who signed up for this trip are already there...having started last week on a luxury coach tour through the NorthWest. We'll all meet up on the ship and if I can figure out how to do it I'll try to remember to send photos for our station Facebook page. I can't wait to meet my "Inaugural WCRB Travel Club" members (that's what I'm calling this venture---I want to do a trip a year... hint, hint, Boss) and explore the 49th state. I can't wait to see and do it all....and then I'll share it with you, right here, in about a week. I'll miss all of you and your warm voice mails, snail mails and e-mails...but I'll come back on August 17th with stories to share. Please say a prayer we (all) have a safe trip--I'd appreciate that.
'Til next time,
Laura
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Summer cold, simple abundance
Hello My Friend,
So here I am, day 4 of nursing a nasty summer cold. Eyes, nose, throat, sore all over, yes, all my parts are involved. My sympathetic co-workers and friends have all said "Summer colds are the worst!" I don't even know what that means---duration? severity?--- but I've agreed anyway. When I got home yesterday all I wanted to do was crawl under the covers and sleep the germies away. That wasn't to be, however---I had a little boy waiting for me who had caught Mama's cold and was feeling miserable, laundry to get to and dinner to prepare for the one meal we can eat as a family. My wonderful husband had taken care of so many other things that needed doing before I got home, and trust me, I am no martyr, but these things needed getting done, too. I prayed for strength and just got to it. On the other side of these activities, I thought how lucky I was. I had a little boy to snuggle with and share a box of tissues with as WCRB played in the background, I had my own washing machine and clothing to care for, I could come up with a pretty easy but homemade dinner to keep us nourished. From time to time I day dream of being left millions by a long-lost relative but honestly, I was just so happy last evening, nasty summer cold and all, just comforted by this simple abundance. I wish you that comfort, too.
How is this for simple abundance---all the free concerts we can take advantage of in the Greater Boston area?! Remember, the Landmarks Festival is a free, outdoor classical music concert series at the Hatch Shell on the beautiful Charles River Esplanade every Wednesday evening at 7. WCRB's Mark Edwards is your host. Tomorrow night's theme is "Viennese Masters" featuring the music of Haydn and Beethoven. The rain location is Church of the Covenant at the corner of Newbury and Berkley Streets. Sign up for WCRB Mobile and we'll text you if the weather is moving the concert indoors (check out our website for details).
'Til next time,
Laura
So here I am, day 4 of nursing a nasty summer cold. Eyes, nose, throat, sore all over, yes, all my parts are involved. My sympathetic co-workers and friends have all said "Summer colds are the worst!" I don't even know what that means---duration? severity?--- but I've agreed anyway. When I got home yesterday all I wanted to do was crawl under the covers and sleep the germies away. That wasn't to be, however---I had a little boy waiting for me who had caught Mama's cold and was feeling miserable, laundry to get to and dinner to prepare for the one meal we can eat as a family. My wonderful husband had taken care of so many other things that needed doing before I got home, and trust me, I am no martyr, but these things needed getting done, too. I prayed for strength and just got to it. On the other side of these activities, I thought how lucky I was. I had a little boy to snuggle with and share a box of tissues with as WCRB played in the background, I had my own washing machine and clothing to care for, I could come up with a pretty easy but homemade dinner to keep us nourished. From time to time I day dream of being left millions by a long-lost relative but honestly, I was just so happy last evening, nasty summer cold and all, just comforted by this simple abundance. I wish you that comfort, too.
How is this for simple abundance---all the free concerts we can take advantage of in the Greater Boston area?! Remember, the Landmarks Festival is a free, outdoor classical music concert series at the Hatch Shell on the beautiful Charles River Esplanade every Wednesday evening at 7. WCRB's Mark Edwards is your host. Tomorrow night's theme is "Viennese Masters" featuring the music of Haydn and Beethoven. The rain location is Church of the Covenant at the corner of Newbury and Berkley Streets. Sign up for WCRB Mobile and we'll text you if the weather is moving the concert indoors (check out our website for details).
'Til next time,
Laura
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Southern Girl (New England Style)
Hi Friends,
I hope you're wishing for as gorgeous a weekend ahead as we had last weekend for the 4th of July holiday. I know I am---my family and I are so excited to be heading down to glorious Newport, Rhode Island for two wonderful events. The 41st annual Newport Music Festival opens this Friday, July 10th, and I've been invited to welcome concertgoers at an opening weekend concert. I picked the Saturday, July 11th, 2 PM concert under the tent at the magnificent mansion, The Elms. The concert will feature sextets by Tchaikovsky and others. We often hear on the radio or see on concert programs duets, trios, quartets, even quintets with greater frequency---but sextets? Not so much. It will be great to hear out-of-the-usual music. The wonderful Malkovich's have prepared another outstanding festival with so many concerts you'll consider "must sees" that you'll just want to pitch a tent in Newport so you won't miss any. You can see what I'm talking about by visiting www.newportfestival.org. Then we'll neighboring Portsmouth, RI, for the Newport International Polo's playing fields. It's such a fun, family-oriented sporting event. Kids (of all ages) are mesmerized by the athleticism of the players---as man (sometimes woman) becomes one with horse. Although recognized as "the Sport of Kings" Newport Polo has done an outstanding job making the game "accessible" to everyone (tailgaters welcome, children under 12 admitted free, etc). Check out their website at www.glenfarm.com. Visiting points south this weekend---please come join me! Everything is better when friends join in!
I hope you're wishing for as gorgeous a weekend ahead as we had last weekend for the 4th of July holiday. I know I am---my family and I are so excited to be heading down to glorious Newport, Rhode Island for two wonderful events. The 41st annual Newport Music Festival opens this Friday, July 10th, and I've been invited to welcome concertgoers at an opening weekend concert. I picked the Saturday, July 11th, 2 PM concert under the tent at the magnificent mansion, The Elms. The concert will feature sextets by Tchaikovsky and others. We often hear on the radio or see on concert programs duets, trios, quartets, even quintets with greater frequency---but sextets? Not so much. It will be great to hear out-of-the-usual music. The wonderful Malkovich's have prepared another outstanding festival with so many concerts you'll consider "must sees" that you'll just want to pitch a tent in Newport so you won't miss any. You can see what I'm talking about by visiting www.newportfestival.org. Then we'll neighboring Portsmouth, RI, for the Newport International Polo's playing fields. It's such a fun, family-oriented sporting event. Kids (of all ages) are mesmerized by the athleticism of the players---as man (sometimes woman) becomes one with horse. Although recognized as "the Sport of Kings" Newport Polo has done an outstanding job making the game "accessible" to everyone (tailgaters welcome, children under 12 admitted free, etc). Check out their website at www.glenfarm.com. Visiting points south this weekend---please come join me! Everything is better when friends join in!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hello Friends,
I love the 4th of July holiday---and everything about it---the significance, the history lessons, the modern day fireworks, concerts, parades, and trying desperately to come up with a clever red-white-blue dessert every year for the family get-together. I love it all. I also love being down at the Boston Pops concert on the beautiful Charles River Esplanade for all the fireworks---of both the musical and gun powder types. WCRB continues its tradition and will be broadcasting "live" from the Esplanade beginning at noon on Saturday...right through the evening concert-extravaganza. Please plan to join all your WCRB friends so you don't miss an exciting moment. Mark Edwards and I will co-host the evening concert starting at 8. Our friend and WCRB morning show contributor, conductor Keith Lockhart, will lead the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in a most patriotic show and then welcomes special guest star Neil Diamond to the Hatch Shell stage. Whether you plan to be on the lawn in front of the Shell, or visiting with friends and family, remember to take along a radio Saturday and keep it tuned to 99.5 WCRB!
Oh...and if you have a really clever red-white and blue dessert recipe---please e-mail it to me. The sheet cake flag with strawberries and blueberries has gotten "old...."
Cheers,
Laura
I love the 4th of July holiday---and everything about it---the significance, the history lessons, the modern day fireworks, concerts, parades, and trying desperately to come up with a clever red-white-blue dessert every year for the family get-together. I love it all. I also love being down at the Boston Pops concert on the beautiful Charles River Esplanade for all the fireworks---of both the musical and gun powder types. WCRB continues its tradition and will be broadcasting "live" from the Esplanade beginning at noon on Saturday...right through the evening concert-extravaganza. Please plan to join all your WCRB friends so you don't miss an exciting moment. Mark Edwards and I will co-host the evening concert starting at 8. Our friend and WCRB morning show contributor, conductor Keith Lockhart, will lead the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in a most patriotic show and then welcomes special guest star Neil Diamond to the Hatch Shell stage. Whether you plan to be on the lawn in front of the Shell, or visiting with friends and family, remember to take along a radio Saturday and keep it tuned to 99.5 WCRB!
Oh...and if you have a really clever red-white and blue dessert recipe---please e-mail it to me. The sheet cake flag with strawberries and blueberries has gotten "old...."
Cheers,
Laura
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Father's Day
Hi!
First, Happy Father's Day and kisses to all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, almost-like-a-fathers, etc. in radioland! Dr. Phil says no one has a greater influence on you, for good or bad, than your same gender parent and I am so lucky to have the mother I have. He also has said that the opposite gender parent is the one who helps shape your sense of self-esteem, how you see and carry yourself, even into adulthood. So thank you my beloved Daddy (Big Carlo), the roses cultivator, the opera fan, the hardest working, most ethical person I've ever known, the writer of gentle, poetic and profound letters, for raising me through the eyes of love. I have learned so much from you and I hope to raise my son the same way. That is my tribute to you. And to my husband James: I knew when we picked each other that you'd be the best father of any I've met of our generation. We have a lucky little boy....
So to honor all the Dads out there we've got a special weekend of programming just for you! We call it "The Fathers of Classical Music" and all the "greats" are represented. You can hear them starting Friday the 19th at 4 and lasting right through Father's Day Sunday. Listen with a Dad you love!
Cheers,
Laura
First, Happy Father's Day and kisses to all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, almost-like-a-fathers, etc. in radioland! Dr. Phil says no one has a greater influence on you, for good or bad, than your same gender parent and I am so lucky to have the mother I have. He also has said that the opposite gender parent is the one who helps shape your sense of self-esteem, how you see and carry yourself, even into adulthood. So thank you my beloved Daddy (Big Carlo), the roses cultivator, the opera fan, the hardest working, most ethical person I've ever known, the writer of gentle, poetic and profound letters, for raising me through the eyes of love. I have learned so much from you and I hope to raise my son the same way. That is my tribute to you. And to my husband James: I knew when we picked each other that you'd be the best father of any I've met of our generation. We have a lucky little boy....
So to honor all the Dads out there we've got a special weekend of programming just for you! We call it "The Fathers of Classical Music" and all the "greats" are represented. You can hear them starting Friday the 19th at 4 and lasting right through Father's Day Sunday. Listen with a Dad you love!
Cheers,
Laura
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Hi Friends,
How are you doing with this gray week? The rain hasn't been overwhelming, but the cloudy skies with no break for sun and the daily rain threat can color all your plans, can't it? That's why I love hearing from you---having friends around on gloomy-looking days changes everything for the better for me. Practically speaking, I know that for many "dj's" are disembodied voices.... and when you can't see someone in front of you it's hard to believe they're real people... but I assure you I'm real and when I get an e-mail or voice mail, or (my favorite) "snail mail" from you it truly "makes my day." I also know how busy and stressed just about everybody is these days and that makes your taking the time to get in touch with me, with all of us here at WCRB, all the more special and I thank you from my heart.
Here's something else that "makes my day"---the Kids Classical Hour, heard every Saturday morning at 9. We usually take a theme that kids can understand (nature, outer space, toys and games, circus) and explore it so that kids, of all ages, can learn about the joys of classical music. On 6/13 we'll learn about music for kings and queens through the ages. Hope you join me on this fun exploration.
Thanks for "being there!"
Laura
How are you doing with this gray week? The rain hasn't been overwhelming, but the cloudy skies with no break for sun and the daily rain threat can color all your plans, can't it? That's why I love hearing from you---having friends around on gloomy-looking days changes everything for the better for me. Practically speaking, I know that for many "dj's" are disembodied voices.... and when you can't see someone in front of you it's hard to believe they're real people... but I assure you I'm real and when I get an e-mail or voice mail, or (my favorite) "snail mail" from you it truly "makes my day." I also know how busy and stressed just about everybody is these days and that makes your taking the time to get in touch with me, with all of us here at WCRB, all the more special and I thank you from my heart.
Here's something else that "makes my day"---the Kids Classical Hour, heard every Saturday morning at 9. We usually take a theme that kids can understand (nature, outer space, toys and games, circus) and explore it so that kids, of all ages, can learn about the joys of classical music. On 6/13 we'll learn about music for kings and queens through the ages. Hope you join me on this fun exploration.
Thanks for "being there!"
Laura
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hi!
We've got some great late spring weather coming our way this weekend. I believe in taking advantage of such beautiful days (no cleaning out closets and garages on gorgeous Saturdays and sunny Sundays. Goodness knows we New Englanders don't get enough of them to waste any and besides, I think that's what cold and wet or snowy weekends are for anyway). Our child has one of his baseball games and we're looking forward to visiting with friends (long overdue visit). And I can't wait to have our son join me in our annual planting of our windowboxes (actually, deck boxes---you get the idea). What's doing for your weekend? If you really don't have any ideas...you can always check out our website. Click on the far left column of our home page, scroll to where you see "Around Town" or just under it, "Concert Calendar." Both are chock full of concerts and other arts happenings you and yours might like to take in. We include freebie events whenever we can, too. And if the great weather makes you think of road trips----then travel down to Portsmouth, RI, for the opening weekend of Newport International Polo (check out our website for info). That's a really amazing sport to watch and fun for the whole family. You can even tail gate at the field. Listen---whatever you end up doing, just remember to take WCRB with you. We love being part of your weekend plans!
Until next week, take care, m'friend...
Laura
We've got some great late spring weather coming our way this weekend. I believe in taking advantage of such beautiful days (no cleaning out closets and garages on gorgeous Saturdays and sunny Sundays. Goodness knows we New Englanders don't get enough of them to waste any and besides, I think that's what cold and wet or snowy weekends are for anyway). Our child has one of his baseball games and we're looking forward to visiting with friends (long overdue visit). And I can't wait to have our son join me in our annual planting of our windowboxes (actually, deck boxes---you get the idea). What's doing for your weekend? If you really don't have any ideas...you can always check out our website. Click on the far left column of our home page, scroll to where you see "Around Town" or just under it, "Concert Calendar." Both are chock full of concerts and other arts happenings you and yours might like to take in. We include freebie events whenever we can, too. And if the great weather makes you think of road trips----then travel down to Portsmouth, RI, for the opening weekend of Newport International Polo (check out our website for info). That's a really amazing sport to watch and fun for the whole family. You can even tail gate at the field. Listen---whatever you end up doing, just remember to take WCRB with you. We love being part of your weekend plans!
Until next week, take care, m'friend...
Laura
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Creature from the Black... Studio?
Hi Friends!
Between my spring-summer allergies (itchy red eyes, red-tipped nose) and spring-summer weather-reactive hair (cross between Bozo and a Brillo soap pad today) I look like one of the creatures from those '50s B-grade horror movies. I think I'm going to give Keith Lockhart and my colleagues here at WCRB some nightmares tonight. Sorry, gang. may I just add that I'm so glad I'm in radio and not TV. Trust me, you're glad about that, too.
I'm really looking forward to this coming weekend. WCRB will have its first-ever "Classic Performances Weekend" with great old-time performances from our archives. I've gotten a sneak peak at the play list compiled thus far---lots of wonderful, and in some cases forgotten, stars of classical recorded music popping up on it. As you go about your weekend errands and plans take us with you so you don't miss out on the gems being scheduled!
By the way, now that you've found our website, I hope you visit the "contests" page regularly and see what we have in store for you! We update that page regularly. Good Luck!
Thanks for visiting,
Laura
Between my spring-summer allergies (itchy red eyes, red-tipped nose) and spring-summer weather-reactive hair (cross between Bozo and a Brillo soap pad today) I look like one of the creatures from those '50s B-grade horror movies. I think I'm going to give Keith Lockhart and my colleagues here at WCRB some nightmares tonight. Sorry, gang. may I just add that I'm so glad I'm in radio and not TV. Trust me, you're glad about that, too.
I'm really looking forward to this coming weekend. WCRB will have its first-ever "Classic Performances Weekend" with great old-time performances from our archives. I've gotten a sneak peak at the play list compiled thus far---lots of wonderful, and in some cases forgotten, stars of classical recorded music popping up on it. As you go about your weekend errands and plans take us with you so you don't miss out on the gems being scheduled!
By the way, now that you've found our website, I hope you visit the "contests" page regularly and see what we have in store for you! We update that page regularly. Good Luck!
Thanks for visiting,
Laura
Thursday, May 28, 2009
So Much to Do, So little Time
Hi!
Did you ever say, or even just think to yourself, "I don't know which end is up?" Despite my best efforts at organization and schedule management (and I'm usually good at this) stuff, important stuff, has been getting in the way of an orderly life this week both at work and at home. It's all important, it all has deadlines and the end of the world as we know it will happen if I don't get to it...yesterday. I got to the point running around to do it all this week where I think I forgot to breathe. And then---inspiration! The little voice inside whispered "Turn on 99.5 WCRB!" There it was... a lush and beautiful Ralph Vaughan Williams piece, followed by a dreamy Puccini, then a romantic Tchaikovsky....and as I listened all became right with the world again. Or at least....more manageable. You have told me this for years---that you need your friends Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Company to relax, re-group, re-energize, and I've agreed. So how did I forget that the classical music cure was just a radio click away this week? I won't be forgetting again.
One person who is pulled in a million directions but somehow gets it all done is Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. I hope you get to hear him on "Keith's Classical Corner" every Monday through Friday at 8:30. Keith stops by and shares his "musical pick of the day." Sometimes he ties his musical selection to a holiday, composer's birthday, a theme his next Pops concert will be exploring, and sometimes---he chooses music "just because." He's always a font of musical knowledge and speaks in a way everyone can understand. He's always pleasant and fun, and always does our morning exchange with his coffee mug in hand, (black). Hope you'll invite "Keith" into your mornings! And remember, even though the spring Pops season is well underway you can still get tickets to his great concerts. Just visit www.bostonpops.org.
'Til next time,
Laura
Did you ever say, or even just think to yourself, "I don't know which end is up?" Despite my best efforts at organization and schedule management (and I'm usually good at this) stuff, important stuff, has been getting in the way of an orderly life this week both at work and at home. It's all important, it all has deadlines and the end of the world as we know it will happen if I don't get to it...yesterday. I got to the point running around to do it all this week where I think I forgot to breathe. And then---inspiration! The little voice inside whispered "Turn on 99.5 WCRB!" There it was... a lush and beautiful Ralph Vaughan Williams piece, followed by a dreamy Puccini, then a romantic Tchaikovsky....and as I listened all became right with the world again. Or at least....more manageable. You have told me this for years---that you need your friends Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Company to relax, re-group, re-energize, and I've agreed. So how did I forget that the classical music cure was just a radio click away this week? I won't be forgetting again.
One person who is pulled in a million directions but somehow gets it all done is Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. I hope you get to hear him on "Keith's Classical Corner" every Monday through Friday at 8:30. Keith stops by and shares his "musical pick of the day." Sometimes he ties his musical selection to a holiday, composer's birthday, a theme his next Pops concert will be exploring, and sometimes---he chooses music "just because." He's always a font of musical knowledge and speaks in a way everyone can understand. He's always pleasant and fun, and always does our morning exchange with his coffee mug in hand, (black). Hope you'll invite "Keith" into your mornings! And remember, even though the spring Pops season is well underway you can still get tickets to his great concerts. Just visit www.bostonpops.org.
'Til next time,
Laura
Friday, May 15, 2009
Here comes the sun (& son)
Hi, Laura checking in with you!
Nice to see the sun finally. Don't get me wrong--- I really do appreciate the rain---but it's just that "Friday's and sunny" go together better in my mind. That...and the fact that my little one has his very first Little League game this afternoon. Anyway, the response to our first one last month was so good we're presenting another Classical Composer Marathon Weekend, starting this afternoon at 4! You'll hear 1, 2 and 3-hour blocks of music by your favorite composers right through Sunday.
And now, even more spring things for you: we need your votes to make our "Top 100 Countdown" weekend, next weekend, a big success! Just visit wcrb.com, click on the "Top 100" banner and list your 3 favorite classical music pieces. We'll tabulate the answers and then count down your picks starting Friday , May 22nd at 4. We love having you be a part of all we do---thanks for "being there!"
I'm back with you at 6 am tomorrow (Sat)...please join me then!
Nice to see the sun finally. Don't get me wrong--- I really do appreciate the rain---but it's just that "Friday's and sunny" go together better in my mind. That...and the fact that my little one has his very first Little League game this afternoon. Anyway, the response to our first one last month was so good we're presenting another Classical Composer Marathon Weekend, starting this afternoon at 4! You'll hear 1, 2 and 3-hour blocks of music by your favorite composers right through Sunday.
And now, even more spring things for you: we need your votes to make our "Top 100 Countdown" weekend, next weekend, a big success! Just visit wcrb.com, click on the "Top 100" banner and list your 3 favorite classical music pieces. We'll tabulate the answers and then count down your picks starting Friday , May 22nd at 4. We love having you be a part of all we do---thanks for "being there!"
I'm back with you at 6 am tomorrow (Sat)...please join me then!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
1st Blog Entry
Hi! and Welcome to my Very First Entry on my Very First Blog!
This has been quite the exciting day for me---I posted my first two tweets on Twitter, I joined Facebook (both through WCRB) and now---Look, Ma---I'm blogging! At the risk of dating myself (and a lady never tells her age!) I learned to type in high school on a manual typewriter. (Yes, Cheeky, electrics and Selectrics had been invented. It's just that my school believed that the manuals were better for learning). The only computer that I knew about in college was the huge, room-sized computer in the B.C. science library. That I've come into the 21th century today with all this electronic outreach is making my head spin. Someone, quick, administer chocolate.
It's so funny to me, really, considering that I can't even use the remote(s) for my TV (for that I've relied on my child ever since he turned 4a few years back), and yet daily I sit in front of and control a console here at the radio station with so many buttons to push that it looks like what the astronauts face in the Space Shuttle. I guess I've always been one to learn on a "need to know" basis when it comes to computer-electronic-thingies. Anyway, now that I'm plugged in I'll post regularly. Please join me on this journey. Hey...what's keeping that chocolate?
Laura
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