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

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

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!

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

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

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

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