Blog

ByGD

Organs

Since people follow social media accounts that post about topics they are interested in, it stands to reason that themes would emerge in anyone’s feed. But I’m always tickled when posts on a random keyword or topic show up sequentially in my feeds. Yes, I follow lots of musicians and music-related accounts. But I have no particular interest in organs. And the two accounts above deal with very different musical genres. I just love that.

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Open Books

For years, I drove past Open Books, Seattle’s only poem emporium. I read some poetry, but I didn’t think I read enough poetry to bother visiting a bookstore that only sold poetry. Then I finally visited it during my first Independent Bookstore Day. I was amazed how many interesting books I found there. I still don’t visit often, but I never leave empty handed when I do.

The continued existence of independent bookstores is precarious at the best of times. As one of the few specialty bookstores left in our city, I especially worry about Open Books during the pandemic. I hope Open Books stays open.

ByGD

Nesting

When my youngest child was in kindergarten, her school decided to expand the science fair to all grades. They gave the youngest students choices, and my child chose to make a bird nest, because that was the most artsy option. Somewhere between science, sculpture, and ikebana, this was her project.

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Lake Myvatn

Lake Myvatn in north Iceland. Yeah. I could live here.

Of course, it’s probably frozen over right now. And I’d be afraid to drive in the kind of snow that’s normal there this time of year. But it is awfully pretty.

ByGD

For Shame

I often set myself up behind the sound guy at concerts, since where he’s standing is usually where the sound is best. I have so much respect for the job they do, especially because so much of the music I listen to is really hard to mix. But I am still angry about this show from years ago when one of my favorite bands at the festival was on stage and the sound guy spent the whole set on Facebook.