09 Oct – Three times a year

Earlier this week, the plan for tonight was to post the food blog that I’ve been saving for some “down” time. Now that tonight is here, there are other events I’d prefer to share that will be equally entertaining. Part of it is also that my belly if full. The evening ended with a slice of delicious cake… devoured at church.

Every afternoon at work there is an energetic bird that is dressed for a tuxedo affair. It’s white and gray, with a black collar and a splash of yellow on its head. The bird hops around the building entrance just outside my window. As it hops the tail counter balances, creating quite a little dance performance. Many times it is more entertaining than my computer screen. Using the word “tragedy” to describe yesterday’s events would be overkill, however from the bird’s point of view it might be fitting.

Yesterday after lunch I exited the cafeteria and stepped into a process of the receptionist and a cafeteria worker observing some disturbance. Apparently there was a bird… woosh-flap-flap… yep there it is... flying up and down the hallway between the glass doors at both ends. We tried three different times to frighten the bird out the door. One time it was so close, the bird was latched onto the lit exit sign right above the door. It could feel the breeze, but it wouldn’t fly out. It took a wrong turn and flew down another hallway and into the factory (more like a warehouse size) building. We were disappointed. The receptionist was bummed that the bird wouldn’t survive in the factory. It’s actually quite common for birds to live in the rafters, so it was just a matter of time before it happened here. I’d guess it occurs about three times a year, so this one will have to wait a couple months before it will have some company. My selfish bummer was that I have no daily afternoon performances any longer. I’ve since looked up the bird, and suspect it’s a White Wagtail (appropriately named).

To keep my girlish figure while eating out 7 days/week I go running at least every other day. It’s worked so far and the concerns will start when the snow starts sticking and the daylight has retreated by 5pm. Today was the 5.5 mile loop up the local steep hill, pass a pond, through the woods, and down another steep hill. I’m always on the look-out for moose, as they frequent the very same woods. The running gear is currently capris, long sleeve t-shirt and a fleece/knit hat. I’m sure in another 2-3 weeks I’ll need a vest too.

A coworker recommended a historical concert for tonight. It is only for Christmas, Easter and this occasion that the 70+ candles in the church are lit. The candles flicker from the three large baroque/ornate chandeliers that hang perpendicular to the “stage”. Being that this is one of the three times that the candles are lit, it seemed to me the best way to experience the church. The church is a few hundred years old and the organ was inaugurated in 1765. It was shut down in 1889. After a bunch of fundraising and restoration sweat, the pipes blew again in 2001. This evening the organ keys were tickled by a performer from England (David Sanger). He played eight songs from the 1500s – 1700s. The first 5-10 minutes I was skeptical of sitting through an hour of it, however the music/organ sounds slowly grew on me. By the time Bach and the last two songs played I had come to appreciate the sound and his skills. The baker’s skills were also a masterpiece. The concert wrapped up with a slice of white cake, chocolate almond sliver mousse filling, with an almond marzipan icing that was draped over the cake similar to fondant. Pure goodness for the taste buds after getting an organ earful.