Early Music Christmas Series and more important matters.

For the past 5 years I have been part of a Christmas Concert at the Auburn United Methodist Church. This is hosted by a friend and colleague, Mitch Thomas, and it is always well attended. The same thing is going on this year, so if you can attend, it will be wonderful.

Last year I had a student recital that went...alright. I had little help and the audience was made up of parents of the students and very few more. This year I decided to embark on a different program, where I could play my neglected lute and include a few early music enthusiasts. I sent a few emails a month ago and planned a program of Christmas music on early instruments: lute, recorders, and viols. We started on Saturday at the Auburn Public Library and next week we will be at the Harrison and Naples libraries before the Advent concert (above).

It was a good performance with a small audience.  Afterwards we visited the cafe in the building and warmed up. Upon leaving the library I received more news of a horrible incident the day before at a grade school in Connecticut-- the news confirmed children dead (20) along with teachers and caregivers (7).  I had to stop what I was doing and the rest of my day was spent in wonder. I always take a look at my life, the lives of my family, and the lives of the world at large. My career depends upon people and my humanity depends upon all of us working together...but, something is wrong. My answers are opinions like anyone else, and I have no money to make them happen. If you (the reader of this) had money, here are a few ideas that could be implemented to make this world a safer place. Some of them don't involve money-- they involve courage.

-- Airport grade scanner/metal detector at every entrance to school buildings: This specialized scanner not only detects metal but it determines shapes- like the shape of a gun. On the detection of a weapon, the entire school goes into lock-down electronically (all doors) and authorities are contacted. This makes each school a fortress, but very safe.

-- Drone technology? I don't think we need to go there yet, but there can only be so many police officers. Computers can scan and make initial tests and on the other end a remote human can make an assessment. One person can handle multiple drones-- they will not all be running at the same time.

--Teachers must learn hand to hand combat and arms training: Learning Krav Maga or Aikido gives someone a sense of ease and the right frame of mind when a bad event happens. Learning to use a sidearm and possibly having one in each teacher's desk (locked under code) may be something that is implemented down the road (and I am sure is already a secret that is understood).

--Mandatory psychiatrists: If health care in America is going to be provided then adding a mandatory mental evaluation should not be a problem. Everyone should see a psychiatrist at some point in their life, unless they have a friend who can not only call you out on abnormal actions, but who takes a moral high ground when giving their opinion. A psychiatrists can do all of this and also spot the beginnings of behavior that could jeopardize many.

--Visit your neighbors-- with cookies: Yes, I am right in writing this. Do you know all of your neighbors? Have you met them and exchanged baked goods? Are they concerned about you and vice versa? There once was a saying about raising a child; "It takes a village". This is because in earlier societies, the entire village was an enlarged family unit. In some places this still exists-- it should in America! When your street becomes a "family" then everyone looks out for one another-- it becomes a larger home base for everyone. This idea is probably the best one to start implementing. I don't care if you disagree with your neighbors about party affiliation or they seem too "different" from you, show a little kindness and let them know you are both in this together. We all leave this earth eventually-- we cannot choose when.


Thank you and God Bless all of you!