Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Singing, or not

My time at the moment is somewhat taken up with visiting Mum in hospital twice a day, but today I did also manage a visit to Daughter 1 and Grandson. His jumper/sweater was knitted by a Ravelry friend of Daughter 1. I feel myself that the pink in it is a trifle girly, matching (I've only just noticed) the pink trim of his jogging bottoms. But he doesn't seem to mind.

Last night I watched the programme about Gareth Malone and his army wives' choir. This young chap is a choirmaster about whom various programmes have been made, documenting his efforts to get choirs started - in deprived areas, in a boys' school and so on. I love singing, so it's interesting seeing the uplifting effect that singing can have on people who had mostly never thought of joining a choir. He's such a sweet, enthusiastic young man (the sort you would want your daughter to marry) and I find his programmes so uplifting. I was in tears last night, watching the joy on these women's faces as they made a lovely noise and distracted themselves from thoughts of their husbands in Afghanistan. I suppose that he, and the producers of the programme, were probably milking it somewhat by featuring emotional songs of love and loss, and of course this made me more lacrymose, thinking of my departed children.

I've had a cold followed by a separate cough for about three weeks now and currently sound, when I sing, like a frog eating a grasshopper. Which is very frustrating because I normally enjoy bursting into song around the house. (Mr Life is a tolerant husband.) At choir at the moment we're learning Haydn's Mass for St Cecilia and I'm having to just stand there listening.





9 comments:

  1. The trim isn't pink in real life - it's red. Of course this means it clashes with his jumper, but there we are.

    The boy's currently sleep-eating in my lap, still wearing the jumper but different trousers.

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  2. I am sure he won't suffer psychological damage from wearing pinky shades. His photos show he becomes whatever he is wearing, ie he makes them look good.

    I enjoy Gareth Malone's programmes, but they seem to take a couple of years to get here. Singing is so good for people. It does seem to be becoming more acceptable and popular, which is terrific.

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  3. I think the young man in the pink stripey jumper is starting to look a wee bit like his Grandpa Life......??

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  4. He's looking very grown-up these days, isn't he? Real men can wear pink.....

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  5. Look at that smile, what a cutey. I can't sing at ANY time, but it never stops me. I must have a very tolerant husband too.

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  6. Pink is for anyone who wishes to wear it. He is looking very handsome and quite grown up.I'm sorry to hear you are not completely well and having to just listen. Voice come back please and you get well soon.
    Get well wishes for your Mum too.

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  7. Look at that cute little grandson! I laughed at K's comment -- coming to the defense of the pink/red. And I have to agree with Molly's comment -- he is looking a bit like Grandpa Life. I LOVE that you sing. One of my very best memories of our visit, was you humming a beautiful song as you got ready to leave on your trip!

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  8. he's getting so big! it happens so fast! and he looks as if he's about to burst into song, even if you can't just now...

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  9. I avoided watching that programme as I knew I'd end up blubbing (and I do more than enough of that). The 22 year old boy here joined the choir when he was in primary school (much to our surprise) and I used to help out when they went off site to enter local competitions. It was only recently that he told me he always mimed and never sang a note.

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