# Laura Bruno Lilly > The road ends, but the journey continues... ## Posts - [Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves - J. Drew Lanham poet, ornithologist](https://laurabrunolilly.com/joy-is-the-justice-we-give-ourselves-j-drew-lanham-poet-ornithologist/): On this last day of February*, after scrapping several attempts to craft a blog post based upon my own feelings of overwhelm during the relentless escalation of ICE these past months, I received the March newsletter from The Poetry Society of South Carolina** in my email. Therein I learned of SC native son, J. Drew Lanham – poet, ornithologist and 2022 MacArthur Fellowship recipient who would be leading a workshop and reading sponsored by The Poetry Society of South Carolina in Greenville, SC*** on 3/14/26. “…any bias is predatory. For us to understand that social justice and environmental justice are […] - [My Snow Day Weekend](https://laurabrunolilly.com/my-snow-day-weekend/): Over the weekend here in the Carolinas a Cold Snap peaked on Saturday, with a Snow Dump of about 4 inches Sunday morning. We were ready for the ‘bad weather’ predicted locally. Except for the prospect of power outages (there were none, yay!) due to ice on the many exposed power lines in the area, the ‘bad weather’ arrived as an exciting & welcome whiff of winter for this displaced Coloradoan/New Mexican couple. It felt like home. Saturday morning, I woke up ill. Much of the ‘bad weather’ stuff I’d planned to do inside the house during all the town […] - [Holiday Miscellany & Poem](https://laurabrunolilly.com/holiday-miscellany-poem/): A Pair of Snowy Owls in Chicago on the Lakefront - December 2025©LBLArctic gift of natureSlipped through the polar vortex.Come to visit those who need respite frombrutality and greed. The teapot makes me smile – a reminder of my first Christmas as a newlywed. Hubby spent hours with a carpenter friend in his shop designing and creating a 5-foot-tall wooden plant holder complete with several shelves to display said plants.  On the big day, hubby presented it to me with the teapot perched upon the top shelf crammed full of cut red roses. You may be wondering, what was my […] - [Fall of Freedom - 11/21-22, 2025](https://laurabrunolilly.com/fall-of-freedom-11-21-22-2025/): Let the Creative Resistance Begin ‘641’ Laura Bruno Lilly and Kevin McKinney (Doc Snow) If unable to view video, go here. Poem for '641'spoken word by Laura Bruno Lilly©2025I am woman.I have a uterus.Feminism is in my DNA.Family is my tribe.I was once an at-risk pregnant person.I received accessible, science-based, person-centered care during those vulnerable years.Years of mourning 6 miscarried spontaneous abortions.Years of nurturing 3 live births: 2 biologically female, 1 biologically male.Each breastfed.Each given loving affirming care throughout their lives.I am now an elderly woman in leadership in a male dominated world.Hear. Me. Roar. Note: words in bold italics […] - [Fall of Freedom Project Update](https://laurabrunolilly.com/fall-of-freedom-project-update/): Monday evening, 11/17: I just pushed ‘submit’ on the Fall of Freedom Event Registration Form. This is a big deal. Not in the fact that Kevin and I are now committed to the deadline, but because even as creative participants, we don’t fit the mold – we are not an organization. In fact, under the heading Organization Name I entered: No Organization, just two composer-musician educators in South Carolina collaborating on a Fall of Freedom Project – Laura Bruno Lilly and Kevin McKinney (Doc Snow). So, you see, filling out the form required a very creative approach. And while not […] - [It’s amazing what a new set of strings will do for one’s sense of well being](https://laurabrunolilly.com/its-amazing-what-a-new-set-of-strings-will-do-for-ones-sense-of-well-being/): Prior to my first face-to-face meeting with K (Fall of Freedom presentation piece collaborator), I quickly changed out strings on the Prisloe.   My thinking being: if we are going to live-perform our evolving ensemble presentation piece in 3 weeks, I need to have freshly broken in strings for the momentous occasion. Weeks of private student lessons and daily personal practice sessions take their toll on any set of strings. However, I will mention that the plus side of old strings is that I feel freer to work on my prepared guitar pieces.   😊 That said, I made the switch […] - [ShoutOut: Fall of Freedom Event](https://laurabrunolilly.com/shoutout-fall-of-freedom-event/): Note: I’ve been managing a constant stream of migraine waves since mid-September resulting in controlled silence on my end of various communications – including blogging! As many of you know, doing what needs to be done (work, teaching, just laying low, etc) during those times is challenging and often impossible. Today I seem to be in a migraine lull hence a blog post to communicate something that I wish to share with you, my readers. On the cusp of my birthday, which coincided with a No Kings Day event 🙂 , I stumbled on something that ignited my activist/creative self […] - [RIP Robert Redford](https://laurabrunolilly.com/rip-robert-redford/): please note: scroll/read to the end to discover who won the giveaway. Robert Redford – August 18, 1936 – September 16, 2025movie star, director, producer and film champion, heartthrob, environmentalist, philanthropist, family man, political activist, person of consequence and (he)artistic everyman Movie star, director, producer and film champion Most are acquainted with these aspects of Robert Redford’s legacy. I’ve seen most of his commercial movies close to their release dates on the big screen and enjoyed 90% of them. I’ve seen a few Sundance films and love the vibe of the whole festival. Here I’ll just highlight a few of […] - [ShoutOut: "When Things Go Missing" by Deborah J. Brasket](https://laurabrunolilly.com/shoutout-when-things-go-missing-by-deborah-j-brasket/): Mini Review: When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket Sitting cross-legged on the bed as Franny sorts through old journals and piles of stuff, I was there with her. As she discards pieces of her life no longer relevant to who she has become or where she wants to be, I was ushered into the world of the story which followed. The story of When Things Go Missing by Deborah Brasket. This initial relatability of Franny’s character enabled me to ease into the unique family dynamics of living with an addicted adult child. Slice of life stories recounted by […] - [Deborah's Book Blog Tour Sneak Peek](https://laurabrunolilly.com/deborahs-book-blog-tour-sneak-peek/): Sometime this past Spring, longtime blogger friend, Deborah Brasket asked if I’d be an ARC reader for her debut novel, When Things Go Missing set for publication September 22nd. I jumped at the chance! Some of you may be wondering: what exactly is an ARC Reader? First off, ARC stands for “Advanced Readers Copy” and is a manuscript its final proof stage prior to publication. An ARC reader reads the book pre-publication and posts a review before or immediately after the publication date. Being a part of Deborah’s book launch is an honor. It is with great pleasure that I […] - [Giving Voice: A USAID-funded researcher’s perspective on 2025 changes-pt3](https://laurabrunolilly.com/giving-voice-a-usaid-funded-researchers-perspective-on-2025-changes-pt3/): Notice the byline on this post? Yes, the ‘USAID-funded researcher’ is none other than our middle daughter, Michelle. And yes, she is one whose voice was silenced on 1/20/2025. A few months ago, Michelle asked if she could share her perspective with my readers.It was time. Part 3: Unresolved My belief in people’s capacity to be compassionate has been severely challenged these past few months. I was disheartened to see people cheering for the rapid destruction of USAID online. Yes, the internet has given people the sense of freedom to be cruel and hide behind a curtain of anonymity. The […] - [Remember My "Ankara Reward" Tactic?](https://laurabrunolilly.com/remember-my-ankara-reward-tactic/): Well, it’s come in handy as a transitional tool to ease into taking a break for most of August. After weeks of teaching summer session lessons, following through with essential tasks, the editing/layout of my current Giving Voice series (part three is still in the works), and dealing with heat, heavy air and asthma, I’m ready to hit the pause button. To refresh your memory, a little less than a year ago, I expounded on the virtues of a method I devised to help stay focused, motivated and balanced while working on specific music project goals. I set up a […] - [Giving Voice: A USAID-funded researcher’s perspective on 2025 changes-pt2](https://laurabrunolilly.com/giving-voice-a-usaid-funded-researchers-perspective-on-2025-changes-pt2/): Notice the byline on this post? Yes, the ‘USAID-funded researcher’ is none other than our middle daughter, Michelle. And yes, she is one whose voice was silenced on 1/20/2025. A few weeks ago, Michelle asked if she could share her perspective with my readers.It was time. (note: part 2 is the longest of this 3-part series – read time 12+ minutes) PART 2: Chaos and Destruction I worked at a non-governmental organization (NGO) that won contracts from USAID for a variety of international development and humanitarian assistance projects. I know from experience that Americans typically do not know much about […] - [Giving Voice: A USAID-funded researcher’s perspective on 2025 changes-pt1](https://laurabrunolilly.com/giving-voice-a-usaid-funded-researchers-perspective-on-2025-changes-pt1/): Notice the byline on this post? Yes, the ‘USAID-funded researcher’ is none other than our middle daughter, Michelle. And yes, she is one whose voice was silenced on 1/20/2025. A few weeks ago, Michelle asked if she could share her perspective with my readers. It was time. PART 1: War and Life The room was small. Not much more than a cinderblock room with some chipped paint. There was a small bed that looked more like a massage table, some buckets in the corner, some posters on the wall, and some equipment on another table. No electricity. No running water. […] - [ShoutOut: "Beneath The Langley Cross" by Andrew James Murray](https://laurabrunolilly.com/shoutout-beneath-the-langley-cross-by-andrew-james-murray/): What kept my attention? The stories told that are held within its pages. This is well-written (edited interview transcriptions), well-curated and covers a lot of ground. Spanning the years from 1954-present, it is easily understood in that the overarching story is told by those still living it. Additionally, as a non-Brit, I was able to grasp some of the cultural idiosyncrasies in context. What struck me most was how the fellowship, community & outreach parallel the spirit of my experiences as a young adult during the counterculture Jesus Movement of the 60s/70s from across the pond in Colorado – earthy, […] - [Priorities Over Chaos](https://laurabrunolilly.com/priorities-over-chaos/): Like many of you, I’m finding it difficult to post regularly. For whatever reason, and there are many significant factors involved, it’s just how things are for me right now. An easing back into the blogging rhythm just hasn’t presented itself before now. I’ve noticed several bloggers I follow have courageously forged forth with timely posts echoing thoughts, hopes, struggles, fears and outrage similar to my own on the ceaseless chaos & cruelty that is bombarding the local & world stage. One such blogger, Deborah Brasket, gave me a way to segue from my last post in February to today’s […] - [A Roundabout Post for Black History Month](https://laurabrunolilly.com/a-roundabout-post-for-black-history-month/): Note: It would not be prudent for me to share how the past 29 days of our lives have been personally & directly changed within our family and friends since 1/20/2025. Or specific instances of how those changes reach farther than just us. Instead, what follows is an attempt at showing in a less threatening context – how silenced voices can yet speak. Just a few days ago, as I was “doing what I do” across multiple areas of interest – taking deep dives into satisfying curiosities, researching on-line and hardcopy, expanding my knowledge-base to further enrich my (he)artistic creations, […] - [Making Angels Cry - Poem](https://laurabrunolilly.com/making-angels-cry-poem/): Making Angels Cry Laura Bruno Lilly ©2024 Making Angels CryLaura Bruno Lilly ©2024The worldIt goes hither and yon.Yet 21st century aromas lingerStrangely unsettling these past years. Strongly scented with testosterone – aggression –A generation that knows no other way.In the name of progress, our input has become narrow.Fully incomplete, unfeeling, unreal.How to thrive in such an unfertile soilLaden with toxic nutrients?Yet 21st century aromas lingerStrangely offering hope for a better future.Strongly scented with testosterone, estrogen – partners –Shaping a more sustainable relational environment.Angels cryAngels hopeAngels have no say.It’s up to us. - [2024 Books Read – a Partial List (with notes) - Fiction](https://laurabrunolilly.com/2024-books-read-a-partial-list-with-notes-fiction/): While my partial list of Books Read in 2024 doesn’t hold a candle to blogger LA’s 119 read with 3 almost finished, herein lie selections – in no particular order – from my list of +/- 50 read with notes for casual perusal. I appreciate those who blog about their current reads so am returning the favor with my modest contribution. Perhaps you will find something of interest to read in the coming year… Fiction Up next: Non-Fiction - [A 'White Album': Pete Townshend - Who Came First](https://laurabrunolilly.com/a-white-album-pete-townshend-who-came-first/): Here’s a little something that’s totally unrelated to the holidays or all the stuff currently going on in my daily life – a draft post conveniently available for pubbing! Note: my longstanding and growing personal list of ‘White Albums’ are albums inspired by the literal color-aspect of the Beatles’ White Album. Here’s one for you to enjoy. October 1972 Okay, it’s December, 2024 – not October 1972. But the earworms I allowed into my brain following the last post are unrelenting. Nicely so. 😊 As I wrote my last post, I uncovered an entire musical soundscape I forgot was birthed […] - [October 18, 1972](https://laurabrunolilly.com/october-18-1972/): Note: Today, Friday, October 18, 2024 is an ‘especially significant day’ as my oldest (by 5 years) girl cousin says. I confess I’m a bit cranky this year as it’s the year I tilt over from the nines into a new decade of numbers…But I’ll get over that, I always do! HA!In the spirit of celebrating birthdays, I thought I’d recount my ‘especially significant (birth)day’ of Wednesday, October 18, 1972. The 26th Amendment, Pat Schroeder, Shirley Chisholm, George McGovern, Richard Nixon and me. On March 23, 1971 the 26th Amendment was proposed – due in large part to the efforts […] - [Something to Ponder #1](https://laurabrunolilly.com/something-to-ponder-1/): note: I’m gonna go out on a limb here. Naming this post with a “1” after it implies there will be more to come…let’s see how well that works out. Meantime, enjoy the break from most things serious! Way back when I was in the duo Laura & Thereza*, we came across yet another ‘Celtic’ song that we liked and consequently arranged and performed at various gigs. That song was: Whiskey in the Jar. While fooling around with our 12-string guitar/violin take of the piece, middle daughter tells us we should listen to how Flogging Molly plays that very song**. […] - [Weekend Notes 9/14-15/2024](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-9-14-15-2024/): ‘Start with Now’ is a good umbrella catchall phrase which describes my on & off approach to feeding the blog with sporadic & unscheduled posts…That said, let’s jump right in! - [Weekend Notes 8/17-18/2024](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-8-17-18-2024/): FYI: A few days ago, I received my “Happy Anniversary – you registered on WordPress 11 years ago” notification. It may be my last. Let me explain. Surrounded by my notes, I just now sat down, opened my computer and logged onto my WP account to begin this newest Weekend Notes post. What I originally hand in mind to write involved copying a paragraph from a previous post, so I hit the “All Posts” button on my dashboard. Instead of the usual listing of previously published posts, I was presented with a chaotic array of vertical post titles and empty […] - [Goals, ToDos & TryOuts - part 2](https://laurabrunolilly.com/goals-todos-tryouts-part-2/): First seen in this earlier post and then again in part 1, a certain coffee mug takes center stage as an example of a ‘quick TryOut’. That said, the ‘quick TryOut’ to finish Aromatic Steam Arising is only as good as the sum of its parts. Meaning: one of those parts was to compose a soundtrack specific to the video. That part was right up my alley and I certainly had fun noodling around on both the UKE and CG for ideas. The noodling resulted in two separate 4 measure motifs which I then entered into my NOTION notation program […] - [Goals, ToDos & TryOuts - part 1](https://laurabrunolilly.com/goals-todos-tryouts-part-1/): From January’s first attempts at tackling the freshness of the New Year, “While many have detailed their goals in a manner worthy of the New Year, I have been floundering in my own Sea of Lists.” Me to finding a starting point in the beginning stages within a poem, “Let us step outside for a momentAs the sun breaks through cloudsAnd shines on wet newfallen snow,And breathe the new air.So much has died that had to die this year.” From, New Year Poem by May Sarton to “feeling the freedom of moving forward” with release, lightness & joy... Goals began […] - [The Meaning We Make with Our Hands (Poem)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/the-meaning-we-make-with-our-hands-poem/): In reading about the stories we as creatives tell through our (he)art, I came across this phrase from a Quiltfolk blog article. It resonated. I ruminated. I wrote a poem. The Meaning We Make with Our HandsLaura Bruno Lilly © 2024 I tell storiesI paint picturesI touch hearts with sound.Found soundComposed soundand sometimes spoken.Phrases shapedRhythms formedand all the silent in-betweens.Peppered throughout with tone colors both nuanced and bold.ListenMy music speaks its own truth. - [Beauty Inherent in Humanity](https://laurabrunolilly.com/beauty-inherent-in-humanity/): “The news broadcasts cover the dark side of humanity, the nasty, ugly, tough, brutal behaviors of some and I need to know that this is going on. But I also seek antidotes to this dark side, I look for the beauty inherent in nature. As I look at my photographs of this sculpture*, I am reminded of the beauty of most of the people I know, but also know that this beauty is delicate. I (we) need to nurture this beauty in others so it can flourish.” *Utopia by Jaume Plensa (installed at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, […] - [Three's the Charm?](https://laurabrunolilly.com/threes-the-charm/): This is a test (post). This is only a test (post). As per my latest Jetpack techie-fixer-upper suggestion, I am sending this to see how it functions in a hopefully ‘fixed’ state! Here’s what should happen that’s of relevance to you my Readers/Subscribers (formerly called Followers): See ya on the other side – hopefully Three’s the Charm…because ‘One‘ – is the loneliest number in the Internet…Nope not gonna embed the referenced & punned vid. …even if it is by Three Dog Night. 🙂 Instead. Head here for the marketing vid for lessons (with yours truly) the Arts Center slapped together […] - [Yep, Still Technical Difficulties, but I’m Back Anyway](https://laurabrunolilly.com/yep-still-technical-difficulties-but-im-back-anyway/): And what should appear in my email but a notice from a certain Manc Bud Poet that he’d filmed a snippet of a song I love during a concert he attended just Friday night. He wanted me to know that the vid was too large to send so – get this – he decided to post it on his blog instead…just so I could share in its musical delights! Hop over and take a peek! The vibe of the venue is just what my psyche needed, too. Ya know, WP has many, many issues, but why I stick with it […] - [Staging Sites, Migration and The Sounds of Silence](https://laurabrunolilly.com/staging-sites-migration-and-the-sounds-of-silence/): Under Construction “I went to your site the other day and saw that it was ‘under construction.’ Something new coming our way soon?” Deborah, a blogger-buddy“I wish! I’ve been swamped with getting the site updated, prepped for migration to another host, then fixing the mess that arrived at the new host! The ‘new’ will have to wait, but I hope to have it live – intact – soon! HA! Thanks for checking up from time to time, though.”my response Perhaps you’ve noticed. My site has been ‘under construction’ for quite some time. Silent for even longer than that. It’s been […] - [Weekend Notes 3/2-3/2024](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-3-2-3-2024/): “Mounted over canvas” As per recent quilt-blogger discussions about how to mount certain fiber art pieces: Mary over at Zippy Quilts posted a callout for suggestions on how best to display a ‘map’ quilt she recently completed. The overriding consensus suggested mounting it over canvas. About two years ago, I experimented with this technique. During the Pandemic, while noodling around with the idea of floating a design utilizing negative space as part of the composition, my Homage à Ma’s Uncle Tran Mawicke came into being. Pleased with the result, I wanted an equally unique way of displaying it. Ma’s Uncle […] - [Weekend Notes 2/17-18/2024](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-2-17-18-2024/): A few weeks ago, we took to the road to attend my Uncle Dennis’ funeral in Chicago. He was the youngest and last of the three brothers in my Dad’s family. 3 Brothers, 3 Uncles, 3 Dads My Aunt Dolores, as the baby in the family, is now the sole surviving sibling. Most everyone is sitting at that Family Table up in heaven now… Ma’s bd day, February 6th, recently came and went  and I’m missing all of you guys… “Ma, this is what I wanted to play for you the day before you passed away; I wanted you to be […] - [Nailing Three Targets with One Hit](https://laurabrunolilly.com/nailing-three-targets-with-one-hit/): The One Hit? The Three Targets? I’m feeling the FREEDOM of moving forward.I completed important unfinished business from 2023 and let go of the unfinished business unworthy of my time, energy and focus. During this process, I realized much of what I hung onto – whether perpetually unfinished items carried over to yet another ToDoList, or carefully curated/sorted/organized files placed in physical boxes and/or computer folders, or long decrepit souvenirs/accolades with no place to go but in an ever larger special memory box – were merely outdated ‘crutches’. They no longer serve a purpose because their purpose has already been […] - [Weekend Notes 1/13-14/2024](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-1-13-14-2024/): While many are experiencing extreme weather across the country, our little corner of the world offered up a few perfect days. My favorite type of day, in fact. Stiff breezes delivering crisp air and enhanced sharpness to the slanty-rays of daytime sunshine… While many have detailed their goals in a manner worthy of the New Year, I have been floundering in my own Sea of Lists. Until… A poem found me.Its truth offered a starting point.Its truth offered freedom to just begin. In between getting ready for this coming week of teaching, prepping for a trip back to the Mayo […] - [MMXXiii - part two](https://laurabrunolilly.com/mmxxiii-part-two/): I finally finished my Cookie Mats the other day. Please allow me to use them as a simple means to illustrate a handful of the many personal revelations/reminders I gleaned during this past year.  I started them the day after reading Laura’s post on making her own “Cookie Plate Crumb Catcher”. Like her, I needed a fun diversion tucked between my holiday prep and regularly scheduled life commitments. That was November 19, 2022. This is December 31, 2023. Personal revelation #1- I can and do finish projects! Also, around that time, the overarching theme (for me) of the coming New […] - [MMXXiii - part one](https://laurabrunolilly.com/mmxxiii-part-one/): Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it? Played against the backdrop loop of escalating violence, senseless shootings, climate catastrophes, wars, heartbreaking stories of real people – multitudes – changed forever due to man’s inhumanity towards man. It’s difficult to not get overwhelmed. And yet. I am: Learning to acceptThat all hungers cannot be fed,That saving the worldMay be a matterOf sowing a seedNot overturning a tyrant,That we do what we can. The moment of vision,The seizure still makesIts relentless demands: Work, love, be silent.Speak. The […] - [RIP: Michael Chapdelaine](https://laurabrunolilly.com/rip-michael-chapdelaine/): Michael Chapdelaine1956, San Diego, CA – November 16, 2023, Boulder, CO Michael Chapdelaine, a local, regional and international (he)artist with whom I was acquainted, was the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world’s top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres – the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championship at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield. A contemporary colleague within the world of classical/acoustic guitar who was generous with his time, knowledge and playing, Michael’s presence will be greatly missed. - [Birthday Bouquets' Insight Unfurled](https://laurabrunolilly.com/birthday-bouquets-insight-unfurled/): Upon waking on the 18th of this month*, flower bouquets greeted me in two of my favorite places inside our home. As I rounded the short distance to my studio, caffeine delight in hand, these Deeply Red Roses nestled within surprised me – lending approval, distinction and beauty to the (he)art I create therein. Both bouquets spoke love from the one who deftly placed them in their respective spots the night before. The Gerbera Daisies began to wilt shortly after the first week. The Deeply Red Roses are still going strong. In fact, the photo shows them more than holding […] - [18-inchers or...](https://laurabrunolilly.com/18-inchers-or/): …Cradle Quilts When my quilter buddy Roseanne put out the call for quilt donations in her 9/18/23 post, I realized this was one I could do. I am an admittedly sloooow quilter, so whenever a call for quilts is sounded, I pull myself away from the desire to make one UNLESS I see the requirements include a flexible timeline for completion. Comfort Quilts Needed for Uvalde, Texas was the first call I was able to respond to in that respect. I was honored to be a part of it, but saddened beyond measure for the reason behind the need. In […] - [Multiple Meanings of ‘sus’](https://laurabrunolilly.com/multiple-meanings-of-sus/): Multiple meanings? Who knew? Not me! According to those in the know ‘sus’ means suspicious. When author/editor (and friend) L.Marie posted about current slang  used among teens, the term ‘sus’ came up. My comment to that post went as follows: “Sus (suspicious)” HA! Had to laugh at this one. As a musician, ‘sus’ is common reference to a suspended chord and/or melodic line suspension. Often said, Csus7 as an example; or There’s a sus on measure 3, forth note. My comment to L.Marie’s post on current slang That’s my simplified attempt at using ‘sus’ in a sentence. As a musical, […] - [September Soaking Spurs Questions](https://laurabrunolilly.com/september-soaking-spurs-questions/): Labor Day Monday I awoke to a moderately toned drip-drip-drip coming from the bedroom closet. Yep. Our hot water heater bit the dust. I’d say we got off easy, though not without cost. Over the years I subtly prepared for this eventuality by adjusting clothes and boxes for the least amount of damage once the dreaded occasion arose. All that to say, due to a unique ricocheting leaking process, water puddled on top of the big red plastic bin as well as on the floor beneath it. Fine. Except not really. I placed a sturdy U-Haul cardboard book box filled […] - [Come Monday. That's Today.](https://laurabrunolilly.com/come-monday-thats-today/): I cannot get past the coincidence of today’s Labor Day Monday and the Come Monday Monday also being a Labor Day Monday. It pushed me over the edge of posting on this Monday, Monday. But then, that’s a different Monday entirely! While I like me a fine Margarita, this song (and video) by the late Jimmy Buffett is more reflective of the mellower times I remember in the 70s. Since it became a hit in 1978, I can imagine & remember the early days of being a newlywed. And our time as a couple with a newborn living in the […] - [Coffee and](https://laurabrunolilly.com/coffee-and/): Chocolate Honey Lavender Shortbread Cookies Hello Readers! While my blogging absence has been partly due to mindful summery activities/work/projects/laziness, it is mostly a result of managing a string of migraine storms over the course of the past 8 weeks – and counting. I’m in an in-between migraine wave space and really wanted to get a post out that’s been simmering over the duration. Earlier this month, I spontaneously took out my phone and recorded a mini-video of the sunlight illuminating aromatic steam arising from my morning cuppa. I liked it so much I decided to do something Canva-esque with it […] - [XLV](https://laurabrunolilly.com/xlv/): 1978-2023 (and counting!) June 17th. Our 45th wedding anniversary. Over the course of a long love story, what was once a single ‘our song’ becomes a whole playlist of songs. Marking myriad events in the ups, downs; ebbs, flows; crushing sorrows, magnificent joys; everyday living out of our love & life in this world hand-in-hand and in His Hands. Here then, is one such song released in August, 1983 and added at that same time to our playlist during a particularly defining event that occurred early on in our life path together. The year was 1983. We were renting the […] - [When Do Lightening Bugs Become Fireflies?](https://laurabrunolilly.com/when-do-lightening-bugs-become-fireflies/): June is fast approaching and there is much scheduled. The beginning of the month is my highly anticipated Visiting Artist Presentation/Performance at the Arts Center. The last weekend of the month is a long-planned mother/daughter trip. In between, there’s hubby’s and mine 45th wedding anniversary and Father’s Day. All-in-all a hearty, well-paced meal of events I’ve been looking forward to devouring for several months! HA! So, what’s all that got to do with the question posed in this blog post title? In prepping for my presentation/performance, the focus morphed into spotlighting prepared guitar in musical compositions. I fooled around with […] - [Peace Post: leaving your mark](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-leaving-your-mark/) - [Weekend Notes 3.18/19.23](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-3-18-19-23/): Hubby and I just got back from 2 weeks in Albuquerque (almost home!) caring for a dear longtime friend pre, during and post TAVR (heart valve replacement surgery). Originally on-call to help with the household, that same household* got struck down with RSV and then COVID so details of how we were to help changed drastically. She moved out of her home and into an Airbnb where we three (hubby, myself and herself) spent the duration. Love is a powerful enabler Meanwhile, her husband held down the fort, miraculously remaining unscathed by the actual virus, if not sleep deprivation. Love […] - [Weekend Notes 2.18/19.23](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-2-18-19-23/): Love, Harp Guitars, Oatmeal Scotchies…and back again to love. February is the love month. You know, the 14th is St Valentine’s Day and all of that. In our family, holiday celebrations often last longer than the actual 24-hour day. Hence, here it is a few days after the 14th and yes, hubby and I are still enjoying the love month. What’s that got to do with harp guitars and cookies? Bear with me. I’m in one of those ‘everything’s interconnected’ type of mind right now. I remember when I saw my first harp guitar. It was hanging on a wall […] - [Weekend Notes 2.11/12.23](https://laurabrunolilly.com/weekend-notes-2-11-12-23/): As per my last post, I figure it’s time to make an appearance on my own blog.  As per my personality, I find it hard to just dive back in and post something after having not posted for a good long time. As per the trajectory of my growth as an individual, here goes! In the Arts Community, there is this ongoing debate as to whether or not a qualifier adjective is required before the term artist/musician/author/fill-in-the-blank. This overlaps into many adjectives – ethnic, gender, religious, political, educational status, age and other identities. Somehow the adjectives male or white are […] - [Taking Stock](https://laurabrunolilly.com/taking-stock/): Nothing profound – just finding myself in the curious position of having to mindfully manage my time. My plate is not full, but certainly fuller than it’s been since 2020. The good bits of my ‘new normal’ are shining brighter and growing steadily. After a period of deafening dormancy, many opportunities are opening up for me, of which I do not take for granted. For the first time in several years, I spy the arc of this New Year’s horizon. I am excited about walking, exploring and cultivating those paths towards it and beyond. I think many of us are […] - [Life Is In The Doing](https://laurabrunolilly.com/life-is-in-the-doing/): I’m just doing the doing. More some days than others. A steady doing of doing that is mostly mindful, often delightful, surprisingly productive and always so very daily. Hubby and I took on several home improvement projects since buying our little rental home October 2021. Doing needful maintenance the landlord avoided doing – even when we volunteered to do certain necessary items. Doing homey stuff the landlord didn’t allow us to do – even if it enhanced aesthetics such as hanging plants on the front porch or planting flower gardens. Now that we’re homeowners again, we’ve been busy. From power […] - [Announcing an unexpected Re-Release!](https://laurabrunolilly.com/announcing-an-unexpected-re-release/): My 2007 cd, unexpected, is now available for purchase on Bandcamp as a limited quantity item. Long available via the now defunct cdbaby store (back in the Derek Sivers days!) and downloadable/streamable via iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, etc. I have re-released both the physical cds & digital downloads of unexpected for additional distribution on my Bandcamp site. ***Please take a listen*** Hop over to my Bandcamp page for details on how to order digital tracks and/or physical cds. unexpected by Laura Bruno Lilly Due in large part to the fact of its prior release taking place during the early days of […] - [October's Gift to Me](https://laurabrunolilly.com/octobers-gift-to-me/) - [I Am A Slow...](https://laurabrunolilly.com/i-am-a-slow/): …Stitcher. Not as in the current trend of the Slow Stitching Movement but literally. I Am A Slow Stitcher. Skillful, yes. Speedy, not so much. I am a turtle when it comes to making a quilt and/or creating fiber art of any sort. Quickening my pace often results in frustrating mishaps that require more effort and time to fix and undo than when I simply embrace my slow, steady tempo. Mindful and contemplative sewing is a basic premise of the Slow Stitching Movement. One could say I come by that approach naturally, but truth to tell, nah. I do become […] - [Taking a Blogging Break & The Number 9](https://laurabrunolilly.com/taking-a-blogging-break-the-number-9/): It’s been 9 years of blogging & I’m taking a blogging break. See ya on the other side! - [MondayMonday Music: #1 Remembering my first...](https://laurabrunolilly.com/mondaymonday-music-1-remembering-my-first/): …purchased downloads from Amazon digital music a long, long time ago. I ‘own’ these three pieces, but can’t offer them in total to you the listener as a share on my blog…interesting. This embed of Amazon’s ‘share’ include only excerpts. Click here for my ‘First Purchased Download’ List but then – you have to sign in/up to listen. However, as another vehicle for sharing, I offer up the three pieces in their respective youtube embeds for your enjoyment! All that to say I do miss ‘relevant’ music radio – underground FM anyone? (KBCO FM history, KLZ FM history) note: I […] - [Blooms of another sort (Poem)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/blooms-of-another-sort-poem/): Blooms of another sort Laura Bruno Lilly 2022 I bite into my Sourdough Breakfast toast - [Peace Post: Silence - E. Kagge](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-silence-e-kagge/): excerpt from: ‘Silence In the Age of Noise’ by Erling Kagge translated by Becky L. Cook 6. “Silence can be boring. Everyone has experienced the ways in which silence can come across as exclusive, uncomfortable and at times even scary. At other times, it is a sign of loneliness. Or sorrow. The silence that follows is heavy. However, silence can also be a friend. A comfort and a source of deeper riches. Shutting out the world is not about turning your back on your surroundings, but rather the opposite: it is seeing the world a bit more clearly, staying a […] - [Catching Up part two](https://laurabrunolilly.com/catching-up-part-two/): As per Banjo Guy’s suggestion in part one, I spent some time with my Hammered Dulcimer (HD). Once hauled out from it’s resting spot under the skinny folding work table in my music ‘studio’, and set up in the living room, it was ready & waiting for me to play at my pleasure. Our house is on the small side at ~1200 square feet. As you can tell, the HD does take up a lot of room. Once set up, there’s a certain feeling of commitment to sit down and really dig into the instrument. This musical outlet worked well […] - [Catching Up part one](https://laurabrunolilly.com/catching-up-part-one/): Interspersed amongst my wrist issues, I managed to type out & post a few blog articles and maintain a certain level of creative lifestyle activity over the past 2+ months. Wrist issues? you may ask, curious as to what that has to do with anything. As an (he)artist, one needs to be vigilant in maintaining and caring for one’s tools of the trade. A good example of this would be my changing out Gracie’s & the Prisloe’s strings a while back. In the human realm, as a working musician, this care includes parts of my body. Specifically, my arms, wrists, […] - [May 24th, 2022](https://laurabrunolilly.com/may-24th-2022/): …I have been silent here on my website blog…fielding the events of our society’s everyday harsh realities while trying to sort through the maze of staying current without sinking too deep into the pit of despair*...knowing that so many are suffering, hurting…again… Just 2 days after my last post – Remembering the Children (of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing in the UK)– there was yet another mass shooting here in the USA focused on children. In school. Defenseless, easy targets here in the land of the free, home of the brave. I thought about re-posting the photo-quote I’d made, but […] - [Remembering the Children](https://laurabrunolilly.com/remembering-the-children/): Re: The Manchester Arena Bombing - [One breezy afternoon in April](https://laurabrunolilly.com/one-breezy-afternoon-in-april/): One breezy afternoon in April – in the days before it gets too hot and humid… …hubby and I trekked to the new soccer fields/trails on the outskirts of town to play in the great spacey outdoors… …we each took turns taking sneaky photos of each other… …then packed it all up and called it a day! Wishing us all times like these to refresh our souls and replenish our spirits. - [Peace Post: PurplePoem](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-purplepoem/): PurplePoemLaura Bruno Lilly c2022 photo by LA - [Peace Post: A Poem Shared](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-a-poem-shared/): – A coincidental gift received during National Poetry Month –As natural as breathing, sharing works of (he)art is part of my everyday. A few days after my last post was pubbed, a longtime friend noticed the ‘tree painting’ on the shelf beside Gracie. This prompted her to share a reading by Amanda Palmer of the following poem by Mary Oliver. She’s been listening to every day. I get it. Poetry is a life line. WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREESby Mary Oliver When I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust,equally the beech, the oaks and the […] - [Mama (Gracie) Needs a New Pair of (Set of) Shoes (Strings)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/mama-gracie-needs-a-new-pair-of-set-of-shoes-strings/): Like a baby being born into an expectant family – the world revolves around that anticipated event while simultaneously continuing to turn daily on its axis. Such is the life of a working musician – the ins and outs of projects going public and in various stages of completion with the on-going daily-ness of keeping up one’s chops, learning new repertoire, caring for one’s instruments, exploring the wide world of sound adventures while simultaneously creating a fresh crop of compositions/recordings and forging relationships with possible new performance partners.  So yeah, Gracie Needed A New Set of Strings…In Spades. She was […] - [Go Look! I'm Featured on L.Marie's Blog!](https://laurabrunolilly.com/go-look-im-featured-on-l-maries-blog/): Long before my Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga) was released, L.Marie asked if I would like to be a featured guest on her blog once the Big Day arrived. Of course I said, “Yes”. This woman, herself an accomplished author, has a reputation with us creatives as being actively supportive of her fellow (he)artists – both in word and deed. Going the extra mile with surprise encouragements in the snail mail to conducting interviews on her blog, L.Marie unabashedly helps enable & promote others’ newly released works. She’s a Gem. Please go here for that interview […] - [It's Release Day!](https://laurabrunolilly.com/its-release-day/): Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga) is officially released today, 3/11/2022 Brief background of this piece: Smack dab in the middle of our three-year journey between homes experience, my husband & I lived on the compound in the desert outside Las Cruces, NM, by invitation of family members grieving the loss of a young child. We shared life with various ‘rescues’ of both the animal and human sort. Inspired by our family of rescue goats, their antics and their care for us as we cared for them and initially based upon musical intervals of their bleats, my […] - [Official Release Date & In the Meantime](https://laurabrunolilly.com/official-release-date-in-the-meantime/): Shortly after my previous post… …I set an official Release Date: 3/11/2022. I notified my digital distributor* for them to do what they do while I continued doing what I needed to do In the Meantime. In the Meantime, I finished my Bandcamp storefront with a Pre-Order option for both digital and physical formats along with a free listen to the first movement of my Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga). Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga) by Laura Bruno Lilly Pretty nifty, eh? Not just the music (!), but the fact that I […] - [William Blake was an Indie Artist](https://laurabrunolilly.com/william-blake-was-an-indie-artist/): Shortly after my previous post… …I received delivery of my Goat Suite (Saga) CDs. Around that same time, I read a post by my quilter blogger buddy, Mariss. In another few days after that, I got sick with flu! While I’m making up for lost time and will post an update on GS(S) release date details soon, the above does beg the question: So, what does all of that have to do with William Blake? Well, here’s the thing. Until I re-read that blog post and began a comment-conversation with Mariss, William Blake was not on my radar as a […] - [After Lots of Waiting and Working Through…](https://laurabrunolilly.com/after-lots-of-waiting-and-working-through/): …my Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga) release is on the horizon! As many of you know, getting my Swimming with Swans: The Music – Goat Suite (Saga) recorded, mixed and mastered with accompanying artwork and copy text for both physical and digital product has been a ‘Saga’ in and of itself. It’s been an ordeal, but worth every ounce of effort! So, it is with immense pleasure I make this announcement: My CDs are in the snail mail as of this writing. Physical product is on its way. I’m thrilled, ecstatic and over-the-top elated. I want […] - [Peace Post: Desmond Tutu Quote](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-desmond-tutu-quote/): Desmond Tutu 10/7/1931 – 12/26/2021 Your whole lotta good overwhelmed the world. Thank you. - [Welcome MMXXII](https://laurabrunolilly.com/welcome-mmxxii/) - [Shortest Day, Longest Night](https://laurabrunolilly.com/shortest-day-longest-night/): “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5 These past few years I’ve been heavy on the ‘longest night’ part of reflecting upon life’s unfolding during the winter solstice. So herein I am pondering more of the ‘shortest day’ side of things. I like sitting this side of the solstice – winter’s frozen heartbeat on the cusp of a new beginning. Almost but not quite on the other side of darkness. Bright spots. Glimmers. Slanting, lingering glow-rays. Those are the things any day can bring – and are especially darkness busting on […] - [Betwixt & Between my Purple Patch Flights of Fancy](https://laurabrunolilly.com/betwixt-between-my-purple-patch-flights-of-fancy/): It’s been awhile since I last posted. I have noticed many of the bloggers/musicians/writers/quilters/artists/poets/photographers/aka-everyday people I follow are also more silent than active on their website/blogs these days. So, I’m in good company. ? I like how those same blog-buds just post something – whenever – without apologizing for not having posted for a good long time…so in that light, I do likewise in today’s post. I’d like to add that I appreciate when those same blog-buds give heads up on taking longer breaks from their blog…so in that light I will do likewise, whenever that time comes. Fact is, […] - [October Poet (part three, final)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/october-poet-part-three-final/): Khaya Ronkainen Khaya Ronkainen is a South African-Finnish writer. Her work is largely inspired by nature but often examines the duality of an immigrant life. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Seasons Defined and From the Depth of Darkness, published through her imprint. Some of her work has been anthologized as well as featured in various publications. She is currently at work on her third poetry collection about all things pandemic and political. To learn more or connect with her, visit her blog at www.khayaronkainen.fi Here we come to the third and final part of our (he)art to […] - [October Poet (part two)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/october-poet-part-two/): Khaya Ronkainen Khaya Ronkainen is a South African-Finnish writer. Her work is largely inspired by nature but often examines the duality of an immigrant life. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Seasons Defined and From the Depth of Darkness, published through her imprint. Some of her work has been anthologized as well as featured in various publications. She is currently at work on her third poetry collection about all things pandemic and political. To learn more or connect with her, visit her blog at www.khayaronkainen.fi Our (he)art to (he)art conversational interview continues, touching on the power of the […] - [October Poet (part one)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/october-poet-part-one/): Khaya Ronkainen Khaya Ronkainen is a South African-Finnish writer. Her work is largely inspired by nature but often examines the duality of an immigrant life. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Seasons Defined and From the Depth of Darkness, published through her imprint. Some of her work has been anthologized as well as featured in various publications. She is currently at work on her third poetry collection about all things pandemic and political. To learn more or connect with her, visit her blog at www.khayaronkainen.fi Depending upon which hemispheric season you find yourself occupying – grab a mug […] - [2021 International Day of Peace](https://laurabrunolilly.com/2021-international-day-of-peace/): The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. 2021 Theme: Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world “Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. In 2021, as we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about […] - [What in your life did COVID-19 interrupt?](https://laurabrunolilly.com/what-in-your-life-did-covid-19-interrupt/): January 2020 – February 2020One slice of life we were walking through in bullet points: After a full year of searching, we finally found a business to buy and were in the final round of negotiations for the sale We decided on an area of the country to relocate to, were about to finalize the house hunt and then begin moving – after waiting what seemed like forever to finally do this (I was already 50% packed and ready to go since the beginning of 2019!) Ultimately, we were poised and ready to sign on the dotted line for each […] - [Gems from Jackson](https://laurabrunolilly.com/gems-from-jackson/): a brief catch-up note: As I’m tying up loose ends on some musician stuff, dabbling in finishing some scrappy quilt UFOs and working on business tasks as hubby directs – my modus operandi is strictly in Summer Mode. To be more specific – Languid, Southern, Slow&Low Summer Mode. I’ve kept up with most of the blogs I follow, correspond with a few buds via email but as for posting anything myself – meh. Until now! HA! A blogger I follow has been posting photos of her surroundings using a new camera. In her post a few days ago, I thought […] - [wp5.8 upgrade issues](https://laurabrunolilly.com/wp5-8-upgrade-issues/): The Fix was Simple. Finding It Was Not. Consider this a blogger-buddy public service post…A little over a week ago I set up a staging site to make a few changes to my site, perform updates on various plug-ins and to install the new wp5.8 upgrade. I really like that my hosting company offers a fairly easy way for this non-techie to do this task. I’d even go so far as to say, it’s kind of fun to poke around in my cPanel! That said, after doing a manual backup, then setting up the staging site, I began my task […] - [Late June, Early July: Hello!](https://laurabrunolilly.com/late-june-early-july-hello/): Yep, I’m still here! So, it’s been another ‘Colorado Day’. Meaning: a non-swampy South Carolina type of day. Sunshiny lower humidity with high temps…reminiscent of the Mile High weather I’m accustomed to. Inviting me to indulge in a modicum of activity like taking a walk around the block unencumbered by the normally oppressive atmospheric humidity. It’s been this way since early Springtime. Nice. However, to be fair, 39% humidity is considered thick humidity in the Colorado high country – but here? Sweet bliss. The entire country is broiling and truth be told, our respite from high humidity is a concern. […] - [A Boy And His Tuba](https://laurabrunolilly.com/a-boy-and-his-tuba/): Thanks to all you music teachers in the schools – you serve as first introducers to the glorious variety of instruments there are in this world to try out and play. And a huge thank-you to L. Marie – you help connect kids with books and readers with authors. Resources for inspiring aspiring Tuba Players Let’s start off with this book. It can be found here, here and here. Free sheet music of arrangements of popular tunes for tuba at various proficiency levels by TubaPeter can be found here. Your local Tuba Player Musician/Teacher (ask your music shop or school […] - [COVID Clench, Pandemic Hair and Cardamom Braids](https://laurabrunolilly.com/covid-clench-pandemic-hair-and-cardamom-braids/): In my fantasies of what I’d do first once I was fully vaxxed, getting a haircut was the primo #1 Big Thing. I’d been gearing up for the Big Leap into an enclosed, hair salon experience during the 2 weeks-after-my-second-jab clearance and figured it’d cross off two ToDos at the same time. #1 – Getting that haircut!#2 – Re-entering the world at large in a calculated and precise manner. However, my teeth had other ideas. Over the course of those 2 weeks, jaw pain, migraines, searing earaches, and weird teeth nerves asserted themselves to the point of my having to […] - [Giving Voice: The 8th Wonder of The World...](https://laurabrunolilly.com/giving-voice-the-8th-wonder-of-the-world/): …Stevie Wonder. On the many wonders of this world… “There are more than 7 wonders of the world – he (Stevie Wonder) is #8.” Angelo Roman For a touch of relief in this world of many troubles and plenty of social injustices I end this with Stevie’s “Don’t You Worry About A Thing” on this same album, Innervisions. Thank you, Stevie. - [Poetry as a Pandemic Life Line](https://laurabrunolilly.com/poetry-as-a-pandemic-life-line/): ~~~ Today, this last day in April 2021, is also the last day of National Poetry Month.~~~ Poetry is a life line. me, Laura Bruno Lilly Poetry speaks to our aloneness and draws us into a community of common experiences. Allusions illuminating the seen and unseen – the felt or unfelt. Resonant expression. Targeting the heart. Melting into one’s soul. Before, during and post Pandemic – Poetry is a life line. - [Pandemic Potpourri #6](https://laurabrunolilly.com/pandemic-potpourri-6/): It’s been awhile since I wrote one of these posts. t’s been awhile since I’ve posted, period. I’m tired. I’m worn out. I’m wasted. Yet, excited to be alive. Sounds paradoxical. Perhaps the title of this should be renamed, Pandemic Paradox #1. Just sayin’… Three weeks ago, while standing in line for over an hour to get my first vax jab, my line-mates and I rejoiced that we ‘got this far’ through the Pandemic. We even fist-bumped as we each left the 15 minute sit area afterwards. I felt like dancing a jig and until the first stirrings of side […] - [My Grandmothers, Too](https://laurabrunolilly.com/my-grandmothers-too/): Lineage By Margaret Walker My grandmothers were strong. They followed plows and bent to toil. They moved through fields sowing seed. They touched earth and grain grew. They were full of sturdiness and singing. My grandmothers were strong. My grandmothers are full of memories. Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay With veins rolling roughly over quick hands They have many clean words to say. My grandmothers were strong. Why am I not as they? Written in 1942.I discovered this poem in 1992.Presented here as an homage during Women’s History Month, 2021. - [Outstanding Blogger Award](https://laurabrunolilly.com/outstanding-blogger-award/): Thank you Mariss for nominating me for this award. Along with the honor it bestows, it also gives me a chance to break out of blogger’s rut! In keeping with Mariss’ attention to word definitions (she ferreted out what exactly a blog award nomination really means) I thought I’d first focus on what the name of the blogging award she nominated me for really means. outstanding: adj (1611) 1. standing out – projecting 2a. unpaid 2b. continuing; unresolved 2c. publicly issued and sold securities 3a. standing out from a group – conspicuous 3b. marked by eminence and distinction syn: noticeable […] - [Don't Overlook The Obvious](https://laurabrunolilly.com/dont-overlook-the-obvious/): Once upon a time, in the early 1990s, I experimented with simultaneous double sided quilting and piecing of individual blocks. It seemed a promising way to make a scrap quilt in one easy swoop. Until it wasn’t. I quickly realized the effort far outweighed the reward and set the project aside. Scroll forward to the early 2020s: Whilst (I love it whenever I can use this Brit-term) rummaging through various fabric scrap & abandoned project bins, I came across those four orphan blocks. For more than three decades, they have survived numerous stash purges with no idea of what to […] - [Carolan's Concerto](https://laurabrunolilly.com/carolans-concerto/): Background Turlough O’Carolan. Most Celtic music enthusiasts and instrumentalists are familiar with this man’s body of work and prominence of place within the Irish folk tradition. Long credited as being Ireland’s national composer, Turlough was born in 1670 and lived during the Baroque Era* of Western musical history. That Baroque reference is important to note. While traveling the lands of the Emerald Isle as an itinerant harper, he was in fact a contemporary of Scarlatti, Geminiani and Corelli – all composers of varying prominence of the day. Put another way: Turlough O’Carolan could be called the Baroque Bard of Ireland. […] - [The ‘3 Measure Fix’](https://laurabrunolilly.com/the-3-measure-fix/): Sometimes all it takes is a 3 measure fix. This vaguely simplistic concept was brought to light a few days ago while staring down an old (as in a piece I put aside years ago to work on ‘later’) arrangement I began, but never finished, for solo classical guitar. Something about it wasn’t quite right back then and something about it still wasn’t quite right, right now. There were these 3 measures that, well, just didn’t measure up. In seeing what I’d done previously with fresh eyes, I couldn’t dismiss it as a throw-away. I’d already invested much time and […] - [Snow Joy (Poem)](https://laurabrunolilly.com/snow-joy-poem/): Snow Joy Laura Bruno Lilly ©2020 I don’t want to gaze upon its sparkly freshness. I don’t want to observe. I don’t want to talk about it or take pictures of its transformative effect upon the common everyday landscape. I don’t want to sit in warmth and take in the frosty view through my studio picture window. I want to leap and dive and splash about. I want to be in it. gif credit - [It's Been a Fun...](https://laurabrunolilly.com/its-been-a-fun/): …Ten Day Run. I’ll bet you thought this was gonna be about a mega-marathon. Better yet, about me training and then actually running one of those events. HA! Or maybe just an announcement of a 10 day-in-a-row blogging challenge that never happened. None of the above. It has been a fun run of Palindromic Dates, however! Littering the calendar landscape from January 20th through January 29th, these dates read the same forward and backward. That is to say iff (since we’re in a sort of Math Realm, I thought the abbreviation for the Math term of ‘if and only if’ […] - [January 20, 2021](https://laurabrunolilly.com/january-20-2021/): A day to celebrateA day to contemplate - [Peace Post: Ry Cooder](https://laurabrunolilly.com/peace-post-ry-cooder/): Just needing me some Ry Cooder – peace entwined within rhythm, amid the blues. The father asked the prodigal…did you hear the angel band? The Prodigal Son - [Bye, Bye, MMXX](https://laurabrunolilly.com/bye-bye-mmxx/): It’s been a hard year. To borrow the March proverb and apply it to our domestic and worldwide on-going state of affairs, I like to think that as 2021 ‘comes in like a lion’ it will ‘go out like a lamb.’ In the meantime – I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed. Mary Oliver This 2020 virtual choir video edition of How Can I Keep from Singing makes me feel less alone – its message, its virtual human presence. It seems just what the doctor ordered to usher in a […] - [Thoughts Thought on The Longest Night MMXX](https://laurabrunolilly.com/thoughts-thought-on-the-longest-night-mmxx/): Can a 66 year-old woman begin her own designated Hero’s Journey? Again? Is it too late? Rather, is there time left in her life to dive into yet another Path that would surely reveal itself during that Journey? In many ways, 2020 has been the dead-end to end the multiple dead-ends I’ve hit over the past few years in my creative life. One could say it has been the ending of an unconscious Hero’s Journey. My generation has always championed the idea of jumping over one’s shadow. Elements of a traditional “Hero’s Journey” are hardwired into my everyday life. In […] ## Pages - [Open Letter](https://laurabrunolilly.com/open-letter/): Open Letter 09/29/1997: To My First Classical Guitar Teacher Dear Teacher, You were my very first formal classical guitar instructor. In those days, it was very hard to find anyone who taught CG, much less knew anything about it at all. You were a rare jewel, for you were also a woman. I have wanted to somehow contact you after all these years, but I can’t even remember your name. You taught me from early 1970 – mid 1971 while I was in high school. Because I had already taught myself how to read music, and could play most folk […] - [Privacy Policy](https://laurabrunolilly.com/privacy-policy/): Please note: All info herein is displayed in good faith and with good intent to the best of my understanding of what is required; where ‘we’ = me, Laura Bruno Lilly. Who we are Our website address is: https://laurabrunolilly.com. What personal data we collect and why we collect it Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service […] - [purple tulip music](https://laurabrunolilly.com/purple-tulip-music/): Laura Bruno Lillyperformer, composer, educator Like this early draft of the purple tulip music logo, this page and related content are not yet complete. I am publishing this interim page with bits of info so as to keep an internet presence. Purple Tulip Music is the umbrella name for all I do involving music – for all the facets of my musical life. It was officially formed when I registered my original compositions recorded on my unexpected cd with ASCAP for both publishing rights alongside myself as composer. Below is the Laura Bruno Lilly ‘short bio’ followed by a Laura […] - [Contact](https://laurabrunolilly.com/contact/) - [Welcome Home](https://laurabrunolilly.com/): No matter our physical locality or where we are in life, it’s important to know that we carry home in our heart. In addition, ‘my heart, Christ’s home’ brings on new meaning during times of uncertainty. Far from our own roots along the Rocky Mountain west, my husband and I have a deep compassion for displaced persons due to all manner of circumstances – those hurting for home. Roots are best planted in the hearts of people rather than a place Mary Lou Mawicke Bruno This blog reflects on our own paradigm shift experiences, the impact they continue to make […] - [Blog](https://laurabrunolilly.com/blog/) - [About](https://laurabrunolilly.com/about/): As we break crusty bread,I know I am famished:For months I have been a strangerTo family life,A wanderer on the earth. from “A Greek Meal” by May Sarton Born in Chicago to a large extended family, my immediate family moved to Boulder, Colorado during my sophomore year in High School. Hence I claim dual roots. Growing up in an artistic and musical family with practical sensibilities helped shape in me an appreciation and curiosity about all the variety of people, places and things in this life.  Instilling in me that our spiritual and physical lives are more interconnected than not.  […] - [desert mountain writing](https://laurabrunolilly.com/desert-mountain-writing/): Alongside her music, writing has been a faithful companion giving Laura a great excuse to exploit the virtues of caffeine. Her articles and reviews have appeared in publications such as The Rosette, The Mandolin Journal, and the GFA Soundboard. Most recently, a few of her poems and essays were included in two anthologies published by Camden Writers/Waxing Crescent Press. She has served as editor of several arts related and non-profit newsletters, and taught numerous integrative/interactive masterclasses and workshops using music, rhythm, poetry, words and free form collage to all age groups. Laura greatly enjoys seeing students engaged in the transformative […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)