Weekend review

We got out of the house for the first since we had the record-breaking snowstorm last Tuesday. Some of the snow has melted, but much remains to melt away. What a blessing it is to be retired and not have to get out in this mess. For six says we just stayed put and kept warm. We had plenty of food on hand and found we had no need to get out for anything.

I got in my '96 Saturn today, and it started right up. I backed up a little and then pulled back in. Then I got a shovel and shoveled a path from the street to the house. When J came out, we got in the car and drove to Braum's. We got some milk and a few other things, and then drove home. Braum's had plenty of milk. We noticed others remarking that they had gone to several stores to get milk and they were out.

A grader had gone down our street and cleared a path for cars. Sometimes that does not happen. The schools are closed in the area for tomorrow. Some schools were affected by broken water lines.

Nick called tonight to check on us. We told him we were doing fine.

J and I worked the crossword from the paper tonight. We do pretty well when we work together. We both have knowledge that the other lacks; and that helps in solving crossword puzzles.

I hear that there is another storm coming this week. We could get another 5 to 10 inches of snow. Gail called just a few minutes ago to cancel our duet practice we normally have on Mondays.

I ordered a few books from Amazon yesterday. Two books I ordered contain spirituals of black Americans: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit by Gwendolin Sims Warren and African American Heritage Hymnal published by GIA Publication, Inc. The Warren book contains the music and lyrics of 101 best-loved psalms, gospel hymns, and spiritual songs of the African-American church.

The African American Heritage Hymnal looks like any church hymnal. The 700 + page book has responsive readings at the beginning follow by some 700 songs. At the end are a few indexes, nine in fact. The hymnal is compiled for Protestant Black American churches. I recognize many hymns from the Baptist Hymnal. There are additional hymns such as "Life Every Voice and Sing" and "We Shall Overcome" which are especially meaningful to black people.

Two other books I ordered are A Beginner's Guide to Reading Gregorian Chant Notation by Noel Jones and Liber Cantualis by Monks of Solesmes.