Moko, my taiko sensei and friend.

The joy of taiko and cultural exchange | The Japan Times Online

Circle Songs with Bobby McFerrin

I spent most of last week with Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and friends. I attended the Circle Songs Workshop at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. I see the value of bringing Circle Songs to communities for people who have enthusiasm for singing, but perhaps are limited by an inability to read music. When we engaged in the Circle Songs with Bobby in the middle, creating parts and directing, the joy and spirit were palpable. One could eat the powerful energy in that Main Hall and be fully satisfied. However...could I, as a trained musician, engage in circle singing only? No way. But it's a cool way to get lots of people singing from the heart, with spirit and joy. No experience required.

I chose this video to share for a several reasons. The images are powerful, it shows beautifully Bobby's artistry as singer and arranger, and I love the idea of the feminine deity. Enjoy.

Signs from the U.K.

This one is my absolute favorite.

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig...

Chris and Matt did an admirable job taking care of the house, the lawn, the pets, the dishes. The house was still standing and everyone was alive when we got home. Macy did her whimpering face-licking, tail-wagging, back-writhing happy dance when we arrived last last night.

I admit, it's good to be home. I left school a day early to go on this trip, so consequently, I had emptied my room out at school and dumped everything at home, packed my bags, and then left for the U.K. So I feel like it's summer finally. There is a ton of stuff to organize, unpack from Tokyo (still!!) and work to do on the property. When I'm home, I find myself tending live things here and enjoying the gardens I have been putting in over the last several years.

The training for the hike was well worth it. Now...on to Women Swimmin'!

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral has the distinction of being the oldest surviving Catholic Cathedral in Scotland. It shows the wear and tear of the Reformation though, as there were actually battles inside the building on occasion, and you can still see bullet holes in stone and wood from the conflicts. (The Reformation has a dark and bloody history itself.) It is an immense Gothic structure. We were lucky enough to have found a volunteer guide to show us around and tell us some of the history. Nathan found him first and told him that I was a choir director and organist (!?Am I any more??) and because the guide was formally a professional oboe player and is a composer,he seemed delighted to have found a fellow musician. The building is built upon a sight where Saint Mungo is believed to have preformed a miracle of bringing a bird back to life. There is also a story that involves a faithless queen, a wedding ring and a fish, but it's complicated. Google it for yourself, if you're curious.


There is still one surviving column in the basement of the church from the 11th century. Amazing. I love stained glass windows. Here are some of the highlights.

Inverness to Glasgow

Beautiful trip. We took a side trip on the way to Glasgow to the Isle of Skye. One of my favorite choral pieces happens to be the "Skye Boat Song," a story of the defeat at Culloden Battle field, and the escape of the young King Charlie who lead the final rebellion against the Brits. They loaded him into a boat and sailed around the North of Scotland to Skye, one of the largest of the Scotland Isles.

"Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward the sailors cry.
Carry the lad who is born to be king,
Over the sea to Skye."



Our trip to Skye drove us through stunning landscapes. We passes by Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland, but it was shrouded in fog. We shortened the trip back to Glasgow by taking a ferry boat ride back to the mainland. It was a gray and rainy day, but the views were majestic and awe-inspiring just the same. (Check out the Photo stream) It was a long day in the car, and when we walked into the Glasgow Hilton one could see and hear a collective "Ahhhhhhh...." from the Ploss clan. No more cramped bedrooms, no more tiny showers, laundry service available, and even the prospect of a spa visit!

Maell Fuar-Mhonaidh

A bird's eye view of Loch Ness






Our objective up ahead in the distance!



Our inspiration!





Guess what we did today? We saw, we climbed, we conquered! The highest summit we could see around Loch Ness. Whew!