VFSS - 2026 04 15

 

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When I Grow Too Old to Dream - 2023 11 12

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  Two years ago Mom moved in with me after forty years in mental health group housing due to the impact of her schizophrenia. She turned 91 on the day she moved in. She immediately suffered a serious health decline and we were put on the palliative care registry. This month Mom celebrated her 93rd birthday. She is a frail elder. Often when she has energy, she is singing in her room. This is a song she has been singing since she moved in. It was only recently I finally asked where the song came from. It turns out Aunti Ivy, Mom's oldest sister, used to play this song on the piano. The family used to gather around and sing together from her songbook. This was one of those songs.  Aunti Ivy is gone now. She was 11 years old when Mom was born. Mom must have been a little girl when this song was sung and she memorized the words. This week we have finally identified the song and it is going to be added to our songbook. We are now learning to play it. A new music project has been ins...
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Quiet Work of Sisterhood - 2026 02 20 - Jenny Arntzen

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  Tonight I am home with dogs, getting ready to suit up for a cold, late night walk. This is my homemade movie of a song I wrote last year, played tonight to share with you. I wrote this song in response to disturbing events perpetrated on defenceless people by corrupt, sociopathic government forces. It was the month of May, 2025. The Trump regime was supporting genocide in Gaza of the Palestinian people and allowing food stockpiles to rot instead of delivering them to people in need. In the garden at the corner of my street, these gorgeous lavender irises were blooming. Their beautiful emergence despite the catastrophic policies of humanity, were an inspiration to me. Everyday I am out the door with the dogs, walking familiar routes and noticing the subtle and dramatic changes in nature as the seasons change. I take strength from the world of nature, and from the nature of sisterhood. It is through my honest, authentic and infuriated friendships with women, and the men who support...
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First House Concert - 2025 09 12

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  2025 09 12 - morning view  - you can't hear them, but the leaves of the Lombardi Poplar are gently rustling in a light, cool breeze. The hollyhocks are going through a second blooming. The sunflowers reach for the sunlight, growing strong and tall. As usual, I am moving furniture and re-arranging the living/dining room for music. It is happening. I am going to host my first house concert on Monday, September 22, 2025. I need to get moving on the invite! I am going to be the feature artist, sharing a selection of songs written by me, my family, friends, and kindred spirits. The concept for this house concert is based on the 'tiny desk concert' format. We will perform for a small audience here in the house. No amplification for our voices and instruments. Floor mics will record the sound in the room. Two video cameras (one stationary, one steadycam) will capture audio and video of the event. A Zoom live feed will broadcast the event to the Interwebs for sharing across geogr...
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