Author Archives: maryannniemczura

Foiled Again! Forsooth!

Posted on January 17, 2020

Try as I may; try as I might, I simply can’t seem to win the fight. Tasty morsels for the birds hang in a fancy house, me to harangue. Modus operandi: outsmart up the pole, my course to chart; grab … Continue reading →

Posted in bird feeder, birdhouses, squirrel detractors | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Caelestis (Latin for heavenly, divine)

Posted on January 10, 2020

Would that I could find the name for the newest family member. Could I name this beauty? Would it in all likelihood encompass the elegance and fragrance so good? You’d think it an easy task. That would be a falsehood. … Continue reading →

Posted in Caelestis, cedar, closet, new family member, pine | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

On Being Vintage

Posted on January 3, 2020

The year has changed to 2020. Where does time fly? I blinked and our little children are now young adults living elsewhere. In the aging process, I note that the frequency of doctor appointments increases. I am handed printouts or … Continue reading →

Posted in appointments, calendar, digital vs. paper, New Year 2020, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Handwritten Thank You Notes

Posted on December 27, 2019

  When is the last time you purchased beautiful boxed thank you note cards or that special one which said just what you intended? Why not get out those beautiful cards and pen? Fountain or ball point pen? Do you … Continue reading →

Posted in eCards, handwritten thank you notes, Happy New Year 2020, nativity set | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

December Concert

Posted on December 20, 2019

Rehearsals since September Rhythms, notes to remember Languages in November And harmonies to render Soloists, quartets, measures Practiced sopranos, tenors Now together presenters And concert in December.   Note: This is another version of a Welsh form of poetry called … Continue reading →

Posted in artistic director, choral concert, choral singing, cyrch a chwta, cyrch a chwta (Welsh), director, guitar, harp, marimba, oboe, Syracuse Chorale | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

All God’s Creatures

Posted on December 13, 2019

The tiny mouse paid scant heed to the snow and cold when I parked in the street. Out of nowhere, it scurried faster than I down the street in the early morning darkness. Where did it shelter? Under a snowdrift? … Continue reading →

Posted in a tiny mouse, All God's Creatures, Franz Gruber, Josef Mohr, miracles, Oberndorf, St. Nicholas Church, Stille Nacht/Silent Night | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Recalling German Village Life in Advent

Posted on December 6, 2019

We lived in a magical German village called Schweindorf during my first Fulbright year. Our children counted down the days until December 25 using Advent calendars. They put a BIG shoe outside their door the evening of December 5 for … Continue reading →

Posted in candles, Christ Child, Fulbright Year, gingerbread houses, Nikolaus | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments