Author Archives: maryannniemczura

Massachusetts-born Poet: Katharine Lee Bates

Posted on June 14, 2019

Today is Flag Day so as I hung our American flag from the front porch, I started to sing America the Beautiful and began to research the back story of the beautiful piece of music. Katharine Lee Bates was head … Continue reading →

Posted in America the Beautiful, Flag Day, Happy Father's Day, Katharine Lee Bates, Pikes Peak Colorado, Samuel A. Ward | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Posted on June 7, 2019

In heaven now, I still recall my parents with fondness and love. Both great role models, it seems I sound just like them today! Incredible how advice and words roll off my tongue. This happens in most families I imagine. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston University, family love, Pueblo, Colorado suburb Belmont, role models, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, wedding anniverssary | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Come Stroll Through our Gardens!

Posted on May 31, 2019

  A few years back when the children were young, I opened my breakfast pink grapefruit to find a surprise awaiting: a large seed inside had burst open and begun to grow. It begged to be planted. Thus began a … Continue reading →

Posted in apple trees, beach plum, grapefruit tree, lilacs, our gardens, rhododendron, rose hips | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Thoughts on Parallel Parking

Posted on May 24, 2019

How did my parents manage with just one car in the early days of their marriage? It was the norm. Mothers stayed at home with children. Shopping for groceries must have been challenging. My mother did not have a driving … Continue reading →

Posted in getting a driver's license, graduate work, parallel parking, U. of Heidelberg | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Music in the Operating Room

Posted on May 17, 2019

My music preference leans towards classical. This past week as I was readied for surgery, a nurse asked me where I sang. In my church and with other local groups. With the Syracuse Chorale and the Berkshire Choral International this … Continue reading →

Posted in Berkshire Choral International in Prague, Costa Rican plants, music as international language, Musical MD in post-op, singing after surgery, spring flowers | Tagged , | 34 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 10, 2019

Both my mother and grandmother have birthdays in May so thoughts turn to them. Mother’s Day also falls in May so I daydreamed about past shared times and phoned a friend on quick impulse. She was under the weather so … Continue reading →

Posted in a country drive, Happy Mother's Day, ice cream cone, May birthdays | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

Call Times and Concerts

Posted on May 3, 2019

Martin Palmeri’s Misa A Buenos Aires Misatango for Mezzo-Soprano, Mixed Choir, Bandoneon, Piano and String Orchestra arrived months ago. Purchased the score; highlighted my soprano parts. Rehearsed hours daily with a few CDs until the music was in my head. … Continue reading →

Posted in Antonin Dvořák, funeral for Pastor, Martin Palmeri, Premiere Performance of Misatango | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments