Stahlke Adoption

An Outing

First--no word yet about our dossier. But life goes on back here in Chicago . . .

I am staying at church after the late service for a colleague's retirement dinner. So Jonathan has the kids on his own for the afternoon. He much prefers going somewhere with them rather than staying at home, which is my preference. So he and the kids came to early service and Sunday School, and now they are headed to the lakefront (Lake Michigan). He's taking them there because it's close to the Univ. of Chicago, where a Sacred Harp sing is taking place today. Jonathan told the kids that for only 30 minutes at the Sacred Harp sing, they can have a couple of hours at the lakefront. That's not a bribe, is it?

In a Sacred Harp sing, about 100 people sit in a square formation, with each voice part facing the middle. They sing four-part harmony a cappella with a gusto that is seldom heard elsewhere. First-time visitors get to stand in the middle of the square, only a foot or two from the front row of each voice part. The effect is astounding. I'm not sure that Jonathan will get all the kids in the middle, but even from the edges it's a great experience. The kids are a little apprehensive, but I think they'll go through with it. Then it's on to the lake.

posted by Stahlkes @ 9:53 AM