Giving blood

Yesterday I gave blood succesfully for the 91st time, putting me almost halfway from 11 to 12 gallons in pursuit of my self-proclaimed lifetime goal of 30 gallons. This was particularly gratifying after I had been turned away the previous day because they had a shortage of nurses and so weren't accepting walk-in donors, only appointments. A friend of mine who works there at the Red Cross Donor Center commended me for returning, saying that most people wouldn't. But as I replied to her, I feel almost compelled to, lemming-like. Now I'm next eligible to donate on December 21, and look forward to that, as they always emphasize how their needs increase around the holidays.

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach has been my favorite composer ever since 1973, when, at the age of 16, I began my studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan as a high school junior. Thus it was with great joy that I heard a concert of Bach's music today. This was presented at the Olivet Congregational Church, as a part of a course on Bach being taught by Dr. Linda Jo Scott, my former faculty colleague at Olivet College. Included was both keyboard and violin music, and a lecture presentation on performance considerations for Bach's music. An altogether enjoyable experience!