Author Archives: Adrian Dee

Why is it that time seems to be simultaneously racing ahead and not moving at all? My wife and I got our ballots in this week.  Oregon has been voting by mail for years. We had reviewed the Voters Pamphlet and made our decisions so that as soon as the ballots arrived, we could markContinue reading “Voting”

Hello friends. Recently, as I was wandering around Youtube looking for things to take my mind off of the world around me (pandemic, violence, divisiveness, election anxiety, smoke and wildfires…) I stumbled upon this lovely young woman’s song parodies which are just fantastic. She goes by the name SongBird and you can find her here:Continue reading “Keep Singing, SongBird!”

Hello friends! I’ve started reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo (Beacon Press 2018). I’m finding it very insightful and thought-provoking, in a good way. I like how the author asks the reader to stop and think for a moment, and gives a bunch ofContinue reading “Books for White People”

I have really been enjoying the National Flute Association’s Summer Series these past few weeks.  These are online panels, presentation, performances, etc. that the NFA is offering instead of our annual convention.  If you are a flutist and are not watching the summer series, I strongly urge you to consider registering and dropping in.  AllContinue reading “NFA Summer Series”

Hello friends! Here is a link to Roy Zimmerman’s second version of his parody “The Liar Tweets Tonight” in which I got to participate!  I’m on the left at about 1:11 for my one second of fame.  Also participating are Peggy Seeger (Pete’s sister), Jay Siegel (of the Tokens, who sang the original “Lion SleepsContinue reading “Liar Tweets Tonight, v2”

We thought it was a done deal in 2016, and it wasn’t. Don’t be fooled the same way this year.  And don’t depend on polling places to be open and accessible come November; we don’t know how bad the pandemic will be then.  Apply for your absentee ballot NOW.  Voting is a revolutionary act thatContinue reading “VOTE!!”

Black lives matter. Learn more about racial injustice and the Black experience in America with this collection of films, series and documentaries. https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/81299227?so=su

Hey! It’s the Fourth of July! And I’m a piccolo player! So, excuse me but there is one thing that I absolutely must do.. Images of African American soldiers courtesy of Pinterest. Honoring African American soldiers from the Revolutionary War to today who fought for liberty and justice they never received. I invite you toContinue reading “Independence(?) Day”

As if physical injury in November, car wrecked in December, global pandemic lockdown onset in March, racism violence everywhere in May and June, as if this weren’t enough – we were hit, perhaps I should say bashed, with personal tragic news this week.  Our great-niece, Makayla, just turned 12, died on Tuesday afternoon, June 23. Continue reading “Makayla, We Hardly Knew You”

… to understand, to educate myself, to listen and learn. Here is an interesting video by Emmanuel Acho – “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” You can watch it and practice being uncomfortable in the privacy and safety of your own home. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is a good skill to learn. Have compassion,Continue reading “Overwhelmed, but trying …”