Mentor, shepherd, listener, and advocate are identities I readily see in myself. While these roles nurture, empathize with, and speak up for others, the term hero is weightier for me...
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Close Encounters of the Heartening Kind
Last week, my interview with Kelsey Timmerman was published on the Dressember blog. I never imagined I would have a one-on-one conversation with a New York Times bestselling author...
Nourishing Beauty on a Cloudy Day
We arrived at The Cafe at Thistle Farms on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in early March. As my family added baby decorations to the space, I paused...
What Bright Spots Accompany the Moon
a photo of Mercury from MESSENGER, NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center a poem inspired by my view on the evening of June 15, 2018 with special thanks to my father who often paused to walk into the front yard and look up at the stars and… Continue reading What Bright Spots Accompany the Moon
Singing the Syrian
Walking with Earthworms Does an earthworm deserve death after deluge makes it homeless? Or are careful footsteps sacred? If bombs rain as gas and dust flood lungs Shall we trample those who can't go home? Krystal J. F. Grant, April 16, 2017 An earthworm's return home after this morning's deluge became the climax of… Continue reading Singing the Syrian
Echoes of Hamilton
"Hey, it's Lafayette," I said and smiled as if referring to a friendly acquaintance. I recognized his recorded voice at the gift shop at The Kennedy Center last weekend: the opening song of Hamilton was playing in the background. After the music's dramatic buildup and split-second pause, I sang along with the name "Alexander Hamilton"… Continue reading Echoes of Hamilton
Black or African-American Friday
Instead of going to stores on Black Friday, my family and I went to the matinee performance of the new play Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole at People's Light in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Commencing Music Theory with Meaning
In my first class session of first-semester music theory, I ask my students two questions: "Who are you?" and "What is music?" The first question usually takes the form of name, hometown, instrument or voice part, and a favorite of something. I answer with Dr. Krystal J. F. Grant, Birmingham, Alabama, composition and piano, and… Continue reading Commencing Music Theory with Meaning
Using T-shirts
They gave me the shirt, introduced me to what became my favorite band, and immersed me in rap and reggae...
Summer at the Mint Farm
The cafe's mint fragrance and their empathy helped restore me. They also encouraged me to visit the farm and taught me about the six varieties of mint grown on site, each with a unique flavor and leaf texture they let me sample.
