Is Music the key to Joy?!

The Reader's Digest article title is "For a Long Life, Watch Your Attitude";  that got me on today's topic.   There were lots of great tips on longevity, what I took away from the article was, your ability to find your "joy" in life goes a long way to achieving a longevity.

Referencing finding your "joy" in life; yesterday I heard the Hill Country Chorus perform during a civic club luncheon.  What truly struck me, besides the wonderful harmonies, were the expressions on these gentleman's faces.  They were brilliantly happy with no conscious thought to their joy.

(Now, I know there are lots of you that sing at the top of your lungs when you are alone in your car, and do a little steering wheel drum solo as well.  You know who you are - own your joy!)

Music has always been said to be the universal language of love,

maybe the same can be said for joy. So, I did a little research. 

 In New Braunfels we have over 20 locations where one can enjoy some type of live music year round, we have over 50 churches that all have choirs, bands, and concerts. Our school districts have awarding winning choral and band programs.  We have over the years had as many as 15 or more dance halls, private and public.  The Music Study Club, The Community Band, The Southern Music Camp, Mid Texas Symphony, the lists of musical opportunities/traditions could go on and on. 

The first singing society formed March 2, 1861 was the Germania Gesangverein, with two more to follow in 1861. Think;  have you ever been to any festival in our community that doesn't have music and singing?  The first Saengerfest (song festival) was held in 1853 at Herman Seele's place on the Guadalupe River.  Stefan Heilbig, was a prominent music teacher and musical director. He was a bandmaster and played Wagnerian music in an orchestra conducted by Richard Wagner himself before emigrating to Texas in 1868. 

So tap your toes, belt it out, and have some fun, you're are carrying on the traditions of a "long" line of hardworking folks that really knew how to find their joy! 

           

The adress is "Texas, to the German Colony of New Braunfels"

Excerpts from a letter written by Christina Reick, May 10, 1845.  The only letter by a woman of the first founders of New Braunfels, Texas. 

Heritage Village Museum of
Texas Handmade Furniture 

"A new town has been founded.  The inhabitants are all German."

"We can also say we lead a free life, we are in a free land and you can imagine how great freedom is.  No one can tell us what to do or to command us.  Everyone can do as he pleases and everything is free except stealing and murder.  He who does that will be hanged."  

" We were ill on board the ship with sea-sickness, but it was not life threatening but troublesome.  As so many have written, we are glad that we are no longer in Germany under oppression.  Everything is not really well here but the prospects are great that things will be better.  It is very good for our children."      

"Hope my letter finds you in good health and greet all those who inquire about  me.  The address is Texas, to the German Colony of New Braunfels at San Antonio."

 Conservation Plaza

This letter was translated by E.C. Mornhinweg and published in New Braunfels:The First Founders by Everett Anthony Fey, Volume 1 1995.   This and many other publications are available at the Sophienberg Museum and Archives.   

Window to the Past

                                                                                                                                                  As we explore this circa 1847 homestead on the lease, I marvel at the chisel marks that scour each stone.  How long must it have taken to carve out shelter?  Who in the family built the stone fences?    

The first settlers that came over (1844/45) wrote letters home, telling those that followed, what tools were essential to establishing the basics of life in their new reality. The subsequent settlers were a little better prepared than those tough first founders, but not by much.  Even though it was tough going; these persistent settlers took the best of a 1500 year old culture and married them with the pioneer spirit of a young Texas to create most of the Texas Hill Country.  The roads we travel were once part Native American trails, Spanish Expedition routes, Pony Express Routes, and Stage Coach Routes.  They trudged their way through the wilderness to find the paths of least resistance and from there grew a network of transportation, communication, and trade.

I am frequently asked,  "Where is the history of New Braunfels?"
"Why isn't it obvious?"

My answer is simple - you may not see the footprints of our founders, because we are still walking in them.  Open your eyes, the rings are still in the sidewalks where they tied the horses, the streets downtown are still exactly the same width and location as originally platted, the fachwerk is still for all to see, you can still buy a handmade saddle while munching a fresh struedel, we still make our own sausage, and  manners/hospitality still flourish - soak it up, don't walk right by it.

We still pride ourselves in our work ethic, take centuries old traditions as everyday life, traverse the same paths, swim in the same rivers, and thrive as extremely independent individuals that somehow continue to work collectively to make and keep New Braunfels great!



  

Jack Ingram's 2011 HEB Super Bowl Video - Full Length Version

 Where there is snow,  there is a way!

Texas Largest Natural Hot Tub

Snow in New Braunfels is a rare treat!  This morning it was pristine. Just the kids, the deer, some old sleds and we were off. 
We found some great hills and had a blast.  We disturbed a herd of about 30 deer as it was early and they were bedded down at the bottom of one hill near the warm river. 
Speaking of warm river, remember the water temperature is 73 degrees year round.  So, of course today was an ideal day for the big plunge.  Bundled and ready with the car left running and the heater on we trudged down in our long robes and snow boots. 

You have all heard me talk about "smoke on the water" mornings.... today was one of those as you can see in the photo at the right. 

Stay warm, stay safe, but no need to become cave dwellers.... Jump in!