Shana The Harpy!
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shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Shana The Harpy!
@shanahipharpy.bsky.social
1.8K followers 800 following 4.3K posts
Harp wrangler, messy gardener, aspiring bee keeper, e-trike rider. The plucky 1/2 of the Chaski Flute & Harp Duo. Austin, Texas.
ChaskiMusic.com
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shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Few things brighten a day more than catching up with a friend & playing tunes together! Had an epic afternoon (on both counts) with @kelseyhuse.com.
A photo of two white women outside on my front porch. On the viewer’s right is my youthful friend Kelsey - dark hair w/bangs, a big smile, and a denim jacket. I’m to your left, white-haired (and considerably older) in a pink sweater & bright red lipstick. I have a hand on Kelsey’s shoulder. We are framed by the green leaves of a Queen’sWreath vine that grows across the porch. In the background there are glimpses of the light and color in the living room.
November 29, 2025 at 12:37 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
My neighbors took me to Goat Pen Trivia night at Jester King Brewery tonight. Absolutely hilarious. We’re were epically bad at the trivia, but had a magnificent time.
A photo of a goat, outside on a picnic table. In the foreground a mobile phone, and a bottle of sparkling water are visible.
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
A fortunate series of events got the old neighborhood band back together to play a backyard party tonight. I’d had a really shaky day, but this ended up soothing my soul.
A photo of my lever harp, a drum kit, and a guitar outside on a wooden deck ready to play a gig. There are mic stands and cables everywhere. The drum is decorated with Christmas lights.
November 23, 2025 at 4:23 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
It’s her day!! Musician friends, if times are tough, this is an especially fine day to say: Saint Cecilia, take the wheel.
An image of Saint Cecilia against a gold background. She has pale skin, black hair, blue eyes, and is robed in blue. She’s over the top adorned with jewels. She’s holding, and strumming a 7-string lyre. Tucked in her right arm she has some flowers and a dagger.
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Many of you know Mooy MacMooFace, mascot of The Wee Free Herb Garden. She is, famously, one fashion-forward heifer. Yesterday she revised her signature style to reflect the spirit of the household.
A photo of a cartoonish metal cow sculpture out side on a table. The cow has a big open mouth, blue eyes, and flirty yellow eyelashes. She is wearing a black bow tie on top of her head, and a black scarf draped around her neck. She is wearing a handwritten sign, with two hearts on it, that reads: Missing Sean.
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
There’s to be a wedding on our block today. Mooy McMooFace is dressed and illuminated for the occasion. I’ll play the tune I wrote for the couple’s walk-on music. (It’s very fun and a bit sassy.) Fwiw, I always cry at weddings; a few extra tears won’t be out of place.
A photo, outside at night, of a cartoonish metal cow sculpture draped in white netting, laden with faux pearls, wearing pink, heart-shaped sunglasses, and illuminated by two floodlights. It’s hilarious.
November 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
You may recognize Mooy McMooFace, the Wee Free Herb Garden’s mascot. She’s tarted up for Sunday’s wedding. (It’s across the street, in the couples’ front garden.) It’s basically a block party! I’ll play the ‘walk on’ tune I wrote for them. (I know, kind of soon, but it’s heart medicine for me. ❤️‍🩹)
A photo of a small, goofy, cartoonish metal cow sculpture on a table outdoors. It’s draped in white netting, had faux pearls around its neck and pale pink, heart shaped sunglasses. There’s a bouquet of orange marigolds and, to the viewer’s left, a terra cotta pot of French thyme. It is an utterly ridiculous tableaux.
November 14, 2025 at 11:55 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Your post made me cry in the best possible way. (And to be clear, I cry a lot right now but not on a good way.) We did, indeed, have an extraordinary 35 years together. Thank you for sharing.
A photo of Sean & me, to white-haired whits folks. We are in a kitchen, posing with a gigantic black dog. He’s in a teal jumper and I’ms wearing a pink and black top. I also have a pink feather in my hair. We, and the dog, are staring at the camera.
November 14, 2025 at 12:36 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Know that y’all’s kind comments about Sean’s passing mean SO much to me! I will reply to each, although it may me take awhile. He absolutely loved to hear all the MusicSky gossip. This is my last photo of us, taken Tuesday after we celebrated our 35 anniversary by voting.
A selfie of two old white-haired, white folks (Sean & Shana) smiling into the camera. Sean’s in a red plaid shirt, I in a pink and black print. We are both wearing I Voted stickers.
November 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Thank you. I’m struggling w/words now,too. It might make you smile to know that he took his brand new copy of @scalzi.com’s The Shattering Peace w/him to the Texas Book Festival. He heard Scalzi’s panel w/Martha Wells, and got his book autographed. He had a fantastic day!
A photo of the John Scalzi’s autograph on his book The Shattering Peace.
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
I’m 💔 to share with you the news that Sean died yesterday morning. We had 35 joy-filled years together.
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
In 10 days our neighbors will get married on their front porch. The whole block is caught up in wedding mania. Love is in the air & everyone’s giddy.
I wrote a tune for the occasion. Mooy McMooFace, garden mascot, is going to get a new outfit. She’ll have a tiara, veil, faux pearls, & a bouquet.
A photo of a goofy looking metal cow sculpture outside on a table next to some clay pots. The cow has blue eyes and big grin. It’s wearing pink earrings a white ribbon and a small disco ball on a chain.
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
And here it is! This was New Year’s Day 2024. I took my harp to the park & celebrated the new year with some tunes al fresco. It The tiny harp is no stranger to trike travel.
A photo of my purple etrike outside in a park, with the Austin skyline behind it. In the. Trike basket is red “gig bag” for a tiny harp. It is secured by a bungee cord.
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Here’s my usual ride! It replaces a car for us. And, fwiw, I have a tiny harp w/a protective padded backpack. It’s the sort of harp you’d take to a pub session. It DOES fit in the basket and travels on the trike w/me from time to time.😎
A photo of my purple e-trike, with an orange Day of the Dead themed shopping bag in the back basket. We are at the co-op grocery store, in front of a huge, goofy green dinosaur statue. My lavender bike helmet is on the dino’s head.
November 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
My vintage Volvo wagon is mostly a harp-hauling vehicle. It moves harps regularly, but almost never leaves the driveway otherwise. My e-trike is the go-to vehicle.
A photo of me, a white-haired, white woman, wearing all black with a gold scarf, and playing a huge harp. Beside me is a young man playing percussion. Behind is is a large chorus.
November 7, 2025 at 3:28 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Proof that we voted today, on our meet-cute anniversary, as is our custom. Things didn’t all go as hoped for here. Dang. But we’re giddy over the triumphs elsewhere!
A photo of me and Sean, a couple of old white-haired white people, wearing I Voted stickers, smiling big-time.
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 AM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Thirty five years ago I met this rascal while watching election returns on the night Ann Richards won the Texas Governor’s race.
Today we’ll go together to vote, then watch returns at home w/a bit of bubbly. We’ve been doing this for 35 years.😍
A photo of me and Sean, two old white folks dress up for a family wedding. We are outdoors in a garden. He in a black tux with a grey vest and bolo tie. I in a brightly colored, patchwork tunic made of up-cycled sari fabric. I’m wearing pearls. We’re smiling like the happiest people on the planet.
November 4, 2025 at 3:36 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
For today’s practice I switched gears musically. I left the dust cover on the orchestra harp and played nothing but lever harp. 😍Here’s a tiny video of that harp in action. (It’s from last month’s Chaski concert at the season opener of Studio A’s One World, One Music series.)
November 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Thanks for sending this. I hadn’t seen it yet and, clearly, it’s a Must Read! (Also, it’s by Mimi Schwartz, and I love her writing.)

Austin is not as Weird as it once was, but some of us still hold to the old ways.
A photo from Austin’s No Kings March. Several folks, dress in inflatable T-Rex and Squirrel costumes are dancing on the lawn of the state capitol.
November 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Rabbit, rabbit.
A drawing of two cute, pudgy brown bunnies, with bits of white around their heads. They are facing one another on lawn that has tufts of grass and some delicate pink flowers.
November 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Who doesn’t love dogs in festive attire?! I believe that just this morning @pwallinga.bsky.social was requesting cute pet pictures.
Here are Maude & Mamie. (Mamie is the one with the orange hair ribbon.)
A photo of two huge black dogs sitting outside on the patio with some plants behind them. They are wearing orange and black Halloween bandanas. Maude, on the right, is facing the camera. Mamie, on the left and slightly smaller, has an orange ribbon in her hair and, while not actually looking at the camera, is still striking a pose. They are both good dogs.
October 31, 2025 at 10:45 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
Here’s what the Wee Free Herb Garden looks like today. Mooy McMooFace has gone full Friday the 13th for Halloween. Bless her.
A photo of a decorative metal cow statue outside on a table surrounded by pots of herbs (oregano, chives, and thyme). The cow has a crown of orange marigolds that are almost obscured by a bloody Jason Hockey mask.
October 31, 2025 at 9:43 PM
shanahipharpy.bsky.social
This is what we’re serving tomorrow night. It’s from a fav Austin restaurant, Fonda San Miguel (by way of Diana Kennedy), and is dead simple!!!
FONDA SAN MIGUEL SOPA DE ELOTE * Corn Soup Corn is the very foundation of Mexican culture and cuisine. This wonderful soup is adapted from a recipe presented by Diana Kennedy in her influential first cookbook, Cuisines of Mexico. As the original menu consultant for Fonda San Miguel, she shared many of her well-researched, authentic recipes with Miguel. Corn soup was one of the first breakout dishes to create a following within the restaurant, and it has maintained its popularity. It is even copied now at other Mexican restaurants in Austin. At the height of summer, this soup is marvelous, made with corn cut off the cob. The second choice is frozen corn. Never use canned corn. 4 cups fresh corn kernels, cut and scraped from 5 or 6 ears of corn, or about 2 10-ounce packages of frozen corn kernels, thawed 4½ cups milk ¼ cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced * 6 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese 6 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips and fried crisp Combine corn and 1 cup of the milk in a blender. Puree at high speed until smooth; set aside. In a heavy, 3-quart nonreactive stock pot, heat the butter over medium heat until melted and bubbly. Add the corn puree and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the remaining 3½ cups milk and the salt; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring to avoid sticking. In each of 6 warm soup bowls, put 1 tablespoon each of the diced chiles and shredded cheese. Ladle the hot soup into the bowls and garnish with a few tortilla strips. Serves 6.
October 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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She gets some height. Amazing, given her size. This is her favorite jump.
October 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
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This is Maude. (Full disclosure, Maude is my sister & Bro-in-law’s doggo.) Maude likes to jump over things.
October 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM