Category Archives: Music and Musings

Every now and then, I used to fancy the notion of being a multi-instrumentalist. This could include learning to play the spoons. Or thumping on just about anything, if I could get the rhythm right. I had a beautiful mountain dulcimer that I bought many years ago, but never learned to play it, because IContinue reading ““The Water Song””

For me, music and spirituality have always seemed bonded together. Even as a young person, I was drawn to songs that were “religious”, though I didn’t “believe in” the words. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the soprano arias from Handel’s Messiah when I was in my late teens. The one musical experience I had that wasContinue reading “A Journey Towards Spirituality”

The calendar year has changed and life keeps galloping by. The “holidays” are over again, and many of us are carrying them around on our bellies, waists and/or butts. I have a confession to make. I’ve never liked Christmas cookies. Occasionally there is one that is appealing, but for me, mostly they taste like sweetContinue reading “A New Year and an Old Song”

Sometimes I think about my comfort zone and what that means. For most of us, there are things we don’t much care for but continue with anyway. So in a weird way, we are in our comfort zone of discomfort. I do believe that much growth can come from stretching one’s comfort zone in theContinue reading “Stretching the Comfort Zone”

So it’s been a dry period for me on my music blog. One thing about writing a blog like this is there are no real requirements. Good part: you don’t get in trouble for abandoning it. Bad part: you lose momentum for refining something to the point that you can actually post it. If myContinue reading “Fields of Gold Are Waiting”

I am always amazed by people who attempt to accomplish things that appear impossible to most others. Accomplishments can be good or bad. If the choices made are patently stupid and/or dangerous, such as those who win TV’s “Darwin awards”, I am amazed, but not in a good way. “Darwin awards” are posthumously attributed toContinue reading “Bless the Dreamers: Icarus”

When I have attended full day music festivals, my ears and brain have tipped into overload. I don’t get to savor or recall the individual delights that have been offered. I suppose a remedy is to stop listening, take breaks, go to the bathroom a lot, or just leave before it’s too much. I knowContinue reading “Painters, Singers and Bakers”

Six years ago, I took a leap of chutzpah or a leap of faith (sometimes you can’t tell the difference), and told my singing teacher Rebecca Folsom that I wanted to share a house concert with her, rather than just do a warm-up act. She was game for either option. If Rebecca thought that sharingContinue reading “Taking Risks: Attitude Changes Everything”

My early training as a singer was to be a puffed up opera singer. Not to say that all opera singers are puffed up, but it is a very formal modality. Most likely it was my family of origin that aimed for that puffed up effect in general. It’s hard to shed all that, andContinue reading “You Have to Mean It: Angel”

I have always been aware of upcoming decade birthdays, usually starting two years ahead. When a friend plotted a surprise 28th birthday party for me, lo these many years ago, I was thinking ahead to age 30. Now, when I see a person walking around with the aid of a walker, I think, “There butContinue reading “Words Matter”