What a day. Well, I’m auditioning to be a performer on a cruise line for three to six months. I mean really, could there be a better job? Who knows if it’ll ever really work out. I wouldn’t actually do it unless Eddie could somehow get a job on the same line and we could go together. However, I thought I should audition and see if it’s even a possibility. The audition process is done by video, which I have to mail and postmark by this Monday. This morning, I set up good old Ray (my keyboard) in the living room, along with the video camera and tripod. I perfected the view, sound, and lighting. I did my make up and hair. I drank hot water with honey (for the throat). And then I sat down to record my audition. The audition required that I first played a song of my choice. Directly after, I would open an envelope which was mailed to me, in front of the camera, and sight-read the 3 pieces inside. After I played the 3 songs, I would turn off the camera, practice for an hour, and then play ...

I listened to the lazy sounding 1930s music as it rang out, carefree on the radio. You know, the one where the clarinet solos throughout, and the piano clunks the solid 4/4 rhythm with spurts of high, tinkling 64 th notes scaling chromatic riffs. The drums use brush sticks and you can still hear the static from the record needle. It’s the kind of music that would play if you were going to swing on a rope in slow motion, from a tree into the muddy, cool waters of the local creek. Only today, I wasn't giggling and drinking lemonade in the sunshine, I was clenching my knees with white knuckles, gasping with fear, and squeezing my eyes shut. As the taxi drove down Flatbush Avenue, I felt as though I was on a runaway roller coaster trying to dodge small children and large oak trees. The driver shot in and out of the two-lane street, honking at pedestrians, merging lanes, and running lights. He was strangely at ease as he drove however, unlike me who is used to somewhat driving the spe...

We’ve all had one of those days. When spilling your coffee leads to stubbing your toe, which leads to road rage and being late. Which inevitably leads to feeling frazzled and cranky for the rest of the day. We’ve also probably had a day opposite of that. When getting your morning work out leads to choosing a nice outfit, which leads to a compliment, which leads you to compliment someone else. Which inevitably leaves you chipper and positive for the rest of the day. Today was an interesting domino effect for me. I received beautiful flowers. After I put them in a vase of water and set them as the centerpiece for the table, I realized I needed to first clean off the table. The table and bouquet looked lovely, but the kitchen didn’t quite match after last night’s dinner dishes remained on the counter. So after that was cleaned up, the living room didn’t jive with the now clean kitchen. Before I knew it, I had a spic and span house, all thanks to my flowers. With a clean house, I felt re...

"Blessings that Fall" by Elizabeth Grimes A simple bush, with leaves of green Sat under blossoms of a cherry tree. When the branches shook, the petals would fall Onto the bush with no flowers at all. A passerby exclaimed of the bush, “I’ve never seen one with flowers so lush!” His friend said to him, “No, look up higher. It’s the falling petals whose beauty inspires. The bush is not special, like you and me. The Lord’s blessings fall and cause us to be.”

When I was a little girl, I was pretty good at entertaining myself. I made up all kinds of pretend worlds and games that I quietly indulged in alone. I could lie in bed for hours and day dream the night away, or sit contently in the car as long as there was a window to look through and a radio. One game I remember playing, was bird watching. Birds are beautiful and amazing little creatures. I didn’t bird watch with binoculars and a whistle, holding a bird species identification book and cataloguing my findings, I watched them and made up stories about them. Birds didn’t simply land in a tree for a moment and then take off never to be seen again. Each one had a life, a purpose, and family. They were on their way to or from a magical place or secret hideout. They were looking for their friends, who weren’t just birds. Friends included bunnies, squirrels, even bugs. Sometimes they got lost. Sometimes they played in the rain. Sometimes they showed off just because they knew I was watch...

I thought I'd post an old article after walking today in the park. "A View of Central Park" by Elizabeth Grimes, written for JVH Media Group If you’re a New Yorker, you’re familiar with the breath taking view of lush, rolling hills sprinkled with crystal ponds and shady trees, all framed by the concrete silhouette of the Big Apple’s city skyline. Central Park , opened in 1859, is home to nearly twenty-five million visitors per year and covers an astounding 843 acres in the midst of one of the busiest metropolises in the country. The park is open year round and debate is up for when the best time to visit is. Some claim the fall colors are unsurpassable, while others prefer greenery and the company of ducks and geese in the spring months. The answer to which of the four seasons is the best time to visit, however, is any of them. Or better yet, all of them. Each season provides an array of scenery and activities to suit the entire family. With the easy, comfortable ...

Willie Nelson named his guitar Paul. They’d been everywhere together, through rough and rocky travels in cities across the nation (where they received their education… sing along if you know it…). So I thought I should name my keyboard. My weighted, 88-key, silver Yamaha (and stand) was a graduation/commissioning present from my Grandma Valencia, one of my biggest supporters. Its first home was in the tiny basement apartment below my Grandma Daugherty that I shared with my best friend. I wrote some of my very first songs inside those pink walls (yes, pink) with that keyboard. Its second home was El Paso, TX where after a long day of class (and other military related headaches), I pounded out my frustrations on the keys. Next it was Fayetteville, NC, where it aided me in the Soldier Show audition and tons of military banquets and events. Now we’re planted in NJ and together we make regular trips into Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s a heavy keyboard, not very convenient to carry. But I’...