"There is no such thing as a little freedom. Either you are all free, or you are not free." -William Cronkite We found this little squirrel in a trap today. He was very frightened and upset at his capture. But his spirit was not gone. He searched every square inch of the cage for an escape. He chattered angrily at me as I debated what to do next. I slipped him my granola bar, which he devoured in an instant. Who knows how long he's been there.  Finally, we managed to set him lose. The moment he realized his freedom, he scurried to the highest tree top. He looked back one last time, just to make sure the cage was really behind him.  I imagine he is with his friends and family, telling the heroic tale of his capture and escape, and enjoying his freedom.

This video was taken at Riverside Park in Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River with truly remarkable scenery all around. It felt very "New York" so I thought Billy Joel's song was only appropriate. They say if you live in New York City for 10 years, you can call yourself a "New Yorker." I'm not sure what it's called when you live in New Jersey and commute into the city a few times a week for a year and a half, but I have a feeling it doesn't quite add up. Oh well, I occasionally have my New York moments. This was one of them. Enjoy.

My husband, a U.S. National Park Ranger, had to qualify with his weapon and take his physical fitness test today. And since the day was free for me, I decided to drive down to Sandy Hook National Park with him and occupy myself for a few hours while he conducted business. It turned out to be a beautiful day... (click to enlarge photos if you wish) I was stunned to see the sandy beach sandwiched between snow and ocean. Joy was so happy to bark at the waves, she flew a little. It was such a clear day, that even the moon decided to make an appearance, just over the lighthouse. We trudged through the wild snowy trails. Joy, my ever loyal dog, plowed a path for me. Most importantly, Eddie qualified with flying colors. And then our trio flew home. Past the flying geese.

This day was truly amazing. After months of preparation, I took my place at the piano bench behind a plexiglass window and recorded the piano for my album. With complete focus and concentration, I played along with the full band and orchestra that played in my ears. When I pounded the final chord of the final song I pressed my fingers firmly down on the keys. Gradually, the sound faded into silence and I lifted my fingers from the keyboard. Suddenly I felt like soaring. It had all come together and I , Miss anal-retentive, knit-picky, perfectionist, was pleased with our work for the day. Should you purchase the album when it is finished this early spring (and I hope that you do), listen closely to each song. For I’m certain that underneath the numerous musical instruments playing, the microphone in the sound booth must have picked up the intense beating of my heart. My posts as I chronicle my album recording with Modern Vintage Recordings: 1.  Optimistic Gamble 2.  Soph...

There's a storm coming. They say it's going to be bad. They've put GPS devices on the tow trucks, sent out an advisory, and canceled schedules in preparation. I hear it will be difficult for people to get to their destinations, maybe dangerous, and they shouldn't venture out unless it's absolutely necessary. It comes on the day I have been waiting for for months, even years. The day I am to go into the city and record piano, the most important and personal instrument, for my album. When I began this process, I heard it was going to be difficult to get to my destination. There would be obstacles and hardships. It would be a storm of confusion, self-doubt, and risk. But I've made it through this far, and I don't suppose a little snow will keep me from going the rest of the way. (Now New Jersey mass transit, may be another story...) Here are my blogs in order, as I chronicle my process to record an EP with Modern Vintage Recordings: 1.  Optimistic Gamble...

Me at the piano during the finale of one of our shows The best months I ever spent in the Army, was the tour of the 2007 Army Soldier Show, in which I was one of the 13 performers. The Army Soldier Show, was founded by none other than Irving Berlin himself when he was a soldier in World War II, and has carried on through the decades as a musical variety show "for the soldier, by the soldier." One of my superior officers at the time, sent me an e-mail one day with the audition information for the show. I had never heard of it before, but immediately got chills when I learned more about it. Unfortunately, the deadline for submission was the following day, by midnight. I would need to make an audition video and overnight it that very day. I begged my supervisor to grant me the rest of the afternoon to work on it, and after much reluctance he finally consented. I borrowed a video camera and threw together a very home-made video of me singing and playing "Bye Bye Blackbir...

This is a list of things people have said to me with the intent of complimenting me. I really didn't know what to say after, so I just smiled and nodded. My Grandpa-in-law: "You've fattened up since the last time I saw you. Now you don't look like a skeleton." Friend from my former church: "You look just like Claire Danes in that movie....what's the one where she's sickly the whole time then she dies...?" (Little Women is the answer there by the way, and Claire Danes  does look like death the entire movie.) My mother: "You take after your father. Bags under the eyes are hereditary." My husband, when asked by an acquaintance if his wife was a good cook: "She makes a delicious meat loaf and.... (pause while searching the far corners of his brain for another meal I cook well) Yeah, her meat loaf is really good." An old Army (girl) friend, describing what she thought was my nicest feature: "You have nice legs. ...