Isn't one of the perks of being an Aunt, getting all the fun and none of the responsibility? Now, it's different than grandparents because grandparents have to maintain some kind of moral compass, structure, or discipline. When I'm visiting my 2 little nephews, one of my great pleasures is instigating their mischief and watching the consequences unfold as the other adults in their life gain back control.  Once, I was completely astounded when Ethan who was barely 3 at the time, began calling his mother by her first name. It was such an odd, shrill sound coming from the small boy that it stopped me in my tracks. He over-enunciated every syllable and consonant so that it sounded something like, "Ra JEEEE nuh?!" (Only, an octave higher of course). I burst out laughing so hard that it startled him a little, and then gave him all the encouragement he needed to keep it up. I suppose it didn't help that I began imitating him between bouts of laughter and struggles...

Somewhere in Chelsea, I played the song, "Tiny Dancer." I was saving this song because it's always a crowd pleaser and so I wanted a good location. Turns out, I couldn't have picked a worse one. Everything started out fine until the traffic around me completely stole the spotlight. That's New York for you anyway. I guess you'll get a good sense of it...well, what it sounds like anyway. Enjoy! For more videos from the Play Me, I'm Yours project of 2010, click here .

The subway car was packed with rush hour commuters, far below the sunlight and color that crept its way into a long, glum winter streak. A lucky few found a seat, but most stood, clinging to the metal bars as the train jerked its way uptown. A man lost his balance and fell into another’s lap. There was no ‘excuse me,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ or, ‘ are you okay?’ No one else even turned their eyes from their folded hands, iPod, or magazine. The cold, biting wind seemed to have stripped away the kindness that day. The garbage on the ground must have cluttered their manners. The same vacant stares and straight-mouthed faces sat side by side, but wore different coats. At the midtown stop, the doors opened, and like a rush of water making its way through a narrow tunnel, the crowd pushed through the sliding doors onto the platform. It was one man’s only chance to do what he’d been thinking about since Union Square.  This was his stop, and the girl he’d been watching since he boarded, remained in ...

Remember the old Schoolhouse Rock song, “Knowledge is Power?” As I get older, I appreciate this little ditty for more than just its catchiness. It actually has some meaning to it. Hindsight is 20/20, right? When I was 5, I didn’t know that it’s impossible to get my eyes stuck when I crossed them, like my parents told me. So, I was scared into a certain behavior due to my lack of knowledge. If only google existed back then. I would have typed in the question, discovered the truth, and been free to cross my eyes whenever I wanted. This concept has been pretty helpful in other aspects of life, ranging from the obvious day-to-day matters, to the controversial and urgent. Believe or not, after college it took me a while to learn that I have to pay attention to what my paychecks say. As reliable as the Army is, sometimes Uncle Sam makes a mistake (gasp!) and I had to make that right. It’s easy to be on autopilot and trust without question. And sure, I would have been fine , but not the bes...

Not long after we moved to our current NJ apartment, I purchased my very own piano. Never having lived in an apartment building with a piano before, I was slightly worried what my neighbors would think, as the sound would surely carry to the apartment below and beside us. I put my shiny May Berlin in the spare bedroom where I would have my own music space to work in. Eddie and I insulated the wooden floor as best we could with foam and an area rug, and muffled the back of the piano to catch some of the sound. I'll never forget sitting down at he keys. It was the moment I had been waiting for. I had my very own room, with a door, with privacy, to play and do whatever I wanted without inhibition. I chose to play the song "Turkish March" by Mozart, a song I learned in 8th grade and became so ingrained into my muscle memory that I can still play it to this day without ever glancing at the keyboard. I hit that last, glorious A major chord and let the sound echo throughout ...

Inspired by my morning walk through the snow... "Green Haiku" by Elizabeth Grimes Only blue, he saw. Wearily, he sailed the sea Till the dove brought green. White covers the earth. From the snow, a green bloom. Ancient hope renewed. *Photo by Pixvee Some of my favorite poetry posts: Fly with the Wind A Rain Haiku A Brave Leaf Blessings that Fall

Lately I've been searching for a sign. Something that clearly shows me what I'm supposed to do next in life. Questions are gathering over my head, waiting for me to make a decision. So I've been looking at signs, and they've given me some pretty good advice... ...Before you speak ...Have a cup of coffee with an old friend instead ...Go for a walk ...A polite "excuse me" goes a long way ...You never know when your sky could fall ...Of course I believe in this one! Is this a sign I should move to Grimes, PA? I'm not sure I've found the definitive one yet, however. I'm looking for something that roughly says, "Hey you, piano girl! Take this job, move to this apartment, go to this school (or don't go), and if you do this, this, and this, you'll be a successful musician, performer, and songwriter." Too much to ask for? I guess I'll just have to search my own heart and mind. Thankfully though, I have some gui...