When we got our dog,  Joy , I spent a great deal of time house-breaking and training her to be a well-behaved, obedient dog. I'm happy to say, I think she turned out pretty well. She travels with Eddie and I all over creation anytime we go on vacations or to visit family. The first time we took her to Texas to see Eddie's family, we left her at my mother-in-law, Debbie's house for a while. I told her, "Joy will do pretty much whatever you tell her, so you shouldn't have any trouble. Just give her a command and she'll obey." Later when Eddie and I returned to pick up Joy, Debbie said, "For the life of me, I couldn't get her to sit!" I thought that was odd considering "sit" was doggy 101. Debbie went on to demonstrate, "Joy, SI-YET!" I laughed out loud and explained, "Joy thinks 'sit' is a  one -syllable word!" We completely forgot to take in account that very thick, Texas drawl! Poor Joy had no idea what...

This video was taken at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn during the Play Me, I'm Yours project last summer. I had a music box that played the melody of "Fly Me to the Moon," when I was little. There was a ceramic girl watching a little bird that spun in circles. I remember the first time I heard a recording of Frank Sinatra singing this song and I thought, how did Frank Sinatra know that my music box played that tune? :)

I'm nearly 28 and I still love to go to the zoo - even with no nieces or nephews to use as an excuse. I went to the Turtle Back Zoo in NJ with Eddie today. It was cold and rainy, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to have fun snapping photos of my favorite critters. The Happiest Critter award goes to : Cassie the Sea Otter This is Cassie's first nomination as she is a new addition to the zoo. She thanks her parents for making her so cute, and the zoo keepers for feeding her and keeping her energy up to entertain the guests. The Most Hypnotizing Critter award goes to : The Sea Horse The Sea Horse was also nominated for Brightest Critter. The Brightest Critter award goes to : The Blue Fish The Blue Fish and the Sea Horse are considered rivals in many aspects, but personally maintain a good friendship. "We work together in our goal to inspire awe in our spectators," said the Blue Fish. The Best Dressed Critter award goes to : The Peacock The Peacock has won t...

I spent the day practicing the Weeping Willow Rag by Scott Joplin. Ragtime music is great for ballet tondu exercises and I'm trying to expand my repertoire for rehearsals. I printed out the sheet music and began the daunting task of sight-reading a new song. One line at a time, I played the right hand, then the left hand. Over and over, drilling the new patterns into my head.  I opened the window to feel the breeze as I practiced, and suddenly became too distracted to continue. The most obnoxious crow was squawking! Over and over! It was harsh, and loud, and repetitive. He just would not stop. So I tried to block him out and play louder. When I did, it seemed like he only squawked louder! Eventually Eddie poked his head in the music room and asked, "Uh, what are you playing?"  "It's the Weeping Willow Rag! Can't you tell? It takes a while to learn it well enough to sound recognizable!" That's when I thought, hmmm. That poor crow was probably sitti...

Choosing one positive moment a day to share is very easy some times. When I've seen an amazing sunset, been around my nieces and nephews, or experienced the kindness of a stranger, I know immediately what to write about. Other times, it can be more difficult. The days when I spent hours doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and putting in piano practice hours, it can feel sort of hum drum. On those days, I have to become a little more resourceful, depend on my 5 senses to heighten, and find me that one magical moment among the day to day activities of an un-extraordinary day. Touch As I play the cool, smooth ivory keys of my beautiful piano, I suddenly feel Joy's wet nose nudge my knee. It startles me at first. I thought she was  asleep at my feet . But she's awake now. And she wants to be touched too.  Taste My  husband  brought home a treat for me. Easter's coming. That means the stores are filled with...chocolate bunnies! Yum. I like their peanut butter ears bes...

When my friends or family come to me for advice, I have two "go-to" replies. I decided I should get the sayings needle-pointed on a pillow some day.  When a question begins with the words, "Should I..." I usually reply with, "Follow your heart." When a question begins with the words, "How do I..." I usually reply with, "Google it." I mean think about it. Should I take this new job? Should I switch my major? Should I spend the day cleaning the house or taking the kids to the park? Should I get a new dog? Should I break up with this guy? Follow your heart. Your heart, your conscience, your voice inside your head, your cartoon cricket named Jiminy. Whatever it is inside you that tells you right and wrong, follow that. You can't go wrong! How do I get to your house? How do I make tuna noodle casserole? How do I re-cover my furniture? How do I learn Spanish? How do I fix my sink? Google it. Thank God for the internet. I google everythi...

When I play piano for a show , often the only way for me to see the music in front of my face is from a little, clip-on book light. But you'd be amazed just how brightly the light reflects off the white pages in a pitch dark theatre. It reminds me of the lighthouses on Long Island we visited recently. Although we went during the day, I imagined how a relatively small building could illuminate a dark ocean well enough to guide the great ships. I got to thinking; a small, battery operated light bulb can allow me to play music for a theatre full of people. And an enormous lighthouse lamp can prevent disasters. The sunshine of spring will certainly do wondrous things. I'm feeling warmer already. (that teeny silhouette sticking up in the center is a lighthouse) "Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space.  It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe.  It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished."  ~Michael Strassfel...