One of my favorite things about being a "musician," as opposed to a "performer" (I alternate between the two, depending on the gig), is the laid back role of being in the background. When I play for ballet class, the focus is on the teacher and dancers and no one really notices that the music they're dancing to comes from the pianist in that dark, aloof corner. I love it. I notice things that no one wants me to, or thinks I can, almost like being behind a two-way mirror.  The Saturday beginners' class is filled with about twenty four-year old girls in pink tights and leotards with their hair up in glittery curls and buns -- and one little boy. He keeps to himself. While the others are chattering and carrying on, he remains attentive to instruction and mimics the teacher's movements with precision and focus. Often the instructor will catch herself abruptly, "Okay girls, move to your --- and boy --- move to your left," with an apologetic glance...

Eddie discovered that his new place of work has a wonderful tradition. Every employee gets their own birthday cake on their birthday! Talk about benefits. On his way home, he'll often call me and report that they had an ice cream cake for "so and so." I always reply with, "Did you steal me a piece?!" And his answer is always a regretful "no." On one such day, Eddie went to the employee lounge to find an entire chocolate cake laid out in his honor. Odd since his birthday is in February. Eddie explained that today was not his birthday to the supervisor, who apologized profusely. Who knows how the mix up happened, but the important thing is, Eddie got a chocolate cake! And even more important, Eddie hates chocolate (don't even get me started on that one) so guess who gets to eat it all. Yours truly! The cake is so delicious, I had to keep myself from inhaling it, with layers and layers of fudge and creamy goodness, surrounded with a milk choco...

I adore the bright, promising sunshine of spring. I love to soak in the rays as they nourish the trees, awakening from their winter’s nap. I love the colorful light of fireworks in the summer that illuminate an entire black sky for one night. And in the fall, I am comforted by the gentle autumn glow that permeates the atmosphere, laying a hush over the earth as the leaves slowly fall towards it. But there is nothing like the sparkling, endless lights of December that cover the streets, homes, and buildings in celebration of Christmas. As I prepare for the season, the hustle and bustle, shopping, decorating, and cooking, may I not be blinded by the glowing, ornate, glitz of the season, but keep focus on the One True Light. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” -John 8:12

One of the best things about being a musician is no nine to five. No one expects a piano player to play for 8 hours straight anywhere...well, I do play for 7 hours at a time for ballet class once a week. But otherwise, the flexibility in my schedule is something I would never trade. On days like today, when I have nowhere to play, I still punch the proverbial clock and put my hours in...practicing.  I recently attended a performance of Giselle by the New Jersey Ballet Company, and I must say, I fell in love. I scoured the internet for sheet music but all I could find was a copy of the full score. I spent the day deciphering the french words, trying to figure out which act and scene went where. I even had google translator open. Finally, when I figured out a section to begin practicing I realized, duh, many scores have 2 piano parts, or p rima and s econda . The melody doesn't quite come out right unless both are played at the same time, and I'm only one little person....

Eddie and I are the proud Aunt and Uncle of a new baby niece! This is what our 4 year old nephew said of his new baby sis... Admiration and wonder filled the air. All gathered round the new baby with care. Brand new were her feet, fingers, and toes. Delicate and small were her eyes, mouth, and nose. “She looks like an angel,” cried mom with delight. “A beautiful doll, so perfect and right.” “She looks like her daddy,” another one said. “The spitting image, from her feet to her head.” Big brother looked at the bundle of pink, And somebody asked him, “What do you think?” He crinkled his nose and thought for a bit. Being an honest young boy, he had to admit, He knew she would change once she got big, But right now he said, “She’s pink, like a pig!”

Sarah (left) and I We spent Thanksgiving with family in the mountains of North Carolina, just a stone’s throw away from the Great Smoky Mountains. In this small town, rare is the occasion (other than church) for dressing up. This comes much to the dismay of my 20 year old cousin-in-law, Sarah , who like me has an interest for trying the latest fashions and feels more at home in a nice pare of heeled, leather boots than in old, worn tennis shoes. So whenever we’re together, we make an effort to dress up and find something in town to do. We got dolled up, did our hair, put on our nice jeans, new boots, and best coat with the intention of going shopping in the nearest “big” town. On the way, Sarah’s mother suggested a slight change of plans. “I’ve always wanted to visit Crowder’s Mountain, which is only a few miles further.” Shrugging our shoulders, we agreed to the idea and soon found ourselves at Crowder’s Mountain State Park, a scenic landscape with a wildlife exhibit and an endless ...

I've written this blog 297 days consecutively. It has become a part of my daily routine and a source of thoughtfulness, reflection, and pride when I craft a thought into words and relay it in a way that is meaningful to myself and others. I feel uplifted and fulfilled when it hits me suddenly and spontaneously, a joyful moment in my day when I think, "That's going to be my blog today." The holidays are exciting and happy as well as stressful. Eddie and I drove 10 1/2 hours to our nearest family in the mountains of North Carolina for Thanksgiving. I knew we would be busy with the trip and festivities so I pre-planned some of my blogs. However, on our trip back home (that turned into 12 hours with holiday traffic), I grew restless in the car as the sun dipped below the hills of the country side. I needed to post my blog by midnight, and I hadn't pre-planned this one. In the beautiful, vast landscape of Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania (our route), one ...