There's an old legend at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, that someone once got locked in the clock tower. The clock tower today is automated, and plays a tune every hour. But they say that back in the old days, there was an organ up there. Well, the organist was trapped inside, so as a call for help, he played "Rescue Me" repeatedly on the organ until someone noticed and found him. (Or something like that, it's been a few years since college folks!) The lap top is my organ. My bedroom is the clock tower. I've been held hostage in my room for hours, with no release in sight! We've broken a temperature record, with the heat index at 115 F (46 C). My number one complaint about northern NJ (besides the traffic), is the hundred year old buildings that lack any kind of temperature regulation. So we survive the seasons on radiators and window air conditioners (I know, outrageous, right?!). Last year was our first summer here. On June 1st, Eddie and I drov...

When I was a little girl, there was a piano competition that I practiced diligently for every spring. It was the Fine Arts Competition, and my small Christian school hosted several other schools who came to participate in the event. I competed every year from 3rd through 8th grade. I prepared months in advance and was  so  nervous when it was finally time to perform. The goal for me was  perfection . And with the judges watching, if ever I hit a sour note, I knew that it was over. I wouldn't place. My world would crash and I would be distraught for the next week (in fact I'm  still  a little bitter about the episode of '97!). Part of this, is the nature of competition. But I think much of it had to do with something I concocted in my own brain somehow. This idea of 'perfection equals success and anything less is  total  failure' stayed with me for many years. Even when I sang or played a song for a church service, a safe and accepting environment, I w...

Sounds like a good time, eh? No I didn't mean cash and bourbon, I meant  literal  bucks and turkeys! Still a good time...for me anyway. :)

Last night, I played a show at Gizzi's Cafe in New York. I had a great time, seeing old friends and meeting some new ones. With my  album nearly complete , I am always looking for more places to play my music, and fortunately was invited to return to Gizzi's. Here's a video from last night. Enjoy!

I hear a lot of people talk about how they're "the biggest procrastinator ever." I'm sure most of them are exaggerating however, as I'd like you to meet THE biggest procrastinator ever...my husband. The culprit There are many examples I could share with you to prove this fact, however one always comes to mind that makes me chuckle. Eddie is in the process of finishing his Bachelor's degree. Most of his classes are online and the assignments must be electronically submitted by midnight every Sunday. Late one Sunday night about a year ago, I was sound asleep, snuggled up all warm and cozy in my bed. I was deep in R.E.M cycle when suddenly, I was yanked into consciousness as Eddie hastily shook me awake. Like a patient awakening from a 3 year coma, I mumbled, "What's happening? Where am I? What's going on?" Eddie was desperately trying to ask me something, but I could not put together what was happening. After a few seconds I gained my bearin...

Went on another deer hunting trip and took a few shots... I  saw  her through the grapevine... She didn't seem to mind me very much at all. Just kept munching away. This was her treasure. And we recently discovered that in addition to baby Fauna, there are  two  sets of twins in the park! We know that for a fact because Eddie saw both sets simultaneously. Always Bring Camera! When will we ever learn?! "I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her." - Ellen DeGeneres ~~~ Deer Hunting Fauna

They say the first time you do anything is the hardest. Eddie jumping with the Golden Knights But I think the second, third, or fourth time can be just as difficult,  or even more so. Every Wednesday at the Bernards Inn The only difference between the first completion of a challenge, and second, is you've proven to yourself it can be accomplished. So there's no excuse not to finish the next time. Our first half marathon