If you’ve been here a while, then you know all about Joy , Ethan ,  Zachary , Jack , Evie , Gabby , Zoey , and Trace .  You know that Taylor is a bear and Kevin was a hero. You’ve read about triumphs and heartaches and you’ve gone gaga for Erica . You’ve run across all manner of creatures and critters like jellyfish , sparrows , texas chicks , frogs and owls , and even a Goose . You’ve seen photographs that have caught your breath and read poetry that just makes you smile, despite the world. At times you could literally smell the lilacs . Oh, and the music ! Such lovely music there’s been. Through a blizzard in Virginia , the heat of the Summertime , and even in the rain , a new song has never been far away. But it has rained a lot. In fact, it’s poured . Just the same, though, with a little help and a lot of friends , the Sun’s always come back out, bursting with new life and new inspiration. No goodbye is ever forever and each goodnight proceeds a unique sunr...

Me and Stacy It's not often that I have the chance to take my own advice almost immediately after I give it. Yesterday, I wrote about working at relationships though they may be weakened for whatever reason - distance, disagreement, anger, or just lost touch. And today, I was able to meet up with a cousin after more than probably a decade. There was only a small window of time she was available, and we both had to give a little to make it happen. I'm so glad it worked out. Driving out of the city after our impromptu breakfast at a mid-town diner, I felt like we had reinforced a dwindling piece of thread with a thick rope. The great significance of a small effort can last for years. I hope I take my advice more often.

I remember that new car feeling. It was the summer of 2005 and I had just purchased my dream car, a Hyundai Santé Fe. The color, mocha frost. I bought it brand new with my own money and conducted all the research, bargaining, and haggling by myself. I still remember the pride I felt driving it, in its immaculate condition and new car smell. But that exhilarating feeling was crushed on that fateful day of the very first door ding. I was reminded of that feeling the other day, vacuuming around my 11-month-old May Berlin piano. I regularly polish, tune , and baby it with great care. But I’ve discovered…scuffmarks. Just a few very light ones where my music binder brushes the ledge as I open and close it in a hurry. It’s hard to accept, but I knew that day would come eventually. So what do I do now that the “newness” has worn off? I can either let it fall further into disrepair, or just work that much harder to keep it safe. I suppose it’s like any relationship. Everything evolves and c...