Category Archives: music

Jan5

To Do List – 2010

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I’ve been searching for a topic to write about when I ran across a great post from Organised Chaos, who borrowed her idea from Kelly.  I’m passing it on to this side of the hemisphere/blogosphere and heaven only knows where it will go from here.  Feel free to write your own list (or not) and if you have time, mention where it originated.

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Writing down a list of Things To Do always helps me stay organized and focused.  However,  these are not resolutions!  I love the promise that comes with a new year, so here’s hoping 2010 will be a fantastic one for us all!

In no particular order …..

**   Wean completely off prednisone. Started at 80 mg seven years ago and am down to 2 mg today.

**   Eat breakfast each and every day and not skip meals.  So for I’ve stayed on track.  Yay me.

**   Play my guitar on a regular basis.  It’s a lovely instrument (Martin 1972 D-18) and I’ve neglected it too long.

**   I’m getting a tattoo come hell or high water.  Probably hell.

**  Think about getting another kitty.  The key word here is think.

**  Download more songs from iTunes.  It never gets boring.

**  Keep painting.  I might be famous one day.  Or not.

**  Be more mysterious and less serious.  I’ll let you know if this works in my favor.

Now get going and have a fun,  crazy, healthy and happy 2010!!!

Dec10

Julian Lennon’s “Lucy” and lupus

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Julian Lennon's "Lucy in the sky with diamonds"

Julian Lennon and Lucy Vodden were childhood friends.  Contrary to the myth that John Lennon’s song, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, was all about drugs and LSD, it was actually based on a watercolor painting by his young son.  Julian had given the painting to his father, and told him it was a picture of his friend Lucy, who was in the sky with diamonds.

On December 15, Julian Lennon will release a single inspired by Lucy Vodden, his childhood friend, who recently passed away after a long battle with lupus.  He had reconnected with her about two years ago and this song pays tribute to her life and their friendship.  Proceeds from purchases of the single entitled “Lucy” will be available at iTunes from December 15 to January 1, and equally shared by the St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust and the Lupus Foundation of America.

Julian was 4 years old when he made the now famous picture for his father.  He recently remarked that Lucy will “always be a diamond in my sky.”  Lucy always said that the least important thing about her was the connection to the Beatles song but never missed the opportunity to use it if she thought could gain publicity for this fantastic charity which supported her.

Well done, Julian.  Thank you for your artistry, your insight and your generosity.

Mar5

The 5 Question Interview

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Dear, sweet Joan over at Whatever I Think recently gave me five questions to answer.  Thanks Joan!  I love to be interviewed.  And some of these were hard questions!  Thank God I’m not getting graded on this  🙂

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1.  We know you have had lupus for a long time, yet you still manage to stay strong.  How have you managed to keep up the fight against such a disease?

Sometimes I honestly don’t know why I haven’t lost my sanity.  I have a wonderful support system.  That helps a lot.   Mostly it’s because I have hope for a cure, and faith to keep on believing … as in stubborn.  I’ve also learned (the hard way) how to take care of myself and understand my limitations and strengths.  For those of us with lupus, or any chronic incurable disease, research and medicine has enabled us to live  fairly normal lives.  50 years ago, I probably would have died from some complication of lupus.  A sense of humor always helps.  And a good therapist!

itwaslupusmotivational

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2.  You like to cook.  What is your signature dish?  (I sound like Gordon Ramsey.)  In other words, what does your son say is the best dish you cook?

Gordon Ramsey would chase me out of his kitchen!  My son, on the other hand, is less critical.  Actually, he eats just about anything.  I make pretty good chili.  At least nobody’s has gotten sick after eating it!

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3.  If you had to pick a reality show to be on what would it be and why?

Wow!  How cool would THAT be!!!  First thing that came to mind would be X-Treme Home Makeover – Home Edition.  A dream home would be fantastic.  I could have all the windows UVA/UVB treated, a laundry room off the kitchen, temperature controlled screened in porch … a veritable Lupus Survivor paradise!

Ya'll stop by for a visit!

Ya'll stop by for a visit!


However, if they’re recruiting for Ghost Hunters, count me in!  🙂

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4.  You are an X-Files fan.  Do you believe there are sentient beings (besides us) somewhere in the universe?

I would like to think there are.  The universe is so vast, it’s seems a bit naive to assume that we’re the only evolved life form inhabiting it.  And whoever else might be “out there” I hope they’re peaceful and intelligent!

i_want_to_believe

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5.  Singing is very important to you.  What type of music do you enjoy the most and who is your favorite singer?

I’m pretty much a classic rock fan.  Having said that, I also have a broad range of musical tastes, from Chopin to Steely Dan to Lyle Lovett, to Gershwin to Coldplay, Bonnie Raitt, CSNY, Winston Marcellas, Bela Fleck and Nickel Creek. And that’s just for starters.

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I honestly can’t choose just ONE.

As for singers, there are thousands of great vocalists that never make the big time.  They’re in our citys, our nightclubs and choruses.  They sing at church and do freelance pickup studio work.  The amount of talent out there is staggering.  As a vocalist, a guitarist and a small-time producer, the singing talent that has influenced me throughout my life are from this group of fine musicians.  They are not famous but they inspired me.  Their music is on the sideline of their lives because they have to pay the bills.  But their talent is honest and true.  So go out there and support your local musicians!  Go to their gigs and buy their CD’s.

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If you would like ME to interview YOU, here’s the  drill:

1.     Leave me a comment saying “interview me.”

2.     I will email you five questions.

3.     You will answer the questions on your blog.

Thanks for taking the time to read my interview!!!

Dec11

A “B” Meme

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B is for .....

Joan is one of my favorite people in the entire blogosphere.  Sweet, honest, and a good sport about all things meme, she tagged me  (probably because I jumped up and down and waved my arms and shouted “Pick me! I want a letter!)  So here are the rules if you want to play along.

You leave a comment on this post and I’ll assign you a letter.  You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place.  When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on.


You can leave a comment and not be assigned a letter if you want.   Just let me know if you want a letter to keep this going.

Joan assigned me the letter B.

At the tender age of 8 or 9, I became a Beatlemaniac. I still am.  They were (and still are) the best band ever in the history of the universe.  Am I going a little bit off the deep end with this declaration?  I don’t care. Their songs are timeless, and their talent for writing music and lyrics has never been duplicated.

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Paul is cute. George is cool. Ringo is funny. John is my favorite.

#1 B = The Beatles.

#2 B= Beads. Specifically, beads to make jewelry with.  I’m not a pro at it, but thoroughly enjoy making bracelets and earrings.  Lately, it’s been a challenge doing this because of my 2 cats.  They think the jewelry stuff is their personal toy … like everything else in the house.  How dare I disrupt them chewing on wires and batting around expensive crystal beads!

#3 B= Babies. Need I say more? When I retire I want to volunteer rocking babies in the hospital nursery.  It doesn’t get any better.

A girl's best friend

a girl's best friend

#4 B= Bling. Diamonds are my birthstone.  The more I have, the better I feel. It’s a wardrobe essential, even if they’re on loan from Harry Winston for the red carpet event.

#5 B= Bitch. It’s a noun, a verb and an adjective.  How versatile!  You can say it as a 2-syllable word, as in “Bi-atch”

#6= Butterfly. No, I’m not getting all sentimental and girlie girl here.  For those of us with systemic lupus, the butterfly symbolizes the fight against lupus and hope for a cure.

#7= Broadway. As in New York’s theater district.  It’s always a thrill for me to go there.  Great upbeat energy and entertainment.

#8= Bacon. Bacon pizza.  Bacon and eggs.  BLT sandwiches. Bringing home the bacon.  Yum 🙂

#9= Best Friend. You know who you are.  😉

#10= Bed. I love my bed.  It’s soft and cozy, with lots of pillows and soft sheets.  It’s the perfect place to relax and read.  Charlie and Tig also love my bed.  Actually, they think it’s THEIR bed and they’re allowing me to use it.


Nov14

Finding The Sweet Spot

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It’s that moment when you realize the bowling ball is in the pocket.  It happens when you connect PERFECTLY with the tennis racket, baseball bat, or golf club because you can feel and hear it.  And if you’re a cat, like my Charlie (pictured above), the ultimate sweet spot is purring on a cozy blanket, facing the sunshine, and taking a 3-6 hour nap.  We all look for the sweet spot, wherever it may be.

Today I noticed that life has been rolling along smoothly for almost an entire week.  Having made that assertion,  no doubt I’m pushing my luck for a fun weekend, but what the heck.  I made plans anyway! In addition to keeping up the regular 9-5 workpace, I attended a fabulous black-tie wedding and reception on Saturday (It’s fun to get dressed up now and then!) AND a baby shower on Sunday (My friend Kathy and I went a little overboard at Babies R Us.  Everything was soooo cute!).  I went to a music rehearsal on Monday evening.  I bought groceries, put them away, cleaned the kitchen, took out the trash, and washed three loads of laundry.  No joint pain.  No steroid hot flashes!  I remembered to go to a long-overdue therapy appointment and left without using even one Kleenex!  Yeah baby …  I found The Lupus-Free Sweet Spot.

I like to celebrate the little triumphs in life.  I’m not planning to surf the perfect wave in Maui, or land a back flip on the balance beam.  I don’t have to sing Schubert’s Ave Maria and gracefully slide over the high notes.  I have faith.  Right now, it’s enough to have clear skin and walk without tripping.  That’s sweet enough for me!