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Doctor appointments: I loathe them. Always have. Was particularly annoyed during cancer treatment years ago when I went 3-4 days a week to some appointment or another, major ones like heart tests and chemo infusions and discussions about whether to radiate my body. I have another appointment tomorrow morning. While I hate seeing the doctor, […]

A few months ago, an article on Facebook asked, “Why Is the Church Going Dark?” The main gist was about how santuaries have become dimly lit with no windows. One woman commented, “The people in front want attention.” Another woman replied, “Performers on a stage. Lifting themselves up instead of Jesus….” I can’t speak for […]

My piano-student parent who introduced me to this nougat (that I’ve talked about before)  several years ago brought me some to Gabby’s lesson on January 11. I should have given it back. Or, I guess had some self-control. The night before my trip to the ER, I joked to Ken, “Hm, I should probably stop […]

What I wanted to do today: go hiking with Ken for my birthday What I did instead: spent 7 hours in the ER—flip-flopping on the bed trying to get comfortable—staring at the light fixture on the ceiling

Midnight (New York time): official release of “Open Road” 4:00 a.m. – Got a lot done on one of my compositions 9:00 a.m. – Started a brand-new delightful piano student 1:30 p.m. – More piano students 5:30 p.m. – Red Robin for french fries, I mean, a burger 7:00 p.m. – Fred Meyer for Häagen-Dazs […]

My first country song is now available. Yeehaw! I took 12 measures I wrote back in 2015, added words and some more measures, had my friend Jennie List help me rework the chorus lyrics, and followed her suggestion to change verse 4 into a bridge. I flew to Nashville back in May and she made […]

Facebook: “In honor of your birthday this week, Marie, why don’t you set up a charity in your name? We will do all the work and waive the fee.” Me: “Uh…big, fat NOPE. How about I celebrate all month with friends and family like I always do—phone calls, presents, games, going out to eat, maybe […]

Three years ago, a piano student’s parent made me this delicious candy for Christmas. I, of course, got the recipe and put it in my book so I could start a new tradition. Finally, in December of 2021, I bought all the ingredients. Weeellll, then I got COVID over the Christmas holiday. I had about […]

Back in January of last year when this picture was taken, I was doing a little songwriting into the wee hours of the morning. I had the beginnings to four songs in that binder behind me: one in the key of D major, one in A, one in C, and my first attempt at 6/8 […]

Georg Friedrich Händel wrote Messiah in 24 days which I find amazing. I guess I better get going if I want to write a bunch more songs before I die. Then again, Georg probably accomplished this amazing feat because he didn’t spend the Christmas season eating too many sweets or New Year’s Day in his […]