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Well, I didn’t get very far on my first solo road trip. It took me 15 minutes to figure out how to make the iPod not stay on an endless loop of “Love in the First Degree” by Alabama. As much as I like that song, I do not want to hear it 527 times […]

Hopping in the car in a few minutes for my first solo road trip. I am a bit freaked out, to be honest. But I really want to visit my friend, so I’m going to squish my fear and carry on. In good news, I see four straight hours of singing in my immediate future.

Just got a text from a piano-student parent: Parent: “Good morn, Marie. I wanted to let you know that we won’t need cleaning next week as our family will be traveling for spring break. But cleaning on 4/19 would be wonderful if possible. Thanks.” Me: “Hi, as much as I’d love to clean your house […]

There’s just something about a cello… Brenda played every note that I had written and then did some improvising to harmonize with my notes: together, we made a great team. Then, there’s Michael and Jer setting up microphones and capturing all the magic. Ken? Well, Ken is paying for everything.

Sheesh, I still can’t get my communion “wine” open, weeks later. Struggled with it that Sunday morning—awkward—and now, I’m wondering if I should poke it with a knife and drink it or throw it away.

Had an awesome time in the recording studio today. (This is the first time I recorded one of my songs in Washington—instead of Nashville—since I wanted to use a local singer.) Yes, I cried halfway through the first take, but quietly, not like my usual sob fest. I can hardly wait to add the male […]

I’m heading into the recording studio in about an hour. I’ve got my music binder and my lucky bear socks. What more could I need? Oh yeah, a supportive husband who a) takes all these ridiculous pictures, b) pays for all my dreams, and c) is my biggest fan. Got that, too.

I’m going to see this guy in an hour. Who is he? His name is Randall and he is my mentor. I wrote about him in chapter two of my first cancer book, recounting how within weeks of receiving my dismal diagnosis, I had wanted to hang on to hope by investing in a $600 […]

I have no idea how to actually write out a cello score, but that’s what I plan on doing today. Oh, I know how the part goes. I can hear it in my head and have it scribbled out as piano notes because…well, because that’s my jam, but I’m pretty sure the cellist I hired […]

Last night was the first night I actually slept for eight hours in…oh…probably a month. It was in two separate stretches, but I’ll take what I can get. Some of you know that my thyroid likes to throw a little party once in a while and send me into “hyperdrive.” It’s exhausting. (Well-meaning) people always […]