Magical Moments

Magical Moment 606, "Thank You Canada!"

2012-01-30T10:49:00.002-05:00

After an intense week as a participant in the Musician's Mentorship Program with Canada's National Ballet School in Toronto, I am back in the good ol' US of A. The trip was a success, not only did I learn a TON in the program, but I got to see Canada for the first time, increasing my number of countries visited to 3! (Mexico and South Korea, if you're wondering about the other 2).

I was surrounded by incredibly talented musicians who didn't hesitate to dish out their best advice, tips, and secrets to me. In addition, I was surrounded by some beautiful scenery and amazing sights. The trip got even better when Eddie flew out to meet me half way through the week, and even BETTER when I was able to meet up with a friend, known only through the blogosphere until now. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Hilary of The Smitten Image herself happens to live only minutes from where I resided in Toronto.

I admit, it was a little like meeting a celebrity. I first "met" Hilary when I discovered a beautiful photo of hers that I wanted to use for one of my posts (A Brave Leaf) back in October of 2010. She granted me permission to borrow it, and we became followers of each other's blogs. I had very few readers of my humble little blog until one day, Hilary selected my post as one of her choices for Post of the Week (The Eleventh Hour). Suddenly I had comments from people other than my mother! Well, things grew from there. I'm sure many of you are familiar with her stunning photography, and yes, I saw the camera myself, as well as the little pond where many of her masterpieces are captured. It was a wonderful evening with Hilary, her son Alex, and his girlfriend Veronica. I love how technology can connect us to amazing people we would have never otherwise known existed!

Eddie and I had just enough time at the end of the trip to make it to Niagara Falls. We ate dinner in a restaurant overlooking the Falls and even got a fireworks show. It was a breathtaking view that my photography skills don't even come close to doing justice to.

Eddie arrived to Canada by flying into Buffalo, NY and driving over the border, because he wasn't allowed to fly into Canada without a passport. When I explained this to several different people throughout the week, their reaction was always the same, a bit of a gasp, followed by, "He might have trouble getting back over the border." I wasn't all that worried about it, but Eddie was a different story. As we approached the border in our car, Eddie grew more and more fidgety and nervous, "Should we claim the maple syrup we have in the back seat?" I admit, I chucked as he rubbed his jeans anxiously, waiting to speak to the U.S. guard. Eddie called the guard "Sir" about 15 times in a matter of 2 minutes and I was certain he noticed we were acting suspicious. But in the end, all our identification was accepted and we were let back in with no problems. I couldn't help thinking of this episode of "Frasier" when they cross the Canadian border with Daphne, an English immigrant with no green card:

Below are some photos from the week (click to enlarge). Enjoy! :)

This is the Women's Rights National Park in Seneca Falls, NY

Canada's National Ballet School is a beautiful facility in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Niagara Falls at night...it was amazing!

Fireworks right outside our window...awesome!

Hilary and I, a piano and guitar in the background. I felt right at home!

Canada welcomed me, and I thank you Canada!

Magical Moment 605, "Not So Easy Without Pips"

2012-01-22T07:28:00.000-05:00

My parents made the trek across country to visit Eddie and I. We were thrilled to have them and I was ecstatic when they were able to come see and hear me play at the Bernards Inn.

It was a fairly slow night, so I just played all my favorites (and my parents favorites). One of them, was this rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia." No, there are no Pips to back me up (and I botched the beginning), but if you listen at 3:06, you'll hear a lively guest in the audience give me a, "Woo woo!"

Enjoy!

Ps: I'm headed to the Great White North today! I'm so excited for my first trip EVER to Canada. I'll be a bit out of the loop until next week as I attend a Ballet Accompanist Mentorship Program with Canada's National Ballet School.

Magical Moment 604, "9/11 Memorial"

2012-01-20T14:12:00.000-05:00

The 9/11 Memorial held its' Grand Opening September 11, 2011. For the first time, I went with my family to see the completed project. It consists of 2 giant water falls, each flowing into a reflective pool. And each one lies in the foot print of where the North and South towers once stood.

The Museum is still under construction, but there is a small visitor's center with artifacts from the wreckage. This particular display touched me the most.

The 2 waterfalls and reflective pools lie at the base of the One World Trade Center that is currently under construction (notice the people below for scale).

~~~

One World Trade Center

Magical Moment 603, "Shetlands and Sheep"

2012-01-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

Driving along the stretched out country roads of Texas, I did a double take when I saw shetland ponies and sheep sharing the same pasture! I made Eddie do a u-turn so I could take a few shots and share them with you all. Is there anything more adorable than shetland ponies?!

Magical Moment 602, "In My Hand"

2012-01-13T20:25:00.000-05:00

Today was another milestone in this year and a half long journey to record an album of my very own. The first hard copies were completed!

I had listened to the finished digital recordings hundreds of times on my iPod, but today was the first time I could put a tangible, physical version into my CD player and listen the whole way through. I must say, it was an incredible feeling! The release date is set for April 10th. Until then, you can hear a few samples on my website,

www.elizabethgrimesmusic.com.

Magical Moment 601, "Corky"

2012-01-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

"Corky"

There was more black than white in his black and white view.

And more scents to smell than he ever knew.

His paws on the floor made a light pitter-pat.

While the high-heels around him went "clackity-clack."

He wandered through the strangers than filled his home,

And though many pet him, he still felt alone.

At last he made his way to his chair.

Familiar and safe, his master would be there.

But when he jumped up, he was met with surprise

By a red-headed girl with tears in her eyes.

There's not much English that he understands,

"Sit," "Stay," and a few other commands.

But he knew when she said, so warm in her tone,

"I'm sorry, boy. He's not coming home."

~~~

Eddie's Granddaddy, Jackie Howell (right)

January 24, 1937 - January 1, 2012

Eddie, our nephew Jack, and Granddaddy's dog, Corky.

Magical Moment 600, "Last Minute Christmas"

2011-12-24T17:46:00.001-05:00

Stockings designed and handmade by my mother for Eddie and I. Too cute, right?

With a recent move to a new apartment, and about a million other things happening simultaneously, our box of Christmas decorations got taken to the dark, creepy basement without our realizing it. After a few weeks of unpacking, and only days until Christmas, Eddie and I made an executive decision...no Christmas decorations this year. I knew that was the easy solution, but as Christmas grew closer, I wondered if I could squeeze in the time to search through the junky basement and bring it upstairs. Finally, I let the idea go.

When I arrived home from work the other night, Eddie had retrieved the box and filled our apartment with our familiar decorations! He even concocted a Christmas tree from a large potted plant he picked up at Home Depot! It's (finally) beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

~~~

Allow Eddie and I to serenade you...we recorded this simple tune a few Christmases ago. I'm singing and playing guitar and that's Eddie on the harmonica! :)

Magical Moment 599, "A Nice Thing Happened At Work..."

2011-12-22T08:52:00.000-05:00

I feel pretty confident in saying this...without youtube, I wouldn't be able to make a living as a pianist. For any job, I'm given sheet music to learn within a certain amount of time. As a ballet accompanist, often these come from famous ballets like Sleeping Beauty and Raymonda. Other times, people request specific songs for their wedding or special occasion. I'm able to simply type in the title of the song in the search box, and up pops link after link to any and all versions ever recorded of the song in question. Playing primarily by ear, all those tricky rhythms I can't figure out from the sheet music make perfect sense when I hear it. I cringe to think how much money I would be spending if I had to pay for each song I needed to listen to, or worse, live in the days when we had to BUY a whole CD for 1 song! Oh, was I ever that young?!

Just as easy and effortless, I can then open up a new tab, and search for the chords of a song. About 90% of the work has been done for me by the folks living Cyber World! Long gone are the days when I had to strain my ears, discerning intervals, tones, and chords. But something happened last night that made me miss doing all that work, and thankful that I have the capability in the first place.

I was playing my usual repertoire of standards and favorites at my weekly restaurant gig at The Bernards Inn. I watched a waitress walk from a nearby table of patrons towards my seat at the piano with a small note in her hand. I knew right away it was a song request. As she handed me the piece of paper, I braced myself, hoping I knew the song and would be able to play it for the guest. There is nothing worse than having to say, "I'm sorry I don't know that one!" Goodbye tip!!!

Sure enough, when I read the song title, my heart sank. "Music Box Dancer." I gave a puzzled look to the waitress who handed me the note, "Do you think he meant, "Tiny Dancer?" I asked hopefully. She shook her head and said she really didn't think so. I walked over to the table and gave my apologies and explained I wasn't familiar with the song. Feeling crummy, I decided to take a little break.

Being the proud new owner of a smart phone (not a brilliant phone, but smart enough), I thought I'd google the song, still skeptical that he meant "Tiny Dancer," and that "Music Box Dancer" wasn't a real song. But sure enough, there it was, written by Frank Mills. Curious, I decided to see if I happened to have the youtube application downloaded on my phone. Pleasantly surprised, I did! And I listened to the whole song with the phone pressed against my ear.

I was thrilled to discover the song was a simple melody, and only 3 chords, repeated over and over. I quickly drilled the pattern into my head and went back to the piano. I began quietly and unsure, but soon, the man who requested the song whipped around in his chair with a huge smile on his face when he recognized the piece. After I finished, he came over to thank me and said, "I thought you didn't know it!" I explained the miracle of youtube on my phone and he was fascinated. I didn't want to let him down by explaining the simple nature of the 3 chord song, so I kept that my little secret. :)

There is no better feeling for a musician than playing a song for someone that they want to hear, that affects them in some way, brings back a memory, or simply makes them smile. And certainly no tip that replace that feeling!

"Music Box Dancer" Frank Mills

~~~

A Discovery

Play it by Ear

Victory at the Broadway Comedy Club

Magical Moment 598, "Show Mumumust Go Onnnn"

2011-12-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

That's what I was thinking to myself as I sat in 35F degree weather, fighting off blustery winds. Yes, even my thoughts were stuttering from the cold. The gig was to accompany a singing group of harmonizing ladies as they serenaded the Philadelphia Christmas Village with sweet Christmas music.

Eddie snapped this photo, as he himself froze in the audience. He bought me a cup of hot chocolate, hoping I could wrap my bare, piano playing fingers around it and feel warmth for a moment. But the "hot" chocolate lasted only a sip or 2 before it too succumbed to the cold air. The picture turned out so funny, I had to share. The only thing missing in the photo, is the violent shuddering of my shoulders!

Magical Moment 597, "A Website for Sore-Eyes"

2011-12-16T16:54:00.000-05:00

I have to apologize to my readers for being out of the loop for a bit. But I promise I have a good reason! For the last few weeks, I've been working hard with Modern Vintage to put the final touches on my album and launch a PR campaign. I'm very excited, proud, and relieved to say that today is the beginning of that launch, starting with my brand new website! The Outlet Music did an outstanding job designing the page, and Mary Hubbard is responsible for all the amazing photography (to include the photos you see in my blog header!).

My album, "Silk in the Sky," is set to be released April 10th, 2012. Until then, you can hear a few samples on the new website. Please take a moment to glance at it, and if you feel led, you can "like" it on facebook by clicking the facebook icon just above the music samples on the lower right.

I'm so proud of this website, and so proud of the album. I can't wait for you to hear it in it's entirety! And I'm beyond grateful to everyone who has worked on this project, from the musicians, to the audio engineers and producers, and everyone at Modern Vintage and the Outlet. So without further delay, here is the link to the new website....

http://www.elizabethgrimesmusic.com/

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
-Colin Powell

Everyone, have a wonderful weekend!

Magical Moment 596, "Hand Holding"

2011-12-05T23:11:00.002-05:00

The sign in front of the modest, industrial looking building said, "Livingston Rehabilitation and Care." I read it from the drivers seat of my car as I waited for the light to turn green. There was a row of handicap accessible vans lined up in the parking lot, and about a dozen patients waited to board them. They all sat in wheel chairs, while a handful of employees scrambled to organize the transport.

My eyes were drawn to 2 patients, a man and a woman, adorned in typical hospital attire. He was a few feet in front of her, and when he turned his head around and saw her, he reached back his hand. I watched as she began cranking the large wheels on her chair. I glanced at the light, hoping it was still red. She drew closer to him, releasing a wheel and stretching out her arm.

The light at the cross intersection turned yellow, then red. I watched the couple with eagerness. "Oh please let me see it," I said out loud to no one. But my light turned green, and I was forced to press the gas pedal. As I drove away, I looked in the rear view mirror just in time. She had closed the distance. And they waited to board the vans, hand in hand.

Magical Moment 595, "Goodbye Lodi"

2011-11-28T08:31:00.001-05:00

Two years ago, we moved to Lodi, NJ to be right along the bus route 163, straight into New York City. Being a Nebraska girl and Texas boy, we overcame the culture shock of living in the country's most densely populated area. We learned to live in a pre-war building without a washer/dryer, air conditioning, or drinkable tap water. I learned how to light the pilot light in the oven without blowing myself up. And after many parking tickets, we finally figured out what alternate side parking means, and all the necessary permits and stickers needed to park on the street outside our apartment.

For the last time, Joy and I will run our normal route by the Shoprite. We'll pass the VFW and the man sitting outside on the porch watching the traffic go by. We'll jog up the hill and past the Visenti Brothers Italian Grocery Store which tells me we just have a few more blocks to go before we're home.

We'll stay in New Jersey of course, and we'll still be near the city. But it's a bittersweet feeling ending this chapter. It seems like only yesterday we arrived here with a U-haul truck, unemployed and completely naive of what to expect on this new adventure. Amazingly, the song "Lodi" by CCR says exactly how I've felt at times. Now we move on to Chapter 2 in this adventure.

"Lodi" by CCR

(Video taken at Riverside State Park in Manhattan)

Just about a year ago, I set out on the road,
Seekin' my fame and fortune, lookin' for a pot of gold.
Things got bad, and things got worse, I guess you will know the tune.
Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again.
Rode in on the Greyhound, I'll be walkin' out if I go.
I was just passin' through, must be seven months or more.
Ran out of time and money, looks like they took my friends.
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again.

If I only had a dollar, for ev'ry song I've sung.
And ev'ry time I've had to play while people sat there drunk.
You know, I'd catch the next train back to where I live.
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again.
Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lodi again.

Magical Moment 594, "Plenty to Be Thankful For"

2011-11-24T00:16:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite movies to watch around this time of year is Irvin Berlin's Holiday Inn. One song in particular is great today because Thanksgiving music is so hard to come by! If you haven't seen the movie, I insist you watch it with a cup of hot chocolate immediately! Here is my take on the catchy tune, and below is Bing's version.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I've got plenty to be thankful for
I haven't got a great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for

I've got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for

I've got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore

How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy them all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for

Magical Moment 593, "Leaf Lessons"

2011-11-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

We all move at our own pace.

Some gradual and steady...

Others more quickly.

There are times when we bring out the beauty in others.

And times when we stand out all on our own.

And though sometimes we may feel like we don't fit in,

Or look like everyone else,

There is something that brings us all together if we focus on what's important.

Magical Moment 592, "Unexpected Applause"

2011-11-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

I'd let my morning run slip by for far too long. But today, my running shoes were giving me the evil eye. And so was Joy, my running buddy. The sun was out, the weather was perfect, what excuse did I have to let another day go by?

Only a few minutes into my run though, I felt those missed opportunities catching up to me, taunting me as I struggled up a hill. "I'm just gonna have to face it," I thought, "This is gonna be a slow run."

It was just then that I heard applause. The 4 sharp claps cut through the music that was blaring into my ears through my headphones. Puzzled, I glanced to my right. An older gentleman, the owner of a local bakery, was standing on the sidewalk outside his shop, apron and all. When we made eye contact, he gave me a thumbs up and a great big smile. I returned his smile and picked up the pace a little. And I held my faster pace all the way home. I didn't want him to catch me slowing down. Bet he didn't think that small act would actually make my day.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

- John Quincy Adams

Eddie, Joy, and I after a 5K race we ran last month

Magical Moment 591, "Reach"

2011-11-07T22:42:00.002-05:00

I play for 8 ballet classes a week, 4 pointe classes, 1 variation, and 1 character class. It's a proud and content feeling I have to be in the position of doing what I love professionally, and one I hope to never take for granted and always strive to become better. At one time, it was just a daydream that I could be paid to play piano, or to record an original album of my very own with a New York City recording label. And yet somehow, it's become a dream come true, and new dreams for the future are ever forming in my head.

During a ballet class, while watching young, aspiring ballerinas perfect their technique, I heard the teacher describe the Arabesque position. It is one of the most beautiful, graceful, and difficult poses in ballet in which the dancer's arm creates a long, lean line in front of their body. The fingers must be just the right amount of relaxed, yet shaped with precision. The leg needs to stretch. The foot must not be sickled. The toes fiercely pointed. But those fingers, that arm, must reach.

She walked up and down the wooded barre, making personal corrections where needed. Moving an arm half an inch here, a finger or thumb half a flinch there, until a picture perfect statue was formed by each dancer. But it didn't stop with limbs.

"I want to see it in your face." She said. "What are you reaching for? I want to see your hopes and dreams written on your face." In a mere second, expressions of indifference, hesitance, and concentration were transformed into those of longing and passion. The teacher nodded at me, giving me the go ahead for their musical preparation of the exercise. "Look at your finger tips, and show me your hopes and dreams."

5 and a, 6 and a, 7 and 8...I knew I would never have the physical grace and beauty of a dancer, but feeling certain that the longing on my face was identical to theirs, I watched my fingertips as I played, day dreaming about future hopes and dreams.

Yuan Yuan Tan in arabesque position

in Nutcracker (photo, Erik Tomasson)

~~~

From Behind the Piano...

The Beginner's Class

Hazel Nut

One out of Eighty-Eight

I'm For the Children

Stuffy Comfort

Magical Moment 590, "If We Make it Through December"

2011-10-31T22:29:00.003-04:00

I love winter and I love snow. We got a hard dose of it pretty early this year though, making me think we could be in for a long, cold season. One of my favorite songs is Merle Haggard's "If We Make it Through December." There's just something relatable in the lyrics, reminding me that better days are always ahead.

I have my own reasons for getting through December. And a while ago, when I recorded my version of this song on my Mac, I had different reasons and a different December to brave. We all have our metaphorical "Decembers" to muttle through, and it seems between the economy, protesters, and freak snow storms, we may never get there. But that's when we're reminded of last year, and the years before, and we can see how far we've come.

(The photo was taken right outside our door. Just one of the thousands of trees that were destroyed by the heavy, wet snow. This was one of the very first songs I ever recorded in Garage Band about 3 years ago. It's a little rough around the edges, but I find that when you have a good song to begin with, it's hard to mess it up too bad. Enjoy.)

"If We Make it Through December" - Merle Haggard

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be all right I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin snow

If we make it through December
I got plans of bein in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine

I got laid off down at the factory
And there timings not the greatest in the world
Heaven knows I been workin' hard
I wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl
Now I don't mean to hate December
It's meant to be the happy time of year
And why my little girl don't understand
Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be alright I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin' snow

If we make it through December
I got plans of bein' in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine

Magical Moment 589, "Stuffy Comfort"

2011-10-24T22:07:00.003-04:00

For weeks, I've watched a little girl with lopsided pigtails come to ballet class. She wears a tiny white leotard and tights that sag on her small, 4 year old frame. Before each class, she says a tearful goodbye to her mother at the door and makes her way to the wooden barre.

Although distraught at the separation, she remains absolutely obedient to the instructions of the teacher. Through weepy eyes, she skips across the floor, all while clutching a wadded up tissue in her fist. When her eyes become too misty, she dabs them while marching in rhythm to the music of The Nutcracker. Occasionally, an audible sob emerges, but she never strays from performing each exercise perfectly.

Last week, the familiar scene unfolded with a slight change. Instead of a kiss goodbye, her mother stepped into the classroom holding a brightly colored dog.

"Now, where should we put Stuffy?" her mother asked. "Right here by the piano, so he can watch over you?" The little girl silently nodded, lip quivering.

And so as I played for the ballet class, I watched Stuffy watch over the little girl. And this time, there were no tears. Just a very brave ballerina.

Magical Moment 588, "Queen of the Night"

2011-10-19T09:59:00.000-04:00

There is a mysterious and rare flower called the Queen of the Night. It is a species of cactus that requires year round care and attention in order to be brought to it's magnificent bloom.

If properly cared for, the Queen of the Night will live up to its name. One single night out of the year, it will slowly open, layer after layer, until fully bloomed. The flower emits a strange and glorious fragrance unlike any other. And in just a few hours, it will wilt, not to be seen again for another 364 nights.

This Queen of the Night bloomed at Thomas Edison's Greenhouse 2 nights ago. The photos were taken by my husband, Eddie, one of only two people to witness this rarity.

"A rare experience of a moment at daybreak, when something in nature seems to reveal all consciousness, cannot be explained at noon. Yet it is part of the day's unity."

-Charles Ives

"It isn't given for us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

~~~

Related posts, from Thomas Edison's Greenhouse:

The Unobvious Beauty

Not Flowers, Part I

Not Flowers, Part II

Magical Moment 587, "Put a Smile On Your Face"

2011-10-14T10:28:00.000-04:00

When I was a little girl, I had a cherished stuffed dog who I imagined could fly with his brown, floppy ears. One day, I was at a department store with my mother and mistakenly left the dog in a dressing room. Of course, neither of us realized it until after we left the store. At home, I waited panic stricken, as my mother made phone calls to the Lost and Found, and several store managers. I never saw my little dog again, but I imagined that he found his way to the toy section, and lived there happily with new friends.

There was another childhood friend of mine, a stuffed bear named Theodore. He had the most compelling black eyes and pudgy tummy. If ever a stuffed animal was "real," Theodore was. But whoever created my little bear, made a terrible and seemingly permanent mistake. The black line of his mouth was sewn into a frown. No matter what I did, tea parties, outdoor picnics, a doll house mansion, Theodore would never be happy. It broke my heart so much, I asked my grandma (handy with a needle and thread) if there was any way she could fix it. In no time at all, she had performed a magical surgery on my bear. When she handed him back to me, for the first time, Theodore smiled up at me. And I smiled back.

There are many lessons to be learned about happiness as a child and from a child. I hoped my dog would be happy in his new Toy Department home. My mom hoped she would find me the lost dog. I longed to see my bear smile, and my grandma longed to see me smile. We call children simple, and distract their sadness with a candy bar. But you should have seen the smile on my face this morning when Eddie surprised me with a pumpkin flavored doughnut from Dunkin Doughnuts. It's not the act itself that can bring happiness to someone, but the sentiment and meaning from which it comes.

"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-Robert Heinlein

~~~

Related thoughts, inspired by 2 very precious boys:

Zach's Kitty

The Things We do for Love

Magical Moment 586, "One New Voicemail"

2011-09-24T07:13:00.000-04:00

One rainy day, stuck indoors with a million things on my to-do list piling up, I notice I have a voice mail on my phone. With no number showing up in the history, I dread who it could be. Work asking me to come in tonight. Eddie calling to say he has to stay late. The talent-booking guy canceling my gig that I've been looking forward to for a month. I suddenly realize my own pessimism, justifying it with, "It's just been one of those days today."

I dial my voicemail, expecting the worst when instead, I hear a kind, warm voice through the ear piece,

"Hello cutie!" She brimmed with congenial energy and quivered slightly, her voice worn with age.

"Do you want to go with me to the Opera Luncheon at the Coronado Country Club on Saturday? I'll be home all day, so let me know. Love you! Bye!"

Her voice was so familiar, so welcoming and cheerful. I'm touched by her lively and sincere invitation and for a moment, I'm disappointed that I have to work all day Saturday. But my day dream is interrupted by the robotic voice instructing me,

"Press 1 to repeat. Press 2 to delete. Press 3 to save."

The only problem is, The Coronado Club is in El Paso. I live in New Jersey. She dialed the wrong number. But I press 1 to repeat anyway. And then smiling, I press 3 to save.

Magical Moment 585, "Tackling Hills"

2011-09-17T21:04:00.001-04:00

I got another life lesson while running the other day.

Hills. They can either kill your morale, or light a fire under you.

I might not be the fastest or strongest runner, but I don't often let a hill get the best of me.

Yet I've felt myself slowing down in other ways lately. There are so many obstacles in my path. Haven't I worked and sweat enough? I've become accustomed to the comfortable pace of 2 steady piano jobs (which I'm more than grateful for), but my original goal when moving here, was to song write and record. A process which is proving to be more time consuming and complicated than I would have ever imagined. Just when I think I see the finish line, another hill arises in my path.

That's when I'm reminded of the old saying (and excuse the cliche) it's not the destination, but the journey that's important. And so with each step, I admire the view around me and appreciate more than ever those miles stones that I pass along the way.

Chasing your dreams can be exhausting! Avoiding the hill might be easier, quicker, simpler. But as the opera singer, Beverly Sills once said, "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."

~~~

One recent mile stone:

The first time any of my music has been played on the radio. I was included on Evan Ginzburg's "Legends Radio" during his show theme featuring Independent Artists. This link will take you to the archive of the show. Press play, and my song begins at about 8 minutes:

http://legendsradio.net/?p=487

~~~

For those curious about the progress of my upcoming album...it's coming up...I promise. :)

And here are the past posts, in order as I describe the process of recording!

1. Optimistic Gamble

2. Sophie's Choice

3. Pre-Production Meeting Two

4. Redeemed

5. To Accordion or not to Accordion, that is the Question

6. Fifth String

7. My Story

8. A Good Problem

9. Move On

10. The Drums!

11. The Strings!

12. The Double Bass!

13. The Piano

14. Vocal Lesson

15, Bull's Eye

16. Progress

17. Progress II

18. Singing for Ghosts

19. Progress III

Magical Moment 584, "Conversation with Willie"

2011-09-13T22:07:00.004-04:00

I opened the glass door of the retail store and walked inside, eyes immediately drawn to the mannequins donning outfits I could never pull off. Yet I couldn't keep my fingers from running over the fabrics displayed on racks that were laid out, row after row around me. Months of penny pinching and shopping-deprivation made me like a hungry child in a bakery. My arms were full of clothes in mere moments.

A sales clerk politely offered her assistance and asked my name.

"Elizabeth," I told her.

"I'm Willie," She replied with a slight southern accent, cheerfully as if we were about to become best friends. She was an older black woman who I noticed was just as attentive to all the customers in her section. Animated and friendly, Willie drew my complete attention as she continued, "Elizabeth, I can remember that. That's my sister's middle name. Her first name is Mary," she explained.

Before I could help it, I told her that my first name was actually Mary as well. She was taken aback, as pleased as if I just handed her the winning lottery ticket.

"You don't say! Your birthday's not February 13th is it?" She asked, her voice full of hope.

"No, but that happens to be my father's birthday," I offered, trying to match her enthusiasm but failing.

It was almost too much for her to bear, "What are the chances? Can you believe that?!"

In a matter of minutes, I learned about Willie's sister, how they grew up together, and where she's living now. I patiently listened with a smile. Willie tapped her co-worker on the shoulder, introducing me as if I were a celebrity, and proceeded to explain the entire story once again from the beginning. Her co-worker didn't find it quite so interesting and quickly moved on.

When it came time to check out, I handed her a pile of clothes over the counter but held back a few shirts, unsure of whether or not to purchase them.

"Oh these are all great," Willie coaxed. "Just go ahead, you deserve it."

I laughed and gave an explanation, "It's just that my husband might flip out a little."

It was here Willie stopped sorting hangers and looked at me square in the eye, suddenly switching from her exuberant demeanor into something more serious and intense, "Honey, the best piece of advice I ever got was from my daddy. He was a minister."

I was intrigued and leaned in closer.

"He told me, 'Baby, your husband don't gotta know everything!'"

I laughed out loud as she continued.

"My husband was a jealous man and he would get so angry when I told him someone made a pass at me. 'Course, I was fly back then."

I now looked around the room to see who else might be listening that I could share a snicker with. But there was no one. The thought of a hidden camera game show even entered my mind at this point. Willie repeated several more times that she was "fly" back then, making me wonder if she was waiting for me to offer a, "You still are!"

We revisited her sister's name a few more times, exploring the possibility of other similarities between us 2 strangers cosmically connected in the universe by first and middle name. We discussed maiden names, husband's names, even shoe size came up - but no more links existed.

I spent far more time in the store than planned, not shopping, but captivated as the one-person audience of Willie's dynamic personality. I left wondering what Willie's sales record was. And I couldn't bear to dishonor her daddy's best advice ever, so I kept all the clothes.

Magical Moment 583, "Up"

2011-09-11T23:04:00.000-04:00

"Go on with your normal day." That's what we were told to do on this 10th anniversary of 9/11. So I went for a run, practiced the piano, and cleaned the kitchen. I went to the grocery store, took a nap, and did laundry.

I walked to and from the laundry room, white basket balanced on my hip, held steady with my right arm. And with every airplane that flew overhead, I couldn't help but look up. I did my best to suppress the paranoia that no doubt crept over the majority of New Jersey and New York. Neck craned and imagination running wild, I followed the jet soaring above that was no larger than a dot in the sky. It glided from one horizon to the other, momentarily being eclipsed by a tree branch that arched overhead. It was then I noticed a birds nest I'd never before seen, tucked firmly within the sturdy limbs of the mighty tree. I wondered what birds had hatched and lived within the woven walls of twigs and leaves. "They're safe up there," I thought.

At sunset, two beams of light glowed for only 10 hours out of the year. They began on the ground where the towers once stood, and extended above the tallest skyscrapers in New York City. Neck craned, I could not see its end, through the clouds, beyond the sky, ever extending up into the heavens. They're safe up there.

Magical Moment 582, "A Change"

2011-09-10T19:45:00.002-04:00

Change, whether it's the gradual shift in seasons, or sudden like an unpredictable storm, it's bound to happen. The changes in my own life over the past year and a half, are obvious when I take to the time to reflect. And each one held its own set of struggles and benefits.

There is a change today in the name of this blog, from "One Magical Moment Per Day," to simply "Magical Moments." For 582 days, I've made an effort to choose one positive moment to write, sing, or video about and share with whoever feels compelled to follow this blog. And while I no doubt will experience numerous more of these moments on a daily basis, I've decided to lessen my posts.

I began this blog during a time when I needed accountability within myself to choose to see the positive aspects and beauty throughout difficult situations. My original intent was to post one of these moments every day for one year. When a year came and went, I still felt like I had much more in me, and it was not time to stop. And I'm glad that I didn't because I have learned an enormous amount about finding inspiration in things that 2 years ago, I would have glanced right past. But forcing myself to sit with those moments, sort them out, write about, and share them, has given me insight, encouragement, and pride I would not have otherwise known.

So while I continue to search for, experience, and share these magical moments, I will no longer be doing so every day. Thank you to those of you who follow this blog, or just stop by when you can. I'm certain I wouldn't have kept it up this long if not for the readers and encouraging feedback.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

-Maria Robinson

~~~

First Post, Feb 4, 2010

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