So much has been happening that I haven’t had the time to post. A lot of family dynamics good and bad. Busy and a reluctance to bore you lol!
Musically, I’ve been creating more content for my YouTube channel- Shorts have been fun to create as well. You’ll find a variety of content including my home life, cooking/ baking endeavors and my pet besties.
I have chosen to create content because, it’s fun! I love experimenting with special effects and music. Another artful and creative outlet that keeps my mind busy.
Please check out my channels! Leave me a message while you’re there! Hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season ❤️.
Happy 4th of July! I made this simple cake last evening. It’s a simple strawberry cake. Baking is a happy place for me. I guess it’s a creative outlet. My Granddaughters Amelia & Elizabeth. These are my daughter Britt’s fur babies. I recently spent a night watching the kids while my daughter was away previewing Texas.
I just recently poured a ton of energy and elbow grease into getting my house ready to sell. If you have ever tried to live in a house you need to show, you know of my hard effort. Constant cleaning! I’ve lived in this house for 17 years. Although I clean all of the time, deep cleaning and some touch up painting was necessary I felt.
By the time we listed the house, the interest rates had gone up and the selling market here came to a stand still. We missed the great selling market by a few weeks! It was rather an experiment any way. Kind of like fishing to see what you can get. I got a very clean house with some small but appreciated repairs out of it. I worked very hard to get show worthy. We had 2 “Open Houses“, a total of 3 people came to both showings. So, decided now isn’t the time to sell.
I repainted my cabinets …Yard work like crazy in extremely hot Phoenix temps. I’m glad to be done trying to keep it swept and trimmed in the middle of monsoon season. It was a continuous effort leaving me spent. I’m loving my house again!
I had to put my keyboard in the garage… I was so hoping for a larger house so that I could have a space to play my keyboard. I do love my house though. I’m not sad to be staying in this house. This, was my inheritance. I purchased it in 2005. It’s complicated now and I would lose half should I divorce… A terrible reason to be stuck in a marriage but, my plight.
I feel it to my core every day and have for years and years. Ask anyone who stays in a marriage made in hell and they will tell you layers upon layers created their situation. It’s never one thing, it’s layers of things that are overwhelming and it becomes easier to stay rather than facing the inevitable losses.
I suppose an element of losing an inheritance becomes a sense of letting your family and deceased relatives down. Prideful maybe? Or just realistic and practical? Ugh. Or a shared responsibility in giving someone the power to control your destiny… especially when they remind you on the daily what you’ll lose if you go. I should only hope that there is a special place for those who choose to attempt to control people in this manner.
However daunting I’ve found my life experience, it did result in personal creativity. I’ve written songs and poetry about my life and my circumstances. Cathartic accounting of my darkest and happiest days!
Something More is a song that I wrote about this very plight.
My good friends and I celebrated a gal who has been a true friend to me in good times and in bad. Her birthday was an awesome reason to get together! We had a very nice lunch. A woman who has been my friend for about 18 years, hosted our get together. I was asked to put together and bring a pasta salad. I haven’t made a large gathering dish for a while! This was the first get together we have had in two years. Covid has kept many from getting together to celebrate things. I am so glad that we did! It was great to see these good friends. We even made a craft together. An Easter Bunny decoration that will remind me every Easter, of my friends.
As anyone who cooks probably knows, a pasta salad is an easy recipe. Cutting everything in nice pieces takes the bulk of the time. I took some pics of my pasta salad.
Salami slices cut into quarters. Eggs, Pasta noodles and Honey Mustard dressing rather than mayonnaise. A bit lighter and more flavorful I think. I have used Vidalia Onion dressing before as well. Both are good! 2 packages of cooked noodles although, I didn’t use it all for my salad. I saved 1/3 of this for my spaghetti sauce I had leftover from the day before.Diced red and yellow bell peppers.A can of medium sized pitted black olives. You can cut whatever cheese you choose! I chose orange rind Munster. I would have preferred Pepper Jack cheese but I decided to play it safe with a mild softer cheese.I cut my yellow and red tomatoes in half for a more delicate bite. Red onions are pretty and the perfect flavor for this complete salad. I take a fork and pull it down the length of the cucumber cover the whole circumference. I cut them into halves.This just makes the salad more appealing. Tossed with salt, pepper, Italian Seasoning, Parsley and Paprika to taste! I kept this, for us. I took this 6- pounds of pasta salad to the event. The salad was a hit and I’m always thrilled to be asked to bring something to a pot luck ❤️. Here is a pic of the Bunny craft we made. Very simple, all pre-cut. We just painted, designed and constructed the bunny. It was so much fun! Now we have a memory at Easter of our lunch with the ladies! Love them and, I love this❤️.
I hope you are having a relaxing Memorial weekend. Many thanks to those who serve and protect our country! I am grateful for your dedication and sacrifices❤️…
What a week! I lost my Father in-law and my 13 year old beloved dog . They passed away with 3 days of each other. Ed was 96 years old. He had been having major health issues for more than a year. It wasn’t a shock, but still sad. My dog passed at home without medical assistance. So very hard to watch. The sadness is looming…
When I was looking through my photos the other day, I found a pic of both Ed and Coco, together.
This was taken a few years ago.
I’m not going to dwell on all of the sadness but I will say it really adds to my PhD in life experience. I feel that this period of time, has left me with a different perspective on losing loved ones. Watching a dear cherished pet die a natural death is heartbreaking!
My dear friend dropped these flowers by with a sweet card! I’m grateful for some really nice friends! I will be getting Coco’s ashes back early next week. I’m not sure if I’ll keep the ashes or sprinkle them…
I’ll be attending Ed’s funeral in early June. A visitation followed by a catholic service is scheduled. He was a retired colonel in the Army and a diplomat in the pacification in the Vietnam war. A full military service will also take place in Santa Nella CA. the following day.
Another interesting segment of Ed’s life… He played the trumpet and studied at Juilliard School of Music. He actually played with Glenn Miller! He had a very interesting and successful life. He lived to be 96 years old. He was a wonderful and positive man! Although he will be missed, he was at peace to go. So rather than mourn him, I am celebrating him and his amazing life accomplishments!
Ed wrote a few books in reference to his Vietnam experience. This is the most popular of them.
Meanwhile, I took the morning to do yard work. Trimming with a lot of raking and sweeping. Physical work is a great escape!
Im forever trying to keep up with this but I enjoy the physical work that this is!
I wrote this composition a few years ago. I would have loved to share this piece of myself with Ed. He never knew I had a musical side. In fact, his family never got to know me at all. My husband was always and continues to be embarrassed by my musical aspirations. I can’t tell you how hard it’s been to be surrounded by negativity for the true love of my life, MUSIC!
Something More Than Nothing- my Original Composition-
I still have so much to work out regarding my path to independence. I still have hope and a goal! I’m not sure what gainful employment opportunities are out there for me lol. I do see, that everyone is hiring… Maybe it’s just about taking that big leap and doing something more than nothing. In my dreams, I’d be able to play my music somewhere and get paid! A lounge or ambience music in a dinner house… just somewhere that I get to use my music!
I’m now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. I am beginning to feel a sense of relief . It feels like maybe I can reopen myself as well! I highly recommend getting vaccinated. The peace of mind and hope for the future that comes with the jabs, is a bit freeing!
2021 has begun and so far, it’s been tumultuous! I sat at my keyboard pondering the prospects of a shiny new year! I played and sang a cover near and dear to my heart. Spent a few hours on New Years Eve doing what I love the most! I basked in the feeling of hope, love and being authentic me… The holidays were coming to a close. The hope for a better new year, 2021.
Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp is known for so many songs/ treasures. He is an amazingly gifted songwriter. His music is layered with love and spirit. He writes songs that touch the heart so profoundly. The music is brilliant and worldly. I have yet to see him live with an orchestra. A bucket list dream of mine!
I sat thinking of the goals and dreams that I have. My admiration and love for this amazing songwriter came to mind. I have often thought how difficult this pandemic has been on musicians who have made their livelihood touring. With digital music, I believe touring has been the primary way of generating income. I’m sure this has been extremely hard on those in the entertainment industry. So sad to me. Very hard times I’m sure!
Also sad to me is the dwindling prospect of meeting the spectacular icon, Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp. Who knows if he will even want to tour when the ability to do so arises? He may decide that he enjoys being free to do other things. He has given so many years to his craft, maybe exploring other interests and desires are more important to him. That would sure be understandable!
Covid-19 has become a real source of angst for us here in AZ. Currently we are the hotspot in the world! Earlier this week, we had 17,234 new cases in a single day!
🤦🏼♀️ ugh! Unfortunately my daughter, her fiancé and 1 year old baby got Covid at Christmas! We were about to attend a Christmas and birthday celebration for my grandson Kole. His first birthday. Luckily my daughter listened to her body and canceled the get together! She was just starting to feel ill. I had taken the Christmas & bday gifts over to them a few days prior. I quarantined for a week and was lucky not to be stricken ugh, laying in wait… We celebrated Amelia’s birthday by having dinner out! Brave I suppose. Covid is everywhere…
My daughter was most upset when the baby got sick. He was very sick for a few days! Her fiancé was so ill we thought he may end up in the hospital. Fortunately we believe after two weeks he is turning the corner for good! My daughter had mild but annoying symptoms! She thinks she has cognitive issues. Her sense of taste and smell have not returned well yet… She is returning to work tonight. She’s been a server for many years and we think she caught Covid while working. She lost over two weeks of income having to stay home. Thank goodness the stimulus check pulled her through! I made a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup with a ton of good vegetables and ginger. I dropped a pot off to her at her doorstep. That’s all I could do to help…I pretty much felt helpless but was glad that she texted me often and kept me updated!
Homemade Chicken Soup with all kinds of veggies. My daughter couldn’t taste it but she swears it helped her to feel better… awwww!
Right after New Year, we celebrate Amelia’s birthday. I didn’t make her a cake this year. I chose a cat cake. The cat character is named Marie, from the movie the Aristocats. Gave us an opportunity to watch the movie together! Soooo cute!
Amelia with her Aristocat “Marie” Cake. I was sad that due to COVID-19, her cousins couldn’t come over to celebrate with her. Although I didn’t make a cake, I did craft a bouquet using Dollar Tree flowers for her. They are bright and cheerful, just what we need around now! She seemed to enjoy her special day in spite of our limited guest list!
I baked a two layer chocolate cake from a mix. I added a nice healthy layer of chocolate frosting between the layers. On top of the frosting I spread half of a can of canned cherries. Stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge of the layer all the way around.
I frosted my cake with whipped topping frosting. It holds up better than just whipped topping. My local grocery store has this frosting in the bakery dept.
Whipped topping frosting spread neatly, I spooned the remaining canned cherries in a circle in the center of the cake. I piped borders of whipped topping around the center. I placed maraschino cherries evenly around the cake within the piped border. With a teaspoon, I drizzled melted Candy quick chocolate. It hardens well for an unexpected little crunch… I added a few decorative Christmas sprinkles around, piped a small circle of whipped frosting in the center of the cake topping it with one last stemmed maraschino cherry. Finished Black Forest Cake
This is a easy showstopper holiday dessert cake. It tastes better than it looks as it isn’t too sweet! My guests loved this cake and I was so proud to share it. I’m a homemaker, not a pro baker by any stretch… Fun and didn’t take the whole day!
Hi! Hope you are well and getting through this stagnant period of time… The waiting for life to return to normal is very hard for some of us. Others seem to be better at just living. In my family, I have a daughter and her family of four kids who seem to be out there living life almost normally! In fact, my oldest G-kid, is playing in his first high school football game tonight!
Another daughter, has a 10 month old baby and is being very careful. She stays home mostly and limits what her older kids can do. She does however have a serving job which puts her out there in public with many people. She was very sick in December and delivered her baby amidst coughing fits. I was as well right along with her and the rest of her family. We think we all had it through the holidays.
My youngest daughter, an ASU freshman who isn’t reckless but yet trying to live in a dorm. She’s been surrounded by Covid-19 as all of her roommates tested positive. She has remained Covid-19 free! Actually, we are pretty sure that we already had it last year as well. She actually was terribly sick last November. Although early, we are pretty sure she had Covid-19.
The youngest, my 9 year old granddaughter, started in person learning last week! She rides the bus to school with her mask on. I am really hoping that in person learning can be successful and continue throughout the school year. It has been a long and challenging 6-7 months of no friends and online learning for her! I see and feel the loneliness she has endured during the online learning process. She seems to be very happy being with her peers in a classroom setting. Even if it isn’t quite the same…
Waiting for the school bus… Luna and I wait with her.Luna is getting so tall! She is 5 months old now and we completed all 3 sets of shots. Now she walks with me almost every day! Don’t let the sad face fool you, she loves to get out and go for walks!I love fall. It isn’t cool here yet but mornings are pretty nice. I’m glad to have somewhat cooler temps to walk in! Still too hot for patio dwelling.
I took an opportunity that I had to revisit my music! I was actually able to create a few new videos for my YouTube channel. Here are some links…
If you like anything you hear, please subscribe to my YouTube channel! Your support means a whole lot to me as I’m a small fish in a very big YouTube sea! Drop me a comment if you have a minute. I always write back!
Who else has had it with sheltering in place? I’m so sad to see that we still have sooooo many new cases of this virus everywhere! I see no leveling off, in fact, more and more cases then we initially had! I’m disheartened by looking at the numbers state by state. I understand the economic need to reopen the country and each state. It doesn’t seem possible health wise to do so. It’s getting really hot here in Phoenix. Today may yet reach 108 degrees by 5:00 pm.
Taco Feast with Flan for dessert. I made taco omelettes for breakfast with some leftover meat, onion, cilantro, cheese, homemade guacamole, salsa and sour cream. It was a hit!
Flan although not completely from scratch, I did have to cook it lol. Hey a shortcut here and there… Nobody needs to know😊. I spent an afternoon moving my canned goods from the garage shelving to this indoor space. It’s getting too hot to store even canned food in the garage..
I haven’t played my keyboard for about 10 days. My studio space has been taken over by a home office. Even if I could make space, I need to keep the house quiet for work and kids online remote learning. So I keep extremely busy doing household chores. Inside and outside. Last week I walked about 20 miles in 7 days… I have worked on organizing projects to plenty of homemade meals!
Housing birds nests again. Every spring a bird family raises babies in this lantern! I cut my own bangs… my hair is so long now, the longest I’ve ever had it. I wear it up most of the time because it’s too much to style it most days! I gave Amelia a shoulder length bob hair cut as well. I even cut my dogs hair lol…
Restless as the day is long. I’m chomping at the bit to get back to what I love to do! Meanwhile, please Wait For Me -YouTube Cover Video
A Blog about life and living through my life experience and perspective. I am a writer, singer/songwriter childhood savant musician…Trying to find my niche and stake my place in society…
Thursday, October 17, 2019
The Failure Is In Not Trying
This is my latest upload/ cover of Nights In White Satin. I have rewritten the intro that I wrote for it lol. I also used a quieter string/piano voice in which to play it in. I kind of laugh when I think how the inference changes when sung from a female perspective.
I had a ton of fun playing this in full symphony as well. It was grand, large and filled my room with grandeur. I lost myself in the sound for a day. When I visit the Covers I do, each have a special place in my heart.
A few months back I was with my 17 year old daughter in the car. We were listening to her stream and this Original came to mind. We had been talking about 70’s music and how some of them included symphonic accompaniment. The Rain Song Written by Led Zeppelin came to mind as well. Anyway, I asked her to stream the symphonic version of Nights In White Satin. My daughter politely listened but didn’t get excited. I had not heard it in years and it dazzled me! Beautiful!!!! So I thought wow, I need to revisit this song and I’d like to try to cover it, so, I did.
My daughter has interesting teenage taste. Presently, she is so into Hobo Johnson. It grows on you. Even as an adult, when I listen to his stories I think awww that’s so sad. Or gee, that’s so clever! I can see why that type of music is what she can relate to. Both she and her friends seem to really enjoy Lizzo as well. As an adult, I can look past the persona and see an extremely talented and lovely gal! I saw a recent interview Lizzo was featured in. She is an amazing gal with so much talent. Promoting positive body image and self love… Her songs are relatable and, cute as heck! I Love Lizzo!
It’s unfortunate that nobody in my family likes my music. My husband can’t tell me enough the disdain he has for it. He tells me he doesn’t get my music and he doesn’t like my cover choices. I think he’s embarrassed by it. So, he doesn’t listen to any of it. Not my covers and not my originals! I don’t even ask him to anymore. We don’t talk about that side of me. I never play when he’s around. Sometimes, I wish like hell I was good enough to get somewhere with it so I could stick it to him! That’s how hurt I am by his out right dislike and disinterest. I hate being a joke but I’d hate it more if I didn’t try…
The musician wants to come out and play… This is a *Trilogy Of My Originals!
It’s been so difficult living with a whole family of people who don’t seem to understand me! They think it’s weird that I have this ability to play and write music without knowing how to read music. Since I am self taught, I almost feel as if my friends and family don’t feel that I have a right to claim/ identify as a musician.
Anyway, I shall push forward with whatever I’ve got or whatever I’m lacking. Cup half full or empty depending on perspective. It truly is between me and my maker! I only wish I could feel understood and find my niche. If not in music, than somewhere in the heart of someone who “gets” me! Sometimes, I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. My reality is so much different than what I think it should be. How is my perception so different in regard to my music?
tynajoymetzner 