Each Spring is a battle to avoid feeling stressed behind the upcoming formal recital in May. While it is true that my chill skill continues to increase in measure with each passing year, I apparently still have not achieved victory. It seems the desire for each student to experience a successful performance overwhelms my ability to see how many variables cannot actually be controlled. Bottom line? I just want to teach the kids that they can do whatever they “put their minds to”. So, how come the teacher hasn’t reached her goal of handling recital season with total joy and ease? Guess I need to keep practicing just like “my” aspiring pianists. It’s obvious that all my worry defies reality, since the performance always turns out beautifully. But then again, maybe this year will be the year that…….  whoops.  Thank goodness for the Serenity Prayer and my usual three day, end of May, get-a-way. Hey, maybe that triple rhyme will work for the chorus of my latest blues tune!

Well, I’m up from under an avalanche of tax work for a breath of air.  Whahoo-o-o!  I’m done!  It took about *?!*? (wo)man hrs. to dig my way out through the piles of papers and mounds of “bitty” faded receipts.  But, I’ve lived to tell about it, and now the 5 page 2016 Summary is in the mail to Ralph, my wonderful tax guy.  I’ve grown less resentful of the whole process as the years have gone by, realizing that I really do want to contribute.  Just wish somebody could send me a bill.  Such is the life of the self-employed, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.  What now?  Music.  Oh yes, I remember that: It’s my real life; my passion.  And, it’s been getting the short end of the stick lately.  As you may know, all the songs are written and copyrighted for my next album, and now I’m working on developing them.  There’s one more arrangement to write (maybe two), more charts to get printed, musicians, rehearsals, financing…  getting too far ahead of myself.  Think I’ll just head for the piano and run through the ones I’ve got memorized, and then work on the arrangement for It’s Dawn.  Free again!!!

In honor of my birthday this month,  you should please excuse the pun!  Yep, it’s time to celebrate.  I’m putting away the tax prep work and taking a break from teaching.  No performances are booked in the near future. I’m through planning photo shoots & studio time, and happy leaving my You Tube Channel as is, for now.  It’s time for a little birthday vacation.  My Darling Sweetheart, my  beautiful “Labra-dobie-dor”, and I are heading for a cabin in a densely wooded area up by the Russian River.  There will be nothing better to do than stare at the fire, relax in the hot tub, put a jigsaw together and eat Shelly’s practically world famous lasagna casserole and some See’s butterscotch  squares.  It’s a tough life, but somebody’s got to keep the vacation rental industry alive and well.

It’s the “month of love” again.  As always, I’m deeply grateful for my loving partner of multiple decades, loving parents who live on in my heart, and so many loving friends and business relationships.  This year I’m looking beyond personal relationships at the bigger picture.  Yep, I’m thinking really BIG! Here goes: I aspire to love each moment.  (That requires actually being here, now.  Not easy.)   I aspire to love everyone.  (This would mean seeking out the highest part of each person or group which is often hidden from sight.  Tricky.)   I aspire to love all that’s tangible.  (Knowing that everything can be used in the unfolding of good despite appearance takes constant mental effort. Super challenging.)   I aspire to love all the intangible.  (Clearly there is more going on here than meets the eye.  Open mind required.)  Lofty aspirations no doubt.  Definitely a lifetime pursuit for my little human self.  Worth the effort?  Well, I truly believe Love is the answer…