On this first day of 2026 I’m sure many people are writing their resolutions for the new year. I chose instead to reflect on the highs and lows of 2025, what I’ve learned, and inklings of what may come next. So before I say hello to 2026, I will say goodbye to 2025. It seems … [Read more…]
When I write abgout the power of choice, I’m not just referring to the pleasure of having choices (e.g. strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla ice cream), but also the awareness of having choices, even if we choose not not take them. We often forget that there really are choices, and we use words like “have to”, … [Read more…]
Honestly, most Mondays are pretty good for me. But yesterday was a “Massage Monday.” Yesterday’s massage wasn’t all peace and relaxation because I had some places that were really tight and they needed to be worked out. That isn’t always pleasant. However, the way my body feels afterward is fabulous. I’ve been getting regular massage … [Read more…]
I had the pleasure of attending the Harp in Worship Conference in Colorado in July. I admit to being more than a little nervous signing up for this with only about a year of harp experience behind me. Before signing up I did contact the organizers to make sure it was appropriate and also communicated … [Read more…]
May Our Hearts Sing of Peace was written in 2023 for SATB choir with piano accompaniment. I fell in love with this text from John Birch and knew right away that I wanted to create music for it. If you have followed my compostions you know that I have used his lyrics many times. John … [Read more…]
I have been determined to learn Minuet in G on my harp. The sheet music looks so incredibly easy, but is deceptive. I also started trying to play it long before I had developed enough technique to support this endeavor. First, a little background. Minuet in G Major was written around 1725 and was found … [Read more…]
One of the most unsatisfying answers to a question is “it depends.” Of course it makes perfect sense, but it doesn’t often bring the feeling of closure I’m seeking. When I Googled “it depends” I found this, used to express uncertainty or qualification in answering a question. They offered the example, “It depends. There could … [Read more…]
Although not original to Josh Groban, he made You Raise Me Up famous in 2003. The melody was written by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham wrote the lyrics. Secret Garden first sang the song in 2001. I discovered an estimate stating that over 125 different artists have covered this song, but Josh’s is the one … [Read more…]
We’ve all had broken dreams. Maybe you didn’t get the bicycle you wanted for Christmas. Did your cruise to the Bahamas get cancelled? Perhaps you were told, like I was, that you couldn’t be an astronaut when you grow up because you are a girl. Was there a broken dream of having a “till death … [Read more…]
The anniversary of Katriel’s death was only a few days ago. It is a bittersweet time every year. She has been gone for 32 years but sometimes it still feels like yesterday that I held her in my arms. Some years are harder than others, and this one seemed to be one of the harder … [Read more…]