Having spent most of my childhood in California, it is very difficult for me to see some of my favorite “haunts” like Big Sur (Nepenthe, Big Sur Inn, Ventana, etc.) and also parts of the Santa Barbara area, like where my eldest brother was born, in Montecito, be affected by the fires and smoke. Even the places that, thankfully, haven’t been burned, are affected by the smoke from the fires. It isn’t easy to grow up in a place that becomes endangered by fires, mudslides, and earthquakes now and then….but I suppose there are natural disasters in all parts of the world…one learns to live with it, and, hopefully, survive it. The places where these things occur are often some of the prettiest places on earth, strangely enough, and many of the folks who live in these places wouldn’t trade them for any other place. I moved East many years ago, but still hold a special place in my heart for the rugged coast of California…may the fires soon be vanquished, and the healing begin…..
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Recently when I turned on the television I was horrified to see the destruction from forces of nature occuring in Myanmar…and now this week, more destruction from the earthquake in China! My heart and prayers goes out to all those suffering….may God help them recover and heal as soon as possible…..
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Living in the northeast, I am so ready for springlike weather, it’s not funny! It has been overcast for awhile now….but I see the yellow and purple crocuses starting to sprout up through the earth, and tiny buds on some of the trees…..the promise of Spring! Having spent my childhood in a warmer climate, where the sun was almost always shining, I find the last two months of winter in the northeast a little difficult….I think it’s the lack of light, more than anything. I am definitely a person who needs the light. As soon as it is warm enough (and even when it hasn’t been!) I will sit outside and turn my face towards the sun…..
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Well, I have had the flu for the past week or so….for those of you who haven’t had it, please take good care of yourselves and try not to get it! It’s no fun! Fever, cough, aches…the usual flu stuff. The past 2 days my fever has gone, so I know I am almost completely well. It really is true that health is our greatest wealth, as the old saying goes. Apparently the “Influenza B” that I have can only be passed to humans and seals, according to the doctor. Isn’t that interesting? Each day as I get better I appreciate the amazing complexity of the human body and how it fights to restore itself to good health. Our job is to help it along as much as possible.
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Well, 2008 is just around the corner, and I want to wish each and every one of my fans a Happy and Healthy New Year!! It’s amazing the difference each year makes in our lives, isn’t it? And it’s also amazing how time flies as we move along in Life. Stretch, take a deep breath, and lets all wish each other and the world a more peaceful and harmonious existence, because that is what we come from, and that is where we shall return someday.
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I sometimes lie in bed at night and think about how different this world could be, if only enough of us put our hearts and minds to it. Common Sense could reign, and that would be a real beginning towards figuring out solutions to the problems that face all of us. There really is something to using logic, and common sense, and trusting one’s heart. Have you ever noticed how a child’s response to a question or thought is usually filled with common sense? They don’t confuse themselves, and usually leave us dumbfounded about how they got to their “logic.” Even if the answer may seem simplistic, the truth is, most solutions to our problems are really simple…it’s just figuring out how to implement them. That’s where common sense comes in. So here’s to the simple answers, to what seems like complicated problems!:)
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Today they are expecting hurricane force winds in my State of Massachusetts. It seems that nearly every part of the United States has been hit with some force of nature recently…the Midwest with tornadoes and floods, the West Coast with fires and earthquakes, the South with drought, and now the Eastern Seaboard with hurricane force winds. Mother Nature is to be respected….she will remind us, if we forget. On a different note, my new song “Moon Over Tuscany” was just put up at the website. I am dedicating the song to the opera singer who passed away, Lucianno Pavarotti, for helping to bring opera to the masses. May he rest in peace….and I hope he enjoys the song, from afar!:)
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This is great news I have to share….because of the London Times mentioning my music in their Entertainment Section, England is now the second largest community of fans I have behind the United States! That shows the power of the newspaper media. Over 80 other countries download my music also…I am particularly touched by France, who write wonderful reviews regarding my music. The others prove their “fanship” by the amount of downloads (which I can track) This is what helps to keep me going, as an artist. In the United States, Art is not celebrated the same way as it is in other countries….generally, the lowest common denominator is promoted here in the States. The opposite can be said for overseas. Maybe we, as Americans, have something to learn from our overseas neighbors? They have a rich history of promoting the Arts….
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I know I always seem to be saying this, but it’s been a very hectic past few months. There have been tremendous family blessings, and just today I heard from a family member that my music and website were mentioned yesterday in the London Times! Wow! I am very touched by that. Working long and hard on my music, I am always happy when it has a chance to be discovered and enjoyed by as many fans as possible. Thank you London Times!!:)
The latest song added on the website is one written in 1992 called “Hold On To Your Freedom”…as applicable now as then! I am also working on the sixth song for my next album, “Atrium.” The song is dedicated to Lucianno Pavarotti, who helped to bring opera to the masses. Even if you don’t like opera, one has to admire that he understood that music is meant to be understood and loved by the people…not just for the few who can afford it. May he rest in peace.
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I just saw on the news the terrible tragedy that happened at Virginia Tech…apparently an unidentified gunman basically shot up a roomful of students, then shot himself. Flashbacks to the Colombine school incident come to mind. One has to wonder what possesses someone to “lose it” like that….whenever someone tells me they don’t believe there is such a thing as Evil, I cringe, because if something like these incidents aren’t evil, then what is? My prayers go out to the students who left this world today, and to their suffering families, and to those students who are wounded, in the local hospitals. God be with them all.
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