The Music of Our Lives

I don't know about you, but my life has a soundtrack. It's often changing, but we all have those favorite songs, those songs that bring us back to a moment in time, and those songs that define an era in our lives.

Music brings people together. I love it when I see someone jamming along to a song in their car. (Probably, because that's usually me). I also love it when you're at a concert, and you can feel the energy in the room as you listen to someone playing live. I will never forget being in Central Park hearing Billy Joel sing, "New York State of Mind," not long after 9/11.

Tonight I'm going to start to take guitar lessons again. I've taken them before. I took them in New York right after I bought my first guitar. My friend Amy and I visited a lot of music stores to find our guitars. It was a quest.

Then I took lessons in Glenwood for awhile. Now I'm starting up again so I can learn to play more. I think my nephews inspired me to get back at it when we were making up songs on the spot. Talent runs in the family.

Tell me your music stories. I'm listening.

Be careful

My mom is known to utter this phrase. My brother and I are actually going to write a book a book called, "Be careful or you might...". The thing is that this time she was right.

I was just going on a hike with my friend Ruth. My mom's worry was that I would slip on the ice from the remaining snow. Oh it was slippery but that wasn't why I needed to be careful. Instead I ran smack into a branch. Thank goodness for sunglasses my eye is okay, but the area around my eye is swollen and cut up. I look like I was in a fight or that I was abused.

Even so I toughed it out and completed the hike up to Hanging Lake. On the way down the sun was completely gone so I didn't wear my sunglasses. You should have seen some of the looks I got. No one said anything until this guy just said simply, "are you okay?" It was a nice way to ask, and it was a welcome change to the looks I was receiving.

It seems most people don't want to get involved. Instead they want to look away. I had all these great stories to share: I was in a bar fight, I saved someone. You name it. Anyway, truthfully I'm clutzy, and I didn't see the branch at eye level. I'm okay, but bruised, and I'm hoping it doesn't leave a scar. The good news is the hikers ahead of us had a first aid kit. I guarantee that they were the only ones on the entire trail with a first aid kit. Go figure.

Despite the mishap it was a beautiful hike and a great way to celebrate Ruth's birthday. Just remember to be careful or you might...

Tourist in your own city

One of the most fun ways to celebrate where you live is to be a tourist in your own city. Of course, it helps when you have a friend coming in town. My friend Ruth will be arriving in Glenwood on Friday. We've been friends since the 5th grade.

So my thoughts if Ruth's up for it is to enjoy the tourist happenings in Glenwood. There's swimming and soaking in the hot springs pool, riding up the tram, hiking Hanging Lake, going out to dinner at the Pullman, and more. It makes you realize why people come to these resort towns.

Ruth will be celebrating her birthday on Sunday. I've got some fun plans in mind, but again its her day so she gets the final say. It's funny when you know someone for as long as Ruth and I have known each other. It is quite a marvel. What are you doing this weekend?

Quote of the Day

Here's the Quote of the Day. Make it a wonderful one!

The neighborhood is waking up

Last night I went for a walk in the neighborhood. Sometimes it seems like I don't have any neighbors, during the winter everyone goes directly in the garage, and they're in for the night.

I have to admit in the winter once I get home I'm usually home. On nice days I might venture out for a walk, but it's much less often. Instead the treadmill seems like a better choice.

In the spring and summer, walking is a social activity. People are outside walking, riding their bikes or skateboards, and there are kids playing baseball and soccer.

I don't know about you but the sound of a bat hitting a ball is really comforting. It is a signal that you've made it through the long winter, and it means barbeques, time spent on the deck, and lots of smiles. That's the difference everyone seems to be smiling.

What are you smiling about?

Spring fever

Spring fever. I got a definite case of it. The warm weather is making me so happy. Right now I'm reading a book called, "The Emotional Calendar" by Dr. John Sharp. It seems that seasons, emotional highspots and lowspots on your own personal calendar, as well as seasons such as sports, TV series, school year starting and ending, and holidays, can all affect your mood. It's really about being aware of your own reactions and figuring out how to deal with them.

For some it isn't that simple, but it does bring to mind the mood that certain seasons bring. I truly love all four seasons, but I admit living in the Rockies I think winter is too long. I'm here for the summers. The spring and summer and the resulting sunshine really make me feel good. It just lightens my mood, and I can look forward to the lazy days of summer. And this year I will take even better advantage of summer. (I say that every year).

The spring also inspires me to do more. For example, even though I've had the card of a personal trainer who was recommended to me for awhile I hadn't called. This week I did, and I have a session scheduled on Thursday. I can finally move forward with the next phase of my path to better health. I just needed the spring to remind me of the impending swimsuit season.

And I scheduled my first guitar lesson for next week. I am finally going to start playing again. It's another spring thing, because it helps with readiness. When it's dark when you get home and when you leave it is more difficult to get motivated.

I've already started going to Hot Yoga, again, too. So though it's not just spring it seems that I'm embracing some new beginnings. Happy spring to you!

My Painting in the Women's History Art Show

So I'm debuting my painting on this blog. So my painting grew from thinking about women and the layers that each women possesses. Here's my statement: "Women are layered, complex, and vibrant. This painting represents the texture and depth of women and all they offer to the world. It also represents embracing and honoring my own layers."
I hope that you enjoy the show. Don't forget, tomorrow, 5 to 7 pm, Basalt Library.

Also, read about the show in the Aspen Business Journal:
www.aspenbusinessjournal.com/article/id/515/sid/4