Change Your Mind

Thousands of people had to change their holiday plans... maybe millions worldwide. We were supposed to go to the Buffalo area. We were going to leave on Friday morning but by Wednesday, family was urging me NOT to come. The expected storm would be dangerous and would hit right while we would be driving. I considered leaving a day early. The boy would have to miss his holiday party at school though, and I hated to do that to him. So with all the craziness of tree decorating, present wrapping and last minute shopping I moved "packing" to the bottom of the priority list. It looked like we would have to wait until AFTER Christmas to travel.

It was a bitter pill to swallow and I tried to console myself by remembering to be grateful. We would be safe and warm, while many would not be so lucky. I thought of a story a friend once told me. She had been complaining about a hopeless situation until the listener said quietly, "Are you done?" (She was.) Then he told her, "Change your mind." 

I knew I had to change my mind. I had to tell myself it was best NOT to travel for Christmas this year. Then came a series of events leading to an emotional rollercoaster.

First, on Thursday evening, school was cancelled for Friday but we had not planned to leave early. We were not packed and it was unlikely we would be able to get it together without the danger of being up all night and falling asleep at the wheel. It would be chaos and we would still run the risk of getting stuck along the route with road closures. The pill got more bitter. If I had only packed as planned, we could've made it. It was so disappointing. "Change your mind" echoed in my head. I had to try harder.

The next plot twist occurred Friday night. The hot water went out. We had just done the dishes and run the washing machine, but it still seemed odd. I waited to let the hot water replenish. It never did. "Something is wrong" I said to Russ. Then the furnace started blowing cool air and the temperature inside the house started to drop. It was only 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside. The boy was asleep.

A sort of frenzy ensued as we tried to understand what was happening. With calls in to emergency technicians, faucets trickling, and a relative degree of confidence that we could stay warm enough with alternate heat sources, we finally called it a night. 

We woke up on Christmas Eve day with a mission to stay warm and safe, while fixing the problem (after figuring out what the problem even WAS) and proceed with Christmas and Hanukkah plans. After over 24 hours of trying and countless calls and technicians, we thought the immediate problem was fixed, but then the technician left and the heat went out again. Russ said something I will never forget: "If we were not here, we would've come back to find burst pipes."

There it was. I knew I had to change my mind about the disappointment of canceling Christmas with family, but this made things crystal clear. I KNEW it was best that we did not travel. 

We got through Christmas and by the end of the night we had heat and hot water. It appears a pin sized hole in a casing was to blame for letting air into lines, disrupting the whole system. Had we not been here, it is likely pipes would have frozen and possibly ruptured.

There is so much to be grateful for. We are safe. Our friends and family in Buffalo are safe. I was given a gift in receiving a rare glimpse of proof, where faith alone would usually have to suffice. Also, from a place of safety, I was shown what it is like to lose heat. I'm reminded of all those (especially in Ukraine right now) without a warm place to live. We have so much work to do. No one should suffer in the cold. Circumstances can change very quickly, and we have to be better at helping each other.

Click here for: neighbortoneighborfund.org

Click Herę for a foundation helping in Ukraine who accepts PayPal: hliniszcze.wordpress.com/help-for-ukraine/

Heartfelt condolences to all who have suffered loss due to this terrible storm and through the many horrors of war.

May we all remember how Blessed we are to be here.

Wishing you peace, safety and warmth this holiday season.

Love,

T

Grateful

 It is still sinking in.  

I am officially in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. I HAVE A BUFFALO Y'ALL!!!

 https://www.bmhof.org

"Those people who believe in you - who support you, encourage you, motivate you, inspire you, who are there for you to come home to... are priceless. This is a reflection of all the love and support that I got here from you all and I am eternally grateful."

"It takes a village and I am Buffalo raised."

There will never be enough thank you's. I'll be working on expressions of gratitude forever. 

Thank you Nancy Parisi for capturing these moments in photographs!

Love and thanks to you all...

XO,

T

Crazy Good

 WHOOOOOOEEEEEE!

By now you probably know the awesome news! I'm honored beyond words to be in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2022! There have been so many comments and congratulatory posts... I'm so grateful and glad to hear from everyone. It's going to take me a while to get through replying back to you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Also this week - we had Russ home and the boy's last week of school. There were parties and bittersweet farewells to the school and the wonderful staff that saw us through his earliest years, first friends and the pandemic. There was excitement to see Daddy and transitions through more travel gigs, new school scheduling and supplies, and goodbye to our first apartment together (sold). We worked so hard that we decided a mini vacation was in order. 

We are about to embark on a new chapter. This week is all about taking a deep breath and appreciating all the good. 

Enjoy your week!

Love,

T

Showtime

The vacation from the vacation didn't last long. My practice playlist had 67 songs on it. 

Here's the thing though... sometimes a show is important because it helps people escape harsh realities and fill up on positivity for a bit. You must feed your soul. You must.

The show was great and a good time was had by all.

Grateful for these happy moments!

Wishing you some relief this week... some peace, some laughter, some magic.

Love,

T

Memorial Day 2022

Thank you.

Click here for "The History of Memorial Day" from pbs.org

Click here for "First Official National Decoration Day" from nps.gov

Love,

T

The Interview

It has happened only one or maybe two times over the last few years. I have missed a blog deadline.

I forgot it was Monday.

My apologies.

I was contacted by Stephen via Facebook. It was an honor to be interviewed for his series! Thank you Stephen - and all who help and support the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦🙏

Click here for Stephen O’Regan’s “10 Days in Krakow” - Day 5 "It's just people helping people" - Singer Tanya was compelled to come to Krakow to help.

The video…

As always, your support is appreciated for the two foundations I have been volunteering with that help house Ukrainian people and make deliveries of needed supplies to Ukraine (links below, they both accept PayPal).

Fundacja Wolno Nam

Hliniszcze Foundation

Thank you!

Love,

T

Positivity Run

I did a thing this morning. I decided to celebrate every little thing I saw and thought of.

With absolute horror playing out in the world at this moment, it seems insensitive to post anything happy. Positivity helps though. People are depressed. Last night, I learned of an online friend who took their own life. 

It's also understanding how seeing nothing but happy smiling faces can precipitate sadness when it seems like you're the only one who is NOT happy. Many of us have come to know that social media can set a false standard and add to a sense of isolation. On occasion, I've posted examples of life's trials and imperfections. 

                                                                                       

Just now, tears well up in my eyes as the little refugee boy walking alone cries. We are living in terrifying times. Below is a link from The Mayo Clinic with advice on how to identify and support friends and family who may be depressed.

Click here for The Mayo Clinic's "Depression: Supporting a family member or friend" Page

As for me, I'll search for smiles and positivity. I'll post and share. I'll do it to strengthen myself as well as others. My sincere wish for us all is that we can strengthen ourselves enough to participate in the battles to come with strength and perseverance. Any way you look at it, there is a long road ahead. I hope we can find ways to secure our own oxygen masks, and be able to assist others with theirs - so to speak.

Love you all.

I'm down for stretching as far as I can without breaking. Don't break. Keep going.

xo,

T

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you all have a beautiful week filled with Love!

This is all I'm going to think about right now. I'm going to stay positive and uplifted. Let's just keep it right there. Let's do that - whenever we need. We can always dive back into battle. For now, let's just think about Love and gratitude.

Love you all.

Thank you for everything.

xo,

T

Not All Happy-Go-Lucky

Someone recently said that in these times, we are the loneliest people with the happiest pictures. That seems true to me. We can look online and find an abundance of happy. smiling faces and funny posts. They might make us laugh but they might make us cry too.

It makes sense that we would want to put our best face forward and try to inspire positivity when creating posts, but there are times when those uplifting messages sharply and intensely contrast with the stresses of life. It's important to remember that EVERYONE has stress. Hardly anyone is living a carefree, happy-go-lucky existence right now and if you feel alone because you think everyone else has it easy - you're probably mistaken.

That being said, we can still find positive things to focus on. LOL as I remember a conversation with Zachary from this morning. Yesterday was a bit stressful and mommy got "yell-y." Wanting to improve the household energy today, I began the day by acknowledging that we did not have the best day yesterday. Zachary agreed. I said that we were off to a good start this morning though, and that we would make today better. He said, "no we aren't." Surprised by his response, I said "What? What do you mean? We had a great morning!" He said, "We threw poop at each other." I laughed out loud. Of course we did not do that and he was laughing out loud too. I noted that he had made a good point though. As much as we had butted heads the day before, we definitely had not thrown poop at each other. It really could've been much worse if we had. So we began the morning with gratitude for having not thrown poop at each other the previous day. 😂

Things are far from perfect, but there's always something to be grateful for. 

Wishing you all a great week...

Love,

T

Shine Time

 The time to shine is now.

Photo by: Joseph Gray

This past Saturday I was honored to be one of the judges for the finale of "Connecticut's Got Talent." The level of love and appreciation for all of the participants and producers is hard for me to express. I'm reminded of my entire journey and all of its twists and turns, trials and joys. I'm truly warmed by all those who are on a path to inspire others. 

Every single contestant and participant in the production was inspiring. Everyone brought something very special to contribute - something to appreciate and treasure. Competitions are funny. While there is one declared "winner," it is also true that anyone deciding to "win" can do so. What I mean is that we can be at very different stages in our respective development, while shining just as bright.

Click here to see finale of "Connecticut's Got Talent" from Talent Recap on Youtube

I wish us all the ability to be grateful and kind, and share our unique gifts no matter where we are on the road to our ultimate hopes and dreams. We really are all in this together. We all have something to share and something to learn.

Wishing us all a Blessed holiday - and health, happiness and peace of heart in the new year...

Love,

T

Happy Thanksgiving

"Do we celebrate Thanksgiving?"

The question was inspired by an observation of purple lights that were festive for the "holiday" season instead of being specifically for Christmas, and the brief example of different traditions that followed.

I suppose a simple "yes" would have sufficed but...

I know the Disney-fied story about Thanksgiving that many grew up with is not the true story. This time of  year can provide much inspiration to learn...

Click here for: "The Thanksgiving Tale We Tell Is a Harmful Lie. As a Native American, I’ve Found a Better Way to Celebrate the Holiday" from time.com

Click here for: "What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Indigenous Peoples?" from indypl.org

We can always learn and we can always be grateful.

Blessed Be...

Love,

T

Looking Up

 

Remember that vocal journey I started back in October? I've been posting video snippets on TikTok, but maybe I should post them on IG and FB - even Twitter too. What do you think?

It started like this:

I've just put up day eighteen of the thirty-day journey, and another, deeper journey is unfolding. I'm reminded to be grateful and make time for precious moments. 

This week, I'll look up and appreciate the beauty all around.

Thank you all for being here!

Love and appreciate you.

Love,

T

Grand Funk

I was in a grand funk. Russ was busy and school's out for summer. I have a mountain of tasks and I'm not going to lie - IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. I may have a panic attack just thinking about it. 

Full-on anxiety took hold for a couple of days and THEN, as if I wasn't busy enough, the phone rang. It was a gig. There was a last minute emergency and could I be 107 miles away by 6pm, fully glammed up - singing for someone's wedding? 

No. No I could not. I was on my way to the yard waste facility, with bags of mud, weeds, dirt, and potato bugs in the back of the car, along with Zachary. We were both a mess and attempting to clean up the driveway before we got some type of citation for junking up the neighborhood. Our bags of debris had been sitting so long in the rain that they broke, and we'd been shoveling their dusty remains in the sweltering heat. I also had no babysitter.

I hung up the phone, defeated. "I can't" are not words in my vocabulary, but there was just no way. There is a show next month with the same entertainment group, so I called the sitter to confirm that date. I thought maybe that would give me some kind of hope for the future.

Not only did the Angel who is my babysitter confirm next month's show date, but she was available that day as well and could come over anytime! WHAT??!! There was help??? I quickly called back for the job I had just turned down, "A sitter just fell from the sky. Do you still need someone?" Yes. Yes they did.

I can't even completely remember the whirlwind that followed, but I think I have never cleaned up so fast in my life. I was like a tornado, but I was straightening and organizing, putting away toys and papers, packing alcohol wipes, snacks, gloves, shoes, throat spray, electronics and a mic stand, all while cleaning up, curling my hair, letting the dog out, watching Zachary and doing my makeup.

I reviewed songs in the car on the way. The next thing you know, I was parking on a hill next to a cow and running toward an outdoor pavilion from which I could hear the sound of an amplified guitar. The bandleader met me by the driveway and told me not to rush and that all was well.

Life is better while the music is playing and I am doing what I do. There were fine and talented musicians, happy smiling people, and beautiful countryside views. 

I am here to tell you that the impossible can be done! Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!! Huge thanks to all the people who have stepped in to help when I've felt overwhelmed. Thinking back... there have been so many Earth Angels who carried me just when I thought I couldn't make it. When we can't do it on our own, we still CAN with a little help. My grand funk turned into some kind of wonderful.

It's a miracle to lose hope and find it again. May we see light just when we need it and be light when someone else needs - especially now in these days of extreme hardship for so many.

With Love and gratitude,

T

Wild Blue Yonder

 Is it Monday again? I've entered a whole new world.

I was that crazy lady spraying and wiping down everything I touched (even though I am fully vaccinated), but MAN was it good to be on stage once again!

And it was beyond beautiful to be with all these lovely people and fine talents!

With Mark

With Levi Ruffin, Nate Hughes

With Lanise Hughes

Lanise, Me, Nate, Cheri, Randall, Maxi, Tom, Eddie, Levi, Oscar

Two shows, three hotel rooms, and four planes later, I think I'm getting the hang of this new world of safety protocols. Hand sanitizer, wipes, spray and gloves are at the ready in various accessible pockets of my crossbody bag and I've got the use of public restrooms down to a science. 

SMH at how much of everything we took for granted, and how amazing it is that some of these kids coming up now will have never known a world before COVID.

May we all stay safe, healthy, happy and grateful.

Love you all, 

T

Memorial Day 2021

To all those Angels who sacrificed everything for this country, for the idea of this country and for what it meant to you...

Thank you.

Also, I am sorry. 

You would think that one common enemy would have brought people together, but we continue to be a work in progress. I am sorry for not working harder, for not understanding more, for being too busy, and for not being involved enough in our democracy's processes. May we all remember you with the deepest respect and move ourselves to action in renewed commitment to this same country that you died for. May we all honor you - better than we have. May we arrive ever closer to those ideas of liberty, justice and freedom that so many have strived for - and ultimately make you proud.

May our efforts show our gratitude and appreciation.

Love,

T 

Feeding America

This holiday season offers a magical opportunity. 

Click here for FeedingAmerica.org

I saw a post from a mom who was seeking advice on how she might explain to her kids that the Christmas gifts would be a little light this year. It got me thinking...

There are a few standout moments from years past for me. One Christmas, when I was a child, two relatives took me aside and explained that they didn't have much money that year and could only afford a very small gift. I'm not certain I was expecting anything from them because I remember being excited that I was getting a gift at all. They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolate. I wondered what on earth they had been talking about because I thought that was the best present ever! I couldn't tell you anything else I received that year, or even the surrounding years, but I never forgot that awesome cup of chocolates. 

One year, a friend told me about her holiday and I never forgot it. She and her roommate had absolutely no money to purchase gifts. Instead, they went around their apartment finding things and wrapping them. The kicker was that they each received things that they already owned. Imagine unwrapping a gift from your roommate to find your own hairbrush, or pair of socks! They had a blast and laughed their butts off! It also held up a mirror to all the wonderful things they already had to be grateful for.

There are so many beautiful holiday memories, but the most precious are always about the time together, the laughter, the love. This year, several people I normally exchange gifts with expressed their desire for me to make a donation in their name instead. It makes perfect sense. I can't remember a time when there was a greater need, and at this moment one dollar provides "at least 10 meals to families in need..." through Feeding America (link above).

Haven't we complained how we overdo it on gifts and lose sight of the Spirit of the holidays, or the true meaning of Christmas? We can get really creative about how we teach our children this year and make a big difference at the same time.

Here's wishing you all a Blessed holiday...

Love, 

T

United (Angels' Anthem) - Official Lyric Video

The lyric video is here!

"United (Angels' Anthem)" conveys the idea that all people are one. It draws upon Spiritual concepts from various faiths and backgrounds, including the idea that the Divine is not only everywhere, but is within Us and part of Us - and as such, we can say (philosophically) that we are all part of each other. It's ancient mystical wisdom. The lyric is delivered from the perspective of a fleet of Angels coming to heal the world.  It is their anthem.

This song inspired an entire album! While we continue to work on mixing and mastering the whole album, we decided that the message of two songs in particular could not wait. This is the first single - the song that started us off on an incredible journey. We imagined, as Angels might, how best to heal and inspire this world and the humans in it, who may have forgotten their Divine nature and strength. Unity and Love is where we begin this musical chapter. Thank you so much for listening and allowing us to share these thoughts with you!

We'd deeply appreciate your help in spreading this message of unity by sharing it and encouraging others to share as well. Here are some additional links to "United (Angel's Anthem)" and information.

United (Angels' Anthem) on Apple Music

United (Angels' Anthem) on Spotify

TanyaDiona.com

With Love and gratitude,

T

Some Rain

A walk in the rain can bring a beautiful new perspective.

While rain carries a beauty all its own, it also helps us appreciate the sunshine - much like the way tears of sadness help us know the sweetness of laughter with deeper understanding.

Sometimes in our effort to stay positive and happy, it's tempting to bury our heads in the sand. We don't want to feel the rain.

Only we know how much rain we're capable of dealing with at any particular time. As for me, I'm down for a walk in the rain. I'll meet you out there if you want. I'll understand if you'd rather stay inside though too.

Love you all!
T

Gratitude and Hindsight

Cleaning off some bookshelves, I happened across a receipt. At first, it was hard to make sense out of what I was seeing. Why would I be in a hotel for several days, around the corner from my house? It was from Feb 16th.

Funny. I remember being beside myself at the time - at how crazy it was that both the furnace and hot water heater failed at the same time, filling the house with carbon monoxide; at how the garage doors stopped working after the fire people came; and at how I had a gig to get to that evening. The baby sitter had to wait at the neighbor's house because I had to take the dogs to the kennel after picking up Zachary from school. She had to come with me to the hotel where the show was and watch him there while I performed, then Uber home.

That seemed like the craziest sequence of events ever.

Little did I know.

How fortunate it was to have had both of those household repairs done then. How amazing is it that everything was falling into place ahead of time - a solid month ahead of all this.

If "today me" could go back in time and tell "then me" to be thankful for all those crazy happenings because they were such Blessings...

Gratitude. Oh for the strength of Faith to understand that all things happen for reasons unknown at the time, but always for the good.

Blessed week...

Love,
T

P.S.
On a totally unrelated subject, can anyone explain to me why my watermelon has a mustache??? Is this normal? #randomweirdthings #whatisnormal

It led me to this song:

xo

Blue Skies

 

Sometimes it's really just that simple.

It's amazing how many things we may have taken for granted. Just carelessly running out for groceries was such a Blessing. Wouldn't it be great if we developed a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible Blessings we still enjoy? The sky is so blue and beautiful. 

 

xo

Love,

T