When in Doubt... Go Up

Did you ever get a song stuck in your head and wonder why?  Maybe it’s just one of those darn catchy ones that you hear over and over like a commercial and can't shake.  Maybe there’s another reason…

It’s been a hectic week filled with upheaval and uncertainty.  As we were on a long drive home, Russ played a song I thought might be uplifting, but turned out instead to be rather sad.  I immediately asked him to play another song that I thought might have more of an inspiring effect.  It did – and then I couldn’t stop singing it for two days:

You fill up my senses

Like a night in the forest

Like the mountains in springtime

Like a walk in the rain

Like a storm in the desert

Like a sleepy blue ocean

You fill up my senses – Come fill me again

Come let me love you

Let me give my life to you

Let me drown in your laughter

Let me die in your arms

Let me lay down beside you

Let me always be with you

Come let me love you – Come love me again

(Annie's Song, John Denver)

John Denver's "Annie's Song" on YouTube - click here

As I searched for a blog idea, I was hoping to find inspiration in services at church.  There, during the lecture, I was reminded that most often we can find the answers we seek in silence and in peace; and I was also reminded how oftentimes, we are too busy and loud to just sit and listen to our inner voice.  In times of turmoil, stress or change we might simply quiet ourselves, meditate, breathe and just be still.  That’s when the answers come.

Okay.  I can do that…

I joined the group meditation in the service.  I closed my eyes and felt only my breath.  They were playing a relaxing instrumental song with a flute in the background.  It was as if some distant flute player was calling me toward something – like some happy idea-thought was waiting for me just beyond a hill I had to first climb over.  As I relaxed into my breath, I felt like I was floating upward toward this happy idea-thought, being drawn to it like some kind of balloon.  (Hey! This might work!)

Then it occurred to me… I’ve already done this!  I had been singing a song I found beautiful and comforting.  I had been repeating it like a mantra.  I kept returning to the words that I found joyous and uplifting.  Without even realizing, I had been giving myself a message.  My inner voice had been singing to me.  :)

Many of us know that we want to move away from stress and toward happiness, but often we’re not sure HOW. 

How’s this?  Take a few moments of quiet and listen.  What are we already saying to ourselves?  In times of doubt and uncertainty, I am going to try and remember to continue moving toward the joy – to find some happy thought or feeling and cling to it consciously.  I’ll seek something uplifting.

When in doubt, I’ll go up.

Maybe I'll sing...

Burning the Bowl...

Last week, Russ and I participated in a “Burning Bowl” ceremony in preparation and celebration of the New Year to come.  It was a new and inspiring event for me.

Basically, You write on a piece of paper all that You wish to release (all that no longer serves Your highest good).  Then burn it in a bowl as part of a sacred ceremony.  In this way, You bring to Your consciousness, all that You wish to let go of, in order that You make room for the new. 

A fitting service for the beginning of the New Year, the tradition appears to have originated in Unity Churches about fifty years ago.  There are many similar types of traditions (of course).  One popular site that comes up when You Google “Burning Bowl Ceremony” includes philosophies of Reiki.  (“A Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing” – Reiki.org)

  

Reiki Burning Bowl Ceremony link... click here

In Judaism, there’s a ritual called “Tashlich” that is most commonly performed during Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year.  This involves the symbolic “casting off” of the previous year’s sins by throwing bread into flowing water.

Tashlich link... click here

We could make resolutions that may or may not last until the end of January.  We could also look at patterns in Our life – things We wish to change or let go of.  Then actually let go and invite new thoughts, ideas, creations, situations to enter Our lives. 

In Oprah’s Master Class, she speaks of letting go in terms of “surrender” – as in surrendering to God. 

Oprah's Master Class on YouTube... click here

Oftentimes, habits are hard to break because We tend to cling to what We know.  New frontiers tend to be scary.  But why?  Do they have to be?  Or, is that just one of the old and outdated views that no longer serves?  New frontiers can also bring great joy and excitement!  

As We enter this New Year… I embrace the choice to step boldly into the unknown frontier!

In My own album's opening song “Only Way Home” I say, “Boldly forward is the way back home…” meaning that this is the way to true peace and happiness.  (Isn’t it funny how We all benefit greatly from reminders of that which We already know?)

"Only Way Home" - click here to listen

Anyway, on this the first day of the New Year, I wish You all a beautiful new beginning and the ability and peace of heart to embrace it fully.

I truly believe that Our most precious dreams, goals and aspirations await Us patiently.  May We all have the courage, strength, faith and wisdom to step ever so closer to them on this, Our earthly journey this year.

“Once again I find I’m standing face to face – with a destiny that seems to patiently await” (lines from one of our new songs)

Blessings for the Year to come! Xoxo

Namaste

OK, THAT'S IT - Fire Prevention

OK THAT’S IT! 

It’s time to take some action…

Last week there was a big fire on my street.  I woke up to what sounded like a big “gong” sound that reverberated for a long time – too long to be a normal bang of metal.  I looked out the window to see smoke billowing over the top of my garage and immediately went outside to see the whole neighborhood watching the building a few doors down.  It was engulfed in flames. 

A neighbor yelled for me to go close my windows as the smoke clouded the air.  After I did that, I joined a number of people combing the area looking for the two dogs that belonged to the owner of the burning building.  They were later found unharmed. 

Thankfully, there were no people or animals injured in the fire.  It could have been much, much worse.  The charred remains of the building and the business it housed are still a terrible and frightening loss.  The accidental fire was apparently the result of a stray spark caused by welding equipment.

The neighborhood community gathered outside for two hours while the street was filled with fire trucks and equipment, sheriff cars, EMTs, and concerned citizens.  We had much to think about. 

Seeing all of that smoke and watching helplessly, we each reviewed our own moments in which we realized something was terribly wrong.  We were all standing ready to help in any way we could.  I felt like I wanted to do something.

I started reviewing the particulars of my own home’s fire safety.  Do I have combustibles?  Are they stored properly?  Are the fire detectors working?  How old are the fire extinguishers?  What did I do with that lamp that seemed like it was getting too hot?  I wanted to go through the whole place checking for any possible dangers.

In talking to many people about the experience of that day, I found that a lot of people have little household hazards that can turn into major tragedies.  Is there some nagging little voice that you’ve been ignoring telling you to put a new battery in the smoke detector?  Do you have a fire extinguisher?  Is there an appliance with a bad cord you’ve been meaning to replace?  What about that extension cord with way too many things plugged in?

Click here for fire safety tip sheets from the National Fire Protection Association

Let’s make this unfortunate loss motivate us to take some action.  Let’s give some meaning to this sad event by making it the catalyst for positive change in our own homes.  Let’s review the safety of our homes and businesses and actually do something to make them safer.

That’s it.

Xoxo

 Fire Prevention week: Oct 7-13th

Click here for info on Fire Prevention week

Click here for great (and VERY cute) video with Sparky - the fire dog

St. Maarten...

I thought I would have a quiet week, just me and the dogs…  Then Russ called and said that Ms. Roberta Flack would like me to call her that evening...  The next thing you know, I am flying around the house packing, making lists, checking the stove, driving off to airport, learning songs, rushing through NYC traffic to rehearsal, packing again, flying off to St. Maarten, trying to stuff more songs into my head, FREAKING OUT like a groupie over Maxi Priest, taking video on my hotel balcony at 5:37AM, hopping back on a plane, packing again, back in the car and finally collapsing right back where I was a week ago… Maybe I can sit still for a while THIS week (probably not - LOL). 

People have told me that I am “so lucky” when they see this video of my hotel balcony view.  I am indeed very Blessed, but not in exactly the way they probably think.  Although the Island was beautiful and it was definitely a privilege to be there and to see it, I was not on vacation in St. Maarten (at least not the way most people think of vacation).

View from my hotel balcony

When other people (there on vacation) were enjoying the sun and relaxing, I was worrying myself to death about remembering my harmony parts.  I trotted through a sea of tanned sunbathers, who were playing BINGO and drinking fruity cocktails by the pool bar, in a mad dash to eat quickly and gather my electronics from the room in time for the bus that would take us to soundcheck.  While tourists cooled themselves in the ocean, we baked in the hot sun checking microphones and running through songs on stage – and finally, while most of the Island slept, I jumped in the pool at 3:30AM, because it was the only time that I could, and took pictures off the balcony at 5:30AM.  Some band members never slept at all.  But you wouldn't hear any of us complain - this is what we do, and we all LOVE it.

Soundcheck

Soundcheck

Soundcheck

While my schedule and activities might have been different than what most people think of doing when they go to a Caribbean Island for the weekend, I had an absolute BLAST just the same.  The lucky (or Blessed, rather) part for me is that I LOVE working on music and being part of the band of musicians.  Oftentimes, we work while others are “playing” (although it’s funny how we say that we are “playing” music).  We are incredibly fortunate in that we are able to work at something we truly enjoy. 

Dinner with some band and crew members before the show...

At dinner... I was still reviewing my parts on headphones

St. Maarten is beautiful.  It was rainy and windy when we first arrived (Friday) – Tropical Storm Ernesto was responsible for cancelled flights and we worried for a little while if some band members flying from Barbados and NYC would make it.  They did, and the weather cleared up nicely for the day of the show (Saturday). 

From the bus window en route to soundcheck

I was so excited about singing behind Maxi Priest!  (For those of you who don’t know, my first professional music experiences were when I joined a reggae band in Buffalo, NY.  We used to cover some Maxi Priest songs and I felt like I journeyed back to my musical roots when I heard those familiar rhythms and melodies.)  Although I was there as a singer with Ms. Roberta Flack’s band, she once recorded a very successful duet with Maxi Priest and they would be singing it in this show.  Maxi performed with his own band as well as for the duet with us.  I danced around on the side of the stage during his set – AND OH!  I forgot to tell you… I knew Maxi’s guitar player!  I sang in a band in Brooklyn when I first moved to New York and J.J. was a part of that band.  I hadn’t seen him in years and it was so nice to see him and reminisce.

Russell Graham, me, J.J. Sansaverino

Our set followed Maxi’s.  Ms. Roberta Flack is one classy lady.  I’m quite sure I would like to be her when I grow up.  It is an absolute privilege and honor to be a part of her band and performance.  She has a love and passion for music that shines through in everything she does and it just makes you smile.  She performed some of her classics as well as some from her new album of Beatles material that recently came out.  Her band consists of INCREDIBLE musicians who are also beautiful people and it's just a pleasure to be a part of her family of musicians – and staff and crew.

Click here to preview "Let It Be Roberta" - in iTunes

It was a late show – our set started after midnight and we didn’t end until sometime close to 2AM.  I got a picture with Maxi Priest! J.J. (guitar player) introduced me.  Maxi was so nice – and didn’t mind our taking pictures at all.

Me and Maxi Priest!

Russell Graham, Maxi Priest

After we got back to the hotel, I knew it was my only chance to get into the pool.  So despite the fact that I had to be in the lobby and ready to go back to the airport at 9:45AM, and it was already 3:30AM, I changed, went back downstairs, eased into the cooler, night water and swam up to the pool bar (then closed).  The sun was just coming up when I finally got all packed up and went to bed.  The last pictures I took were of the moon still high in the sky as the whole horizon was illuminated by the sun.

Can you believe this is the MOON!?

Easier to tell here...

After we arrived back in NYC and were saying our goodbyes, Ms. Flack told us to go on and write some songs now… vocalize, music music music… there’s no time to waste…

OK Ms. Flack.  Thank you.

Xoxo!

"Physical Perfection"

Just now, as I got out the computer to write this blog (which was going to be about my “vacation”) I picked up the book sitting here on the table as the machine was booting up.

The book is called “Everybody’s Life Preserver” and this copy is about one hundred and forty years old.  I bought it at a farmer’s flea market and auction we attended a few weeks ago.  I don’t know… it looked interesting and it was clearly old.  I opened and read a few sections and wanted to read more.  So, although the guy wanted twenty bucks for it (which really seemed like a lot compared to most other things at this flea market) I gave him the money and brought it home.

The first paragraph on the page I opened up to just now said this:

“We may say, with great truth, that the material glory, permanence, and power of any community consists in the physical vigor of the individual men and women who compose it; for physical perfection gives mental energy and mental health.”

I was inspired.  I thought of those Olympic swimmers we were watching last night.  (While watching, my sister, who currently has three jobs, turned to me and said that watching those tremendous athletes made her feel like the laziest person in the world.  “Me too,” was my response.)  I’ve been trying to eat healthy and get in better shape, but something always seems to prevent me from eating and exercising the way I should.

I ran into the kitchen, where Mom was, and read her this paragraph aloud after proclaiming, “Listen!  Listen!  This is why we have to get up and exercise tomorrow!”

As she slowly turned from the sink, our eyes met and she never had a chance to speak.  The laughter was instantaneous for both of us…  I had forgotten that she was making s'mores…

:) :) :)

Cheers!  Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

xoxo

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Ahhh… home.  Family reunion time… summer heat… barbeque and homemade sausage… good friends… water balloon launches… laughter… children playing… smiling faces… salad fresh from the garden… (I could go on for a good long while here).

Anyway, I had an absolutely FANTASTIC time at our lovely event this weekend at The Book Nook!  There was something so perfectly right about singing “Only Way Home” here at home – like comfort food.  Like a bowl of hot chili on a cold fall night – or a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day – or that blast of cool air that hits you when you open the fridge to get it (I’m going on again).  It was just great.  Family was there, neighbors, good people, and new friends.  It was a beautiful day with wonderful folks and a benefit for a great cause.

Richard Donovan, Andreanna Dolce, Mark Balzer, Mary Beth Dolce, A.J. Dolce, Frank Zaccari, Tanya Diona, Russell Graham

 Want to know my favorite part?

How could there possibly be a favorite moment in a sea of precious moments?  There were really a few “stand out” moments for me.  One was when my little, nine year old cousin was amazed that my youngest sister was younger than me!  She thought for sure that I must be the youngest one – a statement for which I proclaimed her to be “my favorite kid” - but there were a couple of others that were tops too.

One was when a very nice lady was telling me about how she loved the song “Spend My Life” and that she planned on playing it for her special guy and how it could be “their song.”  LOVED THAT! (You all know who you are) xoxo!

But how about when during the song “Only Way Home” a gentleman smiled and made a phone call, talked hurriedly then held the phone up for the other on the line to hear…  He told me afterwards that the song spoke to him, mainly because it was exactly suited for a friend of his, who had recently returned home.  He bought a copy for her and I signed it with a quote from the song… “Boldly forward is the way back home.” 

Click here to play "Only Way Home"

There is something simply amazing that happens when a song does its job.  When people hear it and relate, when the pieces all come together and clarity shines down.  This is what a song is supposed to do.  This is why we write and record.  This is why we sing and perform – to touch people.  I am reminded of the reason for EVERYTHING.

Music has (obviously) had a profound and deeply moving effect on my life.  For me, those feelings are all too familiar - when the music we hear inspires us, makes us cry, gets us in touch with our own feelings, helps us understand others, provides an emotional release, or just inspires great fun and laughter, or love.  It’s just perfect when these things happen.  It’s even more perfect when you can see those things in action - when you can actually see a song come to life in the hearts of others.

Thank you to all who came and supported the event.  Thanks for all who listen and allow the music to somehow move you.  It’s my favorite thing in the world…

God Bless,

T

Click here for event announcement in The Dunkirk Observer

 Click here for recap of event in The Dunkirk Observer

Life Is Short...

Ninety-one years go by so fast…  Today, we celebrate the life of Grandma Bertha.  

Danielle, Grandma Bertha, Russell

In loving memory... we'll carry you with us everywhere.

Click here to play "Everywhere"

EVERYWHERE

In my solitude 

I sometimes think of you 

Where I am lost, you’d know what to do 

When I can’t break free 

Gripped by uncertainty 

I go searching for some truth to comfort me 

Deep in the night 

When the answers come 

I can smile 

Feel the warmth of love rush through my soul 

And I know, I know 

**Chorus** 

I know that you’re here 

I feel you in the air 

You’re everywhere 

And when I close my eyes 

I can see so clear 

That you are always here 

You’re everywhere with me 

I’m filled with gratitude 

Though you never truly knew 

All you have done for me 

Now I thank you 

You have blessed me 

Incredibly 

Because of you, faith guides my destiny 

I pray that you never doubt 

What your life was all about 

You touched us so 

And I know 

I know 

**Chorus** 

You stand with your wings 

And all of these earthly things 

Slip away, into the deep (Off to sleep) 

The true you stays the same 

You remain 

**Chorus** 

With me 

I know 

You are here 

In the air 

Everywhere 

I close 

My eyes 

See so clear 

Always here 

Everywhere

from Nothing To Prove​.​.​. Something To Say, released 04 July 2010
Written by: Tanya Diona (BMI), Lawrence J. Diggs (ASCAP), and Russell Graham (ASCAP)

Russell, Grandma Bertha