PHOTO BY TAYLOR

Ahhhhhhh. . . It's Time For Therapy

I have been living contrary to the counsel given to Joseph Smith in D&C 10:4 "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength..." and I am really suffering for it. I do for everyone else and I come last. Sound familiar? Well, today I decided that I was taking time for me and in looking around for something to do, I spied my lonely little piano in the corner of the living room. That was when I realized I hadn't played any "just-for-fun" music on it in a a very long time. I play quite often, but only to practice music for the Community Theater play, or to practice choir music, or to learn music for One Voice. I got all my piano music out and began playing. In the middle of one particularly beautiful song by David Lanz, I nearly started crying because it felt so good. I realized that this was the best therapy I could ever experience. I used to spend hours singing and playing the piano. "Why haven't I done this for so long," I wondered. I made a date with myself - tomorrow: same time--same place. I will in heaven.

I am posting this photo Taylor took, I am assuming of his wife Shannon. It is beautifully simple.

Road Trip With the Girls

No matter what age you are or what stage of life you are in at the moment, a road trip with the girls is GREAT!!! We - meaning Sandra, Millie, Melissa, Callie, and myself - went to SLC for 1-1/2 days. Our group "One Voice" was invited to sing at the Utah State Capitol for one of the opening ceremonies of the Senate session. We were asked to sing the national anthem and "Utah We Love Thee" (not my favorite song, but oh well...). Sandra took a video which I was hoping to post, but I don't have it from Millie yet. I will put it on as soon as I get it. We had to leave at 9:00 p.m. because of conflicts with our schedules, so we could be fresh and ready to sing at 8:00 a.m. the next morning. I drove and we talked and laughed the entire time - except for Sandra who slept most of the time. She falls asleep every time we go anywhere, unless she is driving. We pulled into SLC about 12:30 a.m. and shared a hotel room downtown- 2 queens and a sofa bed.



I don't know if it was an honor to be asked to sing, or if it was just a usual day in the Senate and each of the senators get to choose someone to perform. But whatever the circumstance, we had fun. My sister-in-law, Erica Pinegar, came to be with us and give moral support. Nice of her. After we sang, the ladies went on a tour of the Capitol Building, but I had just been there a few weeks ago with my family, so I stayed in the Senate and watched the events. Very informative and interesting to see how it all works. I had attended sessions in the House of Representatives before, but never the Senate. Everyone needs to see how the bills come to be and how they are passed. Sometimes it seemed as if no one was even paying attention but they voted when called upon, and I am hoping they already knew what bills they wanted to support.



The rest of the morning and afternoon was filled with music and shopping. We spent about 2 hours in Day Murray Music finding music for our group. I sat at the piano and the others brought me music to try. I would play it and sing it, or whoever wanted to joined in sightreading. We picked some great songs. Next was shopping at Ikea, then another fun-filled 3-hour ride home.



We already have the next trip planned - a concert in May to see Celtic Women at the E Center. Look out Salt Lake - Here we come!!!