Happy Cat’s Day.
Tag Archive: #Finishing Friday
Here is where I keep myself accountable to me for progress on projects of my passions. But yesterday I got behind and then ahead on this episode.
Sometimes I feel I make other people feel inferior through my checklist. Please don’t. I feel inferior to everyone else in that I’m sure they’re getting other stuff done that they don’t even need to report because they are so good at getting their adulting jobs done that I feel guilty not getting done or just overlook, like dishes and shampooing. The same 24 hours is all we get and we make choices of what we can do. What we need to do. And what we can’t wait to do, leaving other necessities hanging with futile hopes.
And since this blog is attached to ‘Warts and All’ I’ll start with what hasn’t gotten done. My husband asked me today why I haven’t been playing the uke, recorder, or violin. Well, I thank Mrs. Skinner for this sidetrack path straightener.
When I got sick of practicing piano and ready to quit lessons, she came up with this bait and switch. Forced practice came from Mom. But I adore my teacher. She sent me home with her ukulele. It helped so much in bringing me back to the piano.
So in hopes of keeping my music alive I tried the recorders and strings. And sure enough it worked.
When my dad was in the rest home over a decade ago, the lady in the room next to his played her piano all the time. I decided I wanted to grow up to be her, or Huge Lauri of House fame. He would sit down and just play, no sheet music just music.
I’ve been stuck with eye music since I was 5 years old. My goal this time is to learn to improvise and play. Still, there is so much to learn to get to that stage of free-playing. The other instruments help with learning chords and meandering melodies. And a change of positions. So I need to get back to them sometimes.
Duo still rides my stationary bike managing a few lessons for the half-hour 4-5 miles on #3 grade. So… There’s that.
Some things seem harder to see progress.
He understands outside pee time but comes back in to leave a surprise in the hallway right next to the kitty litter.
Oh, the barking! I remember with Kali, all the energy, many of the same issues. I used to say having a dog was 100% harder than raising 4 kids. Yet with love the issues faded and when she passed… Well, I’m still not over her. So I know Milo will get it and the rest of my heart. Any hints to help with these issues? Cats are easy!
On the plus side, these guys are the best audience, source of laughter, and love in furry suits.
On the piano end of things I surprised myself with a whole hour of fun a couple days this week. AND with the discomfort and lack of sleep, my bike time reduced every day but today. I finally got 40 minutes today. Yay!
I have 3 reviews to write. Yeah, being uncomfortable in bed makes me sit up and read. Lots of reading. I like reading in the quiet of night.
How was your week? What positive progress have you seen in your life?
Just following my passions. Book reviews coming soon.
My rebinge of Grey’s Anatomy is a part of ‘Life’ made it to S13E12 out of, what? 22? What’s funny is how the guys join up with me. Sometimes all four of us are watching.
I have finished three books and now need to write reviews.
The furry three take up the rest of my time. They keep us on our toes, laughing, caring, cuddling. Nothing gets finished when hugging or walking these balls of fun energy.
I have to admit that three furry babies take a lot of time and energy. Even when they are the best audience and supportive friends. I’m surprised at my slow progress on everything.
See what I mean?
So here is the best of my Warts and All. Please don’t feel obligated to listen. I know it’s still way slow and bumpy. I am enjoying learning bluesy songs. Classical is predictable; key signatures make sense, rhythms aren’t wonky. Sure, I still make mistakes but I understand why. Modern, blues, jazz I understand in theory but my hands don’t get it sometimes. It doesn’t flow. Modes instead of major and minor throw me off. The one and three beats of classical are now the second and fourth as main beats. Sorry. A lot of excuses for why I’m not perfect. My purpose of this blog and YouTube is to veer away from perfection that is in our faces everyday. So here is God Bless The Child.
Bless you!
I’m still slowly coming around. I’m still doing little bits of everything. What I’m learning in my old age is how even little bits get the job done. What am I on some kind of race? Just with myself. I just need to be patient.
While we’re watching local news I use the stationary bike while working on Duolingo. It’s interesting how the exercise my legs helps my brain.
When I move to my Dabbling Den, Chris hops on the bike. He’s working very hard lately. He went from five minutes to 30 minutes for 5 miles (like I do). We are neck to neck in this gentle race.
From around 10:30 Shiloh and Sammie gather in my Den. Shiloh will walk on the piano keys to let me know what I’m supposed to do. I’ve begun to call her ‘Mom’ as she gets insistent about my practice time. Sammie just sleeps in a little bed under my diamond painting table.
What a busy but good week.
My new air plants found pinecones for homes.
Some things like the bike are hard to show progress. But my feelings about the tasks should be the quantifiable attainment. The gold star sticker is the happy accomplished feeling.
I’ve been working on “Shilo” on the piano in honor of
I keep a practice journal and some pieces shine with my own praise of how well it went, others I actually draw faces sticking out the tongue in raspberries. I keep promising another ‘warts and all’ session. Stagefright keeps stopping me. Soon.
Duolingo is still fun for me. I do it while on the bike as the 11AM local news plays. I think movement while learning helps.
Well here’s to the weekend!😁
Yay! Yarn! Yet more projects are waiting, yearning for attention.
(R)eviewing the creative week.
I’ve finally added vocal warmups to my music time. And as of today I actually accompanied myself to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and God Bless The Child. True my voice was weak as my concentration was on playing. But I take the win that I sang the words. That’s one more line to keep track of.
I seem to only have a half hour on the piano. I’m working increasing my time. I think I’ll try a few quarter hours in the evening.
This is working on the exercise bike. Increasing time or mileage in one sitting. But then grab a ride here and there helps.
And now the daily walks around the yard with Milo, I’m feeling healthier.
Darswords 
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