Tag Archive: keyboard


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.

Shiloh sleeps waiting for me.
Shiloh makes it hard to skip piano. So I’ll need to plug in other musical play elsewhere in my day.
Scrap socks 1 Milo refuses to look.
Scrap socks 2
Watermelon socks
Blue boho socks. Not much progress for research booklets.

Duo still rides my stationary bike managing a few lessons for the half-hour 4-5 miles on #3 grade. So… There’s that.


Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “crackle.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

So, yeah. That snap, crackle, and pop and trio of groans are from my son, my brother, and I after rearranging Dar’s Dabbling Den. It was a LOT of work. But worth it.

Part of this is for the exciting thing I don’t want to jinx by speaking it.

Also, I wanted my keyboard to work on improv and composition for this year’s goal.

Nothing much changed with the piano. Except in all the music I found one of my favorite songs, Ash Grove. I can play it on my soprano recorder. But this is the one I learned in voice class. It was worming through my head as my family and I gathered when my grandmother was passing. I felt badly when my cousin asked me to sing. I couldn’t remember the words, nor could I come up with another song at the moment.
Oops! I forgot to move the wig stand and vases. Of course, they’ll need a new home. The silver thing at the fold of the keyboard stand is a music stand. His name is Fernand.
This is the diamond painting area, or other art attempts. The little shelf behind stands on our old dining table. It’s still strong but we never use it due to surface damage. For now, it holds bottled water and now my ‘arts’ shelves.
Stepping back, you see my room dividers a bookshelf and an old screen. Sorry, I accidentally left the box of cleaning supplies. Oh, well. You get the idea.

I’m going to be happy with this new room. My body is going to hate me. I’m so blessed to have David and Dana here to help out.

Can you hear the crackle of my bones?


YAY! My brother likes his socks!

He likes the arch ribbing like I do.

Just for review: these were Turkish cast-on. Chiaogoo needles Two at a Time socks. Then arch ribbing. Fleegle Heel, my favorite.

I thought I was finished at a 2″ cuff, but my brother needed a longer one for his boots. Otherwise, I would have been finished on his birthday.

Towards the end I had to rely on Advil and Aspercreme. But now my hands can rest a bit.

I found a bunch of unfinished WIPs. Here are a couple calling me:

Maybe I make me watermelon socks?
Or, should I make another pair from these?
Now I can finish the larger size basket weave hat.

I’m nearly finished with Smiling Turtle!

Just got the top little bit. I like this so much it may go on my bathroom wall. I think the blues will blend or compliment the vague color palette. Besides, that smile will make me happy.

I think next week I’ll record my favorite songs. I’m loving Going Home, God Bless The Child, Just the Way You Are, and a few more. With my new enthusiasm for improv or composition I now have a keyboard within reach of my every perch. (Recliner, bed, Dabbling Den)

I didn’t get ‘Dar’s Dabbling Den’ rearranged yet. I want to make more room for my Yamaha keyboard near my piano. Maybe this weekend?

I’d like to make it easier to switch gears, bring in violin, ukulele, recorders, art challenges, podcast or book narrations.

Since COVID months ago, I’ve not been able to get faster than 5 miles in 35. But I’m still trying. And now that spring may have arrived I need to find walking time. Still a work in progress!

Oh, and I am three book reviews behind.

Duolingo still plugs along. I seem more focused on Italian. It’s easier.  I still visit the other languages when the spirit moves me.😉

Finishing Friday


Can I finish 5 more knitted rows and about 7 rows of ribbing before midnight tomorrow night? And not feel crippled for days after? I’m going to try. I rarely am able to present homemade presents on time. This wins closest time.😏
This is last week’s photo as I’ve spent yarning time on the socks. Oh, well, soon this hat will get it’s turn.

Smiling Turtle is nearly finished. This last bit, at the top, but worked upside down, bottom may take a week. I better find a new project, soon! Oops! Found a sunset DP in my project box to open. Yay!

In my musical world…

Big changes coming this weekend, I hope.

Main attraction
Protected diamond painting area.
Hobby shelves

My weekend project is to move that hobby shelving unit will go on the old dining table behind my DP table. It’ll work as a room divider, so folks in the kitchen don’t distract me as I play the piano or Diamond Paint. That empties the spot under the window to put up my keyboard. More help towards the improving/composition goal for the year.

Along those lines I pulled out my Miracle Keyboard to play chords and such while in the living room. Now, no matter where I land there are ivories to play (okay, no elephants were harmed for these–unless they are plastic pachyderms 😉). At least with the keyboards, I can don earphones.

By the way, did any of you have the Miracle Keyboard that attached to your computer. The lessons were games. My daughter learned to play using that system. I looked all over to show you the cute games it came with, but it took a deep dive for very little enjoyment.

Anyway, that’s what’s finishing me this Friday. How are you all doing?

Dar49 Daily


Dar49 Daily. Is out! This one was so good I went into heavy research with a couple of the topic. Hope you enjoy it, too!

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