Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

[Actually, this was taken in my backyard quite some time ago.]

And so comes winter. It brings a lot of things along with it. First, it's the smell of Christmas trees and apple cider. It brings the feeling of a warm wool scarf around your neck. It's breathing deeply the sharp air of December, yet completely enjoying the adrenaline rush you get from it. It brings the sound of a crackling fire. It's laughing and scooping the pure, crisp snow fort he intent of pelting one's brother with snow balls. [Okay, I just had to put that in there :) ]

But then... it gets old kinda fast. January comes, and sunshinyness goes into hibernation until April. The formerly fresh air becomes stale very quickly. The wind that used to laugh and playfully toss one's scarf about becomes sharp and no longer so innocent. The darkness closes in long before we are ready [for which our parents often say, "Go do your algebra."].

And then... spring comes :) Life comes back into play. It's simply splendid. Everything seems eager to begin again. The trees are bright and bubbling over with new colors, and everything seems fresh and lively again :)

In case I don't get on til then... Have a very merry Christmas :)

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In a way, it's someone else's story...

My voice teacher just gave me lovely new song to work on, and I thought I'd share it with you :)

It's called "Someone Else's Story," from Chess (the musical). Really, the context is saddening, but the song sounds pretty. It's very easily sung (I think my teacher gave it to me as a break from all the more extensive songs I'm working on.), but it's fun because I get to show off some of my lower notes :) Anywho, enjoy!

Someone Else's Story

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet I wish it wasn't so
Will he miss me if I go?

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see
The writing on the wall
Sadly
She realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
And though there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay?

It's all very well to say you fool it's now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever.
I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line

And if
That girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, the girl is me.

December is.....

• Hi Neighbor Month,


• National Stress Free Family Holiday Month,


• Bingo's Birthday Month, and


• Read A New Book Month,


• Write to a Friend Month,


• Bingo Month,


• National Tie Month,


• Rising Star,