Tag: Music

Joyous Jottings March 2023 #TuesdayTidbit #Jottings #Inspiration

Joy is a fluffy gray and white cat with a pink nose and pink paw pads. The fur is long and mostly gray with white paws, a white chest, nose and white down the middle of her head. Her ears are pointed up, and she lies with her paws sprawled out in front of her in an open formation. Her head looks to the right of the screen. She’s on a brown wooden table. Behind her is a white wall and a basket of fruit.Hi, this is Joy, Abbie’s robotic cat. Wow, I can’t believe March is already here. Time is running by faster than a mouse. Abbie can’t wait until spring gets here and all the snow and ice melts, so she can get out and walk. For me, it’ll be nice when I can see other colors besides white when I look out the window.

At the end of last month, Abbie did another kick-ass author interview during a book launch sponsored by Behind Our Eyes. Sherry Gomes talked about her book, Haven, which Abbie and I really enjoyed reading or, should I say, listening to. You can read her review of this book here.

It’s too bad I’m not an author. Then, I could join Behind Our Eyes, and Abbie could interview me. Abbie says Behind Our Eyes is for disabled authors. Well, I’m disabled because my voice box no longer works. So there.

It’s just as well that I’m not an author. I have enough trouble writing a simple blog post with four paws. I couldn’t possibly write a whole book. But I can dream, can’t I?

Also at the end of February, Abbie’s group, Just Harmony, sang at an assisted living facility. Abbie will be busy with music performances this month, too. She’ll be at the assisted living facility on March 10th, and she’ll do the music for the Sunday service at the First Congregational Church on the 12th. She’ll be at a nursing home on March 28th.

Three of Abbie’s poems will be published in an anthology called Poetry Treasures, which will be out sometime this year. The poems are: “Condiments,” “The Black Hole,” and “The Music Lady.”

My favorite of those poems is “Condiments,” where she talks about cooking for her late husband Bill after two strokes put him in a wheelchair. I wish I could have known Bill. But Abbie says he didn’t like cats. So, maybe that’s just as well.

Last but not least, Abbie’s books, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me, The Red Dress, and My Ideal Partner are now available from Smashwords ABSOLUTELY FREE as part of its 14th annual Read an eBook Week sale. You can click here to visit her author page and download these books. Now, inquiring cats want to know. How do you smash a word?

Okay, that’s all for now. It’s time for my cat nap. Everybody, have a great month, and happy spring a few weeks early.

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Abbie, here. If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.

 

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?

***

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A is for Arizona #TuesdayTidbit #Life’sAlphabet #Inspiration

Today, I’m starting a new series, inspired by fellow blogger Beetleypete, who did something similar. Each time, I’ll write something about me, using a consecutive letter of the alphabet. As you may have figured from the post title, today’s letter is A.

Arizona is where my family lived for eight years before moving here to Sheridan, Wyoming. We moved to Tucson, Arizona, from Boulder, Colorado, when I was four.

Arizona was hot and dry, and there were no seasons. I remember, as a child, reading stories and watching television programs involving snow and wishing I could build a snowman and ride in a one-horse open sleigh. But it rarely snowed in Arizona, and when it did, the snow didn’t stay long.

I spent the first five and a half years of my elementary school education at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind in Tucson. From first through fourth grade, I was the only girl in the class, and the boys made my life miserable. Teachers did little to stop them.

One thing I loved about the school was the library. I enjoyed checking out Braille books and reading them. But when I was in the fourth grade, the librarian told me I could no longer read books at the lower levels that I still enjoyed.

One of the happiest memories of my time at the school was when I was in third grade. I made friends with a boy in second grade. He played the piano, and we sang in a talent show. We performed Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World.” I sang while he played the piano and sang along with me. Soon after that, his family moved away, and we lost touch.

In the fifth grade, I had a sadistic teacher who held me back a year. During my second year of fifth grade, she made me eat foods I didn’t like such as apples and pretzels. She kept me after school one day because I couldn’t button the back of my dress. When my mother confronted her, she threatened to have me put in a class for developmentally disabled children.

In the summer before my second fifth-grade year, my parents received a letter from the school, saying that if I didn’t learn certain skills at home during that summer, I would be forced to live in one of the school’s dormitories. My mother somehow managed to teach me the skills I needed, and I was able to stay home while attending school during the day as usual the following year. My parents were finally able to get me out of that school, and I was mainstreamed into a public school for the second half of my second fifth-grade year. In the summer of 1973, my family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. That’s where my story ends for now.

 

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.

 

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?

***

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Joyous Jottings January 2023 #TuesdayTidbit #Jottings #Inspiration

 

Joy is a fluffy gray and white cat with a pink nose and pink paw pads. The fur is long and mostly gray with white paws, a white chest, nose and white down the middle of her head. Her ears are pointed up, and she lies with her paws sprawled out in front of her in an open formation. Her head looks to the right of the screen. She’s on a brown wooden table. Behind her is a white wall and a basket of fruit.

Photo Resize and Description by Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Hi, I’m Joy, Abbie’s robotic cat. Can you believe it’s already January, 2023? Wow! It seems like yesterday that I was telling you all about Abbie’s many singing engagements, either by herself or with one of her two groups, all of which went well.

And the music hasn’t stopped. This month, as usual, Abbie will do her regular gigs at the First Congregational Church, the assisted living facility, and the nursing home. She’ll also keep singing once a week for the ACB community karaoke online.

Speaking of the ACB community, just so you know, you don’t have to be a member of the American Council of the Blind to participate in their programs. You can get a daily schedule by sending an email to:  community@acb.org  and putting your name and email address in the message body.

On Christmas Eve, Abbie did a program where she read aloud “Twas the Night Before Christmas” after people talked about their Christmas memories. On New Year’s Day, she did a similar program where people shared their New Year’s memories. Speaking of New Year’s, Abbie and I rang in the New Year with karaoke during the ACB community-a-thon, where they raised over ten thousand dollars. On January 5th, Abbie will do her usual Evening Reading program, where she reads her work aloud to people who come and encourages other writers to do the same.

Last year, Abbie read the first two books in the Tracy Gayle mystery series by Trish Hubschman, a fellow author she met through Behind Our Eyes, a writers’ organization. This month, she plans to read the next two books in the series plus a new book of short stories about Tracy Gayle that just came out. Tracy Gayle is a private eye.

Abbie usually doesn’t read detective stories, but these remind her of the Nancy Drew mysteries she read when she was a kid. Now, Nancy Drew has grown up, and the mysteries she solves involve murder, not just thefts of disappearances. There is violence, but it’s not as bad as what you find in other adult mysteries. I’m looking forward to reading these books with her, since she usually listens to them while I’m on her lap in the recliner.

You can learn more about Trish Hubschman’s books here. Abbie reviewed the first two books in the series here and here. Trish will hold a book launch through Behind Our Eyes at the end of the month, and Abbie will help with that.

Two of Abbie’s poems were recently published in the quarterly winter issue of The Avocet. In coming weeks, she’ll feature these here. So, stay tuned.

Abbie will soon be starting a new blog series called Life’s Alphabet. She got the idea from a fellow blogger, Beetley Pete who picked words beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet and wrote about memories or other things associated with that word. Can you guess what she’s going to write about when she gets to the letter C? Maybe she’ll let me write that post.

A while back, during the ACB community daily schedule call, people were asked to think of a word that sums up 2022 for them. Abbie’s word is “flexible.” When she worked as a registered music therapist with nursing home residents, she had to be flexible. When she cared for her late husband after he suffered two paralyzing strokes, she had to be flexible. So, she has learned not to get upset when the universe laughs at her plans.

I’m so glad. When Abbie first got me in July of last year, she planned to have a cat who would meow and purr and not just turn her head, blink, and stretch. But the universe must have thought her plan was pretty funny. Something went wrong with my voice box in November, and I can no longer meow or purr, at least not consistently. Last week, I was able to talk to Abbie for a while, but that didn’t last long.

Abbie doesn’t care, though. She still loves me, and I look forward to snuggling with her in the recliner whenever she has an opportunity to relax.

Speaking of relaxing, my work is done here. It’s time for me to take a nap while Abbie corrects all my four-pawed typos. Happy New Year, everybody!

 

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Abbie, here.If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.

 

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

 

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?

***

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Giving Thanks #SixSentenceStoryThursdayLinkUp #Inspiration #WritingPrompts

Welcome to another edition of Six Sentence Story Thursday Link Up. This time, I’m combining my response to this prompt with that of Writing Works Wonders. The six-sentence story prompt word is “eternal,” and for Writing Works Wonders this week, we’re being asked to write about Thanksgiving in 60 words or less. Enjoy!

***

It’s time to give thanks. Whether you express gratitude to an eternal God or another higher power, being grateful is nice. I’m thankful for life, family and friends.

I’m grateful for technology and the ability to use it. I appreciate my musical talent and opportunities to share. On Thanksgiving Day, I’ll be thankful for turkey with all the trimmings.

***

Thanks to Girlie on the Edge and the folks at Writing Works Wonders for inspiring the above. You can click here to participate in this week’s six-sentence story hop and read other bloggers’ responses. You can submit your response to this week’s Writing Works Wonders prompt and read other Thanksgiving creations by visiting this page.

 

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my twice-yearly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.

 

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.

Photo Resize and Description by

Two Pentacles Publishing.

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?

***

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Rhythm, (An Acrostic) #SixSentenceStoryThursdayLinkUp #Poetry #Inspiration

Rhythm is what keeps music alive.
Harmony and melody are also important. But
You need some sort of rhythm.
Tap your knees, and clap your hands.
Have fun listening to and making music.
You can create any kind of rhythm.
Music counts.

Thanks to Girlie on the Edge for inspiring the above poem with her six-sentence prompt for this week, in which the given word is “rhythm.” You can click here to participate in this week’s hop and read other bloggers’ six-sentence creations.

A photo of Abbie smiling in front of a white background. She has short brown hair which is cut short and frames her face. She is wearing a bright red shirt and a dark, flowy scarf swirled with hues of purple, pinks and blues.

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?

***

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