Fresh Living

I was lucky to be able to stop by and visit Kari Hawker Diaz on KUTV’s “Fresh Living” midday program. We talked about my book, “The Hope at the End of the Tunnel,” grief and life after. I so appreciate these media friends who help me get the word out about my book as I truly believe it would be very helpful to someone in those early stages of grief.

Prosecco Tastes Like…

For my next trick – Music! I already shared that I’m trying to commit to cooking more – more real meals with actual ingredients and limited use of a microwave. Which I’ve already accomplished for January! I did my chicken n’ dumplings and last night I tried some chicken meatballs that were decent but likely not worth making again. But I did it!

But my other goal for the year – and I’ve made a promise to myself – is that I’ll try to share one original song a month. Yikes, right? It’s one thing to share that I’m cooking beginner recipes I didn’t create. But to put a little chunk of my heart and soul out into the world for anyone to pick apart, stomp on or worse, maybe, not care about, is a big ask.

When I first started writing songs, I thought that could be fulfilling enough – that I could create a tune just for creation’s sake. In fact, I was even hesitant to tell anyone I was writing songs at all – What if they think I’m ridiculous? What’s the point, right? 

Then I slowly started telling a few people but sharing songs with no one. I would mention it like I do my journaling – just a quick mention so people have a understanding of how I spend my time but I certainly wouldn’t share them. Yikes – can you imagine? How embarrassing!

But each time I finish one, I feel like I’m doing it a disservice if I don’t let it live its own life. It feels wrong to keep it captive in my notebook. What if no one ever hears it? What if it has a line or two that could help somebody somewhere?

Annnnnyway, I started by sharing a song or two with my sister; mostly offered up as a joke of sorts in case she laughed at me or worse, the song. But she didn’t. Isn’t it wonderful to be taken seriously?

I’ve been teaching myself to play guitar over the past six years and I’ve only been writing music for five maybe? I have friends who are real musicians and I guess I have a hard time putting myself in that category. I don’t know how to add all the riffs and things that make songs catchy, but I have the bones and structure. Riffs can be added at another time, right?

So here it is – I kept my promise to myself and I shared “Prosecco Tastes Like…” with the world – at least my world on Facebook and Instagram.

January – check!

(Now I need a drink 😉