The room is dark and cool, Thomas Otten softly plays as the dog snores gently between us. Countless nighttimes of comfort and routine, a precious gift, soul to soul; the trust, the love, the connection, to end the day in quiet communion, weaving a spell of possibility. How did I ever deserve this? Deserving or … More Quiet Moments
I wondered if I would feel it when I woke up in the pre-dawn of Christmas morning on this year of all years; that familiar electricity mixed with anticipation and unbridled joy instilled from my earliest childhood memories. The magic of Christmas that has nothing whatsoever to do with presents or pandemics. I did feel … More A Christmas Morning
The day after our quiet Thanksgiving holiday, we headed to the tree lot at the Birmingham Zoo to select our Christmas tree. As inevitably happens, I went right to the tree that I knew was the one; I make Dan laugh, telling him I’m like that with husbands, dogs, and Christmas trees. It’s my super … More On a Medicinal Decorating Day
As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, most of us tend to turn our focus toward gratitude. 2020 and its unwelcome gift of Covid 19 have made that a Herculean task, providing more reasons to feel sadness, fear, and isolation rather than the joyous gratitude of the holidays in normal times. These days I often feel … More On Gratitude in Ungrateful Times
In all honesty, it’s been tough to write for weeks. I feel covered in a heavy wet blanket of malaise that I can’t seem to shake, fueled by the awfulness in our country with all of the hate and division, all on top of a global pandemic. I am an emotional sponge and feel overwhelmed … More On Finding the Good
This Saturday started at the crack of dawn as it usually does at Chez Gainey, even without Dan’s early morning yoga class at the YMCA. I took care of the animals and headed up to my garage gym to do kickboxing before walking Marley while Dan did his morning yoga. Afterwards we headed out to … More On Making Beauty Happen
We began online teaching at UAB on Wednesday, my first such teaching in my (gulp) thirty-three year career. And, not just any subject, but clarinet lessons; not an easy subject to convey through the screen of a computer with all of the inherent nuances and intricacies. But- I’m just grateful to have a job and … More On Feast and Famine in the Time of COVID-19
I am in the middle of Thanksgiving break, a break that I needed more than I think I ever have before. I’m enjoying just being home, doing house and yard chores, practicing, and answering some of the never ending school email. I’ve also made time to teach a couple of students at home, as I’ve … More On Batteries and Stolen Moments
This has turned out to be yet another stressful fall semester full of travel and performances and life; all such wonderful things, just a lot. So far, since September I have traveled to give recitals and masterclasses in Lincoln, Denver, and Atlanta with my BFF and our Amicitia Duo, to London and Bath, England, with … More Fall Back, Spring Forward
I was wedged into a pretty uncomfortable plane seat for almost nine hours yesterday, heading home from a wonderful week spent performing and exploring in London and Bath, England. We flew into Atlanta, and then on to Birmingham. I’m not sure what was different about this particular trip; I’ve flown international trips by myself a … More On a Pining Heart and the Ephemeral Life
The View from Here 