I feel battle weary, but the battle is only beginning, leaving my heart heavy in my chest. There is so much sadness and worry swirling everywhere, and today it won. I have felt blue, my thoughts sequestered, retreating into myself so much so that it was difficult to communicate even with my sweet Dan. I … More Sequestered Thoughts
We found it ironic that just as the sadness and troubles of the world followed us to our little vacation at Seagrove Beach, the bands of Tropical Storm Cristobal followed us back to Birmingham yesterday and stayed with us. Truly the current chaos of life being reflected through nature. There is no escaping the reality … More On Searching for the Calm in the Storm
The Mayor of Birmingham has declared a State of Emergency for our city, and so we are on a curfew from 7pm until 6am until further notice. I am okay with this; after the destruction caused by last night’s protests, I would rather have some restrictions in place if they can help maintain safety for … More Things Worth Having
I have been trying to come up with words for days, but nothing but a jumble of emotion comes to the surface. I’ve read articles trying to understand and empathize with something that I can’t possibly truly understand. I see our country splitting apart, rage and frustration at racial inequities boiling over, a deadly cocktail … More And What Now?
I return to Princeton Towers at Christmastime each year in honor of my mother, Dorothy, the inimitable and beloved ‘Heavy D’ (her ‘hood name given to her by her buddies Wayne and John when she moved to be with us in Southside Birmingham). Mom has now been gone five and a half years, and I … More Christmas Cheer at the Home for Wayward Seniors
I can’t stop thinking about what happened in Charlottesville, and I don’t think I am alone. I have been shocked and saddened by some of the interviews I’ve heard, and shocked and saddened by some things I’ve heard come out of people’s mouths and through their keyboards-people that I thought I knew. It’s like a … More When Silence isn’t Golden
I was the only white person in the treadmill room at the Y yesterday evening, pretty typical for our wonderfully diverse Downtown YMCA in Birmingham. The television was turned to the news, and as we all listened to the madness of recent events, I listened to my friends around me react and discuss- men whose … More All the Beautiful People
I am fortunate to work at one of the most diverse universities in the country. I have black students, white students, Latino students, Asian students, gay students, straight students, Christian students, Muslim students…the whole spectrum- each of them precious to me, perfect just as they are. Working in music as I do, it has always … More What Can I Do?
The View from Here 