Just a Thought...

 Music is always a touchy subject.  It evokes strong opinions and feelings.  What is the greatest combination of notes and instruments to you may be like fingers on a chalk board to another.  You may be moved to tears, spirit soaring as a melody builds, while the person next to you has all the emotion of a cold bowl of plain oatmeal.  Music is not neutral.  Christmas is by far my favorite genre.  I think I have more Christmas CD's (remember those?) than any other style.  I usually start listening in September and continue through February.  On ridiculously hot days in summer I will even play a few songs - a blast of musical air conditioning. For those of you that think I've just described a musical hell, that's fine you cold hearted Grinch! I'm kidding. It's the beauty of music that it feeds the needs of the listener, performer, writer.  It nourishes our souls in a way nothing else can.  For me personally, it allows me to reconnect ...

When it comes to holidays in our family, food is as much a part of making it festive as any decoration, bauble, gift, or sparkly decor.  If you don't have the right foods, is it even the holidays?   Nothing says Christmas like our homemade fruitcake.  When my children attended university in Europe, I was ordered to pack frozen bricks of it when visiting for the holiday. Upon arrival it was quick hugs followed by the search of the suitcase for the delicacy. Yes, our fruitcake is that good.  This year, thanks to the ongoing supply chain issues, it involved multiple trips to grocery stores (yes, plural) and help from my mom to acquire all the ingredients.  This isn't something you make on a whim.  It is a labor of love. Conventional wisdom says we shouldn't tie strong emotions to food. I get it. And while I agree with the "health" aspect of that concept, the reality is that the smells, taste and sensory moments tied to certain foods becomes so strong, so ...