At Last {the song}

{braving piano and songs and selves}

Pinterest inked

I'm just shy because that's who I am. I am ashamed of me because I can't do {that} well.

I can be shy or be a rocket ship - just depends on my mood. I'm not ashamed of me.
I value my Self at any size, any shape, and any age. At Last.

Flamingo It!
say Bye-bye to the flock of pigeons

Flamingo It!
stride with Curiosity

Flamingo It!
Soar in the Journey

Flamingo It!
give Negativity its Burn Notice

Flamingo It!
follow the Dream

Flamingo It!
live life in this Moment

A re-balance of life, destination, and the journey of HERE
{A Place to Be Brave. To Try New Things}

Duality

I am a recovering shy + shame. Flamingo It! is about my love of music and my love/hate relationship with performance. To be my authentic self, celebrate the ability to play music, and feel the music {again} with my whole heart & soul is my vision.

a Daring Greatly attitude: Get back in the Arena - it’s not about aging, relationship status, experiencing tragedy, overcoming adversity, coping with death, or life with its uncontrollable aspects. It’s about becoming without hiding, pretending, or going plastic. It’s the realization that duality is part of who I am and it makes me a stronger artist and musician. It means I don't have to be fixed to go into The Arena.

It is never too late to start again. I stand up to slams, slurs, and shutdowns from self.

It’s Piano Time

with a whole new attitude.

I come alive inside the music and art and performance. The midi baby grand has been waiting for months, black underneath a gray drape cloth. So apropo - its colour matching my mindscape and thoughts of self. Perfectionist roadblock. Comparing my singing style to Meg Washington, and wilting.

The piano doesn’t care if I sing as well as Meg Washington or Etta James.The piano just wants to be played and its sound heard. It’s not about me. It’s about the music making melody and in so doing, I come alive and the piano comes to life. Out of the dreary gray landscape of quiet and fear and soul struggle, the musician rises.

Do whatever makes you come alive.

It’s possible with a bit of trust and footwork. For a gift for reading this far, I have attached a free downloadable PDF practice sheet I that use in the studio. I believe that we all can sing and we all can make music. Music that defines and moves people comes from the heart and soul of the musician - not their ego or exploitation of natural talent. Practice for proficiency and confidence in performance. So simple.

Etta James AT LAST | December Song

Songsheet will be a free download next week!

MEET ETTA JAMES

For the month of December my studio practice song for performance is AT LAST sung by the incomparable Lady of Blues singer Etta James. I will be posting my music journal every couple days and update subscribers on my progress. Feel free to join in and learn the music. Share your thoughts and findings in the comments.

We play to have fun.

<embed code: https://youtu.be/1qJU8G7gR_g?si=vIQsCXcztw9SL5hb>

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vRTRnMxvSoQ&list=PLNKZ7firmo2-N5LHktvte5gcIqGwU2vR8&index=84&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB

I didn’t get HERE because I market myself. In fact I detest marketing having been in graphic advertising most of my career life. Deadlines absolutely melt me. But, I am here because I am inspired by many other artists who walk ahead of me HERE on Substack: Beth Kempton - an amazing author with words from her heart of calmness, and both free and paid authoring classes, I be sure to sign up for her Winter Writer’s Sanctuary beginning the end of December, D. Michele Perry - the founder of The Wonder Habit who inspired me to create ‘Sketching Horses for 100 Days’ and return to writing to author my first memoir book (on childhood trauma), Nikki Carr (Artist) - a true master equine artist who I am blessed to have been a participant in her 7 week oil painting realism workshop, Deborah T. Hewitt - MY UNFRAMED LIFE - a warm and vibrant author/videographer here on Substack who I call my friend, and a true encourager | writing coach Joan Stommen of Accept•Adapt•Applaud … all who I thank for encouraging me and befriending HERE.

RE-ESTABLISH THE CODE. Established in 2025, my online site FIND YOUR MUSIC will host a musical virtual community focused on music and performance to co-create flash performance-style compilation virtual videos. Starts in 2026. Date t/b/d.

2024 was been a transitional year.
2025 brought the music back.
2026 PLAYTIME!
{Focus} + {Heart} = {Daring Greatly}

This entire year has been spent exploring my creative passions. I felt that I must choose between Art or Music or Writing. I thought I could only have ‘One band, One sound’ to stay sane and productive. But the answer came from Journey to Wonderland, where I discovered being a multipotentialite is O.K. I am an Artist of Muchness. If you are one too, please leave a 🤗 hello.

All the Best! Until we play again!