Gratitude - Day 161

I'm grateful for a wonderful evening of catching up with dear friends, and revisiting a true "joint" - any trip to Houston is not possibly complete without an immediate trip to "Ninfa's" (the original one on Navigation Road is the only way to go!). Their pickled carrots, guacamole, chalupas, and award winning (in my book!) margarita's on the rocks with salt set the bar incredibly high for tex-mex food! Ah yes, I'm back!!

As promised: The Full ("Virtuoso") Monty

Gratitude - Day 160

I'm grateful for familiar things that always make me smile. This is a statue called "The Virtuoso" and is housed just across the street from the Houston Grand Opera Wortham Theater. I didn't have my wide-angle lens with me, so I couldn't capture the whole thing, but it's a fabulous, whimsical construction of a suspended, jolly cello player, complete with sound system spinning beautiful music 24 hours a day.

The blue sky was the perfect backdrop to capture a tiny bit of the 34 foot high structure, the same one that greeted me here 12 years ago as a young, naive, eager singer, and subsequently upon each return to this city it has always welcomed me back by putting a big smile on my face.

PS I'm also WAY grateful to see my friends here who all weathered Hurricane Ike bravely and safely.

Gratitude - Day 159

I'm grateful for the comforts of home. No doubt about it, my time at home is severely limited, which poses an immense challenge at times to my spirit. However, one thing I keep trying to do is to focus on the positive and find a way to feel at home wherever I am - and then to TREASURE the time when I unlock MY door, sit on MY sofa and breathe in MY SPACE! It rejuvenates me, it relaxes me, and makes me appreciate every single moment that I get!

Gratitude - Day 158

I'm grateful for radiant examples of love. Meet my aunt. She is a vital 87 years-young, like her older brother full of great genes, and she is the most loving, serene, generous-of-spirit person that I think I have ever known. She exudes a quiet strength that inspires, but only ever with the intent to love.

Last Friday she was in town to attend my Kansas City Symphony debut, and the night before she fell down an entire flight of stairs. She was rushed to the Emergency Room, held overnight, and at noon the next day was being operated on for her broken wrist. She made the doctors release her by 2:30 so she could make the concert. She's 87, fell down a full flight of stairs, ONLY broke a wrist, had surgery and less than 24 hours later was applauding me (with her one good hand).

With all that is happening in our world, to know that a person like this is alive and (thankfully) well, is no minor miracle.

Gratitude - Day 157

I'm grateful for cautious anticipation. Anticipation can be a tricky thing - too much of it, and you're most always let down, not to mention the fact that then you're no longer living in the moment - everything exists in the future, and that's no fun, and certainly no way to live. But cautiously preparing for the coming moment? That's delightful! I think it assures appreciation of what is about to unfold: your senses are all on high alert, knowing that something fabulous is coming, not letting one detail pass you by! Ah, from the eyes of "babes", we can learn so much!

Gratitude - Day 156

I'm grateful for my Uncle. He turns 90 today. You read that right - 90 years old. 9 decades. (And yeah, I'm praying I got a decent fraction of that amazing DNA!) He made the trip in from Denver to hear my concerts over the weekend, and we were able to help him celebrate this momentous occasion. (He still plays golf, believe it or not!) He's an inspiration to me in many ways - his wisdom, patience, and humility have served him very well in his years, and I count myself most fortunate to reap the many benefits of his example. Indeed, I am grateful to be able to spend precious time with him while home!

Gratitude - Day 155

I'm grateful that it is October, and I'm home: able to see the beginning of the changing of the leaves, and listen to my niece and nephew's plans for their Halloween costumes! Fall is my favorite time of year (until the first winter snow arrives, then I change my mind...until the first signs of spring pop up, etc...) and I'm so happy I get a brief taste of it here in my hometown! Also, this guy just puts a smile on my face, what can I say?