tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039876177217709512024-03-17T23:01:35.011-04:00Inside ThingsThoughts from the life of a singer/songwriter.Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.comBlogger460125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-83533548580215516952024-01-29T13:04:00.004-05:002024-01-29T13:07:29.100-05:00Rolling Through Memories: A Tribute to Martin's Potato Rolls and Portraits of White<p> <img alt="" class="wp-image-693" src="https://portraitsofwhite.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/martins-famous-pr-and-b_vertical.jpg?w=468" style="height: 376px; width: 543px;" /></p><!--wp:image {"id":693,"width":"543px","height":"376px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"}-->
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<p>With their generous support, Martin's Potato Rolls and Bread played a significant role in making the 2023 Portraits of White tenth year milestone celebration a reality. Their commitment to excellence and community continues to shine through, and we are incredibly grateful for their partnership over the years.</p>
<p>We extend our deepest gratitude to Martin's for their invaluable contribution in supporting the talented musicians of South Central Pennsylvania. Their partnership not only enhances the experience for our audience but also strengthens our mission of promoting local music and fostering artistic growth in our community.</p>
<p>Here's a little bit more about how supportive Martin's have been, not just to Portraits of White, but to the life of my family, my music and my community...</p>
<p align="left"><strong>It Started with Sundaes and Radios</strong></p>
<p align="left">My journey as an artist has been deeply intertwined with Martin's Famous Potato Rolls. During my teenage years, Martin's Family Restaurant and Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe (on Lincoln Way in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), became a beloved spot for my mother and me. The moments we spent there, savoring hot fudge sundaes or pastries, became treasured memories.</p>
<p align="left">Lloyd and Lois Martin, the founders of Martin's, not only delighted customers with their pastry dough (and hot fudge sundaes), but they also played a crucial role in helping minister Charlie B. Byers fulfill his vision of sharing a radio broadcast with Chambersburg. In addition to baking, the Martins had a love for music and radio.</p>
<p align="left">Lloyd and Lois supported Charlie by building a studio in their home, equipped with recording equipment for the broadcast. Charlie's radio show became a cherished part of my mother's family Sundays. Between the radio broadcast and the pastry shoppe, you could say that Lloyd, Lois, and Charlie supplied nourishment to souls and tummies.</p>
<p align="left">Many years later, thanks to Charlie's broadcast, I got my first chance to do an official music recording in a studio near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. That experience changed my music life – forever.</p>
<p align="left"><strong>From Rolls to Flakes</strong></p>
<p align="left">Fast forward to "Portraits of White" 2017, year number four of my vision to bring my Christmas album to life on stage, accompanied by a full orchestra. Excitedly, the dream was materializing – at a hefty cost of over $50K a year. Ticket sales never covered the cost of the event so I had to find ways to make up for that deficit. To help give you some perspective, in 2022, ticket sales covered 65% of the cost of the event. In those days, I was paying for it by doing smaller concerts and working part-time at a church.</p>
<p align="left">When a friend noticed the financial weight I was carrying, he suggested that I find sponsors – and in his kindness, offered to help me. He got the snowball of sponsorships rolling. Eventually, under the direction of a wealth advisor, I put together a plan that would enable me to find sponsorships to keep my dream going every year. </p>
<p align="left">I eventually let go of the part-time job so I could focus solely on my dream. Merry Christmas!</p>
<p align="left">Enter Martin's Potato Rolls. In 2017, Martin's became one of the premier sponsors for my "Portraits of White" event. Lloyd and Lois Martin's legacy rolls on! And once again, Martin's agreed to be a prominent sponsor for "Portraits of White" 2023. That's seven years in a row!! </p>
<p align="left">Thank you, Martin's!</p><p align="left">Experience speaks volumes, and there's no better testament than testimonials and event videos. We're excited to share all three videos from the Portraits of White 2023 event, held at The Inn At Ragged Edge, providing you with an insightful glimpse into the experience.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="369" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s7KWsD8cDu4" width="478" youtube-src-id="s7KWsD8cDu4"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="317" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v9qkL5QnpR8" width="498" youtube-src-id="v9qkL5QnpR8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s7KWsD8cDu4" width="486" youtube-src-id="s7KWsD8cDu4"></iframe></div><br /><p align="left"><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-26132148644363779782023-10-18T11:31:00.000-04:002023-10-18T11:31:55.171-04:00Snowy Serenades: Celebrating a Decade of 'Portraits of White' Winter Magic Part 1<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pursuing your dreams requires a unique blend of tenacity and flexibility. You have to dream big while working very hard.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Tenacity</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">Tenacity is the determination to achieve your goals, providing the drive to stay committed even in the face of challenges, especially when it seems that dreams are slipping away.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"><b>Flexibility</b></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">Flexibility is the ability to adapt and change course when needed and is essential for navigating unexpected obstacles and seizing new opportunities. Flexibility in learning from failure and setbacks allows you to adjust your approach and continue moving forward. Overcommitment to one at the expense of the other can hinder progress and hind adaptability.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Throughout my musical journey, I've plunged into the world of music, the intricacies of the music industry, the boundless creativity it offers, and the sheer tenacity needed to persevere. It's a journey that's filled me with stories to tell, and while I may write that book someday, right now, we're in for a different treat.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />Get ready to celebrate the monumental TENTH year of the Portraits of White Winter Concert. Join me on a winter journey back in time and delve into the stories behind the creation of the album that ignited the cherished holiday Christmas concert tradition. You'll witness a glimpse of 'back in the day' when the concert was a mere idea, unformed. The focus at that time was on preparing the album for release.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />In my upcoming Snowy Serenades Series of videos, we'll revisit the enchanting melodies and the frosty charm of this classic album. With footage from the archives, you'll be transported to a cozy winter wonderland, where you can relive the magic that 'Portraits of White' brings to this season. </span></span></div></div><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Enjoy Part 1 of the Snowy Serenade Video Series...</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="287" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Gl0L7N_Dfc" width="491" youtube-src-id="9Gl0L7N_Dfc"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><p></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-81377246683533363182023-09-24T13:42:00.001-04:002023-09-24T13:42:39.786-04:00I Can Pray<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My family is no stranger to tragedy. My mother’s first husband died
after only two years of marriage. He was knocked off the scaffolding
while building a silo for her father. He survived for a few days in a
coma, but then died. She was a widow at age twenty-five, left with their
seven-month-old son, Doug.</span></p><div class="page" title="Page 44"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column">
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">After seven years of widowhood, she met and married my father. Together,
they had four children, of whom I am the youngest. Sadly, my brother,
Nathan, born less than two years before me, drowned in our farm pond
at the age of two, just a few days after his birthday.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I was seven, I remember the pastor coming to our farm to give
us the news of yet another tragedy. Doug, my oldest brother, had been
killed on a farm where he worked. They found him pinned underneath
a tractor, unsure of the exact details of what happened. He was so badly
bruised they had a closed-casket funeral.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next year, my mother’s father died of a bleeding ulcer. Two years
later, her mother died from a stroke. Death kept ringing the family
doorbell. I wanted it to go away.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every family has stories. In our family, understandably, it seemed like
death was my mother’s central subject. I absorbed the tragic stories like
a sponge. Nobody seemed to notice. We all had our own pain.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As if talking about death weren’t enough, we’d go and visit family
graves on the holidays. Now that’s quite a holiday tradition for a little
girl! In my mind, it felt like we owned half of the cemetery—a city
block of graves. Each visit, while my mother stood there looking at the names of my brothers, grandparents, and other loved ones, I was
looking at her tombstone. Her birthdate was listed, but the death date
remained ominously blank, waiting to be filled in. Each time, I’d turn
away, anxious to get out of there.</span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 45"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column">
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The blank space on her gravestone is now filled in: September 24, 2014.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While she lived, she clung to the power of prayer. I believe this is what
carried her through the tumultuous years. On less tragedy-stricken
days, we’d pray about simple things, and that’s how I learned to pray.
Almost every Wednesday night it seemed, just before prayer meetings
at church, the cows would get out of the barnyard. We’d pray that
they’d come back home. It seemed to work. It was good prayer practice.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few years ago, I was asked to sing for a local National Day of Prayer
event. As I thought about the many songs I could sing, I was dissatisfied.
It wasn’t that there weren’t any good songs to choose from, I just felt they
weren’t saying what I wanted to convey. So, naturally, I set out to change
that by writing my own. But as I tried to write, no matter how hard I
tried, I couldn’t find any words. Even with the long list of tragedies our
family experienced and the way my mother modeled prayer, I still came
up with nothing.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then another tragedy happened. But this time, it wasn’t my family
that suffered. News came of a tragic vehicle accident involving a young
boy I knew. Drawing from the empathetic sadness rising up inside me,
I pondered how the mother and sister of this young boy would be
feeling in the days, months, and years to come. Their journey would be
anything but easy.
</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I Can Pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">by Frances Drost</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her little baby died today</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They couldn’t bring him back they say</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And she never had a chance to say goodbye</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She cries</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They said it was an accident</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But now she blames herself for it</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And there’s nothing I can say</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That can take away her pain</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And set her free</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can reach heaven for her heart</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To Someone who knows more than I</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And understands the painful part of living</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even when I don’t</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">His little heart is torn in two</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They say his mom and dad are through</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And they’ve tried to make it clear</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s not his fault</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter what they try to say</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He’s still feeling like he’s to blame</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I take his tiny hand</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Try to help him understand</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it’s no use</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can reach heaven for his heart</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To Someone who knows more than I</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And understands the painful part of living</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My earthly words take hold with power from on high</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And make a difference in this life, somehow</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can reach heaven for his heart</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To Someone who knows more than I</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And understands the painful part of living</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even when I don't</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can pray</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Copyright © 2022 by Frances Drost.<br />
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />This story was taken from the book, <i>Inside Things. </i>The book and CD are available for purchase <a href="https://francesdrost.bandcamp.com/merch/inside-things-book-cd-bundle">here</a>.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
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</div><p></p><br /><p></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-63165121611844935352023-09-21T09:42:00.010-04:002023-09-21T10:26:02.310-04:00Transforming Goals: Unveiling The Strangest Secret to Personal and Tangible Success<p>In 2018, my co-host Pam and I left the comfort of our little South Central Pennsylvania homes and ventured out to the Podcast Movement conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Our podcast, "Brand New Me," was our labor of love—an avenue for two passionate women to share our life experiences and inspire others. Life had thrown its fair share of challenges our way, but podcasting offered a unique opportunity to blend our stories and encourage those seeking a fresh start.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTM9FxFWz7PhoLcJ56xYPWUCc452VqmwTHeeC7FqsoGFvYbOvr4fKDrwfO-xQ3fS1Yf_Om14_kvWVbIGJdECkAUlZe1CmZyRzcIMDq9xCj14o0yCfiZMPPWx80-6FhCp_iJmxyl9pQjl-YunI6muwQgpW5t_2dce5oesD-nfaJHVbMYNL5TDFnvphOB8Y/s2240/92223%20BNM%20Podcast%20blog%20post%20(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTM9FxFWz7PhoLcJ56xYPWUCc452VqmwTHeeC7FqsoGFvYbOvr4fKDrwfO-xQ3fS1Yf_Om14_kvWVbIGJdECkAUlZe1CmZyRzcIMDq9xCj14o0yCfiZMPPWx80-6FhCp_iJmxyl9pQjl-YunI6muwQgpW5t_2dce5oesD-nfaJHVbMYNL5TDFnvphOB8Y/w400-h225/92223%20BNM%20Podcast%20blog%20post%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podcast Movement 2018 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As the conference neared its end, our minds were buzzing with newfound knowledge and inspiration. We debated whether we could absorb any more insights. However, the allure of Dan Miller's workshop was too compelling to resist. <p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvXsOFdfI5PIiKvAqqEqvDTmv18T91f8Y51fR6f1C5d0QmqjEzV8I_ElnIUZSTk4dHzliYCM3hSvpFIw3Q34GRrTCAXMG_zP6Krg1F7Pwm_8ma_u3Ku2dsa9DBa4AjnJJBcFMxa3tYerp38cbFR1wkVEsclKDSiau6hSPlxNxRuOi_CEAOQawytsbYMw/s1558/Dan%20Miller%20Podcast%20Movement%202018%20with%20arrow.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1188" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvXsOFdfI5PIiKvAqqEqvDTmv18T91f8Y51fR6f1C5d0QmqjEzV8I_ElnIUZSTk4dHzliYCM3hSvpFIw3Q34GRrTCAXMG_zP6Krg1F7Pwm_8ma_u3Ku2dsa9DBa4AjnJJBcFMxa3tYerp38cbFR1wkVEsclKDSiau6hSPlxNxRuOi_CEAOQawytsbYMw/w244-h320/Dan%20Miller%20Podcast%20Movement%202018%20with%20arrow.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podcast Movement Speakers</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzw50xmhdEDQSD2U9JC1DRKRK8nAzEnJ1wWIw-xr9XG_eVk9ZFRFOdpZj81A8S4dtGWgS8hquY4T6FX99jQeprGRcp_98YSGXB0P9o4BOolpT1DZbEJZclRmMFc5fEVhhWTd_VzijTry0C-qowfGeR2fw9KAKyVU-AA_mWtcqAyqIVdbPh6QersGqz3fk/s2048/Dan%20Miller%20@%20Podcast%20Movement.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="2048" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzw50xmhdEDQSD2U9JC1DRKRK8nAzEnJ1wWIw-xr9XG_eVk9ZFRFOdpZj81A8S4dtGWgS8hquY4T6FX99jQeprGRcp_98YSGXB0P9o4BOolpT1DZbEJZclRmMFc5fEVhhWTd_VzijTry0C-qowfGeR2fw9KAKyVU-AA_mWtcqAyqIVdbPh6QersGqz3fk/w320-h227/Dan%20Miller%20@%20Podcast%20Movement.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan Miller</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Having already heard some of his captivating stories and followed his podcast, I knew staying was the right choice. While valuable tools and resources are essential, there's nothing quite like concluding days of learning with a captivating narrative. </p><p>Dan had a story that deeply resonated with me—a farm boy raised in a conservative environment who embraced positive messages that transformed his life. Sitting in that room, listening to him in person, took his stories to a whole new level.</p><p>As the workshop drew to a close, Dan graciously opened the floor to questions. My innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge compelled me to raise my hand, my heart pounding with anticipation.</p><p>"What if you've been avidly listening to motivational speakers and podcasts, yet you still feel like nothing is working?" I asked, my frustration palpable. I braced myself for a complex, multi-step answer.</p><p>"Keep listening," he replied simply.</p><p>Huh? That was not the response I had anticipated.</p><p>But I heeded his advice. I continued to listen. And I'm still listening today. Things have started to click, and I'm finally getting it. It's changing my life.</p><p>Nearly three years ago, I joined Dan's 48 Days Eagles Community, and that's when everything began falling into place. Stimulated and inspired by other people who want to thrive in life, I found a place where I could find support as I began to implement the positive messages I had been listening to. One of those messages that changed Dan's life (and is changing mine), is Earl Nightingale's message, The Strangest Secret.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z2ybSKo6-FVpE66xE_e5mh8frw8F5oklWYHhyLTYUIaIKBed6HbJ58uX2-YMoG1XBdnLE_MYgvFlWP2KD4Ms5wDrl-hQHWtVdDwumr9M1gC8W-VBbEe1ZQYFOyEXGP0ROFNc6SbIq0ad0rY0e834a2iTKVVicAZOAKYup9mCF4-1boemcEqCTGHIhC4/s2048/Dan:Joanne:Sheila:FRances.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z2ybSKo6-FVpE66xE_e5mh8frw8F5oklWYHhyLTYUIaIKBed6HbJ58uX2-YMoG1XBdnLE_MYgvFlWP2KD4Ms5wDrl-hQHWtVdDwumr9M1gC8W-VBbEe1ZQYFOyEXGP0ROFNc6SbIq0ad0rY0e834a2iTKVVicAZOAKYup9mCF4-1boemcEqCTGHIhC4/s320/Dan:Joanne:Sheila:FRances.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheila Davis (Dan's assistant), Frances Drost, Dan and Joanne Miller – Franklin, Tennessee <br />Eagles Innovation Event 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This October, I'm excited to share some of the powerful tools that have aided me in my journey towards achieving my life goals. Some of these goals are tangible, while others are intangible, but I've discovered that the transformation I'm undergoing on my path to achieving them is more fulfilling than the goals themselves. I'm thrilled to be leading an online workshop within Dan Miller's 48 Days Eagles Community.</p><p>In our four-week Eagles Nest program, we'll follow the CORN acronym (Earl mentions corn in his message) to propel ourselves towards our aspirations:</p><p>C - Clarify</p><p>O - Optimize</p><p>R - Replace</p><p>N - Nurture</p><p>If you're eager to join me on this journey of uncovering "The Strangest Secret" and experiencing life-changing growth, learn more by watching the video I recently created. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="334" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n8CC8sjHQ1o" width="481" youtube-src-id="n8CC8sjHQ1o"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Every Thursday morning in October, we'll delve deep into Earl Nightingale's book, "The Strangest Secret," through Zoom. This workshop is a complimentary benefit for Eagles members, and it's easy to become an Eagle by joining <a href="https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/">here</a>.</p><p>Join us on this transformational journey—it's an opportunity to nurture your aspirations and create the life you desire.</p><p>Listen to the <a href="Click HERE to subscribe to the Brand New Me Podcast.">Brand New Me Podcast</a>.</p><p>Listen to <a href="https://youtu.be/iu5tfsi3UR4?si=ybMxdKbZdGL1uZdi">The Strangest Secret.</a></p><p><br /></p><br />Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-21379278519763583062023-09-11T10:44:00.001-04:002023-09-11T10:58:49.139-04:00From Fields to Hearts: Nurturing Sweet Legacies in the Shadow of 9/11<p>It was a beautiful, clear-blue-sky September day in 2001. My mother had come over to my house to help me work my way through a pile of freshly picked soybeans from my garden. We would pull the soybeans off the stalks, blanch them and then pinch the bean out of the pods. I was grateful for her help. There was a big pile of beans to do! My husband was busy working in his welding shop, adjacent to our house. </p><p>My mother and I sat in our little duplex carport and chatted as we worked. My father had passed away just a few months before and we were all still recovering from the suddenness of his death. It felt nice to be with my mother and have a chance to catch up. On that gorgeous September day, as we all went about our work, we were unaware of what was happening in the neighboring state of New York. It was September 11.</p><p>My husband got a phone call from my music producer. "Turn on the news," was all he said.</p><p>Since we didn't have a TV in the house, we turned on the radio. The reports were blasting across every station. Two towers... two planes... the Pentagon... Shanksville, Pennsylvania... a third plane? How many planes were there? Airports were shutting down. The Towers had been hit. </p><p>The memory of that day is seared deep into my memory. For some reason, the fact that I had just recently lost my father made the experience even more surreal. I missed him. I was used to going through tragedies with him.</p><p>When Princess Diana died tragically, my husband and I absorbed the shock with my parents in my parents' living room as we watched the televised funeral service. Worldwide tragedies seemed a little easier to process when you had a father to process them with. Now he was gone. The feeling sort of surprised me. The 9/11 tragedy had nothing to do with my father, yet it called attention to my own loss. I mourned along with everyone else in the world.</p><p>My husband and I never watched any visuals of that frightening day. For one thing, as I mentioned, we didn't have a TV and for another thing, even if we did, my heart is so sensitive to images of tragedy, that I wouldn't have watched it anyway.</p><p>But a few weeks ago, I picked up a DVD from the local library. The cover caught my eye. After twenty-two years, I felt like I wanted to know about the day our country had been reduced to a pile of rubble. I took the DVD off the shelf, knowing that I might only be able to watch just the beginning, and then I'd have to shut it off. The series was put out by The National Geographic–a documentary of 9/11; "One Day in America." </p><p>Although it occurred many years after the event, my urge to take action in response to what I had seen remained strong. A few days later, while listening to Alan Alda's book, "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself," I came across a story that captured my attention. Three weeks following the Towers' attack, actor Richard Masur, actively supporting rescue workers on-site, reached out to Alan Alda. Richard asked if Alan would be willing to visit the site, listen, and provide support to the workers. Alan accepted the invitation and soon found himself aboard a boat with fellow theater professionals, heading down the Hudson toward the area known as "the pile." Their primary objective was to lend an empathetic ear, giving individuals a chance to express themselves and unburden their hearts.</p><p>During his time there, Alan learned that candy bars given to the workers had brought immense joy. Many acknowledged the impact of this small gesture but expressed regret that the candy had run out.</p><p>In response, Alan took it upon himself to contact the Hershey factory in Pennsylvania. He conveyed how much those candy bars meant to the workers and inquired if the company could send a truckload of Hershey bars to the site. While the company had already sent hard candy, logistical challenges had arisen due to truck congestion, with concerns that the chocolate bars might melt in the sun's heat. Alan provided the address of a warehouse further uptown, closer to Ground Zero, where the shipment could be stored in cooler conditions. In gratitude for his initiative, a truckload of Hershey bars was promptly dispatched to the workers.</p><p>As I absorbed this narrative, memories resurfaced of a mountain of Hershey bars where, in my younger days, I had found myself nestled. As farmers, we cherished a sense of camaraderie with our fellow farming families in the neighborhood. In particular, I'd frequently trek across the fields to the farm of a girl who lived just over the hill from ours. We reveled in shared adventures, from sledding and ice skating to savoring snacks in her kitchen. And yes, we'd luxuriate in large crates of chocolate bars, not fit for store shelves but perfectly suited for two young girls with a penchant for chocolate! Somehow, they had received a shipment of cardboard tubs filled with Hershey's chocolate bars. It was a chocolate lover's dream—endless stacks of chocolate, an abundance beyond measure.</p><p>For our thirty-fourth wedding anniversary on September 2, 2023, my husband and I visited The Hershey Story Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Milton S. Hershey's entrepreneurship and vision to make chocolate bars that every American could afford and enjoy have been an inspiration to me for years. Living so close to the town, I became curious to learn more about it's history and it's story over the past decade. Fresh on my mind, as I toured the museum, I was thinking about the power of one man's vision to create something, follow through (even though it took him many years to perfect the recipe), and how it could impact a community and a country more than a century later. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlebr62o7duog54juX8-oboaDAtt9TlB7wFOTkOWOzTXJflHkH46-MeQGxXLYAOkRqi6gjlqIWizPa2jvzbs_-1s4eLe15h3BSpFH98sC3q2P_BiC82L0lIkcWJryTu0dUuJf0mGCV7aGmheby23SgdVljxIeWuZuAoTC8oPbjry_XLdLMOkB4Xl6xSg/s3028/IMG_8572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2169" data-original-width="3028" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlebr62o7duog54juX8-oboaDAtt9TlB7wFOTkOWOzTXJflHkH46-MeQGxXLYAOkRqi6gjlqIWizPa2jvzbs_-1s4eLe15h3BSpFH98sC3q2P_BiC82L0lIkcWJryTu0dUuJf0mGCV7aGmheby23SgdVljxIeWuZuAoTC8oPbjry_XLdLMOkB4Xl6xSg/s320/IMG_8572.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tom and I celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary with Milton S. Hershey. :-)</div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6qdKjUCD7qNOjvtssaEzhRVKs_f2UwawZfuWT0UlVo2A_6afpNbguJu-3YNQ0cGxBAXRa7xuO0lVfFPG2hqE_CHxAFgJNbcyVthXRraDU3tBoeIgUP2HbGjicMYF75K-p7cLnCaq14v8riw_XLba7Os3BjlTc5xTFsUzU9P0XXzIUu-JLeRHjN99-Hnw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6qdKjUCD7qNOjvtssaEzhRVKs_f2UwawZfuWT0UlVo2A_6afpNbguJu-3YNQ0cGxBAXRa7xuO0lVfFPG2hqE_CHxAFgJNbcyVthXRraDU3tBoeIgUP2HbGjicMYF75K-p7cLnCaq14v8riw_XLba7Os3BjlTc5xTFsUzU9P0XXzIUu-JLeRHjN99-Hnw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />The Hershey Story Museum "I've got an idea..."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>As we commemorate another anniversary of 9/11, I realize that time may pass, but the memories and the lessons endure. The power of vision, compassion, and community, exemplified by Milton S. Hershey, Alan Alda, and countless of rescue workers, remind us that even in the darkest of times, humanity's resilience and generosity can shine through. I too aspire to create something that, in its own way, can touch the lives of others. Perhaps mine will be in the form of a song. <p></p><p>Whether it's a chocolate bar or a song, we never know how something we create might touch someone else for generations to come.</p><p>As we commemorate another 9/11 anniversary, the lessons of vision, compassion, and community exemplified by Milton S. Hershey, Alan Alda, and countless rescue workers remind us that even in the darkest hours, humanity's resilience and generosity shine through. Inspired, I aspire to create something that, in its own unique way, touches the lives of others–perhaps mine will come in the form of a song. </p><p>Whether it's a chocolate bar or a song, we can never predict how our creations might resonate with future generations, leaving a legacy of kindness and connection for years to come.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-79213252871541319002023-09-02T11:44:00.003-04:002023-09-02T11:44:53.337-04:00The 31-Minute Secret: Transforming Your Life<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever pondered the notion of completely altering the course of your life in just thirty-one minutes and thirty-five seconds? Imagine this: dedicating that small slice of your day for thirty consecutive days. Intriguing, isn't it? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me take you on a personal journey, one that began with a challenge that landed in my lap back in August 2022—a challenge that has quite literally rewritten the script of my life.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**The Challenge That Redefined My Path**</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The challenge was simple: listen to Earl Nightingale's "The Strangest Secret" recording every single day for thirty days straight. I decided to take on the challenge, not fully comprehending the transformative power it would have in my life. This commitment marks the start of a remarkable shift in my existence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just so you know, it wasn't always easy. There were moments when I stumbled and had to hit that "reset" button, and start over for thirty days. (You'll understand once you've listened to Earl). Yet, the message in his recording was so compelling that I not only kept listening beyond the thirty days, but I eventually bought a copy of the book so I could easily refer back to its wisdom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward to September 2023, and the 48 Days Eagles Community, a group I've been part of since January 2021 has once again issued a challenge. So for thirty days, we will be immersing ourselves in Earl's recording. Fully aware of the immense impact it's already had on my life, I am excited to see what all transpires in my life as a result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**The Strangest Secret Unveiled: **</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I've been anticipating listening regularly for thirty days in September, I've been reflecting on the transformative might of this message and its central theme:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**"We become what we think about."** </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These simple yet profound words hold the golden key to unlocking the boundless potential nestled within each of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few sunsets ago, despite the whirlwind of life's demands, I felt an undeniable urge to sit down and write a song. What better way to reinforce this life-altering truth than through the catchy rhythm of a song?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**Gratitude and Acknowledgments**</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every song idea usually starts with a moment of inspiration and I know exactly where this song comes from! I wish to express my immense gratitude to Earl Nightingale, whose timeless wisdom continues to stir the hearts and minds of countless individuals like me. A special, personal nod also goes out to Dan Miller, who first introduced me to this life-changing message, and Sound Wisdom, for ensuring this wisdom finds its way into the hands of those yearning for transformation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**In Closing: The 31-Minute Challenge, Frances Drost-Style**</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, my friends, I extend to you an invitation—an invitation to join me in this challenge: for the next thirty days, allocate a mere thirty-one minutes and thirty-five seconds of your day to immerse yourself in something that holds the potential to metamorphose your life. Let this be your first step toward becoming the person you've always aspired to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the spirit of sharing and igniting the flames of inspiration in others, I leave you with my little tune—a musical reminder of the mind-blowing truth concealed within "The Strangest Secret." I encourage you to listen to Earl's recording <i>(see link below)</i> and savor this musical dessert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your life could be on the brink of an incredible transformation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="386" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u7MNk4kY41E" width="465" youtube-src-id="u7MNk4kY41E"></iframe></div></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Helpful resources:</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/u7MNk4kY41E">We Become What We Think About Song Lyric Video Link</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/">Learn more about the 48 Days Eagles Community</a></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/iu5tfsi3UR4?si=3p1uargkXnIeyJmc">Listen to Earl Nightingale's "The Strangest Secret"</a></p><p><a href="https://www.soundwisdom.com/the-strangest-secret">"The Strangest Secret" Book</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-66814052340872027612023-08-28T14:28:00.024-04:002023-08-28T14:49:09.906-04:00Five Essential Keys for Unlocking the Door to Your Dreams<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have been a part of Dan Miller's 48 Days Eagles Community for over two years and the impact it's had on my life is significant. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">The most recent development came from a connection I made at an Eagles' event I attended in Franklin, Tennessee, back in April. It was there that I met Isaiah Taylor, a literary scout who learned that I was writing a book about my journey with Christmas. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">I had been planning to self-publish my story so I wasn't seeking a publisher, but he</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"> encouraged me to submit my manuscript to a publisher. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">I walked away from that conversation feeling somewhat intrigued, and rather doubtful. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">One thing led to another...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">I was recently (and delightfully) surprised to see a post on Dan Miller's Facebook page that mentioned me and my journey, letting the cat out of the bag.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"> Since I have been racking (and wracking) my brain trying to figure out how to share what's been happening and tell everyone the great news, I felt a sense of relief to have it come from someone else's newsfeed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'll let you read the post for yourself:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For Frances Drost, the journey from dream to reality started in a difficult place—the deaths of two of her siblings. And it took a winding path from a nagging sense of loss to a creative expression of joy and togetherness.</span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances’s annual Christmas show, Portraits of White, began 11 years ago when she started reimagining what it means to be in the holiday spirit after she spent years feeling “disenchanted” with the season. This December, Portraits of White will celebrate a <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>decade of bringing people together through music with the special release of Frances’ forthcoming book.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether you’re an artist like Frances or not, her story has a lot to teach us about our dreams.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>1: Dreams come from unexpected places</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like many people who have been touched by loss, Frances wondered why Christmas felt so empty no matter how many years went by. One year, Frances even decided to skip Christmas all together!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances realized that she felt disconnected from the holiday spirit because of the grief she carried. Instead of continuing to live in that mindset of despair, she decided to turn it into an opportunity to create hope and find peace—for herself and others who have experienced loss.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances began writing songs about how she felt during the holiday season, and eventually started dreaming of a Christmas album.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>2: Have faith in your dreams</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually, that Christmas album came to be. Frances called it Portraits of White and based it on what she discovered reflecting on her disenchantment with Christmas.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I learned that holidays have a tendency to amplify the loss and the dysfunction that we have. I thought maybe by sharing my own story, I could bring hope to others.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While the album was successful, Frances also had faith that Portraits of White could be so much more than a collection of songs.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I had a vision to perform my songs on stage with a full orchestra. I'd never done that before. I'd always traveled as a solo artist. And so I hired a conductor from Nashville. I hired an orchestra. And we sold out the first show that year in 2014!”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>3: Dream bigger than yourself</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What started as an album by a solo artist trying to process her own grief blossomed into a creative project that brings together musicians and artists from around the country.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If Frances had stopped with her feeling of disenchantment—or even stopped with the album—her life, her business, and the hearts of thousands of audience members over the years wouldn’t be what they are today. Even though the dream for Portraits of White didn’t start with a goal of reaching millions or turning a profit, it grew into something that brought Frances’s goals well within her reach.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>4: The path from dream to reality is not always smooth</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2019, Portraits of White drew over one thousand people. Frances and her team expanded the project to three shows, extending the reach of her message.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then COVID hit.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Through the turmoil of 2020, Frances persisted in sharing Portraits of White. The show was released as a DVD, bringing her message into the homes and hearts of audiences across the country. She turned what could have been a dead end for Portraits of White into an opportunity for growth.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>5: Dreams are rarely accomplished alone</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances is soon releasing a book telling the story of her journey with Christmas. The current working title of the book is Portraits of White: A Songwriter's Journey to Find Christmas.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Thanks to the Eagles community and their connections and actually going to the 48 Days Innovate Experience in Franklin, Tennessee in April, I talked to a literary agent from Morgan James, and he encouraged me to submit my story about my journey with Christmas.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now Frances is on the final round of edits for the book. With the book release, sponsors, and the support of her community and audience—the 10th anniversary of Portraits of White promises to be the most exciting year since its start.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Eagles are so proud of Frances and thankful for her continuous, active, involvement in our community. We celebrate and support all kinds of success—from traditional entrepreneurial journeys to artistic projects and more. Each and every one of the Eagles is out to transform lives, make their dreams a reality, and uplift each other along the way.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join the 48 Days Eagles Community and see where your dreams will take YOU!: <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/?fbclid=IwAR2ifHlq4an8IcLKgu-Ng0H20a13xa3GhBnFvujWCtjzuGcKBkfZg1YBe-g" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/</a>."</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIVE6U6KTz4nyCejWdvw24nALkr37pbQTH93NxeEbfVPpIb-j8RosH0uy-hIH5slt23k08qaQDDl1ftHaa2BUJlyPPy0TYXmnnm_QRcwJVRgELGw1lTx61THC-RgD53jIUy83zGwsa5kOn7N6qSHHr5DdHfEQpoQhqHrzpRgIS1SX75AZfhAtxmwKwss/s4032/Morgan%20James%20Signing%20June%208,%202023.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIVE6U6KTz4nyCejWdvw24nALkr37pbQTH93NxeEbfVPpIb-j8RosH0uy-hIH5slt23k08qaQDDl1ftHaa2BUJlyPPy0TYXmnnm_QRcwJVRgELGw1lTx61THC-RgD53jIUy83zGwsa5kOn7N6qSHHr5DdHfEQpoQhqHrzpRgIS1SX75AZfhAtxmwKwss/w400-h300/Morgan%20James%20Signing%20June%208,%202023.HEIC" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">David L. Hancock (Founder and Publisher), Frances Drost (Author), Isaiah Taylor (Literary Scout)<br /> The Urban Roost in Richmond, VA<br />June 8, 2023 Publishing Agreement Signed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-61682299614454589792023-08-07T13:16:00.000-04:002023-08-07T13:16:27.343-04:00A Tale of Growth and Grit<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px;">Zinnias, Birds, and Jim Rohn's Wisdom: A Tale of Growth and Grit</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">I have been growing Zinnias for years. In late summer, (usually September or so), I pluck the deadheads, drying them in the basement during the winter season. In the spring, I pull the petals off the dried heads, separate the petals from the seeds and plant those seeds. Year after year, I have beautiful beds of Zinnias. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">But a few years ago, a strange thing occurred. I started noticing that the petals would be stripped bare before I could get to them. One day, after running errands in my van, I pulled in the driveway beside our house and more than a dozen Gold Finches dismounted from my Zinnia patch, taking flight into the air. "Guilty!!" – they seemed to chirp as they flew away. Later, standing by my window, spying on the flowers, I observed the birds pulling the petals off, one by one! I was horrified as I watched them yank the petals with their beaks. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">"Aha," I said to myself. "It's the Gold Finches who are stripping the flowers – before I can harvest them." (You must wait until they've dried completely before cutting them from the plant.)</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">We've had Zinnias and Finches for years and never had this problem. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Each summer, we now have a competition: Frances Versus Gold Finches. If I can harvest the dried blooms before the Finches get them, score! If they get them... well, they rob me of next year's crop. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Today, as I harvested more dried blooms (trying to beat the Finches), I thought about Jim Rohn and his teaching about sowing, reaping, and success, using the story of the birds and the seeds:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">When the birds get your seeds, you have two options. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">1) Chase the birds. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">But when you chase the birds you leave the field which is going to distract from your future. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">2) You can just say, "Isn’t that interesting."</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">If you sow more, you can sow more than the birds can keep up with. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">The sower kept on sowing which was a secret to his success.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">– Jim Rohn</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">How tempting it could be to leave the yard and go chase the birds. Instead, I just plant an abundance of seeds, ensuring that some will survive and be successful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r34qqgb9yTQA-kxftDtYeX4DPtWiG7AUAQiHA7uQ0wfcVWEibAMghj2dtQFdntmI5v2xR2qbLakxWzcM05Q6ikH--dawllLAV4xHZh7TOL-BhjwGamNxmLhEy_m8TXqPHP2hsHy4_dajRlnNuAaGdOikczYKMJSh7L4jVoVxSyp9-YSpDt_pFFAeIvg/s2000/Zinnias%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r34qqgb9yTQA-kxftDtYeX4DPtWiG7AUAQiHA7uQ0wfcVWEibAMghj2dtQFdntmI5v2xR2qbLakxWzcM05Q6ikH--dawllLAV4xHZh7TOL-BhjwGamNxmLhEy_m8TXqPHP2hsHy4_dajRlnNuAaGdOikczYKMJSh7L4jVoVxSyp9-YSpDt_pFFAeIvg/w400-h320/Zinnias%202023.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #141921; font-family: Mulish, "Helvetica Neue", Mulish-Fallback-To-Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-88218552839868626742023-08-04T08:51:00.001-04:002023-08-04T09:00:33.248-04:00Seize the Moment (Part 2). Pay the Price! <p>Thursday - Friday, August 3 - 4, 2022 - Recording days</p><p>Kirstin and I arrived at the studio around 8:45 AM, with plenty of time to meet our producer/arranger, recording engineer and become familiar with our surroundings and get ready to capture the music.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nSruTbOa9sT_Ymj7WXOhThwHCUhyqrMb_66u1YK_K7pZs3xV0WKKe7hJYCVU4ZfTV7xkpr9d-bSUlph4wR4_iirbWvYIiW_tfqzVQdbLUuOeKvmFLf4hZ9niDU6s3ijBOA3XsEXIhG8NvCVVoQjF3Bz-Rp8MpUGJJVMQuXIwmUr8M-oRUQ7vTzAvi4/s4032/IMG_5750.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nSruTbOa9sT_Ymj7WXOhThwHCUhyqrMb_66u1YK_K7pZs3xV0WKKe7hJYCVU4ZfTV7xkpr9d-bSUlph4wR4_iirbWvYIiW_tfqzVQdbLUuOeKvmFLf4hZ9niDU6s3ijBOA3XsEXIhG8NvCVVoQjF3Bz-Rp8MpUGJJVMQuXIwmUr8M-oRUQ7vTzAvi4/s320/IMG_5750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccOyRD9pi8k5DS4brB-CNQpnBAx_oqIKtmXOY3WM0MRuXzpz1GZKdCPEqvBlqDEZHaRa6eOJPCEvxgR3bfmsTENMgj8yKIzUHwKR7s3gIuqpJIOULHqVgpuBVLdt2HxPFVSaR7y3whDs9v4A6bcnIxpPCC-QDRJs5X08phq1qE0rL6yyYgcTZGMCs8iw/s4032/IMG_5839.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccOyRD9pi8k5DS4brB-CNQpnBAx_oqIKtmXOY3WM0MRuXzpz1GZKdCPEqvBlqDEZHaRa6eOJPCEvxgR3bfmsTENMgj8yKIzUHwKR7s3gIuqpJIOULHqVgpuBVLdt2HxPFVSaR7y3whDs9v4A6bcnIxpPCC-QDRJs5X08phq1qE0rL6yyYgcTZGMCs8iw/s320/IMG_5839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The steps leading up to the studio had an interesting inscription in them. Kirstin said, "Wonder Woman," as she stepped up to snap a picture. It probably actually stood for Wildwood (the name of the studio), but I liked her description better. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN33zM-6tggsSJZzMlCXTG0EK8PEqiGWaKbNQOWazwvNRN0oQ5d-GRXbxAW2gDP9r45OjcsXuM5n9uvCzX06C3K-LRwpQduvhSAVMleFAb4pjKoykOJU4NlFXbAP56yShscbcF3Fz-CCPzpYhZo095CRMBmHkw_9JfiESeeMELGLuADDTATABE2ncYOaU/s286/Screenshot%202023-08-04%20at%206.27.54%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="286" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN33zM-6tggsSJZzMlCXTG0EK8PEqiGWaKbNQOWazwvNRN0oQ5d-GRXbxAW2gDP9r45OjcsXuM5n9uvCzX06C3K-LRwpQduvhSAVMleFAb4pjKoykOJU4NlFXbAP56yShscbcF3Fz-CCPzpYhZo095CRMBmHkw_9JfiESeeMELGLuADDTATABE2ncYOaU/s1600/Screenshot%202023-08-04%20at%206.27.54%20AM.png" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div>Only a wonder woman could have managed the intricate balancing act she undertook in the days leading up to this momentous occasion. With the responsibilities of caring for three children, three non-musical feline companions, a faithful canine friend, a roster of oboe students both in her private studio and across multiple educational institutions, and her commitments as a seasoned performer in various symphonies and trios, the sheer magnitude of her achievements becomes evident. And to top it all off, she expertly crafts her own reeds.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip4f612dyiyhyJiHHf6QYz3CcuU4JDdPMaPW9Bi2Nsy85cbSZzYWAJurMqqUuAZLWoshOPDTHKdx-tphOJDjF2m9eJyTbNaRXDVY-WpyYrYFDDfVbSueQFA4wsLVWgejsD-cSbqYTwif_CmS0pYJJ0AexcYsVjdNzwgmgpm5gsFH6pYuQyNv4uYEX8Gw/s4032/IMG_7906.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip4f612dyiyhyJiHHf6QYz3CcuU4JDdPMaPW9Bi2Nsy85cbSZzYWAJurMqqUuAZLWoshOPDTHKdx-tphOJDjF2m9eJyTbNaRXDVY-WpyYrYFDDfVbSueQFA4wsLVWgejsD-cSbqYTwif_CmS0pYJJ0AexcYsVjdNzwgmgpm5gsFH6pYuQyNv4uYEX8Gw/s320/IMG_7906.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div>We were warmly welcomed by Phillip Keveren, our arranger and producer. The significance of this moment as a pianist is beyond words. My familiarity with Phillip's arrangements and piano compositions had grown through my involvement with Ed Kee and the collaborative <i>Portraits of White </i>annual concerts. Our connection led us to incorporate some of Phillip's pieces into these events. In 2019, Double Keyed engaged Phillip to craft an arrangement of "I Wonder as I Wander," spotlighting piano and oboe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Admiring his musical prowess and talents, I was an ardent admirer of Phillip's work. The realization that he would be arranging an entire album for us, while also serving as the producer, was nothing short of a dream actualized—a dream I hadn't even dared to anticipate. Kirstin's aspiration had unexpectedly paved the way for me to collaborate with a true idol of mine. </div><div><br /></div><div>This experience reinforces the truth that pursuing our aspirations often extends its rewards to others. In this instance, I was undoubtedly reaping the rewards of Kirstin's bold pursuit.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ09lHqJXQGo4Bf6iC850LffHA-KzVMWeFLMlsZULKchJF0z7uCkuC2pDLncRumxm_mH124w9MDeV_-Ftdw5tjcNI3-1HX9gC80eo_AwYB5hX0YjQyafoIbAmPYxbxgHWHLo1INtp9DaGqaenkJ5DL-6abuTB7jugBQ7arxx000-_nTqVxJeosuJwi_c0/s4032/IMG_5760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ09lHqJXQGo4Bf6iC850LffHA-KzVMWeFLMlsZULKchJF0z7uCkuC2pDLncRumxm_mH124w9MDeV_-Ftdw5tjcNI3-1HX9gC80eo_AwYB5hX0YjQyafoIbAmPYxbxgHWHLo1INtp9DaGqaenkJ5DL-6abuTB7jugBQ7arxx000-_nTqVxJeosuJwi_c0/s320/IMG_5760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5xu4uqM-8cjLXkITZiwsQl_ZKnEO8EtjhRfhKdSEHPfxQ5DEd-Udv0faODsVUC5veYFkkTpwpOmKvTBpftx4owXnloJZXZT04jLp0BPnZoAgfpETvfDDXQ_kg6gE1pUUg4JNSoGs05RetD9C0cPrUcTijaX9-DBUlYtziGR778pDYVYpPVUSaQtAuvo/s4032/IMG_5755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5xu4uqM-8cjLXkITZiwsQl_ZKnEO8EtjhRfhKdSEHPfxQ5DEd-Udv0faODsVUC5veYFkkTpwpOmKvTBpftx4owXnloJZXZT04jLp0BPnZoAgfpETvfDDXQ_kg6gE1pUUg4JNSoGs05RetD9C0cPrUcTijaX9-DBUlYtziGR778pDYVYpPVUSaQtAuvo/s320/IMG_5755.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5tS-pBRD5aK79-0Z92TfhmMY8jg0FTCoIib2u6XaH7Rjdim1iQNhjkuKQnNjSJ4UYPiV2xQ4PYj6Hs9UoagLhCW5GfCn5ez1hoSHxM2MEslovfgqRCkSH4rElH6iQ_abHbDXgnbmK7btZ_Jl11SBt1mb0Lpv-x9Q3cC9_h2VGrY20bTlqIuIrTf-A7w/s1472/Kirstin%20ready%20to%20record.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5tS-pBRD5aK79-0Z92TfhmMY8jg0FTCoIib2u6XaH7Rjdim1iQNhjkuKQnNjSJ4UYPiV2xQ4PYj6Hs9UoagLhCW5GfCn5ez1hoSHxM2MEslovfgqRCkSH4rElH6iQ_abHbDXgnbmK7btZ_Jl11SBt1mb0Lpv-x9Q3cC9_h2VGrY20bTlqIuIrTf-A7w/s320/Kirstin%20ready%20to%20record.jpg" width="180" /></a></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKxxYfGLzUwkA3RJvUcRwPDwNT7rptq8gjhuKl7y4IRVwPl9gwvFRPyDG9M2BzAIwEbPeSWx5Br3jkEFklMwrztaiNxTBRtTzBph9W3QRkaRjq7_TPGhGNZ-Y4sZzcTICUbRXj2Dbs1f-htX1nKnY7pJ9B9e-j5ZDogUlSSqEyFVo3ZoXYOyj3G1iXfk/s4032/IMG_7902.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKxxYfGLzUwkA3RJvUcRwPDwNT7rptq8gjhuKl7y4IRVwPl9gwvFRPyDG9M2BzAIwEbPeSWx5Br3jkEFklMwrztaiNxTBRtTzBph9W3QRkaRjq7_TPGhGNZ-Y4sZzcTICUbRXj2Dbs1f-htX1nKnY7pJ9B9e-j5ZDogUlSSqEyFVo3ZoXYOyj3G1iXfk/s320/IMG_7902.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IT1qnOkksIJ0bDHuruxM4X2w8YBXfMHMyMD8zBgx4myQ-h_ZdgBPYfx8vgFuWwHP8m4fEP3PYcVSXXTm8Sz6y0RtGGwcHkXkVDPCHQpv9hwA0ui34aorTK9hyALz07UfkrhrpObWaq4TWLwSZ7vfUIp0uBCyGqb4rRqEuKb9-u-9bu8-7u1vtq1Z050/s4032/IMG_5821.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IT1qnOkksIJ0bDHuruxM4X2w8YBXfMHMyMD8zBgx4myQ-h_ZdgBPYfx8vgFuWwHP8m4fEP3PYcVSXXTm8Sz6y0RtGGwcHkXkVDPCHQpv9hwA0ui34aorTK9hyALz07UfkrhrpObWaq4TWLwSZ7vfUIp0uBCyGqb4rRqEuKb9-u-9bu8-7u1vtq1Z050/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAjFPFEWqVjJyM--nScEcj5B7sX7YUR92waLK-h2_YSQk8BHp4JLux6fGRRrzSsDEvgpsQsZ4xogr0aXH3qXyKd459-ESMr7HNp0oRnCv2cmsKS6zysoxHGWwq5kkPd2rIfVJprIa8ab9JVlYs9Y1bhA6uLwHZ3smI7G9FxgNnhOIaNZ7bhiDuni2f2s/s4032/IMG_7848.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAjFPFEWqVjJyM--nScEcj5B7sX7YUR92waLK-h2_YSQk8BHp4JLux6fGRRrzSsDEvgpsQsZ4xogr0aXH3qXyKd459-ESMr7HNp0oRnCv2cmsKS6zysoxHGWwq5kkPd2rIfVJprIa8ab9JVlYs9Y1bhA6uLwHZ3smI7G9FxgNnhOIaNZ7bhiDuni2f2s/s320/IMG_7848.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earlier that morning, prior to our arrival at the studio, I had been engrossed in a motivational message that consistently aids me in maintaining focus on my overarching life goals and daily objectives. My journal entries, captured in their unedited authenticity, mirror the notes I hastily transcribed from the impactful message—an approach I regularly follow. These journal entries also encapsulate my introspective musings during our inaugural day as Double Keyed within the studio.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">🎶</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Dr. David Fink, M.D., said, "Pay the price."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Set a goal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Quit running yourself down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Stop thinking of all the reasons you can't be successful and think of all the reasons why you can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Trace your attitudes back to your childhood and try to discover where you first got the idea that you couldn't be successful if that's the way you've been thinking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Change the image you have of yourself by writing out a description of the person you would like to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Act the part of the successful person you have decided to become.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">– Earl Nightingale, <i>The Strangest Secret</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">🎶</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Five songs done today:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Gorgeous</li><li>O Holy Night </li><li>What Child is This?</li><li>I Wonder - surprised by how difficult this was - reed issues [Kirstin had cautioned me about the capricious nature of reeds, not to mention the temperamental disposition of the oboe itself. As I observed the situation firsthand, I gained a deeper appreciation for the immense pressure she must have been under while recording, solely from this vantage point.]</li><li>In the Bleak Midwinter - Beautiful!</li></ul></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">🎶</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>A few comments I heard today:</div><div><br /></div><div>"This is going to be a fun day!" - Phillip and Kent said to each other [after Kirstin and I warmed up with O Come O Come Emmanuel].</div><div>"Frances, you and that piano are talking to each other." (PK)</div><div>"This is going to be a world class project." (PK) I smiled inside - since one of my goals has been to be a world class performer. :-)</div><div>"Frances, you have really risen to the challenge." (PK) [Coming from a renowned pianist himself, I was exceptionally grateful to hear this. It was no small feat to record in front of him, while he sat in the control room listening to every note I played.]</div><div>"These two [performers] did something we don't often see – they came prepared." [PK said to Ed Kee, who stopped by the studio for a visit.]</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRhWA-PQ_1lJZUvZL9noanBxOx3rX1WlkXvfL5wnN67MDYr13zuHeE1CSe85kP8ooJinMaTCG_l4AEpLjlV7Lde05tR_W64oZnmKMv9DzMf6JYUI_DPATLYFNkBhivh4RiwagEZi2I-mJ6UJ28TBEU-fxwAInEJSpf9MRQuV9vLj-_JRvrRqygHw7Hqs/s4032/IMG_7852.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRhWA-PQ_1lJZUvZL9noanBxOx3rX1WlkXvfL5wnN67MDYr13zuHeE1CSe85kP8ooJinMaTCG_l4AEpLjlV7Lde05tR_W64oZnmKMv9DzMf6JYUI_DPATLYFNkBhivh4RiwagEZi2I-mJ6UJ28TBEU-fxwAInEJSpf9MRQuV9vLj-_JRvrRqygHw7Hqs/s320/IMG_7852.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">🎶</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt as if my practicing paid off – in so many ways. I wanted to not be the weak link. I held my own. I played in the presence of a master, and didn't fall apart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"This piano is like a race car that doesn't want to stick with the speed limit." Steve (studio owner) liked that – they all laughed – they'd never heard that analogy... he said that was language he could understand. :-)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">🎶</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br style="text-align: center;" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the end of the two days, I reflected further:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sat down and debriefed our experience. Looked at pictures from the photo shoot. </li></ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeqpcYdf2u36Z9mprulFHuF8__4Jqs6y0Sr0e7O7H-6zZgfkA0Z45RWqFqnEcoaCBH8bxa5hhYESu4Kk2NzOeGkej62mhjkp1belhN80lf9OEltecucIILBqHq9x0jnzX218ZMHoLAnnJ2lW1OScRbsiMXXYwxJCMApF9aUs1HHsA20CkzfUCS_8EpcA/s5568/Double-Keyed_8-3-2022_eafoto_71.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeqpcYdf2u36Z9mprulFHuF8__4Jqs6y0Sr0e7O7H-6zZgfkA0Z45RWqFqnEcoaCBH8bxa5hhYESu4Kk2NzOeGkej62mhjkp1belhN80lf9OEltecucIILBqHq9x0jnzX218ZMHoLAnnJ2lW1OScRbsiMXXYwxJCMApF9aUs1HHsA20CkzfUCS_8EpcA/s320/Double-Keyed_8-3-2022_eafoto_71.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>At first, we were having trouble remembering all the 'rules'.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chin out... head down</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (and then there were those dreaded hot flashes)</i></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Walked around Franklin. Young group of string players serenaded us. Violinist on the corner down the street. Meat platter at Pucketts... sweet tea... Ice cream/yogurt at Sweet CeCe's.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsyvyG96zKNFVzvzLit-Q7PA4f8_4gCUPb5aKK2Tk63rIwUGbsvDG4T5HKPjG-eaOV9FHFu9KaYIZ52udCilsijPV8dzIm7imVB2IlT_-fBIQjTww8Ed0yClhBEVWOJbJ8XodKSSvgd54oIbzyOPcKJhERLAgLPrFZCRDq9IomGsP45sFhWcdF0JaiKY/s4032/IMG_5851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsyvyG96zKNFVzvzLit-Q7PA4f8_4gCUPb5aKK2Tk63rIwUGbsvDG4T5HKPjG-eaOV9FHFu9KaYIZ52udCilsijPV8dzIm7imVB2IlT_-fBIQjTww8Ed0yClhBEVWOJbJ8XodKSSvgd54oIbzyOPcKJhERLAgLPrFZCRDq9IomGsP45sFhWcdF0JaiKY/s320/IMG_5851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXYbPojlFZyFAD6_3CuKleFEHgXgVqwPuevyoRT5EUeQZNF8_BuMc7JSF4uzVTJ7Lx2zaT2m8J7tk4SUcpF31qLFx-vYolJWQXqQ5hBd1h_nPhY220lXu4YClKfZdDqVa6b_457tiLLdCeyEJNukt05tyyIvNDq42R2ZJUtYpbW4-hV2J-e8-uE6oGNw/s4032/IMG_5845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXYbPojlFZyFAD6_3CuKleFEHgXgVqwPuevyoRT5EUeQZNF8_BuMc7JSF4uzVTJ7Lx2zaT2m8J7tk4SUcpF31qLFx-vYolJWQXqQ5hBd1h_nPhY220lXu4YClKfZdDqVa6b_457tiLLdCeyEJNukt05tyyIvNDq42R2ZJUtYpbW4-hV2J-e8-uE6oGNw/s320/IMG_5845.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Came back and fed the cat our [leftover] chicken. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixX1yi2IZLvMgilaTK9phaSZyo1aQjmgIhO0CN6KdZ6hRgd21bCWg7Mpy4LeZMBQbLAbJjNmyWB336jgf7KFuIzKUAVC__NnoWa4AnG6MNbJxoHZVK_l9QNImUd0nJCpPUy4qOitD9vQLHYxvjcLZ5iBkRWhNko2g5wXFBScupUMmD37wmFekmbJegns/s1800/4_7%20cat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixX1yi2IZLvMgilaTK9phaSZyo1aQjmgIhO0CN6KdZ6hRgd21bCWg7Mpy4LeZMBQbLAbJjNmyWB336jgf7KFuIzKUAVC__NnoWa4AnG6MNbJxoHZVK_l9QNImUd0nJCpPUy4qOitD9vQLHYxvjcLZ5iBkRWhNko2g5wXFBScupUMmD37wmFekmbJegns/s320/4_7%20cat.jpg" width="256" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li>Talked to Kim, Jack's wife. He had tongue cancer. :-( They used to live on N. Berry's Chapel [near the studio where we recorded] - bought this property later [Airbnb].</li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Helicopters</li><li>Turkeys</li><li>Shooting Turkeys</li><li>Deer</li><li>Georgia the cat</li><li>Hank, Diggy - horses</li><li>Chickens</li><li>Photo shoot password: fan :-) hot flashes</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt__OCEMMqs8Bm0kNxRT1AOJ8Sq_D_I9P_cRsQLLKNSEmE7s0OuqwcSyMEOgvfvh65RMcKLjs9L2LtjDgweDP-XnDpC6uSWFCthRB94kGuHLOgtW8rCAMCBZQMcA_b0aP9-9Oa2Y9-UagdyeE3Nzi9IAkk9gTQ5rFTGVG9Jo92dBJaNdMRY_LWOTiymFw/s2000/TN%203.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt__OCEMMqs8Bm0kNxRT1AOJ8Sq_D_I9P_cRsQLLKNSEmE7s0OuqwcSyMEOgvfvh65RMcKLjs9L2LtjDgweDP-XnDpC6uSWFCthRB94kGuHLOgtW8rCAMCBZQMcA_b0aP9-9Oa2Y9-UagdyeE3Nzi9IAkk9gTQ5rFTGVG9Jo92dBJaNdMRY_LWOTiymFw/s320/TN%203.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />🎶</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was obvious that Kirstin was blown away by the whole experience... couldn't articulate all she was feeling, but I understood. It's unexplainable. Unless you go through it, there are no words. I was just incredibly grateful to be back. Never thought it would happen - and SO delightful. The music, the piano, the people – Kent and Steve [and Phillip] - SO much fun.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We're both concerned about I Wonder... and it puzzles me because that one was the least of our concerns. Oh well. They assured us that once they mix, eq and master it, it will sound amazing. [And it did... I don't know what we were so worried about!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I cried often when they would play the songs back to us in the studio. It moves me – the lonely sound of the oboe, the richness of the English horn. I had to keep myself together. The opportunity to play this incredible piano – the best in town?! Wow!! Just wow!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qaY_QP6I5Nel7jWl-aKSrX9updnJf_L3mmP6lYEfnBnDbqMrr-TtAp8UY_8zLfKMBhggTYe-R7b5bZPY6AnTi1CB0sOk-geQl4eGKX-Kibq-3iBNbZYFAGPBk7AbzFpbNIQv4j_c7E4jUbWR1NrpR-HQye3K7PZMpUF0YTzOEnOjWhxhWsCDdmTsLYc/s2000/TN%204.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qaY_QP6I5Nel7jWl-aKSrX9updnJf_L3mmP6lYEfnBnDbqMrr-TtAp8UY_8zLfKMBhggTYe-R7b5bZPY6AnTi1CB0sOk-geQl4eGKX-Kibq-3iBNbZYFAGPBk7AbzFpbNIQv4j_c7E4jUbWR1NrpR-HQye3K7PZMpUF0YTzOEnOjWhxhWsCDdmTsLYc/s320/TN%204.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />🎶</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Kent Hooper's impeccable mixing and mastering skills brought our collection of classics to life, infusing them with a captivating blend of sound. Paired with Phillip's heartfelt arrangements, their collaboration transformed our project into a harmonious masterpiece. </div><div><br /></div><div>With a title that eloquently captured our journey and an exquisite album cover that perfectly complemented the music, our artistic endeavor was truly fulfilled. The project reached its culmination, leaving us with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMCzw6hPimxaYZcXjnLEd3uEscDfCoWGQiWrUsreoXMVoTd_oqn-3gJFhjitgPYC9A1ZBVnvcdaZ6fWsSeqjqSw6UyfOFDkYcHadboSuqh2sWTjGaj-GrU155q5KuhVKS29jVe5lTN_OEe-MocNDQclyX-27ADV6H2JqPaO6rOFlCOVvZJRpRqD0T0ZI/s1500/FRONT%20COVER%20Double-Keyed_Midwinters-Gift_6pan_digi_Front_Cover-16%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1500" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMCzw6hPimxaYZcXjnLEd3uEscDfCoWGQiWrUsreoXMVoTd_oqn-3gJFhjitgPYC9A1ZBVnvcdaZ6fWsSeqjqSw6UyfOFDkYcHadboSuqh2sWTjGaj-GrU155q5KuhVKS29jVe5lTN_OEe-MocNDQclyX-27ADV6H2JqPaO6rOFlCOVvZJRpRqD0T0ZI/s320/FRONT%20COVER%20Double-Keyed_Midwinters-Gift_6pan_digi_Front_Cover-16%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On November 4, 2022, Midwinter's Gift took wings and flew into the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Monday, November 14, I woke up to an email:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Hello,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Double Keyed (Frances Drost & Kirstin Myers) “Midwinter's Gift” is charting on our Classical Crossover chart tomorrow.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>CD 195269192372</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Also hoping you can have a copy of the CD sent to me so we can archive.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Thanks so much and stay safe.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Alex Vitoulis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Billboard Magazine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Associate Director Charts Production Manager/Archive Research Manager</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Chart Manager: Blues, Classical, Comedy, Jazz, Kid Audio, Music Video, New Age, Reggae, Vinyl & World</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Recaps Assistant</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>475 FIFTH AVENUE, 4th Floor, NEW YORK, NY 10017</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Email: alex.vitoulis@billboard.com</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Mobile:516-317-0552 | Twitter: @jawsfin</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>IM:Alex V BPI</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>www.billboard.com</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>www.billboard.com/business</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk4ZHUewCm0WhC0KwMa49ABuczwRQGMpfKU_k00yuJEI9Cap7SAtDmlwu5f12Rhr_Y-R2kK27S9dfNGlVtApAGXpvOh1SnJRGmgKdRc5JxPDoDaB9EdFRBRzACKuuujRLOxCb7o43sE7MzyinpuuUWtu3-Yqo5S2fUeLqWJfUfF5l2cjqPUd9xgS18ps/s1424/Billboard%2011.14.22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk4ZHUewCm0WhC0KwMa49ABuczwRQGMpfKU_k00yuJEI9Cap7SAtDmlwu5f12Rhr_Y-R2kK27S9dfNGlVtApAGXpvOh1SnJRGmgKdRc5JxPDoDaB9EdFRBRzACKuuujRLOxCb7o43sE7MzyinpuuUWtu3-Yqo5S2fUeLqWJfUfF5l2cjqPUd9xgS18ps/w144-h320/Billboard%2011.14.22.jpeg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <span style="background-color: white;">January 2023, <i>Midwinter's Gift</i> was </span><span style="background-color: white;">nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year, receiving a 2022 Spot </span><span style="background-color: white;">Award for Best Classical/Crossover from Central Pennsylvania Music </span><span style="background-color: white;">Awards. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: AvenirNext;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrftWNbdNPP20fLolWzwvY34j3Cfsg2zmSTFz1lTNHvc1i_AP4NF33xVp9LMGVXTrJrFqdWD6X1Z8KeDdu5Al6MKbk7tWaHfYNZVAiUS9FK-iC1StLzNX9W5DL4U3v4nStkC17h-l7rqtfjMw94XoT2xDr280juijQ1QEcpj80xWJ56KnCp87MF8olEY/s1080/MG%20Winner%20square%202023%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrftWNbdNPP20fLolWzwvY34j3Cfsg2zmSTFz1lTNHvc1i_AP4NF33xVp9LMGVXTrJrFqdWD6X1Z8KeDdu5Al6MKbk7tWaHfYNZVAiUS9FK-iC1StLzNX9W5DL4U3v4nStkC17h-l7rqtfjMw94XoT2xDr280juijQ1QEcpj80xWJ56KnCp87MF8olEY/s320/MG%20Winner%20square%202023%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: AvenirNext;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7E3gHi7KRNTWlCSlRGvylu-BzSYKCipRiDiz9zHAqWTRVIG-G01UWOvm7Q67Z7GJhlnais_yJ7yOj1qUCndAGjbZ3jpb1_cVzCYJAknncS5VXpZNR3AC8CNn7VEwDf5vJmLm-c0kVPlXlX4vwf7vPpydAW53nR_lOV5GUoMpbeH2eSUQ1LyqgvhttJw/s3039/CPMA%20DK%20looking%20at%20eachother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="2982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7E3gHi7KRNTWlCSlRGvylu-BzSYKCipRiDiz9zHAqWTRVIG-G01UWOvm7Q67Z7GJhlnais_yJ7yOj1qUCndAGjbZ3jpb1_cVzCYJAknncS5VXpZNR3AC8CNn7VEwDf5vJmLm-c0kVPlXlX4vwf7vPpydAW53nR_lOV5GUoMpbeH2eSUQ1LyqgvhttJw/w314-h320/CPMA%20DK%20looking%20at%20eachother.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What are we going to do next?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>🎶</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the heels of their Billboard-charting and award winning album, <i>Midwinter’s Gift</i>, Kirstin Myers and Frances Drost as the duo Double Keyed continue to delight audiences with their heartfelt interpretations of both classical and contemporary music. Their unique and contemplative sound takes the listener on a journey that resonates long after their performances.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />In 2018, Kirstin and Frances formed Double Keyed when they realized that they both had a desire to not only perform together, but to touch others with their music in an uplifting way that leaves them in a reflective state of peace.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Their first album, <i>Midwinter’s Gift,</i> was recorded in 2022 in Nashville, TN and in November of that same year it was nationally recognized by reaching #13 on Billboard’s “Classical-Crossover” chart. A few months later, it was nominated by the Central Pennsylvania Hall of Fame for “Best Instrumental Album of the Year” and was also awarded “Best Classical-Crossover Album” of 2022.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Oboist Kirstin Myers holds degrees in both performance and education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was also a summa cum laude graduate of Michigan State University in oboe performance. Since the year 2000, Kirstin has been on the faculty of Millersville University and York College and in 2016 was appointed to the faculty of Lebanon Valley College. She is a 26-year member of the York Symphony Orchestra and also plays with local groups like Berks Sinfonietta and the Reading Pops Orchestra. In addition, she maintains a large private music studio for oboe and piano students in both Lancaster and York counties and hosts a podcast featuring local musicians called <i>Life Between the Notes</i>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Award-winning singer/songwriter Frances Drost is a pianist and concert artist who began her own company, Musical Creations, as a way to encourage people on their journey through life. Take years of life experiences distilled into “three minute messages” of lyric and melody, interwoven with story-telling in between and you get the unique ministry of Frances. <span class="s1" style="color: #262626;">As both a singer and songwriter, Frances has a unique way of presenting real-life experiences and meaningful messages that are gently woven throughout her music.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />You can find more about Kirstin at <b>kirstinmyersoboe.com </b>and Frances at <b>francesdrost.com</b>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><i>Midwinter’s Gift </i>is available on CD as well as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and many other streaming services. You can purchase the CD <a href="https://doublekeyed.bandcamp.com/album/midwinters-gift">here</a>.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-56265527816623398092023-08-03T13:55:00.003-04:002023-08-04T06:14:51.751-04:00Seize the Moment. (Part 1)<p style="text-align: center;"> "The opportunity of a lifetime only lasts for the lifetime of the opportunity. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Seize the moment." </p><p style="text-align: center;">– Dave Hess</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dear Kirstin,</p><p style="text-align: left;">I know this week is difficult. After all, it's been exactly one year since we took a big step and hopped in the van to go to Nashville to seize the moment and follow your heart's desire to do a Christmas album. From the moment you suggested the album idea, I was ALL IN! </p><p style="text-align: left;">And we did it. We recorded <i>Midwinter's Gift</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;">As the project was released to the world, later in November, you poured out your heart in frequent posts to help people get a sense of the monumental trek we took, geographically, musically and emotionally. I sat back and watched how unreservedly you shared your part of the story. I felt like I was a little kid who was invited to go on an adventure with you. I wanted to squeal with delight, but I let you take the lead in releasing it. </p><p style="text-align: left;">But now, knowing how hard it can be to move on after such an experience like we had, I wanted to give something back and share with you some excerpts from my journal – from that week in Nashville. So here's my unedited version, as I wrote it that week in Tennessee. Since it's history in the making, I've decided to make it a blog post so that others can savor the memories with us.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>♬</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Tuesday, August 2, 2022: </b>(The trip down to Nashville)</p><p>Lovely ride down in the van. Alternated drivers – made good time</p><p>Cracker Barrel for lunch. Road trip. Listened to music</p><p>Ended up at Bristol Town Hall (City Hall) while looking for Cracker Barrel</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-CDSbcsqpbIq2nEY5aob7NqXib7MgvNrUeAU2t-7BB5V03WJEyoOBuLMcZ7RtCLYd3tft6CZtY6qW2oLpsWXeL2imGfc72wVStZQ_37RerwigE1KerNBRgEZfSx5F73qD0rWz09QzFszQDDpLpPoyJ00KsPKaOPbEv9MYyX-c16GPNU5BRIB7gUWfvk/s4032/IMG_5615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-CDSbcsqpbIq2nEY5aob7NqXib7MgvNrUeAU2t-7BB5V03WJEyoOBuLMcZ7RtCLYd3tft6CZtY6qW2oLpsWXeL2imGfc72wVStZQ_37RerwigE1KerNBRgEZfSx5F73qD0rWz09QzFszQDDpLpPoyJ00KsPKaOPbEv9MYyX-c16GPNU5BRIB7gUWfvk/s320/IMG_5615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Cowboy at Cracker Barrel – looking for land and/or roadkill?</p><p>The Red House @ The White Oak Farm </p><p>Wildwood Studio, looking at the deer (after we realized they had a surveillance camera)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpvIdB2lu_fedsDf5pZfDHsRNjyuFFvs0x7m86U0INc0MH62vpZRhVdjgCaWjz05oik5LJP2GeYlgG2F7ILudlk5G5OIgl_hizh5t0r9ZnJNhFl4Y7GeSCjCHQ1lT0nMo97_eO06A2c5MmXwJ7h3-fBWxo_6x4t4j5IMOuDkpCAPvJUQztfylTq86Po8/s4032/IMG_5624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpvIdB2lu_fedsDf5pZfDHsRNjyuFFvs0x7m86U0INc0MH62vpZRhVdjgCaWjz05oik5LJP2GeYlgG2F7ILudlk5G5OIgl_hizh5t0r9ZnJNhFl4Y7GeSCjCHQ1lT0nMo97_eO06A2c5MmXwJ7h3-fBWxo_6x4t4j5IMOuDkpCAPvJUQztfylTq86Po8/s320/IMG_5624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Kroger's groceries</p><p>Cows in the yard</p><p>Deer P,</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>"We're in jail"</p><p>"We need air conditioning"</p><p>"Do you have a place we can stay?"</p><p>"The Pennsylvania van"</p><p>"Will there be crickets in the recording?"</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;">♬ </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Wednesday, August 3, 2022:</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Leisurely morning while Kirstin tried out and adjusted her reeds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ironed, went for a long walk, sang through the oboe parts – yet another way to connect with the music. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sat by the pool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hard boiled eggs and salmon, yogurt and granola for breakfast around noon. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RxNxCE1FgbmWABf3sno3oBeNu1s56q-c-dgs7eZZRWLPDT6A7mJtuhrOHc0KJ86kGBt80arl0BukIjXAiCHORHb90-Jsm_yYqjlpyG1Klw1duA1ksoP76a-r6M7ugTm6yKwXpoxIOrdL9OJiVWJjR7dHc1k2QwautkfV0KZ8MB2zxplRaP3ZlB5IHdE/s2000/TN%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RxNxCE1FgbmWABf3sno3oBeNu1s56q-c-dgs7eZZRWLPDT6A7mJtuhrOHc0KJ86kGBt80arl0BukIjXAiCHORHb90-Jsm_yYqjlpyG1Klw1duA1ksoP76a-r6M7ugTm6yKwXpoxIOrdL9OJiVWJjR7dHc1k2QwautkfV0KZ8MB2zxplRaP3ZlB5IHdE/w400-h320/TN%201.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">♬</p><p style="text-align: left;">All the way down here, I felt rather numb. It's been over four years since I've been here. So much has happened. COVID, for one thing. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I've aged ... and I feel it. I've lost something. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I thought I'd never be back to this town, and I was honestly okay with that. I had a good run. I gave it all I had. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm loving the new season of house concerts and being home. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I have to let go of what was. Embrace new special moments. Make new memories. </p><p style="text-align: left;">A new friend in my life – Kirstin. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I don't know her well, but we seem to fit well together. It's not forced... it just slowly unfolds like a rose. I like it. Easy to work with and travel with. Forging new territory – piano and oboe. New producer, arranger, engineer, studio – it's all so different. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I need to just let go and let be. Unfold. Build new experiences. Don't mourn the old. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Love the little Airbnb – very quaint. Perfect for us. Out in the country... little horse farm... dogs... pool... two miles from Ed [previous <i>Portraits of White </i>conductor], two miles from studio and about five from downtown Franklin.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2q-KgVaYdMBAW2ustC9IVnh9rPlodMTJlouhgy5YLcg7HEHIbdEx_FoxNGOZ3OM2ByrYldUK8QSi0H7rmqXfNHJqoWtAkCmffh2V06VC1u6eQPHZC5H5ZJ2gKFuujtJH3XdQlLTRIik1UMpAuRmj-H3XbcKEo_Q9vmOUSpWzzN42R2ohScBFawLeCUw/s4032/IMG_5638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2q-KgVaYdMBAW2ustC9IVnh9rPlodMTJlouhgy5YLcg7HEHIbdEx_FoxNGOZ3OM2ByrYldUK8QSi0H7rmqXfNHJqoWtAkCmffh2V06VC1u6eQPHZC5H5ZJ2gKFuujtJH3XdQlLTRIik1UMpAuRmj-H3XbcKEo_Q9vmOUSpWzzN42R2ohScBFawLeCUw/s320/IMG_5638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBx3bZkpbNNRQz7d5920iWCmQzsyc-ZZrnauyDPsNj-YG22wPKJds8LCdIwTWLAdU8Yy3Ord_QoyhxaSMPzoJm-vHLMo98U5PqQ_zPfYeQA7LP_ZjEK9PKEHYYZXMTw3GNvRpasKErg93Rt6x1Aq17SkltWr1pbsFjc95ThbHjEgCtRWMal16r9RP41M/s4032/IMG_5650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBx3bZkpbNNRQz7d5920iWCmQzsyc-ZZrnauyDPsNj-YG22wPKJds8LCdIwTWLAdU8Yy3Ord_QoyhxaSMPzoJm-vHLMo98U5PqQ_zPfYeQA7LP_ZjEK9PKEHYYZXMTw3GNvRpasKErg93Rt6x1Aq17SkltWr1pbsFjc95ThbHjEgCtRWMal16r9RP41M/s320/IMG_5650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">When we got near the Nashville city limits, my heart responded. When we passed exits where I've stayed, Seaboard Lane – where we did <i>Inside Things </i>and Fieldstone Parkway (Ed's territory) – my heart leaped. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Yet, I realized I've moved on. I've been forced to in some ways. </p><p style="text-align: left;">It's better to let go of what was and anticipate new things.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I never thought I'd be back. But here I am – and I love why I'm here. I love that Kirstin and I met through <i>Portraits of White</i>, but we're doing our own thing – like she says, it's an offshoot of the <i>Portraits of White</i> tree. It's not the tree, but it's a branch from it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">♬</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm about to go do a photo shoot with Erick Anderson [and Kirstin].</p><p style="text-align: left;">Gray hair – I've kept my natural color. Tempting to color it for this, but it was pretty clear – I need to embrace my age and season in life and part of that is the gray hair.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67dYKpe4aYE6kHvE5abeHHxhwE2VqoVjDqBs7nK2WKLscaTYsYytArH-mhh5I5I_miQ0_ZGrVf4Ey-6_27nG2sj8sN8-FTorfuiLfHtugqBDeluu8IXpD8Gd4gMig-_7-kY0O3WqSL9vnpxN8MVVXqfcv-MjdM5G3QxMo-H_El1jbHq03wzUACkgSQPo/s2000/TN%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67dYKpe4aYE6kHvE5abeHHxhwE2VqoVjDqBs7nK2WKLscaTYsYytArH-mhh5I5I_miQ0_ZGrVf4Ey-6_27nG2sj8sN8-FTorfuiLfHtugqBDeluu8IXpD8Gd4gMig-_7-kY0O3WqSL9vnpxN8MVVXqfcv-MjdM5G3QxMo-H_El1jbHq03wzUACkgSQPo/w400-h320/TN%202.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">♬</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">We're so happy we did the Christmas in July events. Gave us real practice. Almost feels like the fans are with us. They've been part of the journey. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1TQrKqzBilhSEaAC-sQXTWS5KQOx7LeW4Fdilqm8RVbnu-JCaaXYVdf0BjD7Eabt-dhBQyv2DR8zCXj4y2IwTWe2Cn8s2Sem9V-o71Fe_P92qiTvOQYooXAMhVEAyTjmDEcHU0TmpiqBL24WHF7oosWjCGM7W7DOk860GFZiGY4nb3mX2B9Pf5ZVdOs/s1654/Copy%20of%20CIJ%20Group%20Photos%20(Facebook%20Post).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="1654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1TQrKqzBilhSEaAC-sQXTWS5KQOx7LeW4Fdilqm8RVbnu-JCaaXYVdf0BjD7Eabt-dhBQyv2DR8zCXj4y2IwTWe2Cn8s2Sem9V-o71Fe_P92qiTvOQYooXAMhVEAyTjmDEcHU0TmpiqBL24WHF7oosWjCGM7W7DOk860GFZiGY4nb3mX2B9Pf5ZVdOs/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20CIJ%20Group%20Photos%20(Facebook%20Post).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Now we get to enjoy this moment in time. Making music in August, in the town I used to love. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy-QLgoeRmCERtlv7DdgqvjScIbxfEbKLC3OlEq4-O6AiibPOCH2Ys9seVLQHfof31IVFLm6cFZEEHQfHlxW5Rn1HL8eVkKQhig-89XbNDsrsx6EWp8Tv-aCI7cf6NJz8nA2_YLNyqYfsPbiP1-5-P0xpPkn78oIhA9JS3PYwc_g6iBa99tZHzxr8rao/s3088/IMG_7836.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy-QLgoeRmCERtlv7DdgqvjScIbxfEbKLC3OlEq4-O6AiibPOCH2Ys9seVLQHfof31IVFLm6cFZEEHQfHlxW5Rn1HL8eVkKQhig-89XbNDsrsx6EWp8Tv-aCI7cf6NJz8nA2_YLNyqYfsPbiP1-5-P0xpPkn78oIhA9JS3PYwc_g6iBa99tZHzxr8rao/w374-h280/IMG_7836.HEIC" width="374" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span>♬</p><p style="text-align: left;">I believe something beautiful is at work here. I don't know what and I really don't care either. I'm just enjoying the ride. The music. The practicing. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I've learned so much as I've really tried to practice and find new approaches to learning the music. I can feel the mindset shift–from being easily distracted, to learning how to focus and stay in the moment. I overcame the mental hurdle of using the AirTurn pedal to turn pages. I'm on my way to memorizing and I've loved using my 3X5 index cards with various practice approaches.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I think a big indicator of how much I've grown is the dream I had the other night where for the first time EVER, I actually played the piano in my dream and it went super well. Nothing weird happened to the instrument and it felt so natural to play. Perhaps that shows how much I have overcome mentally, as I've given myself to this project for the past six months. <i>And oh... I've lost about 8 pounds in July!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">The icing on the cake will be to walk away (or drive away) on Saturday feeling really happy with my performance the next two days... </p><p style="text-align: left;">... and to look pretty today. :-)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYppePOaRVH6DhpIm374iBgEDcri5XtJtMFQLg3ygEc8eiUL7mSRHDpAbNBROb_OH08YMfhEIXPFknslo2NMhjcGdeu9nfCKYpne41QXWJ95VIFOFc9l8gIyPplB7XdXFH893qy6xqV1tfRAweWZ66OkwEfeuKfbT_4SYOajKa5EznE3G7iKD4__Qf1k/s5568/Double-Keyed_8-3-2022_eafoto_176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYppePOaRVH6DhpIm374iBgEDcri5XtJtMFQLg3ygEc8eiUL7mSRHDpAbNBROb_OH08YMfhEIXPFknslo2NMhjcGdeu9nfCKYpne41QXWJ95VIFOFc9l8gIyPplB7XdXFH893qy6xqV1tfRAweWZ66OkwEfeuKfbT_4SYOajKa5EznE3G7iKD4__Qf1k/w400-h266/Double-Keyed_8-3-2022_eafoto_176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>Dear Kirstin, what are we supposed to be doing?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">♬</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Thursday morning, August 4, 2022</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Photo shoot was fun! Kirstin is a natural – beautiful girl! She's just one of those... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love my silver hair. I'm glad I kept it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My thoughts frequently turned to the realization that I thought I'd never be back and there I was, doing a photo shoot with a friend (who's gorgeous) – getting ready to do a beautiful instrumental project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just can't wait to do this and hear the final product, and see the photos...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TODAY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Phillip Keveren</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kent Hooper :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Best Yamaha C7 in Nashville</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Midwinter's Gift</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kirstin suggested this order for the day:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">O Come, O Come Emmanuel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What Child is This?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">O Holy Night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Keep Carol of the Bells, Ships and Sing We Now for Friday morning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I will go to the studio with a heart to serve Kirstin and her dream. This recording is something she has on her bucket list. It's my pleasure to serve her and help make this happen AND make it great! This is about her today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em class="x-el x-el-span c1-2h c1-2i c1-b c1-91 c1-2t c1-2q c1-92 c1-93" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;">P.S. Midwinter’s Gift </em><span style="background-color: white;">can be found on all major streaming services. Digital downloads and CDs can be purchased </span><a class="x-el x-el-a c1-2h c1-2i c1-95 c1-1b c1-1c c1-6q c1-2k c1-7n c1-b c1-4h c1-2q c1-3u c1-2s" href="http://www.doublekeyed.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; display: inline; overflow-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-51806032084244236372023-08-02T10:53:00.002-04:002023-08-02T11:05:15.089-04:00The Memory Jar<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">When my mother started experiencing dementia, my sister suggested we create a memory jar for her. A glass mason quart jar started to fill up as we'd write down little moments we remembered and put the memories in the jar. At any moment, she could randomly select a memory and savor it.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As we approach the tenth year of the "Portraits of White" Winter Concert, I find myself reminiscing about the beautiful memories we've created together over the years. This led to an idea.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Would you help me fill a memory jar as an expression of gratitude to one of the prominent sponsors of the concert – Martin's Potato Rolls?</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It Started with Sundaes and Radios</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">My journey as an artist has been deeply intertwined with Martin's Famous Potato Rolls. During my teenage years, Martin's Family Restaurant and Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe (on Lincoln Way in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), became a beloved spot for my mother and me. The moments we spent there, savoring hot fudge sundaes or pastries, became treasured memories.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lloyd and Lois Martin, the founders of Martin's, not only delighted customers with their pastry dough (and hot fudge sundaes), but they also played a crucial role in helping minister Charlie B. Byers fulfill his vision of sharing a radio broadcast with Chambersburg. In addition to baking, the Martins had a love for music and radio.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lloyd and Lois supported Charlie by building a studio in their home, equipped with recording equipment for the broadcast. Charlie's radio show became a cherished part of my mother's family Sundays. Between the radio broadcast and the pastry shoppe, you could say that Lloyd, Lois, and Charlie supplied nourishment to souls and tummies.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Many years later, thanks to Charlie's broadcast, I got my first chance to do an official music recording in a studio near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. That experience changed my music life – forever.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">From Rolls to Flakes</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fast forward to "Portraits of White" 2017, year number four of my vision to bring my Christmas album to life on stage, accompanied by a full orchestra. Excitedly, the dream was materializing – at a hefty cost of over $50K a year. Ticket sales never covered the cost of the event so I had to find ways to make up for that deficit. <span style="font-style: italic;">To help give you some perspective, in 2022, ticket sales covered 65% of the cost of the event. </span>In those days, I was paying for it by doing smaller concerts and working part-time at a church.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When a friend noticed the financial weight I was carrying, he suggested that I find sponsors – and in his kindness, offered to help me. He got the snowball of sponsorships rolling. Eventually, under the direction of a wealth advisor, I put together a plan that would enable me to find sponsorships to keep my dream going every year. </p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I eventually let go of the part-time job so I could focus solely on my dream. <span style="font-style: italic;">Merry Christmas!</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Enter Martin's Potato Rolls. In 2017, Martin's became one of the premier sponsors for my "Portraits of White<span style="font-style: italic;">"</span> event. <span style="font-style: italic;">Lloyd and Lois Martin's legacy rolls on! </span>And once again, Martin's has agreed to be a prominent sponsor for "Portraits of White<span style="font-style: italic;">" </span>2023. That's <span style="font-weight: bold;">seven </span>years in a row!! </p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So . . . In honor of Martin's steady support, would you help me show gratitude in a special way?</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fill the Jar By:</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">🎵 1) Write down a fond memory you have connected with </span><a href="https://potatorolls.com/about-us/" style="color: #315fc3; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Martin's Potato Rolls</a><span style="color: #315fc3; font-size: 16px;">. </span><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Do you fill your roll with some kind of fancy food? Snow Mellows perhaps?</span><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 16px;"> Let us snow!</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Or, if you've never had the famous rolls, you could still thank Martin's by:</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">🎵 2) Writing a fond memory you have from the "Portraits of White</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> annual event and how it has touched you and your family.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Send your reflections</span> to FrancesDrostmusic@gmail.com and include your first and last name.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Then, we'll compile the notes, put them on individual papers and deliver a jar of gratitude to Martin's for their many years of support!</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thank you for being a part of my Christmas journey and for sharing your memories with me and Martin's.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With a jar full of gratitude,</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Frances</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S. Feel free to share this invitation with your friends and family. The more memories, the merrier!</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">Here's a little video I made in 2020 when <a href="http://www.portraitsofwhite.com">"Portraits of White"</a> had to stay home. Since we couldn't hold the event live, I created a collection of video footage from previous years' concerts. Martin's still sponsored me that year, keeping the tradition going with the </span><a href="https://francesdrost.bandcamp.com/merch/portraits-of-white-2020-at-home-dvd" style="color: #315fc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">DVD</a><a href="https://francesdrost.bandcamp.com/merch/portraits-of-white-2020-at-home-dvd" style="color: #1a213e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">we created, even while "At Home."</span> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="319" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EOQPS9au-34" width="459" youtube-src-id="EOQPS9au-34"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGsx_Nxt9Xs_VX7rct47eaqsfJHqBYujQEKLCbig_rYPSrVQvKa94vEJ-4zOM-guDAXUSdDP8NgElZkmU1ecxGxKwWVems5YHsEIC3l_vsJF99MFpSXB4-o0prMz9CmShEkKfDDIbnV_rQ59d5S1BKSVsc_cs7nmTV-tBBDsqec3ybnCZ0T-vvtvuSf4/s1023/Martin's-Famous-PR-and-B_Vertical_Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1023" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGsx_Nxt9Xs_VX7rct47eaqsfJHqBYujQEKLCbig_rYPSrVQvKa94vEJ-4zOM-guDAXUSdDP8NgElZkmU1ecxGxKwWVems5YHsEIC3l_vsJF99MFpSXB4-o0prMz9CmShEkKfDDIbnV_rQ59d5S1BKSVsc_cs7nmTV-tBBDsqec3ybnCZ0T-vvtvuSf4/s320/Martin's-Famous-PR-and-B_Vertical_Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-52969696876272860542023-07-21T09:24:00.009-04:002023-07-21T15:53:51.315-04:00225 Guests Strong! Celebrating the 40th Musical Notes & Root Beer Floats House Concert<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #2f353b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">On July 14, 2023, something truly special happened – we celebrated the 40th edition of the novel "Musical Notes & Root Beer Floats" in-person private house concert series.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2f353b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Ever since the inception of Notes & Floats, this unique concert series has drawn an impressive crowd of 225 music enthusiasts, hailing from both local and distant corners of the U.S. (including Arizona!). And what's even more remarkable? A staggering 34 of these passionate fans have eagerly returned, not once, but multiple times, to revel in the magic of these unforgettable gatherings!</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">From the very beginning, these intimate and soulful concerts seem to have deeply impacted all who attend, offering a meaningful and uplifting connection that resonates genuinely with each guest. What an honor to host each of you who have attended.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Here's what others have said about this one-of-a-kind experience:</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 “I particularly liked the way she interspersed her life story with her music making. It is so inspirational. She gave us time to react to the music. Lover her humor too.” — Robin Liebersohn</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 “The music for me was extremely powerful. I never experienced anything like it. I could feel it, at times my eyes were full. I tried to hide it. It was an experience that I will never forget. Very emotional for me. The fact that she asked each one of us about ourselves said a lot to me and she seemed as though she really cared and wasn’t just making small talk. She was very genuine.” — Nicky Gough</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 "Frances was just who she is, no pretense, no hiding issues. She didn’t mind when we asked a question. I loved the give and take. The music was inspiring and/or comical, enough of both. A sense of humor is important to me. I left feeling comforted and inspired."</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 "I think it met all of us on a very personal note so that we all walked away with a different message and that is a gift from the Holy Spirit.” — Kathy Temple</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 “For me, spending time with Frances in her piano studio/living room was an intimate way to get to know her and the stories of her life behind the music she writes and sings. We were up close and personal as she shared and sang and played the piano. She even invited us to stand right behind her in order to see her fingers “tickles the ivories!”</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 "If you have something to celebrate and are looking for the perfect way to do it, or if you just need a little outing with friends; Notes & Floats is a perfect venue for it. You will come away inspired and encouraged, not to mention filled from the conversations and delicious root beer floats afterwards.” — Ann Judd</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">🎵 “It was a little foretaste of heaven. Every time I’m in your presence, I walk away uplifted and inspired. Notes and Floats did not disappoint!” — Tracy Mertes</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Thank you to all who helped to make this vision a reality.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Enjoy this little celebratory Notes & Floats "album" we put together.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="321" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y2B7SXiHeY8" width="479" youtube-src-id="y2B7SXiHeY8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-48824623353020570312023-06-02T14:48:00.004-04:002023-06-02T14:48:51.668-04:00Scoops of Reflection: A Dollar General Encounter and the Bittersweet Comfort of Klondike Bars<p>Yesterday, as I stood in the checkout line at the local Dollar General, eavesdropping like a professional conversational spy, I found myself completely engrossed in the animated tales of the woman behind me. She was practically a stand-up comedian, regaling her friend with heartwarming stories about her students. I mean, seriously, who needs Netflix when you have Dollar General checkout entertainment?</p><p>"Some of those kiddos were shedding tears today because it's the last day of school. So, to avoid a tiny rebellion, I promised them an ice cream sandwich and now I'm on a covert operation to fulfill my sweet promise," she confessed to her captive audience.</p><p>I had a sneaky suspicion that she might be one of the teachers at the school just across the street—the same school that shaped my childhood. Call it detective intuition or just plain nosiness, but I had to confirm my theory. I slyly turned my head and caught a glimpse of her long, flowing blonde hair, sky-high heels (who wears heels in Newville?), and a dress so vibrant it could rival a disco ball. It was like she embodied the spirit of fun and excitement. And lo and behold, her arms were overflowing with what I can only assume were ice cream sandwiches. A frozen treasure trove, if you will. No biggie, just a casual stockpile of frozen delights.</p><p>Unable to resist the urge to strike up a conversation with this lively ice cream smuggler, (a woman after my own ice-cream-loving heart!) I mustered the courage to ask the burning question: "Are you, by any chance, a teacher at the school across the street?" To my surprise, she revealed, "Actually, I'm a student counselor."</p><p>Realizing the gravity of her "undercover" mission to satisfy the ice cream cravings of her little minions, I decided to play the hero and offered her my spot in line. With a gleeful acceptance, she swiftly took my place at the checkout counter, revealing her secret stash of frozen goodness. And that's when I saw the brand—Klondikes. WHAT?! Those were my father's absolute favorite ice cream bars. It was as if the Spirit conspired to deliver a bittersweet reminder right when I least expected it.</p><p>Just the day before, we had commemorated the twenty-second anniversary of my father's passing. Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), I had recently uploaded a songwriting <a href="https://youtu.be/AV3sHvbAp2k">video</a> on my YouTube channel, delving into the intricate realm of grief and sharing my personal suggestions for navigating it like a seasoned veteran. Talk about perfect timing? It's like God said, "Hey, remember those grief tips you shared? Time to put them into practice!"</p><p>In that video, I soft served five practical suggestions for dealing with the whirls and twirls of emotions, even long after bidding farewell to a loved one.</p><p>G - Be Gentle: Let yourself indulge in those somber moments. It's okay to have a good cry, trust me.</p><p>R - Remember: Dust off those memory banks and relish in the beautiful moments shared with your loved one. Let nostalgia be your guide.</p><p>I - Intake: Surround yourself with reminders of their presence—their goofy photos, favorite hangout spots, and of course, their cherished foods. In my dad's case, it's Klondike bars all the way.</p><p>E - Embrace: Acknowledge that missing them is part of the journey and embrace the swirl of emotions that come with grief. Embrace those tears, my friend, and let them melt in release.</p><p>F - Find Fun: Share hilarious anecdotes and lighthearted memories with your trusted ensemble—a sibling, a parent, a friend, or even a coworker. Laughter, the irresistible topping is the perfect medicine when sprinkled with cherished memories of your loved one. </p><p>Speaking of lyrics and ice cream bars, I had a little secret of my own. When I first penned the song "Missing You" as a tribute to my father, I actually included a cheeky reference to his ice cream obsession. Sadly, my producer thought it didn't quite fit the song's vibe, so it ended up on the cutting room floor. But between you and me, those ice cream bars will always be an unsung hero in the first draft of the song.</p><p>As I got in my van and drove away from Dollar General, a mischievous urge led me to make a detour to Sheetz. After all, I am my father's daughter, and ice cream runs in my veins. There, I treated myself to a glorious Klondike bar, relishing each creamy bite as a sweet reminder of my father's ever-present spirit in my life. Who knew that a simple trip to the checkout line would turn into a whirlwind of emotions and ice cream adventures? Life truly has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="399" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j13T6Vxe1tE" width="480" youtube-src-id="j13T6Vxe1tE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-45170752973842562202023-05-18T16:45:00.012-04:002023-05-22T08:07:12.714-04:00Unlock Your True Potential: Join Us for an Exclusive Eagles Open House with Kevin Miller<span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--wp:paragraph-->
<p>In January 2021, I took a significant step forward in my personal development by joining 48 Days Eagles: an empowering online community of entrepreneurs founded by the esteemed career coach, Dan Miller. Seeking to invest in my growth each year, I initially planned to join for just one year. However, here I am, over two years later, still an active and enthusiastic member of this incredible community. It speaks volumes about the tremendous value and lasting impact it has had on my journey.</p>
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<p>Since joining the community in 2021, my life has been profoundly impacted. I've gained invaluable knowledge and experienced the personal and professional growth I was craving. There are many resources to choose from within the community and I find the weekly online Monday Mentor sessions to be especially helpful. </p>
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<p>Normally reserved for Eagles only, Dan is generously opening up our Monday Mentor sessions to the public on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 2:00 CT. The Monday Mentor Liftoff Calls are a great way to see if this community might be for you. This upcoming session will feature special guest, Kevin Miller.</p><a href="https://www.kevinmiller.co/podcast">Kevin Miller</a> is the son of Dan Miller and is often labeled a “serial entrepreneur.” Drawing on the 200 (and counting!) thoughtful and lively discussions he's conducted with thought leaders including Dave Ramsey, Michael Hyatt, Tom Ziglar, Patrick Lencioni, and Seth Godin on his "Self-Helpful with Kevin Miller" podcast, Kevin will offer profound insight on how to identify the roadblocks that are keeping you from reaching your true potential, and practical steps for finding the elements that will create your unique brand of success.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.48dayseagles.com">Dan Miller</a> is the author of the widely acclaimed <i>48 Days To The Work – and Life – You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays, Wisdom Meets Passion and An Understanding Heart</i>. He hosts a weekly podcast that is consistently ranked #1 under Careers on iTunes.<br /><br />Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic and camaraderie that defines our amazing community. Join us on Monday and get a taste of what makes us truly special and why I keep showing up every Monday afternoon.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><a href="https://www.48dayseagles.com/a/2147544676/pJKqp4AQ">Sign up here to reserve your seat for our May 22, 2023, Eagles Open House with Kevin Miller</a>.<br /><p>As an affiliate member of this 48 Days community, not only am I experiencing personal growth, but I also have the privilege of earning a commission on every sale. If you decide to join the community after Monday’s session, not only will you have the opportunity to experience your own personal growth, but you’ll be supporting my music as well. Thank you!</p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ0i4WtvnwXUd1YHVWana8Qzeo0i-VUSAtFqjE0314KPTz0uvSwL8-xzN9IeSereyguH74zUIeJQziiD-fJa96jEPbrLyLoxCw9-FNG-wif6ryp_lqDEsHuG9CwL0rYCIlcLS6MqJ062zulbyxoVES0HosSPg40SZCkM8Z27TxHOjLWKJAx5HPNLq/s2048/Eagles%20TN.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ0i4WtvnwXUd1YHVWana8Qzeo0i-VUSAtFqjE0314KPTz0uvSwL8-xzN9IeSereyguH74zUIeJQziiD-fJa96jEPbrLyLoxCw9-FNG-wif6ryp_lqDEsHuG9CwL0rYCIlcLS6MqJ062zulbyxoVES0HosSPg40SZCkM8Z27TxHOjLWKJAx5HPNLq/w320-h240/Eagles%20TN.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sheila Davis (L), Joanne Miller (Dan's wife) and Dan.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNt0zZyFR6DZijhjMK9qMzCY03cd3k_YNMS79dpdA8ercWbYT4FBN462vC_Dp3naBHzxG1eRqDhULTp1axW2A26nvkEe55OkeosJDnB2OSdmrPcqg9hDE_GKFQY1uPPBBc1NpDafsHp35tVLpssUTP0m1lxqxiByIAbemWFVJbNP9AGMbVRi3Sj39e/s2048/Eagles.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNt0zZyFR6DZijhjMK9qMzCY03cd3k_YNMS79dpdA8ercWbYT4FBN462vC_Dp3naBHzxG1eRqDhULTp1axW2A26nvkEe55OkeosJDnB2OSdmrPcqg9hDE_GKFQY1uPPBBc1NpDafsHp35tVLpssUTP0m1lxqxiByIAbemWFVJbNP9AGMbVRi3Sj39e/s320/Eagles.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meeting other Eagles in person for the first time on April 27, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-91547401041975325162023-04-05T09:56:00.000-04:002023-04-05T09:56:09.998-04:00Double Keyed Wins Classical Crossover Album of the Year Spot Award<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some days I wonder if all the effort of writing, rewriting, practicing, crafting, stretching and even straining my music muscles will ever pay off. I argue with myself about what a payoff even looks like. Is it financial, emotional, physical, musical?</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of my songwriting heroes, Molly Leikin, encourages writers to reward themselves for small accomplishments along the way – even writing just one good phrase deserves a reward, in her experience. She believes that the creative five year old inside of us is encouraged to show up more often when we pause to celebrate.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So in the spirit of Molly's advice, last Thursday, I put down my pen, closed the piano lid for an afternoon, got a frilly hair do and went to celebrate at the Hershey Theater where Kirstin Myers and I walked the red carpet at the Central Pennsylvania Music Award Show.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Highlights . . .</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #606d78; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Classical Meets Rappers and Rockers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGbcSPJxyuRwqtxxyLBkK8X70RiNcTrEOjx8tPREkShnSSQCV3U5Pa697j3EDsv2di1vg8w77vccEiMUk2pmEW3r6HEZkVXAsMXo9ahbxsajBzxsunYYbVgABVtukp3z-Nl3v1Tzz0bhF23pQe0yhpyAhqF9Mc7oAG2HhYM39OvkuSDBTfPmnUd-7/s4032/CPMA%20stage.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGbcSPJxyuRwqtxxyLBkK8X70RiNcTrEOjx8tPREkShnSSQCV3U5Pa697j3EDsv2di1vg8w77vccEiMUk2pmEW3r6HEZkVXAsMXo9ahbxsajBzxsunYYbVgABVtukp3z-Nl3v1Tzz0bhF23pQe0yhpyAhqF9Mc7oAG2HhYM39OvkuSDBTfPmnUd-7/w257-h193/CPMA%20stage.JPG" width="257" /></a></div></span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Thursday, March 30th, Double Keyed felt proud (and to be honest–a tad shy) to mingle with rappers, rockers, country, jazz and pop artists (and the list goes on) . . . at the Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We were excited to be part of the parade of artists who were nominated for their creative projects and artistry. These are the moments when an artist can take a deep breath and feel grateful for not giving up on making music.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Piano Teacher Shows Support</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MlqlL_srOdBN_ROkpDi_P6y9IwEUp2JezPaD7lC7uS2iPtzIgTcPhaU_pmUkPG4sAAcxWoWyVyATGo81wuJa4ujwbPWXum6jqjpzPD4kCjJMoXBWRItINXLj8gFb9efMZ2n1hOPBPD-MNYZoFhmMzBLyPwSyyJv_cL-AMVqs4gk-yh8UWl33aeB-/s2745/CPMA%20DK%20with%20Houser.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="2174" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MlqlL_srOdBN_ROkpDi_P6y9IwEUp2JezPaD7lC7uS2iPtzIgTcPhaU_pmUkPG4sAAcxWoWyVyATGo81wuJa4ujwbPWXum6jqjpzPD4kCjJMoXBWRItINXLj8gFb9efMZ2n1hOPBPD-MNYZoFhmMzBLyPwSyyJv_cL-AMVqs4gk-yh8UWl33aeB-/w183-h232/CPMA%20DK%20with%20Houser.jpg" width="183" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;">Kirstin and I were hustling to get to our seats and </span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-size: 13px;">voilà..</span><span style="font-size: 13px;">.</span><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;">there she stood, at the bottom of the steps, about to ascend to the balcony of the Hershey Theater to watch from above. Donna Houser, my 7th - 12th grade piano teacher (who turned 80 in February), surprised me by coming to the show!</span></span><div><span style="color: #434c54; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a young pianist, I'd sit at Donna's beautiful Kawaii grand piano for my weekly lessons where she challenged me to be more than I thought I could be, insisting that I learn to read the notes and not just play by ear! If it weren't for her, I'm sure I wouldn't be part of Double Keyed, and that would be sad.<br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Double Keyed Wins Classical Crossover Spot Award</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsumJJiQFUab5v77FwETqGPIl31rbTv074NqszMAXxfBXTZmqQkcPDG_fke13EVxNuJ85H15DlCCz6i9AGp3B8IFh2fCkC__MdsRf3Tn0bd9rkNS1RaU4Kd1EIlmqedpmOYzEqwDB0gFbc4kAj13kpMOQY9gKYxK0SEr_p_zPGXJmr6ABFTTEiIQXk/s3039/CPMA%20DK%20looking%20at%20eachother.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="2982" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsumJJiQFUab5v77FwETqGPIl31rbTv074NqszMAXxfBXTZmqQkcPDG_fke13EVxNuJ85H15DlCCz6i9AGp3B8IFh2fCkC__MdsRf3Tn0bd9rkNS1RaU4Kd1EIlmqedpmOYzEqwDB0gFbc4kAj13kpMOQY9gKYxK0SEr_p_zPGXJmr6ABFTTEiIQXk/w203-h207/CPMA%20DK%20looking%20at%20eachother.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kirstin and I keep trying to get back to our regular music life, but Midwinter's Gift keeps tugging at our skirts. It was fun to give the project a bit of attention.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Double Keyed was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year and won a Spot Award in the Classical Crossover Album category.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for your votes, cheers and encouraging words.<br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGt69fPhGU4c1fQaimR7OXWktqFy1TqSwKoO_sHmBYPdYpa_6fOemE_1IWafQkt6jfzj4p7weoneOFsJ7KUdRUa6GPWnciEw07nhnZuCyqLbKJOtVyk48I2O9173SQLCycw9K6s31wgct_ackr8ypMbgOq06jiattQYcUyAvu1lsaiham6XuW8Aaj/s1080/MG%20Winner%20square%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGt69fPhGU4c1fQaimR7OXWktqFy1TqSwKoO_sHmBYPdYpa_6fOemE_1IWafQkt6jfzj4p7weoneOFsJ7KUdRUa6GPWnciEw07nhnZuCyqLbKJOtVyk48I2O9173SQLCycw9K6s31wgct_ackr8ypMbgOq06jiattQYcUyAvu1lsaiham6XuW8Aaj/s320/MG%20Winner%20square%202023.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #434c54; font-size: 13px;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-61460685662452718542023-01-16T16:49:00.005-05:002023-01-20T11:51:42.839-05:00Midwinter's Gift Nominated For Instrumental Album of The Year <p>Just when we thought we were done with the Christmas season hustle and bustle of releasing a new album… Kirstin Myers and I, as Double Keyed, were nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year. </p><!--wp:paragraph-->
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<p>On Sunday, (January 15, 2023), in another shocking turn of <a></a>events, 𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣’𝕤 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥 was announced as a nominee for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cpmhof/?__cft__[0]=AZVTvRe2yAXsWUwQqoKsIVVbccrEvyt-BRHAh0tDRjbSSdFwOCps3r7Rf0oLpJEJ-9ZkkVbaNLebSw4LOOphzPGHMukCcZT_Fe7Z2xt_xQC3QgjTSPRwu1Kakke2KRZqhgvelBN0cLAIaDHetsMCQVfll1XyM9CCd3oGpeMK5oDQkX4ExlUy8lHsG8_akOtKB_F45ZHJV15V_TAGJjfDrQqF&__tn__=kK-y-R">Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame</a> “Instrumental Album of the Year”!! We give a HUGE thanks to whoever put us in their Board of Director’s radar because this certainly wasn’t on ours!</p>
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<p>One really great thing about this is that YOU can tangibly help us because…</p>
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<p><img alt="⭐️" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" width="16" /> There is a fan voting component!<img alt="⭐️" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png" width="16" /></p>
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<p>Click <a href="https://vote.easypolls.net/63c31fef384c660060102f97">HERE </a>to vote for Midwinter's Gift. </p>
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<p>ANYONE CAN VOTE! Fan voting runs from through 11:59 am on 1/31/23. One vote per person per device. </p><p>"The CMPAs are not designed to be determined solely by the popular vote. The 42-person, professional panel of CPMHOF Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee vote based on overall quality and 2022 accomplishments." — <a href="https://cpmhof.com/cpma-voting">CMPA website.</a></p>
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<p>𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣’𝕤 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥 has literally been the gift that keeps on giving. We are so proud and grateful to have had the opportunity, experience, connection and recognition that this album has brought us. From cookies <img alt="🍪" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t76/1/16/1f36a.png" width="16" /> to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Billboard/?__cft__[0]=AZVTvRe2yAXsWUwQqoKsIVVbccrEvyt-BRHAh0tDRjbSSdFwOCps3r7Rf0oLpJEJ-9ZkkVbaNLebSw4LOOphzPGHMukCcZT_Fe7Z2xt_xQC3QgjTSPRwu1Kakke2KRZqhgvelBN0cLAIaDHetsMCQVfll1XyM9CCd3oGpeMK5oDQkX4ExlUy8lHsG8_akOtKB_F45ZHJV15V_TAGJjfDrQqF&__tn__=kK-y-R">Billboard</a>…we are simply stunned.</p>
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<p>Please vote (and share!) if you feel so moved and THANK YOU so much for your continuous support <img alt="💜" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t96/1/16/1f49c.png" width="16" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NdNMtAuGHdu4btQGdLkW8mfkTOSLbtopZlfNc0iwAnJxiQskZ64Vl71kFfMAaMVSbD2Yx_mnabGzzbqj_camVmS_ahKNr-aXGAWFifl1G7wlKK9PK6gc42pz8725bJ2cUcRHr1t5Lm3jM1nHT9iaW8miHAgwKzIw7bB-_-6cXA-Oyf19VDXE1zq1/s540/CPMA%20Nominee%20Graphic%20Final.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NdNMtAuGHdu4btQGdLkW8mfkTOSLbtopZlfNc0iwAnJxiQskZ64Vl71kFfMAaMVSbD2Yx_mnabGzzbqj_camVmS_ahKNr-aXGAWFifl1G7wlKK9PK6gc42pz8725bJ2cUcRHr1t5Lm3jM1nHT9iaW8miHAgwKzIw7bB-_-6cXA-Oyf19VDXE1zq1/s320/CPMA%20Nominee%20Graphic%20Final.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<!--/wp:paragraph-->Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-70317920547508636152022-12-02T08:34:00.000-05:002022-12-02T08:34:09.776-05:00In The Bleak Midwinter<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="layout layout--1-column" data-cpeid="w-1669986711198-167" style="color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="column column--1 scale stack" data-cpeid="w-1669986711217-712" style="width: 600px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1669986711237-459" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll never forget the day my producer, Eric Copeland pointed out my frequent mention of death in my songwriting. "You write a lot of songs about death," he said. This was news to me. He jokingly suggested that my name could be "The Grateful Dead". Of course, I didn't know who they were.</span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0f1213;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I laughed as if I did.</span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0f1213;">Fast forward to November 2022. Double Keyed (Kirstin and Frances) landed a spot on the </span><span style="color: #0f1213; font-style: italic;">Billboard </span><span style="color: #0f1213;">charts. You can probably imagine how excited we were (and still are). </span><span style="color: #0f1213; font-style: italic;">I feel like I'm the big sister of the two of us and believe me, I'm very proud of my little sister!</span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #0f1213; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8KOAOhgDKlbwKGa4TU__y2HU7t0Fra8X3D2zCzOhDYykaKwBeArM3ffQk4My-rVnTq9o4yuEj32-5nBmMK8JgUzGwopN1DurFFeEylyeN1pQ39pC6dcUutWJSnmCQ41LD96XdgrvgcQRnIt_M0E168sotjeC_Gj2oAUGMcARuBvK9Z24xRJUG-Z/s2818/Billboard-Logo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2818" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8KOAOhgDKlbwKGa4TU__y2HU7t0Fra8X3D2zCzOhDYykaKwBeArM3ffQk4My-rVnTq9o4yuEj32-5nBmMK8JgUzGwopN1DurFFeEylyeN1pQ39pC6dcUutWJSnmCQ41LD96XdgrvgcQRnIt_M0E168sotjeC_Gj2oAUGMcARuBvK9Z24xRJUG-Z/w200-h53/Billboard-Logo.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0f1213;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0f1213;">However, we've been bumped off the charts by—of all things—a dead man. I find this hilarious . . . given my history. </span><span style="color: #0f1213; font-style: italic;">Sorry Kirstin.</span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0f1213;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oh well. Since we don't know what we did to get on the charts in the first place, we figure maybe we'll appear again! Either way, we are still recovering from the shock of placing ANYWHERE and we're very much alive.</span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We DO know that your streaming and purchases through online sources helps us dance around the charts. :-)</span></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #606d78; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #262c30;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you!</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="layout-margin" data-cpeid="w-1669986323632-445" style="color: black; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="layout-margin_cell" style="padding: 0px 20px;" valign="top"><table bgcolor="#461f7c" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="layout layout--feature layout--2-column" data-cpeid="w-1669986323632-525" style="background-color: #461f7c; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="column column--1 scale stack" data-cpeid="w-1669986323631-879" style="width: 223.994px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="image image--padding-vertical image--mobile-scale image--mobile-center" data-cpeid="w-1669986323631-138" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="image_container content-padding-horizontal" style="padding: 10px 10px 10px 20px;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="image_content" data-image-content="" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/7c0e6c59001/57c0fd8b-8328-4a29-8c36-89414c676e4b.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align="center" class="column column--2 scale stack" data-cpeid="w-1669986323632-252" style="width: 336.006px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--feature text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1669986323632-322" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: white; display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px 10px 10px;" valign="top"><h3 style="font-size: 20px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our first tour date!</span></h3><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday started our official concert schedule as recording artists.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today, we will be recording an interview at WITF in Harrisburg, PA. We'll let you know when it's released.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="layout layout--1-column" data-cpeid="w-1669227352255-716" style="color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="column column--1 scale stack" data-cpeid="w-1669227352270-538" style="width: 600px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1669227352286-176" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #606d78; display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><h1 style="font-size: 26px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 20px;">How we came up with the title,</span><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic;"> Midwinter's Gift.</span></span></h1><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Midwinter was a title that presented itself early on when we were incubating the album. Based on the lovely song, In The Bleak Midwinter, written in the 1800's, we knew we wanted this song on the project.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the very beginning, we both felt as if this album creation was a gift to each other as musicians. Putting the words midwinter and gift together seemed like a natural progression.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll appreciate the unfolding of the journey from bleakness to beauty in this new video featuring the title track.</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"In the bleak midwinter,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frosty wind made moan,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Earth stood hard as iron,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Water like a stone;</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Snow had fallen, snow on snow,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Snow on snow,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the bleak midwinter,</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Long ago."</span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">— Christina Georgiana Rossetti (1830-1894)</span></span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262c30; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="398" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2gG62qKoWPc" width="479" youtube-src-id="2gG62qKoWPc"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: #262c30; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-9729890901700261342022-11-19T08:45:00.019-05:002022-11-21T12:01:03.335-05:00Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Inspire Midwinter's Gift Album<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The new Christmas album<i>, Midwinter's Gift </i>was inspired by the waft of peanut butter blossom cookies. Really!!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It all started when my friend, <a href="http://kirstinmyersoboe.com/">Kirstin Myers</a> (oboist) was baking Christmas cookies for her family last December. Being a busy oboist, performing in various symphonies in the South Central Pennsylvania region, she didn't have time to bake cookies until AFTER the holidays. She had been too busy making music for everyone else's Christmas celebrations. <i>We had originally met—because of Christmas—when Kirstin was hired to play oboe in my annual <a href="http://www.portraitsofwhite.com">Portraits of White</a> Winter Concert orchestra.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">So there she was, the day after Christmas, making cookies. <i>She confesses that she may have been devouring the Hershey kisses before they even made it to the blossoms.</i> She was also listening to her favorite music playlists—for three solid days in a row. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In the midst of this baking, nibbling and listening frenzy, while waiting for a batch of cookies to finish baking, she was struck with some nagging yet intriguing observations . . . that she says went something like this:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"There were no oboe tunes popping up on my Spotify."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Perhaps oboists need more quality Christmas music. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Scrolling through Spotify for ‘oboe’ and ‘Christmas’ and not finding much</i> . . .</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Wouldn’t it be cool to create more?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"What if I could record an album?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>No, you can’t do that. Take the burning cookies out of the oven.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"But what if I could? It would be something I could give the kids."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Eat more cookie dough.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Who knows how to record an album? Who could I do it with?"</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>My friend, the piano player, Frances.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(Kirstin and I [Frances] had already formed a duo called Double Keyed and were enjoying performing together until COVID brought our in-person performances to a jarring halt.)<br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmjx9Ar5FeMdmDRTMTYlVPHCzi_RjRn3OGgT26JpCGqzHWX66tRG8enM-Jz4McxDN603vsi8HFi4lnU4HyN1uHN_upenMzWxCgVH4LPdknas3op8e9xKCpXErTgVLAlgFcY7S3-CydveYeg2gYO3AHSpXndsEemUIDRnm7dylrxqQ4PQ5p7cY7H01/s1080/1:7%20Pre-Order%20Countdown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmjx9Ar5FeMdmDRTMTYlVPHCzi_RjRn3OGgT26JpCGqzHWX66tRG8enM-Jz4McxDN603vsi8HFi4lnU4HyN1uHN_upenMzWxCgVH4LPdknas3op8e9xKCpXErTgVLAlgFcY7S3-CydveYeg2gYO3AHSpXndsEemUIDRnm7dylrxqQ4PQ5p7cY7H01/w357-h357/1:7%20Pre-Order%20Countdown.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">After running through many more doubts in her head, Kirstin texted me. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fortunately, I took screen shots of our conversation. I had a feeling I'd want to keep a record—pun intended.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzg8BtrlOt8gc2Mqsqfo0vbxH-qVMNxhFIv0ithsqG2Eg6HQ9gorHu_HHg8-55bQlW3gI4x4qarNnBkMeNWkZJ-bhqiRhh4v17vbaSuK8W-FlobHtQuBtTiXo1w3i5mXBj-pOvWATxlm3p6YyDe4ZcsdklM8WqI11NPTALQZiBFfgLz_BKYVg7aTM/s3164/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3164" data-original-width="2169" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzg8BtrlOt8gc2Mqsqfo0vbxH-qVMNxhFIv0ithsqG2Eg6HQ9gorHu_HHg8-55bQlW3gI4x4qarNnBkMeNWkZJ-bhqiRhh4v17vbaSuK8W-FlobHtQuBtTiXo1w3i5mXBj-pOvWATxlm3p6YyDe4ZcsdklM8WqI11NPTALQZiBFfgLz_BKYVg7aTM/w298-h435/1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk_BeMoKnpioUh-mQnhC_bNusw2rxVb77XAmMShYP0RugGx3AVTmsqT6kJW4YZZ7stt10kZdv6HUvt_kSNEWD9bCiGR6bk0xoq2K903IMH59UyHE3A-ERHgdYmiz4wYWRUbb7k2Dn5wT8ojOmhRh3g10KX-4iztD5ROWWDLLlWzqR945psUjj6XxO/s3017/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3017" data-original-width="1900" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk_BeMoKnpioUh-mQnhC_bNusw2rxVb77XAmMShYP0RugGx3AVTmsqT6kJW4YZZ7stt10kZdv6HUvt_kSNEWD9bCiGR6bk0xoq2K903IMH59UyHE3A-ERHgdYmiz4wYWRUbb7k2Dn5wT8ojOmhRh3g10KX-4iztD5ROWWDLLlWzqR945psUjj6XxO/w276-h437/2.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This text was followed by some banter about money, potential arrangers . . .etc., etc., and I knew it would get to be a long conversation by text, so I suggested we meet for coffee to talk details . . </span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwc-NhF8LKlIXxFqYXqyF-MiW5csfOKde9GT7jkRZFkUEHTz_g15sa_tPJPN9Hso27GZrHhmR-tytTejeWEqCAZq5szLGFNCjJXvz3kAGlwb3_CqgsOUErIBPQPfo_Swxtkz1aFVnhsb0Of1inquayvAC3oh41Z8Z74KyCWFlDIqZ82khSX7HsPQ6/s2786/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="2581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwc-NhF8LKlIXxFqYXqyF-MiW5csfOKde9GT7jkRZFkUEHTz_g15sa_tPJPN9Hso27GZrHhmR-tytTejeWEqCAZq5szLGFNCjJXvz3kAGlwb3_CqgsOUErIBPQPfo_Swxtkz1aFVnhsb0Of1inquayvAC3oh41Z8Z74KyCWFlDIqZ82khSX7HsPQ6/s320/4.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">After we met for coffee, I began thinking about places we could stay in Nashville, if we ended up doing a project there. I texted Kirstin with more ideas . . .</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR12St26E3eWazWjhN-aBN7Oin6zNtYWBqcAnmSrwAeJKptszCdHPnpz1xDjXONN4ryZQ87_upchv69wahu1raE6wpeY682whCGM2WpDgTL739F6ccXLHz_Sl5IRUr003mnchzqUT8okiDGcgAxJ07QxvxVJO0PNE5MEUOIsJGzF5AbZnCu8qb90TU/s3103/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3103" data-original-width="1977" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR12St26E3eWazWjhN-aBN7Oin6zNtYWBqcAnmSrwAeJKptszCdHPnpz1xDjXONN4ryZQ87_upchv69wahu1raE6wpeY682whCGM2WpDgTL739F6ccXLHz_Sl5IRUr003mnchzqUT8okiDGcgAxJ07QxvxVJO0PNE5MEUOIsJGzF5AbZnCu8qb90TU/w273-h429/5.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Fast forward to August and we were on our way to <a href="https://www.wildwoodrecording.com/">Wildwood Recording</a> in Franklin, Tennessee to record our project. At the recommendation of our arranger and producer, Nashville's own <a href="https://phillipkeveren.com/">Phillip Keveren</a>, we chose this studio because Phillip said it's the best <a href="https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/pianos/index.html">Yamaha</a> piano in Nashville! <i>Being a piano player, I was concerned about finding a great piano for our project. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Phillip was right—the piano was incredible. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">At one point, I said, "This piano is like a race car that doesn't want to stick with the speed limit." The guys liked that analogy.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M9Y-JyBIYlSR09pofpN6sQ9mBwgYlBryFBDJDbodF71wkyUbWdXelpHFFpD4tgFuy8uqBeogMewbOHKWbaI-da2gMbI7RFA52XdyJiWrnQV2wTRHd5t03FQ-ESQ2bmzZhvyLWFzPQCQaDydUJ5aFddPQCX-bWVwvgaN2j0O0US3iPcg8e4ZolLpS/s1440/5:7%20Frances%20warming%20up.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M9Y-JyBIYlSR09pofpN6sQ9mBwgYlBryFBDJDbodF71wkyUbWdXelpHFFpD4tgFuy8uqBeogMewbOHKWbaI-da2gMbI7RFA52XdyJiWrnQV2wTRHd5t03FQ-ESQ2bmzZhvyLWFzPQCQaDydUJ5aFddPQCX-bWVwvgaN2j0O0US3iPcg8e4ZolLpS/s320/5:7%20Frances%20warming%20up.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Frances warms up on the Yamaha, August 3, 2022</span>.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Long story short, the little somewhat obscure oboe is now making a splash! Even the English horn got to be a part of the production on three songs; O Holy Night, What Child is This? and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel—which ended up being the first song we recorded on our two-day recording spree. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I remember Phillip's comment after we played his hauntingly beautiful arrangement of this 15th Century song. "This project is going to be world-class," he said confidently. My heart tried to absorb the words. It was uncanny that he used this particular phrase.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I've always wanted to be a world-class performer. I only tell you this because I'm learning that setting goals is such a key to getting where you want to go and becoming the person you want to be. I had decided years ago that one of my goals as a singer-songwriter and pianist, was to become world-class. It was a goal that I knew would always keep me motivated to improve—even if it took me a lifetime to achieve. So you can see how hearing this comment was monumental for me. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">But we had nine more songs to go! I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">n the moment, I had to keep focused.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You see, I was facing the challenge of playing the piano in front of the arranger of the music (and the producer of the album) with him sitting in the control room, listening to me. I also knew that he himself is a very gifted pianist. His <a href="https://phillipkeveren.com/sojourner-phillip-keveren-and-london-symphony-orchestra.html">Sojourner</a> project with The London Symphony Orchestra is one of the most beautiful albums of all times, in my opinion! </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Knowing I would be recording in the presence of a master craftsman, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I had been strategically conditioning my mind to focus for the seven months leading up to this moment. N</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">ot only had I been practicing the technicalities and musicality of the arrangements we commissioned Phillip to create, but I had been practicing overcoming the trepidation and downright terrification (a word I made up during this season) of playing in front of him. I had moments of sheer terror while practicing. I had to learn to ignore those monsters so I could support Kirstin without falling apart when recording day came and the engineer would push the record button.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">Hearing Phillip's genuine comment after our first song was a beautiful gift and a perfect way to start off the two days of recording. He was fabulous to work with!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPbCkz7evx09ExB99kfNDMVqxqGwwzf6hT-OXpU4VNnBi75GASRxyP9aXhIgZ3gMuyf93BBmPkOowngERojgT6M-4TVY_Bv2lqZMEHV771ZbMzMUmBlTlZg1diSLrTQW7eFM07Vl7kN-6FzYmCkn6oWxeLK747QrQDoaw7AYtaO9C0Jjfdp_9kuKc/s1440/6:7%20Group%20picture.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPbCkz7evx09ExB99kfNDMVqxqGwwzf6hT-OXpU4VNnBi75GASRxyP9aXhIgZ3gMuyf93BBmPkOowngERojgT6M-4TVY_Bv2lqZMEHV771ZbMzMUmBlTlZg1diSLrTQW7eFM07Vl7kN-6FzYmCkn6oWxeLK747QrQDoaw7AYtaO9C0Jjfdp_9kuKc/w320-h240/6:7%20Group%20picture.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Kirstin Myers (oboe, English horn), Kent Hooper (Recording engineer), Phillip Keveren (Arranger, producer), Frances Drost (pianist)<br />August 5, 2022</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">By November 4, 2022, we had our new Christmas album, <i>Midwinter's Gift</i> ready for release on <a href="https://doublekeyed.bandcamp.com/album/midwinters-gift">Bandcamp</a> and many streaming sites, including—of ALL places—Spotify. People responded. In fact, by November 15 (just 11 days after release day) we discovered we had charted at No. 13 on <i>Billboard's</i> Classical Crossover Album chart. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">After waking up on a Monday morning to an email notification from Alex at <i>Billboard, </i>I texted Kirstin and told her to check her email. <i>I had forwarded the big news to her.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Now, Kirstin and I are very busy getting ready to tour, responding to sweet comments, filling orders and enjoying building a listener base on Spotify! We have filled that void and now Kirstin won't need to scroll through Spotify this Christmas looking for soothing, inspiring, elegant and classy oboe music. <i>Way to go my friend! You've done it . . . and in world-class fashion.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Midwinter's Gift</i> is our gift, first to ourselves as musicians, secondly to our families and the most fun surprise gift of all—a placement on the <i><a href="https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-crossover-albums/">Billboard</a> </i>charts!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We think there might be something special about peanut butter blossom cookies . . . or maybe it's as simple as having an idea, setting a goal, following it through, giving it wings and watching it soar. <i>Is that simple?!</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Double Keyed is having fun watching our album help the world fall in love with double reeds. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>P.S. The instrument Kirstin is holding on the album cover is her English horn. The oboe is working through a bit of envy since it didn't make the front cover—but wants us to know that it is truly happy for the success of the English horn and is thrilled to be on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0uZrTzNHWRkKWPzXfyvEFl?referral=labelaffiliate&utm_source=1011lwmPk8qr&utm_medium=Indie_Distrokid&utm_campaign=labelaffiliate">Spotify</a>.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">You can order Midwinter's Gift CD <a href=" https://doublekeyed.bandcamp.com/album/midwinters-gift">here</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">You can also find us pretty much everywhere on <a href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/doublekeyed/midwinters-gift?utm_source=SendGrid&utm_medium=Email+&utm_campaign=website">streaming services</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXqadKuJcGypabQUlxPDKLxL6jceEG3CstX6-OIbD3VjeiNEwclhsCus6L3HHWXf6Ct6RZJkc-Mf1sYiLobN1pYyq5ylOymq5y8UrI2n0go4cfojXcIAUPDMIsoAtkAKMVJtaKva3kpHOb7iUzsJUTsKtmYnIjNAvrd9PKTglrkENB56ces604ZOV/s1500/FRONT%20COVER%20Double-Keyed_Midwinters-Gift_6pan_digi_Front_Cover-16%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXqadKuJcGypabQUlxPDKLxL6jceEG3CstX6-OIbD3VjeiNEwclhsCus6L3HHWXf6Ct6RZJkc-Mf1sYiLobN1pYyq5ylOymq5y8UrI2n0go4cfojXcIAUPDMIsoAtkAKMVJtaKva3kpHOb7iUzsJUTsKtmYnIjNAvrd9PKTglrkENB56ces604ZOV/w407-h366/FRONT%20COVER%20Double-Keyed_Midwinters-Gift_6pan_digi_Front_Cover-16%20(1).jpg" width="407" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cover photo and album artwork by <a href="https://www.eafoto.com/about.html">Erick Anderson Photography</a>, Nashville, TN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wonder what kind of cookies Kirstin will be baking this December? ;-)</span></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-43375781524321113932022-06-01T09:50:00.007-04:002022-06-01T10:24:03.057-04:00Double Keyed Announces 2022 Christmas Project<div class="wp-container-2 wp-block-columns alignwide" style="align-items: center; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1e1e; display: flex; flex-wrap: nowrap; gap: 0.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wp-container-1 wp-block-column" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; flex-basis: 66.66%; flex-grow: 0; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 80px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><p style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-family: verdana;">Frances Drost (Piano) and Kirstin Myers (Oboe/English Horn)</span></p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><a href="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg" style="background: 0px 0px; border-radius: inherit; border: 0px; color: #355677; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-4012" data-attachment-id="4012" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>closeup of blue ice background</p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot S50","caption":"closeup of blue ice background","created_timestamp":"1199711187","copyright":"","focal_length":"7.09375","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0.004","title":"blue ice background","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="blue ice background" data-large-file="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=620" data-medium-file="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-permalink="https://francesdrost.com/double-keyed-piano-oboe/blue-ice-background/" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=1024" srcset="https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=150 150w, https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=300 300w, https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg?w=768 768w, https://francesdrost.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/doublekeyed-poster2.jpg 1080w" style="background: 0px 0px; border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 610px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="400" /></span></a></figure></div></div><div class="wp-container-5 wp-block-columns alignwide" style="align-items: center; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1e1e; display: flex; flex-wrap: nowrap; gap: 0.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wp-container-3 wp-block-column" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; flex-basis: 66.66%; flex-grow: 0; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 80px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WvhHJSIYR3Y" width="519" youtube-src-id="WvhHJSIYR3Y"></iframe></div><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>ABOUT </span><span style="background-color: initial;">Frances & KIRSTIN</span></span></div></div></div><div class="wp-container-5 wp-block-columns alignwide" style="align-items: center; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d1e1e; display: flex; flex-wrap: nowrap; gap: 0.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wp-container-3 wp-block-column" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; flex-basis: 66.66%; flex-grow: 0; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 80px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It all started when I, (Kirstin Myers / oboe / English horn) was baking Christmas cookies. Somehow, the cookies inspired the idea for a Christmas album and so here we are….announcing our first recording project as Double Keyed—an instrumental piano/oboe/English horn project with classic Christmas songs arranged and produced by Nashville’s own Phillip Keveren.</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since Double Keyed initially connected because of my (Frances Drost / piano) Portraits of White Winter Concert, we felt it would be appropriate to make our first album a collection of favorite Christmas tunes!</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">About Us:</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances Drost is a pianist and concert artist who began her own company, “Musical Creations” as a way to encourage people on their journey through life. Take years of life experiences distilled into “three-minute messages” of lyric and melody, interwoven with story-telling in between and you get the unique ministry of singer/songwriter Frances Drost.</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oboist Kirstin Myers holds degrees in Music Education and Oboe Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and in 1999 she graduated summa cum laude as a full scholarship recipient from Michigan State University with a Masters in Oboe Performance. For the past 21 years she has been on the faculty of Millersville University and York College of Pennsylvania and in 2016 was also appointed as oboe professor at Lebanon Valley College.</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In addition to her collegiate appointments, she is the oboe instructor at York College’s YCPrep Community School and maintains a private studio at her home in the Lancaster area. Her students have gone on to win positions in LLMEA County, PMEA District, Regional, State and All-Eastern Bands & Orchestras. She currently performs with the York Symphony Orchestra, Berks Sinfonietta, Reading Pops Orchestra, Trio Jolie, The Silverwood Trio and most recently began collaborating with Frances as the duo “Double Keyed” performing a variety of classical and popular selections (and if Frances asks nicely, sometimes songs Frances wrote). She has also been part of the Portraits of White Annual Winter Concert for seven years.</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More about Frances…</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As both a singer and songwriter, Frances has a unique way of presenting real-life experiences and meaningful messages that are gently woven throughout her music.</span></p><ul class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.8em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances has served for a total of over 16 years on staff as the Director of Worship at various churches and she brings that experience into her worship leading at conferences and churches. As a worship leader, she has shared many platforms with well-known author and Women of Faith speaker, Carol Kent. She has also shared the stage with Kay Arthur, Dee Brestin, Ruth Graham, Margaret Feinberg, Bonnie Keen, and Ellie Lofaro.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances has also been featured as a guest on the Chris Fabry Live Radio Show.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances is also a songwriter for Songs Of Love – a nonprofit organization that connects songwriters with terminally ill children. She has composed and recorded hundreds of songs for the families with their child as the star of the song.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her most recent release (June 2020) is a meditative solo piano project combining music with sounds of nature woven into classic hymns and hints of classical melodies. Perfect for your meditation moments, you’ll love Sunrise Meditations.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Portraits Of White” is a Christmas/Winter release filled with a beautiful wintery mix of familiar carols and new tunes, instrumentals and vocals. “Portraits of White” has turned into more than just a CD project; it is now a beautiful winter concert featuring a mix of songs from her winter album and beloved holiday favorites. The musical extravaganza also features other talented local musicians, including Kirstin Myers and that’s actually how they first met.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In December 2016, Frances released a pop album titled “Brand New Me”. It’s an audio-journal of the work God has been doing in her life in the past decade and challenges audiences to believe that God can still change a heart and make you into a new creation.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances was the winner of the 2009 Momentum Award for “Female Artist Of The Year” and was also nominated for “Inspirational Artist Of The Year” at the 2009 Momentum Awards ceremony in Nashville, TN.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances and her husband, Tom, love to ride their Yamaha Vstars when the weather is perfect. <img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" role="img" scale="0" src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/svg/1f642.svg" style="background: none; border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: none; display: inline; height: 1em; margin: 0px 0.07em; max-width: 610px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; vertical-align: -0.1em; width: 1em;" /></span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frances has 3 indoor cats and has been known to feed most outdoor strays who come to visit.</span></li></ul><p style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More about Kirstin…</span></p><p class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kirstin has been a featured soloist in a multitude of musical groups, including:</span></p><ul class="has-small-font-size" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.8em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Johnstown Symphony</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Berks Sinfonietta</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reading Pops Orchestra</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Millersville University Wind Ensemble</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">IUP Symphony</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">New Holland Band</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lyric Band of Hanover.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kirstin was also 1st oboist of the New Holland Band for 16 years.</span></li><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; list-style-type: disc; margin: 5px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In addition to her work as a freelance musician and teacher, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her 3 musical children, 3 un-musical cats and her wonderfully supportive and great music aficionado husband, Ken.</span></li></ul></div></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-23602652327957131102022-04-29T11:54:00.002-04:002022-04-29T11:54:27.706-04:00I Can Pray<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">My family is no stranger to tragedies. We know what it's like to hurt.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">When my Mother was twenty-five, her husband fell from a silo. She was left with a seven-month-old son, Doug.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">Eventually, she married my father. They had four children—Adriel, Brenda, Nathan, and Frances.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">Nathan drowned in our pond when he was two. I was six months old. My brother, Doug, died in a tractor accident when I was seven. The last of my grandparents died when I was twenty-two.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">Death was a frequent part of our family discussions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">On holidays we visited the graves—memorials to those we lost. I hated standing in the graveyard waiting for my mother to be done visiting each grave. It was uncomfortable.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I watched my mother make it through all of those painful parts of living by praying. She believed in prayer. She prayed about everything.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">On less tragedy-stricken days, we’d pray funny prayers (at least I thought they were funny)—such as "Please God, bring the cows back home," when they escaped from the barnyard. Prayer was as much a part of our life as doing the farm chores. Given all of our family experiences, you’d think I could easily write a song about prayer.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">When I was asked to sing for a National Day of Prayer event I didn't feel like any of the songs I knew about prayer said what I wanted to say. I wanted my own song to sing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I could hear a melody (and four simple words) that could be the chorus, but I couldn't seem to write more than these four words...."But I can pray."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I knew that I wanted to show the contrast between life's struggles, the ineptness we feel when someone is hurting, and the power of prayer. I knew the verses would lead me to the chorus...somehow.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I waited for more words to come.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">Then we got the news. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">A tragic car accident—a young boy and his mother. She was driving him to school...a head-on collision. The boy didn’t survive the crash.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I knew the family. It shook the community.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;">I pondered the events in my heart, watching the mother struggle with the loss of her son, a sister with the loss of her brother. I knew it would be hard. We all struggled to know what to say.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/saZl_OeP0jo" width="481" youtube-src-id="saZl_OeP0jo"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-20460162088231225182022-01-14T12:03:00.002-05:002022-01-14T12:03:54.489-05:00Are You OK?<p>I am sitting in the audience listening to a teenage boy share his story. He just can't cope with life anymore. He finds it too challenging to navigate the rough waters. He wants to end his life. When he gets to the part in the story where someone rescues him from those thoughts, he has my full attention. </p><p>What did they do to talk him down from the ledge?</p><p>They asked him one simple question.</p><p>"Are you OK?" </p><p>It literally saved his life, according to him.</p><p>As he speaks, I sit there, marveling at how simple it can be to extend kindness to another human being. I appreciate the reminder that I don't need a degree in psychology or a business plan to let someone know how much I care. </p><p>In a world where information abounds in the form of self-help books, podcasts, videos and so on, there's still nothing like heart-felt compassion and no phrase offers it quite as powerfully as these three simple words — are you OK?</p><p>I've been hearing this same question from some of you, through private messages, texts...etc., and I really appreciate the sincerity behind it. You are letting me know that you care. </p><p>I realize that there are probably others who are wondering the same thing, but are afraid to ask. </p><p>So here's my answer...</p><p>Yes, I'm doing OK! Thanks for asking.</p><p>You know how many of us crave a "snow day" even if we don't like snow? We love the way a snow day forces rest on us — as long as we don't plow snow for a living. After December's big Portraits of White event, I long for a snowy MONTH. Figuratively and literally. Ha. Ha. </p><p>In the post-concert season, I look for things that will refuel my creative soul. Some years I visit local libraries and just sit by the window. Sometimes I browse through quaint shops. Walk. Write. Listen to birds.</p><p>This year, I've been painting the kitchen, making new curtains, cleaning out closets, throwing stuff away, journalling, listening to CDs from my collection, riding my bike, taking naps and not permitting myself to think about anything music related. </p><p>Yep - it's come to that. I have rules for my creative self. It probably sounds harsh, but I've learned that about myself. In a strange way, boundaries set in late December through January (and beyond) seem to lend themselves to creative freedom down the road. It's a new lesson I've had to learn.</p><p>Behind every creative endeavor there is a little soul who gives herself wholly to the dream — seeing it through to the end. It's one long season of exhaling. It must be followed by a long season of inhaling.</p><p>After six (and more) months of continual content creation leading up to December, I feel speechless. I can't even open my Facebook app. I know that some people get nervous that I must be down and depressed after the show, but the truth is, I don't feel any of those things when it comes to the post-show season.</p><p>I'm just depleted.</p><p>Deeply satisfied, but equally depleted. </p><p>After the concert, there is almost as much work to be done as before the concert as I close out the books, pay all of the invoices, prepare for tax appointments, re-do the website, organize photos, videos, file music, etc. So it's usually not until the second or third week of January until my brain can truly unplug from the previous year. I can't rest until then. By the time I feel I can truly unplug, everyone else has moved on.</p><p>So I shut down the electronics, the phone and sometimes even the studio itself. I can't think of one thing to say, write or put into a fun video. Even writing emails and texts wears me out at this stage of my recovery. I don't want to even touch my phone. That makes me appear quiet. </p><p>I think I should have been a bear. Hibernating in the winter appeals to me. I draw strength from solitude.</p><p>It feels completely unsocial and that makes me squirm, but I know that as an artist, I must have some time to recharge my batteries and do some normal kind of living. Since I write about life, I have to do some regular living in between the creative work. That's where I get my creative juices for the next "thing." </p><p>I've heard people asking for a new Christmas album. One of the many challenges is that it took me 40+ years of living life to write Portraits of White. It's not just a pile of songs. It's a pile of life, not to mention a pile of money to produce a project like that.</p><p>I guess I need another 40 years of living to write another one.<i> I'm laughing again.</i></p><p>My simple goal for 2022 was to NOT make anything happen —choosing to "sit and wait" to see what might present itself to me. It's a new approach for me because ordinarily, I love to set goals and work hard to accomplish them. </p><p>I also need to acknowledge that the lingering affects from the pandemic have made me feel like a circus clown jumping through hoops for two years straight as I keep trying to find a little spot close to my sweetest spot. I know other musicians feel this too. </p><p>Speaking of spots, I didn't realize how many little spots could make up one big sweet spot. I've been thinking that perhaps it's like the pre-dawn of the morning when you see shafts of light, but the source of the light is hidden from your view. Sometimes my husband and I like to sit and just watch the light BEFORE the light. </p><p>We are usually glad when the full light of day arrives, but it's possible to enjoy the day-peep moments. There are things that can be accomplished. Like gathering inspiration.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguTva9QxR6N0f1h3BMxybkFa_PZpD_j9D0VhGCO2UvydWpJ68txqK98Sx0dLDDnDy4o9amubMeXVATxLFEyu6Nwwd647ZpVZrqzn6mY4jYOax2oOEadcCxotyCWURfC-9qbP77lClxEzDMYbvw1hU0HwE1MaxqM5_Jhd3H6Xu9Pt6YcWrttgGkrJkf=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1920" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguTva9QxR6N0f1h3BMxybkFa_PZpD_j9D0VhGCO2UvydWpJ68txqK98Sx0dLDDnDy4o9amubMeXVATxLFEyu6Nwwd647ZpVZrqzn6mY4jYOax2oOEadcCxotyCWURfC-9qbP77lClxEzDMYbvw1hU0HwE1MaxqM5_Jhd3H6Xu9Pt6YcWrttgGkrJkf=w400-h275" width="400" /></a></div><p>Though I feel like COVID has been hiding the full light of day from us, I'm learning to thrive in the pre-dawn moments. I'm gathering inspiration.</p><p>I feel like I've had to go from living under a big ball of light to living in the softer hues.</p><p>Am I even making any sense? </p><p>See. This is why I think it's better if I just stay silent for a season. LOL!</p><p>So in answer to your question....yes - I'm doing very well. I know I've been quiet. Believe me, there are moments when I want to pop up on Facebook and play a tune for you or see what you're up to. But I resist because I know that I'm in a season of refueling right now and the only way to fill up is to breathe deeply in solitude.</p><p>Thanks for your understanding and ever-loving expressions of concern. It means the world to me.</p><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-33993919410403240662021-11-24T10:43:00.005-05:002021-11-24T11:02:06.685-05:00Back to the Heart of Christmas<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hear myself singing a familiar song, in the middle of the night, in my dreams. I'm singing the lyrics to the popular song, <i>"Have a holly jolly Christmas..." </i>but you wouldn't recognize it because the melody is different than the one you're used to. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In my dream, I've turned the happy melody into something more melancholy.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel as if that's kind of become my brand in my "awake" life—my unwanted brand. I take happy things and make them sad. Or at least point out the sad. I guess it makes sense to do it in my dreams too.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I suddenly wake up, the melody and lyrics fresh on my mind. Was I really dreaming? I get up to write down my ideas. It's rather unusual for me to be singing in my dreams. Maybe this is something special so I better pay attention.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I usually go to the piano when I hear a melody and lyric, but since my piano is next door in my studio and it's the middle of the night, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I dig through the drawer looking for a piece of paper. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I scribble my ideas on a piece of paper,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> drawing little lines that go up and down across the page representing the melody so that I'll remember it in the morning. As it turns out, when I revisit the idea, it's the harmony I have actually noted. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I start to finish the song a few days after the dream...(at least I thought I finished it) Here's one of the early drafts:</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have a holly jolly Christmas</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">you can hear the music play</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">but as time goes on, on and on </span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christmas doesn't look the same each year</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">I go wandering 'round in a circular world </span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">that doesn't know where to end</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the midst of the lights</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">twinkling bright</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">where do you belong, Jesus?</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Show me the way back to the heart of Christmas</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">help me to see all that you meant it to be</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to see you</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to know you better</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">show me the way, show me the way to You</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">All the family now is gathered</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">they have come from far and near</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">but the pain inside cannot hide</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christmas has its disappointing times</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the back of our minds</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">mem'ries there to remind</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">things are not as you wish</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">and in the midst of the tears</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">shed through the years, you wonder</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">where do I belong, Jesus? (Chorus)</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bridge:</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christmas is meant to be joyful</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christmas is meant to bring peace</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">but just like the story of so long ago</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">where things don't turn out just right</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Children lose their lives</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">royal men still lie</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">and families run for their life (A husband baby and wife)</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">still this prayer I offer you tonight</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Show me the way....</span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I take this song to my manager (as well as many other Christmas songs I am writing) and his critique is consistent with what I've heard before. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Even your funny songs have an intensity to them," he says, in reference to a non-holiday song I wrote called "Personalities." Sigh. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've asked for constructive critique because I want to improve as a songwriter. So now I have to receive it, right? </span></div><div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I thought you might enjoy seeing my notes I wrote after he listened to that early draft of Back to the Heart of Christmas.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHMsed8hBxg/YZ5EnptwshI/AAAAAAAADUo/27iHskzaE68DxCwyZzYZb5ETZSe7VqMXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Heart%2Bof%2BChristmas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1965" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHMsed8hBxg/YZ5EnptwshI/AAAAAAAADUo/27iHskzaE68DxCwyZzYZb5ETZSe7VqMXgCNcBGAsYHQ/w384-h400/Heart%2Bof%2BChristmas.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love the part where he asks, "Who's the kids getting killed?"</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or the part where he says the bridge is too l long and introduces a whole new line of thought. I see what he means once he points it out. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A bridge should simply carry us from one thought to another without building a whole new road. It should take us over the water, not muddy it. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the broader story of the Nativity, other babies died, a King lied and the parents of Jesus had to run for their lives. So in this case, I felt the bridge in the song could help remind us all that life isn't perfect, especially at Christmas. Sad is mixed in with happy. Just like parts of the broader Christmas story. But i</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">n my desire to "set the world straight" I tend to try to say too much. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've had to learn to stay focused on the one thing the song is about and not try to solve all the problems of life in just three minutes. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It took me decades to understand my own yearning for perfect holidays. To discover that much of it was tied to the fact that we didn't have perfect holidays as a family. We were not a complete unit. We had lost people along the way and it was extra hard at Thanksgiving and Christmas.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just as my disheartened soul went through some healing and mindset shifts about the holidays, coupled with a better self-awareness of why I struggled with the holidays, the song also evolved. I changed the verses and I wrote a much simpler bridge...</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Help me to be like a child at heart</i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>open my life to your love</i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>setting aside the distractions of life</i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>that keep me from the greatest gift of all</i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course, in my case, the distractions were grief and loneliness. They come in all shapes and sizes.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started sharing the song (the re-written version) with audiences at Christmas events. Many times people would ask if I had a recording of that song. I knew that was a good sign. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of these years later, after putting it on the album and keeping it in the annual show and doing it over and over, I still feel the magic every time I sing it. The chorus lyrics were never changed from the original lyrics probably because they said all that I really wanted to say from the beginning.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLJ5O_vTnA">This week's video.</a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="399" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xfLJ5O_vTnA" width="481" youtube-src-id="xfLJ5O_vTnA"></iframe></span></div><br /><p></p></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-5313273497554228852021-11-18T12:50:00.004-05:002021-11-18T12:50:31.517-05:00Lions, Tigers and Uh Ohs...<p>I knew that I'd face some extra challenges this year when I sat down to plan Portraits of White because of COVID 19. I was hoping that by December the pandemic would be a thing of the past. As we all know, it's not. </p><p>So in addition to the regular lions, tigers and bears I usually encounter as we get close to the show, I've had to face a new monster this year. </p><p>I decided to approach it with a little bit of humor...</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/UBGSzcMlNgE">This week's video:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UBGSzcMlNgE" width="564" youtube-src-id="UBGSzcMlNgE"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-58887272680230117212021-11-10T08:55:00.002-05:002021-11-10T08:55:40.146-05:00Cues and Shoes <p> "Are you ready for Thanksgiving yet?" the young cashier asks the shopper a few cash registers over from me. </p><p>"Yes," the customer replies confidently.</p><p>I try to mind my own business as I pay for my groceries. It's not my conversation but I somehow feel like it could be. </p><p><i>It's only November 5, I think to myself.</i></p><p>The determined cashier continues. "Well then, are you ready for Christmas?" It feels to me as if she's now trying to one-up the shopper.</p><p>"I don't do Christmas—too many expectations," the customer says, loud enough that everyone can hear her. I try to keep my head down and resist making eye contact.</p><p>Secretly, I admire her and I smile to myself. She isn't rude or obnoxious, but she clearly lets us know (because we're all listening aren't we?) where she lands when it comes to Christmas. And now it feels as if it's a public conversation.</p><p>I decide in that moment to turn around and look at the person who is being interrogated, as if to let her know that I acknowledge her and can appreciate the position she's just been put in. Someone needs to acknowledge her discomfort...at least with a nod or a smile. </p><p>We all get it. Whether it's expectations, loneliness, grief, lack of money or time, weariness in coming up with what to get someone, dread of dragging out all of the decorations, we all have buttons that get pushed during the holidays or in this case, the weeks leading up to the holidays.</p><p>I stand there feeling conflicted. While I feel sorry for the customer, I also appreciate that the cashier is just trying to be engaging. Sometimes we ask questions just to be friendly. They aren't good questions, or timed well, but we ask anyway. Perhaps that's what's happening here.</p><p>When I turn to see if I can catch the eye of the disgruntled lady, to acknowledge her strong feelings, I'm a little surprised. Her hair is done perfectly, make up looks great. She's quite beautiful for Friday afternoon grocery shopping. I don't know what I am expecting to see but she looks very put together (talk about expectations.) I expect her to look...disheveled...old...something...I don't know... </p><p>She is giving me a gift. She is giving me courage...hope. A small dose of encouragement reminding me of why I do Portraits of White. I need some of this kind of medicine at this point in the marathon.</p><p>In fact, as I get ready to post this week's video, I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted to change it, throw it out, re-do it because I am letting you see me when I'm not feeling very organized. <i>And this was before the grocery store drama.</i> Her honesty gives me the courage to keep the video "as-is."</p><p>I've called this week's post Cues and Shoes because one of the stressful parts of doing the show is figuring out the lighting cues. I know, you're probably thinking to yourself...REALLY? Our world has been turned upside down and you're stressing over lights?</p><p>Then there are the shoes. Somehow I was born without a hint of an arch in both feet and I have giant-sized bunions—much like my mother had. It's always been hard to find pretty yet comfortable shoes for the stage, and it only seems to get worse with age. </p><p>One year after the show, my feet hurt so bad I couldn't walk out to greet everyone. I finally figured out it was just easier if I went without shoes, so I walked out in the lobby, shoeless and it felt wonderful.</p><p>In the scheme of things, the shoes are a small part of the stress, but every little bit adds up, as you know. And though I don't actually run the lights during the show, I have to make sure that those who do are well prepared for every little detail. Spot on Doug, spot on Wayne, Frances at the piano, Frances in the center, George on timpani, Tim on a stool, trumpet feature.....Frances tripping over her dress. Oh I hope not! LOL! </p><p>Similar to all of these show details, the expectations that come with the holidays can start with tiny things but when combined, they can add up to stress. Where to spend the holidays...when to have the dinner...what to serve for dinner...what gift to buy....And some people, like the shopper lady have decided they just don't "do" the holidays anymore. </p><p>Then there's the lingering pandemic. We're all weary of what this has done to our lives. I see the strain on your faces as I'm out doing concerts. I read your notes that tell me of the crises you are facing personally. My heart breaks for you. </p><p> I don't know who that lady at the grocery store is, but thanks to her outburst, I found the courage to keep running this last leg of the race of Portraits of White. I know it will be worth it. I've been preparing, practicing, pondering, stressing...all of it. But I'm ready for December 10 and 12. </p><p>I can't wait to see you and finish this Christmas show marathon with you by my side. (Even if I end it in my bare feet.) </p><p><a href=" https://youtu.be/5PtrbV7PUSM">This week's video.</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="389" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5PtrbV7PUSM" width="467" youtube-src-id="5PtrbV7PUSM"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303987617721770951.post-24892259223745492722021-11-05T08:49:00.004-04:002021-11-05T08:52:57.575-04:00Cattywampus Portraits of White<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; font-family: verdana;">I've answered all kinds of Portraits of White fan questions this summer. This one made me feel furry, fuzzy and a bit...well...cattywampus.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Do you ever consider using dogs or cats in Portraits of White?"</span></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just to be sure, I looked up the word cattywampus. I believe it fits this week's video purrrrrfectly.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #202124; font-style: italic;">Definition - askew, awry, kitty-corner. Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “</span><span style="color: #202124; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">an imaginary fierce wild animal</span><span style="color: #202124; font-style: italic;">,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”</span></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My cats would like you to paws for a moment of fun and watch THEIR video.</span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #403f42; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/PHO-qwfBjbU" style="font-family: verdana;">This week's video</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="383" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PHO-qwfBjbU" width="460" youtube-src-id="PHO-qwfBjbU"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do you have your tickets to the show yet? Click <a href="https://portraitsofwhite.com/2021-tickets/">here</a> to reserve yours.</span></div>Frances Drosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257076156850037935noreply@blogger.com0