On my way to Nedra's

My singing coach Nedra Gaskill has a studio several miles north of Seattle (she has one south of Seattle, too, but I go north), and I love the drive going and coming because of these creatures - two llamas and a herd of goats - that seem to pop out of nowhere. The area is rife with housing projects.

I've wanted to share this scenery with you for a long time, so today I stopped to take pictures.

The dark llama "lost his ears" when he walked up to me - within inches of my nose - on his own. I didn't touch him, because I know llamas are a little stressed when they lay their ears back. They normally only spit at other llamas, but I didn't want to risk an errant spit, 'cause llama spit *stinks.*

Several years ago I "housesat" a farm while the owners were gone for a summer. It was in exchange for food and board while I wrote one of my books.

I took care of the animals, including chickens and cows, huge fruit and vegetable gardens and more.

I would take a walk every day at lunch, and visit a llama farm down the road. I asked the owners if I could hug their llamas; they actually said "sure," without even pointing and laughing at me.

Llamas ordinarily aren't into lots of handling or affection. But these llamas seemed to love it - when I would approach the farm, they would see me from a distance and walk to the fence I would enter, lining up for a little chat and hug.

So every day I'd make my way to the llama farm and hug the llamas as I chatted with them about my book, adventures of the place for which I was caring, gossip about other animals in the area, whatever.

Hugging llamas is very cool. They are soft, cuddly and affectionate. At least the llamas I hung out withthat summer.

These goats weren't baaaaahd, either.

Fa la la la la

I'm singing tonight at Nedra Gaskill's annual Christmas Recital.

The three songs: "Consider Yourself" (from Oliver!), "Hard Candy Christmas" (sob! Made famous by Dolly Parton), and "Christmas Tree" - a fun party song that everyone in the audience sings as well, which will close the show.

Its chorus goes: "Oh ..... What a happy Christmas party, what a merry Christmas tree!"

The other singers tend to be more formal and serious, wearing black and all. I tend to bring ham.. um, I mean cheese .. I mean colorful interpretpation to the evening.

I enjoy singing and entertaining audiences so much. My little heart skips a beat when I see them laugh, cry or just stay awake as I perform...

Sing, dance and celebrate an icon

Last Saturday I had the honor and enjoyed myself immensely MC'ing and singing throughout the evening to celebrate the 60th birthday of my nationally renowned singing teacher and coach Nedra Gaskill!

The joint was jumping, the place was packed with well-wishers, most of whom were singers, who shared their talents throughout the evening.

More, Nedra's sis Lois flew in from California to get down with all of us show bizzers.

















She had a terrific time watching all of us perform. That's her on the right with Nedra and her granddaughter.

The fantastic dinner was catered by Nedra's son-in-law, a chef, so we scarfed magnificent large mushrooms stuffed with crab, caesar salad, pasta, salmon and stuffed chicken breast and many more delicacies.

I sang three songs: the touching "Don't Worry," a country hit written by Marty Robbins, "Little Girls," from the Broadway smash "Annie," which I hammed up completely in costume with a whiskey flask. Co-starring with me were Nedra's fantastic granddaughters!

I ended with "You Raise Me Up," which I sang to Nedra on everyone's behalf because she raises us all to be more than we can be!

Groups and individuals performed all four hours I was there, and were still going strong as I left!

Folk, opera, pop, alternative, gospel, country, Broadway and other genres were represented throughout the evening. As well as tons of laughter and a spirit I think most of us wish our nation had at this time. Music is not only the equalizer among humans, it's a a genuine uniter.

There's nothing like hearing a room full of singers sweetly harmonizing to such touching selections as "The Circle Game," or blowing the roof off the room with the rousing gospel crowd pleaser, "I'll Fly Away." The acoustics were brilliant.

Non-singing guests had as good a time as those of us who sang our hearts out. Meanwhile, if you've ever wanted to sing, write music, play an instrument or express yourself tunefully in some way, Nedra reminded us of k.d. lang's quote: "Don't die with music inside you."