It’s been so long since I’ve blogged and my websites have been suffering so. After being workforce reduced (doggone economy!) last March and losing my second mom in June to psoriasis of the liver, life has been altered and unpredictable.
I did find another job where I’m writing about everything under the sun. I still have been doing contract jobs for proofing and editing, but my own personal writing has suffered.
But, it’s not just that. I am also a musician, just in case you didn’t know. Being back in Utah with old friends who know more about my life as a trumpet player than as a writer has thrust me back under the stage lights and teaching arena.
I love to play, more than anything, but after almost three decades of tooting my own horn, I developed some physical problems that made playing painful. So, I decided to concentrate on my other love - that of words.
So, my pushy, but loving, friends urged me to play. It was just little things at first; a musical here, a concert there, a community band for continuity and keeping my sanity.
Now, however, because I happen to be very good, I’ve been pulled into some more demanding and much higher quality groups. Not that there was a lot of arm twisting done to get me to join. How could I resist? I love to play and maybe I’ve regretted trying to get away from the musical world in the first place.
But, as I knew it would, it has taken time away from my writing. Will I ever complete my novel? Playing the trumpet is different than many other instruments. You have to practice. It’s an athletic demand. In order for your lips and face to keep performing, a daily regimen is required.
Otherwise, you feel like you’ve been punched in the mouth after about an hour. For less demanding things, you can get away with not having a daily dose of lip-buzzing.
So, pardon my absences, I really did want to do more here. I’m adjusting and practicing my patootie off.
And the new job? Well, I’m writing the flesh off my keyboard calloused fingers almost every day. Where does this lead my personal writing and blogs. I don’t know. I’ll squeeze it in somehow.
But for now - I’m really happy to be playing again. The moral of this story? If you love something, don’t ever let yourself give it up - for whatever reason - pain or no - support or not.
You never know who you’ll inspire. My example has encouraged not one, but four used-to-be-a trumpet-players to start playing again.