My Long-Time Secret Love Affair with Patti Smith

One of the things that few people know about me is that I have, since about 1979, been a huge fan of poet Patti Smith. When I discovered her, I had no idea who she was, or what she was about. I had just moved back to the US from a three-month musical stint in England and my attention was on getting a record deal in the ever-shrinking world of what was then called, more than a little deprecatingly, MOR, or Middle Of the Road. Although I’d been introduced to Punk in England, I wasn’t at all fond of it and, when I came home, I was met with the less confrontational, more palatable New Wave. Apart from Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, and Billy Joel, I knew nothing about what was going on musically in New York. Because my then managers were steering me into what they considered to be more financially lucrative waters, Smith as a singer-songwriter flew totally beneath my musical radar...

Radio Gals!

For the past month Lynette has been running herself ragged between work, voice pupils, and rehearsals for 'Radio Gals', a musical comedy in which she will be appearing this month. Our local newspaper has published a nice, long article with photos here. I've heard some of the musical numbers from the show, and it promises to be hilarious! I'm going on opening night, Wednesday, as well as Friday night. If you live within a hundred miles, you should go, too!

Making Time, and Room, for Me

It has been a hard seven months. Living with Nigel has definitely been a challenge, but things are working out. He's 9 months old and is growing up to be the sweetest dog I've ever known. He's learned a lot about what we expect of him and I've learned a lot about how to ensure he does, or does not do, what makes life happy for all of us.

He has learned to speak with his "inside voice" when he sees someone walk, bicycle, or skateboard by the house and I have learned that a soft, loving voice and a treat in hand will entice him to obey more than a scolding, demanding voice, spray bottle, or an angry face...