Changes in Life

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Evesophia

At some point, no matter how old you are and where you’ve been in this life, change is needed. For as long as I’ve been a musician I’ve been basically working for other people. That’s fine but if you’re annoyingly independent like me, haha, it doesn’t always work very well because you have your own style that you’ve developed over the years and has worked well for you.

I’m a professional musician and certified makeup artist. Personal achievement careers as I call them. But what happens when they take a “hit” like they both did when I had my latest surgery? Even though I’m still a very capable musician and makeup artist I’m tired, very tired, of the ups and downs and various “hits” these jobs, especially the musician job, has taken over the years. We’re all in need of financial security when we get older into senior-hood. The ups and downs of these careers make it very difficult to engineer a comfortable retirement should I want to quit altogether…which I don’t. Musicians go on forever until the end. Ha!

But I just signed onto a new venture in my life, marketing for other businesses. I sure wish we as musicians were taught the in-depth technique for advertising and obtaining clients as I’m learning right now. It’s a game-changer. Thinking outside the box in order to maintain a reasonably comfortable extra income as one gets older is mandatory to survive. I’m still a very useful person and very capable of making a major change to help myself survive. But then I’m always surviving and fixing things. If finding enough music work to help sustain my older years is going to be a supreme challenge in this day and age then I’ll think outside the box and try something else…something I can actually do online and even from a hospital bed if I had to. Hahahahaha!

My new venture is also a way of helping others in their businesses. What I’m learning now is vital to all professions and businesses. How do you market yourself, and your wonderful skills and services? People are really out there looking for what you have to offer. If I can help others’ businesses survive and thrive, I’m all for it. Glad to help.

I always say one can’t be a one-trick-pony in this life but I’m usually talking about being a musician. It applies to life in general. One does have to be creative to survive. I have to say, I’m always thinking up my own schemes to get what I need and basically survive…hopefully thrive a bit more now.

How about you? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. And don’t think your talents are limited. Examine your mind and what other things you like to do in life and are good at. It might just be the key to adding another dimension to you and perhaps another source of income to help you get ahead in this crappy economic time. Take care of you. Be creative. You can do it!

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Makeup and Skincare Products

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Evesophia

You all know by now I have 3 certifications in Makeup Artistry. But which products do I use, you ask (or maybe you aren’t asking). Ha! I’ll tell you.

If you are fairly new to the skincare/makeup scene you’re overwhelmed with all the products on the market. I know that because there are so many…everyone is overwhelmed. My best advice is to pick a couple of brands that have been around a while. Try a product or 2 from each one and see how you like it. You can also ask someone like me, a makeup person, to recommend products but in the end it’s your call. Only you can determine if you like the way your skin looks and feels. Here are some brands that I have used over my entire makeup life and I trust to deliver. These brands have stood the test of time and are always improving, updating their products.

Among the brands I like and have used that have been around a long time in the drugstores are Olay/CoverGirl, Revlon and L’Oreal. I find that their products deliver…skincare and makeup products. You can’t go wrong with these. In fact, I currently use Olay/CoverGirl regularly. Their anti-aging lineup works very well for me. So I would recommend those 3 brands as a good starting place. And, you can go online to their websites to research their products to see how they can benefit you. You can ask questions. Make your own decisions.

Another product I use and love is Avon. I have sold it over the years and currently do now. Like all skincare/makeup products, not all of them work for everyone even if you sell the product. So I use some other brands to supplement where I need to. But Avon does have wonderful products and good deals. Go onto my personal Avon website listed below and see for yourself. Again, do your own research, ask some questions and make your own decision.

I also sold makeup years ago…Elizabeth Arden and Shiseido. These are high-end department store brands. Other high-end lines include Lancome, Estee Lauder, Mac, Clinique, Dior, Armani, and several others. All are exceptional lines however with a much higher pricetag.

But you really don’t have to spend a ton of money to get good quality products. All of them have the same ingredients in this day and age. The choice is always yours. My “splurge” lines are Elizabeth Arden and the anti-aging foundation by Lancome. I love Shiseido and do buy their wonderful anti-aging foundation when I can. I use these high-end lines for special occasions.

So there you have it. I’ve made the rounds just like you probably have. And we all settle on what works for us and what we can realistically afford. Then of course, we have at least one high-end splurge item. We have to pamper ourselves some in this life don’t we? And it’s perfectly fine if you have a couple of products from a couple of lines. Again, it’s all about what works for you and makes you feel good.

There are also new lines of products on the market now which are completely natural/organic. It is worth it to look into these as well if you want purely natural products. I suggest you Google organic cosmetics to find a list of products.

So. Some practical advice to help you navigate the sea of skincare and makeup products. Trust me…it’s an ocean full of products that will make anyone’s eyes roll back in their heads. Ask me how I know! But thinking just about yourself and what works for you, you can make it through this sea of products and help yourself look and feel beautiful for years to come.

I hope my short list of recommendations helps somewhat. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section. I’ll gladly answer. I can’t guarantee it will be a short answer since I love this stuff so much. Haha! Go for it!

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Being Healthy

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Evesophia

As a musician I am more than anxious about keeping healthy. I hate being sick or having allergies or other stuff that just digs into your day and makes you feel crummy. It’s especially awful if you are a singer…everything that happens to your body happens to your voice. Playing an instrument, like piano, doesn’t suffer quite as much but it’s still crummy having to perform not feeling well.

So I’ve always tried to eat healthy and do healthy things. About 3 years ago I decided it was time to lose an extra 50 lbs which somehow crept up on me and frankly, were not welcome! Harrumph! Since my head surgery I had been studying holistic medicine…Ayurveda etc. You learn about your body and what makes it tick. What foods work for your body type etc. I tend to run warm hence, why would I eat hot spicy foods? They make me feel hotter…and more irritable. I need to eat foods that make me cooler so to speak and keep me centered. So with this in mind and other readings I did, plus take a 10-day trial with Noom, I put together a spreadsheet of foods I ate and still do. I’ve always eaten mostly healthy. Got rid of a lot of processed foods and junk foods, although I kept a couple of junk things, hehe, and started my 18 month journey to lose 50 lbs. I did it too! After my latest back surgery I lost another 9 lbs but gained some of that back. So in total I’m down 50-55 lbs. I’m fine, I feel and look so much better and…don’t miss my previous self or foods I ate.

It feels different to not eat stuff I used to. You end up losing your taste for certain things too. My only snack nowadays is pita crackers and organic popcorn with olive oil and sea salt. After surgery I lost my interest in a lot of foods as well. Especially higher fat meats like red meat etc. Your body changes and you kind of reinvent yourself nutritionally. Hopefully for the better though! But I’m happier and I’m keeping the weight off. The body gets used to its new self and it’s easier to live your new, healthier life. And…you CAN splurge once in a while, like at those nice Greek festivals.

And of course one must stay active at least moderately. I have physical therapy exercises I do several times a week. Then walking…or even just running around my condo doing this, that and the other thing. You can also exercise in a chair watching TV. Cool!

All of this benefits everything you do. I’m hoping it’s helping my recovery from my latest back surgery. We need all the help we can get to live and stay healthy. It also helps me make better music when feeling good about me. I always said I’m not going to get old. Ok. I don’t think old or look old, and I just expect I’ll be a very good and healthy version of myself until the end.

What about you? Feel free to comment with your recipe for health and longevity. There are as many ways as there are individuals on this earth. What’s yours?

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Living Life

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Evesophia

This past weekend my Greek Orthodox Church had its annual Greek Festival. ALL homemade food, live music, a bunch of loud Greeks, all having fun and eating like there’s no tomorrow. Ha!

Us ladies do what is called YiaYia’s Attic…YiaYia is Greek for Grandma. It’s a high-end rummage sale. In short, do not declutter your home and dump it on us. Bring us nice, working, used items you don’t need or want anymore that people can get at a bargain. We get Lenox china pieces, Waterford pieces, some Lladro statues, etc. We also get some very interesting items. You wonder how anyone on this Earth would want some of that stuff. Ha! Then there is a bunch of glasses…wine, martini, etc. A lot of them are one and not a pair. Or odd numbers…5 glasses, single coffee cups and saucers, and a whole plethora of mugs. Let’s not forget vases galore. And…Christmas stuff including a Christmas tree or two. Then of course, kids toys etc. You get the picture.

We sold a lot of stuff over the weekend and ran out of food before closing time. That’s actually a good sign. People came to celebrate with us! They liked what they saw and ate…and bought from us ladies. Yay!

I like celebrations, especially when we celebrate special occasions. It’s also just great to celebrate who we are. The Greeks have yearly festivals. The Poles do as well. In fact, most ethnic groups do celebrate themselves and their heritage. Why on Earth NOT?

Life is tough. And it doesn’t get easier. We as a society have years of history behind us. We’ve accomplished a lot but we’ve also grieved a lot, lost a lot, rebuilt a lot, learned from our past a lot, and we’re still moving forward. We live life. It’s not always a bed of roses. That’s why it’s important to take time out to have a big fat party. We tend to lose track of what we’ve been through and focus on the difficult tasks that still need to be done. It’s very easy to forget to appreciate what we’ve actually accomplished in this life. That’s why it’s important to take a break and be loud and dance and eat and…buy stuff you don’t need, etc. Ha!

The great thing about the Greek Festivals is that each Church in the Diocese has one. So they’re spread throughout the summer and fall seasons. Done eating at one? Then move on to the next one next weekend. Make the rounds. Make time in your life to have fun. We do have to get our minds off our problems for a bit to re-energize and center ourselves. Even though problems don’t go away just because we partied all weekend, they just don’t look so bad when we get back to them. We’ve re-fueled.

Look around where you live. Find some ethnic parties. Go and enjoy! They’re better than just clubbing, bar-hopping, yadda-yadda. You’re celebrating other people’s lives and their heritage.

Oh…and that stuff you bought that you don’t need because you were having such a good time at the party? Bring it back next year and we’ll sell it again at YiaYia’s Attic. Don’t think people don’t do that! Hahahahaha!

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Celebrating Historical People

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Evesophia

As we get closer to July 4, Independence Day, I start thinking about one of my favorite historical figures…George Washington. Love him! Apart from the fact that we have the same birth date, George was a visionary and a hero, not to mention a religious man.

I’ve read a number of books on George. The troops actually called him “Your Excellency” since he wasn’t a military man as such and wasn’t called a general right away. But he had his head on straight and wanted to see a new type of country. We won the Revolutionary War, many thanks to Lafayette and the French who were the best military strategists at the time. Then came the time to define who we were going to be as a country. The leaders at the time wanted Washington to be King. He refused. Isn’t that what we fought a war to get rid of? So instead, they elected him the first President. He had vision for this country. And so far, no other country can measure up to how we did it. America is unique.

Another one of my favorite people is the great composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. He is the first composer I remember hearing when I was probably 4. My Dad played clarinet and we listened to classical music since before I was born I’m sure. Ha!

Beethoven entered the music scene during the Classical period of music. At some point he started to pull away from the classical restraints and pour more emotion into his music. He ended up moving the entire music establishment into the Romantic period of music. No small feat! Pouring more emotion into the music was now a “thing.” Taking a bit more liberties with the music to allow for “emoting” became more commonplace. The music stirred your feelings more and more. Music was on the move…evolving.

Another favorite of mine, not historic, was my long time voice teacher of 20 years. He knew everything about voice. He had a working relationship with a local otolaryngologist at one of the top hospitals in the Chicago area. I went to graduate school where he was the Chair of the Voice Dept. He taught the Vocal Pedagogy class. I wouldn’t take that class with anyone else. He knew it all and could hear it all. I learned to teach working with him all those years besides taking the Pedagogy class. And…what a sense of humor. Ha!

And yet another favorite of mine is my own Dad. Not necessarily an historic person but he was a clarinetist and artist. He was so creative. Of course being a creative artist doesn’t pay bills and support a family so he drove for a private delivery service. But what a talented person he was!

Dad taught me to read music. He would come around with his music when we were playing in the back yard and ask if I wanted to learn that stuff. I said “u-huh!” I mean, it’s Dad…what else would you say at age 4? Ha! I don’t know how many times he did this but by the time we got our piano a few years later and I looked at more music, I knew how to read it. Kids brains are like sponges. Just sop things up!

Dad was also an artist. A REAL good artist. His drawings were absolutely spectacular. And…he built things. Some furniture, a Grandfather Clock for each of us 3 kids beside one for him and Mom. Good grief! What talent!

So when I wanted my bedroom furniture to match years ago and I didn’t have enough money to buy a set of bedroom furniture (poor musician here), I built it from very good furniture kits. I still have that furniture today. I also built my computer desk I am typing on right now. It’s my finest achievement. Then I built a couple of other things in my home. In short, half of my furniture was built by me and a couple by my Dad. The rest was bought.

Wow. Looking back in time really made me think about the historical wonderfully important people who changed the course of history and a couple from current times who helped to make me who I am. As I was writing this I kept thinking about who else I could add to this list. The article would probably go one for weeks so I’ll quit here.

Think about yourself and your life. Who do you admire historically? How about from your own life? Wallow in what it means to you and how it formed your path on this Earth. Leave a comment. It’s amazing to think about stuff like this and put things into perspective…isn’t it?

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How Music Affects Us

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Evesophia

So. I had some news today regarding my latest surgery. Another change in plans. My esteemed surgeon sent a letter to his patients saying he is leaving Boston to take on an Executive Medical Director job in New York.

Oh. Well, congratulations to him.

The funny thing about this surgery is that it was emergency surgery. I met this doctor in pre-op, we never had a chance beforehand to have an in-depth conversation about the situation…understandable… met in November of last year for a real visit and scheduled a visit now, close to a year from surgery…and now he’s leaving the hospital for another one. So I scrambled to make an appointment with one of the surgeons taking some of his patients. A fine doctor as well. But again…another hole in this latest surgery saga. Never got to have a real conversation with the esteemed surgeon about…me. That elusive conversation.

When life takes another tumble especially when you’re trying to stabilize a certain part of it, I usually try to fix it first. Then I usually sit down and practice my music. I guess there’s some logic in that. Ha! I usually don’t have any glitches either. Maybe concentrating so hard on fixing the latest “thing” creeps over to concentrating on the music without distraction. Makes me feel better too…calms me down quite a bit.

Music does have many health effects on us. If we study it (an instrument, etc) there are great neurological benefits. Often taking music lessons is recommended for senior citizens to prevent mental decline and to stay more mentally alert. I tell my students it’s “brain training.”

Music also makes us dream. We start thinking of perhaps places we’d love to be, beautiful places, people we love, adventures we would like to take or have already taken. Music makes us travel mentally and emotionally. I always say that the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Choral movement, is a perfect example of this. There is an instrumental interlude where Beethoven travels harmonically so well it seems like we almost travel to Egypt, then back to the exact same place he started from. A musically scenic trip. Breathtaking as well! But imagine the wealth of different emotions one feels during this interlude.

I remember that every time I broke up with a boyfriend I would sing an aria or sit down and play piano. I always felt comforted…”at least I have my music.” Probably not a good idea to hide behind my music but at least it served an immediate purpose.

There were also times I was stuck on the highway driving in terrible crawling traffic listening to Bach. Usually it’s something complicated…a lot of music by Johann Sebastian is. But when one is sitting in annoyingly slow traffic and getting more and more annoyed, I found that listening to complicated music almost drives you crazy!!!! So…change the radio station to something else you really like. Hahaha! It’s amazing how music can make or break a situation.

When I was having radiation after my recent spinal surgery, the radiation techs put on music of your choice so you can “enjoy” your radiation visit. Ha! I asked for several composers from the beginning. I asked for music by early music composer William Byrd. He wrote a lot of beautiful church music. Well, I’m laying on the table during the session thinking…”it feels like I’m at my own funeral.” Ha! Ok. Next session…I asked for music by Verdi…opera…that’s what I sing. Ok. Here we go! So what comes on is the Verdi Requiem. Hmmm…again it feels like I’m at my own funeral. Sooo…from that time forward I asked for Mozart. And yes, the “Lacrimosa” from his Requiem came on one time but in general, everything was upbeat going forward. Haha!

Music has a way of either making or breaking our day. We usually listen to it for enjoyment but sometimes it wreaks havoc on our feelings. Music provides exhilaration during happy times like weddings, Christmas, New Year’s, Independence Day, etc. It provides comfort during funerals, hard times, moments when we’re fearful, etc. I’m trying to think of something else that has that kind of effect on us…a myriad of feelings good or bad. And of course when you are a professional musician you feel pride in the music you make and hope that it instills good feelings in your audience.

So…any thoughts you might have regarding this topic? How has music played a part in your life? When do you feel a particular need for it besides entertainment? Leave a comment if you like. I’m always listening.

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Music on Your Mind

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Evesophia

We all go through this from time to time…you come upon a song or other instrumental piece of music and can’t get it out of your head no matter what! It’s one thing if it’s an expert piece of music composed by an enormously talented composer…e.g. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach. But when it’s something from a piano Method Book we use to teach beginners to learn the instrument…a methodical, robotic learning piece…what’s that all about?

That happened to me a few years ago. For the life of me I couldn’t get this simple and yes, annoying piece of learning music out of my mind…going to bed at night, in the shower…good grief! Usually when I latch on to something it’s an aria I used to sing or the last/choral movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Impressive! But…how could I admit to anyone that I was hopelessly hooked beyond my control on a kids’ learning piece? Ugh.

Now I find I am hooked on yet another piece…”The Rains in Africa” by the group from the 70s-80s, Toto. I was watching TV and there is a commercial about having a phenomenal time wherever you go on vacation. The background music is “The Rains in Africa.” I was intrigued as I remember that one clearly. So I went online to look it up. That was 3 days ago. I have listened to the thing…and sung along mind you…at least 3 time a day. Why?! What do these songs we get hooked on for a time actually do for us?

Of course I hopped online to research this. Well…I was almost sorry I did. Harvard neuroscientist explained it’s called an “earworm.” Back in the days when there was no written word people in many cultures used music together with rhyming to help themselves remember oral histories. Apparently our brains evolved to remember this. Huh. So here I sit with my current earworm, “The Rains in Africa.”

But something else about this phenomenon is that it feeds a certain emotion. I’m not sure what emotion the kids’ learning piece fed but the “Rains” song does feed a certain musical emotion…more like the chord structure which I recognize being a musician. It makes me feel good. And I do have to admit. It’s a well-structured song musically. The group Toto sings it very much on pitch. Rhythm is very nice. This song sure feeds something in my musicianship and emotions. I wonder why now?

And then once we get so tired of hearing or even physically singing this particular piece of music…our earworm…it goes away. We’re done. Huh. I guess we’ve solved whatever musical issue our brain is going through. Our emotions seem to be satisfied, and frankly getting quite annoyed with the endless mental repetition of the thing. I honestly wonder what we are solving when this happens? Why those particular snippets of music that won’t unstick themselves from our brains? Subconscious stuff is really interesting. Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall inside your brain and see what is going on with this stuff?

I don’t have answers. I’m just sitting here wondering why a particular piece of music sticks itself into your brain for several days and then leaves. Does it go to someone else’s brain? Make the rounds? Ha! An errant musical phrase that is wandering from brain to brain. Hahahahaha!

At least they eventually leave us. But not to worry. Another one will come along in due time. They always do. Ha!

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Stuffed Animals and Adults

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Evesophia

You don’t have to admit it to me but…how many of you adults reading this blog post have a favorite stuffed animal that you love, talk to and sleep with? Hahaha! Busted!

I do. I have my little set of Beanie Babies…the little lamb, the cat and the porpoise. Now I have a pink stuffed teddy bear. She’s cute, small and so soft. I have to admit I love her. Where did she come from? Almost 33 years ago I had brain surgery. My second of the big 3 surgeries. My mother took care of me…was in the hospital every day and then at my home every day for just about 6 weeks when I returned home. One day in the hospital Mom arrived with this cute little pink bear. It was for some comfort and also to help when medical personnel came around giving shots or removing bandages etc., stuff that can be hurtful right after surgery. You squeeze the little thing which is some sort of help with pain. She also did that to my father when he was in the hospital having surgery. Probably not a pink bear but a cute little guy I’m sure.

I named my bear Neurobear. She’s been so special to me all these years. However, after my recent spinal/back surgery and some time after my radiation treatments ended last year, I started talking to little Neurobear. I haven’t talked to her in 32 years. Now I talk to her at night and sleep with her. We talk in the morning as well. Hmmm…

To determine whether or not I was losing what’s left of my mind, I researched adults and stuffed animals. I ran into an article written by a couple of psychologists. They said we adults are perfectly normal being attached to a particular stuffed animal. They can help relieve stress and anxiety which helps us sleep better at night. Whew! At least I’m not certifiable. This is actually quite normal.

And since my Mom gave her to me I can’t help but think she’s offering me some comfort as I recover from my latest surgery. This back/spinal procedure is the most challenging of the 3 surgeries I’ve had. I am getting better…almost 100% with still some time to go to complete recovery. But it’s been a bit tough…frustrations, mood swings, a bit of depression…things that come and go and are part of the recovery process. But you get tired of all this and want it to go away immediately…which it doesn’t. Enter Neurobear.

We talk…sort of. And I can bounce my thoughts off of this stuffed animal in a way that just plain talking to yourself doesn’t quite work. I do hope it is Mom taking care of me once again even from the after-life through this adorable little gift she gave me almost 33 years ago. And yes, it does give me comfort and relieve anxiety about a lot of things. I do find myself relaxing more at night and hopefully falling asleep faster. Trying to get into your regular sleep routine after a major surgery and trip to rehab afterwards can be tough. You’re all screwed up when you get home. You’re different than before you left home to go to the hospital.

So little pink Neurobear is my little pal. She’s so special to me. How about you? I’ll bet you too have a little stuffed animal or doll or something that you love and care about. As I said in the beginning, you don’t have to admit it to me…but I’ll bet you do have something. Haha!

And if you don’t have a little something? Here is your permission to buy a little thing immediately! You’re not crazy. I am but I’m pretty sure you’re not. We all have to deal with life and personal concerns, frustrations, disappointments, fears, you-name-it. Sometimes talking to and hugging a cute stuffed toy is the only thing you can do to feel somewhat safe and secure at certain times. Less anxious. Calmer.

So. Go out and get a cute little stuffed animal of your choice. I’m telling you that you will be glad you did. And please, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post telling me about your little friend and what his/her name is. Here’s to our little stuffed animal pals. We love you!

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Seasons

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Evesophia

This is not one of my usual posts…ranting about something or whining. It’s about the 4 seasons.

So as a human I tend to run warm. I do not do well in Summer especially in the heat and humidity. Ugh! I like nice warm weather but the humidity…well…I tend to sweat. If you are like this you don’t like hot and humid weather either. And then when it’s really hot I can’t lay in the sun because I burn to a crisp. So much for enjoying summer outside. I need to be in the shade…on a not-too-humid day or inside enjoying my a/c. It’s also uncomfortable making music unless again, I’m inside keeping nice and cool.

Spring, which comes before summer, is beautiful. All the foliage outside is waking up and blooming and…there’s pollen. Spring is probably the most beautiful season of the year but again…pollen. The weather is usually not too hot. It’s a comfortable warm/cool mixture. But again…pollen. I can’t breathe.

Winter is a great season for me because it’s cold. I really do like the cold. It’s not hot. Ha! No pollen. But there’s snow and ice and tricky driving. I do tend to freeze in the winter even though I like cold better than hot. Then there’s cleaning snow and ice off the car. Then there are nor’easters (big snow or rain storms) on the East Coast here in the Boston area. This means a lot of snow in winter or a lot of rain in the warm weather. The snow is worse. Then you’re stuck in your parking spot until the plow comes to rescue you.

That leaves us with Autumn. I actually do love the fall. Yes there are allergies but I seem to do better. The weather is cooling off. The trees are turning colors as they are on their way out for the winter to bloom again in spring. Fall is so colorful. It’s really breathtaking. The regular yearly duties are starting up again and there’s excitement in the air. I’m more energetic and looking to get going again in my life pursuits. I tend to “wake up” during the fall…from my summer stupor in the heat which makes me sluggish etc. I can accomplish things much better and faster in the cooler fall. And making music is so much easier when you’re feeling comfortable.

I also tend to like the warmer colors of the fall season. Clothing, decor, makeup…colors that do well on me. Even food! It’s tough to eat a lot of food especially heavier items like meat, lots of dairy etc. in the summer. Salads are a lot of my diet when it’s hot. But in the fall eating becomes easier and more tolerable.

Exercise and outdoor activities are easier in the fall as well. Outdoor adventures, apple picking, going on road trips to see the colorful foliage..all of this makes the fall my favorite season. And of course, my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is in the fall.

I feel a sense of renewal in the fall. It seems like we’re getting a new lease on life. We’re all set to make things better for ourselves and others moving forward. New Plans. Better plans. Clearer thinking.

That’s what the seasons do for us. They have a pattern. A plan. We freeze and hibernate in the winter. Time to lie low. Then we start coming out of it in the spring…blooming again. We slow down over the summer to take a break from the year. But then we re-energize in the fall to get things going again…anew. Interesting pattern throughout the year.

There really is a yearly plan in our lives through the seasons. They all have unique traits including special holidays. One leads into the other to give us a different view of life both internally and externally, as we see the different looks each season has to offer. Our feelings, emotions etc. all respond to the personality of each season. Even our clothes/fashion indicate what season we’re in! What a well-planned trip through the year. Then we go into the new year in January and start this trip all over again.

So. My favorite season is Autumn. Think about yourself and your persona. How do you fit into each of the 4 seasons. Which one speaks to you. How does it fit into your life and make you evolve into a “new you?”

I’ve been a fall person for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait for the fall every year because I know I will feel a sense of rejuvenation and energy that I need to move forward each year for a better year. And I love making music when I feel like a new person all energized!

What about you? Don’t just read my blog. Think about you and what makes you tick. Which season are you?

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Celebrating Friends

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Evesophia

When was the last time you celebrated a friend or family member? I don’t mean birthdays or anniversaries or stuff like that. I mean a real achievement/s. I did just that this past Sunday.

A real good friend of mine at my Church was selected Parishioner of the Year. This is something our Diocese has been doing for years. Each parish selects a parishioner who has given much time and help to their parish, usually over a number of years. You know, those people that just get things done for an organization no matter what…because it needs to be done or it would be a nice/appropriate touch for the building/community etc.

My friend has done so many things for the Church…on the Parish Council, President of the Ladies Guild. She’s a retired school principal and a well-regarded one, teaches Sunday School and Greek School (it’s a Greek Orthodox Church). She also has her Certificate in Piano and has taught piano in the past. There is a LOT packed into that 5 ft. friend of mine.

The banquet itself is 4 hours long. Oy vey! There were probably 800+ people there celebrating the almost 62 recipients of the Laity Awards. And everyone was having such a good time! Great food, perfect waitstaff, people from other churches you haven’t seen in a long time…in short a huge huge good time celebrating the Church and those who tirelessly help make the individual parishes run.

And of course there are the speeches (and…more speeches…and um…) but we get through those too. And the pinnacle really comes at the end of the 4 hour banquet…when the Archbishop of the Diocese hands out the awards. It’s so uproarious in the hall with each parish really hooting and hollering and applauding for their own parishioner! Every recipient feels the energy in the crowd. It’s contagious! It’s glorious!

And that’s how I celebrated my friend. Hooting and hollering with everyone else…letting our hair down.

We all love our family and friends. I play organ at weddings at my Church. You should hear the hooting and hollering at the end of the wedding ceremony when the newly married couple walks down the aisle. The family and friends are deafening. Just like the 800+ people at the Laity Awards banquet from the Diocese. We are celebrating our family and friends because they have achieved something that has made them move forward, made us move forward, helped others, and are just great people.

I personally was so happy to celebrate my friend on Sunday because she was one of the ladies that helped me so much after my recent back surgery. She and about 6 other women just stepped up to the plate and made my moments after surgery (in rehab and then at home) so much easier and happier for me. I’ll always be grateful!

So. I’ll bet you are really psyched now that you read this wonderful story about celebrating people in our lives (hopefully not asleep ha!). But think about it…when was the last time you really celebrated something a good friend or a family member accomplished just because that is what they do? Perhaps you can think of something right now. Maybe you can have a celebration of sorts for them…albeit not 800+ people but… Take them to breakfast or a nice dinner. Or maybe there is something they really like to do…do that! Or…flowers?

We need to tap into that part of humanity and celebrate our good honest hard work. It helps us realize that humanity is good after all. People do step up and do what needs to be done in order to help others or organizations like our churches, which really need the support and help from its people.

You can think of something. I have faith in you. Polish up your hooting and hollering skills cuz you’re gonna need them sooner than you think! Invite me too…I’ll hoot and holler with you! Ha! great stuff!!!!

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