Big Apple Bash (4.12.14)

Start spreading the news! We were invited to provide the entertainment as a part of the St. Mary's auction at the Memphis Botanic Garden this spring.  Over 1,000 guests strolled the floor of the SMS Big Apple Bash with the proceeds benefitting the SMS performing arts.  Musical kin Andy, Nathan, and GB joined us for the evening as we played (among many) George Benson's On Broadway and of course Billy Joel's New York State of Mind in keeping with the night's theme.

Sunset (March 2014)

This Spring Break trip to Florida was sentimental for many reasons.   There were physical sunsets as well as emotional ones.  As a part of Helga's wishes, we had a special ceremony for her and Lloyd's dad on the water in a place where Lloyd had fished with his parents when he was a child.  It was here that we spread their ashes together, on Helga's birthday.

Girls Trip (2.28.14-3.1.14)

In honor of our 40th birthdays, my college suite mates and I met in Charleston, SC for a long weekend of reminiscing, shopping, and, well, let's be honest... eating.  Each day we strolled the streets of this historical city and tasted the Carolina cuisine.  At night we'd look at old pictures from days gone by and giggle-- just as we did 20 years earlier in our dorm room until the wee hours of the morning.   We thought back then that we were in the prime of our lives.  But I understand with full confidence now why people say that "40 is the new 20".

Isla June Willhite (2.26.14)

My beautiful niece turned one in February.  She is a perfect mix of Mandy, with her su-weeeet red headed stubbornness and Andy, with his love for music.  Every day after her daddy gets home from work, Andy will play for her and she'll dance to her favorite song, Blackbird, or their very special spin on You Are My Sunshine.  She's got the hip-sway, the bent-knees, and the show-your-dimples technique down! Better watch out Andy.  It won't be long until you have to fight the boys away.

Journey V. Boston (1.26.14)

A Special Duet (1.4.14)

You're 40, Love! (1.4.14)

Lloyd, knowing full well that a surprise was out of the question, threw me a "planned" birthday party a few nights before my actual 40th birthday.   With music in mind he called the event the "40th Birthday Tour".  Tickets were generated and backstage VIP passes were allocated.  He truly thought of every detail from the set list down to the table decorations.   However, it all backfired when I started to develop cold symptoms three days before the main event. Where we would normally forgo any medication, I tried steroids, antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics, herbals-- all to no avail.  I couldn't even speak without a horrific sounding rasp.  That is, until someone told me of a special magic that opera singers used when they were in similar situations during high performance seasons. While others enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and elegant glasses, I sipped olive oil so that I could sing on key.  It worked!   Guest performers like Hal Butler, from Survivor, and our son accompanied me and our band throughout the evening.  And, I was serenaded by the kids on ukes to the tune of "happy birthday".  It was a beautiful gift.

Helga B. Finks (1927-2013)

After her long and courageous confrontation with dementia and decline, Helga is at rest. Last November, we celebrated her life at the Cloverdale Playhouse in her adopted home of Montgomery, Alabama.  An iMovie about her life (created by me) was shown to a distinguished group of friends from her neighborhood, theater, nursing home, and volunteer service days.  In addition to this select crowd, we were visited mid-showing by a friendly beagle who somehow managed to let herself in, make her way onto stage, and sit to admire her audience.  She then stepped offstage and walked over to greet us first before making her way down the middle of the pews to say hello to everyone.  Then, she left.

Everyone present was well aware that Helga was with us in spirit.

Grenada (August 2013)

We made our pilgrimage to Grenada in August 2013, teaching and lecturing more this year than in years past.  No matter about our work, however, because we still found time to enjoy ourselves.

Year Gone By

It's been a year since I've last posted, mainly due to busyness and diminished priority of this blog.  While the details of our never ending schedule may not be updated here, a few life changing events must be mentioned in the coming entries in order to bring you up to speed on our current status.