I don’t know if I can remember a winter that has ever been as busy and fun as the one I’m living right now. I’ve had what feels like a blue million sessions for the Artists in the Schools program. I’ve had a few seniors request snowy portraits. A few babies have made their debut at the end of my lens. I became an aunt for the first time ever when my sis gave birth to the prettiest ginger baby you’ve ever seen. I’m in the midst of saying “good bye for now…” to one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had as she prepares to move to England. I’ve road tripped. I’ve been cat sitting. I’ve been ice skating and practicing my Tara Lipinski impression.
I’ve been busy with a thousand things. Which is why you haven’t seen too much writing here on the blog. I simply just haven’t been able to make time to sit and catch up.
But perhaps the best thing of all is my latest {maybe greatest} quirky skill. After years of searching, I’m finally learning to play the accordion. Yes. You heard me right.
Admittedly pretty much every ounce of free time I’ve had since bringing this bad boy home a week and a half ago has been tied up in practicing. It’s all pretty basic right now, scales, simple tunes, easy rhythms. I owe my friend Mary big time, because it was she that hooked me up with this beauty. She was kind enough to loan this accordion to me. To let me learn and decide if I want to buy my own.
As you can see, it’s gorgeous. Which is only part of its appeal. Inside the case there was a stack of accordion lessons that are copyrighted 1950. Adorably, they are called the “Modern Piano Accordion Course.” The colors are lovely and the graphics are so vintagey-cool I could squeal. Really, I think they are cute enough to frame. The lessons inside are sufficient for me–who had never touched an accordion before. I’m now working on lesson 7. I’m shifting between chords and working on treble clef fingering that “crosses under.”
I’m really thrilled. I really love it. {Can you tell?} As a collector of odd talents this will look quite nice on my proverbial shelf.
I’m eager to play for anyone who’ll listen. My neighbor kids just dropped by to see if we could play a board game. Before I let them bust out the Farkle I forced them to listen to a few songs. I’m still trying to make a Skype date work with my parents so they can hear the wonder that is me getting my polka on. {Do you think the fact that it hasn’t worked out yet is their way of telling me something? Nah.}
Anyway…on the blog next week, I’ll be telling you tales of cat sitting, tales of classroom art projects, and showing off a few photo sessions. I hope you’ll forgive the absence. I hope you’ll come and hang out and do life with me. It sure is fun.
