WINTER EVENINGS

How are you spending your winter evenings?  Are you out on the town, vacationing some place warm, or staying home in front of the fire?  "Judy, Judy, Judy" is having a great time in Florida, and we heard she just bought a condo down there....another "snowbird" flies to Florida. Judy will need to start singing that song now.  Brenda and I are often "out and about" and this past week was no exception. We had a nice crowd at Scor last Wednesday, and we celebrated George's birthday. George comes every week with Johnny Kay and Diana, and he always sings from the table. Maybe this is the year we will get him up on stage!  We seem to draw new singers and listeners to Scor every week, which is fun!  Friday night, we were at the wine bar celebrating Mike Nolan's retirement from the Sheriff's Department. You may recognize Mike's name, as he is a new trustee for Miamisburg.  

Saturday, Brenda made a big pot of chili and we actually got to spend an evening at home.  We spent hours making Valentines for our nieces and nephew in Las Vegas.  Their names our Autumn, Austin and Alexis. We call them our Awesome A's.  Their Valentines were each  10 little heart  pages of photos and sayings.  We sure do love these children!  Here are a  few samples of the photos we included:

Awesome Austin: We will always be teammates. Be my Valentine. 

                                                                

 

             

Be my Valentine, Awesome Alexis. You are always tops in my book!

Awesome Autumn: I am smitten with you. Be my forever Valentine.

So, how are you spending the winter evenings?  I'll be at Scor Wednesday night if you are ready for a night out.  No karaoke this weekend. Brenda and I will be at the biggest Super Bowl party in the Nation. Check back for photos next week!

Musically, Cary

Music Soothes The Soul

Cary's grandmother passed away quietly during the early morning hours today.  She was at peace and ready to move on. We visited Mama over Christmas in the nursing home. She was ill then, and we knew that she would be passing from this world in a short time. She had been drifting in and out for several days, and was very weak and unable to talk.  The family thought she may be unresponsive to us.  It was Christmas Night, and I asked Cary to sing Christmas carols to her. He gently sang to carols, and Mama responded by smiling and nodding and making eye contact. Afterwards, she managed to say "I love you".  There have been many studies showing that music helps to bring calmness to those who are actively dying and that it eases their pain and stress. We certainly experienced the wonder of that on Christmas Night. 

They say that people die how they lived. Mama was such a sweet and loving lady, right through the end.  We will always remember the first time Cary took me to Evansville, 16 years ago. Mama held our faces between her hands, looked us in the eyes and said "do you two love each other"?  No one had ever asked us that before, so it was quite a "moment" and neither of us were sure how to respond! But she knew, even before we did. We will miss you, Mama. You have touched our lives forever and we have many wonderful memories to sustain us. 

Brenda

Healthy Resolutions

Happy New Year!  Like so many others, did you make a New Year's resolution to focus on your health in 2010? There are  a lot of health benefits that you can get from singing! Singing does the following:  Gives the lungs a workout
- Good flow of oxygen to the blood system and brain
- Tones up intercostal muscle and the diaphragm
- Posture correction and back straightening
- Stomach and bladder strengthening
- Good exercise for abdominal muscles
- Great aid to communication and breathing
- Helps reduce the feelings of depression
- Neurological improvement
- A good therapy for those who have had strokes resulting in speech impairment
- Improves confidence and discipline
- Strengthens the immune system.  And, don't forget to sing for pure entertainment and fun!   I hope to see you soon!

Musically, Cary

Ringing In (and singing in) the New Year

It's always good to welcome new singers. Last week, some of Brenda's co-workers joined us at Scor. One is no longer a karaoke virgin. It was a fun, festive evening for everyone. 

We'll be singing at  Scor this Wednesday evening, with only one more night left in 2009! New Year's Eve, we  will be ringing in the New Year and singing  karaoke at River Rats, West Carrollton VFW.  It is open to the public, with food served at midnight.   Join us if you can!

Brenda and I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year full of happiness and good health.

Cheers!  Cary

Christmas Cheer

We've been spreading Christmas cheer throughout Dayton this week with two great nights of singing and celebrating with friends. 

 We indulged in wine and Christmas Cheer at A Taste of Wine last night. As usual, there was a "standing room only" crowd that was lively and fun.  We sang Christmas carols for the first hour, then moved on to some old rock and roll and disco!

Some party-goers even bring their own instruments!

Wednesday night, was my annual Christmas Karaoke Party.  This year, it was at Scor.  Old friends and new friends mingled for an evening of singing and party games (scratch off's , Christmas Trivia and Pass the Parcel).  

                 

Some people came in costumes.

Tina and Karen, two of our regular patrons, were also celebrating their birthdays with us. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA AND KAREN! Thanks for spending the evening with us!

I hope YOU are also having a joyous holiday season. 

Cary

Tis The Season

Seasons Greetings!  The last few weeks have been busy with Christmas activities. The tree is up, the stockings and lights are hung and and over 50 Santas have taken up residence in our house. Brenda is doing lots of cooking and I am doing lots of singing.  Ollie, our new kitty, is settling in for his first Christmas. 

Our annual Karaoke Christmas party is at Scor on December 16th.  We will be having several special activities. We hope you can join us and celebrate the season with old friends and new. 

By the way, Ollie is practicing for a singing career.  He's not quite ready to take the mic yet, but he has a great set of lungs!  

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Musically, 

Cary

Thanks To Our Veterans!

Veteran's Day was a few weeks ago, but this weekend marked another opportunity to honor those who served in our armed forces.  I have been honored to provide the entertainment at the 3rd District Midwinter VFW conference for the past 5 years. This event is held at the Holiday Inn and is very well attended. As a veteran and a member, I was proud of the turn out this year, and proud of all the services  the VFW organization supports throughout the year for the benefit of our veterans and our active duty personnel.  I am always touched by the annual tribute paid to our POW's and MIA's who are absent, but never forgotten. 

                           "Judy, Judy, Judy" and I singing at the conference. 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS.  MY ANNUAL KARAOKE CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 16TH AT SCOR.  HOPE TO SEE YOU!