Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Farrell House!  Yep, hubby is Irish.  Me?  I'm German.  In America we are always saying stuff like that.  But, what does it mean?  Is my hubby really Irish?  What we mean when we say that is that somewhere in our family history there was at least one person who was Irish, German, Italian, etc.  I think if hubby was in Ireland right now, they would say that he is NOT Irish.  He is American.

Here is the real Irishman in his family. His Grandpa Farrell (hubby doesn't even know his first name) came from Ireland.  That's my hubby in the middle.

The family lore is that he took off the "O" in O'Farrell when he came here.  I have heard a few fun stories about his accent.  But, he died young enough for my hubby to have pretty vague memories of him.

Am I German?  Well, my Grandpa was the first person born in America in his family that came from Germany.  And, I had a German last name until I married. So, I have always said "I'm German".  But, I know next to nothing about the culture and history of these people who came here to America so long ago.

I guess that is all part of living in the Melting Pot of the world.  We are all American.  

But, TODAY.....we are ALL Irish.

Or pretending to be.

So. What fun and special thing are you doing on this holiday?  It's raining here, which has put a damper on some really fun local happenings.  Darn.  

As for me, I have a gig with my band tonight.  It's been a while and I'm really looking forward to it!  I will be posting an update on my band blog about it in next next couple of days.  Now, I have to go....so I can figure out what to wear!

Monkees, Davey Jones death and memories

I was so sad to hear that Davey Jones died today.  

Davey Jones of the Monkees

Just thinking about the Monkees takes me back to my childhood.  I remember having my girlfriends over to my house and we would dance to my record player.  

I had this album:

I watched the tv show.  Do you remember how we used to ask each other which Monkee was our favorite?  Mine was Peter Tork.  I liked his shyness.  My sister always said Davey Jones.  

I remember when Marsha Brady got to have her dream date with Davey Jones on the Brady Bunch.  What a dream come true that would have been for any girl in those days.  And, he came to her school dance.  Woo Hoo.  Lucky girl.  Marsha Marsha Marsha.

Just look at them.  Doesn't that take you back?  Things just seem so different now.  What innocence.  Was it really like that? 

When I watched the Monkees, I loved the slapstick comedy.  They were just so wacky.  Each one of them was fun to watch.  Davey Jones was sweet and always had the girls chasing him.  Not just on the show, but in real life too.  I have heard on my Facebook page that many of my friends have seen him in concert recently.  He had a very long career.  

I'm feeling old today, just hearing this news.  I think, wow, this is just going to keep happening from here on out.  I'm over 50 now.  It's not like I think my life is over or anything like that.  But, I know that my mother in law is always talking about movie stars that have been dead for a really long time and that I have never heard of.  I'll bet if I ask my kids who Davey Jones is, none of them will know.  But, I know.  And, I will remember.

.

Me? In the band?

Here is one reason why I haven't had time for crafting or decorating...I found a new hobby. Or it found me. I joined a band. I didn't even want to admit this. It's crazy!! Here is the shortest version I can come up with.

I went to an open session to learn to play guitar. A friend told me about it. She is a singer with the band that the teacher, John has. I enjoyed learning guitar, but I did not like it when he told me to sing along with my playing. In fact, I even complained about it and he gave us all a lecture on "self sabatoge".

Then, my friend found out she would be moving away and John asked me to learn how to sing. Was he CRAZY? Or just hard of hearing???? I said yes (why did I do that?). The next thing I knew, John was giving me a crash course in vocals. I had so many moments of doubt and terror!! I was asking myself "what am I doing?" and "am I crazy?". But, John kept telling me to trust him and I did. And, I'm glad. I have faced a fear so huge....I cannot even express it.

On Wednesday, I performed in public. It was scary, and thrilling at the same time. It was at the Farmer's Market and honestly people weren't really paying attention, so that was good!!


I didn't tell anyone I know that I was doing this. I think my biggest fear was that someone I know would see (and hear) me. Well, of course lots of people were there that I knew. And, I survived.


I learned so much. About music, about life, about myself. When that day finally arrived, I wasn't nervous anymore. I just got so tired of worrying and being nervous. What possible good can come from those feelings? Besides, I had my mentor, John, right there and the lovely Sarah. Sarah is a fabulous musician, her guitar playing is so beautiful, it will bring you to tears! And, her sweet support was so special to me!! If you are reading this Sarah....thank you!

When the moment of truth arrived, I felt like I had jumped out of an airplane and it was FUN. Exilarating! More please!!

I have committed to the entire summer and I'm actually looking forward to the next time. I never saw this coming, I never dreamed about doing something like this, I never thought I COULD or WOULD. But, somehow I knew that the journey would be worthwhile and that I would learn valuable life lessons along the way. And, I'm looking forward to more of the same.


.