P is for Perhaps My Favorite Thing of All in 2018 Was . . .

I tell you, 2018 has been an interesting year. Thank God I can actually say that I was blessed to see it.



It took a plethora of ups and downs to get to this moment and time but, to be able to say that I am

here presently in the moment, once again to almost experience the end of another year, it is nice to

be able to acknowledge my favorite thing of all in 2018.

I walked into my 40th year fabulously with music and friends and family and loved ones and smiles,

laughter, and joy all around me. Not everyone has the opportunity but God kept me and that is

something that I do not take lightly.


So for all the beautiful people who have touched my life and has been a part of what I claim as true

inspiration, I honor you and thank you and wish you love and happiness in all that you do.


I have seen a lot in my 40 years and I can say, not all of them were the best decisions but to be able

to say, I have survived the turbulence and the sad moments because there was a balance of

so many happy moments that I can say, I have been blessed and I know it.


And with that in mind, I dedicate to you a rendition of one of my favorite songs and the tune that

made me want to sing when I saw my favorite movie, The Sound of Music as a kid and I saw Julie

Andrews singing the Rogers & Hammerstein tune "My Favorite Things."  If it had not been for that

moment, I probably would have never started singing or most likely would have never been so into

music and a vocalist who loves to sing more than eat today; and I'm a foodie so that means a lot.


This song was performed at the Creative Jazz Organization's Jazz Night where they presented a night

of music with the Lon Ivey Band which I had the opportunity of being the featured vocalist. The song

was performed at the American Legion Post 483 in Rosedale, NY.


I am filled with joy anytime I get to sing but this one especially because it is one of my favorite

songs. Hopefully it will created a smile in your heart as well.  You can check it out

here: https://youtu.be/pTLejHRZKZ0

Much Love and Many Blessings! 

My Favorite Things

One of my all-time favorite movies is “The Sound of Music.”

I have loved it since the fay I was strongly built and until today, it is like a fresh breath of air. Time has not changed the tide of love that flurries through my body when I see Julie Andrews walking across each scene doing what she did so beautifully. I guess my love for music falls in line with hearing her song the Do-Re-Mi song. Her singing lured me in and I never miss an opportunity when it is on television to let the hills come alive with the sound of music in my home.

So, when the opportunity to sing the song live came about, you can imagine how many times I had to brush the tears from my eyes to face the audience and sing “My Favorite Things.”

“My Favorite Things” is a tune by Rogers & Hammerstein from 1959 which was originally written for their play, “The Sound of Music.”The main character from the play, Maria, loved raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens. I don’t like kittens so much but the stuffed kitten animals are cute. 

I do love roses though. You should know that on almost every stage that I sung on in Russia, somebody from the audience gave me a beautiful bouquet of roses and it was such a beautiful and welcoming thing for me that kept me smiling in the beautiful, distant place, for miles around.

Maria loved bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. I love bright copper kettles because I am a tea lover and try to have a spot of tea daily. I love woolen mittens and wish I had some when I was in Russia because it was cold. But at least I had gloves. Maybe I’ll get some for the NYC winter that has suddenly embraced us. I mean it is December.

Maria love brown paper packages tied up with strings and I love the strings of a bass guitar that seem to enhance the sound of music, when you listen to it; especially when it is live. She loved girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. I love my nephews in anything they wear and in whatever they do because they are such cute young gentlemen with so much promise. I also love hearing my mother sing and when my father comes out of nowhere and compliments some aspect of my music. I love when my older sister invites me somewhere and when my younger sister sends me leads that might help me with my music. 

You can probably tell that most of my favorite things involve music. Like for instance, I love listening to frank Sinatra sing and I love to listen to Grover Washington Jr’s music. I love poinsettias and I love singing Christmas carols.

“My Favorite Things” has become a song that many refer to as a tune for the holidays. I love John Coltrane’s version and can’t resist enjoying Betty Carter’s rendition. For just one moment, I hope that you will stop and indulge in my rendition, as I performed it live with the Medgar Evers Jazz Ensemble at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY.  Here is the link: https://youtu.be/Q9NLJ6w2LXE

Today's post is dedicated to Frank Sinatra and Grover Washington Jr; two fellow sagges who celebrate their birthdays this week.  As I rambled about some of my favorite things, I am interested in hearing about some of yours. Would you please leave a comment and share those things that make your heart flutter with me? 

Thank you so much for reading my blogpost and from my heart to yours, happy holidays.