Meet Rory
Meet Rory!
Since we recently celebrated our three-month dog-iversary, I thought I'd share a little more about our sweet rescue pup and how we're all settling in.
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Rory is a lab/greyhound mix, just over a year old. We got her through Helping Hounds in Syracuse, NY — a dog rescue organization that works with shelters in Texas and Alabama.
Many shelters in the South are over-capacity and cannot keep dogs that are surrendered or found as strays. Organizations like Helping Hounds identify adoptable dogs, place them in short-term foster care programs, then transport them up north for adoption. Rory was in a foster home for two weeks before coming up to Syracuse with 40+ other dogs. Many of the dogs from the transport were adopted the weekend they arrived.
And the amazing thing is, Helping Hounds facilitates 2-3 transports like this each month.
Rory was already house-trained when we got her and would sit for treats. Since then, we've taught her her name, lay down, stay, come, go place, heel, leave it, find it, and shake. We're still working on a few of these, obviously. She finished a 6-week session of puppy class and learned a few new training games. Her new favorite is "find it" — a scavenger hunt for treats hidden around the house!
We've also been teaching her how to play — how to chase a ball, chew on sticks, chew on bones, play tug-of-war with a rope toy. Here's a video of her "helping" us garden last month. She's still a puppy in many ways!
Rory is very playful and very smart — she learns new things so quickly! However, she is pretty very independent and has a mind all her own, so we're still working on consistent obedience. :-) SD says she's a lot like me — sweet, sassy, and stubborn. She is from the South, after all.
We finally discovered a food blend that she likes, though she's still a free-feeder most days. However, she will do almost anything for a piece of chicken any time of day.
In the first three months, we've had our share of dog experiences, I think. Rory escaped through a gap in the fence and scraped her side, electrocuted herself chewing on a computer cord, broke out of a harness (we're on harness #6, in case anyone's counting UPDATE: harness #7 is a keeper!), tore off a dew claw playing tug-of-war in the house, and broke through a (first floor) window screen trying to chase a squirrel.
We've also taken approximately 275 walks and had lots of sweet snuggles in between.
Rory loves playing with her kong and Frisbee (the Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper); chasing squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies; chewing on bully sticks; playing in the snow (see a video of her first snow experience); tearing up cardboard boxes; sleeping in the pillows on the bed (pick your battles, right?); and going for walks (three a day, thankyouverymuch).
Sweet and sassy, we love our rescue pup! Keep up with her adventures at #rorydoglife.
I love starting the New Year with a new reading list.
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share my book list in January: this year, I’m planning to read a mix of novels, personal & intellectual books, nonfiction & memoir, and a couple of business books to balance things out.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
I’m grateful for another full year of life, music, and adventures, but I also want to acknowledge that it's been a hard year for all of us. Looking ahead to 2026, we all have an important role to play—let's make it count.
Here's a look back on our year:
December is my favorite time to reflect on my reading life.
I love hearing what other people read, reviewing everything I read this year, and making my annual book list for the coming year.
This year, I read 26 books on a variety of topics: novels to business and leadership, psychology to memoirs to the arts. Some were on my reading list, some I discovered in Libby (the library app), and some came recommended by friends.
Advent is a season of hope, patience, expectation, and waiting. A reminder that light follows darkness; we cannot have one without the other. This is why I love Advent calendars—a tangible way to count the days of December and hold on to hope.
Whether you’re counting down to Christmas, Winter Break, or the end of concert season, an Advent calendar can offer a new rhythm or structure to your days. For busy musicians, it’s a simple way to pause and take in one small moment of reflection, joy, or nostalgia.
One of my favorite ways to kick off the New Year is by diving into a new reading list. It’s become a tradition here on the blog to share my book picks at the start of each year—a mix of business insights, inspiring memoirs, thought-provoking nonfiction, and a few captivating novels to round things out.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
2023 was a challenging year in a lot of ways, but also a year of personal and professional growth. We are grateful for all that we have, all that we learned, and all that we carry with us into 2024.
Here's a look back on our year:
December is my favorite reading month of the year. I’m wrapping up my reading list for the year, reflecting on everything I’ve read, and simultaneously making my list for next year.
I made a book list at the beginning of the year (as is my tradition here on the blog) and it’s always interesting to see how this shapes and informs my reading for the year.
If you’re a music student, you probably have anywhere from 2-6 hours a day to practice your instrument. Maybe more. Though certainly an intense time with many early mornings and late nights, most music professionals see that kind of practice time as a luxury.
Once you begin your music career, you may find your days otherwise occupied with gigs, teaching, traveling to gigs or lessons, writing, emailing, coordinating, marketing, networking, and other miscellaneous admin tasks.
When is there time to practice?
The secret is in the margins—those pockets of time you have in your schedule in between things, even if it’s only 30 minutes.
Happy New Year! I’m excited to share my book list for 2024.
I like to vary my reading material throughout the year by choosing books from several different categories. Here’s what’s on this year’s list:
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
2023 was a challenging year in a lot of ways, but also a year of personal and professional growth. We are grateful for all that we have, all that we learned, and all that we carry with us into 2024.
Here's a look back on our year:
It’s been my tradition here on the blog to write a brief review of what I read during the year and share my favorites.
If you’re new here, you should know that I tend to alternate between business and entrepreneurship books and novels, with a few memoirs and non-fiction selections added in. This year, I read 29 books (not counting the few I started but didn’t finish).
Here’s the book list I made at the beginning of the year.
Looking for a few new books to read in 2024? In this post, I’m sharing what I read this year, plus the seven best books I read in 2023.
Happy reading!
It’s that time of year—time to share my book list for 2023.
As you know, I like to mix up my reading material throughout the year by choosing books from several different categories.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on our favorite moments and the things we learned and made and experienced during the year. 2022 was a year of highs and lows; busy seasons and slow seasons; music, baking, old-house projects, and a little painting.
Here's a look back on our year:
Do you keep track of the books you read each year?
I started doing this a few years ago and it's been fun to see this virtual bookshelf expand.
This year, I read 35 books—the most I've ever read in one year! The difference? I bought a Kindle.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that every January, I share my book list for the upcoming year. I usually choose books from several different categories because I like mixing up my reading material throughout the year.
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights, the celebrations, the things we learned and made and experienced during the year. 2021 was a long and tiring year, but also one of discovery and exploration.
Every year in December, I take some time to look back at all the books I’ve read in the past year.
If you know me, you know I always set out with a book list, and then undoubtedly change my mind as I discover books on Instagram, podcasts, and blogs, and as books come recommended by friends.
This year, I read 22 books (not counting the ones I started and didn’t finish).
As a creative, I love reading about other people's creative processes: their habits and work routines, the decisions they make, the way they think, and how they see the world.
Here are my three biggest takeaways from The Creative Habit.
One of my favorite traditions is putting together a book list at the beginning of each year. I try to choose a variety of books (old and new) from a few different categories:
Business, Spiritual & Lifestyle, Fiction, Personal/Intellectual, Nonfiction/Memoir
This helps me be intentional about the books I read and ensure some diversity (so I don’t end up reading only one type of book!).
Looking for books to read this coming year? I hope you find something interesting and relevant on this list.
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
This year was one for the books. A strange mix of struggle and triumph, canceled plans and empty calendars, worry and learning new things. Amidst the anxiety and angst of the year, there were so many small, sweet moments to celebrate. Here's a look back on our year:
I love taking time in December to look back at all the books I’ve read during the year.
As in years past, I set out with a book list, and then I changed my mind as I discovered books in the library (pre-COVID!) and books came recommended by friends. Also, as the world shifted and changed this year, I looked for books to reflect that.
This year, I read 27 books (not counting the ones I started and didn’t finish).
Looking for book recommendations for 2021? Today, I’m sharing the seven best books I read in 2020, along with a brief description of what I liked about each one:
Last summer, I discovered a book one day that piqued my curiosity while browsing in the OverDrive app (side note: do you know about this? It’s a way to check out eBooks and audiobooks from your local library.)
The book was Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith Sawyer.
I’m always interested in learning more about the creative process and gleaning insight into our creative processes as musicians, thinkers, educators, and creators, and when I found out that Keith Sawyer was not only a scientific expert on creativity but also a jazz pianist, I couldn’t wait to start reading.
Two times a year, I pull together a handful of articles, books, videos, and podcast episodes that are inspiring me lately so I can share them with you.
Because when life gets turned upside-down and you find yourself trying to make sense of it all, sometimes a deep breath and a fresh dose of inspiration goes a long way.
I don’t know about you, but I love hearing about what others are reading or listening to or watching, even more during these uncertain times.
This must be the strangest Holy Week we’ve ever experienced. Sanctuaries are empty. Services are slimmed down for streaming or recording. Choir members are singing from their living rooms.
We are learning so much from one another right now and it’s helping me feel grounded and connected during this unsettling time.
If you’re here today, I hope you find something in this post that inspires and motivates you to keep doing good work.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I like to start each year with a book list—a collection of books that I’d like to read (knowing that I usually discover other books throughout the year that I’ll add in).
I used to be a strict one-book-at-a-time reader, but last year, I found that I enjoyed reading two at a time—a nonfiction/business/health book for mornings or pockets of free time during the day and a novel/memoir for reading at night.
I always try to choose books from a few different categories:
Business
Health & Lifestyle
Spiritual
Relationships
Fiction
Personal/Intellectual
Nonfiction/Memoir
This helps me be intentional about the books I choose to read and ensure some diversity (so I don’t end up reading only one type of book!).
Without further ado, here is my book list for 2020:
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
This year-in-review post is one of my favorites to write each year. Sometimes it feels like the year passes by so quickly, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to look back to this time last year and celebrate all that’s happened and how much we’ve learned along the way. Here's a look back on our year:
It’s that time of the year when we all start to feel a little weary.
There’s music to rehearse and gifts to wrap, appetizers to make and cookies to bake, traditions to carry on and a few last-minute gifts to purchase (does Amazon deliver on Christmas Eve?!).
It’s easy to forget the reason for the season and become overwhelmed by our calendars, commitments, and the chaos of the season.
But that’s not what Advent and Christmas are about. It’s a time of waiting, of patient expectation, of stillness and quiet and peace.
One of my favorite things to do in December is to look back at all the books I read during the year.
I set out with a book list, like I do every year, and then changed my mind as I came across books in the library and in church basement sales, books that came recommended by friends.
I used to set a goal to read 10 books in a year, then I worked my way up to 12. Last year, I read 16 books and this year, I read 31! Now, for those of you who read 50+ books a year, this may not be very impressive, but I hope it’s encouraging for those of you who want to read more that you can teach yourself how to be a better reader, little by little.
Today, I want to share the six best books I read in 2019, along with a brief description of what I liked about each one:
Fall was rich and full, sunny and bright. We spent time teaching and learning, experimenting and creating, dreaming and planning. We read new books, shared deep conversations, and found new inspiration in ordinary places.
This is life lately:
Summer has been sweet and full. We’ve traveled to new and familiar places, stretched our creative muscles in new ways, and reaped the rewards of gardening and old house projects. We’ve tried new recipes, read new books, and took time to rest and unwind.
This is life lately:
When was the last time you sat down at your instrument and played music for fun? I mean, not music you had to practice or prepare, not your students’ repertoire, not music for your next rehearsal, but music you chose to play for yourself, for your own enjoyment?
As professionals, we don’t often make time for this. We assume that all the music we’re being paid to learn and practice will also count as the musical satisfaction we need to keep going in our career.