Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Having You As My Stepmom Was One Of Life's Greatest Blessings

This post is two weeks late, but Happy Mother's Day, ladies! I hope you all had a wonderful day and know how much you are loved and valued.

As most of my longtime blogging friends know, I was gifted with two mothers - a birth mother and a stepmother - both who I greatly loved. One mother brought me into this world, the other guided me through it.

To this day, I still feel their presence around me and the effects they had on my life.

I have learned that "family" isn't defined by last names or by blood; it's defined by commitment and love.

In case anyone is not familiar with my childhood and birth mother, I shared this post about her two years ago and how that experience brought me to another level of healing and closure.

Today, however, I want to focus on my stepmother (Ann) who passed away in 2012.

I've been thinking about her for several months, missing her. Even though we were not biologically mother and son, she and I had a close and familiar bond. It's as if we knew each other right off the bat, like old friends. From the moment my father married her, I felt comfortable with her as the mother of our house. And it wasn't easy for her to marry into a family with three children who, after two years, were still grieving the loss of their birth mother.

My stepmother was much younger than my father. There was a 22 year age difference. When she married into my family, she unknowingly married into a great deal of "baggage". My father's side of the family was not the warmest in welcoming my stepmother. They did everything in their power to make it difficult for her. I have long ago disassociated myself from them. And to be perfectly honest, I like it that way.

And yet, on the other end of the spectrum, my birth mother's side of the family welcomed my stepmother with an open heart. They loved her and treated her with respect.

Being much younger than my father, my stepmother was almost a child herself. Therefore, she had no experience raising three children, let alone children who were not her own. So, she raised us by following her natural motherly instincts, and I'm here to tell you she did an AMAZING job.

My brother and I were on the phone not too long ago, and we talked about our parents and what it was like growing up. Both of us said that we wouldn't trade our parents for the world. Was our childhood perfect? No, of course not. However, I wouldn't change a single thing about it. And I sincerely mean that.

What was wonderful about my relationship with my stepmother was that we were so in tune with each other. We had a sixth sense of understanding our likes and dislikes. We were always very honest with each other when expressing our opinions. However, we instinctively knew how far to go by respecting each other's boundaries. She and I could strongly disagree about something, but it never moved into an ugly argument.

Growing up, my stepmother was well aware of what my interests and talents were, and she always encouraged them. At a young age, she knew I had a knack for photography, so she bought me my first Polaroid. She also knew that I enjoyed writing, so for my birthday, she bought me a desk and a typewriter. She also knew how much I wanted to pursue a theater career, so she supported my decision to move to New York City at 17 years old and attend acting school.

My stepmother loved animals and raised us to have respect for all God's creatures. Growing up, we had dogs, cats, birds, turtles, hamsters, bunny rabbits, and even ducks. My love and affection for animals stems from my stepmother. I immediately think of her whenever I'm in the park feeding the squirrels because she loved to feed the squirrels in our yard.

My stepmother laid the groundwork for me to believe I could do whatever I set my mind to and try new things. She had little confidence in trying new things herself because, in the period that she grew up, there were defined rules about what men and women could and could not do. So privately, I think she lived her desire to try new things through my desires. That's why she always supported me.

About two weeks before she passed, my stepmother phoned because she needed to talk about something. I could immediately tell, just from her voice, that something was bothering her. So I asked, "What's up?" She eventually said to me that before she died, she didn't want to leave this earth thinking that she wasn't a good parent and regretted some choices she had made in raising us. She even said, "Ronnie, I don't think I was a good mother." And I'm like, "WHAT?!?! You don't think you were a good mother?!?!?!"

I told her, "Yes, you're right, you weren't a good mother. You were an OUTSTANDING mother!" I also told her how incredibly blessed I was to have her as my mother and that she was a precious gift given to me after my birth mother died when I was only 5 years old.

During that conversation, she and I both wept, but we also felt a sense of peace. I wanted her to know that before she left this earth, there was no need to pass with any regret. Especially as a mother, she was the best!

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I found some family photographs of Ann and wanted to share them with you...

Here she is as a kid growing up in Germantown, PA. In the photo on the left, you can hardly see it, but she is holding a small dog...

With her brothers (Bud and Jim) on the Atlantic City, NJ boardwalk...

My stepmother with her mother and father (Ruth and Tom), and her beloved parakeets...

And to show you just HOW MUCH she loved animals, here she is at Disneyworld, kissing the Beast from 'Beauty and the Beast'...

My younger brother (Tom) and I, pictured with Ann...

I would like to conclude this post with a video tribute I created a few weeks after my stepmother passed away. She loved the song, Smile by Nat King Cole, so I used that song in this video. My longtime readers have most likely seen this, so pardon the repeat.

Please enjoy...

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Flashback To The 80s

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of 80s music on Spotify and having flashbacks to a decade that I never fully appreciated because I never fully realized what an incredible decade it was. And I suppose that's because when you're experiencing a decade, you're not watching it, you're living it. It's only in retrospect that you appreciate all the wonderful gemstones within each decade.

Today, I would like to share bits and pieces from the 80s that I recall as being an integral part of its threadwork.

In the 80s, I was in my mid-20s and 30s. I remember it as a powerful time of personal growth for me. I learned so much about myself in the 80s through investigation and experience. I also had a lot of fun.

Please enjoy a flashback to the 80s...

I got my cosmetology license in the 80s and was working as a hairstylist. Trust me when I tell you that back then, hair was big. And when I say big, I mean BIG. So big, in fact, that people looked like they had been electrocuted with 765 volts of electricity. Also, LOTS of hairspray was used to make sure that big hair STAYED big. If you ever touched someone's hair back in the 80s, it was as hard as a rock. I used to refer to it as HARD-ON hair...

I miss Blockbuster. Yes, we can now stream movies through our computers, tablets, and phones. But for me, I miss the joy of walking into a Blockbuster and hand-selecting the films I wanted to watch. I was so sad when the last Blockbuster closed here in Philly...

Who didn't have a Sony Walkman? I certainly did. Back in the 80s, I used to jog. Therefore, having a Walkman was the ideal way to listen to music, which made jogging more enjoyable. At home, I had a big box of cassette tapes with all my favorite music...

Here are 10 vocal artists I enjoyed listening to in the 80s. However, there were many more...

And speaking of vocal artists, I remember seeing my first music video, a-ha: Take on Me on MTV. Back then, music videos were a new thing and everyone was SO in awe of them...

Aerobics and Jazzercise were very popular in the 80s. I took a few aerobic classes, but it didn't last long because I discovered that I did not like exercising with other people. I prefer to do it alone...

Do you remember when answering machines first hit the market for home use? OMG, I was obsessed with getting one and changing my outgoing message every other day. I would also call myself from work during the day and leave messages so that when I got home, I could listen to them LOL! I used to get so excited when I saw the little red light blinking on the machine because I knew it meant I had messages...

Popular TV shows in the 80s...

Clothing in the 80s was bright and colorful...

When cell phones were first introduced in the 80s, they were the size of a brick. Which is why they were called Brick Cell Phones. My boss at the time had one that he kept in his car. But few people had cell phones...

And speaking of cars, back in the 80s DeLorean's were the BOMB. My boss had one of those too. I remember him taking me for a ride and watching the doors lift to get inside. It was so cool! The DeLorean became widely known after it was featured as the time machine in the Back to the Future films...

Swatch watches were so popular in the 80s. Lee Majors (from the TV show, The Fall Guy) did a few ads for the company. I remember going to Burdines (a Florida department store) and purchasing my first Swatch...

Does anyone remember Glamour Shots? I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I worked at one in our local mall. Back in the 80s, Glamour Shots were the rage - big hair, seductive shoulder exposure, and a soft-focus lens.

Glamour Shots was a popular portrait studio chain, known for offering a complete makeover and photoshoot experience, often in malls and department stores, and emphasizing a glamorous Hollywood-inspired style.

But OMG, the photographs were so HOKEY...

Hope you enjoyed my 80s flashback, folks!

🕐🕑🕓🕕🕗🕘🕙

*If any of you experienced the 80s, please feel free to share some of your memories.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

9/11 First Responder, Captain Billy Burke

Can you believe it's been 23 years since 9/11?

To me, it seems like only yesterday.

I was in New York City on July 26th of 2001, six weeks before 9/11, and visited the South Tower observation deck with my boss from Florida, who had come to New York to see her family.

Here are two photographs from that day...

Like all of you, I clearly remember where I was on September 11th and how I felt watching it unfold.

9/11 is something I will never forget. Nor do I ever want to.

I moved to Manhattan less than a year after the Twin Towers were complete, so I hold a sentimental connection to them.

Even now, 23 years later, I still get very emotional whenever I watch a documentary on 9/11.

I have visited the 9/11 Memorial many times, and every time, moved to tears. With each visit, it felt as though I was peeling away another layer of grief.

Throughout the years, I've discovered new findings about 9/11 that focus on different aspects, such as the survivors, those who witnessed that day first-hand, the family members of those who perished in the towers, in the planes, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA.

However, what has had the most impact on me are the documentaries focusing on the first responders of 9/11. They are the true heroes, many of whom died while saving others.

Today, I would like to focus on the first responders...

My inspiration for this post came from watching a YouTube video featuring Christine Ebersole, an extremely talented actress/singer with whom I attended acting school in 1974-75.

In the video clip, Christine shares a touching story of how her life was deeply affected by First Responder Captain Billy Burke after being asked to sing at his memorial service at St Patrick's Cathedral. She never actually met him, yet Christine was profoundly touched by his spirit.

She was transformed from fearful to fearless.

Captain Billy Burke-

A native New Yorker, he was born on March 9, 1955, and grew up in Plainview. He was the second of six children. From his perspective, he was born to be a firefighter. He was the son of a deputy chief in the NYFD. Yet his father did not want his children to follow him into his profession. Retired at age 64, he was worn down by smoke and stress. Yet Billy dreamed of fighting fires since childhood and he would always remember what his dad taught him about what to do in a burning building: get the civilians out and then take care of your men. He saw this as the family code even as two of the world’s tallest buildings collapsed.

Billy, the Captain of 21 Engine, was in the North Tower with his crew as the South Tower fell. His crew kept calling, “We got to get out, Cap.” His answer?

“You guys go ahead; we’ll meet at the rig.”

Billy disappeared to search another floor, making a final sweep for those in need, the helpless who might have been trapped; a citizen in need of a fireman, while his crew made it out before the North Tower also collapsed.

His body has never been found.

I dedicate this post to Captain Billy Burke, and all the other brave men and women first responders, who fearlessly put their lives in harm's way to save others. They exemplified unity.

Please know that you are greatly appreciated, loved, and forever remembered.

💕

*In case you're interested, here is the link to the video with Christine Ebersole. It will touch your heart deeply.

*More about Billy Burke from his sister.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Meeting Liberace

I can't believe it took me this long (TEN years) to finally watch the HBO movie, Behind the Candelabra, a chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson...

The movie is based on the book by Scott, who tells it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly truths about a legendary entertainer who went to outrageous extremes to prevent public knowledge of his homosexuality...

To be honest, although I didn't read the book, I have mixed feelings about the film. OUTSTANDING performances by all, however, I think it focused too much on the bad and ugly. Now, mind you, I don't think Liberace was a saint, but I believe the film was a bit one-sided in pointing out his negatives, while making Scott a poor little victim.

True, Liberace was not open about his homosexuality with his public life, but that didn't make him a bad person. That was his own choice. Liberace gave 100% of his talent in his performances onstage. And frankly, that's all he was required to do. His sexuality was his own business. Besides, he never hid his flamboyancy onstage. He simply allowed the audience to have fun and to think whatever they wanted.

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Meeting Liberace-

Seeing the film instantly reminded me of when I met Liberace, while performing in a musical revue at Harrah's Hotel and Casino in Lake Tahoe (Harrah's is on the left in the photograph below). And what's ironic is that the timeline of the film starts in 1977, which is the year I was in Tahoe and met him.

Tahoe, by the way, is freaking GORGEOUS! I was there in the summer. And what I loved is that even though daytime could get warmish, as soon as nightfall came, the temperature would drop into the low 50s. Oh, and Tahoe has zero humidity...

The revue I performed was called, Breck Wall's Bottoms Up, which was featured in the smaller showroom inside Harrah's casino. Liberace's show was featured in the main showroom (pictured below), which is where I watched him perform before meeting him...

Here are two collages I put together of Liberace onstage...

His show always began with him entering the stage in a Rolls-Royce, driven by a chauffeur. Which, incidentally, was his lover, Scott Thorson. You can see him in the photos below...

And what was especially spectacular is that at the end of his show, he would sing the song, "I'll Be Seeing You", as he flew into the air, and then off into the wings of the stage...

What was even more exciting is that after his show that night, they escorted me and a few of my cast members backstage to Liberace's dressing room, where we got to sit down and talk with him. The producer/director of my show (Breck Wall) was a bigwig in Vegas. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. He and Liberace (known as "Lee" to his friends), were close. They had known each other for years.

What I immediately noticed upon meeting Liberace was how gracious and down-to-earth he was. For all the glam and glitter onstage, I was surprised by how casual and relaxed he was offstage.

As soon as he walked over and sat down on the sofa next to me in his dressing room, I got all nervous and tongue-tied while speaking. The only thing I can remember talking to him about was telling him how much my mother loved him, and how fascinated she was with his jewelry; specifically his rings. And even more specifically, his baby grand piano ring, covered in diamonds.

See below...

I can't believe I got the courage to ask him if I could see that ring up close and touch it, so I could tell my mother that I actually touched her favorite ring of his.

And do you know what he did?

He extended his hand and said, "Sure...here you go!" And I touched it.

The next day I called my mother in Florida and said, "Guess what? I TOUCHED LIBERACE'S BABY GRAND PIANO RING!!!!!!"

And she just about died!

In conclusion-

I certainly didn't know Liberace personally. I only had that one encounter with him. Yet, I could tell just from being in his presence that he had a very kind, gentle heart. What he did in his personal life is none of anyone's business.

Liberace was born and lived at a different time than now. A time when certain things were not discussed. So perhaps that's why he didn't vocalize every inch of his life. Perhaps he wanted to keep his personal life separate from his professional one. And he had every right to do that.

As Debbie Reynolds said in an interview I recently watched, "Today, I still think he would like to be remembered as Liberace the Great Showman, rather than his sexuality and illness."

And I think so too.

Nice meeting you, sir!

Have a grrrrrreat rest of your week, everyone!

💗

*In case you're interested, here is a wonderful interview about Liberace, that includes many people who knew him. And loved him.

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

A Perfect Example Of The Power Of Music, And How It Can Deeply Touch The Heart

Our two most potent memory invokers are fragrance and music.

Having been in the fragrance industry for over 30 years, I can tell you through research and my personal experience that scent has the ability to invoke strong memories; whether they are positive or negative. The moment you smell something, such as a perfume, certain foods, spicy pipe tobacco, a flower or an herb, you will immediately correlate it to a memory. Therefore, in the future, whenever you smell that aroma, the memory will be reignited.

And it's the same with music.

I can hear a recording of Nat King Cole singing Smile and instantly think of my mother because it was one of her all-time favorite songs. In fact, whenever I hear it, I get very emotional because my heart becomes filled with such wonderful memories.

I can also hear a recording of YMCA from The Village People, and am reminded of my 1970s pot-smoking disco party days in New York City; wearing platform shoes and a polyester shirt.

And what I find so magical about music in particular, is that it's universal. Meaning, it doesn't matter the language of a song, you can still understand it because music overrides any language and goes straight to the heart.

Music is the one language we all understand.

For instance, I remember seeing the Italian opera La Boheme without reading the subtitles that were projected above the stage, and knowing exactly what the singers were conveying because I could feel it through my entire body. I didn't need to see the words.

Which brings me to the reason for my post today.

A few days ago, while sitting in my favorite cafe sipping an Americano, I discovered a reel on Instagram and was immediately taken in.

The title was: "Ballerina with Alzheimer's Remembers Her Golden Days"

Her name was Marta Cinta González Saldaña, and she was a principal dancer, choreographer and artistic director of her own company in New York City “Rosamunda”

In this short reel, she appears with Pepe Olmedo, who is a psychologist and a musician.

It is amazing to see how after just a few seconds of listening to Tchaikovsky’s music for Swan Lake, Marta remembered her golden days.

And please note how at one brief moment in the video when Marta gets confused, Pepe ever so gently lifts her hand and kisses it; instantly reconnecting her to the music. It's so touching.

This moment captured on video is a perfect example of the power of music!

(Just click on the start button and it will take you to the Instagram post. Also, be sure to click on the unmute button before watching)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ballet Dancers | Dance Content (@balletworldconnected)

(*here is the link to the Instagram post in case the above link doesn't work)

Have a beautiful week, everyone! 💗

*Note: You will find more information about the life of Marta Cinta González Saldaña at The Ballet Herald.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Autumn Leaves And Eva Cassidy

Today, I combined two favorite topics within one post.

- Autumn leaves

- And the voice of Eva Cassidy

I only first discovered Eva Cassidy last year, when I came across a recording on YouTube entitled, Autumn Leaves - Eva Cassidy and the London Symphony Orchestra.

"Autumn Leaves" is a song I absolutely adore. My father used to play it on our stereo console in the living room when I was a kid. Throughout the years, I've heard many interpretations; all of which I enjoyed. However, the moment I heard Eva Cassidy's, it instantly went to #1. And what makes it so special is not only the quality of her crystalline voice, but that she sings the song against the melody, which gives it a completely different feel. When I initially heard it, it was like hearing it for the very first time.

It is truly the most gorgeous interpretation because it's like listening to a sacred hymn that goes straight to your heart. She brings feelings and emotions out in the song I never knew existed.

One of my favorite things to do in autumn is to sit on a bench in the park as the leaves fall (which I did yesterday afternoon), while streaming the song through my earbuds. And I'm not ashamed to say that it always moves me to tears.

It's especially when I listen to Eve Cassidy's Autumn Leaves I realize what a blessing it is to have a sense of hearing.

And for me, what makes listening to this song so bittersweet is that Eva Cassidy was only on this earth for a very brief time.

During a promotional event for the Live at Blues Alley CD in July 1996, Cassidy noticed an ache in her hips, which she attributed to stiffness from painting murals. The pain persisted, and, a few weeks later, she was diagnosed with melanoma. By the time of her diagnosis, the cancer had spread throughout her body. Cassidy’s health rapidly deteriorated, and her final performance was in September 1996.

Eva Cassidy died on November 2, 1996, at 33.

She was described by the British newspaper The Guardian as “one of the greatest voices of her generation.” She had a diverse repertoire of jazz, blues, folk, gospel and pop. Cassidy remained virtually unknown outside of her native Washington, DC. It wasn't until she passed, did her talents become more broadly known.

I wish I had discovered Eva earlier because I would have been one of her biggest fans.

Below are more photographs I took of my favorite season and the beauty it brings in the way of autumn leaves.

In conclusion, I would like to share the video I first saw of Eva Cassidy singing, "Autumn Leaves." It's an artistic masterpiece - musically, vocally, and visually.

When you have a moment, please enjoy. And be sure to listen right up to the end. You won't be sorry.

Here is a quote I found in the comment section of this video that expresses exactly how I feel about Eva Cassidy:

"Her tone, her phrasing, her crescendos, her oh so perfect notes held in mid-air that feel as though God speaks through her. This woman possessed a voice unequaled or unsurpassed anywhere or any when! Her talent ended way too soon but these recordings are a testimony to the proof that she lived among us and the world should be grateful of that. Her voice never fails to bring my waterfalls out."

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone! 💗

-Wonderful Documentary - Eva Cassidy: Timeless Voice

-Eva Cassidy Discography

-Celebrity Eva Fans

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