Big changes lead to big
experiences.
It's difficult to believe it's
already been three months since I arrived here in Temecula, CA. By the way,
that's pronounced "ta-meh-kyoo-la".
So much has happened since
I left Vermont August 31.
First, Billie, my 18 year
old kitty and I drove nearly 3,000 miles in seven days to get here. Our route
took us through twelve states, from Vermont to New York State, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, then finally
California! Whew!
And unbelievable experiences
and sights all along the way. I could go on and on just about the trip. In fact,
I wrote a journal email to family every day, with photos. It was a lot of fun,
and I never dreamed what an incredible trip it would be.
Every state was different,
from the lush-green farmlands of New York to the rolling hills of Indiana, the
High Plains of Nebraska, jaw-dropping, majestic beauty of the Colorado Rockies,
then the desert mountains of Nevada, the gorges of Arizona, and on. One amazing
day after another.
Once we got here it was time
to start setting up our home. The movers arrived two weeks later, bringing a
whole new level of stuff to deal with. Frankly, I'm still trying to figure out
where stuff goes, and get it all out of the cardboard boxes. Billie is quite
happy with life here in sunny, southern California.
California
Everything about California is
much different than Vermont. The weather, the scenery, the traffic, the shopping
centers, the language, the roads, even the fast-food restaurants are different.
The people are great, though, making such a big move a much easier transition
for me.
I really love it here, and
while I know it will take awhile to get everything running up-to-speed, I feel
certain in my heart that this was the right move at the right
time.
The
Possibilities
Here in California I have
many possibilities and opportunities to continue growing Music For Mankind®. Some
of them are already in the works and others waiting their turn. It's a process,
like life, and takes time and patience. The response to this effort is very
enthusiastic and I'm quite excited about the future.
I finished
the last of my Vermont concerts about a month early, knowing that the next
season wouldn't really start until springtime. And here everything is timing up
perfectly to start right in with a new series in California for the
Spring.
We
Still Need Your Help
Each year I
have sent out a letter to those I think might be able to help us financially so
that we can continue our work. This year I'm asking that you please help by
making any contribution you can through the website
and I will personally make sure that your contributions go to help those, here
and abroad, in need, especially the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
If
you can help, please send your contribution in before December 31. And I really
mean it when I say that any amount will help. The website page will direct you to easily contribute using PayPal.
So
onward we go to new adventures. I'm including below a photo that I took recently
on a trip down the coast. It speaks for itself.