Progress and new beginnings

Just returned from holidays with the family in Texas, where I sang for my great-aunts (Minnie Lee, 97 and Annie Mae, 102!) and parents. So happy that cousin Andy brought Aunt Shirley to church to hear me--she probably hasn't really heard me sing other than recital CDs. It was great to see everyone, and I gave the great-aunties handmade presents, an apron for Minnie Lee and a knitted shawl for Annie Mae (they keep the church chilly in the summer!). Thinking about the Czech song project again, after doing the Moravian Master Class and visiting TX. Janacek's Moravian folk songs with polka band? Hmmm. First lesson on the Embroidery Aria went well. Started looking at "Ewig war ich," but picking that C out of the air is still an issue... Sheri and I looked at the Ballo C, though, and she gave me some great ideas for freeing it up and getting over the instinctive fear. Onward. FORWARD. To BATTLE! I mean, auditions.