Give Yourself To Love

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IMG_6596xIt's day 16 of NaBloPoMo and this is the first day I've struggled to find something to write. Between my writing here, my writing at VillageQ and the writing I have done for my book, I have easily written a kabillion words in the month of November. You don't believe me? Okay, maybe I have exaggerated a tiny bit but I've still written a lot of words.

So, today, I am taking a little break from stringing words together and, instead, you can just listen to one of my practice sessions. This was the song I sang at my wedding and, yes, it is cheesy so don't judge.

See how desperate I am to avoid writing? I'm actually baring my soul and vocal chords for you so that I can have a little break.

I recorded this a couple of days before the wedding when I had a horrible cold. It was recorded using Photo Booth because I don't have a recording studio in my home. At least Momo the Cat didn't provide guest vocals.

At the actual ceremony, I sang it with a friend and in a higher key.

I will resist further disclaimers.

The song was originally written and recorded by Kate Wolf.

[audio:http://uppoppedafox.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Give-Yourself-To-Love.mp3]

PHOTO CREDIT: VIKKI REICH

A Little Blues

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IMG_1675When I was 7, I began nagging my mother for guitar lessons. She endured an entire year of nagging before she decided that I must be serious. And I was - I took lessons for 8 years and then played all through college.

I've said before that music saved me. Playing the guitar and writing songs gave me an emotional outlet and provided so much comfort.

I haven't played as much since the kids were born and I miss it and try intermittently to get back to it but inevitably get distracted by a million other things.

I do love watching Zeca play, though, and I usually sit on the couch and listen to her practice. She looks to me for approval on some things and she needs me to understand her frustration with others because this is something we share. I was 7 when I began asking for lessons. Zeca is 7 now, almost 8. Synchronicity.

Last night, I sat on the couch with a glass of wine while she played "Amazing Grace" and then riffs from "Smoke on the Water" and "Sweet Home Alabama". As her practice time drew to a close, she looked over to me and said, "Maybe we could play a little blues together?"

And so we did and I recorded it.

We are not ready for a world tour but I am going to put the recording here, tucking it away as a reminder of how much music can give.

[audio:http://uppoppedafox.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/A-Little-Blues.mp3]

Have a Cup of Cheer

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I planned to post these videos on Friday but, like everyone else, I was overcome with emotion after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and it didn't feel appropriate to post videos of me singing with my kids. Then, I planned to post them yesterday but I spent the entire day in bed because I strained the muscles in my back and chest and was having a tiny bit of trouble breathing without pain. I couldn't sit up let alone get on the computer.

Today, I am a bit better and thought maybe we could all use a little laugh.

Luisa was out of town when I shot these videos. Apparently, she'll go all the way to Trinidad to avoid participating in my follies. So, it was just me and the kids trying to record a song for Neil's Seventh Annual Blogger Christmahanukawanzaakah Online Holiday Concert.

First we tried Snow Miser because the kids wanted hats and wanted to choreograph something. It quickly became clear that Snow Miser was not going to work and we switched to Holly Jolly Christmas which also took several takes.

You can see our final cut of Holly Jolly Christmas (as well as all the other bloggers' songs) over at Neil's blog.

The outtakes are an Up Popped A Fox exclusive!

Watch me nag the kids! See Impatient Vikki! Watch the kids bicker! Watch Miguel boss everyone around!

This is what family fun looks like in our house and, for the record, we really do love each other.

http://youtu.be/8gZprmsvZdM

http://youtu.be/9EqEyh42pDw