Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Rachelle I loved all your answers and I'm so glad you shared this with us.
I especially like the part when your former pupil performed. You had known and taught him since he was six. Wow?
I totally agree about receiving compliments. They are a gift.
I will do the quiz as well, but I'm busy writing my next book chapter and another story. Ulla:)

 Comment Written 07-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

I will LOVE reading your quiz answers when you have the chance. I've always been curious about you. Thanks for this very nice review. I appreciate it. xo

Comment from Jerome Goldberg

Excellent

Rachael, Answering questions about yourself can be very challenging. You don't want to brag, you don't want to resort to false modesty and somethings are just too personal. It is a balance and you did it very well with a delightful twist of humor. - Jerry

 Comment Written 07-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

This is a great review. I appreciate how you totally understand the "fine line" points. Thanks for the kind words. Very much appreciated. xo

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your response to the questions. I am married to a music director and pianist who, like you, enjoys sharing her gifts and helping others realize theirs. Good to know all you folks are here.

 Comment Written 07-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

Very nice! And, Bill, are you musical, too?

reply by Bill Schott on 07-Nov-2023

I was at a bell ringing practice last night. My wife was the director and I was the dunce.

reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

Replete with pointy hat, I hope! If you're going to be a dunce, do it with flair and panache!

reply by Bill Schott on 07-Nov-2023

Whenever the errant chime rings, I am the target of searing suspicion and condemnation. It*s all fun and games until you ring a sharp instead of a flat.

reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Well, Bill, it sounds to me as if you have your PhD in THAT part of the musical comprehension!

Comment from Pam (respa)

Excellent

Thanks for sharing the photo, notes, and quiz answers, Rachelle. It was ironic that after I answered your review, I saw your quiz. I am glad you did it, and thanks for the shout out.

I enjoyed reading your answers and getting to know a little about you. I don't have a lot of musical talent, but I played the clarinet from fourth grade through high school. The highlight for me was a duet my senior year with a senior violinist from our school orchestra. I am always singing around the house, too!

I agree with you about BS. I don't care for that, either, but usually vent at home. I like the quote you shared from your student; they have such innocence sometimes. A nice tribute to your dad, as well. Like you, I don't have a bucket list either. I don't like the idea of it.

That must have been a special memory seeing your student perform in a professional production. Do you keep in touch with him or his career? You make some very good points in your final answer. Thanks for sharing everything. I am glad you did.

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Wow! This is such a fantastic review! Thanks, Pam.

That was a long time to have played clarinet, and I love that, Senior year, you got to play a duet with a Senior violinist. Nothing improves a person's musicianship quite like a duet. Do you play anymore? Do you still have your instrument?

That's comforting to me that another person doesn't like the idea of bucket lists. Like, what are you waiting for? I also don't save the "good" china and silverware. I use it constantly. What would I be saving it FOR? The point of china is to enjoy it, not to know it's in the cabinet!

I am definitely still in touch with my student --actually dozens upon dozens of my students! I love sending them care packages at college and calligraphying their wedding invitation envelopes and texting them with a picture of the newest piano bag to ask what they think the new school year's theme is. I try to always keep in touch and love that they do, as well. I consider every last one of them my loved ones.

reply by Pam (respa) on 07-Nov-2023

You are very welcome, Rachelle. I enjoyed commenting on your answers. We did have things in common.

Comment from John Ciarmello

Excellent

Rachelle, This is an excellent way to get to know others and perhaps surprise yourself with some answers to these questions.

I enjoyed the read, and if I find the courage, I may pop over and participate. It looks like fun! Best, JohnC

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Isn't it, though? Gypsy chose such GREAT questions that it's a very fun foray into self-exploration and then sharing. I hope you do go for it, John. I'd love to become better acquainted with you!!
xoxo

Comment from royowen

Excellent

It's good getting to know people through these expose like articles of people, I think one van learn a lot more than what is actually written on the page, conclusions can be drawn by the answers, yours is easily the most confident of the ones I've read, I don't like the mystic questions, , five in my family are Librans. Including me, all completely different, my wife is a scorpio, but more like a Libyan, heh heh. Great poetic subjects though, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Thanks

reply by royowen on 06-Nov-2023

OK

Comment from Lordinajamjar

Exceptional

Honest and brave and to the point. Nothing ventured nothing gained I am sure was tattooed underneath that mass of red hair.

You are not Jewish you are Jirish.
Well done.

John

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Haha. I'm Jewish enough not to have loved your post about the Gaza strip, though...

reply by Lordinajamjar on 06-Nov-2023

I get it...though it's not an anti anything...just a pro peace...trying to jar consciences. I witnessed the troubles in northern Ireland where Catholics and Protestants lost their humanity for a few years. They stopped seeing fellow human beings as they were caught up in the cycle of hate.
Atrocities were committed against the innocents attending the concert and Jewish families and children. That can never be forgotten or forgiven I hope all the prisoners can be released to go home to their shattered families. I haven't forgotten what took place and never will.
John xo

reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

I understand. Here's the thing that my dad always said: The Arab countries can lose a thousand times; Israel can lose just once. So when you're fighting for your very existence and not letting all the sacrifices that went before go to waste, the situation is different. Besides, who isn't aware of the Israeli mantra since its inception that however hard they are attacked, they will retaliate twenty times harder? Hamas somehow forgot that? I think not. I think they're just relying on the fact that it's a "kinder, gentler" jumble of perceptions now. But the bottom line for Israel hasn't changed.

reply by Lordinajamjar on 07-Nov-2023

What can I say, the words of your dad ring true. Division is a destroyer. I lived in South Africa for 3 years during apartheid. I would have chats with my garden boy... After I relented to never hire one protesting in my stupid way that I was taking advantage ..only later did I wake up to the fact I was depriving him of a job. He disappeared for a few months then turned back up on my doorstep. I had dropped him off to catch a shared taxi to his black township of Thabong from my little white town of Riebeekstad. Unknown to me he was arrested for not having his papers. He was asked who he was working for and wouldn't give my name because he believed I might get into trouble. He spent 3 months in jail, his family never knew what had happened to him. When I heard this I was heartbroken and arranged with ab Afrikaans friend of mine to get his papers sorted out. I told him I understood more how black were suffering and if it were me I would have joined the ANC. He looked at me and said no, his name was Harry, just wait he said one day it will change without violence. White and blacks would be equal and free and live and work and play together. I had no idea then how prophetic his words would be. After the release of Nelson Mandela a miracle happened. The country worked together and created truth and reconciliation committees to help the healing process. The Afrikaans church, called the Dutch Reformed Church changed their doctrine. In which the descendants of Ham had been identified as the black race and their function was to serve the white race. The church simply announced they were wrong and incredibly the Afrikaans faithful just accepted it. While living there I could not see it ever changing due to the hard-line opinions of the Afrikaans. All the the time they ruled with the English speaking whites they were simply afraid that they would be wiped out and that Africans had inferior brains. How utterly stupid people are. We should live in a world of peace. It makes no sense to me. There is an inherent madness in humankind that is yet to be cured. In another note Jews in South Africa worked against apartheid and managed to get elected into opposition parties to bravely raise their voices against apartheid. Wherever you look around the world the Jews have shone like diamonds with their commitment to commerce and peaceful trading between all peoples. That's only the tip of that carbon iceberg. Love of education, music, arts, medicine, dance and freedom and the list goes on. There is a chapter of history that has never been written about the impact on the world which I simply name "The Joy of the Jew."

reply by the author on 07-Nov-2023

Thank you very, very much for this insightful letter. It was illuminating, and I will be ruminating about your words for a very long time. I appreciate your having taken the time to share what you did and in such a gracious and informative way. xoxo

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I'm glad you accepted the challenge. I enjoyed reading your answers. I feel I got to know you better. Thank you for sharing these answers. I enjoyed reading.

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

What a lovely review this is. Thanks for such warmth and kind words. Very much appreciated. xo

Comment from prettybluebirds

Exceptional

You have accomplished all you ever dreamed. I admire your outlook on life and the fact that you want to help and assist so many. You are a unique and wonderful person. We need more in this world like you.

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Oh, you sweet, sweet talkin' reviewer, you!! Thank you for this lovely review, which just made me feel SO very good all over. I genuinely appreciate this. xo

reply by prettybluebirds on 06-Nov-2023

I meant every word. We need more folks like you in this world today.

reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

That just made me well up. Thank you. xoxo

Comment from judiverse

Exceptional

All your answers are wonderful! They show you really enjoy what you are doing. You sound so comfortable with yourself. It's great to be able to go after what you want. I loved your account of your former student playing the part of Jerry Lee Lewis and wowing the crowd. It must have given you so much pleasure. Yes, leopard is definitely your true animal spirit. I read about what Aquarius (my Zodiac sign) and have to ask Are you talking about me? Your thoughts about receiving compliments are great. I'm glad you took the quiz. You sound like someone I'd like to know. judi

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2023

Yes, you're right. That night watching Taylor was the best of the best! Plus, I got to chat with the usher who took us to our seats and exclaimed about their being right in the middle of the very first row. "The performer playing Jerry Lee Lewis was my piano student!" I told her. She nearly swooned. "Taylor was your student? Oh, all the audiences have LOVED him!" I felt just SOO, so proud. And he was phenomenal; he honestly was. Even if I'd never had any interaction with him, I'd have said that. But honestly--and I've said this many, many times now to him and others--even if the mailman had been his teacher, he'd still be where he is. He just has that 'It' factor. You can't teach it; it's either 'in there,' or it's not. And, as I said in my post, I knew at his very first lesson that he had It.

Thanks for this really nice review, Judi. You have the nicest way of making people feel so good about what they've posted. I appreciate it. xoxo

reply by judiverse on 06-Nov-2023

It seems people have to have that extra something about the skill at singing or playing the piano. It's like a spark they have within them. You're welcome for the review. It was definitely my reading pleasure. judi