Category Archives: Reminiscences

The bear went over the mountain

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

I’ve never dreamed of living in Alaska, or even visiting the state as a tourist. Then in February my daughter moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Eagle River, just north of Anchorage. In February. I thought that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Reminiscences | Tagged | 5 Comments

Come fly with me

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

When I was 7, I learned this piece in my Teaching Little Fingers to Play piano book: The lesson introduced A-sharp, a black key, so that I could create chromatic buzzing. If you play a key on the piano, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Piano performance, Reminiscences | Tagged | 4 Comments

Always a woman to me

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

I play the piano in seven senior facilities now. The most recent added to my roster is a small assisted living center with about 30 residents. Things got off to a rocky start during my first visit. I took my … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiences, Reminiscences, Volunteering | 6 Comments

As time goes by

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

Happy birthday to my one and only! Copyright © 2015 by Paulette Bochnig Sharkey All rights reserved.

Posted in Reminiscences | 4 Comments

Poetry man

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

The calendar says that spring started almost 2 weeks ago, but mid-Michigan doesn’t have much to show for it. My grandfather used to recite a seasonal poem that started like this: Spring has sprung, The grass is riz, Where the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reminiscences | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Just my imagination, running away with me

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Paulette Sharkey

My mother used to tell me that I have no imagination. Maybe that was her way of expressing disappointment that I didn’t share her enthusiasm for arts and crafts. She loved knitting, making elaborate Halloween costumes, weaving, basketry, arranging flowers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reminiscences, Volunteering | Tagged | 8 Comments

Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Paulette Sharkey

I have a brother and a sister. It’s nice to have one of each. Sisters, though, have a song devoted to their special relationship. A song that takes me back to childhood Christmases spent in Florida with my cousins, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Music history, Reminiscences, Singers | 7 Comments

A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Paulette Sharkey

I cannot tell you how many times, when I was growing up, my dad admonished one of us to “straighten up and fly right.” He still has a colorful way of expressing himself, and an endearing habit of mangling names … Continue reading →

Posted in Music history, Reminiscences, Singers | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Do you believe in magic?

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Paulette Sharkey

One of my favorite memories from last summer involves a couple of amiable millennials: my daughter, Jessa, and her cousin Zoë. On a warm August evening, as we relaxed and chatted on the patio after dinner, darkness descended and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music history, Reminiscences, Songwriters | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Tuesdays, Mondays, we all scream for sundaes

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Paulette Sharkey

Let’s take a moment to talk about ice cream. But only a moment. On this holiday weekend, better to use your time eating ice cream, than reading about it. I’ll be brief. My husband and I eat ice cream almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Music history, Reminiscences | Tagged | 13 Comments