Happy August! So much has happened since my last monthly digest! It's hard to know where to begin. I just finished my first week at Appalachian State University, where I am teaching a class on fundamentals of music theory and two sections of a music appreciation class. So far, so good! If this week is any indication, the students and I will have a great semester together! I've already received some positive feedback from students, and I feel like a fish in water. It's interesting being able...
16 days ago • 4 min read
August 15, 2025 Hey, I am trying something new with this newsletter, and I'd love to hear from you what you think! I will still send out the monthly digest with the details on all the various projects. But let me know what you think about this one and if I should do it again! Nordic Noir, Poe, and Me I don’t know about you, but towards the end of July I become keenly aware of the days shortening. There’s still a good bit of summer left, but a significant change in the light is a reminder that...
28 days ago • 3 min read
Happy Wednesday! Welcome to my herbal newsletter, in which I share a tidbit of herbal wisdom in the form a Word of the Week to help you become acquainted with herbs without becoming overwhelmed. This week's word is antithrombotic. Antithrombotic herbs or medicines prevent blood clots. Blood clots are a serious problem. They often develop in the legs (but can develop elsewhere) and they can travel through the veins to the heart, lungs or brain and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Happy Wednesday Welcome to my herbal newsletter, in which I share a tidbit of herbal wisdom in the form a Word of the Week to help you become acquainted with herbs without becoming overwhelmed. This week's word is sour. Sour is a taste we are all familiar with which is connected to acids present in foods. Some foods that are sour include citrus fruits, vinegar and vinegar-based foods, and fermented foods. Other fruits and vegetables, like cranberries, rhubarb, tomatoes, and olives are also...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Happy June! It's been a hot one! Where I live in North Carolina at about 1500ft sea level, it's been in the mid to upper 90s. It is significantly cooler in the mountains! But from what I have heard from my kids, it has been even hotter in Southern New England. I'm sure it has been hotter in other places as well. This week, I share a recipe for what I'm calling "Healthier Cool-Ade" in my weekly herbal newsletter. it's an iced Hibiscus Tea. If you'd like to know why it is such a great drink for...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Happy Wednesday (or, er...Thursday!) Welcome to my herbal newsletter, in which I share a tidbit of herbal wisdom in the form a Word of the Week to help you become acquainted with herbs without becoming overwhelmed. This week's word is bitter. Bitter herbs assist the body in digestion but also help to cool down the body! Last week, I wrote about carminative herbs that help the body to eliminate gas. That is one way herbs can help the digestion process. Another category of herbs that help...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Happy Wednesday! Welcome to my herbal newsletter, in which I share a tidbit of herbal wisdom in the form a Word of the Week to help you become acquainted with herbs without becoming overwhelmed. I've been traveling and didn't have time to write and schedule my newsletter before I left, but I'm back! I hope you are happy and healthy! This week's word is carminative. Carminative herbs reduce flatulence. A few years ago, I discovered that I have an intolerance to corn. If I eat any corn products...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Happy May! I hope you are enjoying all the spring flowers! I have officially graduated! And now, one of my summer projects is to write two syllabi for classes I will be teaching at AppState in the fall as an adjunct professor. Thankfully I know some professors who have taught these courses and are more than willing to help me out! I will be teaching a music appreciation course for non-majors and a fundamental theory course for majors and non-majors. I am really excited about this opportunity...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Happy Wednesday! Welcome to my herbal newsletter, in which I share a tidbit of herbal wisdom in the form a Word of the Week to help you become acquainted with herbs without becoming overwhelmed. This week's word of the week is hypotensive. Hypotensive means "lowering the blood pressure." I have written in previous newsletters about anxiety. Anxiety can increase blood pressure. So can anger. Essentially, any intense emotion or even physical stressor, that causes agitation can increase blood...
4 months ago • 3 min read