Hi Everybody, Yes, it's been a while (six months) since I've communicated ... due to Ruby's passing and many of life's challenges.  

But here's news and it's all good :)  I'll soon have ready my new music CD "Here In The Moment", the title of which sounds quite Zen. The genres are a heady mix, spotlighting of course, blues and ballads and jazz that feature my vocals, keys and bass and the ingenious talents and engineering skills of William (Sandy) Garrett of Songwriters Studio (who also created the cover design).  Several other talented musicians also enhanced the musical offerings. The title song was written in 2008 (the year of my church shooting injury) so its recording has been in "mothballs" until recently, when I brought it out and fell in love with it. The CD also has other treats and surprises too! And you'll notice that Clara the Lady Wolf has re-named her musical self and is now Clara M.L. Wolf (although I'm still a lady!) I'm hoping for a musical reappearance of sorts.  The new CDs (still in design completion and duplication process) can be ordered from me at (865) 659-5383 and I'll have a number of complementary discs.  

Are there any musicians who might like to jam and play music for fun?  Or maybe form a new band?  My home studio is available for us to use. Let me know at 865-659-5383.

And ... this is major news ... I have adopted a canine who is believed to have been found homeless in Memphis.  He was in rough shape when I got him, having been seriously attacked by the younger members of his pack at the rescue facility. He's got a lot of character, many vocal talents (he actually talks), and amazing intelligence. See his pictures on the right side of blog text. And ... we'd like to add that Sampson and I approve this message!   :)  :)  :)

Peace, love, and blessings ... Clara

Back In Blogland :) Clara's Autumnal Post --

My last post mentioned my previous absence and here I am again after another bunch of months away from my blog.  Apologies to readers and to my blog, itself.  The myriad of reasons I didn't post in such a long time includes the fact that I was doing a lot of introspection that was better left publicly unsaid.  On the heels of that came sweeping changes in my personal life, including a residential move.  Since February I've been preparing the house I now live in and going through separation anxiety with my former residence.  I'm a very sentimental person and that sentiment runs deep.  The new abode is much, much larger than the old one.   And it even has modern electrical outlets !  It's very nice :)

A persistent stream of family crises involving relatives hit the scene, too. For the most part those matters are still manifesting -- are unresolved, except in my mind -- where I've turned the corner and am good with that wonderful axiom "It is what it is"  :)  Tra la!  And I'm blessed to have the very most wonderful of friends with whom I can share life's ups and downs.

Here's some happy news I can give my readers who followed my posts about my dog's (past) serious medical problem:  She is in great shape now and, in August, celebrated her 11th birthday!  Dixie Lee is showing signs of age, but still scouts the yard tracking the scents of rabbits and squirrels; and she can break into an easy gallop in a split second when she wants to.
    
A couple of months ago I recorded two songs at Songwriters' Studio; they are my original "A New Face On The Blues" and my arrangement of cover "Blue Moon".  I need to put them up on my Reverbnation page. They turned out really well :)

I  now have three pianos (plus my Yamaha keyboard).  They are Buddy, Bunkie, and Bonnie.  Bunkie was in residence here when I moved in.  He's a great piano, though way different in style and character than Buddy the baby grand.  And Bonnie came to me via a neighbor on  my former street, who didn't want her anymore.  

Please do check out my website at http://www.claralandau.com -- which I updated yesterday -- new pictures, text edits, and some new stuff! 

Yes, I'm as upset as everyone about current and recent politics ... NSA spying , the Obamacare tax mandate, and an article I read a few days ago that reports on government vehicles and weapons being turned over to local police departments to use on Main Street, USA.  This points to the prediction I made months ago (when I hoped to be wrong) about local police departments being sort of "deputized" by the feds in order to prevent any perceived overt action of citizens against government policies.  

I'm ready to start jamming again, so I'd love to be in touch with musicians who are like-minded. I've got the space here now to jam; I also would love to find or form a hand-drum circle.  

We're heading into the "holiday season" ... hard to believe; it seems like yesterday was mid-summer.   Thanksgiving is, in my opinion, the most worthy of all holidays!  I know we should be thankful every day and I am, but I think that designating and celebrating a day in the spirit of thankfulness is a really good thing!   I wish a gracious and joyful Thanksgiving to each and all. 

Jamming –

It felt good to jam with a band-in-the-making last Saturday. Although they don’t do my musical genre-of-choice, (they do southern rock), it was a fun day and their wives served up some great food. The music had a lot of repeat patterns and became almost like a meditation. Yamaha (my keyboard) said to me, "What have you got me doing now?" I replied, "Just do it, you'll never have it this easy again".

Knox area musicians – I’d love to get together with a local or regional blues and/or jazz band or with musical individuals. If this describes you, please contact me. There’s something magical about the energy that flows among musicians when they play together.

Please check out my website at www.claralandau.com.