#5 January 18 Piano playing wizard--not yet

It amazes me, and it shouldn't, about repetition. I do know when practicing a skill over and over, you will improve. No rocket scientist logic there. However, I am actually seeing it in progress and it is thrilling. Today, as I sat at the piano for the third day in a row, Rob walked past me and commented that I was starting to sound better. Well, yes it does, and the pieces are actually becoming easier to play. If nothing else with my "60" list, I will become a better piano player.

Another benefit was receiving a letter from Chris M. stationed in Afghanistan. Since I am writing six letters to him before he returns to the U.S. ( # 26), I have sent him a couple already and his response touched my heart. Sometimes it's the little things that count.

Slowly I progress on my list, keeping track of everything I do and making sure my day is full of "60" activities. I keep reminding myself that it is only January and I have twelve months to complete this quest.

I have just begun reading my second book published in 1951--# 31 on the list--Graham Greene's The End of the Affair. My first book was The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers. I don't think this would have been on my top ten books to read, but it was a fairly entertaining book.

In this morning's paper was an article about the Packers and how expensive it is for a ticket to the Bear/Packer game this weekend. A man from Madison is going and his comment was that he is turning 60 so why not indulge in one of the biggest games of the year. I wrote to him congratulating him on a fine choice to make for your sixtieth birthday. Not one I would pursue, but good for him. By the way, that was #59--writing a letter-- so will "tick" that off my list for today.