Music
So, I had a thought. (Hey you in the back- stop giggling.) Seriously, I’m thinking as I’m on a run and I said to me, “Self, we have amazing friends. They are talented, kind, simply outstanding human beings.” My self […]
This blog is delayed, delayed and then delayed again. It started as one thing (Danny Elfman) then went to something else (ZZ Top- RIP Frank Beard) and finally, I got the news. Well, we all got the news. She has […]
This week’s blog features new music by Deep Purple, yes, you read that correctly, Deep-motherloving-Purple has a new album out. It’s titled SPLAT! which gave me a giggle. If you’ve followed this blog at all then you have heard me […]
I’ve just returned from ten days in Ireland…exhale. It’s my fourth visit and one of my longest. Damn, I love that place! So…apologies for the radio silence. No blogs or Substacks for a bit. I was there with my three […]
A classic for sure, I think most of us can sing the lyrics to this tune right along with George Harrison. I chose this week’s song to give myself and all of us a little pick me up. After the […]
I remember those days. The days when I had all the answers, when I was the one who knew better. Those were the days when I could look into the eyes of my suffering friend and say with 100% certainty, […]
Today I would to introduce you, or reintroduce you, to one of my all-time favorite female vocalists. I recently had a friend post his favorite male singers and that spun my head down a rabbit hole. (By the way, the […]
I know, I know… it’s not even remotely Monday, but, hey, I figure if the Republicans can call themselves the party of “family values” then I can put a Musical Monday out on a Wednesday. Thursday May 21st, 2026 was […]
I hate that so many of the blogs I write out of necessity begin with a cliche, but it seems unavoidable any time one speaks of a universal theme or truth. This week I want to talk about and remember […]
I’m always excited about my Musical Monday posts- simply put, they are fun to write and even more fun to research. Music is a huge part of my day to day. Whether I’m writing, working out, driving, or simply doing […]
I was speaking with a friend of mine this week and she was lamenting the price of concert tickets (which I completely get) and saying that she just never goes to shows these days. She mentioned $300 a ticket for […]
Seriously, do you know who Clare Torry is? Because you should. Her vocals on Pink Floyd’s epic track The Great Gig In The Sky (from the album Dark Side of The Moon) were voted the second best of all time, […]
Those of you who read my posts (thank you!) know that I love to highlight women in rock. While the number of females in metal is increasing, I would dearly love to see more. This isn’t because I doubt the […]
This is heading back to high school for me. In May 2025 (clearly AFTER high school), my boyfriend and I attended the fourth annual Cruel World rock festival. By the way, what a great time this festival is! It featured […]
This song is one of my favorite Rod Stewart songs and Stewart is one of my favorite vocalists. (I blame my mom- she’s always loved him.) Many people if they follow Rod Stewart associate him with light pop diddies, however, […]
Full disclosure…I have been traveling, which is delightful, but it does cut into my day job. This is, I admit, a first world problem, though a problem nonetheless. Last Monday marked the thirty-ninth anniversary of the release of The Passenger […]
On March 7th, 1986 a movie was released. I missed it at first. My parents (wise souls) actually bullied me into watching it (I was in college at this point and apparently knew EVERYTHING). That movie is The Highlander. It’s […]
This week’s song is so far out of my typical wheelhouse. That said, in another lifetime I was married to a man who had a family lake house in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. While I know for […]
In the last few years I have been making a special effort to find new bands. The thing is, I am middle age (and fabulous) and the bands and their members who I grew up listening to in high school, […]
Happy Monday Morning, People! And no, I am not being sarcastic. Yes, we are surrounded by liars, bigots and racists. But… like the song says… we’ll find a way. Life finds a way. Dig deep, be authentic, have integrity. yes, […]
This week’s song is actually from an old band, Nestor, who formed in the eighties although I only discovered them a few months ago. They have an unusual origin story to say the least. The reason I’m only just now […]
As you can see, I am late with my Musical Monday post. Oh yes, Sunday and again yesterday I sat down at my computer and started my blog. Then I deleted it and started again. And deleted it. See, I […]
I’m having a hard time letting this one go. We have all seen the videos online of Renee Good’s killing in Minneapolis. I’m going to just say at the outset there needs to be a full investigation with cooperation between […]
So, it’s been a tough week newswise…again. The murders of the Reiners and the inhuman comments from the White House on said tragedy, the death of Anthony Geary, we are apparently at war with Venezuela(???), the destruction of the East […]
I am drowning in my manuscript’s latest draft and in the holidays, so this week’s Musical Monday is the soul of brevity. Please enjoy… This song is for every loving, impossible to keep night, the ones that you’ll remember even […]
What does Christmas mean to you? I am a self-described moralistic heathen wandering the spiritual landscape. Christmas definitely means a great deal to me, not for religious reasons though. I think for me it speaks to the original reasons that […]
I really enjoy unexpected personalities. You know, when you meet someone for the first time and you’re thinking, okay, your basic stay-at-home mom and it turns out they travel with an all woman ice hockey team (true story this conversation […]
I have just returned from my first writing conference in years, like pre-Pandemic years. I attended the Kauai Writers Conference in Lihue, Hawaii. It goes without saying that the scenery was ridiculously gorgeous, but that wasn’t the inspirational part. The […]
Get your Kleenex ready- this one got me. This is a protest song. There has been a lot on the news about Antifa. The majority of what has been said, looking at YOU Kristi Noem, is quite simply lies. Let’s […]
This is the story of how I feel in love with hard rock and heavy metal. It all started when I first heard the melodic, gorgeous intro riffs to No One Like You by the Scorpions, more specifically played by […]
It’s hard to believe how many good people we have lost, just in this past month, and had you asked me before who my favorite actresses are, I am not sure that Diane Keaton would have made the list. Yet, […]
I’ve chosen this week’s song for a few reasons. First, obviously it’s one that I simply enjoy full stop, Second, I can completely relate to these lyrics, this concept of the concert being a cathedral. Next, there’s the aspect of […]
This song has become a sort of anthem for me. Once upon a time, I met a boy. He was a bit arrogant and, truth be told, at first I didn’t like him very much. Still, we ran in the […]
I am clearly going through a goth phase and it’s SOOOOO fun! This is just a flat-out great song. I send this out to every different, odd, whimsical, outcast, lonely-in-a-crowd, for all of us who walk to our own beat, […]
This week’s song is a fun little diddy that danced across my TikTok. I was shocked. A country song about burning red hats? Is that even possible? Allowed? And then I realized my mistake. I saw all the bullshit misconceptions […]
This week’s featured song is a gorgeous one, albeit a cautionary tale. Girl With Golden Eyes is on Sixx:A.M.’s first album, 2007’s The Heroine Diaries. The album was actually a companion piece for Sixx’s book The Heroin Diaries: A Year […]
Happy Monday, People! I’m BACK- new website, new energy, new purpose. There are so many fun and exciting things in the land of all things Erika Gardner coming in the next few months and into 2026. It feels so good […]
***Disclaimer… I know, it’s actually Tuesday. I claim brain fog.*** God, this is a gorgeous song. And yes, it’s true. Ann Wilson is guesting alongside David Draiman and Disturbed. Wow. Two massive voices in rock. I wish I had been […]
As the years pass I find myself valuing personal integrity and authenticity more and more. Sadly, these are qualities where it is easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. How many times have we held back from […]
On Monday March 13th I published my first blog in two and a half very rough years, then I put the link up on Facebook, both on my personal and my author page. After that, I left it and went […]
Well, hello there. How are you? It’s been a minute. Yep, I am still here. My personal life went to hell in a hand basket. The divorce gutted everyone. And now? We are regrouping, healing, trying to make sense of […]
Hello, friends…I seem to be in a bit of a Nightwish tear right now. As I put together a Gryphon play list and in doing so, a manuscript for The Dragon in The Garden’s sooooooo long overdue sequel, these are […]
So, if you don’t know me… if I’m happy and writing then I pretty much live my days in another place. I’ll be doing soccer pick-up and be sketching out a sword fight in my head. PTSA meeting? I’m thinking […]
This week’s song is “How’s The Heart?” by Nightwish off their new album Human Nature (which is AMAZING). I chose it for three reasons. 1.) It’s awesome- Go, Floor! Her vocals are at a new level! 2.) How’s the heart […]
In July I attended my high school reunion. I had a great time and enjoyed reconnecting with friends. Some of them I see often even now and some I had not seen since high school. We danced, drank, ate, stayed […]
Sometimes our partners in life do and say the most amazing, perfect things. Things we can hold on to, treasure, and weave into the fabric of our lives. Touchstones that sustain us. Sometimes our partners are perfect. Don’t worry, honey, […]
This will be short, but honest. Some people haunt us. They come up again and again. No matter where we go… they are there. Don’t lie- you have them, too. I have one friend I met when I was when […]
This week’s song might not make a lot of sense at first, but bear with me… yes, I KNOW it’s NOT Monday. Over our kids’ Winter Break we visited Maui. We had a great time, but I have to admit… it’s […]
This week’s song is No More Drama by Mary J. Bilge. Not metal, certainly, but an emotion laden, passionate song and I dig passion. Thankfully my day-to-day life contains little drama. As I’ve gotten older I find I have less […]
Let’s face it. The news has not been good. I wish to be clear on my politics: The news makes me cry. Just about every day now it seems. I support our brave police forces. They lay their lives on […]
2016 has already proven to be the year of the dead rock star. Especially if you happen to be a male, say 68-72. We’ve lost some greats: David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Dale Griffin, Paul Kantner, Natalie Cole, Maurice White, […]
I owe my dear friend, Debbie Oakland, an apology. She asked, and I promised, for a Musical Monday derived or inspired in some way from this year’s Grammys. Debbie, I’m getting there, I swear. However, I had to go where […]
This week’s blog, like last Monday’s, is something of a bonus. You get a two-fer. Meaning, this is an introduction to a stellar book and a fabulous song to act as its soundtrack. Win-win. The book is The Fall and […]
Originally my intent was to write a blog celebrating and mourning the life and loss of the inimitable David Bowie. Then last Friday we lost Alan Rickman (one of my very favorite actors), next Dan Haggerty (aka Grizzly Adams), Glenn […]
Look at this- me, you, and on a Monday to boot. Big Smile. This could be a thing– a me being on time thing. This week I want to discuss opposing views. While I have gotten pretty politically confrontational on […]
Yep, I missed Monday again… but I had an excellent reason for it. Originally, I prepared another blog, which will appear next week- on Monday in fact, when I spied a Facebook message from my friend Michael with the song […]
And, looking at my title this week, I hope some men. Everything I am going to say has been said before. I just hope I can add my voice to the throng. I am one of the many. May the […]
Looking around at life, love means an awful lot of things to an awful lot of people. I watch people and I see what is in my own life. As with so many things, the disparities are striking. The greatest […]
I first watched David Letterman in the early eighties at a sleepover at my friend Lisa’s house. Must have been seventh or eighth grade. We were up too late. That experience proved to be a game changer for me, a […]
As I mentioned in last week’s column, I recently attended the Dallas-Fort Worth Writers’ Conference. In addition to all the wonderful people I met, informational classes and lectures I attended, we were also treated to some pretty kick-ass keynote speeches. […]
This week’s post is about two kinds of ghosts. The first relates to my creative process. The second refers to the ghosts my characters may be dealing with. I spent the past weekend at the Dallas-Fort Worth Writers’ Conference in […]
It’s been a bit. How are you? How have you been? Well? Well-ish? Life has consumed me, but I need to start blogging again. Well, crap on a cracker, but what a sad reason to return. Sunday we lost Chris […]
I shudder just typing the phrase “fo’ shizzle,” but then I used to shudder whenever anyone used it. However, those old enough to remember can likely guess our next decade of songs to review and rank. The 2000’s definitely held […]
It was a time of flannel, cardigans from Good Will, and combat boots. The skies were gray-like, always- even in California. The music held angst. Musicians seemed to take pride in only knowing three chords. People emphasized the emotion, dude, […]
Another year, another Big Bike Build! As has become our tradition my family participated in the annual Bike Build in San Jose. Volunteers come together to assemble more than 2500 bikes. Charities’ trucks line up to give the bikes to […]
No, I didn’t drop off the end of the earth. No matter what certain religious groups will tell you, the earth is not flat. I just got busy… again. Hope your Thanksgiving, or for those friends in other countries, your […]
On July 1st I took my son, David, to see his first concert. We saw Queen with Adam Lambert. Sadly, it can never be the Queen of yesteryear. Freddie Mercury left this world in 1991 and John Deacon retired from […]
My kids, especially my daughters, like when I put together playlists for my phone or iPod. Summer 2012, Winter 2013, you get the idea. As music so often does, when we listen to the lists after a break the songs […]
This was to be another piece. One on teachers. Then, later, one, on the importance of immunization. Then, a note on tolerance. In the end, it boiled down to one simple fact. A good man died today. And I do […]
Riddle me this? What does a sick extremist terrorist fear the most? Answer: a little girl with a book in her hand. Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve heard about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakastani schoolgirl who spoke out in […]
This week’s blog is going to be vague. Sorry, I need to rant, but I can’t give details. Thanks in advance for your patience. Gazing around the world, I am struck by the effect that a strong personality can exert […]
A couple of weeks ago (‘kay, maybe a month and a half, but who’s counting?) my dear friend Monica said to me (I’m paraphrasing), “You’ve warped (shaped) my daughters… Erin is a Doctor Who convert and Emily keeps stopping me […]
Happy Monday… and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Slainte mhath! This week’s song is one I’ve known all my life, albeit in slightly different forms. It is Far Over Misty Mountains Cold, lyrics by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, and music by […]
Ah yes, the distraction that is the three-day weekend. Hence, it is Tuesday and my blog comes out. But, honestly, doesn’t it feel like a Monday??? This time of year invariably sets people reflecting on their goals and aspirations, as […]
And I emerge from the Silly Season at last… Welcome back to the cornucopia of emotion, goofiness, and occasional pathos that is my Musical Monday Blog! This week’s song is Pompeii by Bastille. This post is dedicated to one of […]
It’s been a while, Musical Monday fans. I finished “Sea Strand.” It’s a work that I am very proud of. That said, I no longer have the happy gleeful view of, “Whoopee! I finished the book– let’s publish!” I now […]
Sometimes my Musical Mondays have a commentary. Other times, there’s a bit of pop culture or nostalgia. Then there are the times when I just like the song. Read it into it what ye’ may. This is one of those […]
Okay, this started out as a joke posted on my FB Page by my friends (and sometime Beta Readers), Kit and Michelle. It read as follows: “Kit and I think that this would be a great “what-not-to-do” piece for Music […]
Of course, it didn’t start that way–this feud, I mean. It began with Miley expressing admiration for O’Connor, so much so that she claims the video for her song, Wrecking Ball, was inspired by the iconic video for O’Connor’s cover […]
Oh, my blog. My poor, beloved, NEGLECTED blog. How I have missed you. Sorry, readers, it’s been nuts. You can always tell when I’m drowning- the blogging stops. And hey, thank you to those of you who noticed- you rock! […]
So, the thing is… this column can be rather challenging to write. I like to feature music I actually like, preferably love, and I also like to have a point. Making said point can be difficult, people love when you […]
No, despite the title I will not be referencing Monty Python, much as I adore them. Today’s slice of Musical Monday is dedicated to the song The Lesson off the 2012 debut solo album, British Lion from Iron Maiden founder […]
For the past couple of days I have been immersed in a project for my other blog; the one I contribute to with the rest of my critique group. It works out that we each write once every five weeks. […]
Well, it’s been five days since DOMA was struck down and I am still married. Quite happily, if I’m allowed to be honest. We’re defending our marriage just fine on our own, thank you very much. Although, the fact that […]
When I began thinking about this Musical Monday blog, a few thoughts came to mind. The first was a litany of the various jokes, gripes and semi-complaints that most people have about getting older. The other was a profound sense […]
My critique group recently started a blog. We call ourselves the Beer & Bacon Babes so our site is named The BBB Gals- This One Time… At Writers’ Group. (What? We can call ourselves “babes” if we want to– I […]
Friday I had one of those runs that makes life shining and glittery… simply awesome. Forgive me as I descend into clichés, I’m sorry- it simply can not be helped. The sun was shining, but it was early enough so […]
