Taking it extra easy Sunday night Priorities
Eight forty five PM Priorities
And it’s time for a new post on my Facebook page
I’ve played bagpipes for the last 3 days Priorities
I’m exhausted and recovering Priorities
Back to work on my book tomorrow Priorities

Okay, so Elton John did a much better job on those lyrics than I did…

Time for a quick update — some maybe not so new…

Life of a bagpiping budding recipe book author — it has a certain quirky romance to it, but in reality it can be a juggle … well, on top of fixing a truck, contributing to finish building a house, and helping to support one’s parents. Since late last year I’ve had to prioritize these things — and shift my priorities depending on the week! Priorities

I’ve been working to knock down my ToDo List, and frankly … I’ve had a few things to get out of the way to where I can refocus on finishing my book. Priorities

Frankly … today has been spent resting

The last 3 days I’ve been on a St. Patrick’s Day tour playing Celtic-rock both with Geoffrey Castle and my own band, Nae Regrets. Each day things ramped up. Thursday I opened for Geoff in Kirkland. Friday morning I had a Nae Regrets rehearsal in the morning and then played for Geoff in the historic Mount Vernon Lincoln Theater (video below). Saturday Nae Regrets played in Mountlake Terrace, then I flew down to Auburn to play for Geoff, and then I flew back to Maplewood neighborhood in North Seattle for Nae Regrets to play a house party. And then I got my tired self home and CRASHED until 10AM Sunday morning.

goofy juggler — Imagine each red ball as things I’m working on — yeah, it’s about like that right now

All of the shows went well. Taking off for three days and playing was also a nice break from everything I’ve been focused on. AND NOW …

I’m pleased to announce that a variety of ToDo items are out of my way and I can make finishing my recipe book my prime focus …. at least until something else comes up. Yeah, I never learned to juggle in practical terms however I sure can figuratively juggle!

So this week I aim to… bake cookies and take pictures to make some step-by-step instruction photos, work up the surprise content, and address some final writing. And depending on how I’m feeling tomorrow, rest-up some more from this fantastic past weekend!

LINKS

Mount Vernon, WA – Official Website and Wikipedia
Elton John & Rocket Man (song)
How to Juggle: 7 Steps with pictures

Yeah, it’s about time to replace my chanter reed (what makes the melody) — it’s become sensitive to over-blowing.

Bag Pipper Don

The Mighty Wurlitzer is not the only pipes that are played at the Lincoln Theatre.

Posted by Linda Ann Lipke on Sunday, March 18, 2018

And now Elton John in the event you got the tune in your head — or wanted to hear it right after my lame parody lyrics.

Priorities

I seriously looked like this for a few days... — I seriously looked like this for a few days…

Just over a year ago I was nearly ready to publish my recipe book … when my not-backed-up hard drive CRASHED. I researched getting the information on my hard drive recovered through a number of data recovery companies. That proved prohibitive — I was going to have to start over! Fortunately, I found an old back-up on one of my other computers. To my relief I did not lose any of my recipes, which is of course the most important part — but for all the rest of my work … I was going to have to start over. What did I learn from all this? Priorities

priorities That’s right… priorities

BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE.

CheckChick.com — Writers — need an AWESOME editor — ask for Linda…

So, using the partial back-up I found, I restarted my book during June 2017 and I have been working on it since. I even got a SUPER COOL editor by accidental fortune and dhum luck …. er, I mean, dumb luck. I am here to say that things have been going well and I’m nearly done! Again. Priorities

BagpiperDon — Like this from the 2013 tour but this time with more hair.

This past holiday season, despite my preferences, I had to take a bit of a break from this work. I needed to prioritize on things other than my book. On top of working my day-job, baking a ton of cookies as gifts for friends (that’s kinda my thing), I was preparing for time with my family, and my truck let me know it needed a number of repairs. In addition to all that I had been asked once again to contribute to the annual Celtic-rock Christmas tour by the esteemed fiddler, Geoffrey Castle. Given my previous music experiences with Geoff, that was an opportunity was I was NOT about to miss! Priorities

So now it’s January 2017 … I mean 2018, and I am back to work — on my book, on my day-job, on my truck, on my music, on … on … on … TOO MUCH! Out of necessity, I prioritized during the holidays to get things done, so why not now? That occurred to me last week, and it’s left me thinking…. Priorities

Tonka dump truck — This looks a little different than my truck

I need my truck for coming events. My book needs to be brought to completion because … well … with trials & tribulations the project has been going for a prolonged period. I want to enjoy the next stage of it — having it published and connecting with people about baking and good food.

So it makes sense to put everything else aside and focus on these, right? I think so!

I’m sizing things up — I’m considering this temporary shift. If I do it, I see it as being possible that I could be done with my book in a matter of weeks, my truck too! By doing this I would reduce the directions I’m stretched in and attempt to keep my sanity (/CHORTLE), and then be better able to focus on both the work that remains and the work ahead. This could also better allow me to promote my coming book — which has been a challenge with everything already happening. Priorities

So there’s my thought, maybe my Plan Of Action — we’ll all know soon enough — wish me LUCK! Priorities

All the Best ~ Don

Linda at CheckChick.com

Geoff at GeoffreyCastle.com and Wikipedia

If you have ever wondered what it is like to be a small business owner … it’s being both of these kids … and you have to wear the costume.
Yes, in front of Everyone.

Whidbey Island Baking Company

Tag Archives: Geoffrey Castle