November 18, 2020
Dear Amigos, Amigas, and Familia,
I greet you with warm wishes as autumn surrounds us and the holidays are arriving just around the corner. I hope you are doing ok and staying safe. The raging virus topped by our country’s continuing political chaos is nerve wracking. Let’s face it, these are truly anxious times and we’re fatigued by it all. It is so important to keep cool heads and keep as positive as possible by counting our blessings and trying to spread kindness every day, anyway we can. My loved ones and I are doing well. Things in my life are goodenough, not always perfect, but I have much to be grateful for, and two new happy and healthy grandchildren!
One BIG blessing and news from my personal life is that I recently married a truly wonderful man. Lynn and I had been friends for many years. He was widowed in 2017. My German marriage ended sadly in 2013 and the years following that were pretty difficult for me. I really wasn’t looking for love again but Lynn’s and my friendship blossomed into a beautiful and deep love. (Love after 60! Whoo Hoo! Who knew?!) Although marriage hasn’t worked out so great for me in the past, I do believe in it. I like being committed to someone and having a partner to share life’s up and downs with, to laugh with,to care for. Lynn has given me all one wants in a partner and so much to look forward to in our years ahead.
Although covid cancelled our original plans for a big crazy Mexican wedding, we decided to go forward with an intimate ceremony and dinner including the closest circle of our Quaranteam. So, note to family and friends who received our Save-The-Date cards back in the spring and are learning of our nuptials here – you are not forgotten, we still plan to have the big Mexican reception once the covid vaccine becomes a reality later in 2021. Which is great news on both fronts!
Another great blessing in my life this year has been working with my Texicana Mama sisters, Patricia Vonne and Stephanie Urbina-Jones. Our self-titled record The Texicana Mamas was released in August and we’re getting strong reviews and lots of cool articles and interviews. We found and continue to explore new and creative ways to promote our record until we can actually do a tour. One fun thing is we just kicked off a little 30 minute coffee klatch show on Facebook Thursdays at 11am (CST) called Café Con Leche, where wechat about our lives, our work, and respond to comments and questions from theaudience. Join us if you can! And please go to your favorite music platform and download our CD or order a hard copy from our website: thetexicanamamas.com. It will be a nice gift for someone on your holiday shopping list!
On the subject of holidays – I’m feeling the urge to deck the halls even before Thanksgiving, something I’ve never done before. Maybe it’s that I’m anxious get to the end of 2020, and to start the healing in January 2021. I know we’re not going to be having big get-togethers or tamale parties this holiday season, but something about Christmas lights, music, cooking and baking invite feelings of comfort, good will, and hope. I want to bring these feelings on as soon as possible, even if it’s just my hubby and I enjoying Christmas cheer and watching corny Christmas movies all by ourselves. (Remember to play my CD From Texas For A Christmas Night to get warm and fuzzy family and Christmassy feelings started!)
Before closing, I want to mention that I was invited to perform a medley of two of my songs "Who Showed You The Way To My Heart" and "Donde Voy" in a virtual concert with the Columbia Gorge Symphony Orchestra in Oregon this summer. The conductor, Mark Steighner, produced a beautiful multi-screened video of this performance with orchestra members and me all performing from our homes. It debuted in October. Check it out when you can. It’s pretty cool! I’ll close now. Thanks very much for your continued support. I hope you enjoy my Tish’s world updates. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving and holiday season. Some things to remember: Let’s keep gatherings small and safe. It is so critical with the danger out there, that we do the right thing and sacrifice this year so we can have a better 2021 Holiday season. Please keep our front-line workers in mind. They are so stressed and we don’t need to put their work and lives in harm's way. And let’s all try our best to donate to food banks and other community services that so badly need our help.
Sending love and good wishes to you all!
Abrazos, Tish
