I am just in awe of the lovely comments I’ve received from my readers. Thank you so much for your memories and thoughts…it means so much to me. For the past few months I have been laying kind of low because I am about to make a huge change in my life and it is taking all of my courage to get it done. When you reach my ancient age (75 in a couple of weeks!) you start to think very carefully about what you actually want from the rest of your life. I mean the truth is, very few people live to be a healthy 100!!! And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to live that long anyway. The years I have left are precious...every single day counts.
I remember once, after returning from a year's tour of the musical VICTOR/VICTORIA in the summer of 1999, I had a feeling that time was passing too quickly. At that time I was living in northern Nevada, and I remember looking around at all of the natural beauty that surrounded me, wishing I could stop time--or at least, slow it down--while I tried to figure out what my heart wanted. I was just 59 at the time, but I still knew time was "slipping into the future" way too fast.
Think about what the most important things in life are to you. To me, they are love and family. I am lucky to be blessed with the three most wonderful sisters in the world. I love each and every one of them, and am so grateful to have them in my life. And then, of course, there are the dear friends I have shared life, tears and laughs with, my wonderful dogs, and, of course, music.
All of these things figured in the choice I have made for my remaining years. Once I have the plans finalized, I will share them with you on this blog.
Another bit of news...I am writing my memoir. Actually, my niece, Caroline, is doing most of the actual writing...she is much better at it than I am. I just have to do all the remembering! And I have to confess all of that remembering has been difficult. All of us have things in our lives that are hard to talk about, but in my 3/4 of a century, I have lived a long life and going back over difficult times has been hard. I have always thought of myself as just a "regular person" who, through luck, circumstances, and yes, talent, happened to stumble into a musical career that touched some lives in its time. We were in the right place at the right time with the right songs and sound for our era. This memoir will chronicle my life from childhood in Montgomery, Alabama to my first entrée into the music spotlight playing back up for the Beach Boys to the emergence of Captain and Tennille and the many albums, concerts and television shows we did together as a duo. The book will also be about my private life and the complex--and often lonely--relationship I had with Daryl. Our divorce, after so many years together, was a shock to many of our fans. But I hope my story will help explain some things and perhaps encourage my readers to make the difficult decisions they need to make while there is still time for happiness.
Anyhow...the publisher, Taylor Trade, is planning the release for spring of 2016, so you won't see it for quite a while. Caroline and I are busily writing it! A full time job, it seems. I will let you know more details as we get closer to finishing it.
So...until next time, thank you again and Keep a Song of Joy Inside Your Heart!