I’m back!

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post because I’ve been gallivanting around the East Coast!  Here’s a little recap of my travels…

My “day” job is as a voice teacher and Orlando, Florida was the location of my latest adventures in that capacity.  I was there for the NATS (that’s National Association of Teachers of Singing) national board meeting and annual conference.  I’ve been involved with this organization since I was a college student (that means a long time).  I love going to these conferences every two years.

My namesake, tropical storm Debby, was roaring across Florida just as I was about to leave Philadelphia.  Thankfully she had the good sense not to interfere with my arrival in Orlando but she did do major flood damage north of where I was.  Sometimes we Debs don’t know how to behave 🙂  Once she crossed out into the Atlantic Ocean, weather was actually nicer in Florida than back home in Pennsylvania.I always find it invigorating to be around other voice teachers and professionals in the field of vocal music.  With an abundance of workshops, live performances and opportunities for networking, the conference becomes an excellent vehicle for the exchange of ideas we can use with our students as well as time for the perusal of music (I usually buy too much) and new products.  My voice students know when I’ve been to one of these conferences because they are the beneficiaries of what I’ve learned.  I did take a couple of knitting projects to work on in workshops where I wasn’t taking notes and during downtime.  Leaving the needles and yarn at home is simply not an option!  And, just to make you smile, this little darling was on my plane on the way back home…Soon after my return from Orlando it was time for an annual trip to New York City with a good friend.  This year we let the husbands join us – they behaved so well we’ve decided they can come again next year!  After our traditional lunch at the New Leaf restaurant in Fort Tryon park, we headed to Scarsdale.  Within a mere block and a half of each other are Zachys Wine & Liquor store, a veritable wine lover’s paradise, and Sticks ‘n Strings, a yarn shop we happened upon a couple of years ago.  My friend and I usually go gaga over the selection.  This year, though, the shop’s yarns were so expensive that we didn’t buy very much.  Although the yarns were gorgeous, my budget certainly won’t support buying skeins that are $20-$60 each.  This visit really made me appreciate The Knitter’s Edge – Bethlehem is so lucky it.

Believe it or not, I’m glad to be back home and in work mode again.  It’s nice to take a break but, as Dorothy said…..”There’s no place like home”….!

What summer adventures have you had and how did yarn figure into those adventures?!