This morning: quiet. There are strips of packaging paper -- leftover from an enthusiastic boy opening the mail -- strewn all about my living room, with trails of it leading toward the refrigerator and the toy room, but there is quiet. And there is tea.

Cleaning? No. Tea first.

The wee boy has returned to preschool after a bout with the stomach bug that rendered him the most adorable little thing in the history of the universe. "Mommy, mommy, my belly hurts. Mommy, I neeeeeeeed you. I really need to cuddle with you riiiiiight now." My personal favorite was, "Mommy, may I have nursies, please? I need to rehydrate." I have spent a week cuddling the sweet, sick boy. He is happily playing at preschool today, however, all symptoms long gone. Hence, the quiet and the tea.

Back to tea.

I love it. I really don't love coffee. I feel like coffee is like cornbread: it's not actually very good, but lots of people say they love it. We all nod and agree, and no one wants to be the one to admit that it's merely okay, and only actually yummy with lots of sugar and buttermilk. But tea?

Mmmmmmmmmm.

I have taken to sipping my English Breakfast tea in vintage porcelain teacups that somehow ended up in my mom's basement. The cups are wee, which makes for extra strong tea. I even have an electric kettle -- the staple of a British home -- that goes from cold to boiling in 2 minutes. David bought me this one for my birthday, and it lives on the counter, making immediate hot water for me multiple times a day. It has settings for both green and black teas. One mustn't put too-hot water in green tea, you know? (Read that last sentence out loud in your most proper aristocratic finishing school voice.)

I have much to catch up on -- songs to learn, accordion parts to record (for someone else's album; don't get too excited!), one thousand emails to respond to, packaging paper to clean up.

But first: tea. See? That's why I love tea. Pause, boil, pour, steep, sip. Mmmmmmmm. Tea.

I played a full band show last night and SO MANY OF YOU WERE THERE! Seriously, I counted at least fifty people from the crowd who were straight from my mailing list -- people who rarely come out to shows, but who were there grinning and being kind and telling me they read my weepy blogs about my long-lost-career and "chin up, guv'nah" and dancing and clapping and laughing at my silly jokes and high-fiving me after.

I had no idea how much external validation would mean to me, but let me tell you. Especially when even people in my own band were saying things, like, "I just hope people will come out to a show that starts at 8:30." But you were there! And you even thanked me for starting on time (well, 10 minutes late, but that's because soundcheck was, like, an hour behind schedule).

Anyway, it was a swoonsome evening, and I had fun. I danced and wore a sparkly sweater that made me feel and act a little more Vegas than usual.

Alex Wright's band was fantastic, as always. Appalatin was groovelicious, though I admit, I had to leave about 30 minutes into their set, which is totally not cool in the world of band-etiquette. I'm sorry for that. Truthfully it was because they didn't start playing until 11:27pm, and I had a babysitter to sort out. I kind of think band-etiquette is a little different once you have to pay a babysitter -- like, I didn't want to make negative money that night -- but maybe I'm just making excuses.

Here's a video of the band playing "Kentucky Waltz" at Friday's show. Check out Jim James on the drums. (I kid, I kid ... or do I???) I have a few other videos to upload too, but it takes forever and I've got a sick kid today. Enjoy this for now:

I'm thirty-six years old, and this is what my jewelry box looks like:

We go to Texas at least once a year because my husband is from Lubbock. Before we had a child, we drove the 1100 miles straight through, stopping only in Memphis, Texarkana and Dallas for quick pee-and-a-sandwich-breaks (we never set foot in Arkansas, as a rule). Driving that far with a toddler is crazy, but driving that far with a potty-trained toddler is just absurd. I almost not-really-but-almost wish we had just spent the $2000 on plane tickets instead. 

If you're in Louisville, maybe you want to come out and hear some live music this week? Please? I kind of want to give you a guilt trip, but I know that's not cool. If you're reading my blog anyway, you are probably one of the few folks who appreciate local, live music. (Is that guilt trippy? I can't tell. I'm sorry; I'm a Jewish mother now.) So just let it be known that it's really good for the local music community and small businesses if you either come out to support the live music yourself or maybe suggest these shows to a friend:

Wednesday, January 7
Great Flood Brewing Company
2120 Bardstown Roadplaying all kinds of songs -- bluegrass, celtic, country, rock, originals and covers -- with Dan Canon and Steve Cooley from 7:00pm-9:00pm. We all sing. It's super fun. The brewery is open by 5:00, and we are there by 6ish to hang out first.

You can bring your whole family (my wee boy will be there), and you can bring your own food or order delivery. Great Flood doesn't have a kitchen, but is completely supportive of you bringing your own and even offers lots of delivery menus. This show is free.

Friday, January 9
New Vintage (the old Uncle Pleasant's)
2126 South Preston Street
Brigid Kaelin Band show, opening for Appalatin; Alex Wright. Super-fun lineup!
21 and up. $10/person ($5/student).

I only played two public full band shows last year. It's looking to be the same for this year. So come out and hear my fabulous band singing songs I wrote. Peter Searcy, Steve Cooley, Dan Canon and Donnie Arbuckle.

Tickets available online: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/739219-appalatin-alex-wright-brigid-louisville/





If you aren't sure if I'm any good, then don't take my word for it, take Tanya Tucker's. She thinks I'm #1:

I am on Goodreads. I don't advertise this because I have been in a fiction rut -- to the point where I've been reading mysterious, beach books, and novellas. One could say that I've been slightly embarrassed about my choice of books, but this probably stems from my competetiveness with my dad, who never reads a book with fewer than 900 pages and could be a talking head on the History Channel considering all the history tomes he has read. Even when he reads fewer books per year than I do, he triples my page count.

Anyway, last year was not a proud year of reading for me, but I did manage to finish 32 books -- 11131 pages. Here they are, and no judgment, otay? Otay.

favorite book of 2014 - Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith

1. Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way by Mayim Bialik
2. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell 
3. Face the Fire (Three Sisters Island, #3) by Nora Roberts
4. Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith
5. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham (Agatha Raisin, #8) by M.C. Beaton
6. Paris: A Love Story by Kati Marton
7. I Feel Bad about My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
8. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden (Agatha Raisin, #9)by M.C. Beaton
9. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin, #10)by M.C. Beaton
10. My Bluegrass Baby (Bluegrass, #1) by Harper, Molly
11. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell (Agatha Raisin, #11)by M.C. Beaton
12. The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Baby's First Year by Massaro, Megan McGrory
13.  Voyager (Outlander, #3)by Diana Gabaldon
14. The Happiest Toddler on the Block: The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- To Four-Year-Old by Karp, Harvey
15. Drums of Autumn (Outlander, #4) by Diana Gabaldon
16. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Newman, Kristin
17. Sunshine on Scotland Street (44 Scotland Street #8)  Smith, Alexander McCall
18.  Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs  
19. The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2) by Rowling, J.K.
20. The Fault in Our Stars by Green, John
21. Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate (Agatha Raisin, #13) by M.C. Beaton
22. Twenties Girl  by Sophie Kinsella
23. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
24. Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party by Alexander McCall Smith
25. The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case  by Alexander McCall Smith
26. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House (Agatha Raisin, #14) by MC Beaton
27.   Call The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times  by Worth, Jennifer
28. The Forever Girl by Smith, Alexander McCall
29. What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Munroe, Randall
30.  As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Elwes, Cary
31. The Fiery Cross (Outlander, #5) by Diana Gabaldon
32. Dark Places  by Gillian Flynn

You know, I said it wasn't a proud year, but there are a few books on this list that were beautiful and moved me to tears. My favorite of all them was probably Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith. I've said before that he is my favorite (favourite) author. Next time I'm in Edinburgh, I'd like to buy him a cuppa and just talk and see what musings he spouts. I could maybe bring up that his daughter has seen me naked (she was my GP after my son was born, but "your daughter has seen me naked" is perhaps a better hook). 

I also loved "Paris: A Love Story," but I adore Paris and I used to babysit for the author's family when I lived in New York. So it was easy for me to picture the family members mentioned in the memoir.

Anyway, I'm hoping to push 40 books this year. Although, honestly, I was looking at my stats ... the years that I read the most books are the years that I made the least music. Maybe I should reevaluate. But fiction ... escape ...

Ah, January 1. The day of the clean slate. I had planned on beginning the new year in the recording studio finishing up one song I actually already had drum tracks for. It didn't happen.

To be honest, I cried -- a long-winded and tearful monologue about how hard I've been trying to pull myself out of a rut, to make fruitful plans and be proactive, and when I finally had sorted out the magical triumvirate of childcare, a day off from work, and a recording studio, I was defeated yet again.

It's nobody's fault; things come up. But it tipped me over the edge, and I grieved hard for my career. I just don't know when all three will be available to me at the same time. Beyond that, I'm not sure what the point even is, except that my sanity kind of depends on it. I'm tempted to do what I did last time, and just leave town for a week, use studio musicians I've never met before, and just get it done. I'm much quicker-than-average in the studio when it comes to recording my own parts. It's the pre-production that's killing me. But, yeah, a week off? Not practical, and I want to be home with my wee boy.

He did come over to me and snuggle and make it better.

"Mommy, why are you sad?" 

"I'm just feeling sad because I didn't get to sing songs today."

"Oh, Mommy, I'm sorry. We'll sing songs. I'll make you happy." (Gives giant hug and loud kiss.) "There, are you happy now? Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. Thank you."

He's singing Frank Sinatra songs. He's a dreamboat.

I write now because it's cathartic, but I also know it's more useful to be positive. So ... moving on ...  I shall now think about the things I did accomplish today.

So far today I managed to:

1. Not spend any money (except for the mortgage).
2. Do my back exercises.
3. Play trains with the Wee Boy.
4. Play cars with the Wee Boy.
5. Read stories with the Wee Boy.
6. Spend every minute of the day with my husband.
7. Cook dinner (even though I burned the chili ... I mean, who burns CHILI?!? But back to positivity...)
8. Write in my journal (okay, not yet, but the second I post this blog, I shall)
9. Help my mom understand her iPhone (an ongoing process)
10. Not have a drink. Although, you know, I think right now I am going to pour myself a scotch whisky, so now I shall use the fancy crossing-out-font on number 10.

I had a really great New Year's Eve. David wore a tuxedo, and I wore makeup.
Positivity is not a new concept, but it's certainly hard to remember to focus on it when you really need it. Maybe it's time for a little Perry Como. Tis the season, anyway.

Ah, resolutions. I've never been a fan of them and never really make them. I always sort of vaguely attempt to, come January, be better at my tax filing system, do more meal planning, and get to Europe more often. Actually writing things down and declaring them just seems like setting myself up for disappointment.

So don't look for resolutions from me.

Rather than make up resolutions, here's a video I made of Hogmanay in Edinburgh, set to Auld Lang Syne on the musical saw.





And here's a free download of the tune if you need to freak people out at your New Year's Eve party:

I don't like New Year's Eve. Too much pressure, amateur night, etc, etc, of course, but also because all it signifies is a 2-3 month stretch of dismal weather, dark nights, and cold. Awful, bone-tingling cold. Rosh Hashanah is a much better-placed New Year, when crisp school supplies are on sale and new school years begin. And, of course, as a musician, New Year's Eve has generally meant a looooooooong gig.

A snowman mocha for your viewing pleasure.

I haven't worked New Year's Eve in a few years, however, and I'm kind of loving it. Besides, midnight is a tough goal for the childed, especially the childed whose child is a bad sleeper. I am tempted to put on the Netflix anytime-you-choose countdown to midnight intended to fool children and just go to bed at 9pm myself.

I don't want to go to any of the fabulous concerts around town (though the lineups are very tempting). I'm much more interested in the New Year's Day brunch invites than the NYE cocktail parties. And yet ... I am going out this year. Not for a long while, as babysitters are hard to come by on NYE, but enough to put on some sequins and have a fancy cocktail with a wonderful friend whom I don't see often enough.

I think, however, I shall pretend that it is just a fun Wednesday, rather than a special event celebrating the turnover of the clocks. January is a depressing place.

FYI, I'm teaching three music classes this week: 
Wednesday, Dec 31: 10:30am at Mama's Hip
Friday, Jan 2: 10:30am at Mama's Hip
Saturday, Jan 3: 10:30am at Mama's Hip

They are all drop-in classes; no signup required. $10/family.

And if you want to hear me sing non-kid-music:
Wednesday, Jan 7: 7:00-9:00 at Great Flood Brewing Co (all ages, even kids, free, doors at 4p)

Friday, Jan 9: 8:00pm Brigid Kaelin Band plays at the New Vintage (the old Uncle Pleasant's) doors earlier, as my band starts at 8:00!  $10 or $5student tickets. Appalatin and Alex Wright are headlining.
My band is awesome and features: Peter Searcy, Steve Cooley, +Dan Canon , and Donnie Arbuckle.

I took a little break from the ol' blog last week, as you may have noticed. Mostly, I was trapped in a car driving through Oklahoma and Texas, neither of which has any business being so LONG. I mean, if the Carolinas had the decency to break up, then Texas of all states should be kind and divide itself already. But anyway ...

I'm playing a show in January - a full band show at the New Vintage in Louisville. Alex Wright, savior of my  sanity (when it comes to music business, anyway) asked me to join the bill and, knowing that I prefer the early time slot, asked if I wanted to play first. YES, I do! Then the New Vintage created this Facebook event, which is awesome because every event requires a Facebook presence, but they didn't include me on the nice graphic that says who is playing -- perhaps because I'm maybe considered "just the opener," perhaps because they just forgot, or the graphic had too much text already ... or maybe because of all the other reasons I fear.

The fab poster made my the promoter ... I made the cut on this one! :)

At first I wasn't bothered by that at all, and Alex was awesome enough to immediately add my name to the Event name and apologize, even though he didn't make the even or the graphic.

The more I think about it, as with anything, I'm growing bothered by it. Not bothered at anyone in particular, but just sort of shocked that -- well, I knew that having a child was bad for my career, but has it been so bad that I don't even register on the radar as someone who might draw a crowd anymore??? I mean, I've sold, like, four thousand records, and been on A Prairie Home Companion, and played with Elvis Costello three times, and used to be a l'il darling of WFPK (I know, I know, "used to be") ... and, well, it appears that the last few years of pregnancy and raising a kiddo has, yup, hurt my career.

Not surprising. Not shocking. Not bitter -- just contemplative and sad. Women, by now, know that we cannot actually "have it all," etc etc. And I'm not complaining about not being the star that I once was. I guess I'm just kind of sad about having this proof of what I suspected all along.

I was talking to Steve Cooley just yesterday about how I need a new record. Not for my career (although that is obviously true considering the impetus for the this blog), but for my soul. I need a product. I need something physical -- some evidence that the last ten years of my life, my heart and soul, my efforts as an artist, have not been, well, for naught. Any kind of small business owner/ artist (for they are the same thing) knows that you must stay in the spotlight to keep your business alive. But as an artist, I need something out there, whether it's in the spotlight or not, to justify what I've done with my life.

I know, rather than blogging my heart out so you remember my name, I should be in the studio recording. But do you know how difficult it is to get musicians in one place at the same time ... at the same time that there is someone available to set up a mic and push record ... at the same time that there is someone available to watch my kid? Believe me, I've been trying for years. Guys in my band ... are you reading this? Do you have any time this week? Can we just go for it?

Here's a video from last January's show at the New Vintage with my full band. Check out +Dan Canon on the back up vocals and guitar.

• Buy tickets to the January 9 show here. I play at 8:00. (You know I start on time!)
• Also -- I've got six shows confirmed in the UK for Feb/March. Does anyone in the Midlands want to host a house concert on Wed March 4? Or anyone in the Lowlands or Glasgow want to host one on Friday March 6?
• Happy new year, friends!

We always rent our house out and go to Lubbock, Texas, to visit family for the holidays. This year we made a detour and drove directly to Austin, Texas, to visit my BFF and her three-week-old baby (and her husband and her 4-year-old too, of course ... but let's be ). If you read my blog, you know that the new baby is named Brigid -- still mindblowing to me. 

I have a couple amazing former students who volunteered as tributes and made a video for everyone's favorite interfaith hanukkah country song: Mazel Tonk!

Enjoy. It makes me laugh. Dreidel goes line-dancing!! Can't. Take. It.