Women Making Music – Linda Shew Wolf

Women Making Music – Linda Shew Wolf

by | Jan 28, 2022 | Asheville, Jazz, Musician, Women

She’s a graduate of Cornell University. This published author, mother to Julie and Chris and professional saxophonist and electric violinist moved to WNC in 2017 and has been tooting her horn in various ensembles and bands ever since.

For the past 20 years, she’s played in a Middle-Eastern, psychedelic rock group based out of Chicago called Ovadya. Closer to home, you’ll find her performing with Magenta Sunshine, an original Caribbean-funk-pop group as well Swing Step, a swing and jazz quintet. She’s a member of the Rewind House Band, playing 50s-80s dance music. And she’s part of the “red hot” original funk-jazz group called GrudaTree. The band leaders of these and other groups have invited her to be part of their circles, calling her inspiring and humble.

In July of 2018, I was asked to join Swing Step for a one-off show at The Asheville Guitar Bar. Our first rehearsal for that performance is where my acquaintance with this excellent player and genuine
person began.

Because of the hectic holidays and the Omicron variant, Linda and I thought it best for me to send her questions she could write answers to in her own words.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Chandler, AZ in October 1952, and I’m the firstborn of four. I have two sisters and a brother, all born within 5 years, so we were quite a tight little tribe. Once my dad was finished with his Air Force career, we moved back to Ithaca, NY where I was raised.

How old were you when you found yourself drawn to the saxophone and violin?

I took violin in grade and high school but didn’t take it seriously in the sense of a calling or passion. My mother would not let me quit and being an obedient kid, I kept at it. I spent my college years listening to a boyfriend’s collection of vinyl. He had everything from Hank Williams to the Grateful Dead, from John Coltrane to Charlie Parker. It was the R&B saxophone players who caught my ear. The joyful, physical voice of the saxophone literally pulled at me, and it became my greatest desire to find that voice for myself.  I worked at restaurants by day and taught myself the saxophone by night. I was out jamming on an old student model Conn just a few months after I bought it; I was in love!

In my 40s I joined an original band that focused on Middle Eastern modalities (Ovadya) which drew me back to the violin. Since the band was large and loud, I moved to electric violin with all the cool pedals and effects.

Can you cite a technique in the way you play that sets you apart from others?

My sound is more based on lyricism than on impressive speed. I gravitate to melodies and harmonies more than to solos. My greatest satisfaction comes from playing harmonically interesting horn lines and heads. My favorite thing is to listen and respond to what my fellow musicians are doing.

For swing music, I adapt to the kind of campy style horn players had back in the day. For edgy funk music, I like taking liberties with rhythm and searching for the notes that really push the envelope.

What is your rehearsal routine?

I own an editorial company so I relish band rehearsals when I can walk away from my devices and enter the music zone. When I am developing new tunes with a band, that gives me the impetus to refine parts on my own, and that’s when I dedicate time to personal practice. I like to focus on complicated jazz heads and solo riffs I admire and play them in all 12 keys until they become like old friends.

When it’s your turn to solo, what are you thinking about, other than the chord progression? Do the lyrics influence your choices and phrasing? Does the tone and texture of a lead singer’s voice influence the way you play?

Absolutely. What a great set of questions, and you answered them in the way you phrased it. I do find myself responding to the singer’s style and phrasing in the way I start a solo, and it’s satisfying to play something complimentary that leads back naturally to the vocals.

Do you work out your solos ahead of time or do you play in the moment?

I’m totally in the moment. I work at keeping the rhythm fresh. I have such a tendency to listen and then respond. I play like a singer who allows a chord to land and then shows it some love.

When playing an instrumental score with a saxophone solo section do you hear evidence of your playing creating something the rest of the band is inspired to follow?

Those are the best moments of co-creation. If someone expresses an idea, I support and augment it. If I’m expressing an idea, it’s wonderful when others in the group do the same. Weaving lines, ideas and rhythms together is the high point of the night.

Who writes the horn arrangements in the original groups?

There are times that it’s a clean slate situation and one of us will sail in with an idea that is then refined by others in the group.

“They” say that playing saxophone is the closest thing, physically speaking, to singing. Do you aspire to sing more in the future?

I have rare moments where singing is almost as much fun as playing. But my real voice is the alto sax.

Linda met her now deceased husband, Bobby Wolf when she was in her 20’s. Their daughter Julie posted on social media, this tribute to him in Feb 2020, 4 years after his passing: The first time my dad met my mom, she was playing saxophone in a band he was trying out for in Chicago. When he saw her, he told his friend he was going to marry her because of the way she played. They would play secret love tunes back and forth during rehearsals. They fell in love and got married. They chose each other for 40 years until he passed away at 64 with her by his side.

“Playing music is when I feel most in communion with the spirit of my husband as well as with my own.”

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter.
For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

Take Control of Your Finances

Take Control of Your Finances

by | Jan 28, 2022 | Asheville, Business, Finances, money, Women

Assessing the big picture of your personal finances can be very beneficial when making personal and financial decisions and choices.

At least once a year, consider taking stock of your assets, liabilities, and financial goals. Understanding how much money you have will help you learn how best to earn and save the amount of money you want. Consider the following tips for understanding your financial net worth.

Track What You Have

Most personal finance articles begin by asking you to track your expenses or write down your spending. However, it is more important to start with the baseline knowledge of the money and resources
you currently have.

Companies create annual reports for a reason. Whether you use Excel, Mint, or even old-fashioned pencil and paper, first list your assets. How much do you make in salary or wages? Do you own your home or rent? Do you have a vehicle? Have you started saving for retirement? Do you have any kind of cash emergency fund?

You don’t even have to list exact numbers. The idea of this exercise is simply to give you a bigger-picture idea of how much you earn and what assets you have. Knowing what you own, what your earning potential is, and how you save and invest money is what you want to learn by doing this step.

Consider Your Expenses

Don’t wear yourself out by writing down every penny you spend for a week or a month. That can become a huge chore very quickly. When you’re done doing that, mostly all you have is a list of your least consequential expenses.

If you feel you must record your expenses, focus on the big ones. What do you spend on housing, student loans, car loans, credit card debt, home or life insurance, health insurance premiums, utility bills, ongoing medical and prescription costs, and retirement contributions?

Write the list by either entering expenses as monthly costs (for premiums you pay annually; remember to divide them by 12) or as annual ones. This will give you an idea of the costs in your life that are non-negotiable. Adding up those expenses gives you a better idea of the real money that you spend each year, and how it compares to the number of your earnings and assets.

Once you understand the big numbers in your life, you should examine the more incidental numbers. Even small expenses can eventually add up to big ones. Add up what you spend on clothing, gifts, streaming services, subscriptions, food, and recreation. Once you’ve listed those expenses, go back and consider if you are engaging in smart spending. Do you fully use every subscription you have? Are there ways you can save on your transportation budget?

Make Financial Goals

Truly understanding your assets and liabilities can help you better understand your finances. Now you need to think even bigger.

Finance is not only about numbers; it is also about emotion. How do you feel about your money picture? What would you change about your income and your spending if you could? Your answers to such questions should guide the goals that you make for your money and investments.

Would you like to earn more money? Make it a goal, and consider ways you can achieve it. Write down your plans for finding a better-paying job, developing a side gig, or asking for a raise. Do you think you could
improve the way you save money? Make it a goal to investigate ways to increase your retirement contributions. Are you confused about the best ways to invest money? Plan to learn more about the stock market, bonds, or other investment methods.

You don’t have to make a specific number of goals. All you have to do is take the goals you make seriously. Making and meeting even one financial goal per year can make a huge difference over your lifetime.

Educate Yourself on Money Matters

Everyone expects to be naturally good at money but very few people are.

Being good with money is often a matter of developing good financial habits and skills. Skills require education. After investigating your finances, take some time to learn about new money terms and topics. Read some personal investing magazines or websites. Ask people you know financial questions (they don’t have to be personal). Watch a YouTube video or take an online class about learning to invest in the stock market.

The more you know about money, and specifically, your money, the better prepared you’ll be to earn, save, and use it. 

Ways to Show Someone You Care About Them

Ways to Show Someone You Care About Them

by | Jan 28, 2022 | Asheville, Communication, Depression, Friendship, relationships

It’s important to show loved ones you care about them. Sometimes, you might imagine there’s no need because they should simply know. But, even if you’ve had a relationship with them for a long time, it’s still valuable to relay your affection. When you show you care, the bond between you strengthens and you crush any doubts that you hold them in
positive regard.

How to show someone you care:

Focus on what’s important to them

You convey your interest in someone when you focus on what’s important to them. Your attention to their likes and dislikes expresses your wish to support their happiness, and your attention suggests you find them likable.

So, if someone you care for is passionate about saving wildlife or painting, take an interest in these topics. Ask them about the plight of dwindling species or what they like to paint and why. You’ll learn more about them and show
you care.

Practice active listening

People rarely listen well to one another. They are too busy thinking about what they want to say. Or their minds wander to another subject like what they want to do later. Just as not being listened to makes people feel unloved, listening attentively helps them know you care about them.

Give people your full attention when they speak. Note their body language, what they say, and their tone of voice. Imagine what you might feel if you were in their shoes and let them speak without interrupting them.

Remember little details

Has anyone ever remembered little details about you like your favorite color or why you love your favorite movie? No doubt, if they did, it warmed your heart because you understood it meant they cared
for you.

Show you care by making a mental note of the little intrinsic things someone mentions about themselves. They may seem trivial to you, but recalling them demonstrates your affection.

Give support

Supporting someone when they need it can help them in practical and emotional ways. It can make them realize how much you care too. Knowing you are there for them when they are
at their lowest point gives them courage and shows affection.

Give someone who needs your support extra attention. Stay in contact often and ask them what you can do to help. Be available if they need your time and energy when you can, and let them know you care by being thoughtful.

Stay connected

You might not always be able to see the people you care about in person, but you can still connect. There are several ways to stay in touch. Phone them, email, or use Skype. Or join classes and carry them out together via Zoom. Don’t underestimate the power of old-fashioned snail mail, too. It’s heartening to receive a friendly letter through the post.

Show the real you

You might not have considered being your authentic
self shows you care. But people can sense when you hide essential qualities. It sends the message you don’t trust them enough to reveal the actual you.

Let people you care about see the sincere version of you so they can connect with you. Tell them when you’re upset so they can be supportive and share your hopes and dreams.

Offer spontaneous kindness

You don’t need a reason to be kind when you want to show how much you care about someone. Act with unprompted kindness now and then. Give them flowers or a potted plant “just because.” Or send an unexpected gift purchased when you were out of town for the day. Or leave an encouraging or loving note for them to find.

Spend quality time together

The amount isn’t as significant as the quality of time you spend with someone. Avoid multitasking when you’re together. Constant phone checking, for instance, signals lack of care and attention. The message is you find your phone or the people you communicate with on it more interesting. Stick with the person you’re with if you go out together too. If you meet new people,
introduce them to your companion rather than flit around the room like a lone butterfly.

Share resources

 You need not always share resources with someone to show you care, but sometimes it’s fun, kind, or appropriate because that’s what people who are close do. Some resources are material such as money or food. Others are practical, like physical help, or spiritual. You can also show you care by sharing knowledge. Teaching someone skills like cooking or gardening, for example, is a valuable gift.

Give validation and acceptance

When you validate someone, you accept them as they are, and you acknowledge their views and emotions. You accept their account of what happens knowing their experience is personal and legitimate, even when yours differs.

It helps to give positive feedback too. Let people know how they affect you. If they lift your mood or help you, or you just appreciate them for being themselves, say so to demonstrate appreciation.

There are many ways to show someone you care about them. They involve giving attention and being thoughtful and generous. One of the terrific things about caring is it’s a win-win practice. When you give, you also receive. Happy hormones flood your system and your relationships blossom.

Want To Start Journaling?

Want To Start Journaling?

by | Jan 28, 2022 | Asheville, Healing, Health, Positive Change

Here Are Practical Tips to Set You on Your Way

Journaling has many health benefits. It offers you an opportunity to express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Among other benefits, journaling helps to improve your memory and to heal you, both physically and psychologically. 

Journaling can take many forms. One day you could make entries in a diary format. The next day you might draw or scribble. Then you could make a list of things for which you are thankful. All these activities are forms of journaling. The idea is to work through your emotions and record your feelings and insights. In the process, you reap physical and emotional benefits.

While there’s no right or wrong way to keep a journal, starting may be intimidating. Below are some pointers on how to start, what to expect, and how to keep journaling.  

Create a writing routine

You could make it first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. This will help you stay on track and incorporate journaling into your daily schedule. Ease yourself into journaling by keeping it simple at the beginning. Use your own style and do what feels right for you. 

Write about anything 

You could write about what inspires you, what bothers you, or what you enjoy. Use your journal as an outlet for releasing your emotions. You will find it easier to handle your fears, frustrations, joys, sadness, and
other emotions when you write them down.

Don’t be limited to writing, especially if you don’t enjoy writing. Draw, compose a song, or write a letter. It’s your space. Use it in your way. You might find online journaling prompts useful.

Have realistic expectations

In the beginning, don’t expect to unravel great insights into your emotions. This comes with time. Additionally, don’t expect journaling to solve all your problems. However, as you progressively get into the habit, you will learn more about yourself and how to handle your emotions. 

Be judgment-free

Don’t censor yourself, don’t judge yourself or withhold self-compassion. Be free in your writing, and remember you’re writing for your eyes only. Be honest and authentic about your feelings. Express yourself creatively.

Maintaining the habit

Starting a journal is the easy part; maintaining the habit is harder. It takes self-discipline. If need be, look for help and coaching online to help you stick with the practice. 

Below are some pointers to help you maintain the habit.

Start a gratitude list   

Start a list of things for which you are grateful. Add to the list every day. It could be anything – you got out of bed today; you had a pleasant walk in the park. You can then expound on the list, giving details that help you to appreciate the positive things in your life. This should motivate you to write daily as you examine your feelings.

Write on a diary or calendar 

Make your journal entries on a large desk calendar or a diary with large spaces. Write a sentence or a list every day. If you miss a day, it will be blank and this should motivate you to write daily.

Make a template

To nudge yourself to write, you could create a template that you use every day. Perhaps you could ask yourself a question like, “What did I do well today?” or “What made me happy today?” or “What can I do better tomorrow?” In time, you will get into the habit of writing with these questions at the back of your mind. 

Final thoughts

Journaling helps to keep you in contact with your thoughts. It can improve your writing, and help you to keep a rein on your emotions. To reap the rewards, you need to be consistent and make entries daily. This means taking your journal with you everywhere you go.

Understanding the Risks of Vaginal Cancer

Understanding the Risks of Vaginal Cancer

by | Dec 30, 2021 | Asheville, Health, Women, Women's Magazine

Many people have a natural reluctance to talk about gynecological issues, and that reticence can make those diseases even more dangerous and deadly. Vaginal cancer is a case in point. Many women are reluctant to discuss sensitive issues with their family doctors, and that can make the diagnosis and treatment of this serious illness that much more difficult.

Another thing that makes vaginal cancer so hard to diagnose is that it often causes no symptoms – at least in the early stages of the disease. As the tumors grow and spread, women may notice a variety of symptoms, and these signs should be brought to the attention of a doctor as soon as possible.

Some of the most common symptoms of vaginal cancer include unusual bleeding, particularly after sex or following the onset of menopause. Women may also notice a watery vaginal discharge or chronic pelvic pain. Other symptoms to watch out for include a lump or mass inside the vagina, constipation and painful urination. While these symptoms can be caused by a number of less serious conditions, they should always be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

While all women are at risk of vaginal cancer, advancing age and exposure to certain drugs can predispose certain women to the disease. Women over 60 are at higher risk for vaginal cancer, and those women should have regular pap smears and gynecological exams. Women who were exposed to the drug diethylstilbestrol, or DES, in utero are also at increased risk. DES was used throughout the 1950s to prevent miscarriages. An unfortunate side effect of this commonly used drug was an increase in the risk of vaginal cancer among women exposed to the agent before birth.

Exposure to HPV infections is another risk factor for not only vaginal cancer but cervical cancer as well. That is why it is so important for all women to have regular pap tests to look for signs of an HPV infection. A past history of cervical cancer can also increase the risk of developing vaginal cancer, so survivors need to be especially vigilant about their follow-up care.

 Any woman who suspects she might have vaginal cancer should discuss those concerns with her doctor. An experienced doctor will be able to evaluate the symptoms and determine whether they are truly cause for concern. During that process, the doctor will perform a thorough physical exam and take a detailed medical history to help determine specific risk.

The doctor may also perform a thorough gynecological exam to look for lumps and other suspicious masses inside the vagina and throughout the lower abdomen. Women can also expect to undergo a pap test as part of the examination process. The doctor will then take the results of the pap test, along with the results of the physical exam, and use them to make a preliminary diagnosis. If cancer is suspected, the doctor may order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, followed by a course of treatment tailored to the stage of the disease and the individual patient.

Every woman is at risk from vaginal cancer, and it is up to every woman to look for signs and symptoms of this serious disease. If you suspect that you or someone you love may be suffering from vaginal cancer, the first step is to consult a doctor and undergo the examination that could save the life of you or your loved one.

Persimmon Matcha Crumble with Ginger Molasses

Persimmon Matcha Crumble with Ginger Molasses

by | Dec 29, 2021 | Asheville, Cooking, Food, Recipes, Women

 Ingredients

1 1/2 cups almond flour

2 tbsp. arrowroot

3/4 cup coconut sugar

1 1/2 sticks of butter (3/4 cup) room temperature

1 tbs. matcha powder

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. psyllium husk, or xanthan gum

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup fuyu persimmon puree, 2-3 ripe persimmons

3 eggs, room temperature

1/4 cup cashew milk, or other milk

1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, optional

Ginger Molasses

1 tbs. molasses

1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, smashed into a paste, or powder

Blend together.

Drizzle around persimmon crumble before serving.

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter or oil inside of muffin trays. Dust with flour.

Whisk flours, baking powder, match powder, salt, psyllium husk in a medium bowl.

Set aside

Whisk milk and 1 cup of persimmon puree in a small bowl. Set aside.

For puree: peel and slice 2 ripe persimmons. Pulse slices in a small processor, or mash by hand. Save some slices of persimmon for garnish.

Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the sugar and 3/4 cup butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. About 4 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions and occasionally scraping down the sides with a spatula. Add vanilla and almond extract.

Reduce your speed to low and add dry ingredients in 3 additions. Alternate the persimmon & milk mixture with the dry mixture. Add dry ingredients last.

Beat until just combined. Fold in the hazelnuts if using.

Scrape the batter into prepared muffin trays, 3/4 full.

Bake the muffins, rotating half way through, until golden brown and a tester inserted comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool in pan for 20 minutes.

Carefully remove muffins from the pan and transfer to the plate of choice. Make a crumble with the muffins across the plate. Serve with the ginger molasses.

Sprinkle some matcha powder around the plate.

Buon Appetito

For scheduled Cooking Classes in Asheville, Visit: LaurieRichardone.com

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