Posted by My story begins mid-to-late 2018, when I discovered The Doctor Blake Mysteries on Netflix. I fell in love with the show! It was a particularly depressing time in my life, so the show was something I could look forward to. When I ran out of episodes on Netflix, I promptly found more for purchase on iTunes! The show was just perfect: a period show in what I consider to be a simpler time AND an Aussie show with a detective doctor! It was superbly written, acted and produced. I still love to watch it.
For the first time, I made steps to make my dreams of a trip to Australia a reality! For so long, I’ve wanted to visit this beautiful country, to visit friends, and to see the water swirl the wrong-way-round.
While watching The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Craig planted a seed in the various piano scenes with Jean and Lucien. Imagine my surprise when I learned Craig is a musician too! My life was forever changed by Craig’s album “My Little Acoustic Record”. I can name the exact place where it all hit me. I was listening to “My Little Acoustic” record on a car trip and was on my way home. Craig was playing all of the instruments on these songs! What? Wow! From the first day I heard them, It’s Alright and Hear the World Cry have been my favorites, for different reasons. Craig’s music can both uplift and bring calm. I’m still amazed.
Inspired by Craig, I decided to learn to play the keyboard. I have no musical background, except a brief period in 6th grade where I had a failed attempt at playing the clarinet and the basic choir in school. I bought a keyboard for my birthday, but I quickly upgraded to a better digital keyboard, followed by an inexpensive ukulele! Followed by a Rotary meeting which will be forever named the “Uke Summit”, I lost my first uke to an auction to raise funds for polio eradication. So now, my uke has been upgraded too! I now have three of them, and fear it’s the beginning of ukulele acquisition syndrome. My favorite is a Hawaiin soprano uke. I had no idea how to even hold or tune the uke so the learning was steep. As we move through the COVID pandemic, the music has been such a blessing.
Craig is my inspiration. I thank him beyond what words can express. One day, hopefully, I can thank Craig in person. His gift keeps giving.
With love, Missy Houghtaling
