Breakfast

Working to overcome an early-onset bloggers block, I thought I’d head to low-hanging fruit–something that even the most blocked-up blogger can blog about: FOOD!

Yes, food. I like it. You like it. Everybody needs it. So why not start the day off right with something nutritional, filling, and low-calorie. Here is the recipe for my typical breakfast. If you are a Noomer, this will be right up your alley, as this is low-calorie density all the way. And only 270 calories.

Kelly’s Breakfast

1/2 cup Brown Rice (I make my rice with chicken stock)
1/2 cup Black Beans
Cooking spray and/or olive oil (I use a little of each)
A big handful of shredded cabbage*
Salsa (optional)
Hot sauce (optional)
Seasoning

* I typically use Kroger’s or Safeway’s cole slaw mix (without the dressing). When I’m at Trader Joes, I get their Cruciferous Crunch Collection, as it also includes Kale, Broccoli and Brussel sprouts in addition to cabbage. For black beans, I prefer the seasoned ones that Kroger makes under their Simple Truth label. (You can get this at QFC and Fred Meyer if you are in the Northwest.)

To prepare, heat a small wok that has been sprayed with cooking spray. I add a half teaspoon of olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the rice, beans, salsa and seasoning. Stir fry for a minute or two. Then add the cabbage mix and as it starts to wilt under the heat, stir with the rest of the mixture, adding hot sauce and more seasoning as needed. Stir fry for another minute.

Put it on a festive plate and eat is slowly, savoring every bite. You’ll notice that this will stick with you for the rest of the morning.

Enjoy!

If you have a favorite breakfast you like to prepare, please share in the comments.

I Know Your Name

Here is a song I wrote and recorded in 2002. It is loosely based on the biblical parable of the prodigal son, sung from the perspective of the father. I have written a few on this theme, as this is one of my favorite passages from the bible. Most of these songs have never seen the light of day.

I know your name
I know your heart
I know all about you
I know your dreams
I know your fears
And I know what’s in store for you

Open up the door into your life
Open up your heart and let me inside
‘Cause I know your name

I hear your cries
I feel your tears
And I long to console you
Though you are crushed
My balm is sweet
As I begin to heal you

Open up the door into your life
Open up your heart and let me inside
‘Cause I know your name
I know who you are
‘Cause I know your name
I know who you are

I go after the one
And leave the ninety-nine
For my heart for you my child
Is that you would not be lost
But be found in me
Be found in me

Be found in me
Come home to me

For I am waiting
Come home to me
For I am searching
Come home to me

How I’ve longed to see you
How I’ve longed to hear your voice
Call out for me
‘Cause I’ve been waiting
‘Cause I know your name
I know your name
And I love you
And I love you

I know your name

‘Cause I know your name
I know who you are
‘Cause I know your name
I know who you are

Words and Music by Kelly Carpenter
© 2002 Kelly Carpenter Music / KelSongs

Comedians in Cars

I made an interesting discovery today. One of my compositions was used as background music in an episode of the Jerry Seinfeld series, “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee”. Specifically, it is the episode featuring Don Rickles, titled “You’ll Never Play The Copa”.

Around 10 years ago I collaborated with a friend of mine, Erich Gruber, on making what is called “production music”, essentially music to be used in television and film. Over the course of a year, we cooked up about a dozen pieces and sent them to a publisher who Erich had gotten to know. Eventually a few of our songs made it to various television shows over the years.

One of my pieces, originally titled “Easin'”, a song with an easy-going big band swing feel, got picked up by a few music catalog publishers. It eventually made its way to a large catalog publisher called Jingle Punks. As is the case with these music catalogs, when a song gets picked up, it is renamed to something unique so that the correct publisher is identified when it comes time to pay and collect royalties. So “Easin'” became known as “Steady As She Goes”, which is not to be confused with the song by the Raconteurs.

Anything I write that gets published is registered with a performing rights organization (PRO), in my case ASCAP, which is responsible for collecting performance royalties on my behalf. It is the responsibility of a record label or television or film production company to report to the PRO the fact that they used a composition. Eventually the royalties trickle their way to the publisher and the composer in a 50/50 split.

I just got a notice today for my quarterly ASCAP royalty payout. Normally, I don’t really pay attention to what I’m earning money for, but I was curious today–probably because I am retired now and I have time to be curious! So I poked around on the website to take a look at the “Works” that I have collected royalties for, and there it was, a song credited to me and Erich that got placed on Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.

Now I have no idea how much I have actually earned from this; there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to find out. About 99% of the money I earn from ASCAP is attributed to one song I wrote, “Draw Me Close”. So for “Steady As She Goes” maybe I’ve earned a few bucks. Who knows?

So, here is the original recording of “Easin'”. Enjoy!

Slow Down

So here I am all retired now–It’s been over a month–and I have all sorts of plans. Like starting a new blog. Getting back into music production. Housey projects. Taking lots of hikes with our puppy dog. Gardening.

I admit I am a bit embarrassed that I had all but abandoned my other site, kellycarpentermusic.com, these past six years. But for all intents and purposes, other than gigging with a few bands, I have not done much music since I went back to IT work.

So, I have plans.

Meanwhile, a friend of mine who retired two months before me told me how he mostly naps a lot. Napping? Not me!

Or so I thought.

It turns out that I have been taking a lot of naps lately.

I have heard from other retirees that the first year of retirement is challenging. I live in a constant tension of feeling I need to be doing something productive versus feeling like that pillow is my new friend. I have found that I am not alone.

So, as much as I would like to impress with daily blogging and cranking out a bunch of new music and building that new wing on our house…

It seems that I need to….. slow….. down….

Speaking of, here is that classic bit from Taxi…

When I’m Sixty-Four

That happens to be TODAY!! This is what I call my “Beatles Birthday”. And for a birthday present for myself, I decided to finally launch kellycarpenter.com.

I’m retired now. I have time to blog again (and the motivation to do so). So, stay tuned. I plan to blog about whatever crosses my mind. Obviously music stuff, but thoughts on retirement, aging, our dog, whatever.

So here is a YouTube of the famous Beatles song.