Annual Letter 2022

Dear friends and family around the world — I write this year from New York City on a brief holiday, and on the cusp of the turning of this hemisphere from darkness to light at the Winter Solstice. But still this planet is plunged into darkness of our own creation: the clamor and evil of

#TBT: Scrooge

Here’s a throwback to 1988, when I played Scrooge in Leslie Bricusse’s eponymous musical, with the Blue Springs City Theatre. I wore those mutton chops proudly for a few weeks! This photo is of “I’ll begin again,” Scooge’s big redemption scene.

It’s coming

The weather is changing! And just in time, Maisie has found her bed in front of the fireplace.The weather is changing!

Matt

In NYC, I awoke on Sunday to news that a University of Kansas choir-mate had died. Matt was a bright light, with an infectious laugh and a huge personality. He had moved to NYC after graduating KU, and was currently living in Florida. His birthday — he would have been in his mid 40s —

Students

I enjoyed catching up with these three former students in New York City. I failed to get a picture with one other. And two others who had originally scheduled could not make connections work. One of my professed purposes for coming to New York City was to see people I love and renew connections. Mission

At Carnegie

I attended last evening a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Oratorio Society of New York. At Carnegie Hall. Aside from an incredibly rude audience member in the row in front of me — a man of a certain age who should know better, but who spent half the performance texting and arranging icons on his iPhone

35

The diabetes journey continues. I’m now down 35 pounds from where I was in later May 2022. Here are pics with Owen as a comparison, from a recital in June and a recital a week ago: The face tells the biggest difference! And with Declan: And Kiki:

FA22 ends

The end of semester snuck up on me, and suddenly last Thursday all was done and over! Here are shots with many of my Webster University voice students after their juries . . . .

Pop

On this day five years ago, my father, V. Richard Carter, went on to his heavenly reward. I find it inconceivable that we are already at the five-year mark! The world has certainly been in tumult this last half-decade. May his soul rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him. From five years

Inauspicious

My first significant trip to NYC since the Before Times has started rather inauspiciously. Yuck weather in NYC caused my flight to be delayed by two hours. That later arrival meant traffic was worse, and my taxi to the hotel was more expensive than usual because of the increased travel time. I ended up walking