Christmas Eve

Wow...holidays are such a busy time. I've been cleaning yards today and just starting the preparations inside for dinner tomorrow. Justin has been here today and we've had a blast. He actually got to use yard implements today for the first time. He helped rake and bag all the leaves in the front yard. Did a pretty good job, but I had to go after him and take care of some small stuff.



Otherwise, I wanted to take a minute to wish you all happy holidays. I may not have much time to blog for the next few days. I hope you all get to spend these days with people you love!



Ray

Christmas blues...

I sat down with a heavy sigh this evening after talking with my mother in North Carolina. This is the first holiday season without my Grandmother and all of her six remaining children seem to be going through a major depression. My mother hasn't had the spirit of Christmas at all...not even to decorate a tree or put up the usual holiday accoutrements this year. There won't be a big holiday bash will all the children and grandchildren this year for the first time in 45 years.

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Most of my early childhood memories (at least the best memories) are of Christmas eve at my grandparents home with all of my cousins and aunts and uncles...tons of food and presents under the tree for every person. I hadn't made the trip home for Christmas since 1987...I always went the week before or the week after to avoid the holiday rush. This year was going to be the first time in 17 years I made the trip home actually for Christmas day, but now it's not going to happen.

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We all went through some sort of holiday depression after my father died and after my grandfather died. But it seems to be worse this time around. The end of an era I guess. Oh well...life goes on and each year will be a bit easier and we'll gradually get back into some form of normalcy. My mom and her sister will be here in two weeks and I'm hoping the Mexico cruise and our Disneyland trip will bring some joy and laughter that we all need.

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I intend to make this Christmas the best it can be and spend it with people I love. I hope you all get to do the same! My grandmother and I were very close and I can proudly say that there was nothing left unsaid between us. I loved her and I called her at least twice a month to talk for sometimes hours at a time. It was a security blanket for me...knowing that no matter where I went in life, there was a part of me that was grounded just by knowing where I came from and that there are people that love me unconditionally.

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If there is any intent to this message other than to get some things off my mind, it is to stress that we should love and treasure those closest to us. Don't let life get in the way of spending time and appreciating those people. The holidays are the best time to slow down and show them how much you care just by sharing the time with them.

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Happy Holidays and may God bless each of you this season!

Holiday Wishes for 2004

Holiday Greetings to one and all!

Wow, what a year! 2004 started out with a bang at a New Years’ Eve party at Amy and Matt Sagraves home which went until way past midnight (more like 5am) and it was a wonderful time. I got to see the love of my life, Laura Nelson, and spent the next two days in bed recuperating from the over-abundance of cheer!

Otherwise…life was eventful this year. I was in a production of Sound of Music as Uncle Max; worked as director and singer in a production of Bizet’s opera, The Pearl Fishers; musical director for productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Smokey Joe’s Café; actor and director for Sleeping Beauty and director for Snow White; and Oscar Madison in a production of The Odd Couple. I’m getting ready to sing for a Cabaret for New Years’ Eve this holiday season and recently was cast as Horton the Elephant in an upcoming RSP production of Seussical the Musical.

I got to see my first real Broadway show with Fiddler on the Roof in New York in June. Mom and I got to go backstage and meet the cast thanks to my friend, Elaine Lord, who plays in the orchestra for that show. We also got to see 42nd Street on Broadway as well with Shirley Jones in the role of Dorothy Brock. Both of them were magical experiences and I fell in love with the city (except for the traffic and the rude people).

I won my first Elly award after 7 years of nominations for music directing Smokey Joe’s Café. I am continuing to serve on the Board of Directors for Runaway Stage Productions who also had a wonderful year with eight Elly Awards (out of 34 nominations…the most of any other company in town).

My company, Sprint, is winding down its Sacramento-based operations. We all see the writing on the wall and I won’t have a job there much longer as of January 28th. I am looking forward to the severance package and will probably take a year or so off. I am leaving for a cruise to Mexico with my mother in January which is going to be her Christmas present this year.

I added a new member to my clan with a new dog, Odie, in October of this year. He is Dachshund/Corgi and is a real cutie pie. He and my other dog, Lucy, get along really well. I started renovating my home with new furniture, appliances, drapes, new garage door, landscaping, etc. It is almost unrecognizable from its previous condition.

I’ve been able to spend more time this year with my God son, Justin, and his mom. We took a vacation to Disneyland in April. We also have started Justin on drum lessons and got him a set of drums to practice on. He is very talented and I’m sure he will do well if he sticks with it. I also was able to get back in touch with several dear friends this year…Jeff Chandler, Terry Benjamin, and Mario and LeAnne Fabian.

I cut back on my vocal and piano teaching schedule this year, but I’m planning to expand dramatically after the first of 2005. I’m taking on 10 new private students in February in anticipation of making teaching my new career.

I also lost my grandmother in June of this year. That was a big blow to my entire family. Granny Pig was the glue that held a lot of the Carlisle (my mother’s maiden name) clan together. I don’t know how the family will survive. It was a difficult time and continues to be difficult because she and I were very close.

But, we all must endure hardships like this from time to time. And those trying times are made easier because of friends like you. I wish all the best to you and yours this holiday season.

With much love,

Ray Fisher

Okay...I wasn't too bad looking at 22 years of age! What happened? 

Such a cute kid!

Cute at 5 years old!



I've been going through old photos since my grandmother died in July of this year. This is one of my favorites as a child. Some of the happiest times in my life were during these years in the early 60's.