Circled my favorite parts. A 13-year arc finally ended Tues w/ this long-awaited missive of release. 121 payments (almost 11 years monthly) later, my student loans are forgiven. A black $57,000 cloud just floated away. FREE. AT. LAST.

Customary “last day at the lake family dock photo” (*sniff*): Sat, Aug. 9, Birch Lake, Elk Rapids, MI. Some, who are no longer with us, were dearly missed. See you next year, Elk Rapids!

Going through those end-of-year music student thank you’s. Always meaningful.

Last week I walked away from $55,600 in student loan debt. After 10+ years teaching music and 121 consecutive monthly payments, the Feds (PSLF) have released me....given what’s happening with the Department of Ed, I’d say I got out just in time.