I really should have said semi-helpful tip--actually just enough tip to scrape by with in the most-used circumstances. Its about this business of lie and lay. You see, its easy when you think of it as a matter of Eggs.

Chickens LAY eggs. But I LIE down. Your friends LIE down. Your mother LIES down. And even that no-good uncle LIES down. The thing to remember here is that the only critter that LAYS is the chickenand it lays something from inside itself to outside of itself--eggs. (I really dont think youd want to do that, now would you?

You do not lay eggs. Probably no one in your immediate circle of acquaintances lays eggs. So, if you, your family or friends want to take a nap or read, they do not lay down to lay eggs, they all LIE down. In fact, they may be LYING all over the place, chatting, even as they're telling the truth.

Howeverand heres where it gets stickyif any one of you puts yourself somewhere, as on the couch or on the table or in the hammock, you LAY yourself there. You LAY a book on the shelf. I am LAYING the book on the shelf. LAY the money on the counter, would you please? You and I are LAYING the money on the counter.

Were living in the Now here. If we move to the future, everything changes. Those of you who prefer Living In The Now may shudder at the idea of scrolling down further. I wouldnt blame you. Perhaps after a good meal youll be up to the challenge.

Here goes: If I took a nap YESTERDAY, I LAY down yesterday for a nap. Everyone who wanted to take a rest LAY down last Sunday for a nap.

But before we all did, we LAID the book on the table, we LAID the money on the counter, and we LAID our papers on the table. Odd, isnt it?

To summarize: People: RIGHT NOW we LIE down, and we ARE LYING down now, but YESTERDAY we LAY down.

Objects/Things: TODAY we LAY the book down, and I am LAYING it down here, but YESTERDAY we LAID it down somewhere and now we cant find it.

Further than this we will not venture. Take three deep breaths and go have a beer.

Carole McMichaels

If this is to be a true Bio, it must be in first person singular, so here I am, giving you all my "Singular I's". My life has been long, unconventional, exciting and filled with music, my first love and my first career.

Were it not for an absence of current rules and regulations, I would not be here at all. You see, my father was my mother's cello teacher--a horrible no-no in today's school world. They were married in the Interlachen Music Camp where my father taught trumpet and conducting.

As a child I gave many recitals, usually the first half on piano, the last half on violin. I loved it, but would have preferred (though I didn't know it at the time) music written by live people rather than by dead white men. Still my preference.

A favorite past-time of my four-year's-younger brother and me was to sing rounds a half-step apart. Great ear training for the contemporary music in which I later specialized! Playing hours of orchestral and chamber music--and kick-the-can, swimming, reading and traveling rounded out my childhood activities. A happy childhood!

As an adult I migrated to New York City where my professional life took different turns. I stopped the violin in favor of accompanying instrumental and vocal recitals. Then, because of injuries, I did a stint as a Broadway dancer--and finally ended up as a classical singer. Working with Leonard Bernstein for his time as conductor of the New York Philharmonic was an exhilarating experience.

At the time, 12-tone music was the be-all and end-all of the New York music scene; singers who could sing these beasts were few and far between. However, because I had perfect pitch and a strong instrumental background, I had a fertile field for my interests and abilities.

For variety I sang on cruise ships, did musical comedy, an occasional substitute job as organist in some of the large churches (a total thrill!) Did a bit of folk dancing on Puerto Rican TV, some pretty humorous modeling jobs, and set up the first audio language program in Tehran, Iran.

I have a lovely daughter, compassionate and creative.

For the last thirty years I've been a hypnotherapist, working with individuals and presenting workshops on a variety of topics. My passion is teaching!

Now I specialize in helping performers and public speakers prepare their presentations; using Energy Psychology, we permanently jettison their stage fright. Very interesting and gratifying work!

And I write.