Impressions and Reflections

By Peter Chapel

My song lyrics were a consequence of being a captive in my automobile twice a month from 1978 to 1981 while driving eight hours at a stretch, mostly at night. This opportunity to reminisce made me recall incidents and people who, for one reason or another, left an indelible impression on my mind.



With a small cassette tape recorder by my side, I decided one day to express my thoughts, memories, and feelings. As the words formed phrases and sentences they fell into a rhythm and evolved into melodies that became my form of self-expression for about two years. I never tried, consciously, to be poetic or profound.



Writing in the first person singular seemed the easiest way to go. Taking advantage of poetic license it worked well even when I, personally, had the experience only as an observer.



Because I have had no musical training I depended on a friend to transcribe the songs from tape to lead sheet form and piano accompaniment.



Where I used real names, the songs were intended to be a tribute to the persons. Where a fictitious name was used, it was no less a tribute.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookWhirl Publishing
• Release date: Jun 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781618565525

Peter Chapel

Having The Time Of My Life is a rich account of the author’s life. It depicts the persons, places, and events in his life that he wishes to remember and acknowledge. It shows how everything and everyone around him genuinely enriched his life. This memoir brings back the tiny fragments of his history, which are poignantly remembered for a lifetime. He comes from a big family—thirteen children but only eleven grew to adulthood. He shares the quality of family bonding he and his siblings experienced while growing up. He includes the memories of his sickly childhood, his challenging coming-of-age years, and his fulfilling adulthood. In the first chapters, he features his mother’s letter to him that recounts her personal experiences and remembrances. He tells of the loving family he has, the special occasions they celebrate, their trips between the United States and Canada, the deaths of his brother and sister, and the wonderful times they share. With vivid details, he reveals his first love. He describes their acquaintance, secret dates, and the sad goodbye. He recalls of his pursuit of the girl he knows by the name of Patricia Smith and shares of his discovery of her true identity. Patricia Smith, the girl he desperately sought, was born Lucille Ann Collier whose stage name is Ann Miller—the actress, dancer, and singer. The girl of his first love is a star celebrity who has her own secrets. He shows the loving but covert poetry, music, and messages shared between Ann and him through the years. At age fifty-four, he finally meets his future wife. He portrays the unique bond he has with Patricia “Pat” Mergens – and how their honest relationship came about. His wife, Pat, had been a Catholic nun for fourteen years, who then works as a clinical dietitian at a hospital. She is a college graduate and served in the Air Force for two years. They both understand each other because of the experiences they had; that’s why they have shared a deep and special love for more than three decades already. He has some difficult years, uncomfortable moments, and heartrending times, but they are all appeased because of pleasant associations—the strangers who became friends, the wonderful friends who made a difference in his life, and the affectionate family who loves him.