with Piano; My grandfather Jim Dickey (1933-2018) had a charming sense of humor that often left people in fits of laughter. He could easily tell captivating stories to young children, many of which included quirky similes or metaphors. After he passed away, my brother and I reminisced about all the phrases Grandpa Jim would say. In that time of sorrow and grief, we were able to laugh and reflect on the impression our grandfather made on us. I do not consider myself a composer. As Grandpa Jim would say, I compose slower than molasses in January. Still, in summer 2024 I experienced a burst of creativity that resulted in this set of miniatures for tuba and piano. The short pieces are inspired by a simile, some of which I say in everyday speech or while I am teaching students. My personal favorites include “like ten pounds of sausage in a five-pound casing,” which describes something being a wee bit over the top or excessive, and “as cute as a corgi wearing a bow tie.” I think the image of a precious corgi wearing a bow tie speaks for itself, yes?