Music as my Soundtrack

The landlord hired someone to do some work on the basement because of the water issues and I am staying at my father's for a few days. I left my guitar here when I moved because I knew this might be coming up soon and it would give me something to do. I haven't been playing the guitar at all, in fact I thought I wrote one song last year, but I looked today and the last one was Nov 2017. I played that song today. It is sad and dark. I didn't realize or remember how sad and dark it was, sometimes it is easier to see things from the outside.

The guitar playing started last night when I got on a rampage of playing along with Trevor Hall. The more I listen to his music the more I fall in love with it, especially the lyrics. Karma is one I've been playing on repeat.



When we saw him in concert earlier this year I really enjoyed his guitarist who opened for him, but I couldn't remember his name to look for his music online. I finally found it today - Will Evans. The song I most enjoyed of his today was



and THEN  five years ago my friend sent me a bunch of women doing a song a week songwriting challenge. I was in awe of this, since at my peak I was writing a song every month or two. Not many of the women completed the year long challenge, but I discovered a couple musicians I loved during the process, one of which is Tracy Grammer. I've wanted to see her live ever since. She finally came to town in December but it was right before Christmas and I wasn't here. Today I discovered she is coming to the super sweet small venue very near me in September!

And all this good music filling my heart and soul inspired me to write something I'll call a poem.

There is a richness inside of our soul

A wealth that when we find it we feel a glimpse of whole

That piece feeds limbs, feeds heart, feeds minds, feeds brains

Let it in, let it in, let it be

The place that you return to

When the music fills you

And the smells soothe you

And your eyes are quiet

Your eyes are quiet

Your eyes quiet

Enough

To see

What is there

And that sign

Is enough

That sky

That leaf

That roofline

That crack in the window

That lets in the air

Which fills your lungs

enables your body

To move

To be

To rest

And the paddle pushes

Stroke, stroke, stroke

Deeper

Towards the places

We all run from
We all run to
and from

Gallery A

#1 - We have an extra couch in the living room right now - because we had to clear out part of the basement for some water issues. The couches don't match, but I love the cozy space it creates. My favorite living rooms are small and cozy. I'd like to figure out a way to more permanently incorporate that, without it looking crowded.

#2 - My partner had a crabby day, I had a pleasant day that ended crabby, both of his children were in good moods and did a great deal to lift our spirits. Kids can definitely be added stressors in life, but they can also be immense gifts.

#3 - The youngest had a Gallery A exhibit at school, an art show were every student displays two of their best pieces. It was vibrant and more captivating than most of my art museums visits.

#4 - I made a mango avocado pasta that is super easy and a hit with the kids and I. My partner tried it for the first time and said it was delicious as well.

#5 - The oldest child asked to go to the thrift store last week. I went with and found a few cute things for myself. One I wanted to wear today to the Gallery A event, so I did a quick load of laundry this AM so that I could.

Biking to Watch La Crosse

One More Hike

#1 - "Thank you store," my almost 4 year old nephew said as he waved good-by.  It was after the first restaurant experience I have had with him where no one had to leave the restaurant early and go outside.  He sat in his chair entertaining himself with the ice cubes in his glass, making faces at his daddy etc and we were able to eat an entire meal.

#2 - We pulled into the driveway after our camping trip, as the last chapter of The Phantom Tollbooth was being played on the audiobook.  My niece sat in the car until she heard the last word.

#3 - After the other kids/families left that we were camping with.  My niece and I rolled the Story Cube game and told stories together using the 9 pictures that we rolled on the dice.  It is a difficult muscle to stretch, but a good one.

#4 - The kids wanted to take one last hike before getting in the car (or at least thought that would be an excuse to delay getting in the car).  It worked.

#5 - My niece didn't whine with me the whole weekend, however as soon as we were near her parents the whining started.  It made me think how we often save the worst of ourselves for the people we love the most.  I am as guilty as that as anyone.  When I got home this evening I was tired and didn't have much to offer my partner either besides tiredness.  He said they could have used my logistical expertise today.