gratitude

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”~ Epicurus

thank you Linda!

I grew up in a house full of music. Back in the day, the popular music scene was heavy with male voices but there were some female singers that were able to break through and become soloists in their own right. I had many of their albums and would sing along, soaking in their beautiful voices. Among these fabulous, strong women was Linda Ronstadt who rang out on the airwaves leading The Stone Poneys and who eventually went off into a solo career. This weekend Linda announced that she can no longer sing. Parkinson’s Disease has taken her voice. This news grabbed me in a way that I had not expected, knowing that she can no longer share her magnificent gift. She mainly sang other people’s songs rather than originals but she put a magnificent spin on anything she touched. There’s been an outpouring of love for her via the internet and other media since her announcement, including a very touching post from Mike Nesmith who wrote Different Drum and proclaimed that Linda did more for his song than he ever would have been able to and he was so proud and grateful that she took on his song. I hope she’s taking comfort in all the messages from her fans. It saddens me that she’s been silenced but I’m so grateful that her voice will live on in her recordings. Below are two of her recordings that are among my very favorites. Thank you Linda!  

on amazing connections

A week ago Saturday I felt a warning twinge when I stood from my chair at the end of a radio show. Looking back I should have put all the clues together and taken some precautions, but by Wednesday morning I was flat on my back and have been pretty much prone ever since. Seriously, I had no idea just how many things you can’t do when your back takes you out of commission…like point your toes, look down at your laptop screen, lift even the lightest item, the list goes on and heaven forbid you have to sneeze!

Now, I’ve always felt great love for my dog and cats and figured, based on how they like to hang around with me, that maybe they kind of liked me too. Never would I have guessed though, just how connected we are until Wednesday morning when my body decided that I wasn’t allowed to move any longer and my back muscles went into spasm. Somehow, on the verge of passing out, I found my phone, got myself to the den and half on/half off the couch, I was able to call Dave at work for help. I just couldn’t move. Eyes shut, trying to catch my breath and hanging on until Dave could get to me, I was suddenly aware that all three animals were right there with me. My dog was continuously licking my arm, one cat head-bumping my leg and making tiny noises and my other cat nuzzling my face and licking away my tears. I’ve pretty much remained on the couch since then and my cats are doing some tag-team comforting. One or the other is smashed up against me at all times and when I shuffle into another room for more advil or another ice pack, my furry companions walk with me.

Happily, this morning – almost a week later, I'm feeling some relief and can do a little bit on the laptop, heating pad behind me and cat by my side. Not exactly sure what the lesson here is except 1) never again will I make fun of the “help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercial, 2) I have to pay better attention to warning signs and twinges and take steps right away to take care rather than pushing myself and 3) never again underestimate the extraordinary connection I have with my animals. If people thought I was spoiling them before – just wait! As soon as I can move more freely again they’re in for some crazy pampering and some extra smelly snacks!

       

and where is your happy-place?

 Five days a week I pass this little scene. It seems to be a gate....that leads to nothing in particular. I wonder about that spot. Is it a memorial of some kind? A place to meditate maybe? It's in a particularly ugly, overgrown field, but it's a special spot for someone.

And most every morning, five days a week, I see this tiny woman, hunched over and working on this place, gardening, grooming, whatever else she does there. This must be an important spot for her. It must be her happy-place. And it got me thinking about people's happy-places...those places where you go, where you become enveloped in the moment, where you feel secure, loved....happy.

This gentleman spends a lot of time, fishing pole in hand, leaning against the rail on this bridge at the lake. I've never seen him catch anything and once or twice I've actually seen him asleep, still standing at this spot, line in the water.

This is his happy-place.

For some musicians, being completely wrapped up in a song

is the place they most like to be.

My dog's happy-place is deep in the snow, anytime, anywhere. He just can't get enough of it. For him, it just doesn't get any better than this...

except maybe when his people are out there in the snow with him.

A new mother's loving arms...definitely a happy-place, not only for baby but for mom too.

A comfy shoulder and a furry hug...definitely a happy-place.

Perhaps your happy-place is snuggling with your loved one and enjoying the day... 

...or hanging with Dad, listening to music... 

...or lazing on a shady lawn with friends. 

New babies, even animal babies, need secure, loving, warm happy-places too.

pink moon

I shot this photo back in June and I swear, I've had this Nick Drake song playing in my head
 quite a lot since that evening. Even worked up a version of it for a possible upcoming gig. 
It really was a pink moon that night! 

I'd never thought of doing this song before. Funny how things work sometimes.

you have a great power

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Never underestimate the power of your compassion and kindness. Your actions towards another person (or any other living creature for that matter), in one small moment, can affect them in ways that you’ll never know and for years to come. Each of us has the great power to lift up or to wound the spirit of another person. Let’s start from a place of kindness, acceptance and work towards understanding - always.