Oh, and a little travel sprinkled here and there.
Last December I returned to Tybee Island GA and had a lovely week there in a condo... my cousin accompanied me on the trip, spent one night, then went off to hang with friends in Savannah. My friends Doug and Gary came for a couple of nights and we sang sang sang! And, of course, there was the ever present, ever glorious ocean...my favorite part.
In February I retired from my day job and am quite happy about it. I'm doing more music and looking to do even (and maybe lots) more yet.
In March I returned to Tybee with my friend Teri and we did fine living in shared space for a week. ..Doug came to visit again and brought his guitar-HERO son Mason and music happened...and we loved it.
The times of music making just lift my heart, my spirit, everything! Nothing like combining good friendship with music and maybe a snack.
It surprises me that I can be so busy with stuff I used to (in day-job days) fit into evening or weekend hours. There are times I realize the vacancy of routine and remember that it might be a good idea. These disciplines are not easy for me. Not impossible, just not easy. Maybe talking about it and stewing on it will lead me to execution. Stranger things have happened.
Ok, more travel talk: In June I visited my friend Val in her Vermont mountain home for a long weekend. What a lovely time we had. Lots of singing, fresh strawberries and green green hillsides. I could do that every other week.
Last week I went to Cedar Rapids IA for the first time in my life...y'know to actually spend time. I had a terrific time making some music (and preparing for a recording session and a show with Doug) , going to my first ever minor leage bball game, and experiencing a lovely farmer's market. It is no exaggeration to say that every piece of produce I saw looked like what's desired for any photo shoot for any magazine...or piece of art for that matter...perfectly shaped, colored,,, everything. Doug says they have goooood dirt in Iowa. I guess so.
Saturday night Doug sang with Mitzi and me at a faculty concert at the Old Town School of FolkMusic. It was a tribute concert to the Carter Family and Bill Monroe. We all had a big fun time playing and singing as well as listening to the other musicians that performed. Some of us just really know how to party.
