Well howdy friends,
January brought Mo, Juno and I back to Boise but not till January mid-month. I had some wonderful Sun time in Arizona. I had put about 4500 miles on my car “Silvia” by the time I got home. I was reluctant to go from 70 degrees in sunny Arizona weather to 18 degrees of cold Boise Idaho weather…ugh!
The last of time spent with Rhea was enjoying sunsets and taking Juno to a dog park down in Green Valley where Rhea lives. Juno made some puppy friends and found a wonderful puddle to “swim” in. Boy, did she ever need a bath as she was super “ripe” for the ride home. Phew!
I tried my hand at golf too with my friend Steve. We did a par 3 course in the area. I have probably played golf maybe 4-5 times in my LIFE. I am a total novice but can see the allure in it. I think it’s just a fun thing to do while catching up with friends; a little exercise, something you both strive for and a nice walk. Kind of like throwing a ball for a dog however, YOU retrieve your own ball and hit it again! Ha!
Anyway, I had beginners’ luck because I damn near shot a hole in one on the 9th hole. My friend Steve thought it went in the hole (his eyes aren’t the greatest) but it just skimmed the hole and landed about 10 inches away. So funny and complete beginners’ luck if it had!
I also taught a guitar lesson to a gal name Charlotte, just before leaving, who was “Nashville bound”. She just turned 26 and has done some writing and is a good singer. She saw me play at the Coyote Grill and wants to learn guitar. I enjoyed the lesson and her eagerness to hit the music scene in Nashville, and “make it big”. A nostalgic dream I remember having yet I was completely intimidated by Nashville. Hell, I still am! LOL! (Maybe not as much though).
I look back and think when I was 26 years old. I studied guitar for years but still wrestled with barre chords, rhythm patterns and theory. I had grand aspirations and dreams also. What a beautiful journey she was in for. Most of me was excited for her, and the wise side of me whispered, “hold on to your hat girl…keep facing the sun”. The business of music is like getting on a wild bucking bull. Stay on as long as you can, don’t get the “horn” and get jaded. Remember WHY you’re doing it. Keep your reasons close. She’s a tiger of a personality so she just might make it big! She said she felt like she was too old already. Ha! I remember feeling that way. I think I was 32 when I started to really take music more seriously (and played out) and I felt like I “missed the mark” and too old as well, yikes! As if only the young can make it and 32 is old! What did I know (I was young!)
I reminded her of Leonard Cohen and how at 67 years old he finally got recognized for his song “Halleluiah” so, there is HOPE at any age! I like working with young people. Words come out of their mouths and I listen. I laugh inside because it feels just like yesterday, I was in her shoes. But she is taking herself seriously and going for it! Bravo! It would be very difficult to be a youngster in this world. When I was her age, it was around 1993! So much has changed in the world, right? CD’s were the big rave! Record deals and hit songs were the direction of millions and at that time you could MAKE millions! There were no digital downloads. Houses, rent and college tuition was also within financial reach. I feel for our youth indeed and I found it refreshing to sit down with her and listen to her dreams and ideas.
I know this much; I like to be useful. I have been deep in the trenches of self-exploration and discovery, which is so important. Giving a lesson felt good. Coming home, I have kept up with a similar schedule I had in Arizona with my reading, writing, studying and taking in alone time.
To dig into self is hard but beautiful. Not everyone is up for the task. Though I annoy myself with the “no stone left unturned” personality, I feel that my happiness gets the chance to deepen with every tear I shed. It’s the letting go of emotions that clears us, heals us and brings us energy to expand. I can feel this expansion when I sing now. My voice and all the energy that goes into singing comes from a deeper place. This feeling is almost shocking and euphoric!
I am now in cold Boise town yet my heart is still warmed by the Arizona Sun! This was such an invaluable trip and I feel super appreciative Mo and I both took our separate down time, learned a lot and nurtured our souls.
We are redefining everything! Our music, our journey together, our relationship, our time and our lives. Inertia can slip itself into our lives so easily. Making us feel like we are doing the same things over and over again. And for as much as I resist change (and boy let me tell you, I can be resistant) I know my Spirit needs it.
I hope you all have done well through the winter. For those of you who are local and have missed the shows, we look forward to playing for you! I know the Sapphire show will fill us all up! For ALL of you, I hope you are reaching into yourselves and finding that “spark” that makes you get filled with wonder about this wild ride called life. What sparks joy? It can be hard to find in the dark, this I know…but the lightness always comes, even when we think it won’t. Thank God and thank you for all your support!!!
Much love to you all!
Nicc
