Looking for the Good!

Mo and Papa! 2014. I love this shot!

Playing the 5 Star Dive Bar at Roseberry!

Hey Folks,

August came in fast and left just as fast. Mo and I have been in a whirl-wind this last month. It’s hard to imagine just last week we played some amazing shows, the Roseberry concert series in Donnelly Idaho, and then for Big Al’s and the next day we were on a plane to rendezvous with family and celebrate my Dad’s life.

We arrived a half hour before the ceremony commenced. Everything was set up beautifully. 4 days prior I could tell I had stressed about it. A minor head-ache and inflamed throat, I was worn out hard and a bit nervous wondering if I had Covid or not. The last thing I wished to do was spread that to my family.

We played a house party for a couple (Nancy and Terry) in McCall. It was a mellow beautiful and small gathering and they let us camp and stay in their little cabin by a stream. That stay saved me! I needed the down time desperately. We’ve been running and traveling a lot this last month, including trips to Stanley and then all the way out to the Gorge in Washington to play and also listen to Brandi Carlile. With the excessive heat and smoke, stress and emotions about Pops wearing on me…my tank was empty.

Fran, Mo, Nicc, Trudy, Kathy and Lynda…ALL VIP members catching some Brandi Carlile at Gorge WA (the guy on the tv is photo bombing! )

Sitting by the stream with our sweet friend Trudy and taking in the deer and nature all around us, I came back to life. I can’t say I remember being that tired in years! We took naps, enjoyed the silence, had thoughtful conversation, ate sushi, emptied our minds and took in that beautiful lake Payette. Just what the doctor ordered.

Trudy Chillin’

Without that time, I don’t think I would have done so well at Dads. It was tough…bittersweet. The sweet part was seeing my family. My brother and sisters were there with their kids and my great nieces and nephew. My friend Timmy and his wife Jenni came too. Timmy was my first partner in music. He and I played all the venues in Sandpoint and North Idaho in the late 90’s. He plays on my debut CD “Despite the Dent’s”. He adds a beautiful 12 string guitar and vocal harmonies. He was instrumental in my life as a beginner and really helped me find my path in music, so encouraging.

The bitter part was being among all that beauty without that beautiful man by our side. Here we all were, gathered on his property, sharing stories and telling Dad jokes, and Dad wasn’t there. Everything he owns is there, his ties are still in his closet. When it got chilly I grabbed one of his down coats, stuck my hands in the pockets and there was a bag dog treats galore! Made me giggle and flooded me with memories.

We slept in his house that night. Just Mo and I. The families had made other arrangements. We were in this big, dark, cold house…without Dads physical presence. Oh, I FELT him there for sure…but I couldn’t hug him and that’s the bummer about death. It completely severs that physical contact. It can appear to be so final…and depending on your faith and how you believe, you never see that person again. Well, my belief is, until it’s your turn to go back to your maker.

I have a theory that we go to the other side and we carry out our lives in a different way. We don’t ever die, our bodies do, but our spirits are eternal. Now, I know this is probably a bit of a morbid blog and it’s entitled “Looking for the Good”, but there is “good” here. Even though it’s painful, I DID see him in the golden hue of the sunset or every time a dragon fly whizzed by. I saw him sitting in his chair, reading the paper, peeking over it saying, “Hey Nick-el, what cha up to today?”

Death is a vale and I don’t believe it’s a permanent thing. Much like the cycles of life, it’s another cycle. There is evidence (enough for me) in nature. We witness the Fall colors as the leaves slough off, back to the earth (or my compost bin) and then bloom in the spring. We wake up to a new sun rise every day. The moon orbits the Earth and the Earth orbits the Sun. There is this circular motion that happens in our Universe and on some level, death is a mere part of the circle.

Sunset at Lake Pend Oreille (Ponderay) Sandpoint Idaho

“Everything that goes comes back again, you can hold on to that string, sometimes the holding is the only thing” (excerpts from “Lena’s Lullaby”). Sometimes the holding, whether it’s who your snuggling with at night, who you hold in your heart dearly whether they are here with us or not…it’s the holding, it’s the remembrance, it’s being able to smile because of the time you had with the person. Tears are just a measurement for how much you loved them. Tears are good. They shed our feelings and fears. They restore our confidence and make us right again. Crying doesn’t hurt, it’s a grand release. Bottling feelings hurts, it represses us and adds confusion, stress and anxiety to our lives. If we can be free to feel, we shed those things that make us feel bottled and trapped. It’s simple really, but…it’s not easy.

To release we need to sit with the feelings. We need to feel the way we feel and cry when it comes up. All too often people get busy. They have all these feelings trapped in the body and in the mind. They run around doing doing doing, never stopping to feel. Looking for release in some other way; friends, work, alcohol or drugs, a to do list a mile long. And then we wonder why we are inflamed, or disenchanted with life, depressed or discontent. There are enough irritants in the world right now for feelings to topple over! “Who has time to cry?” ha ha!!! I cry all the time! Some are happy tears of gratitude and some are of deep sorrow.

One thing that truly allows us to stop and FEEL is music! The very thing we do! It’s a moment of coming together, seeing friends, listening to songs and letting our heart strings play as we listen. Nothing stabs my heart and opens my tear ducts like a song! OMG! Turn on my water works! What a powerful tool! It can bring you up or down! And it’s not terrible to use music in this way. To let it open you up and feel. To allow yourself a release of pain or loss or sorrow. I encourage tears, because they are real, it clears the weeds from our path.

I told a story to Mo, I don’t think I shared it with all of you, so forgive me if you’ve already heard it. It was after Pops passed away. I went for a swim to do laps and clear my mind. It was early morning and I had my suit on and my gear. I put my feet and lower legs in the cool pool. Brrrrr! I looked at the water with anticipation. Knowing I would get use to it in under 10 seconds as soon as I started moving. But to sit there in the chill, I was not looking forward to the shock of the cold water. I thought about my Dad on morphine the last few days of his life. I wondered, was he reticent to “jump”? To leap up out of his body and transition to a new atmosphere?

With that, I took a deep breath and even though my body resisted, I plowed into the cold water and started kicking my feet very hard. I was flying! So free as we float in the water! Weightless! Floating! It was cool but like I knew, I was use to it under 10 seconds and it was invigorating! I thought, this must be what death feels like. You are in a different surrounding with new laws. It’s a transition. One we can fear, one we can embrace. I could have sat with my feet in for another 15 minutes but my goal was to swim.

Beaver Bay, the most southern tip of the lake!

My goal is to live the very best life I can. I know others have a similar goal. How can I be my best self? I walk with that conscientiously all the time. It shows up during the little every day life things. Doing dishes, picking onions from the garden, practicing scales, gazing a a beautiful lake, seeing love in friends eyes. Yes, it hurts that he’s gone but he’s with me. Just as the people you may have lost are STILL with you!

Mega onions! Walla Walla’s and Reds, picked from our garden! I think this made Dad smile!

There is a musician/entertainer that I adore! Her name is PINK! She is dynamic, strong, beautiful, beyond talented! She is a sensation! I put her up there with Cher! A true show girl! If you haven’t seen her latest documentary on Netflix, check it out. It’s called, “All I Know So Far” and I just fell in love with her and this song. There is a line that says, “Even I can’t teach you how to fly…but I can show you how to live, like your life is on the line!!!” I love that line! If your life was on the line, what would you do? How would you be? What would you wish to complete? clean up? embark upon?

I love the truth of this tune! The passion she puts into it and the honestly she shares with her children and to us. She is remarkable and has grown into quite a performer through her years. I am glad there is a PINK on this planet! I don’t have it in me to swing out on a cable to a crowd, so I’m glad SHE gets to do that and we all get to feel through her performance and music! How awesome that the world has PINK!

So ”let the walls crack, cause it let’s the light in”…be strong enough to be vulnerable, “when the storms out and your running in the rain, put your sword down dive right into the pain….” If you are living life, you WILL be drug through some hell times…but you will be eternally who you are, and this world needs people like you! Don’t forget that!

I hope you enjoy our version of the great PINK song: That’s All I Know So Far

This is all I know so far, and I look forward to the learning! Be well beautiful friends! Thank you for your love, support & kindness! Find the Good! Leave the rest!

Finding the Good! A weird gift I have is finding 4 leave clovers…strangest thing. Almost as weird as my goat impression! LOL!

Niccole

More good! Just for fun, my brother’s new wiener dogs! Missy and Max! So cute!

Beating the Heat on our OR tour!

Any time Juno can swim, it’s a GREAT day!!!!

It was 102 degrees as we made our way across the hot desert on Fourth of July.  Fortunately we were headed west towards the Oregon coast where it was 10 degrees cooler.  We landed at McMenamins Edgefield (https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield) in Troutdale for a wedding we were playing.  It was a fabulous old hotel (built in 1911 for the “down and out”) that today, is like a carnival for adults!  They have a 3 par golf course;  big scale concerts at their amphitheatre with artists like Steve Miller and Michael Franti; beautiful gardens and landscapes everywhere;  three restaurants and a movie theater on site; and don’t forget “Ruby’s Spa;” a unique winding, circular hot pool with beautiful foliage everywhere, providing privacy for guests around every corner.  And you can order a cocktail or beverage anywhere you go, and carry it wherever you’d like.  Folks at all hours of the day and night were headed down in their bathrobes, drink in hand, smiles on their faces, taking the hobbit trail down to the spa for a relaxing soak.  It was a fabulous experience!

Nicc walking down the hobbit trail.

The wedding the next day was lovely, but also an under-taking, as most weddings are.  It took place on the grounds at the picturesque Admin House with lush gardens and thankfully some shade.  The entire wedding event happened at this location which was good! Load in at 2pm, and load out at 10pm was a challenge and made for a long day.  It’s one thing for a full band to provide 5 hours of music, but a duo?  Plus they all wanted to dance before dinner, so we were pullin’ out our big gun’s right up front!  Rockin’ and rollin’ in 94 degree heat!  We both have the blisters to prove it (on our fingers, not our feet thankfully), but  Nicc definitely strained her voice which was a total bummer.  Sometimes it’s an occupational hazard.

We loved seeing all the dads dance with their daughters, twirling them around, and doting on them; connections evolving with smiles and laughter right before our eyes.  “Life is Beautiful” indeed! Those little girls will likely have precious lasting memories of that day…..we, on the other hand were over-heated and exhausted, slathering arnica gel on our feet and sore shoulders back at the hotel room, tending to the doggie, Juno who patiently sat in the room 6 hours while we entertained.  Weddings are a particular challenge in that you are “holding the energy and vibe” for the entire evening. Lots all happening behind the scenes to make the wedding happen, but the music for the evening is what ensnares everyone. The joy is contagious! How wonderful!

The lovely newly-weds were super happy, and we exchanged a heart-felt hug the next day before departing to Lincoln City, Oregon to see our friends, Jen and Mary.  We had some QT with those girls, and a place to thankfully hang our hat for a few days.  We got to visit our favorite spots like Pacific City, had long walks on the beach with Juno, and the Inn at the Spanish Head offered its usual great views and yummy appetizers!

We happened to pull off just past Whale’s Cove at a rest stop, quite happen stance along the way as Juno needed to pee, and low and behold, there was a beautiful gray whale making its way up the coast line, spouting air from its spout every 2-3 minutes. It was magical!  So random, and yet so destined to be seen by our eyes! What a delight!

We headed to Florence, OR. to visit my long time friend from childhood, Annette and her partner, Torsten.  They had recently purchased a beautiful home near the Sand Dunes (where they like to play on their dune buggies). It sat on a pristine lake, so serene and peaceful, but with the dune buggies revving their happy engines in the background.  She loves it! It’s her passion. (She knows revving engines means somebody’s having a really good time!)

Her two dachshunds were not as socialized as Juno and she had forewarned us, but we were clearly not really prepared for what was in store. There were many time out sessions and not much relaxation had by all, but we eventually got it figured out just before we left.  I’m sure it will be a repeat performance next time we return. Needless-to-say, it was a lovely visit that I wouldn’t trade for anything! So good to catch up!

We headed for Bend early Saturday morning, as we had a 5 hour drive ahead of us, and were scheduled to play 5-8 pm, with sound check at 4pm.  Meghan Kelly Watters and her wife, Lindsay fortunately made the long trek there to meet us with her fabulous, groovin’ drum kit and we had a fantastic set there!  We were on the lake with a nice breeze, but to be fair, it was 97 degrees in the mountains, and we were frying our asses off!!  Nicc was in the sun for a full set poor thing. It was “NO BEUNO!” Meg saved the day and arranged for a place for us all to stay that evening!

We had breakfast the next morn with our buddy, and former drummer, Scott Lindbloom and his wife, Katherine.  We were the first guests they’ve had at their place since the Covid shut down.  They served an amazing gourmet meal  we enjoyed on their back patio, and it was so nice to catch up and enjoy Scott’s wonderful sense of humor again.  Love him like a brother! 

We drove 1,300 miles in a week, 25 hours total, and came home to a few big caliber shows 3 days upon our return.  Needless-to-say, we were very wary from not only the road (body is still vibrating) but the intense heat and smoke from all the fires, both in Oregon and in Idaho.  Singing a three hour set in hot, smoky weather was very difficult.  We both had sore throats after the show, and have been babying our voices upon our return home. Plus eating on the road for a week poses its own challenges…..we are, indeed what we eat!

We’ve had 14 shows this month, mostly in the hot heat, but ya’ll have “Showed up for the show” with waggy tails and smiles that we carry in our pockets each and every day!!!  Thank you all for your incredible support, we are so grateful!

We will be traveling abroad in WA.  and ID. most of August………we plan to do our next love stream on Thursday August 19th!  We do apologize for missing the first Thursday of the month for our next stream.  We’ll be up in the mountains of Stanley, ID performing where there is little to no cell reception!  But hope you’ll tune in August 19th for a fun-filled show from our home to yours!  We so appreciate you and look forward to seeing you in person or at our next stream. Cheers, cheers, cheers my friends!  So grateful for all of your support!  Hope you’re having a fantastic summer!

Take the best of care now, and do ‘all the things that you love!’

Love Mo and Niccole

And sometimes…Juno drops the ball to see Nic’s retrieving skills! :-)

Wyoming/Montana Tour

Long Horns at the Grand Tetons.

Hey friends!

It’s Mo Mo!  I journaled our most recent trip and would like to share it with you!  Hope you have a couple of moments to venture out to the Old West with us! The Jackson,Wyoming/Billings,Montana trip showed up as quickly as we expected….but the silver lining was, we were anticipating the 11 day tour, and planned accordingly.  The entire week prior to departure, we pulled out the check list, and checked it twice!  If you get to do 5-6 things on the list before it’s 100 degrees outside then you’ve had a good day!  What’s cool about this process is that it makes everything relatively stress free.  You get a chance to be mindful of where you’ve put everything, and try to be as streamline as possible.  Knowing where everything is for easy access is essential on the road, and being able to see 6 inches out the rear view window over the pile of equipment and daily essentials…. well now, that’s a good day! Also trying to remember the “perfect jenga” in which to re-pack it all each time is another art that requires constant perfecting.

We traveled 6 ½ hours across the Idaho plains, plateaus, and lava fields, landing in Kelly, Wyoming on Tuesday, June 8th.  Love the 80 mph speed limit on Highway 84!  We had the glorious offer to stay at our friend Pam’s cabin, on their steer ranch, and we were so grateful to have such a lovely respite to hang our hats!  Mice and all!  When we arrived, the cabin was aglow from the soft light of a beautiful stained glass lamp propped in the window, welcoming us in for what would be a most memorable time.  

This land used to be the grounds of the Teton Valley Ranch Camp where Niccole was not only a camper from age 12 to 15, but was also a counselor and trail cook for many years, leading pack rides, and teaching girls how to “hold their own” in the wilderness.  It’s safe to say “she was a bad-ass.”  I have total respect.  It was wonderful to hear her and Pam’s adventurous stories about growing up together at camp; Pam, who’d she’d known since she was 13 years old.  So many memories, and it was fantastic to get a window in to their incredible experiences together.  What a bond they share that’s akin to family, like a sister.

Artist Cabin at Teton Valley Ranch.

The small cabin we stayed in had an owl high above the tree tops, lots of hummingbirds and bumble bees; a red-tail hawk would make its presence known among the swaying aspen groves, and a doe that came to feed on the rich grasses out front, nourishing and awaiting the birth of her soon to be baby fawn. The Grand Teton (almost 14,000 feet) towered high in the sky on the horizon, it’s appearance changing momentarily given it had its own weather pattern.  The sunsets were remarkable! So incredibly peaceful.

Highlights on the ranch were riding the 4 wheel ATV’s out to reinforce the fences before we let the mama steers and baby calves out to pasture.  The glorious Teton Mountain range was in the near distance.  We loved feeding the giant steer, Sherman, who was the father of all the babies. It was a challenge to not get gauched by its 5 foot horns.  He was beautiful!

There was a fabulous view of the Tetons from Dornan’s at Moose Junction. We frequented there for libations, pizza and lively conversation with the locals. We did a little hiking in the park and visited its pristine lakes; one day in particular was stormy, cloudy, and magnificent!   We got the pleasure to see a bit of the “Hootananie” open mic night watching some local performers sing their hearts out to an incredibly loving and supportive audience.  That was really cool! 

On top of the world!

I’d never been up the tram or gondola at Teton Village/Jackson Hole Ski Resort, so Nicci took me up the gondola one afternoon, and the views were spectacular! There were lots of folks taking the chair up with their mountain bikes, and riding back down. Looked like a great single track trail! We’ll put that on our bucket list for next time….don’t worry, we’ll wear all the protective gear!  

Great view of the Tetons, the boys…and extra bonus!!!

We met two lovely, hard-working local men while at Dornan’s who bellied up to the bar for a drink.  Their names, Jeremy and Sean, and we all hit it off right away, like we’d been friends since we were “knee high to a grasshopper!” We  nicknamed them “Bo and Luke Duke” from “The Duke’s of Hazard,” because of their lively and excited blue eyes.  We’d actually been to a lot of the same places in the Northwest so we had a lot to talk about. Jeremy looked like a cross between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, and Sean looked like a surfer dude from California, also with bright blue eyes.  We were up front with them about being a couple, which took all the weird “hit on games” out of the equation. It was refreshing. I’m sure we’ll see them again sometime in the future.

At the Westside Yard with Juno, our SHOW dog!!!

We got to play in Victor, Idaho at the West Side Yard on Wed. June 9th. Rennie, the manager was incredibly accommodating, and had such a positive attitude. He booked us without hesitation 4 months ago when I reached out. Even though he hadn’t seen us perform, the former manager had put in a good word for us, so we not only got booked Wednesday, but also the following Friday, upon our return from Billings, MT.  There was so much love in the audience and from the staff alike.  And because  we didn’t use our full bar/dinner tab, he gave us a $50 bump in pay!  That rarely happens!  We were so grateful, and looked forward to our next show where we were hoping to see some of Nicc’s camp friends.

If you ever visit Jackson in the summer, give yourself enough drive time to get to your destination….holy cow!  It takes 30-40 minutes to get anywhere on average, and pray for a ‘parking Angel’ when you arrive. We left Kelly Wyoming at 3:30pm on gig day, took a short cut, and still didn’t get over the Teton Pass till 5:15pm.  I’ve never seen bumper to bumper traffic over the pass, but then again, we usually visit and play in the winter when there are fewer tourists.  Lots of deep breaths.  Many lessons of patience.

Another point to consider, because you’re at 6,000+ feet most of the time and the air is super dry, you have to hydrate yourself like it’s a full time job!  No seriously, there are not enough electrolytes in the world to keep you from feeling heat exhaustion and a bit of high altitude sickness no matter how much you prepare.  And because Niccole and I have experienced severe heat exhaustion multiple times over our 17 year “musical magic carpet ride journey” (I blame it on all those gigs in 109 degree heat), we are sometimes like wilted flowers on a hot day.  Like, oh shit, I need a nap, kind of feeling. Unfortunately you can’t cool yourself off with water misters or any kind of precipitation when you play or there’s a good likelihood you’ll electrocute yourself.  Occupational hazard.

Thursday, June 10th we made tracks to Billings, MT. via Cody and the East gate of Yellowstone Park. The topography was drop dead gorgeous!!  It took your breath away.  Giant hoodoos like you see in Brice Canyon National Park towered over us and we made our way through the canyon.  We landed in the historic district on Billings off of 12th Ave North.  It was a charming little place called the “Sunshine House,” actually owned by a gal who was also a musician. You could tell she was artistic given the way the house was laid out and decorated. It was like a quaint, comfy house in the North End of Boise; you immediately felt at home, floor creeks, eccentricities and all. Juno felt right at home which was a bonus since we were gone 6-7 hours at a time during our Sat/Sun gigs there.  She’s a “burb dog!”  Loves the suburbs, like where we live. That’s what she’s used to.

Meghan Kelly Watters, our drummer, her wife, Lindsey, and our dear friend, Debbie Sagar, who was turning 60 that week, and had never been to Jackson Hole or Yellowstone, came along for the ride. We were so cozy in our Airbnb!  They gambled, and won a bunch of cash, bonus!  We landed in a bar that had only 2 people in it, so we sang Pink’s “That’s All I Know So Far,” at the top of our lungs after our Sunday night gig, over a few shots, Deb pulling out her egg shaker, and Meg playing drums on the table.  Man, that was a fun, “never to forget” time.  I re-play all the memories in my mind often and it makes me smile.  Having these girls along for the ride made the gigs in 100+ heat so much more enjoyable! We could all suffer together, and really “brought the energy” as best we could despite the environmental factors.

Of course, our lead guitarist, Bonnie Johnson, who now lives in Billings with her girlfriend, Pam joined us on both shows!  One show for her gf’s 30 Anniversary of owning and successfully running “Plaza Fitness,” in which all proceeds went towards the Special Olympics.  And Sunday was for our dear friend, Lydia whose husband turned 64.  We played on a flat bed truck in a giant covered horse arena with a sandy floor.  Both shows were exceptionally fun, and a good time was had by all!!!! Hooray! 

The girls stayed in Billings for another day so Lindsey could do some work for corporate there. She works for the same Engineering Company in Boise, and it was good for her to rub elbows with the boss of all bosses.  Then extra bonus, the girls came through the Eastern gate of Yellowstone on Tuesday, joining us at the cabin back in Kelly WY that evening.  We took them to Dornan’s for dinner so they could take in the stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range, then went in to town to visit the Cowboy Bar for a shot or two. The place was packed on a Tuesday night, and their eyes popped out as they were suddenly inundated with the over the top sound of 300 people “all having a great time,” and yelling it at the top of their lungs.  Good times!  Never to forget as we sat on the historic bar stool saddles.

Deb Sager, Nicc, Mo, Lindsay, Meghan…breathing in a good time!

The girls got to experience a bit of the ranch life. Fed Sherman, the big steer, saw the baby calves and mama steers, and met our good friend Pam.  They headed out Wednesday morn, and we held down the fort for another 3 days until our next gig Friday back at Victor’s West Side Yard. 

Sally Cow! The most friendliest Long Horn! But…still long horn, so watch it!!!

It was nice to have QT with our friends, and take in all the beauty without “having to be someplace, and on to the next destination right away.”  Friday’s show brought out all the Teton Valley Campies, and we found ourselves playing lots of originals that they were requesting, like the Sun Runs, Sweet Wyoming, Despite the Dents, and a new cover by Kenny Chesney called “A Better Boat.”  It was nice to witness the incredible reunion happening as we sang to them.  Some hadn’t seen each other for 5+ years.  Lots to catch up on indeed! So cool!

Saturday morning came 6/19, and we endeavored to re-contain the week’s worth of sprallage , re-packing the cab of the truck with some semblance of order.  We had a local show to do early the next day so we had to make tracks! The hornets, black flies, and mosquitoes were unfortunately very active while we were packing in the early 90 degree mountain heat, which would have been a very funny video experience if I wasn’t so irritated. But you’d just hear cussing the whole time.  Plus we did lots of cabin cleaning, always very important to leave your most gracious accommodations as good as, if not better then when you found it.  We took all the recycling, and garbage out (because of bears and mice), and left it shiny as new.  That way you always get invited back!

The long 7 hour drive home across the hot dessert left a lot to be desired, but we were excited to get home and beat the heat.  We were so grateful for all the incredible experiences we’d had on this trip.  We can only hope that we leave a lasting impression of joy and hope that lingers long after we’ve shared our tunes with them.  11 days, 1,754 miles and 40 hours of driving time total for this tour.  You were in our thoughts along the way!  As you are when we learn or write a new song.  You are the inspiration, and what keeps us truckin’ along!

We treasure the privilege of being able to play music for folks and lift them up.  We couldn’t be on this musical journey without all of you.   Hope your summer travels are full of “Happy Trails!” Cheers my friends!

Take the best of care now!

Love Always,   Mo, Nicc, and Juno

View of the Grand Teton during sunset out the cabin window.

Through the Fear and into Trust!

This pic was taken “Somewhere” ha, that’s the name of the venue. Janet Wilson took this pic and I love it, she caught us! That was a very rocking show with Meghan Kelly Watters and Rochelle Smith! Thanks Janet!

Hi Friends! 

I hope this finds you well!  May was a month of pushing outside the barriers of my comfort zone for sure and breaking through fears.  

I had the fortunate opportunity to ride my motorcycle with a group called BACA, “Bikers against Child Abuse”.  My “big-little brother” Jeremy is a sweet friend (and guitar student) who belongs to this group and invited me and another friend to join.  

Though it scared me, as I have never ridden bikes with more than 10 people and it was for 100 miles, I had a conversation with myself about it and committed, even though it made me feel a bit uneasy.  I was worried about people being too close in proximity and not sure of it all.  But one thing that kept me in it was the fact that I KNOW riding motorcycles makes me feel alive inside!  

Sure, it’s a scary contraption, a death mobile for some…or worse…a mamer of life.  There are worse things than death! Being incapacitated scares me more than death.  I can handle the “other side”.  There is a deep inner-knowing that I’ve been over there before, ha ha…but to be injured in life to a degree that would cause you to lose all that you love to do…would truly crumble this world of mine, yet I suppose I would bloom from those ashes as I have in previous “deaths” of this life.  I have experienced many lives and many deaths in this lifetime to become who I am.  

The only selfie on our ride. Kristie and I having a wonderful day, we were bundled as it was chilly in the morning. Nice helmet hair!!!

 As we rode it was invigorating!  I was in LOVE with the country side that surrounded our Treasure Valley.  The cows, sheep and horses that we passed and the sound of over 100 motorcycles as they buzzed like bees filled me with adrenaline in such a euphoric way!  It was amazing! The smells and the wind on my face (I am a helmet wearer- just so you know!)  A patch on a fellow riders jacket read: “Death doesn’t scare me…not living does!”  Freaking summed up my thoughts right there!  I have been a risk taker in my life time, and in doing so…whew…I have certainly been burned yet I have also attained certain degrees of living that I would NEVER trade.  I’m sure many of you identify with this as you peel back your own stories and traverse along your own path ways of your life. 

 So, I did it…and LIVED, and it was joyous, exciting, new and different!  And it was for a VERY good cause!  We raised money for a great organization, met people, pushed beyond our fears and came out the other side.  Check that off!  

I was completely exhausted after the ride and we had a private party to be at 5:00pm that same night!  I had just enough time for a 45 minute nap when I got home.  We rode 100 miles in decent weather, but you spend a lot of time focusing and that can make one weary.   

I conked out for an hour!  I could barely drag myself out of bed.  As I was completely exhausted getting dressed I wondered how in the HELL I was going to pull off this evening!  OMG!  I knew when we booked this party after the ride; I was going to be in for it. But I accepted my fate in it all haha!  

 Here’s what happened…I zombied into the party trying to be as “up” as I could muster.  I really don’t think anyone but Mo noticed.  We hauled our equipment under a tent that was set up for us in a beautiful back yard setting.  I thought hopefully, “Oh, we’ll be back ground music”…NOPE!  They all snuggled down in front WAITING to be entertained! And what was more unnerving, there were SEVERAL musicians observing us!  Oh God help me!  Ha!   

 Playing in front of other musicians is always quite demanding because they are the toughest of all audiences.  They can tend to be the most critical and opinionated, watching your hands and comparing your versions of songs! It can be dreadful!  

 The perfect thing though, I was too tired to care!  My how I have grown! “Not caring” allows me freedom to just be me and not put my brain into someone else’s head.  I can just be me and if they don’t like it or have a negative judgment; it is clearly their problem.  This has taken me YEARS of perfecting! So much energy can go to waste when we try to please others or prove ourselves.  Sure, can I still fall in that trap? Absolutely!  But I notice more and more my own freedom song of simply doing the best I can do and having that be enough.   

Of course years of therapy has probably helped this situation ha ha!  But years of playing in front of all sorts of audiences, critical to accepting, has really shaved the edges off and has allowed us to CLAIM ourselves simply as we are!   

 And because we did this…the show was a smash!  I got my second wind 2nd song in and was on on on!  I told stories and had lots of humor and did a great job with the song selections and all the musicians came up and were super positive. Hallelujah!  Sometimes the magic of music does it and we come along for the ride as long as we open ourselves to just doing the best we can and not expecting too much.   

 A classic example…I’m really into the musician P!nk  (Pink) right now.  We got the chance to watch her documentary and Holy Wowsa!  Talk about an authentic wonder!  She is a sensation!  Truly!  It’s a must watch for those who can appreciate a woman rock-star mom!  Flying through the air with the greatest of ease, singing at the top of her lungs and BRINING IT to every show!  She makes me proud just watching her.  Also relieved I don’t have to do all that shit! Ha ha ha!  OMG!  Truly! I can’t say enough about how much I admire her Spirit, strength, voice, fortitude, genuineness!  She is the stuff of REAL and I love seeing women in music thrive and excel!  Check it out if you haven’t.  (I believe it’s on Amazon Prime.)  

 Another step out of the box was talking for mother’s day at CSL.  Rev. Jackie contacted me 3 days before that Sunday service and asked if I would speak.  I thought she was joking! Was there an emergency?  Nope.  She just thought it was time for me to talk again.  I thought about it.  There were a thousand things I could share since my Mama was such an amazing influence on my life.  I said yes because I would NOT have been proud of myself if I declined.  I stepped up; even though we had 3 shows and a bazillion other things going on I decided it was best I do it!  I also made it light.  I decided I didn’t want it to be stressful and it wasn’t!  It was pure joy and also a push out of my comfort zone.  I was happy and grateful to do it as it put me in touch with my beloved Mama’s energy!   

 You can view/listen to the talk here:

 https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=4010569402390066&ref=search

 Lastly, trusting our builders to do our van job and do it correctly with our hard earned dollars!  Whew!  And trusting myself that we deserve these “upgrades” and they will carry us through to a greater creative space and also provide us the tools to go places with our music.   

Our beloved Van project and studio is what I’m referring to.  The Van, “Sparky”, is in production to be converted to our specifications.  It is a highly detailed project of which I feel completely over my head but I am taking it in stride.  The shop, which we are turning into a studio, will bring an ambiance of warmth and creativity! This will be place to go and write, record and gather with other song-writers and be host to some wonderful concerts in the future.  All designed to elevate our music further.  Putting all my eggs in this basket can be scary and yes, once again, out of my comfort zone.   

Ripping stuff out of Sparky!!!

The Demolition! OMG, the man who owned this before us glued and screwed and nailed and glued again! Guess he thought it was permanent…um, until I got my hands on a crow-bar! Ha!!! That was NOT an easy task!!!

Today, the sub-floor is in, the furring strips added and now starting to frame. Talking about where exactly the toilet will go! Ha!!! Imagine, a ride with a bathroom! :-) A first for us!!!

 But I look at it this way…if I were to be out of this existence this time next year…how would I prefer to have lived this year? What would I be waiting for?  Why WOULDN’T I do this, if I can swing it?  Right?!  I see how fast the years have rolled by and we are doing nothing but getting older so…call it…seizing the “youth” I still have!    

 Every time I go into doubt or think this is all way too expensive or extravagant…I come back to this “knowing-ness” that SEES a picture in my head of satisfaction. Our performing will elevate, our circle of fans and friends will widen, our song ideas and creativity will expand.  I just FEEL this and it over rides my doubt.  Believe me, I do have doubt at times…but my passion over rides these setbacks.  I wish to step into some greatness here.  On some level!  I’m reaching.  I could fall on my face, and I have been to the bottom, so…when I back up and see that, I realize that once again, I’m not afraid of death (or failure, a type of death)…I’m afraid of not living fully!   

That is my Promise to myself…and that being said…guess what your download is this month!  The great, amazing Tracey Chapman’s beautiful song, “The Promise” performed by yours truly!  That whole song is a step out of my comfort zone.   

 It utilizes my LOW voice and taps into an emotion of deep deep love.  A promise I can keep, to myself and to others, to simply show up as best I can and to press my boundaries and push beyond my fears or perceived limitations.   

 I’m a work in progress, so is Pink, aren’t we all?!  Do what you love!  A tip of the hat to our newest member Kathy!  I know you love this song, now you have it at your disposal!  Enjoy ya’ll!!! 

Much love, 

Nicc, Mo & Juno!   

www.blazeandkelly.com

"Smile is the sunshine of your soul"

We all are building a better boat!

Swimming Juno on the Pac River, she is in her happy place. This river runs along the eastern boarder of my parents property. It’s always been a serene walk on the back 40 to the peninsula among a beautiful cedar grove.

Hello Sweet Friends!

April closes it’s door and here we all are in May. Don’t blink, it will be Fall in a few breaths! As venues are opening up again to music and we are shedding masks ever so slowly there is a newness in the air. There is a bit more restoration of a thing we call HOPE and Hallelujah for that!

I am in the midst of reading Brandi Carliles memoirs, “Broken Horses” (thank you Fran!). So many things I find myself identifying with in her story! I am grateful she had this quarantine time to write and now published this book. I would have loved to do that as well but my creative juices became very stagnate during Covid. It was a time, an internal “simmer” if you will. I am an emotional writer for sure, but with so much static in the world, I found that my empathic antenna set the frequency dial to “brace yourself” mode and to create from that mode I found it, pretty impossible. I pressed hard against the current, created a couple of songs and I wrote many poems, but I have not generated what I felt deep down possible. I am just “watering many seeds” at this point in my writing process!

Part of this process is clearing out and upgrading. I know this sounds silly but the set backs to our shop (of which we want to turn into a studio) is cluttered and disheveled and it’s in a holding pattern to some degree until we can get it upgraded. I have a touch of ADD and can and have been completely dyslexic! Yes, I somehow forget this about myself until I do something stupid like yesterday. I wrote out a check for the materials and I wrote one thing in the box and another thing on the line, reversing the numbers…ugh! I also read a text and dropped an important word that reversed itself so we have another band member joining a gig we thought we would do on our own! LOL! Wow! “How did I ever get this far?”, I ask myself. And with my hearing loss…how in the HELL do I do what I do?

I think reading about Brandi’s trials and tribulations has been a way for me to step back and look at what we have achieved and what we have yet to attain. Brandi also struggles with dyslexia and makes it a point to say so…where as in my mind and my generation, I have never really labeled myself so. I have normalized it and I’m fine with that. It hasn’t set me back due to my ignorance of how much it can (and has) gotten in my way! Ha!

I am about 12 years older than Brandi and my generation did not label much. The positive is that, like a placebo, you just do the best you can not knowing you have a real handi-cap and not knowing this allows you to press forward and not make excuses. However, there have been moments that I have been hard on myself for either not being able to learn a new song, or not being able to play something a certain way with band members. Like my mind just doesn’t compute. So, I’ve certainly spent much of my precious youth shaming myself as to why I am not better!

Now I look at that with a neutral energy. Sure I can get my “stupid buttons” pushed but I also come back with “meeting myself where I am” and continue the best I can. All we can do is “build a better boat” and round off our edges by accepting the perfect flawed being that we are!

Speaking of building a better boat…that will be your download this month! I am so in love with this song. It made me cry tears of gratitude as life marches forward and we all try to be the best we can be. It says everything that I love! My only disappointment is that I didn’t write it myself (Travis Meadows & Liz Rose did)…but, ya can’t “write’m all!” :-)

Being a musician-songwriter, we traverse a fine line of being in the pocket of acceptance and pressing higher. It is a tumultuous journey. One not easy for the ego yet one I have found to be true to this heart. Much joy is brought through singing a note that somehow pierces the heart of the listeners and ourselves and opens something un-explainable inside. Where language can’t…music can! I am utterly humbled and grateful, this is my life. Full of many sacrifices, mistakes, utter vulnerability and a bit of genuine struggle, yet so rich in rewards of community, and graced now and then with the ability that slips out after so much practice! Happy this journey includes carving a new story into song, travel, adventure, unpredictability (which keeps us on our toes), Spirit singing it’s song through me…it’s all worth it.

We have not made it to that stardom like Brandi, but I sing her songs with pride and remember her -when…When she was unrecognized and KNOWING the record labels were stupid not picking her up earlier! I knew she would be discovered. As for myself and being discovered…the journey is still on. Possibilities are still there and our story isn’t over yet.

We are currently in the midst of planning our studio (the shop) and how we wish to set it up to be a very creative space. A place I can drop myself into to practice and write and thanks to Covid, the awareness to CREATE TIME to be CREATIVE! Ha! We are also in the midst of a Van conversion and making major decisions about the floor plan and fine details. I also went up to my Father’s home this last month and witnessed his 90th birthday roll on by without him.

Papa in his happy place with a good size bass! This really wasn’t that long ago. “My how the last few months have changed!”

You can say my plate is pretty full. “Now and then I let it go, I ride the waves I can’t control. I’m learning how to build a better boat!” I hope you love this song as much as I do! This take is when I FIRST learned it and I kinda love the imperfection of this take. Mo is just learning it too and is a quite little harmonizer in the back. It’s still very vulnerable and right on the edge of our tears. This was recorded from my PHONE (which always amazes me). I am actually singing it a whole step lower in this take than I decide on. I kinda like the low “Johnny Cash” of my voice here ha ha! It’s just a different voicing.

Enjoy and thank you so much for all your love and support!!!

Be well!

Niccole , Mo and Juno!

Sparky is a perfect cargo van for moving some things as Juno protects our new “small home”! Squirrel? :-)

I like it here mama, but something is indeed missing! Yes, I know Juno…half my heart is someplace else…but you make my life better!

Goofy Elvis always brings the levity to most any situation! LOL!!! A wonderful time spent with friends and music!

Time to Bloom!

Juno says, “Have a well balanced Easter”!!!

Hello Beautiful Friends,!

This is Mo Mo! We hope this finds ya’ll healthy, happy, and doing well! Vaccinations are rolling out and we are very excited about the possibilities and adventures ahead with the restored health of our nation and our world! Spring in the air gives us a sense of renewed hope, joy, and optimism as we watch everything bloom, and bare witness to the astounding beauty all around us! The warmth of the Sun on these old bones reminds us of all the goodness yet to come.

Spring of last year was not a happy time, and there was much we all had to face that were our greatest challenges. Some of us are no longer on this planet because of it, but we trust they are doing their wonderful work from the other side now; they have become our guardian angels. They will help us figure out what is ours to do for humanity now since we have collectively “grown” our consciousness due to these circumstances. And speaking of growth and evolution, all of you have helped Niccole and I grow tremendously this past year.

Your playfulness and encouragement during our Love streams kept us continually looking forward to entertaining you each week! Your lovely comments, hearts, emojis, participation, interaction with each other, and supportive feedback has kept our musical act ‘in the game!’ We simply would not be able to continue playing our music if you hadn’t of supplied the demand! Consequently, we were thoughtful in making our set lists each week, we practiced hard, tried new things, learned new songs…..we found ourselves excited to share something new with you, and it put the pep back in our steps; the groovy in our booties; the slam in the shalam! Ya know what I mean?! You gave us a reason to keep going, get better, strive for more, be the best entertainers we can be….. your inspiration, support, and virtual love kept driving this engine……..not to mention your generous financial support that put the gas in that engine. We are so grateful to you for being able to continue this musical career!

So a million thanks to you folks! This month’s featured song is a recording of “The Letter” by the Box Tops. I’m singing lead on this one, which was a big push for me to “find my lead inner voice.” A bit of a challenge when you’re used to singing harmony lines. You helped me find that inner courage to try something new, and put it out there.

May you bloom this Spring into the you you’ve always dreamed of, taking the time to enjoy the simplest things! Happy Easter and many blessings to you all and take the best of care!

Much love,

Mo, Niccole & Juno

Closer...to Fine!

I’m trying to tell you something about my life, maybe give me insight between black and white. But the best thing you’ve ever done for me…is to help me take my life less seriously, it’s only life after all….. - Indigo Girls

This song echos like a long lost friend. It was one of the very first songs I learned on guitar. I taught myself this tune back in the late 80’s when the Indigo Girls showed up and drug all of our hearts through serious thought provoking lyrics, angelic harmonies and kick ass acoustic sounds and rhythms. They brought back folk with a spin of rock and sweetness of songs that SAID something. They were for a very long time, my bench mark. The place I put everything. Who I would have liked to aspire to in the world of music. They touched a part of me that woke me up inside, called me to question everything I thought was true, and they did it out loud, un-ashamed, un-apologetically, both vulnerable and strong. Such a breath of fresh air back then when most music was a genre based formulaic merry-go-round that took us on a path we were so familiar.

I love this song, and I know our awesome member Dave Wilson, loves it too! We haven’t seen him and Janet in months and they are set for their vaccine shots and hopefully will join us very soon! Yes, we ALL will be getting “closer to fine” in the next few months! Which is why I thought a recording of our version of this song would be fitting for these times.

I particularly have always like the first lines. What we try to tell each other about our lives, words fall short because there is much that slips through the” black and white”, gray can muddle and make our picture of life unclear and the BEST thing YOU (our audience and friends) have ever done for me…is to help me take my life less seriously! Indeed. Less seriously. We’ve all been hit with the “serious” bat over the last year and I know I am really wanting and needing a lot of fun! I bet I’m not the only one.

We had our Sapphire show on the 13th before Valentine’s day. 2 shows back to back and wow, it was such a sweet night. I love playing with a band and having a big sound and celebration, but something about that night, just Mo and I on stage…it put the pep in my step. There was a calmness about it. A sinking into your skin while on stage! It felt like home with all the beautiful faces in the audience. We titled that show, “Go where the love is” and it was exactly that! It was like medicine!

Picture compliments to Francine Henderson - Thanks Fran!

The fact that people showed up to a ticketed event, during a pandemic and after the snow had fallen over a foot- was a real huge testament of LOVE I would say! There is always a part of me that is just so humbled by it all. Just incredibly grateful for the gifts and the positive energy exchange with people! We try to express what we mean by it, and like the song says - give me insight between my limited words of black and white into the shades of gray where most emotions live. Words can not express.

I have found many moments where words limit my expressions these days. I have been writing a poem a day over the past 30 days. I have some that are wonderful, and some that suck and some that are just so so. Me being my own judge and then running ones that I like by Mo, who gives me her feedback.

I realize that I need a much larger vocabulary to express all that is in there. I feel like I should study vocabulary and read more so that I can write better. I think I’ve always had much inside me wanting to outlet and express, which is the reason I picked up the pen and later the guitar. Perhaps a deep need to be understood and then to express these ideas in a platform that others resonated with as well.

Don’t we all wish to connect? Isn’t that what makes us human? And this year our connections have been short-circuited due to Covid. We’ve had to reinvent how we connect and then inertia can just take over and we can think, “we don’t need to connect”, “I don’t FEEL like being social today”; and that is because, left up to our own devices, our thinking can go in a loop, and at times, that loop can become comfortable or really, complacent. Most likely, it’s just convenient. Like sitting back in the stands, humans thrive when we are IN the game, not watching it! Feeling connected and knowing that you are part of a larger picture yet vital to the whole, when do we make time to do or feel this way, with intention? Especially this last year?

The power of music binds us like no other. I have been so fortunate to witness it first hand and FEEL it come through me. I have witnessed others sing to my heart and have FELT it open. That is my “simple” black and white answer that brings me back to being closer to fine!

So I hope you can appreciate the down load, “Closer to Fine” and perhaps see the song in a different light. The character searches every where, going to the doctor, to the mountains, to the children and to the “fountain”. Looking everywhere for that inner solace, knowing that darkness is insatiable and our MINDS create most of the darkness in our lives. The more we can live simply and TRUST the way our lives roll out, the definition of life can never be summed up…so let’s just be fine and enjoy it? Right?

I’ve always loved tearing songs, poetry, and Shakespeare apart to understand it’s inner workings. I loved my Literature classes in college. I love the art of writing and I am super proud of myself for tipping into the discipline of writing each day.

It’s been challenging. A 1000 things will want to get in my way. But it’s kind of like meditation for me, you never know when you sit down in posture, where your mind will take you. When I sit down at the key board with a blank page, the mind fills it with some kind of wonderful.

So I will include all the lyrics to this song if you have it in you to dig deep into these words. Or you can simply just enjoy a song you’ve probably heard 1000 times. I will also include a poem I wrote on my 30 day challenge.

We are taking a bit of a hiatus on streaming while the shop is being worked on. Juno is doing MUCH better, she had some health issues that caused her tail not to wag for a few days but she is back to being her bouncy happy self. And we are oh so looking forward to Spring and getting Closer to Fine! Thanks for reading! Much love to you all!

Closer to Fine

I'm trying to tell you something 'bout my life
Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing you ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
It's only life after all, yeah

Well, darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear
And I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I'm crawling on your shores

And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine, yeah
Closer I am to fine, yeah

And I went to see the doctor of philosophy
With a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
He never did marry or see a B-grade movie
He graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
Got my paper and I was free

And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine, yeah
Closer I am to fine, yeah

I stopped by the bar at 3 A.M.
To seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
And I went in seeking clarity

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
We go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
We look to the children, we drink from the fountain
Yeah, we go to the Bible, we go through the workout
We read up on revival, we stand up for the lookout

There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine
Closer I am to fine
Closer I am to fine, yeah

Songwriters: E. Saliers

Day 4:   Jan. 29th 2021

 Niccole Blaze

My days are constructed of menial tasks

Some I find a drag and others a blast

Like washing a dog or running to the market

Then there is calling the vacuum seller

So I can get to work on this carpet.

Papers and pictures and stuff that piles up

Trying to make the time, get organized with my stuff.

It’s no easy job, I’ve been around over 50 years!

It’s no wonder there are messes, needed to be cleared!

What do you do with an old card from a friend?

Saver the sweetness, then through it in the can!?

And going back to my young self, and reading words she had said

While the same needs and wants, still meander in my head

A kid that needed love then, and also needs love now

But I’m not a kid any longer, yet still feel like one somehow.

I am the same but changed, with years over time

I still like to write, I still like to rhyme.

I have an older layer, but I still have that core

It’s who I came in as, and leave for heaven’s door

This is if I get to heaven, it’s all a mystery

And this life that has many lives, in these old pictures I see.

I have had many deaths, but also many births.

It’s the miracle of lifetimes, being here on Earth.

So I clean and I straighten and I do the best I can.

All these little scraps, make up who I am!

Tackling massive projects..."At Last"!

Howdy Friends,

Wow, January is behind us! So fast this year already spins with newness and hope despite the volatile times we are in. Many of you are like minded friends who have had a rough 4 years watching our world get turned upside-down with politics and Covid 19! We feel you! It has been tough on human kind and the divide between us is a full blown reality, there is no denying after the mob hit the Capitol Hill on Jan .6th.

Such strange times indeed, yet here we are. I can’t help but think better days are on the horizon. Perhaps that is my “program”, pop in the cassette of positivity! On another note, speaking of “cassette”, we have so much exciting news to share in the midst of all the things going on in the world!

Last March/April when the world was “sheltering in place”, I tore apart the 2 storage sheds behind our house. It was a crazy task. Things that have been in there since we moved in 16 years ago! The space was packed and there was no true utilization happening. Boxes upon boxes came out of there, much I gave away or threw away. But many of those boxes were endless amounts of physical photographs. I whittled them down during the summer, but come the Fall, I STILL had an over abundance of pictures to sort out and go through and various other stuff, like journals and writing, old memorabilia, cards and letters from my mother. Things you just don’t know how to let go of, ya know?

A young Blaese family, Christmas of ‘67. I’m the tiny one in Mom’s arms.

Some people don’t even look in the box and just throw it away, or they say, “Oh, this is college B.S. let’s chuck it all”…but I am a sifter. I look for the “gold”. I do that when I write a song. I throw a bunch of stuff in the “colander” and shake it till a song is left in the bowl. It’s just how I roll and sometimes it can be self-torturous!

However, I have thoroughly enjoyed the process that I am on now. After months and months of moving these boxes and having them feel like chains, weighing me down…I cracked into them one by one. They are now in the SHOP and are whittled down further into pictures Categorized by; family, friends, landscapes, trips, animals, etc. Now I am going through them all again and deciding which ones to let go of. I already have thrown many of them away and now deciding, “which ones to keep”. If it sparks joy or tells a story of substance or worth for me, I keep it. If it frames in a part of my life for which I could never explain (a picture tells a thousand words) it stays. And…”How many pictures do I really want to scan?” Is the other question I ask when determining what to keep and what to toss.

A dapper little Nicc. I think this is my kindergarten picture…6 yrs. old?

So in all this nostalgia, my CD player took a dump. I was out there listening to music having a good ol’ time and poof, the CD player Dad got me years ago failed. Bummer! Well, my good friend Trudy (and awesome member) recently purchased a cool Victrola for her partner. So out there sifting through pictures and thinking of Dad I said, “why not pull the trigger on that” and off to Amazon I went! It was here 2 days later! I’ve been a 14 year old, in my bliss, ever since! The power of music! It’s so cool! And I’ve not been able to listen to these old Cassette tapes I’ve made in years! It was just so perfect. This little gadget has a record player/ CD/Cassette/ FM Radio & USB…and also has blue tooth so I can run my phone aps to it also if I want. Crazy cool contraption!

So much joy from one item! LOVE this thing!!!

Here I am, sitting in the shop, getting ready to make it into a real live studio! I need to get the old out and organized and bring in the new cameras and sequencer change the ambiance so it becomes a place of beauty and creativity. I have yearned to do this for a very long long time and finally have the time and gathering the resources to help.

The overwhelm…gulp!

At LAST! I am tackling the “corners of my life”! Clearing out the clutter, it feels like a cleanse. At Last! And speaking of “AT LAST”…it IS the month of LOVE and I thought, what better song to post for you than the Mighty Mo Kelly singing Etta Jame’s “At Last”! We hope you enjoy it!

Puppy Love, Chris Sphar and I! We matched! I wonder if our mothers planned that! He was so cute… still is!

What is your projects you have tackled this year? Is there still “cobwebs” in an area of your life you’ve been procrastinating cleaning? Just some thoughts, “How will it feel at the END of this? What one step can you do TODAY that will assist in the completion of this thing you want to get done?”

Baby Big Mouth! LOL! Yep, that’s a yo-yo and an interesting way of playing with it!

Happy month of February friends! We hope you enjoy!

There once was a time…my brother and I were close. A treasured photo!

There once was a time…I wore dresses, and believed in Fairy-tale Land! Ha! Dancing with my handsome Dad!

My parents enjoying their fairy-tale land.