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Larry
& Cindy Mason's Island Trollers- Troll
caught Albacore Tuna (dolphin-safe, sushimi grade) Order on line
October
30, 2004
This
day is beautiful with autumn colors and sunshine. I heard from my friend
Bill Spies and his grandchild was born and his mother passed on all in the
last week. He said at the funeral for his mother he was able to play the
CD recording
of one of his songs . It is a powerful song called Eternal Love. I am so
glad we got it recorded in time for his mother to hear. His friends and
family were greatly moved by the song. Music can be such a comfort and a
perfect reflection of love and life. When is the time for catching that
wonder of music in recordings?That time is now, this very moment. So that
is where I
am headed today, into the studio. My heart is with Bill and I greatly appreciate
his understanding of the importance of every moment in life.
October
30, 2004
Thunder
is crashing outside the dour and
rain is pouring down this morning.
I fear this is not a day for mowing
lawns or outdoor adventures. I think
I shall edit the recordings for
Provinces and see what we have.
Maybe some prayers for this election
would be good accompaniment to the
storm outside.
I met Josh's Grandmother
Evelyn and her friend Mary last
night at Cafe de Paris. I was able
to visit a bit when I finished playing
and I really enjoyed the company.
Evelyn expressed love and real care
for Josh and was glad to hear of
his adventures on the road with
Freedom. Evelyn sent a note introducing
herself and requesting Josh's song,
Leaving Home. That is a great song.
I had to ask the waitress to explain
that he hadn't taught it to me yet.
Josh called the day before yesterday
and said he was coming into town
last night so I hope to see him
before he goes back to Oregon. I
know Flow Motion was playing at
the Jet Deck last night so I imagine
that is where he was. I passed on
the fact that Josh seems to be doing
really good at this time and ready
for some new changes.
This is a good day to
sit back play my guitar and work
on some songs and put some time
into picking the ones to record
first. Maybe I can get Josh on some
tracks as he is passing through.
That would be good. He seems to
love Oregon like Chani loves Alaska.
She called yesterday to say she
is doing fine up there. Hey, I think
it is getting close to time for
Andie and I to do some more traveling
as well. The road is always calling.
Always.
October
29, 2004
Back
to the grind today and then it is the
weekend again. Life becomes more like
hang gliding all the time: it is going
by like the wind. One day into another.
I really enjoyed playing music the other
night and talking to Ronnie and John
about what is up in their lives. John
Matthews is a tasteful percussionist
and has a soft touch which really brings
out the tone in a hand drum. Mike had
them dialed in so the congas and bongos
recorded beautifully. Ronnie adds a
great flavor to the music and a little
rock and blues edge. I plan on thinking
a lot about what songs we should do
next time. Jamie wants to get together
for a rehearsal of yet another version
of the band, before we do the Christmas
show for Becky. That is probably a good
idea.
Sounds like Josh is going
to stay in Oregon for awhile. He said
he learned a lot and enjoyed his time
on the road with Freedom. He is working
on an organic farm in Oregon and says
he likes it. A change is a good thing.
Sometimes new places and faces help
us make improvements in our lives and
ourselves. We are a traveling family
for sure. I certainly have enjoyed all
the traveling I've done and so much
of it has been thanks to music. I hope
there is lots more to come.
October
28, 2004
Last
night the wayward musicians were over at Mike's studio until
midnight. Now I don't remember another time I have stayed
up so late on a school night when it wasn't for a paying
gig. Mike was getting stressed by trying to give 5 different
headphone mixes at the same time, setting up the songs,
dialing in the sound, and playing drums. I don't know what
his problem was. Just kidding. It was so nice to not give
a care about the world of technology for a minute and just
play. Don Quijano came over and ran the console and encouraged
Ronnie on leads. It was a time of getting used to the environment.
I had no expectations of walking away with any keepers.
I just wanted to start dialing things in and have some fun.
We did Lost In Viet Nam, These Blues and Walk Away. I said
maybe we would have more fun if we did some happier songs
so we played Caribbean Islands. That is one of those songs
that is just kind of silly and is begging to have the lyrics
rewritten. It was fun though. We closed down the studio
with I Love You Naturally. It was a good evening spent with
close friends playing some music. I woke up sick as a dog
and couldn't get out of bed so that is where I spent my
day. I guess I am getting too old for late nights, but where
else are we going to find the time. Same time, same place
next week. Thanks for the visit.
October
27, 2004
It
gets a bit colder each morning. Andie and I talked about
getting into winter sports so it we can take the edge off
our attitude towards the cold. We could get excited about
it instead. It's hard to believe this month is almost gone.
Now begins the thoughts of Christmas and the holidays. Andie
is still dreaming of hang gliding. I guess she found an
outlet she really loves. It is quite an experience, yet
still a bit scary for me.
I guess Jamie, Jimmy, Manolito, Ronnie and I will be playing
at Becky's Christmas party in December. I would be happier
to have Mike there on drums but it is their call. Jamie
said it is going to be low key. So much to do, so little
time. Tonight Mike and Jimmy and I will be laying down tracks
for the another CD. I have been trying to get John Matthews
to bring up his congas but I haven't heard back from him
the last two times I have called. Hope I can get the energy
up to play and record at the end of the work day. I would
like to have a new CD by the holidays. A recorded live CD
would be my preference. I find myself thinking about Florida
today and wondering what it will be like there at Christmas
and New Year's. We had such a lovely time there with Randy
and Terri and I look at those pictures and smile. I love
the Northwest though and there are so many good friends
here as well. I put a link in for Larry and Cindy Mason's
online store for fresh Albacore Tuna. Check it out, they
have some products that would make great Christmas gifts.
And the holidays are coming after all.
October 26, 2004
I
passed on sleep last night night to watch Michael Moore's
film 911. Now that was an experience in seeing behind the
scenes that I will never forget. I have struggled greatly
with the options in this upcoming election and as I have
mentioned, I don't think our options are too sweet. I think
the preponderance of fear and deception lead to a choice
that calls for change. Our way of life has come under so
much scrutiny and the innocence we had as a nation has undergone
so many changes as we have been informed of the cost of
our luxuries to other people and countries. I think we were
given an opportunity to help others by God, I think we have
fallen short in that responsibility in many ways. I think
the scene that moved me the most in that film was the one
in which a woman cried out to God to avenge her and her
country for the hardships and losses that were being caused
by our invasion. She called out asking God where He was
while all the suffering was going on, and then saying "God
is great! " even as she was crying over the loss of
family members to American artillery and fire power. I know
that a political documentary can have a total slant, and
objectivity was certainly not the aim of Moore's film, but
I think it was a representation of what the media does not
portray and how biased the supposedly objective news coverage
is. I encourage all Americans to exercise their right to
vote, whatever your choice may be. We have grown so accustomed
to propaganda and fear that I wonder how much impact we
can have in the end. Still, it is worth a try. See the movie,
if for no other reason than to view a different perspective.
With all the mudslinging in the campaign by both camps there
was one thing that Kerry said that impressed me. He said
"I don't think we should pray that God is on our side.
I think we should pray humbly, that we are on God's side."
October
25, 2004
The
new day begins with quiet reflections of the last week. From
Larry's e-mail regarding Celeste records and Miya, the musical
director, it seems they are interested more in the Deirdre Lord's
female vocals on Rhythm Cafe and Room With A View. I suggested
to Larry that they take the Rhythm Cafe and Room With A View
CD's and make a new CD of just those songs. If anyone can make
it happen, Larry Mason
can. We all should help each other when opportunity arises.
The bottom line is I probably won't be retiring any time too
soon. Any more I am keep playing for the sake of playing. I
am really looking forward to doing some live in the studio recording
with the boys. I continue to write, although the last three
songs I have written were inspired by Jimmy's trials with love,
(Didn't See It Coming, Is This Love, and Walk Away) I am ready
to write some more Make Peace With Yourself kind of songs. I
just need to make some time.
I played at church in Bellingham last night and it was
good to play and sing with Paul and Kevin again. It is also
fun to sing the low harmonies and play lead background for the
songs. I like it more when the service is mostly music and not
much talking. I hope we get back to that soon. Andie and I worked
on harmonies all the way to Bellingham.
It is time to look at new possibilities.
I am getting tired of keyboards and mice. Snow is falling in
the mountains and I am thinking of beaches again. To walk barefoot
in the sand and sing to the sea would be a good thing, but for
now, I will zip my coat tight and brace myself against the cold
breeze that signals winter's coming.
|
October 6 ,2004 Andie and
I drove Chani to the airport last night and saw her off to Alaska. She
was so excited and so nervous. We repacked and shifted her bags just
before we left for the airport and her suitcase ended up weighing 49.3
pounds. It was a close call. I know she will have a blast and learn
a great deal about the art of tattooing. She will be met by Chris in
Fairbanks and they are off to go camping for a week or two. She is on
her way. October 5 ,2004
It is kind of peaceful at home and we are working on many projects having
some fun at the same time. October 4 ,2004 It is another
new week. The day before Chani leaves for her Alaska adventures. It
was a lovely weekend. The big news is Mt. St. Helen's erupting with
a 10,000 foot burst of steam. The are watching it with anticipation
to see what is next. We watched an interview where the scientist took
a long time to say they haven't really got a clue when it will erupt
again. That is the funny thing about science. The term they used on
the radio was "a fool's errand" when they talked about predicting
the time of the next event. I liked that reference. Other than the volcano,
it was a pretty mellow weekend here. It was warm outside and I spent
Sunday cleaning out the shed, the job I had put off for Josh to do,
but thought I had better get to it. I never experienced such a variety
of spiders in one small place. I seemed to have survived unbitten though. October 3 ,2004 Andie is off to photograph the autumn, the girls are going shopping and I am going to hang here at the house and get some time in the studio I hope. I do need to do some yard work since we are having a late summer in October. It is a beautiful day in the neighbor hood. Chani leave for Alaska in two days. She is so excited. I haven't heard from Josh so I don't know if he is on tour or at Rejoice's house. Sarah has been too busy also to make much contact. More and more time for out own life. We will have to go in training for that, but it is something to which I am greatly looking forward. But first it is off to do come chores. October 2 ,2004 I hear the morning shooters. The sound of shotguns is something strange to awaken to in the morning. It is a good exercise in listening for the silence. It is a matter of focus. Exploding gun powder or the silence afterwards. It is astounding the different impact it has where the focus is placed. Today is the day Dad gets married. I bet that is an adventure. He seemed pretty calm on the phone as if they were pretty prepared. He did mention that he hadn't sent many invitations after all. It is going to be a small gathering in a church where Judith and he have friends and where dad was involved with the ministry before, I think. I wish it wasn't three hours from Dallas and I had some time off left so we could go. We are there in Spirit. Chani was supposed to stay here last night but apparently no one heard her arrive and she left some of her things on the porch and went somewhere else. I was bummed when I looked out the door and saw that. I remember what an unpleasant feeling it is to now be able to enter your home of childhood. I think I have gotten over some of those things that I carried around as a banner of victimization. I was mostly a victim of my own thoughts. Like Mark Twain once said, I've seen a lot of trouble in my times. Most of them never happened. I
talked to Mish yesterday. She had read some of my venting pages. I was
thinking about how I should focus on some people I ought to visit
more often. That judgmental thing keeps popping up its ugly head. Then
I remember the story Jesus told about wanting to remove a splinter from
someone's eye when there is a timber in your own. I tell you this mind
wrestling for positive thoughts is an almost constant battle. I
have turned on the subconscious observation process that leads to new
songs. It is a kind of heightened awareness of the minute by minute.
A gathering of life experience that goes into the stew pot a few levels
down from conscious thought. It simmers there until I take my guitar,
lift the lid and begin to stir it up and try to scoop out a bowl. It
I don't stop and take the time to write. I burn the stew. So I am going
to take some time. Today. October 1 ,2004 What
a strange week it has been. I am still a little goofy from being sick.
I thought yesterday was Friday. Andie said, well Friday's are exciting
because it is time for the weekend. Now you get to be excited all over
again. What an attitude. |