The LOVE month!!!

Hey Friends!

Spider Mo!!!

How has the New Year been treating you? I hope you all are doing well. Crazy that the first month is already out the gate! What have we been doing all month? Well…we’ve been pretty busy the month of January! So much so that it feels like summer in a way. On one hand, it’s great for business, but on the other, it’s not great for down-time, stretch time, relax time and creative time. With about a dozen shows this month and regional travel to the mountains of McCall and Sun Valley to do some gigs, the month zoomed along!

Beautiful Sun Valley! This mountain kicked my butt!

Now, we are focused on the Sapphire production coming up! This is a ticketed event we host each Spring (well, seems to be an annual thing now) and we strive to make it a fun, energetic, unique show! We have been rehearsing with our friends, Meghan Kelly Watters on percussion, Evelyn Hadden on keys, and Heather Muleman on violin. We’ve had several rehearsals and the song selection is indeed a challenging one this go round. Last year was a piece of cake! So much so, that we really never held a full rehearsal with the whole group.

Rochelle (mandolin player) never needs a rehearsal as she is just a genius that plays with us frequently enough to know what we are going to do. We did rehearse a few times with Earl, the pedal steel player and we did a cram session with Bonnie, the electric lead player, the day before and hours before the concert. We also would shoot Bonnie a “Marco Polo” of the songs, which is a video of basically me playing guitar and teaching her over the internet, the songs we would do.

Bands take a lot of time indeed, but they are so worth it! This year, we are changing it up with the players and our music. I don’t want to blow the surprises for those attending…but, it’s going to be a moving awesome show! I just love the group we have this year, as I did in the past, yet…all these ladies are just so full of light and love! It really shows up when we rehearse and I know it will during the show!

So in the spirit of thinking about productions, I gave you a classic song right from our 2019 Sapphire production. Enjoy “Folsom Prison Blues”, with a tip of the hat to Earl Hughes! Every time I listen to his pedal steel making it’s way down that crazy scale of his, I giggle. Something about it! Just so fun!

The other thing that we’ve been paying close attention to has been our daily habits. I’ve been getting to the gym quite religiously these days. It just simply makes me a better person! I have so much space for other things when I get my exercise. AND…Mo and I took a month off to say no to booze.

People are funny when it comes to alcohol and in many ways, it is woven into the very fabric of American life, like hot dogs and apple pie. I don’t really understand it because it does so much damage to so many. It’s the only drug you have to justify for NOT indulging! Completely mind blowing concept huh?

Well..I’m sharing this with you. It is a difficult journey to not indulge when you are out playing for folks who ARE indulging and WANT you to PARTY with them! In fact, folks can get down right indignant about you NOT partying with them, as if it’s an insult. Regardless of your beliefs about alcohol and where you sit with it, I suppose it has it’s place. But, we get the right to decide how much it implodes our lives. We get to call the shots with it, instead of it calling OUR shots!

A month off (or even a greater break) is good and smart, keeping our bodies healthier and our minds clearer. We have both gotten much more accomplished, feel good, saved money and have experienced a greater sense peace without it. Our involvement with that addictive substance will be in much more moderation.

Like I said, people don’t want to hear or see that. Not all. There are some that completely get it, but many will say, “How come your aren’t drinking tonight?” And I tell them, there will ALWAYS be an excuse to drink. Forever, we will ALWAYS have some thing to celebrate, commiserate, etc. My question back to those could be…”Well, why are you poisoning yourself tonight?” Ha ha! That won’t go over too well! LOL!

To each their own on the matter. I don’t judge those who do, and can be in there right along with them, and I don’t judge those who don’t as it’s really a healthier choice. I think our culture is in big trouble with alcohol personally. And in a weird way, we are almost the “promoters” of such which, if I think about it too long, I find myself in a bit of conflict.

Venues hire us to play music…but, what they REALLY want us to do, is sell beer/wine/liquor. Ugh! And as long as WE drink (and slowly kill ourselves), we can make THEM money. I know, a bit harsh, but this is the “good, bad & ugly” right here, written on the pages of the VIP back door information. And I don’t wish to ruffle anyone’s feathers, but it is good to LOOK at our habits and ask ourselves, “why are we doing that?” Right? I mean, just check in from time to time. Just make sure WE are in the drivers seat instead of some substance, food, drug, booze, detrimental relationship…right?

Interestingly enough, you would not BELIEVE how many folks bought us a round this month! It was OFF the charts! As if the Universe was testing us to say…are you SURE you are in control of this. Well, we passed the test and offered our free liquids to our dear friends ha ha! We stayed committed to our goals. We are going to moderate on the libations from here on out and really choose, on a scale of 0-10, “How badly do you want it…or…are you just going along?” That is the question before partaking. Yes, who doesn’t like a yummy glass of wine, or gin and tonic or whatever! Especially in our case, when it can be FREE (alcohol is VERY expensive as you know). So if you get something for free, don’t be an ingrate right? See how that works and can get you into a habit before you know it? Then you step on the scale and say, “holy moly!” ha ha!!!

We are all human and like to be our social selves celebrating with others. We did very well this month and yet I know there will be times to honor the moment of celebration. I have been saying we need to see clearly in 2020…let’s see 20/20 in 2020 right?! So, the 30 day alcohol experiment was great. In fact, if you are interested in trying something like this, get the book by Annie Grace, “The 30 day alcohol experiment”. It was VERY informative!

The other thing guys…I’m at a technical pinnacle…UGH!!! My computers are getting so old that they are not letting me access files without new browser updates….grrrr!!! This means trying to download a movie to clip on here has taken FOR-EVER!!! So…what I am going to do this month is give you all a direct link to a drop box file if you wish to view the movie.

The film is of our friends Sundea + Mr. Goessl holding a concert in our shop and we join them at the end. You can watch the whole thing or scroll to the end and watch them kick butt accompanying us on “Only the Lucky” and “Deep”. I mean really! These two are just SO AMAZING!!! They listened to us play ONCE and then joined in! We were all a ONE TAKE WONDER !!! I couldn’t believe it!!! I love these two! Also, be sure to check last months download if you haven’t already. It features them covering a song I wrote, “I Love My Baby Better!”

Here is the link to the concert

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2g8w3q45cq3efcu/COTR%20Ep6%20Blazin%20in%20Boise.mp4?dl=0

If you want to scroll forward to our part with them, you can find that at about 16:16, but I think you will just LOVE their whole show! They really are super special!

So, 2020 might mean we need new computers (ugh, the mere thought exasperates me, yet…dealing with what is now will only get more frustrating as we move forward too! Pick your “hard” I suppose huh?)

I hope you have some fun in the snow this winter, if you get snow. We love to ski so there will be that! Thank you so much for being on this journey with us and thanks for taking a moment to check into your membership page to catch up! Hope you enjoy the download!!!

Much love,

Nothing like driving on bare roads only to come across the drifts at 50-60 mph! Yipes!!!

Niccole, Mo and Juno

Banana Dog….she goes bananas for bananas!!! :-)

A New Decade!

Welcome to 2020!

“May 2020 be filled with many summit highs and dreams come true!!!” - Nicc, Mo & Juno

Some of you have been with us for quite a bit of time and I am ALWAYS amazed at your unyielding support! Our livelihood literally depends on the generosities of others. There was a time I would have thought this to be perhaps a shameful, meager, or nearly “beggars” life…yet now??? I think it’s beautiful! What an exchange!!!!

We give love, music, kindness and do the best we can to SEE people, to meet them where they are; to offer up our words, melodies, fun and human moments of a live show, a memento of a song well recorded. We reinvest in ourselves with every new song, every new piece of equipment every new territory we try to break into…

And in exchange, we are met with love, music, kindness, people seeing us as we are (faults and all)! People offer us a place to stay, a meal, a buck, a pat on the back to keep going, keep pressing, keep our “fires” burning as it’s a representation of YOUR dream…not only ours.

We can only walk one path, but we hope we give you insight to a life lived differently within these pages! We hope we give you new ways to think about life, love, friendship, within the words of our songs. We hope we give you energy to overcome the worst of times with our harmonies and the clout to overcome while clearing a path to truly settle, in the BEST of times!

We can expect a lot of ourselves…always striving to better the plight, sharpen our skills, dig deeper, uncover truths, grab hold of healthier choices. I am determined this year. I feel it in my bones. A deep determination to simply be…be open, be alive, be conscious, be aware, be present. Open myself to the mystery; the mystery of so many things!

It’s a new year! What great song could come through in 2020? What awesome people are there to meet and to see again? What fabulous place could we travel? What brain space will open to allow me to drink up a “healing potion” of all that is good, all that is now, all that is peaceful? What musing? What depth? What joy? What awesome audience will reflect back to me a piece of this mysterious puzzle that is I? That is you?

Oh yes boys and girls…I know I keep reaching, in that deep mystical place. But you do too, or you would not resonate with our tunes. Ha! With you, I am comforted that the words I write do not fall on a numb ear. And write I shall!!! I am excited about it! I am excited about “how great I can become this year?!!!” as a friend, a poet, a partner, a doggie mama, a musician, a song-writer, a speaker, a story teller? I am excited about being in the best shape of my life, being open to the mystery, allowing! I am excited about the song “fairy’s” that will come through, co-writes, adventures, new sound landscapes, new recordings, the learning, the love!!!

I am excited about YOU TOO! Where will you go this year? What will you do? What adventures lie before you? What will you overcome this year? What will strike an ah-ha moment with you this year? What habits will you take up or let go? What passion will you allow to penetrate and already known heart? What will spring you to action? What will put you on the mountain top of your “minds high”?

Yes, I ask you these things, as we are all on this journey of life together. 2020! Do you believe it? We are here for a blink, a moment, a gust in the wind, a song. Some of us get 3:30, some of us get a longer song, and for some it’s just a 30 second jingle. What will be your melody? Your lyric? Your beat? Your accompaniment?

It’s pretty awesome - this life of ours, this time period, this place we are all in.

We thank you so much for joining us by our “cyber fire”! We wish all the best to you in this new decade! Mo is writing a re-cap of 2019 on our recent News Blog and I am delighted to share a great new song as this months download!

This song, “I love my baby better” was actually written on my way to Home Depo one random day over 10 years ago!!! Ha! It’s been sitting in my phone files and my conscious since then. I recorded it in my phone as I made my way to HD and then sent it to Mo. She opened the text without realizing it was a sound mp3 (think 2007, who knew?) She was in a cubicle job at the state. A very SERIOUS upstanding , adult job! She opened it and my big mouth spouted these words and cut the “library vibe” into a snickering adolescent laughter break!

We kept hold of the song and it’s endearments, me never thinking for one minute this song would be put to our collection publicly. Well then along came the beautiful, the awesome, Sundea + Mr. Goessl. They simply reminded me of this song I created long ago. Sitting on my “shelf” collecting dust. So I offered it up to them! And they honestly hit it out of the ball park!!! Truly! They made the song fantastic!

I do so hope you enjoy! This is performed by the fabulous duo from Seattle. It was a sentiment of my love for my Mozie-Mo in our private world. Some what of a jokey song really. And yet, a change of the pronouns, key signature and wicked guitar and melodica solos and you have yourself a masterpiece.

It was a great lesson, the whole sharing! In so many ways! How many other masterpieces might I be disregarding as merely a “funzie,” captured in my cell phone? You bet, I will probably be spending some time reviewing these “snap shots” of musical musings! I hope you enjoy!

I also hope you are enjoying these pages and the tunes that perhaps reflect a different angle as times go by! Be well my good friends! Have yourself the most beautiful year yet! In 2020, may we have the courage, the will, the stamina to see 20/20. Taking off the lenses of what we THINK we know, and dare to dip into the mystery of what life has in store for us!!!

All of my love!!!

Niccole, Mo and Juno

Gratitude and Winter Attitude!

Hi Folks!

Mo basting the Turkey!!! Num-num!

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times to gather and celebrate. I love everything about it! From the amazing food, to the gathering of people and to the sentiments of gratitude from which we give thanks!

Gratitude truly is a medicine of the mind. It remedies our “stinkin’ thinkin’” and sets us right again. It puts us back in touch with the larger picture. I am always grateful I can hit the reset button when I am feeling not so fortunate or when sour circumstances arrive. I can take stock in the things I AM grateful for and it refreshes my perspective. While attending Center for Spritual Living (CSL) a few weeks ago our beloved Rev. Jackie said something that really struck home. She said, “if you are not finding your gratitude, see where your sense of entitlement is coming in”…basically (and I’m way paraphrasing here) entitlement strips us of gratitude. This was a powerful “food for thought”. I walked away thinking, “that is so right”. When we feel entitled or “owed”, we are not living in gratitude. I rolled around with this thought in my mind for a long time. How can you be in gratitude when you are expectant. Expectant of a certain standard or outcome? How do you appreciate? That message has turned me around in some positive ways.

It’s been a busy month this past month. We zoom around quite a bit and the month of November was all about staying home, saying no and getting organized. I feel like I need another 3 months of this actually. Of course I said “yes” to things, but I also kept plugging away at the kitchen cupboards which bled over to another room and yet another room. Throwing things away, giving things away, wondering WHY was I hanging on to this or that? In some senses, I’ve been purging and going through a “Spring” cleaning in the Winter.

Why not? This is the time for us to do these things? Our Spring/Summer is a run, so when we have the time and inclination, then we organize, right? I have LOT I am wanting to get done this next year. I have a desire to know where everything IS in this house and I believe this will bleed over into songwriting.

See, when we are cluttered and feeling disheveled, writing is sometimes the last thing we do…or could be the first thing we do. I reach for pen and paper always, yet…can I FIND the creations I just wrote on that napkin somewhere in that box or file? Ha! If I can find my special pen and it’s not drowned down deep in a drawer, chances are…I can move on the muse. When the muse happens I can be ready for it. And with less clutter I won’t have the distraction and can get right to it! Make sense?

I’m also back on an exercise program. That’s been pretty intense and my body has been somewhat sore, but…I’m feeling stronger. The other thing I did last week was give a talk at CSL. This took a lot of time and preparation in my mind.

I wanted it to be relative to all who were listening. The hardest part was trying to nail down the subject of the matter. I wanted to include my songs on gratitude, which I did with “All about Me” and “Thankful”. I also wanted to impart some insights on stepping up and also overcoming aspects that might be considered “set backs”.

I am including the talk for you on the Mp3 download section so feel free to give a listen. Now, know this…I am NOT a public speaker…but I wouldn’t mind getting better at this. I do love to share stories and talk to crowds, but it also scares the begeebees out of me too. But it’s fun! I feel alive, connected and all the things I speak about in the talk. So check it out if you would like. Here’s a little clip of the talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRdTrJIDpYg

Mostly…I just wish to say how grateful I am for all of you! I appreciate your constant support. Mo and I are organizing and planning our Spring/Summer schedule during these winter months. We are also playing, not as much but still keeping our “chops up”, and we are not traveling anywhere for a while. This feels good. I wish to work up a good bit of cabin fever so I am ready to take to the road! Ha!

We are going over new material too and checking into songs that may need refreshing. Those poor “babies” that have fallen off of our set list for months on end.

Also, this month we will meet with our friends Sundea + Mr Goesll as they come through and play at a venue we’ve connected them with. They will be having a new CD released in March and they are covering a song I wrote called, “I Love My Baby Better”. So stay tune!!!!

As the holiday rolls out, my the warmth of gratitude be ever present, illuminating like the light that you are!!!

Thank you friends!

Niccole, Mo and Juno

Stanley/Florida/Ireland!

Hello Lovely Friends,

I made many attempts to write as we went along; the end of Aug. came upon us with Ireland breathing down our “necks” but not before our trip to Florida. It is always hard to go back and write about passed moments, thus the carousel ride we are on, we do the best we can right? No complaints here, our lives are stuffed with everything that is good…and now, finally, a smidge of a breather…maybe! ;-)

This months mp3 addition is “sponsored by the letter P” as in PINK…as in Floyd. First of all, how many remember the kid show called the “Electric Company”? If you don’t, you won’t get the “sponsored by…” joke and Pink as in “Flyod” was out long before our girl Pink!

“Comfortably Numb” is a cover Mp3 for you to give a listen (or download) and since I was so far behind we posted Mo’s awesome rendition of the fabulous Lady GaGa song “Shallow”. Both songs were recorded live at our last Sapphire Show. Rochelle Smith is on harmony vocals, Earl Huges is on Pedal Steel. I have been working on the mixes all Summer. There is ALWAYS more tweaking to do, but I hope you like.

Mo is going to fill you in about Ireland, with all the details and LINKS to the places we went if you would like to dig more. I will just add this…Ireland was an epic trip that changed my life on a deep level. Yes, there is a LOT more I can expound on. I know I’ve left you in the “dark”. Perhaps I am “Comfortably Numb” in my own inner reflections of this trip. Yet, I DO FEEL that those inner workings will breach the waves at some point within a song or musing that you may catch a glimpse.

We of course came home into a slew of shows, a lot of catching up and a visit with Mo’s dear Mom who struggled with some traumatic health issues which extended her visit with us for another 2 weeks. She is managing now back in SF and we miss her.

In the picture section you will see new shots from some of our travels. I had to “re-learn” how to add pictures and now that I know, I hope to swap them out more often. It’s always something keeping up with all this technology.

As far as Florida goes…that was a quick fry in a very hot pan! We ducked the hurricane (“Chantel”, which happens to be the name of one of Mo’s former girl friends. I thought that was very funny!) We met the sweetest folks and I felt like I was 8 again, swimming in a pool almost all day! I LOVED it! The gals we stayed with were wonderful and really rolled out the red carpet! They thought of everything! Even an air-conditioning unit that blew on us when we played! That was a first! The humidity was so high we had to rub the necks of our guitars down after each song to cut through the water as we played. It was the wildest thing! It made my playing slower…as if playing under water, so strange and a first for us. Meanwhile, one sip of air could allow me to hold a note for what felt like 3 minutes! Just so different than playing in this dry desert climate.

Onward with Mo’s details of Ireland. We are hopeful to get to LEAD a trip to Ireland some day with the same outfit that took us !!! More to come about that later! For now…read on, click away and enjoy!

************************************************Mo’s Journal**********************************************

John Smith Ireland Tour Sept 13 - 22, 2019 Cork-Kerry-Clare:

 Friday Sept 13

After breakfast at the B&Bs, we headed to the airport to pick up Johnny Luv and Dana Paige (who missed their flight the night before), and to pick up Mo and Niccole’s suitcase (unsuccessful on that account). Our first stop was Grange Stone Circle. https://loughgur.com/destination/the-stone-circle/ We wandered a bit and then gathered for a brief “go around” so everyone had a chance to introduce themselves to the group of 28 friendly faces.  We then drove south to Charleville https://www.ireland.com/destinations/republic-of-ireland/cork/charleville/

for lunch and a little shopping. From there, we drove to our first hotel, Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, County Cork http://www.celticrosshotel.com/  where we stayed for three lovely nights. Due to the late start, we barely had time to get into our rooms, freshen up, and head to the round tower for dinner.  We enjoyed a group dinner with an amazing view of the inlet.  Following dinner we had a fantastic private concert by John Spillane. http://www.johnspillane.com/artist/bio. He was hilarious!

Saturday Sept 14

We started this beautiful, sunny day off with a visit to Abbeystrowry https://historicgraves.com/graveyard/abbeystrowry/co-absy where there is a mass grave of Ireland famine victims.  9,000+ victims of the famine were buried in what would be about 50 feet in length, and maybe 40 feet in width, with one single cross/gravestone marking the head of it.  After many sobering moments of walking through the graveyard, John Smith, our tour leader/songwriter sang “Kilkelly,Ireland” for all of us in the abbey. Here’s a video of the song performed by Peter Jones, who wrote the song.  https://sherlockshome.ie/kilkelly-ireland-sung-by-its-composer-peter-jones/ From there, we went to the Skibbereen Heritage Center http://www.skibbheritage.com/famine.htm where Terri Kearney gave us a sobering talk about the famine. Her depth of knowledge and passion about the Famine was obvious and touched all of us. Then we drove west along scenic roads to Glandore for lunch. It was a gorgeous day to sit and gaze at Glandore Bay while eating lunch.  We actually got sunburst that day! Most of us walked up the hill to the Drombeg Stone circle http://www.megalithicireland.com/Drombeg.htm.  But the boisterous traffic along what appeared to be a one land road baffled us!  We tried to not get hit!  We all entered the stone circle, and experienced its reverence, and John sang ‘Rooks in the Castle’ and Lance sang one of his songs. We peered across the ocean wide, complete awe struck by the incredible beauty all around us!

All of us wandered around the beautiful spot enjoying the stone circle as well as the remains of two stone huts and the cooking pits. For the faint of heart, including   Nicc and I, we took the bus back to the Celtic Ross (in the safety of a large vehicle) while others, who wanted to get another 6 miles in,  joined Paddy and walked back into town.  In the early evening, some folks stayed at the hotel to eat and watch the Gaelic football match while others walked up into town to eat.  We were tired and took a nap, but then we gathered at Nolan’s pub later that night for a sing-song with Tommy Madden (http://debarra.ie/listings/1147/traditional-irish-session/ ) and Mattie.  Most of us got a chance to sing that night! What a blast!

Sunday Sept 15 After a free morning, we went on a scenic drive to Mizen Head, Ireland's most southwesterly point!   We spent a couple of hours there, and the fog ebbed and flowed. Due to popular demand, we stopped at Barley Cove Beach http://www.myguideireland.com/barley-cove-beach and enjoyed a walk along the water. Then we headed to the fishing village of Crookhaven http://www.crookhaven.ie/ for lunch. We sang a few songs there at Tom O’Sullivan’s Pub.  Then we drove to Levi’s Pub (owned by Joe) in BallydeHob for a sing-song that evening.  There were many wonderful songs sang that night, by all, and to tell in truth, we all got a bit rowdy, which was super fun!

It was absolutely fantastic hanging out with strangers, who suddenly felt like your friends….okay, maybe that was the alcohol talking…but seriously, everyone was so awesome, and truly enjoyed hearing everyone else’s Art, and form of expression.  And there was absolutely no judgment, just total acceptance. It was a gift!  Heart nourishment; kind of like how you all feed our Souls with your enthusiasm and incredible support!  We take you in our travels wherever we go!

We ended that night with “Safe Home,” by John Smith, and we still cry every time we hear this song because it holds authentically true and loving, so many memories that will make us smile for years to come every time we remember them. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRlK9vWZyKU

Monday Sept 16 Today we drove to County Kerry to spend three days on the Dingle peninsula.  OMG!  What an incredible peninsula!  We drove into the mountains, went through a few brief tunnels, and stopped off at Molly Gallivan’s cottage and farm museum http://www.mollygallivans.com/ for a short tour and pioneer demonstration with Steven, our tour guide.  Afterwards, we had an opportunity to do some shopping of lovely wool crafted merchandise.  Let’s just say we spent a good bit of Euros there!

We drove through Killarney National Park, the town of Killarney, and stopped for lunch in the town of Kenmare.  We continued onto the Dingle Peninsula, stopping off at Inch Beach http://www.myguideireland.com/inch-beach for a short walk on the beach. We arrived at the Skellig Hotel http://www.dingleskellig.com/ in Dingle. After a little time to rest up and grab dinner at the hotel restaurant or in town, we were entertained by Donogh Hennessey https://irishtunecomposers.weebly.com/donogh-hennessy.html and Seamus Begley https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/seamus-begley-the-bold-kerryman-album-review-1.2338859.  Farrell and Julie Droke, on our tour from Oklahoma, both sang songs plus lots of us got up to dance throughout the night.  Seamus was impressed!  Some of the group, but not us (we opted for a hot tub instead) stopped at Nelligans and saw Niamh on fiddle and Matt on the guitar.  

Tuesday Sept 17 Today Kevin O’Shea, our driver, and also a native of Ireland who has a lovely voice, and would occasionally sing a traditional Irish songs, drove us to a few ancient sites.  We first went to Reask https://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/home/archaeological-sites/item/reask-monastic-site-an-riasc.html  and continued on to Kilmakedar  http://www.megalithicireland.com/Kilmalkedar.htm

We then proceeded to Gallarus Oratory http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ireland/gallarus-oratory and were able to all gather inside.  The group sang ‘Amazing Grace’ in this ancient place of prayer – and what a sound! It was definitely a religious experience!!  Afterwards, we drove along the gorgeous Slea Head Drive along the Blasket Islands and stopped at the Blasket Island Heritage Center http://blasket.ie/  We then drove to Ballyferriter where most of us went to Kane’s pub for a sing-song while others walked out to Smerwick Harbor https://www.thewildatlanticway.com/smerwick-harbour.html

 We headed back to the hotel and gathered for a group dinner overlooking Dingle Harbor. Following dinner, most people walked into Dingle town for music. Some stopped in at the Courthouse Pub and listened to a harp player and uileann pipe player.  Then most ended up at the Small Bridge where Jeremy Spencer played the fiddle with Gerry O’Brien on the bouzouki. 

Wednesday Sept 18

Today was a 'free day. Which meant Nicci and I could play a little on our own.  We tooled around the quaint little ocean side town shopping, then signed up for a 2pm kayaking tour with “Irish Adventures” where we got to float the Atlantic Ocean, and got to go into two caves. It was incredible!  Highly recommend it if you’re ever on the Dingle Peninsula.  An amazing seafood dinner, then we all met in Nellie Fred’s pub that night and had a concert with Teresa Horgan and Donogh.  https://tradconnect.com/profiles/blogs/album-launch-teresa-horgan-matt-griffin-brightest-sky-blue

Thursday Sept 19 Today we packed up and headed to Doolin in County Clare for our last three days of the tour.  After a brief stop in Listowel, we crossed the River Shannon on the Tarbert Car Ferry https://www.shannonferries.com/page/our-location/18

We stopped for lunch in Lehinch where there were some surfers out in the water. It was a perfect day for walking on the beach. We drove on to Doolin, splitting up between Dunroman House and O’Connor’s Guesthouse where we all stayed the last 3 nights. We met up at above Fitz’s Bar and did some sets of traditional Irish dancing.  Afterwards, we walked down to road, in the complete pitch dark,  to McGann’s for supper and music. Kevin Griffin on banjo, Geraldine McGowan on the boudhran, and Eddie on the guitar.  Nicc and I sang a couple of songs on their mics during break.  “Turn Around” and “Open Heart.”  We sang our harmonies from the heart, just like we do to all of you!  Again, you were with us every step of the way!

Peeking down the Cliff’s of Moher with our new buddies!

Friday Sept 20 We headed to the Cliffs of Moher https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ looking over the Atlantic Ocean. After spending some time inside the Visitor Center, most of us went hiking. Some of us hiked with Jo along the cliffs toward Hags Head and then down the road to the pitch, about a 2 hour hike right along the cliff’s edge.  Others hiked along the cliffs with Paddy towards the town, Doolin.  We had a beautiful sunny day and the winds were exhilarating! We then headed to McDermott’s Pub in Doolin for lunch and a few songs. We then drove north along the coast road into the Burren  http://www.burrengeopark.ie/learn-engage/geology-of-the-burren/ We stopped at Caherconnell for a sheepdog demonstration. https://caherconnell.com/sheepdog/

Incredible views! Looking back at the Castle from where we started the hike!

We ended the evening at Cassidy’s pub in Carron where Eugene Lambe explained the uileann pipes to us and played some songs for us.  His passion for the pipes was evident.  https://www.enjoy-irish-culture.com/Uilleann-Pipes.html

To top off the night, we stopped off at the booming town of Lisdoonvarna to get a peek at the Matchmaker’s Festival. https://www.matchmakerireland.com/programme/ Paddy and JoAn did some dancing at the Rathhaus.  After a long day, we were “home” in Doolin at 9:30pm.

Saturday Sept 22 On this gray day with some sprinkles, we took a ferry ride over to Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest and closest of the Aran Islands (http://www.inisoirr-island.com/), a 20-minute ferry ride from the Doolin pier.  People scattered off and wandered around the island. Some walked, we took a horse cart, and explored some of the castles on the hill, a mere 8 minute walk away, but we all enjoyed wandering the stone-lined narrow roads on the island. Eventually most of us (except Joan) gathered for lunch and songs at Tigh Ned pub https://tighned.com/index.html All too soon, it was time to get back onto the ferry back to Doolin. John had mistakenly given people the summer schedule for departure when we got off the ferry.  So Joan did not know the earlier return time and was still exploring the island when the rest of us left. The ferry took us over to view the Cliffs of Moher from the sea before returning to Doolin pier. It was fun to look up at where we had walked the day before. We spent a little time in Doolin on Fisher Street.  Many of us stopped in the Chocolate Shop owned by Noreen.  John always stops in during every tour and Noreen always gets him to sing a song for her. Quite a few of us sang songs for Noreen and the crowd that was squeezed into the shop, like sardines. Then that evening, we had our last group dinner. It was a relief to see Joan had made it back on the next ferry!  After dinner, we had the final “go around” with the group. How could so many of us have been strangers to each other just 10 days ago?  We ended the night (and tour) with the group singing “Safe Home” one more time with lots of gratitude and a few tears.  Many hugs and laughter were spread around! It was truly a trip of a lifetime, never to be repeated. 

We hope that you enjoyed hearing about our travels, and we are so grateful you were along with us in heart and spirit! Thanks for your continued support and inspiration.  Namaste to every one of you, and as we enter into the winter season, may you know you’ve had another incredible and fantastic year to leave your amazing footprint in the sand, leaves, snow, grass or otherwise. 

Blessings and Slainte’ (which means “Cheers and good health to you and yours”)

Love Mo and Niccole

Mountain Time

Hello friends!

We are back from the beautiful Saw-tooth Mountains in Stanley, and have so much to share with you! Sit back for a few minutes, and take a walk down memory lane with us if you’d like.   Some equally funny and frustrating moments….duality was clearly at work here.

Blaze and Kelly and the “Waggy Tails”

The last day of July, last Wed. the 31st to be exact, we were still packing the trailer in the early a.m. with the hot blazin’ sun already upon us, and a 3 hour drive to the concert ahead in Twin Falls “Downtown Commons;”  a.k.a a hot, un-shaded concrete slab where 1,000+ folks came to “kick their heels up!” on the slab floor!  We drove an arduous 122 miles at 65 mph in an 80 mph zone, pulling the trailer fully loaded.  It was a small form of torture since we were already running late. We pulled down a one way street to the venue, unbeknownst to us, and thank God we had the mercy of on-coming traffic that slowed enough for us and our trailer in tow, in order to get into the parking lot safely….OMG!!! Saw a person getting a ticket from an officer a day later for the same thing…..ugh! Needless to say, that street was not well marked for the one way sign.

Road Dog!

We were joined by Meghan Watters on percussion and Bonnie Johnson on lead guitar. And then there was us, B&K; the wilted flowers getting more withered on the stage, despite the cooling neck clothes, sprays of water, and on occasion ice cube in our bra.  Juno had the best spot, tethered to the trailer, full shade, and a nice breeze! The curator, Robyn even went back a time or two to spray her with a water bottle.  She was ‘Queen Juno’ for a night, though she probably would have much rather roasted her furry butt off on stage with us; separation anxiety, ya know.

“Aunt Trudy” with Juno

Our dear friend, Trudy who decided to come on the week long B&K tour, generously offered her air-conditioned hotel room for the night that had an extra bed. AC and a shower at this point, you felt like Cleopatra, and we gratefully accepted the offer given the hot temperature that night. Ahhhhhhh! We had breakfast with Bon Bon and her girl that morning, then made tracks to Sun Valley for our next round of shows! But only after visiting “Rudy’s A Cook’s Paradise” and ‘Koto’s Brewery’ in old downtown. We have more gig opportunities there after a brew, BBQ broccoli tacos, and a chat with the manager. Beautiful stage, great brews and food, and a nice place to hang your hat for awhile.

Trudy, Nicc & Carol

We landed at our good friends, Carol and John’s in Sun Valley and parked our trailer for the weekend. So grateful to have a place to hang our hats, and reduce expenses.  Nice to come home “in the black” instead of the red.  It’s too easy to spend all your proceeds on the road. Carol and John are an extremely active, well-traveled couple whom we met at Grand Targhee Ski resort many moons ago. They invited us to entertain at Carol’s 70th birthday, and we became fast friends. By the way, they can kick our ass any day;  skiing, hiking, you name it…..they are seriously in shape (and 73 & 75 now!), and love to take you on fun adventures…..better make sure you’re prepared though….they epitomize energy, and not always the amount we have! Wish we could bottle it and save it for later. Would come in handy at some of those late night shows! Though we strive for, and enjoy our earlier show times, 4-6pm or 5-7pm, so we can get our beauty rest…..ha ha!

We got the opportunity to visit the Sawtooth Botanical Gardens.  What a site to behold; so tranquil and beautifully manicured.  We spun the 400 lb Tibetan prayer wheel that was blessed by the Dali Lama in Sept, 2005 in honor of the victims lost in 911, and walked the gardens in sheer bliss.  We highly recommend a visit next time you’re in the Valley.

Magical Mecca!

We got up early Friday morning; well early for us (6:30 am) in order to beat the heat on a hike Carol wanted to take us; lofty endeavor for a show day, but we needed some exercise, and what better than a hike in nature. We went up Trail Creek Rd (the latter part of the drive 4 miles, on a one lane, gravel road that steadily climbed elevation, and had a 2,000 foot drop to your left!  Made our butt cheeks pucker!  What a thrill! Beautiful scenery behind us of Sun Valley below, and the craggy canyon riffs looking over us as we sauntered up the mountain at 20 mph, which was a bit fast in my estimation.

Spectacular Sun Valley Mtns.

We hiked a steady incline for 2 hours, doing 5 miles of the 11 mile round trip because we were tuckered, in a daze actually from the heat, the misquotes were hummin’, and at this point, we were in full sun. Much like how we opt out of skiing on a show day, we did the same in this instance. Call it lazy, we call it wisdom.  Our priority is being able to ‘bring it’ (energy in our performance and message) to that evening’s show, especially because the concert series in Ketchum is based on the Arts and bringing community together.  Don’t want to disappoint!

Ketchum Town Square

We had a 3 hour tour that night, playing to a captive audience, starting at 5pm.  Juno sacked out on her pad on stage, tuckered out from our hiking adventure.  We met Roman, age 11 with a bright smile, freckles, and red hair while dining after the show.  His mom was a big fan!  We threw chips across the table at one another, talked about altruism, and he delighted in seeing our expressions every time he showed us gory pictures of facial tattoos and piercings.  He was a kick in the pants!  We decided it best to give him a B&K oreo cookie hug as we departed.  He didn’t know what to make of that, but we think he’ll always remember “those two zany singer ladies.” He said to his mom, I think Mo could be my sister.  Ha!  Adorable!  Hope he stays in touch.  It was refreshing to meet such an intelligent and resourceful young man.

Roman! We wanted to take him home!!! What a great kid!!!

In our friend’s neighborhood that evening, we came upon a herd of elk, many juvenile bulls with their furry antlers. We were grateful to be in the safety of our car to enjoy their majestic beauty.  What a treat, a real National Geographic moment!

Many Bulls in velvet surprising us only feet away from our car!

Saturday morning came, and we politely declined another hike.  We got the pleasure of performing at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum Saturday night, another “3 hour tour”! Fortunately we were shaded, and had our friend Trudy babysitting young, restless Juno. There was a birthday party happening there, about 20 folks, all from Boise.  Their 1 year old daughter danced with glee and pure delight all night.  We were thoroughly entertained, as well as doing the entertaining. The venue said “please come back anytime.” That always feels good.

So we headed over the Galena Pass and into the Sawtooth Mountain range Sunday morning; an absolutely stunning 65 mile drive, landing at Alturas Lake to camp. We got one of the last camp sites and were delighted!  However there was a family tribe of 20+ folks next door, with all their toys, ATV’s, motorcycles, etc. that made for a less than restful camping experience. We ended up moving to the North shore campground the next day, just a ¼ mile down the road to a much more peaceful site with our own beach access for paddle-boarding.  Now you’d think we’d settle down by this point, and dig in to our relaxation time, but the bugs were antagonistic, the motorized boats on the water blaring rap music on one end, and country from the other, and the can of bacon grease next door that was unbeknownst to us until Juno was face deep in it, proved to be a challenge for us. The last night, Juno restless and vomiting due to her culinary excursions…..we couldn’t wait to get home!

We did have a burger at Smiley Creek and heard some music from a local Boise musician, and also went to Redfish lodge to see live music Wed night, a fellow from San Francisco that was literally a one man band.  He live looped drums, guitar, bass, and other effects while he sang and played guitar. Very impressive!  We were on what’s known as “B&K time” which roughly translates, wherever you’re going, or doing, our time of arrival is always 1 hour after the time we say we’ll be there. 

One of our favorite pass times camping is reading by the fire, waiting for the bats to come out, and the sky of stars soon to follow.  We collected firewood not even a mile from our campsite in deserted piles free for the taking, and had some magnificent camp fires every night.  The stars were exploding in the sky; the milky way, blissfully milky, and the stars, both big or small, like the infinite grains of sand that meet the ocean floor. We found ourselves excited for the star show each night, and would leave the camper curtains open so we could star gaze every time we briefly awoke through the night. Like Christmas morning a-waiting!

Resting

We watched osprey dive for their lunch, water-skiers doing their flips and tricks, fish hanging out among the submerged trees on the shore line, and the fresh mountain air reminding us of all the good things in life.  We take you all on this journey with us, and we thank you for being a part of our travels. It’s like having a lucky shamrock in your pocket all the time.  We are grateful for each and every one of you, and hope your summer has been amazing! 

Fishing Dog!

Cooling off!

Take good care now.

Distinguished while searching for Squirrels!

All our best,

Sacked out Nicci

Mo (was the author of this tale) Nic (Placed pictures and edited)

Fields of Gold

Or Rainbows! ;-)

Hey Friends,

We are in fast pursuit to central Idaho. We have shows in Twin and Ketchum and then hopefully a paddle float in the Sawtooth Mtn Lakes to cool off! Just a little blurb before we get going.

We have a new original “5 Star Dive Bar” but Mo still has to learn her bass part and my guitar is a little “shaggy”. We will be recording that as soon as we know it, ha ha! It is a FUN tune that we look forward to sharing with you.

I DO want to share this song and I am VERY excited about it…it’s one of my favorites called: Fields of Gold.

I hope this gets you buy for a little longer and that you enjoy this performance of it. Sure, as an artist, I think we can always do better, but it has it’s own life here. I’ve looked back in the archive since I’ve started this “Cyber Campfire”. I see some songs that are now “officially recorded” and what you have here are the “baby tracks” to those greater developments. Pretty neat to look back and see the growth of a tune. I hope you all enjoy a bit of that!

Be well and enjoy your “Fields of Gold”.

Oregon Coast!

 Just back from the road!  If you followed the Fan Flare page on Face book you will note we traveled to Oregon the last 2 weeks covering the Wallowa Mountains to the ocean beaches of Lincoln City and back to the forests of beautiful Bend. 

The happiest Mo I know!

 It felt like 3 trips in one!  We are back home and barely acclimated but I wanted to take the opportunity before delving into “being home again”, to write.  This is the space that I love.  Breaking away from the things you think you “have to do”.  It’s difficult to be creative when you feel the “fork” of obligations “poke” you in the side. 

 I don’t have any of that going on at this particular moment.  I don’t have the weight of the world at this time.  Sure there are still the things that will eventually call me: mowing the grass, paying bills, checking e-mail, cleaning all the sand out of my car, appointments, etc.  All these things are still there, but they are not taking up my minds energy.

Beach time!

We came home a day early, so today feels like a “skip school day”, remember that?  A free-bee!?  Most people could certainly look at our lives and call it all a freebie.  But I would hope those close to us know better and how much it does take to make this musical wheel go round. 

 Mo has tried for years to land some of these shows this tour and for some reason the Universe aligned finally.  Salishan Resort in Gleneden Beach was a hard “fish to catch” for our anchor gig. As luck would have it, the manager of Salishan attended a house concert we did last October and invited us to come perform. It was kind of like an audition really. Fortunately we passed the test, and got to enjoy playing at this fancy resort, where staff and fans alike had a great time!  The place was packed on Saturday.  All folks from prior years of building relationships and ‘showing up.’  We were asked back again which always feels good, but there’s a likelihood that new management can slip in, and then you have to start all over again.  So you love the gig, when you have the gig, cause it could always be the last time you play there, even if it’s your first time.  So we had a most excellent adventure!

Sand face Juno!!!

 Music has shown me how to let go and just allow and this trip was no exception.  We had 4+ of our VIP members join us for the first leg of our Joseph/Enterprise show; a brewery Friday, Pride celebration Sat. at Wallowa Lake; a club in Enterprise OR on Sat. night, all of this after the 5 hour trek to get there.  Our folks seem to understand how driving the long distances can knock your energy.  They couldn’t believe we had the energy to play the last show.  2 of them cut loose and couldn’t make our last gig and I completely understand and encouraged them to just relax.  It was exhausting!  I saw our friends so tired and thought, “How do WE do it?”  Ha ha!!! 

 Poor sleepy loving faces all in the audience as I completely adored their efforts to show up. But then “Bobbie McGee” came over me and the energetic song of “Looking Out” by Brandie Carlilie jumped from my guitar and out of my vocals to end this marathon of shows in this beautiful region.  We try our very best.  My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest and I had a dizzy feeling (with no alcohol consumption mind you)…could this be utter exhaustion?  How many times can I push through this?  How will I keep this up in my 60’s/70’s…my thoughts come up and skirt under the carpet of the final chorus, “Someone Loves Youuuuu!”  The Bar cheers, they all want another one.  We’ve gone into over-time and it’s done.  That is all you get Enterprise, until the next time. 

 Sustaining energy is another aspect of this lifestyle.  That’s why, when it’s good…you take it in…get rid of the guilt…enjoy the whole ride.  Because when you are called on and expected to perform, expected to lift heavy equipment up a steep flight of stairs after a long drive and then expected to lift people up for 2-3 hours, then tear it all down again, down that long flight of steps and into a strange bed to wake and do it twice the next day, it helps to not resist a thing.  Just allow.  Resistance of ANY KIND brings weariness.  We need our energies for the notes, chords and people.

Up up up…where are our LOADIES right now??? :-)

That is why when we are in the middle of this beautiful mountain range with our butts handed to us, let’s take this tram up 8000 feet and check out the view!  Finding “Joy in our Ride”, we treat ourselves now and again.  If we didn’t do these things to rejuvenate we couldn’t do it.  I think our members are the only “public” that really know this private side, the “flip side” of what I referred to last month. 

At the top of the tram with Juno!

 Flip sides occur and you never know what the venue will be like until you get there unless you’ve been there before.  The re-occuring theme that kept happening on this trip in particular was “little time”.  These “big time” shows of which my mind prepared for, as if I was going to step into an arena filled with 1000’s of people, were really “little time”.  Small.  Still wonderful and a “big” deal for town musicians, but not nearly what my mind had prepared for.  I had thought “Joseph Pride - big stage”, it was small, intimate and great but in its own way.  Salishan Resort, fancy…still small…very classy, wonderful…a glorified 365 Bar back in Boise, posh!  4th of July was BIG SOUND, medium stage.  The audience gathered around and a truck with speakers bigger than me aligned out to the shore to blare our music for about 1000 people, yet the sand dunes covered all hopes of eye contact to have with those folks.  We were LIVE RADIO to those folks on the beach.  There was no pressure, which was great as we played in a “bareeze way” from the park to the beach.  “What an interesting set up?” I thought. My solo’s were spot on for that show and in my head I closed my eyes and saw thousands, again in an arena. 

Sweet stage in Lincoln City for the 4th of July.

 Our last show in Bend, at a beautiful Lake, much like our home at Red Fish Lake Lodge, was surrounded by beautiful Ponderosa Pines with Mt. Bachelor and the Sisters Mtn. peeking upon us!  This show took the cake as the flip side.  The environment was glorious! We were supplied with sound equipment and a sound technician. Sounds great right? Boy, this was one of the roughest times for sound in most of my career.  I have had some doozeys.  Typically men looking at me from behind the board shrugging their shoulders not knowing how to fix a horrible feedback, static, clipping, a resonating annoying note or buzz. 

 This particular sound guy was capable and compassionate, yet ill equipped.  He had a monstrosity of speakers which probably gave him a minor hernia to hump down to the stage.  More speakers than what we needed. The venue supplied these speakers and the notepad to run the whole set up.

Simply beautiful backdrop!

 He couldn’t get the hot-spot wifi to connect to the mother board.  It sounded great during sound check and when we went on, in front of about 300-400 people we sounded like we were in a little tiny band-aid box.  My inner-ears went south through his system too and I had to fish through 3 different cords to make my loop pedal work.  It was a big cluster and the audience waited.  They were SO patient! 

 We sang a 50 minute set out of this little “band-aid box” and I had had it.  I was like, “Dude, we have a perfectly capable system in our car and can have it set up in 10 minutes!  Let us sound like professionals here…this has amateur written all over it!”  I didn’t say it exactly like that, I was very diplomatic but I was peeved!  I just now had to remove my sweatshirt cause it makes me hot just thinking about this. 

 Terrible sound can KILL YOU!  Truly!  It reflects so poorly on a new crowd.  We sounded like we were a little AM radio station back in the 50’s!  It was noticeable!  Believe me!  The audience noticed.  Half of them probably thought it was on our end, the other wondered if it was the sound guy.  What was really wrong was faulty equipment. 

 I sang these powerful songs and they chirped out of these BIG fat speakers with NO volume.  Several audience members approached the sound guy.  He fibbed and told them that he was only allowed to have it a certain decibel, which was true but not why we sounded this way.  The venue designed their speakers to only allow for a specific volume level.  Like a governor on a rental car…you can only go so fast. 

Why have music, when you don’t want to hear the music?  We play for some venues here at home that cap our overall volume and it is always stifling.  I have managed to move beyond this as my inner ear gives me my own BIG AREANA sound that I so long for and crave.  I am a ROCK STAR in my own ears!  Ha ha!!!  It comes through perfectly!  But my inner ears weren’t working with his system either.

 The sound guy knew it wasn’t just the governor on this system.  He could not adjust anything.  10 minutes before the end of the first set (and 30 minutes too late in my book) I halted the music.  Told the audience we are definitely experiencing some technical difficulties and let the sound guy go get HIS notebook as he was INSISTENT to use his own stuff before allowing us to break out ours. 

 I get it…it’s his job on the line.  But we also had a job to do…and that part sucked!  I let him mess around with his notebook and try to get it right…but that wasn’t getting a signal either.  I said “fuck it!” (naughty me swearing in my mind of which you are right now privy to, ha ha!) 

 I knew he wasn’t gonna get it and I stopped and started walking towards the car to get the Bose.  Scott, our dear old friend who used to live in Boise and the best drummer we ever had, was in the audience.  I said, “Scott, can we use your muscles?”  And he said, “Sure!”  So 200 yards away is our car and he schlepped the sub woofers, I took the posts, Mo grabbed the bass stand and 10 minutes later we were back in our own “shoes” again.

 The audience clapped hard!  They were patient, yet half of them took off.  How deflating and frustrating?!  That took the wind out of our sails, we are used to people staying, not taking off.  But without “power”, you have no sticking power.  We drew on our unplugged/campfire feeling, but that wasn’t enough as the audience was large enough to be far away.  It would be like playing unplugged in a loud coffee shop and people were mostly quiet and trying to hear at this gig.

 Once we were back in our skin with our Bose system, we could feel the connection being made.  I could feel the power of the song seep into the audience’s ears.  I could feel hearts opening and enjoyment being had.  But I will admit, though you wouldn’t have been able to see it, I was rattled a bit.  It was a waffle and not the best way to leave the last leg of a great tour.  But it seems you have to roll with both the good and bad, cause it can’t always be gravy!

 Interesting though, my thoughts, like morning dew would seep in and I would try my best to step around the dew but it was everywhere.  (“You are so little time”, “Is this all we are destined for?”, “What a joke?”, “If I were a guy, would that sound dude have made us wait so long to switch out our equipment?”)  These thoughts are horribly untrue as I know this, but they still come.  The mind races with uncertainty, inferiority, insecurity, and like a meditation, I just watch the thoughts and point my heart in the direction of doing my very best for this audience that is still there, that STAYED!  

 The sound guy has NOTHING to do.  The Bose is simple.  We are dialed.  It sounds great! He comes up once to turn the whole mix down a little.  I look at Mo and smirk.  At least my ear buds work and I am in my big arena again in my mind.  I push all that “little sound, little performers, not good enough shit” out of my mind and end on a request from an audience member in which we are 300 miles away from our home town, “Life is Beautiful”.  I honor the original request.  I find my gratitude again.  The song leaps out with its first chord, a familiar rhythm I’ve played a million times!

Isn’t Life Beautiful? Flip side and all~!

 I look back at the lake and Mt. Bachelor.  The lyrics pull me into a truth.  I stand in the middle of myself with all my faults, all my “littleness” and become “big” again.  Whole.  Simple.  Appreciative. 

 This music is medicine.  Maybe the whole world doesn’t know it.  Maybe they never will. Maybe just a few.  My corner of this great big world.  But I hope that I’ve made “my corner” better for trying.  I sing the song, I flash back to Juno fetching her ball within the waves, the crab that I got to eat, the amazing views upon the mountain top, all of our friend’s smiles along the way.  My heart swells as I look at Mo with that huge bass around her little body and the big grin on her face. 

Mo in her element.

 “Life IS Beautiful” – even through flip sides! 

 Thanks you guys, it’s good to be home.  It’s good to have an outlet for my inner thoughts, and have fans on the “inside” of what looks to all be a bed of roses.  Every life has some thorns yes, but that sweet smell gets us through the scratches!

 Much love to you all!!!   

Manzanita Beach Sunset!

Brandi Bear and Buffalo!

Hi Friends,

Top of the world! Jump for Joy and not for lightning!

We are home for 2 days and I thought I would take advantage of my “time” (ha ha) and get you a little download I am super excited about AND tell you all the cool stuff we’ve witnessed and have done. I know as I tell you these stories many of you might think we live a “charmed” life. Believe me, I feel blessed, and for the most part we do. Just remember in ALL things, there is ALWAYS a “flip side”.

So, we leave for Washington May 30th. It’s late, 4 pm. We won’t make it there. We know that. We are exhausted. Our show is not until the next day (Friday). The Thunder crashes down in Boise. It’s an epic powerful storm. We had just planted our flower beds. We peek out the bay window with Juno and watch the big drops hit the soil. It suddenly starts to hail. Oh how I wish I could crawl into my bed with a good book and stay there for a few days!

We had just played a series of shows and June has me a bit anxiety ridden. I haven’t had enough time to myself, for anything (there’s that flip side I was talking about). I haven’t been able to read, write, and don’t even ask me how to relax or have fun. I simply felt at that point that I didn’t know how to do any of those things anymore.

I had several appointments, way over scheduled and a body work class to attend. Some of you know, I do body work on the side. It’s a passion, a love, a hobby, a fling career. I’m good at it. My small clientele love it and it pays some bills. I squeeze these appointments and lessons in between our shows and trips. It’s no easy juggle.

People have been doing yard work. There are several emergencies. Low backs and hips are going out and I am “on call”. I haven’t had a moment to take a pee and I am my own boss (!/?) I’m pretty ridiculous and questioning everything. The drops come down. I am over joyed to just stop and take it all in.

We are taking our trailer, leaving our beloved puppy with a great friend (thank you Jackie), and heading to the Gorge in Washington to witness one of our favorite musicians Brandi Carlile. Some how back in December I rationalized that we would have time and deserve to see our favorite players when they are in the Northwest. I was also scrambling for a good Christmas gift for Mo and I and was coming up short.

With the price of tickets now being so ridiculous (ridiculous must be my word tonight) I really felt like I bit off much more than I could chew with time and expense. Yet here we were. We had a gig less than a 1/4 mile from the big stage! We aren’t playing at the Amphitheater…but we are playing at the Gorge! Hallelujah!

I wrote a beautiful blog/newsletter about that whole trip here: Playing Next to Brandi Check that out if you want to take that journey, but let’s move on ward.

We get back from that trip and have 8 shows in 7 days, I have clients between those shows and another class. I’m a little concerned for myself, my energy level, etc. The saving grace, I have made time to get to the gym. I know. Crazy right?! I take only one hour to lift and swim 3 days a week. I lift for 20-35 min. and swim for 20-30 minutes and then I am OUT OF THERE! No time to flex in the mirror, no chatting it up; get busy, get to it!

That helped drastically! My energy levels you would think would have waned, but they didn’t. This helped beyond belief. All the more reason to stay in shape I thought. No easy task when you just want to escape into a bottle of wine! Ha! Someone wrote, “the bottom of a bottle’s not the safest place for you to hide”.

Some may be asking, escape from what? Responsibility, commitments, obligations, you name it! We all “adult” a bit too much at times and me…I am completely guilty of that! I would like to say and think I have balance, but I am definitely a “work in progress”.

We finish the 7 shows and the Universe steps in (what I like to call Divine Intervention) and our last show that week is cancelled by the venue due to their double booking! Hooray! I am saddened for the people that planned to attend the show, a little miffed at the loss of income, but I am truly relieved because we are leaving the NEXT DAY to BILLINGS Montana for another “splash in the pan”!

Juno goes to the sitter again as we thought we were FLYING to Billings but turns out, our stand by tickets would have kept us “standing by” to MISS the gig on the other side! Oh holy moly we are driving…again! Opposite direction! Here we go. Pack everything up.

The garden needs irrigation or all our work will die. We some how cram that in during the slew of shows. My tomato plants out back will be dealt with tomorrow, they somehow survived the drought of the last 4 days as we flooded them before we left. I ordered business cards from my web manager, folded t-shirts til 12:30am, checked on the new shipment of “SunRuns”, paid bills.

We are up and out Thursday. Longest drive in the Universe (except if you are driving back to Jersey, eii yii yii!) We get there. Our friends are tied up with some family illness. We recuperate the next day. I brought my yoga mat and stretched and rolled on my roller as my hip and butt were “yelling” at me. I catch a work out with our friends, and the next day is the show.

We play in an awesome horse training barn. OMG! A whole other life flashes before me. I was once a cow girl. Yep! Rode horses every day. Picked there feet, oiled my own saddle, pitched their shit, brushed and loved on my horses every day over 20 years. Wow! Just walking into that place and the smell of the leather brought me right back.

Just leapt up on him here…notice the soft dirt! :-)

This party was for Bon-Bon, otherwise known as that bad ass chick who plays electric guitar with us on occasion. She’s mega skilled and this was her day to shine and turn another decade older with two other friends. Bonnie turns 50, Lydia turns 60, and Trudy turns 70! She built a stage in the barn, this woman can do anything. She builds everything! Quiet a clever, wickedly funny, waggy tailed crusader of life and love and a sweet friend.

When we found out the day before we couldn’t fly…I must admit, I wanted to vomit just thinking about crawling into a car again. But then I thought of her smiley face on the other side. I thought of all the people we would help make their day special. I also thought, “Billings, that’s next to Red Lodge, which is next to the Beartooth Hi-way, which is next to the NE gate of Yellowstone”.

Let’s pull a crazy! Let’s go through Yellowstone on the way back! Many of you have seen the videos on Facebook. Boy did God bless US for our butt pain!!! 3 bears and hundreds of buffalo! Here is a video clip: Bear Buffalo

Oh MY GOD! Truly! How incredible was that? What was also incredible is that we got the last little cabin in Roosevelt at a decent price! When I called ahead of time they had reservations which were already out of my comfort zone financially and then they added another 30% on top of that for reservation charges and fees! I just laughed at the lady. Not in a mean way but, hell…I am a musician, not an I.T. agent. Who has crazy money to spend on a tiny cabin for one night? Ugh! I could go to Brandi Carlile for that kind of money! *eye roll here ha ha!

We get there and this place was a 1/4 of the price! Bingo! That we can do! We get into the little cabin and decide to venture out that evening and saw a big black bear off the side of the road and this little black bear that darn near looks like a cub, but it is a yearling. There is the gift! There were many gifts on this trip:

We got to make 3 people’s birthdays and about 150 other people very happy!

We got to play music with our buddy and hear her rock her guitar!

I got to ride “Bayley” the horse, a beautiful Palomino - bare back “bull-ya”!!! That REALLY took me back! (I looked at the ground before muscling my way up to it’s bare back and thought, “well, that dirt is soft enough” ha ha! )

We got to drive the bear tooth hi way again and take in that beautiful landscape.

As we hiked to the outcrop at the top of the bear tooth summit we did NOT get struck by lightning even though our hairs stood up on end! Yikes!! (Gotta thank God for the things that DON’T happen!)

Electric Nicc

Electric Mo

We saw a total of 3 bears! 2 giant black bears and one little one.

We literally got stuck in a Buffalo heard! Best traffic jam ever!

We saw some beauty and very cool geysers and springs.

Can you smell the sulfur?

We reconnected with a super fun Golden Doodle “Syd” and met 2 greyhounds ( I fell in love with “Wallace”).

Wallace the greyhound. Sweet baby!

We got to come home to our lovely lily’s popping and our happy baby Juno and friends!

Flower garden finally complete.

And now…we get to go to Oregon and play for several little towns and all kinds of different folks! Right after I put mulch down in the flower bed, attend another bodywork class and go see the Indigo Girls concert tomorrow with good friends (thank you Cindy and Shelly)! Ha ha ha!!!

One of our biggest influences. They’ve written with courage and sang with grace for over 30 years. I’ve been a big fan for all that time!

Ridiculous?….yes, that I am. I will probably move fast until I can’t move fast any more or learn how to just let go, slow down, relax, or not worry. I am completely blessed. Sometimes in the midst of it all, my “little brain” can forget that, like a little child that needs a nap. But for the most part, I treasure every moment, because ANY moment could be our last.

Enjoy your download, “The Story” a Brandi Carlile tune I covered a month or so back at DejaBrew. “All of the lines across my face, tell you the story of who I am. So many stories of where I’ve been and how I got to where I am!” Thanks for listening, thanks for reading the stories, thanks for everything!

I hope you all enjoy our whirl-wind. It is the Summer after all! Be well, go slow, go fast, do what you like!

Quick video of some highlights on our journey!