Goodbye David

 

One of my childhood icons has died today. Like so many of us, I loved the music of David Crosby, from his early years with The Byrds to Crosty, Stills, Nash and Young, and on to his own solo efforts. 

I was a very young teen when I first discovered his music. And although I didn't always understand the politics behind some of the words, the beautiful harmonies and poetry of the lyrics always touched the deepest part of me.  

I hear he was a difficult man; his life was colored with substance abuse, prison, infighting, rudeness - much of which was caused by his addiction. According to the 2019 Netflix documentary "Remember My Name", David regretted past actions and spent his latter days trying to make amends ... trying to find peace. (Me too, David; me too. )

At the end of the documentary, David once again said something that resonated deep, deep down inside me, and I've adopted those words as one of the tenets of this, the winter of my life:

"Time is the final currency. How are you spending yours?"

Farewell, dear David. 

And thank you for the music. 

Come Wander Down Yon Golden Bower...

All last week it rained; then on Friday, gentle snow flakes fell -- just enough to cover everything -- and the temperatures were low enough to sustain the snow that had fallen. But Saturday morning when I drove home from the local market, the sun came out from behind a cloud and THIS is the scene that met me. 

The vibrant orange of the deciduous trees against the snow-covered fir trees was brilliant and beautiful!

So, even before I ate lunch, I dressed and took myself out for a walk on the old rail line walking trail behind my house. 



It was so lovely! Crisp and cold enough for a head covering and gloves but oh, so toasty warm while walking. The walk up that hill to get to the trail is a difficult one as the incline is so steep. But just a few steps onto the trail, and this is what greets you. As I stood there panting, inside my head I heard the beckoning cry of "Come wander down yon golden bower". So off I went. 




As I walked, I listened to my IPod. I've been using my walking time to listen softly to whole albums rather than just favorite songs, and I've been finding some lovely tunes that I've overlooked in the past.

The whole walk takes me about 45 minutes most of which time I'm surrounded by trees and nature. The white snow and white/grey sky were the perfect backdrops for the remaining leaves and bushes. I passed no one on the trail but heard a dog bark, someone chopping wood and then smelled wood smoke from an outdoor fire ... someone burning brush. It was a magnificent day for a walk!


It rained Saturday evening. Then I woke to freezing rain early Sunday, and it rained for the remainder of all day. So, not only is any snow gone, but most of the leaves have fallen. (Winter comes early to Newfoundland.) 

The world was harsher than usual this weekend. Or perhaps I feel it was harsher because I already feel raw and this latest cut is so close to home. But my heart aches for those of you in the U.S. and with the Jewish community. My heart aches. 

I'll leave you with the Ahn Trio and this beautiful, plaintive music.

Shalom! 

Rx = Sunshine

Yes, my friends, I did try snowshoeing this weekend. And no, I did not fall as anticipated.  But I decided to snowshoe at Margaret Bowater Park rather than on the trail as I was visiting my Dad and it was on the way. It was a gorgeous sunny day!

I had no trouble putting on my showshoes. I tromped around and got comfortable with them -- made sure I could walk without falling down. But as I started on the trail, quite a few people passed me coming the other way; and I found that the trail was so well trodden, that snowshoes weren't necessary. I didn't want other people to have to dodge my wider 'n' longer than normal feet! So, I went back to the car and took them off in favor of a 'walk' in the park.

Glenmill Inn in the distance.

It was so beautiful! The deeper I walked in the forest, the quieter it became; I stopped and sat on a snowy bench before I began the mostly uphill climb back. All I could hear was the Corner Brook stream bubbling past me and several birds chirping. And I must have scared a tiny squirrel because he sure scared me when he suddenly began loudly screaming at me to move on. 

Back in the car and on my way to my dad's house, I grabbed a quick lunch snack -- something that I haven't had since early December -- a large order of french fries.  

Then as I drove along the Humber River, mountains on either side of me, sun streaming from the Heavens, happily munching fries, I listened to Newfie music on Uncle Tom's Shed, a weekend local music program. As we say here on The Rock, "Sure I was only in da car and I was already havin' a toime!"

Sometimes, a little sunshine is just what the doctor ordered. It was a real boost for me, and I can approach the rest of winter with a bit more of a spring in my step. 

We danced till we were giddy!

Sunday afternoon, friends and I took in the 7th annual LaHave River Folk Festival.  Fort Point was the sight of one of the first settlements in N America -- once the French snapped it up from the Mi'kmaq, of course.  It also happens to be a favorite spot of mine as it's around the corner from where we raised our kiddies; we loved walking from our house and along the beach to Fort Point -- collecting beach glass, running with the dog, picnic lunches. The Historical Society have worked hard in restoring the site.

 And Mother Nature showed her appreciation by presenting us with a perfect day -- enough sunshine to warm your back and enough gentle breeze to keep the bugs away.

A lineup of 13 different performers, the smell of b'beque in the air and happy, toe-tapping people everywhere you looked:  some in the open, some under tent canopies and some outside the teepees.

After a while, I took a little time out to go next door and visit a wee member of the family.  As I sat there, I could hear "Cut, Split & Delivered" singing this lovely gospel song about holding the hand of the Master; it was very poignant and quite beautiful.

 The afternoon meant more music and hand clapping and hot dogs and root beer and chilli.  And then the dancing began -- a person can only sit still for so long!  There were big dancers and little dancers, old ones and young ones:  I love seeing every age group up dancing together and being totally "uncool". 

As evening began to settle on us, the temperatures cooled down; but everyone came prepared.  The music ran into darkness, and the dancers were encouraged to take the front of the stage.

We were some of the last to leave the stage at the end of the evening.

We danced until we were giddy and laughing and full of joy at being alive and having ears and eyes and feet and friendship!

Music is love in search of a word. ~Sidney Lanier

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You know how sometimes you hear a bit of music on the radio and think "Hey! That's a nice song". And then quite a while later, you hear a different song; and you wonder if you've heard that voice before and you think "Hey! That's kinda nice". And then one day when you've wandered down a few rabbit trails on U-Tube you suddenly find the voice! So, you watch a whole bunch of videos; and you discover that besides the voice, there's this amazing musical talent ... and this cute little chipmunk face and a head full of dark curls to go with the voice.
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And so you listen some more until it hits you: "I'm in love!!!"
And he doesn't even know I exist!
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But that's okay! Cause after all: he's just a young pup; while I'm a round, wrinkling, mature female who just wants a platonic relationship with him anyway. So, I think I'll just use the boy for his music.

Jeremy Fisher (born Jeremy Binns, December 15, 1976, Hamilton, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Montreal, Quebec. Fisher's work is heavily influenced by folk and blues music, and his songs feature accompaniment by acoustic guitar, slide guitar and harmonica.

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And then I find out that his mother is from Newfoundland; so it all makes sense! Of course he's great and I'm in love!
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Shoesday - Apr 12.11 - LET'S DANCE!

. It's another Shoesday here in Bridgewater, and today I wanted to wear something that I could dance in. Not that I'm going dancing today. But isn't every day an opportunity to dance? Shouldn't we grab any and every opportunity to trip the light fantastic and/or kick up our heels (while we can still actually kick)? So, I choose my Liz Claiborne flats (purchased brand new from Value Village for $6.99). And to add a cheerful "get down and boogie" flavor, I paired them with this purse gifted from my friend and pastor, Jocelyn. . hello I dance all the time; if there's music, you'll find me dancing. In the car, in the supermarket, around the house, and at the office. If I'm having a hectic &/or stressful day, dancing breaks the evil spell and rescues me; it loosens me up -- body, mind and spirit. And I can dance to any kind of music. . hello This morning, I want to share this gem of a musical number with you. The young woman is Desi Gordon, the young man who breaks a string is Liam Friar: they both spent a lot of time at my house with my daughter. Also included in the group are a brother and nephew to the late Harry Chapin. The group is now based out of Montreal. I hope this lightens your mood and lifts your spirits ..... and perhaps even makes you shuffle across the room with delight! .

Enjoy!