| |
January 7th, 2004...
Wrapped in the blanket of a dark, starry night,
by the fireside I ponder. Outside, the cold envelopes and so, lucky
to have a place called home, I opt to linger near the heat. A choice,
driven by instinct, to seek refuge from the bite of an almighty
winter. A preference, a decision, a resolution to choose to satisfy
whatever fancy I may posses at that moment and every moment brings
a new fancy.
The New Year has begun, full speed ahead towards it's timeless destination.
I am struck with the question,
Am I just along for the ride?
Aware, as never before, of my choices
and how they connect, or divide me, from our world, I awaken with
dawn, opening to this days' sky. If it is blue, I may elect joy,
but if grey softens sunlight's stare, do I cast down my eyes? It
is all about perception. It is all about choice. This is our freedom.
This is our gift. This is our power and responsibility. How utterly
simple it is to harbor past habits and resentments that constrict
and bind. Like the wise man of so long ago told of a cave, a fire,
and people in chains - chains may narrow our vista of the sun, but
oh how sweet the sting of that which is familiar.
Yet, how antithetical to our knowledge
of what life truly is: a series of changes.
Well, under this full moon I pledge to release. I vote for an early
spring crackdown on discontent and worry. If one simply sits still
and quiet, turning off the mental chatter,just a few moments, we
can remember our ancestral mindset. We can feel what it must have
been like to simply exist. To survive, to care, to listen, to walk
with out an agenda, just because there was grass neath our feet
and it felt lovely. In my dreams, I toss pink petals into a rushing
current. Anxiety, resentment, and self-doubt disappear downstream.
I turn my eyes and ears from the sensationalists, the naysayers,
but mostly from the demons that haunt my own world. In the blink
of an unwavering eye, my vision and the infinite ocean of possibility
are clear, stretching to the sun just round the bend. On this riverbank
of imagined difficulty I have twisted and floundered too long, refusing
to go with the sacred flow. Amen, So be it. Adieu. This is my resolve.
I now surrender to the experience, letting go of my addiction to
stress and dissatisfaction. I believe that my thoughts create my
reality and I choose joy. Pure, ecstatic, uncompromising joy. I
will take less coffee, rather imbibe more water, and jump into the
body of lucid experience with full faith that my head shall find
rest above water. And if I go under, well is this not a world worth
exploring? Like Mars, stars, and the other billion solar systems
in this vast bundle of vibrating matter weare a part of, reality
rests on a grain of sand, blowing with unbridled fury, through space,
time and dimension. A pebble, a planet, they are one and the same.
Every second on this heavenly planet offers a glimpse of heaven.
It is here. It is now. It is ours - if we make it so.
Thank God for this world and for the power to choose.
Love to you until the next time. Dream Big, Dream Real, Dream LOVE!
January 1, 2004...
Haaaapppppy New Year!
What a beautiful time this is for us all. Reflecting on the passing
Holiday, I hope you found it as invigorating as we did to reconnect
with family and friends, to reach out and embrace your roots once
again. The perspective that family brings is humbling. The greatest
joy comes from this linking of generations - through traditions,
laughter, hand-sewn stitches, and song.
We recently received big news when we were told that "Plow
to the End of the Row" is up for a Grammy in the Best Packaging
category! WHOA! THRILLING might begin to describe the wide-eyed
wonder we posses at being included in the nominations, although,
it is hardly a surprise that such a deserved honor go to our Dear
friend, Jami Anderson, our top pick for graphic designer of the
New Millennium. This record is living a life of its own, beyond
our wildest expectations. We have been 16 weeks on the Americana
Radio Chart and are entering the New Year in the Top Ten! Our gratitude
is immense, our elation continuous, and the joy factor, well, it1s
close to unbearable - please pardon the drool.
Another rockin' development is that Little Sadie - the permanent
configuration of budding young musical talent that will be on the
road with me - is now featured prominently on "Plow to the
End of the Row"! How'd we do it, you ask? Well, a little real-to-reel
action and some mighty fine playing has lead to the re-issuing of
the CD! The end of this month will bring about an exciting announcement
regarding national distribution for AddieBelle Records and I wanted
to make sure that the pickers you catch live will be the same ones
you can take home with you! (Which will soon be easier than ever
thanks to this awesome announcement!) Watch for more details to
come.
If you haven't met Little Sadie in person yet, these kids are the
world's most fun, talented, and purdy bunch of road warriors you'll
ever find. And we are blessed to have been able to capture their
energy and soul on this record. Thanks to Tyler Grant on lead guitar
(and all things stringed, for that matter), Clayton Campbell on
fiddle/mandolin, the lovely Amanda Kowalski with her stand-up bass
and happy feet, and Steven Sandifer's innovative adaptations of
traditional percussion, the record shines brighter than could have
ever been imagined. And yes, we added a few new tunes!
We are busy plotting new ways to stretch our creative muscles and
reach places - both geographically and musically - that we've never
gone before. A brand new (to me) 1928 Martin tenor guitar has found
its way home to the AddieBelle camp, along with Tyler's super-snazzy-Sam-Bush-model-Gibson-mandolin,
both of which will be accompanying us as we hit the highway once
again in this new year.
Swing by our calendar if you're curious as to where we'll be and
when you will be able to catch up with our traveling road show.
Just like each of us, the site is ever-changing and constantly telling
new tales, so visit long and visit often... and don't forget that
we want to hear from you! You are the reason we do what we do and
why we are enjoying every blessed minute.
November 7th, 2003...
Today was a day of great importance. So is Tomorrow. On
November 8th, many will honor the Harmonic Concordance. It is a
day of planetary alignment and Lunar Eclipses the likes of which
have not occurred for almost four thousand years, according to the
Mayan Calender (www.astrosite.com.)
This weekend might present an ideal opportunity to set an intention
with complete clarity about what you are desiring to manifest in
your life. Arise Saturday morning and pray or meditate on the powerful
love resonating throughout our world and others and set your sight
on a realm where good thoughts breed positive actions free of malice
or confusion.
Another reason this is an important day is that me & the band
are going to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra tonight to see the
premiere of Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer Concerto for Banjo and
Double Bass...WE ARE THRILLED! (www.nashvillesymphony.org.)
Be back shortly with more news!
LOVE!
july 25, 2003...
Late July in Tennessee. Not as
hot as you might think though, in fact, it's been downright balmy
the last few evenings. The garden out back is thriving with the
sultry days and moist, cool nights. There are 16 heirloom tomato
plants hanging heavy with what surely must constitute more than
a few lifetime supplies of ketchup. And I mean 100s of sweet little
greenies all ready to bust out with a blush that would put a 16
year old to shame.
Did you all hear
that bit on Prairie Home Companion about growing your own tomatoes?
It was about moments of great significance that spring upon us from
humble beginnings, yet ultimately, constitute our connection to
the universe as a whole...You put your mud shoes on and venture
forth into the jungle. Just grateful to be in your own backyard,
exhaling the strains of the day, breathing in the heat and scent
of fresh cut grass. Yonder waits your garden. Wild and limber and
beautiful, twisting round itself, clinging and breaking free all
at the same time, wrought and bought with thirst, sudor, mosquito
bites, sore backs, blisters and your own marvelous vision of what
was possible. Of what COULD be. Of what IS. Then suddenly you see
it, wasn't there the evening before...peeking coyly out from behind
yellow tinged leaves- a splash of blood red paint, a fancy fruit,
a spherical rose of juice, acid and seed. After what seemed an eternity
of limed green promise, the hunger awaits to be fulfilled in what
shall prove a brief, yet tasteful moment of truth. Your hand closes
round the robust, ruby ball and with only the very slightest suggestion
of a tug, the holy grail is yours. It falls into your calloused
paws, surrendering it's earthly struggle to your will and whim.
It is Yours. Your Tomato. Yours for the squashing, sucking, canning,
freezing, tossing or arranging prettily on a bone chipped plate
with fresh basil, mozzarella, coarse ground pepper and oil of olive.
Your very-own-personally-precious-piece-of-glory...straight from
GOD and the BLESSED EARTH. You decide you cannot wait, in fact,
there isn't a second to lose as you dust off this taut, yet zaftig
gem on your thin cotton shirt, appraising the distinct shades of
crimson and orange sublimely melting together and you realize, with
a tear in your eye..."this just might be the world's most perfect
tomato".
That was the
Garrison Keiller line, "this just might be the world's most
perfect tomato". And it just might. Your lips feel the tautness
of the skin, you close your eyes and break the barrier so brilliantly
constructed by the invisible forces that be. Warm, rich, succulent.
What compares to this? You have witnessed the purpose of life, the
end of a cycle, the fufillment of a destiny, you say a prayer and
stand in silent rapture as the lightning bugs begin their show.
Yes, I truly adore my garden. And
it's ALL ORGANIC too, not one single speck of pesticide on ANYTHING.
Only thing out of the ordinary we've used is one diluted tablespoon
of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap and that was back in May. Also,
during the first month after planting, I twice applied fish emulsion
with a spray bottle. I gather the trick is all in the soil prep,
and the planting signs, of course. More on that at a later date.
I think I'll figure out how to get a snapshot up along with this
almanac entry just so you can see the well-favored bounty with which
we have been blessed.
In addition to the MayToe plants, there are kentucky wonder pole
beans, lots of sunflowers & zinneas, crookneck squash, lacinto
kale (i had this for dinner tonight sauteed with olive oil and garlic),
southern greasy collards, eggplant, crunchy cukes, jalapeno peppers,
pumpkins (taking over the garden), swiss and red chard, bok choy,
mesclun & boston bibb lettuce, every kind of herb, carrots,
leeks, beets, royal purple bush beans and a veritable bon ton of
wildflowers.
I am departing for good ole West Virginia in a day or two. Going
up the mountains to learn me some more about clawhammer banjo. I
would like to thank the universe for my life. I'm not even on the
road yet but am measurably excited to return and witness how my
enchanted furrows shall further fare the influence of
yellow sunfire and steamy rain.
Thank you for reading. I wish you plenty on your table and little
left behind. Good Luck and Safe Travels.
ciao,
addie
|
|
