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Journal May 2005
Clearwater
Sunset Beaching
May 31, 2005
I am having memories of memorial day weekend: I can hardly
move I am so sore from all the yard work and landscaping
we did. It was a fine feeling though up till the end. We
couldn't figure out how to put this Gazebo together, Andie
got a scary spider bite, my back went into spasms so I was
laying on the ground kicking like an over turned beetle
and at 9 PM we finally called it a weekend. This getting
old is tough. I need a spare parts bin for most of my body.
The saga, or should I say, the sagging continues along with
the strange male phenomena in which your butt moves forward
and spills over your front belt buckle. What the heck is
that anyway? I can just see God having a good laugh on that
one. If it continues I will be playing hide and seek with
my feet. I know they are down there somewhere, I just can't
see them. My six pack has turned into a keg.
It is just weeks now before we will be
welcoming our first grand child to the house, Kayden is
due in late June and we are very excited. We are all nesting
and resting; practicing for sleepless nights. What a wonder
it will be. I am also excited on the musical front that
we will be playing for Larry Mason's birthday party on June
25 ( right about the time Kayden is due). It will be very
good to see Larry and Cindy again. The link above to Islandtrollers
takes you to their web site where they sell their fine Albacore
tuna. Check it out. Rose Kennedy said that the qualities
of our later life will be determined by the life we have
already shaped. I had better start working out. May the
Light shine upon your day and keep you safe. Thanks for
the visit.
I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when
it happens. Woody Allen.
May
30, 2005
Memorial day
is a day we remember the sacrifices of the people who have
given their lives to insure our freedom. This freedoms seem
to be more and more in question by our government, but to
this day our fellow citizens put themselves in harms way
to support our country. God bless the soldiers whose hearts
are in the right place even if their bodies might be in
the wrong place. I feel this distilling of emotions into
songs about where we are in this place and time. I remember
today John Wesley, whose name I don't even have right according
to the lists of veterans killed in combat in Viet Nam. He
was my friend if only for the three days. I remember him
every single day of my life. I hope the Lord will lift up
the spirits of those who suffer unimaginable stress every
day from unseen enemies whose fanaticism seems to know no
boundaries. I would love to a put a little bit of Jesus
in their hearts. But you know, I smile through the loss
when I think of John because he was so totally and completely
alive. He taught a few lessons that were huge in my life
and they involve smiling a lot and soaking up every blessed
minute we have. Don't deny your past, but face it briefly
with humility from time to time and glean what lessons there
are in your mistakes. Practice forgiveness for yourself
and for others and avoid repeating the same errors over
and over again. Keep these lessons in long term memory and
every day can be a memorial day.
May
28, 2005
Memorial Day weekend and we are home.
I was hurrying in and out of the store yesterday and I saw
an ancient veteran sitting there with his little flags.
I rushed right by but looked into his eyes as I passed him
on the way to my car. There was a sentiment there that seemed
to say, "No one remembers." I caught that feeling
with some subtlety and didn't really process it until I
was home. I thought as I passed him that I didn't stop because
I didn't have any cash to donate. When home it occurred
to me that he probably had a treasure chest full of stories
to tell. I wanted to go back but before I knew it I was
knee deep in projects here at the house. How many stories
do we miss hearing from the ancient in our tribes? When
Freedom was a very very young we used to visit the "old
folks home" in Monroe. We would just go in and introduce
ourselves to people and then sit and talk. I think that
time gave us both many invisible gifts that we carry in
our hearts. I don't know when or why we stopped. Thoughts
this morning remind of the lyrics from a John Prine song.
"If you're walking down the street sometime and spot
some hollow ancient eyes. Don't pass them by and stare as
if you didn't care. Say hello in there, hello."
May 26, 2005
They say a simple act of kindness can have an
impact generations in the future. Carried by ancestral memory,
marked in DNA strands it reflects in a way that is beyond
our comprehension. The same is true of all actions, both
good and bad. We all affect each other in ways we can't
imagine. I think our thoughts affect us in the same way.
Thoughts are how some people are able to withstand cold
and hot conditions or extreme pain simply by the power of
their minds. And our thoughts, prayers and wishes make silent
differences in each others lives. The loved ones we hold
in our hearts, the friends we don't see are lifted up by
angels when we remember them in our thoughts and prayers.
This is true for the people near us in our everyday lives
as well. I think the happiest souls on the planet are the
ones who receive their joy in bringing joy to others. Those
who understand the power of giving love in their every breathe
are ever in the presence of God and heaven is truly within.
Laughter is the brush that sweeps
away the cobwebs of the heart. Mort Walker.
May
24, 2005
I talked to my sister Maria (who I love
very much) last night for about two hours and it reminded
me of why I don't spend much time looking back on life.
Move forward or die standing and still breathing. I think
after a time we can haunt our own selves if we are not careful.
It is so easy to look only outside ourselves for the reasons
why we feel the way we feel about ourselves. Mean while,
moment after precious moment of our lives goes by unnoticed
and unlived. I almost got in touch with what my friend Terri
Fickel calls "my ugly" when I felt the stirring
of emotions of the wounded child inside of me. But you know,
that part of me made numerous selfish and foolish decisions
in my life and I have learned to say, "Be still and
let me handle this. You will be fine." Sometimes it
works and sometimes it does not. Trauma in our lives can
give us strengths if we look for them. It is all so much
dependent on our perspective. We don't have to play a lot
of the games that are hurtful to us. Take for example the
"one is out" game. A social circle is drawn by
a group of people and some one is placed outside the circle.
This was a traditional favorite in the world I lived in
as a child. I say now, take your marbles and go home. Walk
away. There are millions of wonderful people in the world
and more often than not we are loved, nurtured and accepted
best by people who are no blood relations. Not one of us
can be summed up by one failure or one success. It is the
whole mess; good and bad. I hope and pray God is more merciful
than people can sometimes be. I'm thankful for the blessing
of forgiveness and what it can do for a wounded heart.
Make peace with yourself because there's
nobody else who can totally know your mind.
Some people cannot forgive so they get to live with the
past they can't leave behind.
May 23, 2005
I am keeping these links to relief organizations to
help with victims of the tsunamis and other natural disasters.
I was concerned when listening to NPR this morning when
I heard interviews of people in areas where Clinton and
Bush visited who said they have seen no relief and they
are wondering if they have been forgotten. It seems that
people have generous enough hearts when it comes to giving
to big organizations and filling up coffers. I hope that
the money is being directed to where it is intended. It
must be difficult when the government structures are less
stable. Then again my sister, Maria, told me $32 million
in hurricane relief was paid to a county in Florida that
wasn't even hit by hurricanes. Meanwhile there are numerous
houses that still have blue tarps on them to protect them
from the weather after the winds blew the roofs from the
houses. There are lots of nice things about this state,
not having hurricanes is a big one. Of course we are being
groomed for the next major earthquake and volcanic eruption.
I guess it all balances out. I heard Bill Moyers quote a
saying that goes something like this, "Life isn't fair,
so get on with it."
.
May 22, 2005
What a full weekend we had! We lost our Kitty,
Bella, to a car accident. It was very hard for all of us
as we loved that kitty. She was deaf and had a habit of
running underneath our cars every time we would get into
them. That proved to be her demise in the end. We had to
put her to sleep as a result of her injuries and I came
home to some very sad ladies. We buried her in my Asian
Garden, a place she thought of as one big play pin combination
cat box. Rest in peace kitty.
We
had Provinces and Cafe de Paris on Friday and Saturday night.
Christopher Nickels played both nights even though he had
to be at church at 7:15 am on Sunday morning. Loretta came
out on Saturday night and it was nice to see her and Jimmy
smiling and being happy. Ron Llinas joined us on Saturday
night and we had some magic moments. My cheeks hurt from
smiling. We did yet another version of the Hamilton Murat
song, Where Can I Find Love? I wrote some drum parts during
the day on Saturday and I almost left the Roland drum machines
(Tito and Eddie) at home because our friend John Matthews
was going to come in and play percussion. He was on a video
shoot and must have gotten hung up so I was glad we had
the droid drummers because it helps with the Latin and Island
flavored tunes. I am humbled and grateful to my musician
brothers who come out to Provinces and make the nights magical
for me and all of the folks who show up. Thanks to all the
people who continuously support our music. People like Kenny
Lee, owner of Provinces and Dale and Kathy, John, who helps
by taking pictures when I can remember to bring my camera,
Firmin for having me play at the Cafe de Paris and also
coming up the street after work to have a drink with Kay
and listen to the music. I will be building a website for
the Cafe in the next few weeks as soon as we pick a name.
To top off the weekend I played at Vesper
service at Bellingham Covenant with Kevin and Pastor Paul.
Liz, Andie and Robin drove up with me. It was beautiful
and soul nourishing as usual. It is always so emotional
for me with the candle light and the beautiful songs we
play and sing for worship. Now musically sated we embark
on another week, may it be good for you and us as well.
God bless. Greg
May 21, 2005
Another gray Washington day has
begun augmented by the music of Joao Gilberto. I love the
Bosa Nova. I have to write drum parts for tonight's show.
Last night was a kick. We played from a little after 9m
until after midnight without a break. Dale, Shaker Boy,
was a big help keeping the groove going. Dueling basses
took the stage with Walt Steinbach and Jimmy Culler. That
was interesting. I have never played with two bass players
at the same time. It was fun. Christopher Nickels was in
great form and played his usual tasty lead guitar. Kelly
did her thing singing those Lynn Miles and Rhythm Cafe tunes.
Owner, Kenny Lee, jumped up and did his classic House of
the Rising Sun. It happens again tonight at the same time
and place.
Yesterday I did something I almost never do , I read
my horoscope. It said keep your opinions to yourself, imposing
your views on someone else will only drive an invisible
barrier between you. I read that right after I sent an e-mail
to someone expressing my opinion and point of view on a
situation. It was a situation that involves someone who
has already turned the whole thing over to God and let it
go. Now I couldn't just leave it to God myself. I felt I
needed to intervene. Oops. That is why they call us humans
I guess.
May 20, 2005
Yesterday I had a lovely visit
with Sarah Maria. It took me two hours to drive home afterwards,
but it was worth it. She shared a film she had edited and
pieced together of the story of a young man's life and legacy.
It included excerpts from a book he made for his family
just prior to his death due to cancer. The film was inspirational
and reminded me that we have a choice about what we do.
He said "Do what you love." He said "Take
risks." He pointed out the importance of integrity
and values in our lives. Sarah had already put over 40 hours
into editing the piece and once again it displays her genius
and her generous heart. You can do anything. Like Jimmy
Buffet says, "I'd rather die while I am living than
live while I'm dead." Ain't it the truth.
Chani sent an e-mail saying she has updated
her website and that she is happily anticipating her trip
to California. She said the sun was shining in Alaska and
she was feeling fine and tattooing more and more. How lucky
are the people who will wear her artwork. Life is a canvas
and think of all the canvases available for body art. She
won't be hungry. With her passion and talent to rely upon,
there is no limit to her future.
It
is my on again off again friend Jamie Phalen's birthday.
Happy birthday. In the last week I have spent several hours
listening to cassettes of live recordings that go back to
Ricardo's in 1979. I don't really recall ever having listened
to these recordings before but there is certainly some great
music on them. That was in the days of playing through a
little mixing board hooked up to the house stereo. Manolito
Fuentes was there on flute, even way back then. There were
no effects on the vocals, there were no guitar pedals and
Jamie was playing a single red conga and singing his heart
out while releasing all that angst, anger and passion on
his conga skins and in his vocal "scats". Ironically,
at one point on the tape, Jamie says sarcastically, "Greg,I
think we about to make it big." Who knew? Although
it was always a bumpy ride, there was definitely musical
magic that happened. I think we were really a reflection
of yin and yang in the contrasts of our styles and approaches.
I think it would be fun to do a show of Beatles music together
some time. He is the master harmonist and a very talented
musician. So Happy B-day Jamie, where ever you are.
May 19, 2005
I've been thinking
about our friends Terri and Randy a lot over the past few
days. I hope they are doing good things with their lives.
We have a lot of love for their whole family. Life is full
of changes, some more difficult than others. It is strange
that adversity can bring the best out in us and that we
can go through tough times and come out stronger and wiser
on the other side. I just looked up and saw a card from
Sarah Maria that says "Every blade of grass has an
angel that bends over it and whispers, grow, grow."
If that is true for blades of grass imagine what is true
for us. We needn't feel alone as we go through tough times
because we are each special and loved by God. I wonder if
we have finger angels and toe angels, and eye brow angels.
Hey, I bet if we have mouth angels they spend a lot of time
saying, "ssshhhh.".
May 18, 2005
Well today is the kind of day Washington is
famous for having. It is dark, cold, rainy and windy. I
went for a walk and to meet Don Quijano for lunch and was
nearly swept away in the wind and the rain. It is funny
when I first walked outside I didn't have a jacket and it
was overcast but dry. In 5 minutes it was pouring rain and
I was stuck under a tree trying to keep a piece of recording
gear dry. That was my 1st adventure of the day.
Now I am off to do some recording this
afternoon with Mike Daily. It should be fun. Jimmy should
be by early this evening as well. I am looking forward to
playing this weekend at Provs and Cafe. Don had a lot to
say about getting off my butt and finding some new venues
to play with the band. Change is tough. Change is good.
I resist change though. It seems like I am not alone in
seeking familiarity, even when you know it is probably not
the best thing for you. I need a change. Who said that?
I think I will record some Bosa Nova tunes
today. Here is a little joke for you.
For all of us who are
married, were married, wish you were married, or wish
you weren't married, this is something to smile about the
next time you open a bottle of wine:
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in
Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking
on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet
one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she
would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman
got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain
to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old
woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything
she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed
a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
"What's in the bag?" asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's
a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband."
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then
with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, "Good
trade."
May 17, 2005
What of this war and these times
we live? I think about it every day and my heart goes out
to all people every where who are suffering from the cruelties
of conflict. I hear the stories of equipment shortages and
soldiers buying their own gear and it is shaming. I heard
a speech on NPR yesterday that was very powerful. The speaker
referred to war, other than in self defense, as failed diplomacy
and unimaginative aggression. I wish the world that I envision
in my heart and mind was real and the reality was the dream.
But we are here to be involved and I guess through work
and prayer we can make it better, better if we try, better,
better, better you and I. We can always start with simple
acts of kindness to our loved ones and then to strangers.
I got an e-mail from my friend Jerry and it talked about
what love is. Here is one great quote. "If you want
to learn to love better, you should start with a friend
who you hate." Ink - age 6
May 16, 2005
Keep dreaming.
Last night Jimmy Culler and I sat and listened to a show
he, Doug Hamilton and I played at the Orient Express back
in the '80's. It is a very good live recording of a very
good performance. Playing all the time really makes a difference.
The evening started with me listening to cassettes to find
a recording of a tune called Don't Hang Up, which pokes
fun at call waiting. I ended up listening to old tapes for
hours. I am going to archive several songs to CD and put
a few up for free downloads. There is really some great
music. I stumbled on a recording of the Beatles song I'll
Get You that is Jamie Phalen and I. It is probably the one
and only time we ever sang it and it was amazing. I love
singing Beatles songs with Jamie. So the baby is getting
ready to join the external world and I am feeling pretty
old but listening to all that music that most of the world
has never heard makes me realize that even old and tired,
I have to keep dreaming and keep making music. Pretty soon
I will be singing to a grand baby.
May 15, 2005
Rain is such a beautiful sound: nature
making music that is profound. Oops, there I go again making
rhymes. We are organizing for a music march. Contact, react
get things back on track for making music with friends and
getting it out there. There is so much to do: photos, promo.
All these things I some how let slide. But I have such a
fine array of players it is time to organize once again.
Andie and I are having a meeting to plan and implement it
to create the materials we need to get a move on it. I feel
good this morning. I really love the sound of the rain.
It is a good day to stay inside and play in the studio and
after our initial planning I think that is what I will do.
Life
is so full of changes, some times we head down a road after
we come to a "Y" and we start to doubt if we are
going the right way. That is one of the wonderful things
about life; we can change our mind. We can examine our motives,
our goals and if we decide we made a wrong choice we can
change our minds. Who cares about the money?
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
May 14, 2005
I went to a "How to buy a House"
show at the Everett Bus Station today. It was fun and informative.
I learned a lot. I also met Le Femme de le Rouge from KSER.
It was interesting talking about the station and all that
is going on there and how much they support local artists.
I believe they just finished the fund drive for KSER , you should check them out. I listen everyday on my drives
and it really is my favorite station. I met Walt, he was
doing the sound for the live music at the event and I noticed
he had a top of the line sound system. He was very efficient
and a pleasant fellow to talk to as well. People who do
recording can bore nonrecordists to tears in a very short
time. It was a good day and I look forward to buying a house
tomorrow. For now I will just go play at Cafe de Paris.
It's been four months today since I smoked a cigarette thanks
to hypnosis through Tim Ewing (206-412-4846).
I still am ready to light up at any minute. It is not really
funny how that works. I think one thing that is difficult
to learn when not smoking is to take a break. I just work
and work and work, or maybe sit and sit and sit. It is ironic
that I would regularly go outside for fresh air and a smoke.
I still go outside for fresh air but about a tenth of the
time I used to go. They say not smoking gives you more time
on the planet. Time is mysterious and our own mortality
is something that is hard to grasp. Billy Crystal said that
he will be ready when he dies because he spends so much
time thinking about it. He said since most people don't
think about it, most people won't be ready. How about living
though? Let's have more fun. I think in our situation it
is best to learn to have fun whatever work is going on because
there doesn't seem to be a lot of time for recreation. It
is probably all perception and planning. I have stretched
myself out so far there is little time left over. I feel
like elastic man but without the flexibility. Time to back
off a bit and work smarter and play harder but for now I
have chores. Stretch! Stretch!
May 13, 2005 Friday
What is it about this day that
freaks so many people out. The fears of Friday the 13th
have several supposed origins. One is a Viking myth about
a 13th dinner guest who killed the god of joy and threw
the world into darkness and mourning. Judas was the 13th
dinner guest at the last supper. Romans believed that whenever
witches gathered in numbers of 12, the 13th guest was the
devil. From a mathematical standpoint 13 is unlucky because
it comes after 12, a complete number. There are 12 in a
dozen, there are 12 months in a year, there were 12 apostles
and the list goes on almost endlessly. 13 just missed the
mark by one. Do I believe the day is unlucky? No, I believe
God looks out for us and our beliefs affect a lot of what
happens to us. Dossey said " What you think about ,
you begin to feel. What you feel generates what you do.
And what you do creates how you will become." Like
Peter Pan says we all need a happy thought and we will be
fine. After all, he could fly.
May 12, 2005
The news caster asked "Do scrawny men or brawny men
make better husbands?" I had arrived at my destination
so I turned off the radio and never heard the answer. I
didn't figure that it really mattered since I am scrawbrawny,
kind of skinny in the arms and legs and brawny in the middle.
What does that mean? I am a little lean on good qualities
at times and a little heavy on the other stuff. Hey, we
have to work with what we have and make the best of it.
Don't you think?
I got some pictures from Chani and it seems
like she is enjoying Alaska still but likes the winter there
the best. The winter looks way too cold for me. I do remember
how much fun we had skiing when Chani was little. She loved
to sit and play in the snow even when she was a baby., So
again, children let you know who they are early on in life.
Andie and I watched a show about research that verifies
that we arrive with personalities in tack. I remember Chani
lining kids up at the swimming pool and telling them to
jump in one at a time and in the order she dictated. Some
of the kids were less happy than others but there was one
thing certain, Chani was in charge. So, like my friend
Christopher said to me this morning, our lives are a struggle
for balance between assertion and surrender. Which way do
you lean?
May 11, 2005
Music is a crazy business. You think a
day gig really sucks, but then you don't want to spend every
night in a smoky bar. I say you but I mean me. I don't miss
bars at all when I am not in them. It is fun to be out with
friends, especially on vacation but when I hear my friend
Jimmy say, I could be playing 7 nights a week, I am not
envious. I would like to come home and have a set up like
Mike daily does with drums and all the band equipment you
could use and have everyone meet in the evening and go for
it. Just to play for fun in the studio would be a blast.
Just tonight I sat on the sofa for an hour and played the
acoustic and worked on a new song. It was nice not to turn
on any computers or records and just play and sing. That
is a big part of getting ready to go back into the studio
to record. Speaking of which, when Mike gets back from Mexico
we will have to get together for some more work on completing
the CD we have been working. It is a brand new morning.
It's a brand new day.
May 10,
2005
Back in the great state of Washington, stuffed
up and raring to go. I would be happier about being here
if I felt better. I feel like an gecko molting, skin peeling.
Man, getting old sucks. We were watching that show 24 Hours
last night and something struck me as being pretty funny.
One of the team leaders in the control room of the anti
terrorist hub turned to an analyst and said "I don't
have time for your personality disorder right now."
Wow. Is that a statement we could all get some mileage out
of, I mean its political correctness comes into question
but still. Heck, I could use it on my own self in the middle
of some self sabotaging behavior. I could just stop and
say, "I don't have time for your personality disorder
right now." Then I could shift into some success oriented
behavior just like that.
What do you think?
Sarah called me yesterday and asked me to stop
by to see her. I said I wasn't feeling well but she said,
"Just a drive by then." She wanted to give me
a father's day present early. It was a beautiful silk Asian
jacket she suggested I wear when I am mixing in the studio.
I said I should just get a few of these and throw all my
other clothes away. She gave me a Hop on Pop DR Seusse card.
We had a lot of fun with all those books when we were all
so much younger. I remember the joy and laughter that used
to come from reading books out loud to the children.
The cultures of Native America and Asia have
had the most influence on me and have passed, on especially
to Sarah, Chani and Aaron. Of course Liz is half Native
so her tendencies are natural. Asian is strongest in the
decor and artwork I love. Native music of wood flutes is
close to my heart. The spirit of the people native to this
land has a heavy influence on the music of Freedom and touches
many lives. I am proud that Josh is playing in the band.
Freedom said he did a fantastic job at their last show.
Shine on. Shine on.
We make a living by what we get,
We make a life by what we give.
May 8, 2005 (As
told to and typed by Elizabeth Luke, by Gray Haired Pony
Tailed (WOW!) Man.)
All right are you ready? We stopped to have a nice lunch
at the Palm Pavilion over looking Clear Water Beach. When
the waitress came to take our order, she said "What
can I get you ladies?" I said :What would you girls
like?" After Liz and Andie placed their orders, the
waitress, whose name was Andrea, turned to me. I said in
my best Sly Stallone voice "I'll have a rum runner."
After she had walked away, Andie said," I know why
she thought you were a lady! There is this really old woman
with gray hair, a pony tail and a baseball hat sitting right
behind us." I said "Gosh honey, you really know
just the right thing to say."
Liz: "What else, is that the whole story?"
No, we moved to a different table, which gave us a diff,
waiter, wait, server. Our new server's name was Greg. I
said "Hi, my name is Greg too!" He said "Really?
You know, you kinda look like that old woman with the gray
pony tail, is she your relative?"
At that point I began to sulk. Andie said "Honey, I
think you should get some therapy. You
think everything is a conspiracy." As I was telling the story to Liz, Andrea (Andrea the beauty,
yes, the beautiful) intervened, which is a polite way to say
interrupted. She said, "You're changing the hole story!
I never said anything about therapy." The end.
OK.
As
I write this, it is amazingly our last full day in Florida
and once again it is overcast. Who knew? The sunset was
subtle but beautiful last night. We saw dolphins playing
in the wake of the waves at the edge of the drop off. It
was a beautiful evening and although this has not been what
we had expected in the way of warmth and sunshine, I am
glad that we took this time away. It is great to have had
the chance to enjoy the beautiful home of Terri and Randy
and be this close to the beach. I think we all pretended
like we live here. It seemed like it was true. The only
thing missing from the regular routine was the going to
work part. Who misses that? I think we are looking forward
to making improvements in our lives when we get home. There
is a house we want to look at in Machias that pretty much
has everything we need for a large home and a studio. I
am looking forward to playing music with the band and getting
some demo MP3's on the website so people can hear what we
do and how fun it is. I haven't spent a lot of time thinking
about anything else really, with the exception of relaxing
and that doesn't take much thought. I got some nice photos
last night I will whip a slide show up shortly. I can't
believe it is nearly time to go home.
I watched Sesame street this morning for a few minutes
and I saw a short story on an African girl who learned to
walk on stilts as it was a tradition to both walk and dance
on sticks as she called them. Her step father taught her
patiently and at the end of the segment she was dancing
in a parade and smiling at the camera. In her final narration
she said, if you start slowly and practice a lot, there
are many things you can do. Ain't it the truth?
May 5, 2005
It is Mexican Independence Day. There was once a time when
I would always be playing somewhere on this occasion. Today
we spent the late morning on a very long walk on the beach
talking about our future and what the best ways to make
a contribution to life and the planet would be. Andie said
putting God first is what we need to do. Everything else
falls in behind that anyway. We had a lovely walk, the air
was cool off the sea and the wind was blowing giving the
air the perfect coolness. We saw 2 to 4 dolphins splashing
not far off shore but probably too far for our photos to
turn out. What conclusions did we draw on that walk on the
beach. Whatever we do, we will do together.
May 4, 2005
There was a severe thunderstorm warning
this morning and hail the size of quarters or larger were
expected. The worst of the storm passed us by and we simply
got a tropical torrential downpour instead. It is now just
gray, over cast and warm with the sound of birds cawing,
chirping and cooing in the late morning humid air. A large
pelican just cruised by above the channel searching for
a late breakfast. Andie and I are still twitching like robots
in need of oil on their hinges. The initial pain of bad
sunburn is now augmented by the itching of the healing process.
We are still grateful to not be working or home cleaning
house. We may be able to flex our limbs enough to walk on
the beach later. Since the sun is filtered through clouds
that are reminiscent of Washington, we should be safe from
further skin damage.
I look at the guitar and turn away with no real desire
to pick it up and play. I am not sure why. I hope for an
awakening that has not been forthcoming. I look for dreams
that lie sleeping somewhere as in a mist covered land where
direction is hard to determine and sight is short in deed.
A lone pigeon looks down from the telephone wire above the
house and bobs his head curiously in my direction. Perhaps
he is seeking a bit of breakfast himself. Compressor driven
nail guns fire across the street where construction is moving
forward on a new house. The smell of ozone permeates the
air on this midweek day in vacation land as grayness settles
further and deeper across the sky. It is a good day to be
alive.
You can escape life, but you can't escape
death.
May 2, 2005
God
knows what shape we would be in if it was sunny the first
day. Andie is almost delirious with sunburn, Liz has red
cheeks, I can't feel my legs and chest they are so sun burned.
All I can say is ouch. I think I will be okay tomorrow but
Andie looks like the old Coppertone add with the white cheeks
showing as the dog pulls the suit bottom down. She is not
having much fun right now. I have to go because she doesn't
want me on my dumb computer.
It is a cool 74 degrees and overcast with a
prediction of rain the rest of the week. Mike and April
will be arriving in Cabo San Lucas today where it continues
to be clear and sunny. It just doesn't seem to be our destiny
to find warm sunshine this year. Still, it is good to be
away from daily cares, work and in the comfort of Clearwater
Beach for a few days. We are getting some much needed rest
and relaxation. I played the guitar a bit last night and
I am cultivating some chord progressions for a couple of
new songs. I don't have any idea for lyrics as yet though.
We are about to take a look at pictures Andie took. She
has a beautiful series of pictures she has taken of Liz
and I think that is what the rest of the pictures we about
to view are also. She has the gift of capturing people at
their most natural and best. Life in a photo, life like
a dream.
I just finished a Dean Koontz novel and although
his writing is kind of creepy, there are always some good
messages in the stories and a theme of good ultimately triumphing
over, or at least surviving, evil. He also talks about the
responsibility that writers have. I like that because it
reminds me to continue to mine for tid bits of wisdom to
pass on through prose. Some times the mind just wants to
be still and will not deliver clear informative thoughts.
At those times I suppose it is best to just relax and listen
to the silence and feel peace in the stillness.
May 1, 2005
It rained last night in a tropical down
pour. It almost sounded like hail. Earlier I took a nap
while Andie and Liz walked to the beach and went swimming.
Andie says the water was okay when you got used to it. Andie
saw a shark fin swimming around a couple of guys on Jet
Skies. They didn't seem phased by it at all.
It is cold and overcast so we are lounging around the house
today. Andie and Liz went to get groceries and came back
with new clothes. Maria called and she is sick so she won't
be coming down today from Orlando. Hope she gets better
soon. Timing is everything isn't it. We still have the rest
of the week so we will see what happens. It is very quiet
here. It is a good place to do some writing but I haven't
taken Andie's guitar out of the case yet. Missing the Fickel
audience I guess. My brain is on hold, there is no data
available.
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Greg Murat (mur-rah)
Singer-Songwriter Guitarist