Just Checkin' In

I'm back after a couple of weeks away.  I went to the Americana Songwriting Academy and Sisters Folk Festival in Sisters, OR.  What a hoot!  I've been lyrically dry for two years, and after this workshop, the muse has finally paid me a visit - I have THREE songs in the works!

I drove up, taking my time and not spending too much time on the road, taking frequent breaks, etc.,  The weather was cool, rainy, windy, and last Friday night it froze!  Thank goodness for down sleeping bags!  The water droplets on my tent were frozen solid, though.

The performers at the Festival were our teachers.  I got good feedback and constructive criticism on my songs, and I came out of there renewed, refreshed and inspired!

I took my sweet time coming home, eventually holing up in Mendocino for a couple of days just to write.  My DH sure missed me, and of course I missed him, too.  But I really needed this time alone, and thankfully he understood.

Timing couldn't have been more perfect!  I left just after my Tysabri infusion, and I had good energy throughout, until the last day on my way home.  Usually a week before my next infusion, I crash, and I'm there now.

I still can't play for more than 20 minutes at a time, but I'm more inspired, now, to find a performance partner to trade sets with and possibly tour.  Just dreaming out loud...

Good to be back!

[Quixotic1]

That sounds like a dream of a vacation and renewal of your spiritual and muscial energy.  I am so happy for you.  We have all sat here and watched as this part of your life became harder and more distant for you.

BRAVO!!!

Ain't Sisters great?!!  As a quilter I always longed to go to the Sisters Quilt Festival, but it's held in the heat of summer and temps sometimes reach 100 during the event.

Quix

[Lulu54]

How wonderful for you Grrrl.  Having the muse reappear and inspire your soul with song must be a terrific feeling.

I'm very happy for you,  Lulu

[rendean]

I glad you have a renewal of mind and spirit!  I am so happy for you!!! After my recent hike, I know first-hand how good it feels.

Ren

[michelleislay]

so cool!  what an incredible experience to feel it all coming back musically and a weekend in a tent with writing retreat on the way home!!!!  amazing.

my step father subscribes to acoustic guitar mag...i read in your "brushes with fame" post that you are in the april issue, was it?  i'll have to look you up!

xo michelle

[HVAC]

Sounds great who were some of the song writers? Glad you did something you really enjoy!

Alex

[jensequitur]

That's fantastic.  It's always empowering to do something for yourself, whether big or small.

So how are you doing with fatigue and stamina when you're playing?  Just curious - I play bass, and I'm learning a lot.  But I find that after a couple of hours my hands are too tired to continue.  All the gigs I know of are three sets plus breaks - no way I could last for four hours.

[Guitar_grrrl]

Michelle - April Issue, pg. 83.

Alex - Slaid Cleaves, Betty Soo, Ellis, Martha Scanlan, Martyn Joseph, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Po' Girl, Peter Mulvey, and many more.

Jen - After 20 minutes, my forearms, triceps, biceps, and fingers are stiff and exhausted, and don't fire at the tempo I want to play.  I've slowed the metronome/drums to try to accommodate, but everything still misfires.  Most gigs I encounter are just 2 hours, but I can't handle more than 20 minutes, maybe 30 if I push it.  Keep up the good work with the bass!  I'm a huge Esperanza Spalding fan - Bass and vocals in 4 languages.  Jazz, mostly.

[HVAC]

How cool was that!

Alex

[RedFlame]

I'm so excited for you!  Immersing yourself in music, learning and comraderie is such good medicine.  I would just love to hear your music sometime.  Do you have a youtube, or myspace place maybe?  

I'm so glad that you had such encouragement and praise.  That does wonders.

I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Red

[sllowe]

Welcome home, Gurl!

Your new inspiration pours from your words here and the trip sounded so healing on multiple levels.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Rest well,
Shell