Blog-o-Matic
Native American Flute Festival Mar 26-28, 2010

Come to the Festival! Concerts, workshops, vendors. Gorgeous music. The 7th Annual Potomac Native American Flute Festival in Arlington

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I'm all about Quest, Connect and Inspire through writing, music, advocacy and action.

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Thursday
28Jan2010

Riot Act

Got read one last night. Politicians did. And deservedly so.

I have this sinking feeling that if we were all ever really able to pay real attention to what politicians at the federal level have done to damage and disrupt our lives, I'd be searching for an exit door pretty quick.

At least the Republicans didn't sit on their bums during last night's State of the Union. To not show any sign of unity or agreement is just what divides us even further. Get out of your chairs! Act like adults who give a damn! I would have given *anything* to see one Republican stand up and applaud when no one else in his/her party was doing so.

What turns the tide is unity. What turns the tide is people reaching out and shaking hands -- making connections however they can. Become the better man. Become the better woman. 

What lifts spirits and energizes hearts is acting from a place that you weren't before -- the next level, the one where the "I" becomes "i" and the "Me" becomes "We." When courage pushes you from behind and pulls you ahead.

That, and Barack's smile.

Monday
25Jan2010

Focus on Flutes

I got myself involved in organizing an annual Native American Flute festival. And so I've learned that, if you want to see something move forward, you have to become involved.

As many times as I've tried to stay on the periphery, it doesn't work.

And with it come all the requisite headaches, stresses and occasional high moments when everything runs well.

It's worth it, though. As a medallion embedded in the wood of my first harp says, "Music Will Save the World." Not only that, music shapes it, defines it, soothes and heals it.

Got music? :)

Sunday
17Jan2010

The Blog Black Hole

Does this happen to everyone? I started this blog because I wanted to have my own space. To express myself. My authentic voice and my truth. To write. Because that's what I do. I write.

And then nothing happens. For a long time. Little thoughts and ideas come up but they come up when I'm driving or when I'm jogging or when I'm doing other work. And it's too hard and it's too inconvenient and it's too time-consuming to log in and write them down. And it's easier to write a Facebook status or a Tweet because there are all kinds of other people there, too. And I know they'll read what I wrote because they kinda have to.

So, this blog canvas remains blank for longer than I like. But I'm here now. 

And that's something.

Thursday
08Oct2009

The Lowes Effect

I'm renovating my kitchen. Completely.

This means a lot of research and visioning and planning and scoping things out. So I ventured for the first time to a nearby Lowes to dive into the world of countertops and flooring. Just to see what's out there.

I discovered something else. That, in the land of home improvement -- at Lowes or Home Depot or wherever -- everyone becomes one in confusion, searching, deciding between options. You're all in it together. Strangers talk to strangers. Strangers help strangers find something. Strangers stand next to each other and trade ideas or opinions or a "hey, I never thought of doing that!."

Strangers pass each other and smile at the mirrored bewildered look on the other person's face.

It happened to me a few times at Lowes.

I found the place an unexpected and odd nexus for camraderie. Ad oddly reassuring feeling as I know I'll have to go back again.

Nice to know my fellow renovators have my back as I head for the front line.

Tuesday
22Sep2009

Velvet Night

Last night was a velvet night.

One of those evenings when the air feels like it's part of your own being. It's not too hot or cold or windy or stinky or sticky. It's right there and it's a pleasure to move through it.

The sky was that Maxfield Parrish blue. I've mentioned that before because it happens a lot in this part of the country at this time of year.

People were moving more slowly and smiling more often.

And the wonderful little yellow-and-black Smart Car buzzed past me on the way home. It always makes me smile.

A little metal bumblebee flying through the late summer night.