awesome life adventures

one short blessed month

In one short albeit blessed month on this magical island I have met sailors, librarians,fisherman,farmers,chefs,photographers,writers,anthropologists,marine biologists, artists,musicians, human beings.

I have talked with someone about Tsbili and the time they spent there while Russian tanks plowed into Georgia. Stories of how in one day, he went from drinking cognac with new friends to waking up the next morning with the sounds of war planes above and huge Russian tanks parked outside his door. Another day, while kayaking with Lisa, we met a reservation monitor whose research was based on studying song birds. He was passionate about his life and looking forward to a new post in the fall.

These two individuals are only a sampling of the many encounters had with person after person wanting to talk and share their reason for being out here on the Vineyard.  The common thread with every single encounter was compassion.  These are people who give generously every day for the betterment of another. Their sole focus is placed in the constant hope that their small mark in this world will make it a better place for all humankind.

This past month has revitalized my own personal hope. I am hopeful that I can utilize the rest of 2009 with the trait of compassion so openly shared with me. I feel refreshed to challenge my own personal weaknesses while openly accepting nourishment handed to me in wisdom and strength. Where to next?

Here is Comfort...Comfort in Time.

Here is comfort. Time,  however quickly it passes, lingers and lazes between every single blade of sea grass on this island. Holding Kate's hand or brushing Emma's hair (which btw competes with the likes of any mermaid!) seems to pass with a pristine sense of pervading relaxation. Time on this New England island is humbling. Time here is a constant reminder of how unnecessary and impossible it is to stop or step back in time. Happily, this blatant obstacle of impossibility opens up every opportunity. This is the spirit of life. This gift of days, minutes, seconds and months is freedom. Time, passing in each wave, footstep, giggle, warm breeze or smile.....every moment is inevitably endless.

endless in time....

simply being,

as natural as breathing.

The Island Life for Me.

I am leaving in three days for Martha's Vineyard.  Three more days and then ONE peaceful month on an island full of grace.  There is so much to look forward to and so little is necessary to bring along.   I look forward to walking to the library, the beach, a lighthouse or two and riding my bike to beautiful sanctuaries I have yet to discover.  I can't wait for stops at Morning Glory Farm on the way home from the beach, sporting sun and salt laden skin and feet that are bare to pick up fresh local ingredients to cook with that night.

 The air and atmosphere is different in Martha's Vineyard. It revitalizes the senses and refocuses the spirit to what matters most in life. This is my peaceful quiet uninterrupted time and place with two girls who are growing up faster than I could ever have imagined.  It is what I have been looking forward to most all school year. Just US.  No play dates are required, no cell phones or connections on the grid.  All we need is each other reveling in the beauty of a colorful sunset, a delicious meal of freshly caught fish or a long walk after dinner along the beach finding treasures to behold.  It is lightening caught in a bottle once a year. It seems life should always be this way.  Nothing is fragmentary.  The moments are genuine and real. It may not be a daily reality but it is our reality for one entire month.

This is a place to open your heart and be free...... inspiration.

dolce friendship in nyc/may 2009

Somehow, I always feel compelled to share and write about meaningful experiences. This time is no exception.

Last night @ 5:00pm I met up with a friend whom I have known since my very first day of college. We met in the lobby of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University in Washington, DC. From the first words we shared, which were absolutely about our love of music, Leslie and I shared a connection and instant friendship which has continued to ripen like finest of wines.

Since that first connection moment, Leslie and I have shared times from the tops of our game to the depths of our soul. Each unique moment has always been nothing less than meaningful and we never stopped loving the important place music held in our lives.

Last night at Birdland Jazz Club in NYC was another great example of how lucky we are to share a friendship like this one. 2 and a half hours of mostly original Big Band Jazz Arrangements and an amazing rendition of Thad Jones "A child is Born" had us in total musical and friendship bliss! We watched and listened with complete admiration and appreciation for the talent blessed on so many human beings. We then walked a short distance to see the Broadway production of Hair in which Leslie's husband Phil played on stage. (TRUMPET) What struck me about this production was the seamless and flawless effect it took on from the moment the curtain went up. Artistically and technically this show was perfection.

The greatest gift handed from deep within to all musicians is selflessness. Being a musician reminds me of how important and great it is to give and share of oneself for the pure enjoyment of another. It is a gift Leslie has always shared with me. This musical gift is a gemstone that can serve as reminder when we as artists allow the quiet tumultuous angst ridden passion to get the better of our insecurities.

It is a hopeful blessing to love, experience and perform music. It moves us forward when the past simply won't let go. My friendship with Leslie has never given me anything less than hope. It has been a musical journey of love, excitement and at times tears. There has never been one moment in all of our friendship where I have stopped loving the beauty of music in my life. Equally, I have always loved the beautiful friend I met more than 20 years ago.

I can't wait to HEAR what's next in store!

thank you new orleans..posted april 2009 fb

After posting some photos from my recent trip down south I realized that the beauty in this experience was not only in the visual but in the people of New Orleans themselves. There were numerous occasions when my travel buddy and I remarked about the selfless kindness and joy shared by so many strangers in such a unique place. The locals are so proud of their city and they do not want you to miss a beat...literally.

One afternoon while sitting in Pirate's Alley and sipping absinthe, we met two local musicians. Mike, a pianist/vocalist/composer, saw my friend and I taking a photo of our drink and walked over to offer his photographic services. As we began to meet and greet we ended up talking about the music scene in the french quarter. His fiancee, a jazz vocalist, suggested some great venues to catch before we left. It was a no "brainer" that we had to go hear Mike play at the Old Blacksmith bar that very evening.

Try to picture a place that used to be a true blacksmith shop. There was no electricity to speak of, except for the sound hookup, and candles illuminating the bar of brick walls and gardens. No distinct faces could be seen, only silhouettes against the back drop of the music.... the blues to be exact. It was a perfect way to kick off a night of listening in New Orleans.

More days and nights of lazy conversation about the magic of this place were to follow. We headed out to the garden district and felt the serenity and peace of a place just outside the city. While on a walk in the park, we met a dad and his daughter visiting Tulane. She was recently accepted and was trying to decide if this was the school for her next four years of life. After talking for a while about the many reasons Tulane seemed wonderful for a young aspiring student we discovered that the dad was formerly married to a Manhattan School of Music Grad and he and his daughter were about to sit in on a music class. We connected once more and talked about the magic of all the live music streaming from street to street in New Orleans.

And then there was the couple from the bistro at the table next to us. As we consumed an entire tray of craw fish, we talked more about the lazy energy of this electric city and about the evening music scene on Frenchman Street. The couple had been there before and could not say enough and as we later discovered, neither could we. That evening we headed over to the Spotted Cat Jazz Bar on Frenchman and heard a very traditional jazz set....and then another...and another. The combo was perfect in every way. I am always amazed when watching true jazz musicians soak up the bliss and love of their craft. They deeply feel and share their love of this incredible thing called "music" with anyone who cares to listen. I was so glad I was able to be part of their sharing experience that night. I felt it all. I heard some of their soul and mine too. We ended the evening across the street from Spotted Cat dancing to a live funk band. Perfection.

From Preservation Hall to the corners of streets and doorways alike soulful LIVE music is everywhere you turn. It enhances all of your senses and then some while taking in the beauty of the French Quarter of New Orleans.

It is no wonder the locals are so proud of their home and never hesitate to tell you what to see, hear or taste next. This little niche of our nation is a reminder of why living and experiencing all there is in life and cherishing every beautiful moment is the only way to live.... So easy to forget but so important to remember.

I will always remember what New Orleans shared with my friend Lisa and I and hope that someday it can share itself with one of you.