Musical Monday

My musical Mondays so far have featured artists I've seen in concert. I suspect that will occasionally be the case.

Today's video is even more special than that. It's a performance I actually attended myself! A very, very long time ago.

First, some background.

I was raised in a household of classical music and Broadway show music lovers. But my mother also has a great appreciation for roots music--from slave spirituals to celtic to folk. Which is why I grew up hearing songs by the Sea Island Singers, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie, and so many more.

As a tot I knew Woody had a son with the very cool and unusual name of Arlo. When I was very little, being driven round from the swimming pool or back and forth to each other's homes, my first best friend and I liked to sing "I Don't Want a Pickle, I Just Want to Drive my Motor-Sicle" and giggle like crazy.

Later I developed a more mature appreciation of Arlo's music, along with an admiration for his peace activism. I purchased his albums (on vinyl--note to self, time to hunt for cd re-issues, especially The Power of Love). I've made the pilgrimage to Stockbridge, Mass. to see "Alice's Restaurant" and the iconic church featured in song and film.

And I've seen him in concert. At last count, four times: Atlanta, Denver and twice in New Hampshire. Or was it twice in Denver, once in NH?

I was astonished and thrilled to stumble on a YouTube a clip of the very first Arlo concert I attended.

Watching it is surreal.

I remember how my classmate and I went backstage afterwards--at her insistence, because I wouldn't have thought of it myself--to meet the man. I suppose this was my initial behind-the-scenes brush with greatness. We hung out for a little while with him and the band a handful of other acolytes like us.

So here's Arlo, as witnessed by yours truly, performing the Steve Goodman song that he turned into a radio hit.



I dig the preponderance of frizzy 'fro's. The friend who was with me, she had a crazy, curly head herself, not unlike that of the backing singer.

For everything Arlo, go here.

Sunday Stroll: Cleanliness is Next to...

Woke this morning to 45 degrees and a bit of sunshine which fades in and out. The warmth (well, to us that's how it feels) won't last, but we're experiencing some welcome melting.

Earlier today I strolled up the walkway at church, clicking away.

A tracery of dark green leaves against the snow. Found signs of life in the buds forming on the bush.



More tracery formed by tree limbs.



Hydrangea flower heads in a snow bank.



As previously mentioned, the Honorable Vehicle is a disgusting spectacle. My extremely prominent, highly visible parking space between the Legislative Office Building and the State House has made me self-conscious about it. (And yet the representative who parks in front of me drives a car no cleaner than mine.)

I've been tempted to finger-write "Wash Me!" on the side of my own car. You can see why.



That's the entire winter's worth of accumulated of salt and grime. It's been there since we returned from London. Didn't seem worth washing off, considering we've had snow practically every week since then.

But today, with not a flake in the forecast for the forseeable future, we took action. Conveniently located just up the street from church:

Self-serve car wash.




What a remarkable transformation!



Love this sign.



I'm spending what's left of Sunday writing (big major hugely important crucial scene coming up--goody!) and strolling through a catalogue from a favourite rose supplier in Canada. I need to decide on my order, and attempt to predict an appropriate delivery date. This involves prognosticating about when the ground will be fully thawed and suitable for planting. Hard to do when there's still several feet of snow on top!

Thanks for stopping by. For other strolls, head over this way.

Finally Friday

Rejected status updates for Facebook

Margaret...

--isn't very energetic after her very busy week.

--will attend her town's deliberative session tomorrow.

--drives the filthiest car in the Capitol Region.

--is tired of seeing her friends only at meetings.

--wrote and delivered all articles by deadline.

--chaired the F&G&MR Committee public hearing on snapping turtles.

--heard the temperature might get above freezing next week.

--wonders about the mystery tracks all around the outside of the Lodge but can't examine them up close because of the deep snow pack.

--got Elvis Costello's The Angels Want to Wear my Red Shoes stuck on re-wind in her head after hearing it on the radio driving home from mandolin lesson.



--hugged the Bishop in the halls of the Legislative Office Building yesterday.

--is eating pizza tonight.

--needs a plan for Valentine's Day.

Sticking My Head Up

Above is the Groundhog Day decoration created by a neighbour. Eerily life-like. First time I drove past, I thought it was a real critter! The head is poking up from a huge snow bank left by the town plow. The vast expanse of white behind it is our little lake.

Groundhog Day itself was cloudy with flurries, so in the early morning my pair of ground-dogs did not see their shadows. Later the sun emerged.

This week I'm a busy groundhog...no time even to look for my shadow!

Yesterday we had more snow, and I was driving round in it all day, but only a couple of inches in total accumulation. Chairs & Vice Chairs meeting in the morning, then back to the Lodge to compose my daily 1000 words and catch up on some diocesan work and feed the girls an early supper. Then back to the city for a diocesan committee meeting, followed by a Mexican dinner with the Chap and our Rector before a diocesan convocation meeting.

It was a Church and State day for me, just not in that order! All my meetings were in sight of one another: Legislative Office Building, State House, Diocesan House, and the big church where we met last night. Not counting mandolin lesson, my Concord activities all occur in within the boundaries of a biggish square that includes North Main, North State, Capitol, Green, Park, and Centre Streets (yes, that's how it's spelt!)

In the late afternoon and early evening the streets round the State House were ringed with tv satellite trucks because of our Governor's announcement of his much-speculated-upon appointee of a new U.S. Senator to replace our former Senator, now President Obama's Commerce Secretary designee. If you've watched or listened to the national news in the past week, you might have heard something about this. I have no comment, apart from saying I'm glad it's all over and equally glad that the political spotlight has again shifted from New Hampshire.

Oh, I will add that the Chap considered phoning the Gov and suggesting that yours truly might fill the vacancy, as a placeholder till 2010. Before he got round to it, the deal was done and so was the press conference.

Today the House was in session. A short calendar of bills, which as usual took longer than usual--we adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Attended a legislative luncheon and program. Completely forgot the Chap was in the LOB monitoring bills this afternoon, and didn't go looking for him.

Headed home to play catch-up on article writing, follow-up emails from yesterday's meetings, work on the cookbook, field or return telephone calls related to some pending bills in my committee, review stuff to prepare for tomorrow's public hearings and executive sessions in committee (I'm chairing in the morning, an opportunity to work on my gavel technique).

Tonight I shall compose my 1000 words. The Chap has Planning Board so it's just the girls and me and the laptop.

I've made or exceeded my writing goal every day since making it, so it seems to be an ingrained habit now. Actual discernible daily progress...such a wonderful thing!

Musical Monday: Mark

I was such a hardcore Dire Straits fan that I died a little inside when the band stopped recording. DS and I go way, way back. But soon as Mark Knopfler started releasing his own albums, supported by Guy Fletcher and other regular and reliable associates, I gradually experienced a complete resurrection--or more accurately, a total conversion. His solo work seems to improve with each new release.

He's in the studio at Britsh Grove now, working on the next.

Today, a performance of Postcards from Paraguay in Berlin during the 2007 world tour. With a blue-armed Guy on keyboards.



The studio version song can be found on the Shangri-La album.

Sunday Stroll: Mostly Maine

Invisible Sunday Strollers at our front door.



Today's Sunday Stroll is in fact a Saturday Roll. Yesterday we drove to the coast for shopping, lunch, and scenery.

Entering Maine, we pass what I refer to as "The World's Biggest Lobstah Tank."



Going north, we took the Maine Turnpike. You aren't in Maine very long before you notice you've left the Live Free or Die state of New Hampshire. No offence to Mainers, but your highway signs are bossy! Buckle your seat belt. Tough drunk driving laws. Do This. Don't Do That. They're all along the tollway. (And speaking of that, I miss the old toll cards, those were fun.)

Oh, and then there's the gigantic sign announcing, Maine: The Way Life Should Be. Um, okay, whatever. Just so you know, not everybody agrees with that slogan. The Chap's grandmother came from Maine, and her definition of the way life should be involved living mostly in Massachusetts and summering in New Hampshire.

(I'm just teasing you, Maine. I love you, I really, really do. And not just your super-popular coastal bits...which today, we pretty much had to ourselves.)

First stop, the Tom's of Maine Outlet Store in Kennebunk, so the Chap could stock up on his favourite toiletries. Interesting automobile decoration spotted in the parking lot:



Who knew Maine has mosquitoes in the wintertime?

Heading south on Route 1, we stop in Wells at the "dinah"--surprise, surprise!



The Maine Diner doesn't just have pie of the day. Even better, it offers a cream pie of the day. Wonder what it could be?



When you walk inside you see the soup vats behind the counter. Above them hangs a photo of the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld--and it's personally autographed! So you just know the soup's good.

As usual, I was feeling crabby. By that I mean I was in the mood for an all-crab lunch, starting with crab soup...



...followed by the best crabcake in the world. Seriously.



I'll admit, my favourite diner is always the one I happen to be eating in. I've been in a lot of them. Now that my Maine Diner craving is satisfied--for now--I think next time we should hit Moody's in Waldoboro.

The Cream Pie of the Day turned out to be Coconut Cream. We shared a slice. Fantastic.



Our southward journey continued in the direction of York. We turned off 1-A and followed the road to Long Sands Beach.

I see the sea!



Look--Nubble Point!



Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of all the snow on the beach, to freak out Southern friends and family who probably can't conceive of such a thing. The tide was way, way in, but trust me, there was snow and ice on that shore!

The inevitable money shot.



The inevitable money shot with my head. Which would've been lots better if I hadn't been squinting from the sun's glare, with Medusa hair whipped up by the inevitable fierce wind.



But my ears were turning to ice and my eyes watering...I wasn't standing around in the cold for a long session of do-overs.

Next stop, Kittery. Scored some "bahgains" at the Coldwater Creek Outlet. We crossed the bridge to Portsmouth and headed for the Macy's in Newington, where I stimulated my own state's economy with some tax-free winter sale purchases in the Ladies' Department.

Heading home through Durham, we passed Wagon Hill Farm on the perfect day for sledding.




I even got a shot with the wagon on the hill!



Icebergs in an inlet off of Great Bay.



Almost home--view of the mountain behind the Lodge, from the other side.



We arrived home right at the dogs' suppertime. After feeding them, a long session with my free weights, to burn off that decadent--and delicious--lunch!

PS To stroll along with others, go here!

Pecking Away

Male downy woodpecker

Instead of worrying about slow progress on my manuscript, I'm rectifying it. As of yesterday, I've got a Plan. I've set Goals. And I intend to Follow-Through.

With so much going on in my life these days, I cut myself a lot of slack where writing is concerned. I'm not under contract. I'm writing on spec. That's well within my comfort zone. But it's also true that I'm getting impatient with myself. In my head, the book is there--it's alive, it's complete. I need to get the rest of it down on paper in a completed first draft. To do so, I must tap my reserves of discipline. The next book is already trying to shove its way into my consciousness, but there's no room for it.

Over the past year I've proved that when motivated, I can accomplish things.

This morning, practising my most challenging mandolin piece (and very well, I might add, I was cooking!) my mind re-wound back to this time last year. And realised how far I'd come.

Last spring I decided I wanted to lose 5 pounds. As of this morning, I've lost 26.

My Plan is this: I will write a minimum of 1000 words every day. Typed, longhand, hieroglyphics, whatever. If I succeed in this, that distant light at the end of the manuscript tunnel won't be dim indefinitely.

As goals go, this is hardly taxing. It's only about 4 ms. pages. It's only a couple of hundred words more than my opinion pieces, which average about 800 words. I could do it without breaking a sweat. The issue isn't the quantity so much as the consistency of effot, the habit of producing.

The Rules are these: After completing my 1000 words, I'm not supposed to stop. But I can. If I write 2000 words one day, I can't take off the next day. The only exception is weekends. For nearly all my career--except when deadline looms, or unless I'm in the mood for writing--my weekends have been sacrosanct. I try to preserve at least one weekend day when I don't even log onto a computer or do anything book-related. Therefore, I will allow myself to have a day off...provided I make it up. If I want to take off Saturday, I must do 2000 words on some other day--preferably in advance, on Friday--but if not then immediately after, on Sunday or Monday.

I started yesterday and exceeded my goal.

And I know the biggest test of my will versus my calendar of activities will be the coming week!

Female hairy woodpecker

White Stuff

An exceptionally rare "Snow Day" for the Legislature, so I'm here at the Lodge to capture thrilling incidents like this one--



Looks like they're dancing, but from Ruth's fierce expression, you know it's a play fight. I encouraged her and Jewel to chase each other round their yard until they were exhausted, so they would spend the rest of the day like this:



The above sofa view shows a typical configuration, whether I'm working on my laptop, watching television, reading a book or newspaper or magazine. There's just enough room for me!

It's the season for really scary icicles on New England houses. Our rooftop has a very sunny exposure and good air circulation, so we don't get much ice build-up. But we can boast a very impressive 'cicle clinging to the screened porch.



What so cool is that it's soooooo lengthy! It hangs down really far. I wish I could measure it, I think it's as tall as me.



Inside the house, there's white stuff, too. My beautiful white azalea is blooming. Later than usual this year, as if it knew I needed the presence of flowers more in wintertime than in autumn!




Busy legislative day yesterday, five public hearings in my committee. (I chaired one of them, so sat in the Chairman's big chair and banged the gavel at the start and conclusion.) Controversial bills drew members of the public to other committee rooms in droves. The Chap was there, too, monitoring bills, so we had a chance to lunch together in the cafeteria.

By early afternoon, as news of the impending snowstorm grew more and more dire, the Speaker announced that today's House session would be cancelled.

Obamicons

Yes, now anyone can transform an image into the famous, ubuquitous, iconic 4-colour Shephard Fairey poster.

Having my own personal Obama image to work with, I started with this:



Then I did Ruth & Jewel.



Then I did my head shot.



And finally, I did the Duchess who is a major character in my novel.



If you feel compelled to try it out, you can go here. Registration required. You can order stuff--coffee mugs, shirts--with your Obamicon. That's not my intention, of those items I have far, far too many.

That said, my jazzed up 17th century Duchess is mighty cool. So who knows?

Musical Monday

I've been a fan of singer Sam Phillips since the release of her album The Indescribable Wow, with the awesome single "Holding on to the Earth." I was very vaguely aware of her during her earlist incarnation, as a Christian recording artist. Much of her music was produced by her ex-husband, the amazing T-Bone Burnett.

I've seen her in concert 3 times, but not lately.

Here's the video of another favourite song of hers, "I Need Love."



Wanna sing along with Sam? Here are her lyrics:


I left my conscience like a crying child
Locked the door behind me put the pain on file
Broken like a window I see my blindness now

And I need love not some sentimental prison
I need god not the political church
I need fire to melt frozen sleet inside me
I need love

Driving into town tired and depressed
Like a flare a street light burst and SOS
Peace comes to my rescue
And I don't know what it means

But I need love not some sentimental prison
I need god not the political church
I need fire to melt frozen sleet inside me
I need love

Broken like a window I see my blindness now

And I need love not some sentimental prison
I need god not the political church
I need fire to melt frozen sleet inside me
I need love
I need love
I need love

I need love

Sunday Stroll: Snow Swags

This is a follow-up to last week's "Snow Shapes," one snowstorm later. On our deck railings, the snow has shifted and frozen in place, an unusual but very beautiful embellishment. I don't think I've ever noticed this phenomenon in all our years living here!













If you'd like to continue strolling, head this way!

Festivities & Felines

At yesterday's mandolin lesson I received the next sections in the longest, most complicated piece of music I've had so far. And I had a re-stringing tutorial. My instrument has needed new strings for quite a while.

Soon as I got back to the Lodge I was in a cooking frenzy. It was the night of our usual monthly dinner party--which, due to travels we've not attended together since August! (In Sept. we were in Washington, The Chap went solo in October when I was on my North Country church tour, we were in London in November, and there wasn't one in December.) I was doing the main course. I don't often cook for 15-20 persons! Fortunately my chicken parmigiana recipe is expandable. It got rave reviews, and only one portion was leftover.

We were quite a festive group. One person was celebrating an 83rd birthday. And we were all still experiencing post-Inaugural euphoria. The food was fantastic, there was cake and ice cream, and champagne.

The house where we partied is over 2 centuries old. It has a dog and about 6 cats, some of which are only rumoured to exist because they're shy.

A young tiger cat wasn't at all shy. At first we thought he was a new resident, but in fact he was there for babysitting. "This is Foster," we were told. "He's Compton's brother. He comes from Rhode Island."

Foster was very inquisitive and very friendly. He looks exactly like my childhood cat...the only cat I ever had. He also looks just like his big brother Compton. (Both are named for towns in Rhode Island.)

A friend was playing with Foster when I took these photos:





PS I forgot to mention...Neighbours of ours, who were at the dinner party, are the human grandparents of Boswell the Goose! So we received first-hand info about his condition and treatment and progress. If you want to follow Boswell's story, visit The Daily Honk...but because he's a celebrity as well as a medical patient, he doesn't have time to update it as regularly as his fans might like. So it's not actually a "daily" honk.

Trivia

My uncle: introduced me to Mozart operas.

Never in my life: have I ridden a motorcycle. Despite several opportunities.

When I was five: I expected to become a ballerina and show-jumper.

High School was: weird and boring. So at 17 I dropped out of prep school and went straight to college.

I will never forget: the first time I saw my future husband

Once I met: Barack Obama. And made him laugh!



There's this girl I know: who can remember things about me that I've forgotten. And vice versa.

Once, at a bar: near the Adelphi in London, a man went down on his knees in front of me and declared I was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. My husband and two friends were witnesses to this bizarre episode. I still wonder what the hell he'd been drinking....

By noon: I'm on my 4th cup of tea. At least!

Last night: I was so excited about the Inauguration.

If only I had: a completed manuscript.

Next time I go to church: I hope we sing one of my favourite hymns.

What worries me most: is my July trip to California.

When I turn my head to the right: I see a wall of research books and file folders.

You know I'm lying when: I say "I don't have anything to do today."

What I miss about the 80s is: a funky red & white top I used to wear a lot.

If I were a character in Shakespeare: I'd probably be Beatrice.

By this time next year: my next novel might be finished!

A better name for me would be: Julia Elizabeth.

I have a hard time understanding: bigotry.

If I ever go back to school: I'll have a Ph.D

You'll know I like you if: I invite you to "visit the lake cottage sometime."

If I ever won an award the first person that I would thank is: my husband

Take my advice: don't become a writer if you're doing it for the paycheck or the adulation.

My ideal breakfast is: eggs benedict. Or Scotch woodcock. Which contains neither Scotch nor a woodcock.

A song I love but do not have: Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe by Whale. (Warning: if you're brave enough to play the video, it's loud!)



If you visit my hometown: go in springtime when all the beautiful cherry trees are blooming.

Why won't people simply: stop asking me to serve on committees!

If you ever spend the night at my house you probably won't get any sleep because: you'll be freaking out about all the sock monkeys in our guest bedroom.



I'd stop my wedding for: absolutely nothing. If I were having another wedding. Which I'm not.

The world could do without: so many SUV's.

I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: watch Survivor again. Because the castaways do things like lick the belly of a cockroach.

My favorite blonde is: "Cousin" Kate Winslet

Paper clips are: very bendy.

If I do anything well, it's: grow houseplants, especially flowering ones.

I can't help but stand up for: the Nicene Creed.

I cry over: more things than you would believe.

My advice to my children is: my children are dogs, therefore, "No peeing in the house!" So far they have followed this advice.

Dream, Believe, Change

"That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. "Out of Many, One," by Keynote Speaker Senator Barack Obama, Democratic Convention, July 27, 2004

"Do you ever build up a really favourable impression of somebody you don't really know but think you do (author, celebrity, politician, friend of a a friend)? And then, on meeting them, find out that they don't quite live up to your high opinion or expectation? That didn't happen to me this morning....the Candidate displayed a formidable degree of dignity, intelligence, thoughtfulness, pragmatism, sensitivity, boldness, conviction, and optimism." MEP on meeting Sen. Barack Obama, April, 2007



"The candidate addresses the crowd." MEP on seeing him the second time, July, 2007



"You know, they said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided; too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose." Sen. Barack Obama, Iowa Caucus Victory Speech, January 3, 2008

"Fascinating fact of the day: The woman who asked Senator Clinton the question that made her almost cry subsequently attended an Obama rally. And voted for him yesterday." MEP the morning after the NH Primary, January, 2008

"It is that promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well." Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, Speech to the Democratic Convention, August 28, 2008

"Two Winners. I knew the outcome of my race by 9:00. Had to wait two hours more for the offical projection of the next occupant of the White House. Today was the most beautiful, bright, mild first Tuesday in November I can remember. All day my heart has been so full." MEP, Election Night, November 2008



"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." President-Elect Barack Obama, November 5, 2008

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." President Barack Obama, Inauguration Speech, January 20, 2009

So here we are on Inauguration Day. When I witnessed the realisation of an improbable hope I've cherished for four years, five months, and twenty-three days. God bless you, Mr. President. Thanks for the service and commitment that carried you to this day.

And thanks for dreaming so big.