Morning has broken...

This morning at about 5:30, for some reason, my eyes peaked open, and I saw my bedroom was filled with the most amazing, golden glow. I looked out the window to the east, and saw this sunrise. The camera was only able to capture half of it's magnificence, but how magnificent it was! Nature has such a way of taking your breath away sometimes!

There's been a lot go on since my last post. We managed to get through the MCI Class of '78 reunion last weekend....and surprisingly...we haven't changed a bit! Well, maybe one of two of us just slightly....but it was still a great afternoon. I believe that there were originally 56 in our graduating class....3 people are no longer with us, but we still managed to gather well over 30 (with their partners and families) for the afternoon, so with that we'll call it a success. The weather was great, the night was mosquito free, and the afternoon was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, remember and relive. I enjoyed it...but for as wonderful as it was....I'm still glad this weekend is event free!

I've been feeling so proud of the fact that I haven't missed a day of walking since our return home from BC on June 17th. I heard a report on the news yesterday about a pill that is in the works that is going to replace exercise in providing benefits to the human body. One trainer they spoke to said, no way ...never, because it can't ever replace the feeling of accomplishment that exercise gives us, when we are able to keep that promise to ourselves. I realized that that was so much a part of what makes me feel good about doing this. With all the struggles we've had this summer (2 weeks in the hospital with Shane, the reunion planning, work things...), I've been true to my promise to me for a change, and that's likely why I feel so good, and get up every morning before 7 to do it again. That is until yesterday, when on my walk home, a young man visiting neighbors stopped me along my way to tell me he'd seen a black bear at our corner two days before! Sheesh!!!! That's all I needed to hear, especially when last nights news covered the story of the lady in California who was attacked when out walking her dogs in July. My promise to me seems a little less important , but at least hearing this helped me start to make sense of some of the sounds and tracks I've been experiencing along my walk....come this morning, I was much more tentative heading on my way, but I dragged Lady the Wonderdog with me, in hopes that she'll keep me safe should anything happen. We'll see how it goes....

Been busy doing some writing and recording of late. Trying to get the final touches done for a new collection of 12 songs I'm recording. Tough time of year to find the time, but always feels so good when I do. I'm pleased with the collection so far!

Also starting to get excited about this years Country Music Week in Winnipeg. I enjoy what the CCMA's have to offer every year. It's another opportunity to grow a little in something I love.

Also excitedly waiting to hear who's going to be participating in the Home Routes House Concert series this year...that's right around the bend again as well!

The rest is much of the same ole same ole. Farming, working, trying to enjoy the short summer we're afforded, and knowing that it'll only be a blink of the eye and be gone. It speeds by so fast.

Hoping to get back here soon!

Lynda

http://www.musicwriter.ca/

A beautiful Summer Sunday

Summer has arrived. Seems like it took forever to get here, but she's arrived in all her wonderous glory at last!

My morning walks are a daily wait and see of the who's who of the area wildlife. There is hardly a morning that goes by where I don't come across a number of deer, rabbits and this morning, the Snapper Turtle that lives in the creek was up laying her eggs on the roadside. Every years she insists on laying them in what seems to me to be the most ridiculous place. I don't know if they've ever hatched or not, we've never seen evidence that they have, but each June she returns to the middle of the road to deposit them again. The turtle population around here seems to continue to thrive, so I'll just have to accept that she must know what she's doing better than I do.

Last nights evening of Cowboy Poetry at MacGregor after the fair was a lot of fun. In was a nice turnout of people to watch, considering how very many thing there are going on on a Saturday in June in our small communities. I was only one of 5 different performances, but it was a lot of fun to participate, and the contributions that came in to support the young fellow struggling with cancer is going to help his family a lot I hope.

It a rather quiet day ahead of us here I think. I'm looking forward to catching up on some phone calls, getting some bills paid, then taking the guitar out on the deck to do a little writing. Sometimes, the words and lines come so fast and furious in my mind when I'm tied up doing other things....it's hard to make time to sit down and write them all out. That's something I have to get better at as I move along.

Shane is still struggling with a really bad cold, and although he doesn't get sick often on me, when he does it's a horrible challenge for him to over come. It's too bad now that his summer has finally arrived, and the pool is sitting calling to him, that he's stuck trying to get over a stupid bug. Watching him struggle is hard on my spirit. There seems to be so little that can be done to move him through it, but as a Mom sixteen years of feeling helpless to make things better when they are bad really wears you down. It sounds like things are starting to loosen for him, so hopefully he will get feeling better by tomorrow, if not, off to the doctor we go to see what might be done. Once again, plans get changed, and our direction takes a detour. Life...

Well, I'd better go. I don't want to waste what looks to be a gift of a day!

Till next time.

Lynda

www.musicwriter.ca

Piecing it back together...

Slowly but surely if feels like the pieces of my heart a edging their way together, and time is moving forward once more. It seems like it's been such a long, exhausting few months, but its almost like I can see daylight again.
Things have started to settle after Dad's death. Seems like dying is just the start...the paperwork, the details, the hurt goes on for so much longer. I think we're beginning to resurface though...I hope we all are.
I finally finished school! It was a great year, but looking back, I already have trouble imagining how I got through it with all that transpired. There has certainly been nothing simple about any aspect of my world this past year. So now that so much of the stress is behind me, I'm actively pursuing breathing space once again. Making my lists of what I still dream of doing and accomplishing, taking the time each morning for the walk in the morning air that connects me with my center and reestablishes my sense of balance, finding me time in the mayhem.
Last week we had the chance to take a quick trip to the coast, after having had to cancel everything in March. It was great to get away, even though it was only for a very few days..they were busy and enjoyable and full of what I needed most. Time by the water, a couple of days on Salt Spring Island, a visit to Mayne Island and a little recording in between hours spent with family and friends. It was good not to be close to home for Father's Day this year...I know it's the cowards way out, but I've had to be the brave one long enough...it's time to do what gets me through. I came back feeling revitalized and reminded of what fills me up, of course the trick now is to carry that through to the everyday. I'm working on that.
Lots going on these days. I'm performing at the MacGregor Fair tonight as part of a fund raiser for a young local boy who is struggling with cancer. My hope for the next year is that I'll always be able to find time to do more of this...playing, volunteering, writing, sharing. I need to break free of the cocoon again and just spread my wings towards what brings me joy.
The days are starting to wind down towards our high school class reunion as well. MacGregor Collegiate Institute Class of 1978. I'm really looking forward to seeing old friends and schoolmates again. Even having had the chance to talk to some on the phone while trying to track everyone down has been great. I wonder if I'm the only one who hasn't changed!?! (ya, right!). MCI Class of '78 ...a lifetime ago, and yet yesterday. There are still a few folks we weren't able to track down at all, but hopefully word will spread, and anyone who does want to participate can be there.
Well, I should go and practice for tonight I guess. Don't want to be outdone by the cowboy poets who are going to be performing there as well! Hope it's a good one!
till next time.
Lynda
www.musicwriter.ca

In Memory of my Father...

You might have thought I'd dissappeared, it's been so long since I've had the chance to writer. No such thing...but we've certainly been focused on other things for the past couple of months. Now it's time to start catching up on the parts of life that have been left to let slide....music, blogging, breathing....all the little things.
On March 18th my Dad passed away (this is a picture of him and I in 1962...if you download the song it'll make more sense..) It wasn't really a surprise I guess. He'd been struggling for almost two years, as a result of the stroke he'd had in 2006. I guess, though, that even when it's expected, it's still not really expected. It's made for quite the time. I don't think I could have written a whole lot sooner....the hurt was just too raw. The hurt is still there, and the missing always will be, but at least one can start to think a little again. It sure does take time.
We finished up the last of our Home Routes House Concerts last week with a performance by Yael Wand accompanied by Christina Zaenker, both from BC. What an awesome duo they are!! We all enjoyed both their entertaining and their company! It was great. What a wonderful experience hosting the Home Routes series has been for us! We've met so many amazing performers over the past year, and feel we have connections all over the continent now because of it.
I'm busy practicing for ACL Brandon's Femme Fix. It's their annual ladies smoker and one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. It's always a pleasure to perform to a group of women that are having so much fun....we all need a little more of that!
Five more weeks and school will be finished!! Whooooohooooooo! I so enjoyed all of it, but if I'd had a crystal ball to project what this year was going to end up looking like I might have done a whole lot of things differently! Oh well...its all part of the journey isn't it. And if we could see the future...would we ever step outside our own front door? I wonder.
Free download www.musicwriter.ca/tunes/06.htm
This rounds free download is called "One More Star (Grandpa's Song)" in memory of my dad, James Dickson. I remember really clearly the day we finished the recorded version of this song when I was doing my cd. Dad hadn't known that I'd ever written a song about Grandpa. On the morning after I received the mp3 of the finished product, I burned a cd of it and Shane and I stopped by Mom and Dad's on our way to somewhere, and had them come out to the van to hear it. I remember Dad listening so intently, and when I looked in the rear view at him, tears were rolling down his cheeks. When it was over, he said "Boy, those sure are beautiful words to hear about your Dad...I hope someday someone will be able to say that about me." Dad...we all do. I couldn't sing at the funeral...no way...but we played this song as the recessional. I think Dad would have been happy about that.
Well...I'm gonna run. As always my fingers are crossed that I'll get back here sooner than later, but you know how my life goes!
Till then,
Lynda
http://www.musicwriter.ca/

Lunar Eclipse

Well, another six days, and another February will have fallen behind us. It's been such a hectic, hectic months, that I'm actually at a point where I can reach out and touch my limits...and feel them every moment. The biggest problem is, I just don't know what ball to drop with this juggling act, and it feels like there are just too many in the air. I know there have been a few occasions over the past couple of weeks where it has gotten the best of me, and trying to relax results in a total shut-down...I've gotta figure out how to get better at this.

Good news is, that we now have my Mom's hip replacement behind us, and brother Mike is now here from Maple Ridge for a couple of weeks to share some of the load...so the ability to distribute will be helpful. Dad's still in the manor for a day or two, begrudgingly, so hopefully, he can hang in until we get the next stages of the care giving sorted through.

Living the life of the meat in the sandwich....what can I say.

Last Saturday we were honored to host James Gordon, for our 4th in this years series of Home Routes House Concerts. He put on a great show for all of us, and was a pleasure to have as a guest. Only two more shows for this year, Kat Goldman on March 17th and Yael Wand on April 22. It's really been a lot of fun to have participated in this, and we'll have to see if what next year holds.

Wednesday night I got home from work just about the time the Lunar Eclipse was starting, and we were lucky to be able to witness the entire event, right from our chairs in the living room. I was trying to take a few pictures (some turned out, some didn't), but I thought this one was kind interesting the way the triple pane window reflected the image....just thought I'd share. Apparently we don't get to experience this again until 2010. Boy, what a year full of events that's going to be!

I picked up my brother, Micheal Dickson, from the airport yesterday, and was glad to see him get off the plane with his guitar in tow. Hopefully there'll be a little room to breathe and jam over the next two weeks. I'll just have to find a way to make some, somehow!

We're holding down the fort today watching the semi finals of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts curling (Mom's been staying with us since her surgery, and if there's a TV to be found, she'll find the curling on it!). The menfolk are all off to the Lavenham Poker Derby. What a great day for it to...its just barely freezing, and a beautiful sunny day. The guys have had a lot of fun preparing for it, so I hope they have just as much fun participating in it. It's good to see Cecil allowing himself to relax and go play, with all that the last several months have entailed, there just hasn't been enough of that. Boys and their toys....and man, there are some pretty nice toys out there!

Free Download:

http://www.musicwriter.ca/tunes/02.htm

February's free download has been the song 'Learn' , and as I sit here, finally having taken the time to do something that I keep telling myself to make time to do, I realize how much learning I have to do right now. The words tell me to take time and appreciate, and in the whirlwind that has been our life this past month, that knowledge has slipped terribly from my grasp. I need to regroup, regather, and remind myself of all that is good, and precious, and irreplaceable in my life right here, right now. It's too easy to get trapped on the treadmill that will just go faster as you do.....I've got to put on the brakes and step off for a while. Now the trick is to try and figure out how to do that......

Take care all,

Lynda

www.musicwriter.ca

SuperBowl Sunday

I'll be the first to admit to anyone that cares....I am not a football fan. Never have been, likely never will be, and for the most part the closest I ever did come to actually being interested in football was using it as an excuse to get the keys to the 1964 Valiant to go and cheer on the MacGregor Mustangs football team in the late '70s.
But on this day each year, it doesn't really matter if you're a football fan or not. When the SuperBowl is on...ya just gotta watch! Shane and I even had to place a call to my Dad this afternoon to see who good Lavenhamians might be cheering for...so apparently we like the Patriots, unless it looks like they're losing...then we'll likely back New York!
Today was cool though, as we tuned in just before half-time to watch Tom Petty's show. He's still got it, and even though he's certainly a little older...so are the rest of us! The show took us back! For me the clincher was when he sang "Won't back down."...
with that I was back at the Portage Legion, playing with Keith Haddad and Dwayne Watson, in our little 3 piece band, having the time of my life....funny how 17 years can feel like forever ago!
Right now, our days are really busy trying to meet the needs of both slices of bread, as we live the life of the Sandwich Generation to it's full extent. We've been keeping it all together pretty good in the 18months since my Dad had the stroke that knocked him down so badly, but right now, we're having to throw a hip replacement for my Mom into the mix....a lot of planning on any given day, let me tell you. I'm sure it'll all work out, but by the time you arrange care for Mom, care for Dad, and care for Shane....there's very little energy left for the self-care that is so necessary to keep going. Surgery doesn't happen until Feb. 11th, but I'm already tired just planning for it. Keep us all in your thoughts!
We've just survived another really, really cold snap. Three out of five days this past week there was no school because of the cold, so that means a lot of rearranging on my part... but that's okay. I'd rather be rearranged at home where it's warm, than to be out facing those elements when the windchill is at -52C. Although the weather has broken, and the last couple of days really have been pretty good....it still makes you question why it is you stay here! We actually finally got our passports and had full intentions of running away to somewhere warm, but time wasn't on our side right now. It's very, very frustrating to me, who is always preaching that we must live while we're alive!!! If only life would respect my own philosophies!
Over the past couple of months, I've felt myself starting to drown in obligations and commitments. I realized last night that the only time I've picked up the guitar in the last 6 weeks was to play at Shirley Mark's funeral. That's not right!
Therefore, I've decided to give myself a reminder of what really matters, and what needs to be at the forefront, and for this month's download I've selected
"Learn" www.musicwriter.ca/tunes/02.htm
I wrote 'LEARN' just days before going into the studio in 2005. It came to me when a friend of mine, Barb Pavlek, came to my house for a visit. Barb was barely 35, and was midway through her second battle with cancer, and knew that this time she was not going to be the victor. We were having a coffee out on my deck, by the pool, and talking about someone who was grumbling and complaining about something that seemed to be of such little consequence, when Barb shook her head and said "why can't people just learn how to laugh?". I looked at Barb with her head in her scarf wrap, and her tiny, frail body and thought to myself....my God, you could teach all of us such lessons. We lost Barb about a year and a half ago....but as I sit here trying to balance and centre myself in the chaos that surrounds me, I'm grateful for her lesson, as it all come's back to me now!
So please download "Learn" www.musicwriter.ca/tunes/02.htm if you get the chance, and take a minute to listen to the message.... It's one we could all "learn" from in these days of hustle and bustle....
Take care all,
Lynda
http://www.musicwriter.ca/

MacGregor Collegiate Institute (MCI) Class of '78 Reunion

June, 2008, will mark the 30 year reunion for my graduating class. The last week has been a really neat one, as we try and connect with the 'kids' that we celebrated the day with so long ago, and arrange a day to reconnect and relive the things that were.

It seems incredible that that much time could have slipped through our fingers, amazing really! But journeying through the past, with our old high school yearbook as our guide, I realize how very, very much has changed....looks, lives, dreams, goals. Sometimes the people in the pictures seem a world away, not just years.

But also, I realize how very, very much has remained the same....friends, confidants, values, dreams...the ones that put a smile on your face and in your heart thirty years ago, still seem to have the ability and the gift of being able to do that today. The ones you haven't had the chance to talk to, in many cases for years, can pick up a conversation with you like we spoke yesterday...Connections formed in our school years, really can be remarkable things...something to treasure.

We've been busy trying to find folks that we haven't had the chance to talk to, in some cases years, so it's a rather daunting task at times. Still, it's remarkable that when the word gets out there, that it does travel fast, so for everyone that's working on this...good job! Every name helps.

I had a few people wonder if there was a website, and no, we're not that high tech or with the times I'm afraid, but I figured if folks were trying to search for information via the web, that this might help them to get started....

Our reunion date will be July 26th, 2008, and we will be getting together here at the farm for a day. We're welcoming not only those that graduated with us, but those that shared our journey, even if they chose a different path midway through, or completed it before us. It should be a fun day!

I've started the required "holy smokes a reunion's coming" diet, and have effectively gained about 3 pounds this week!! I'm pretty sure I'm not alone! Whatever, we are who we are, and we are so lucky to still be in this race!

That's all for today....but will keep posts and updates here, and hopefully our list of MIAs will continue to shrink as the weeks move on.

Don't forget this months free download is www.musicwriter.ca/tunes/04.htm (Heroes)

Till next time,

Lynda

http://www.musicwriter.ca/