This sure is a crappy time in history in which to be experiencing an upswing in my life. But I’m going to fully embrace the exciting experiences that lie ahead. I’m never unaware of my privilege, nor am I unaware of the horrific downturns that will befall so many souls on this planet in the coming months and years. Nonetheless I am going to put all of my energy into my music, my recordings and performances. Many of my new songs express my feelings about the turmoil of the planet, and that, I have to believe, is my energetic contribution to the world. I send the world my love as I offer up my music – holding my breath all the while, along with so many of you, as we watch the upheavel of our world.

There must be some energetic component to my current state, otherwise I could not possibly understand it; everywhere I’ve gone these past few weeks people have been offering up such lovely compliments. Strangers at the Y say they’ve noticed the progress I’ve made in my fitness, folks I know in town say that I possess a certain look in my eye – some have even offered hugs of what I can loosely describe as being congratulatory. But for what, exactly, are they congratulating me? What is it that I present which compels them to approach me and offer such kindnesses? I have stalled in my weight loss and I am wearing the same old clothes I’ve had for years. I certainly look older than I did even six months ago (this is the witching decade as far as looking ‘old’ takes place – that will have to be an entire essay in and of itself). What then is this ephemeral hint that I am broadcasting? Perhaps it’s confidence. I dunno. Maybe it’s because after a long window of child rearing and then empty nest grieving, I’ve finally discovered something that I am good at – and which I deeply enjoy. Maybe it’s reflected in the way I carry myself. Dunno. Not entirely convinced. But I do feel more hopeful about my prospects for creating and performing than I did a year ago at this time, and maybe that’s the thing that folks are responding to. Really, who can know?

There’s not much more I feel the need to add here. I’ve just felt a shifting of things in my life recently, and having not written much lately, it seemed to merit expression. Thank you for being here with me for this, which feels like a new chapter in my life. Thank you for bearing witness. I really do appreciate it.