At the hop

Greaseball heaven:

Grace

Spent a good part of the afternoon on the water - learning my way around kayaking in Lake Union. By the time it started raining, I had splashed enough water into the kayak with the movement of the oars, the lake water warm on my hands, I really didn't mind. We all hauled butt back to the Aqua Verde Paddle Club though, for margaritas and some dinner.

I was beat by the time I got back home & have been idling this evening. I caught a documentary about Jeff Buckley tonight. I had never heard of him until J played Everybody here wants you (or was it So real?) and I was floored by the music, the sound of his voice, the lyrics.

Everybody here wants you
Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss
A singing smile
Coffee smell and lilac skin
Your flame in me

I’m only here for this moment ...

The story I knew of him was that his father, Tim Buckley, had passed early in his life - after creating striking music that complemented his beautiful voice. Jeff's life reflected his father's talent and, tragically, his early end. I just assumed that Jeff's life ended because of drama and drugs.

The documentary shows something wholey different. Jeff was raised with an entirely different name - his mother having married after Tim Buckley moved on. Jeff was into guitar and was adept, having been sent to LA to attend a guitar school in his teenage years. He did not sing until he met his father's wife and then listened to all of the music his father put out.

Subsequent of that experience and a few others, Jeff made his way to NYC and participated in Fluxus events - and performance art.

I write all of this because it's impressive when ability and talent go hand in hand in one person. The documentary concluded with the shocking, senseless loss. He wanted to float in the Mississippi where it is too dangerous for folks to swim. Had nothing to do with drama.

It's worth looking into his music if you haven't heard it - there was a bit in the documentary where Jimmy Page goes on and on about Grace. Though Sketches for my sweetheart the drunk is as good a place to start.

We're taking time this weekend, J & I to regroup from a busy week or two or ...

Catching up

Happy almost Labor Day - happy end of summer!

I just got the old laptop back after a spell in the laptop repair joint. Thought I'd toss up a post to get back into the habit after a very quiet summer, blog-wise.

Notable events:
Most recent - the art studio is cleaned out & ready for action. I am estatic & inspired - baby steps...

In August -

Got to reconnect with a friend I've had since I arrived here almost 20 years ago. She means the whole world to me, so that is very good news indeed. Like many Virgos, she celebrated her birthday recently & J and I joined in to cheer her on.

Nephew visited - some photos included below. We managed a hike or two, he baked us cookies & we discussed his future. Always planning ahead, he's in his junior year in high school & looking for a landing pad after graduation. Good times!

I have a clean bill of health, after a pretty crappy couple of years. Now that I'm able to build on what I have instead of swim along the currents of trying to maintain, I'm eager - still cautious - to get back into the swing of things.

Astrology is coming along - expect to hear more in October. In the meantime, buckle down in your work & don't be distracted. Big changes are coming that are a welcome change for folks who are working hard and trying to be consistent. With change, comes a degree of chaos, hence the advice to not get distracted.

I'll leave off here, photos & music to follow:







That's How Things Get Done

Days turn into afternoons
Afternoons turn into weeks
Pretty soon another year is gone
Still you ain’t got yourself no peace

What’s the use of sitting around waiting
Anticipating your whole life away
Waiting for you ship to come
Come on that sunny day

Put your mind to it
see yourself through it
First step is the hardest
But you got to get yourself started

Ain’t no way for a garden to grow
You got to water, got to work with the hoe
Ain’t no way for yourself to get fed
You don’t get up and get out of bed

Wash your face, comb your hair
Get on straight and get out there

{CHORUS}

That’s how things get
That’s how things get
That’s how they get done
Open up your mind
Put your body in motion
Go ahead and make yourself a clean sweep
You ain’t a bear, you don’t need that much sleep

{CHORUS}

The world is sick, It’s an epidemic
Sometimes what I think we need
Is one good swift kick
Kick

{CHORUS}

Pasted from http://www.howegelb.com/snoangel/lyrics.html


get to leave

J sent me this tonight Richard Buckner - The Worst Way

A Star Without a Name

Arif Bicer,
originally uploaded by Lilbenne.

When a baby is taken from the wet nurse,
it easily forgets her
and starts eating solid food.

Seeds feed awhile on ground,
then lift up into the sun.

So you should taste the filtered light
and work your way toward wisdom
with no personal covering.

That's how you came here, like a star
without a name. Move across the night sky
with those anonymous lights.
(Mathnawi III, 1284-1288)

"Say I am You" Coleman Barks Maypop, 1994

Gaz

Gaz,
originally uploaded by Lilbenne.

Been traveling & busy this summer. Sure do miss keeping up with this blog. Here's a pic of my nephew's dog to tide y'all over.

Enjoy August, why not?