There is an excavator in front of our house. I guess the thing is really happening.

We are apparently putting an oasis into our backyard. I am choosing to see this a a grand romantic gesture geared at me. I feel like shit in the summer bc of the heat. My husband loves me and wants me to have a pool. The inbetween is going to be rough though. Not looking forward to the destruction that accompanies creation. And I am the one most impacted bc I will be home.

Also, the house will not be empty during the summer. I am an awful camp manager and neglected to sign 12 up in January when I can’t even begin to think of summer. So we will have a lazy, sleep in summer, with an excavator in our backyard. It’s fine.

There won’t be a lot of serious recording happening. I am going to post shit (and I really mean this, 60 sec un polished clips of whatever) on Instagram. I had some plans for “serious” recordings but they are probably on hold. There is a recording of a recent song, but I’m not happy with it. It doesn’t sit right. And I have been working up two older songs I haven’t recorded. Surprise! I can still play them. I really want to get this done, but I don’t think I will be able to make it happen right now.

However, there will be other stuff going on in the background. I’m always working on skill building and I’m heavy into mandolin fight now.

Marla Fibbish’ s Irish tunes on peg head.Irish Mandolin I have taken this lovely course before so it’s review. Working on pick speed and accuracy, and small improvisation (which she teaches so well!) Reviewing a lovely selection of Irish tunes. Using a metronome sometimes. I will occasionally post me playing tunes on Instagram. Maybe at the end of the summer I’ll try to put up a set on YouTube.

Aaron Weinstein’ Chord Melody class also on peg head. chord melody This is a tougher one for my skill level, but I write and play the blues using a similar style (build on the double stop) so I think this will be good for me; thinking about arrangements and playing. So far it seems to be and I’m learning some lovely old Jazz standards too.

I am trying to read more to feed my brain:

There is always a YA trash novel being read. Right now I’m reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue. It is part of the Raven Boys cycle and it is just fun. Tarot cards play a prominent role. The Raven Boys (first book in serie)

The Power of Myth, the transcription of the Bill Moyers, Joseph Campbell interview. I want to not like it a much as I’m totally liking it. Food for thought, and then some. The Power of Myth

11/22/63 A novel. By Stephen King. It’s for a book club. Stephen King Summer. I am fascinated by the Kennedy assignation of late. 112263

Man and His Symbols. Carl Jung. Jung really intrigues me although I’m not sure if I am smart enough to understand any of it. Man and His Symbols

And there will be writing and revisions. I will be posting some poetry that won’t work into a song. I’ve been looking through my spring notebooks and there is a lot there. I may blog about somethings I have been thinking about.

Its summer? Yah. Grab a beverage and hang out on the deck when people aren’t busy destroying (creating) stuff.