As the first month of 2020 gets under way, there are lots of things to think about. How do I want to spend my time? What do I want to be doing? I have a tendency to take on more projects then are likely wise. I had a music colleague say this week “ I think that we get dragged away- we are afraid of what we really want to be doing.” This struck a chord with me. I think that I am doing what I want to be doing and then I wonder. I want to be writing is continue reading…
Showing Up and Letting Go
It is the last day of 2019 and I have been reflecting on this past year and the past decade. The themes for 2019 have been showing up and letting go. I have realized that it is so important to show up. I experienced this intensely when I went on tour in May. The connections I made with old friends and new fans were inspiring and hopeful. I had a house concert in May at a friends home where about 15 old high school friends showed up. I went to a church school for most of my high school years continue reading…
Continuing on the Path – Early Morning Musings
I had many responses to my last blog post about transitioning to retirement. I was surprised. It seems I am not the only one who has an interest in this topic. Folks also wanted to share their own experiences of retirement. Transitions show up in many more ways than just the big ones like retirement, having children etc. There always seems to be another one coming around the corner. I have been chugging along trying to make sense of things for myself, much as we all do. I have been working part time at a knitting shop which has come continue reading…
The Next Steps
Three months have passed quickly, quicker than one might imagine when there is seemingly more time. One wise person told me that the time is the same, just how one uses it is different. This is of course true. I found myself wishing just a couple days ago that I had more time. Crazy!! I of course still have lots of things that I want to get done and more ideas than I can ever actually accomplish. I am not missing my work as a nurse and yet I am grieving the loss of it. I have spent my life continue reading…
Being in Nature
I had the most amazing opportunity this past weekend to spend time in nature and be with a group of songwriters! We had a time of connection and reflection. I wrote a couple new songs, songs that mean a lot to me. I was struck so much by the fact that the extra supports were so helpful- meals being provided and yoga, hikes and True Nature Writing. The writing really opened things up for me. I got writing about things I had no idea needed to come to the surface and it felt like once this happened there was more continue reading…
Touring and Traveling
I’m sorry this blog is a bit late. I’ve been busy getting ready to go away as those of you who follow me on social media will know. I’ve been getting ready for a tour and then for several other shows around Regina. It’s been so interesting spending time working on my set list. I am trying to find ways to engage with the audience, to let them know that I care about their experience as I also share songs that will open hearts. I’ve also had a great experience this past week re-writing a song that I had written continue reading…
Reconnecting and Touring
I have been busy finalizing things for the ten days that I will be away on tour. I have six shows in that time period and will be visiting friends and family as well. I seem to be able to do this every time I go away on a short tour. I am extremely grateful for the friends that have stepped up to be hosts for a couple house concerts around the Calgary area and for the friends that have offered me a bed as well. It is a very rewarding experience to be reconnecting with folks from my high continue reading…
Be the Unexpected
I have been working on a signature program (keynote address) this last week.This is a program of songs combined with stories that add up to an inspirational message. My business coach told me a while ago that this would be a good idea. I had a few friends over on the weekend to run through my material and they gave me some feedback. I am so grateful for the helpful feedback. The main thing I need to do is to be more specific and focus on the three main things that I want to say. This was helpful to hear continue reading…
Trusting Ourselves and Being Kind
I was fortunate enough, a couple weeks ago, to go and spend a week at one of our provincial parks here in Saskatchewan. Cypress Hills Interprovincial park is close to where I grew up and is a place I often go for inspiration and rest. Before arriving at the park, I wondered if I knew what I was doing? Would I really find inspiration here? I was planning to write and finish some songs. As soon as I arrived and got unpacked I realized that I was right to come, that I did know what I was doing. I remembered continue reading…
February is the month of love
February is the month of love! I think we can view this more broadly than romantic love as love can show up in our lives in many ways. I have been playing different love songs for Wednesdays with Wanda this month and when I played a show in Saskatoon I tried to think about different types of love and love songs. I played some songs about romantic love, the good and bad sides as well as some songs that I love. I had a few lovely moments at the show in Saskatoon. A two year old and his dad come continue reading…
