Occasionally in life there are events where everything in our fragmented day to day, intersects… a focus where the world appears crystal clear, and all the blur melts away. It is in these moments where we catch a glimpse of how it all connects. In these spaces we feel perfect with all the crazy imperfections we normally run from. When we breath in this air… we understand our tangled breath as the beautiful weaving of everything.
Last year at this time I stumbled into one of these moments. It was called Wild Noise. I spent these days in the magic shadows of the Santa Cruz redwoods… creating, singing, playing, eating (delicious food), growing. It was this week that I received my mastered tracks back for my first CD (Bag of Simple), reconnected to art that lights me up (Andy Goldsworthy), talked permaculture/used tools from Ecology of Leadership, and caught a glimpse of all of these things making up who I am.
Sadly… Wild Noise will not be happening this year. We couldn't inspire enough people to carve out this space in their life. Why is that? How do we invite people to find these gifts in their lives? I do not know the answer to these questions, but perhaps this is how Wild Noise is providing me focus this year… by giving me questions to be curious about, and the challenge of creating/manifesting what is important in my life.
I was recently invited to be a guest on Slow Living Radio, and talk about my experience traveling with Ritual Coffee Roasters down to Honduras. One of the hosts, Sally James, is a long time customer at our store in Napa (in the Oxbow Public Market), and asked me to come share about my experience visiting several of the farms that we source coffee from.
It was a great time to reflect a bit on how amazing this trip was, and what a special relationship we get to have with our producers at Ritual. I talked about picking coffee cherries at Los Manos, and about how the cherries are processed. I tried my best to convey the impact that this beautiful journey had in my work life, and beyond.
We rarely get to track the things that we consume back to the source. To touch that land, the process and to share with those people… is unique, and powerful. So many images stick in my mind, as well as all the laughs that I shared with my co-workers/friends.
Life feels like it is unfolding… and I am finally catching glimpses of how it is all connected. TreeBed Design is rooted in all of these connections, and I am excited to watch as it pushes up through the soil to see the light of these days.
Much of my creative energy the past year has gone into clearing old projects out of my way... either by finishing them off ("perfect" or not), or letting go of them. One of these projects was a CD collaboration that Chad Elliott and I started back in 2005. As a part of re-familiarizing myself with my recording software this winter, I remixed these 5 songs... and with the help of my Ritual co-worker Alec Ness (mastering)... have released this group of songs as an EP!
These songs speak to a very specific time in my life, and capture a part of my journey that naturally extends into my current project Bag of Simple. My hope is that these songs connect with someone on their journey, and fit for them in some meaningful way. It was certainly powerful for me to revisit these songs, as well as see how I have changed since recording them. I am so grateful for Chad's patience in working with me on this project, and for putting a great deal of enthusiasm, trust, and joy into recording these songs... as well as the support given during my current project!
We are well into Spring, and I can certainly feel it rumbling under the surface of my life! So much preparation for the seeds planted (some, so long ago)... ready to burst forth. I wonder if seeds feel as uncomfortable with this process as I do right now. Is a seed prepared for the massive shifts and changes that unfold as it pushes new life out into the world? Perhaps there are days leading up to this emerging when seeds say, "not today... I am just not ready for all of this change".
Or... is it possible that the seed simply lets the world unfold from within... soaking up all that life has to offer, and returning the gift by being a unique part of that unfolding. I doubt the seed has a "worrying mind"... or voices whispering judgements, negativity and self doubt. For some reason, I do.
However, I have some choosing in the matter, and as this Spring (and I) unfold... I want to choose to remain in my curiosity about this unfolding. I want to pay attention, and soak up this beautiful life that surrounds me. I might not even recognize this new world that I am emerging into... What a gift! Will it recognize me? How will this new world I am emerging into, gently weave me into a unique space within it's amazingly complex web? How will I choose to honor and show gratitude for this process? Today I will do my best to choose these questions... over the "questioning" of my talents, skills, patterns and abilities. Today I choose to intentionally push into the light of my hopes and dreams (and loving).
I have been working hard in the garden... it is time to see what comes next.
Tonight there will be a house concert at the Hammock Hostel (my house), and I decided it was a good time to sit down and reflect about why I enjoy hosting something like this. If you have never been to a house concert... you might be scratching your head as to what it is. I believe the first house concert that I attended was many years ago in Portland, with Chris Cunningham of Storyhill. After that my friend (and talented musician/artist) Chad Elliott further introduced me to the idea of an intimate concert in a living room (or backyard, or anywhere fun!). Since that time I have attended, played, and hosted many wonderful house concerts. I even joined a website called Concerts In Your Home dedicated to connecting folks who want to host house concerts with musicians looking to play!
This evening a wonderful artist, Emma Hill will be performing for friends in my living room (there is still some room if you want to come!). The focus will be on listening and connecting with an artist sharing their music... as well as providing an opportunity for people to connect as community. No matter how nervous I get about... how many people will show, or if everything will be set up right... it always turns out great! Why? Because at the core of an event like this, the intention is to share something authentic. Yes, there needs to be donations so that the musician can keep driving down the road (and pay a few bills), and work to make it all go smoothly. However, it is not about over priced tickets for lots of advertising, bells and whistles, and greed that often gets in the way of people gathering to enjoy a performance. For this reason, both the artist and the guest are taken care of (and usually have a lot of fun).
As I get my musical endeavors moving forward (in the process of recording right now)... I am hoping to play mostly house concerts and share my music in this way. If you would like to host a house concert, with me (or other artists), check out the great resources on Concerts In Your Home, and get in touch!
