Perplexed about Pink on Erev Imbolc

Today was St. Brigid's day.  It's now erev (the night before which starts the holiday in the Jewish tradition) Imbolc, Candlemas and Groundhog Day.  I love a good pagan based holiday.  The only thing I expect everyone will agree upon is that it's halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. I'm not going to give a history lesson or spout any dogma.  I did a little spring cleaning, which is supposed to be an appropriate activity. 

Anyone want to go for pancakes tomorrow?  Round pancakes are supposed to symbolize the sun, which obviously is returning after the dark of winter.

St. Brigid

Wheel of the Year

Groundhog

Candlemas/Imbolc

What's been weighing on my mind, however, is the nasty press Susan G. Komen for the Cure is getting today.  I think it was a horrible choice to cut funding for Planned Parenthood.  Susan G. Komen has been a cause close to my heart as a breast cancer survivor.  I just did a benefit show for them.  But, way before I dealt with breast cancer, the services of Planned Parenthood were available and were utilized by me and by many of my friends at different times of our lives. Their services need to continue for so many who cannot afford other healthcare.

In their defense, Komen North Jersey sent me an email today stating, in part:


"Planned Parenthood of Greater Northern Jersey is a current grantee of the Affiliate. They were awarded $20,196 in April 2011 to be used for education programs on breast health, prevention strategies and treatment options—not for screenings or treatment—in community settings in Sussex and Warren Counties. This funding for the current year has not been halted."




The email also included:

 
"Our requirements also preclude grants to any organization that is under investigation by local, state or federal authorities.  Planned Parenthood is currently under federal investigation, and therefore is not eligible to apply for future funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure until such time as the investigation is resolved." (emphasis added)

So, folks, is Susan G. Komen for the Cure the new bad guy?  Or is it the feds for putting Planned Parenthood under investigation?  I know there are those of you who will say Planned Parenthood is the bad guy, but I won't buy that.

Strangely enough I found this graphic in an article which was
against Komen because they did support Planned Parenthood.

Digging in the Dirt

I made some robins very happy today.  It worked for me too.  I turned over a new bed making earthworm navigation easier for the robins.  I used implements of destruction and got tired and dirty.  There's nothing like gardening in my world.



And here's an early incarnation of my own band playing my song which literally is about gardening.


It's been a long time since I posted.  Just wanted to share some sunshine.
☼☼☼ Love, Laura ☼☼☼

Using all the tools - Reverbnation

At E's suggestion, I'm making another page out here in cyberspace.  So far so good. Reverbnation pulled in all my Facebook fans and MySpace friends into the site.  Now,  how do I move up the charts?

I'm going through a bit of personal dilemma.  What else is new?  But, seriously, do I want to start doing local gigs, which would entail adding LOTS MORE COVERS to my act?  Or, do I want to retain my "ARTISTE" status?  I'm working with new musicians all the time, who knows what opportunities may arise? Trusting that the universe will guide me in the right direction.....

I'm proud of the work I've done so far and extremely grateful to my awesome collaborators and supporters.

Please check out John Apice's  Review  of Crazy Wisdom on No Depression.

Much love from Catbird Lake,
Laura

Comix

Everyone on facebook is posting comic characters for their profile picture.  I just can't decide....

Call me crazy!

I'm pretty damned excited to share that I accomplished a major life goal.

I completed CRAZY WISDOM, my album of all original music, which has been in the works a long time.  It's getting out there, slowly....  The response has been heartening.

Just wanted to share some crazy wisdom and love <3

Also sending out gratitude for all my collaborators:
Bru Rossman for seeing the vision early, adding hooks, arrangements, vocals and all kinds of guitar; Mike Ferrara for sound advice from the beginning, adding the twang, vocals and assorted guitar; Billy Karcher for angelic support, adding a new spin, guitar, mandolin and vocals; Gerry Griffin for catching the fire early and his bravado and bass; Dave Moore for coming in and being a rhythmic monster on the drums; and Don Sternecker for sound magic and masterful mixing - for "getting" the music and for his Hammond B3. Shout out to Gene Paul for the incredible mastering and to Delaynie Rudner and Meg Beattie for their support and angel choir.

Kicking the Habit with a Headache

Migraine Blues:

Cider vinegar didn’t touch it

The prescription made me ill

Now I’m sucking on a tootsie pop

And trying to get my fill

I’m not an alcoholic.  I like alcoholics a hell of a lot (especially those in recovery) but I’m not one.  I thought I might be one – I tried the 12 step program and loved it – but I’m not one.  I stopped going to meetings because I realized I’d be lying if I said “Hi, I’m Laura, I’m an alcoholic.”   I also stopped going when I started working full time.  I live in a beautiful place and I want some hours at home.  Come visit, you’ll see.

I am addicted to cigarettes though.  As far as I am concerned alcohol is a gateway drug to nicotine.  So there’s a reason to stay away from alcohol.  I picked up cigarettes again this summer – after publicly swearing never to smoke again.  I said to myself I’d stop when I finished my album.  Well my work (on the recording) is done, just waiting to have it mastered and printed.  I emptied the ashtray in my car this morning.  I will not buy anymore.  I’ve got some Tootsie Roll Pops to suck on. 

Cigarettes have a lovely connection for me to creativity.  Back in the early seventies, when I was in college, we were allowed to smoke – in class.  I took mostly studio art classes.  My favorite teacher, the late, great Robert D'Arista, used to inhale deeply on his cigarette as he critiqued our work.  This led me to taking my paintings out in the hall, and enjoying a cigarette as I decided how next to proceed with any given work.  I started going out of the recording studio with a cigarette over the summer after listening to any given track.  Same thing, all over again, but I’m sooo much older now.  I’ve reached the age Bob D’Arista died at of an aneurysm in 1987. That year I was busy as a young mother, newly separated from her artist husband.  I wasn’t thinking of anything but doing the best for me and my daughter.  I looked up Bob when I started a drawing class in Warwick last year.  I miss him.  He gave me a huge shot of much needed self confidence back in college.  He said, “Don’t worry what anyone thinks, I told you that you’re good – that’s all you need to know.”

Writing and reminiscing, my migraine seems to have finally subsided. 

And I can add recording artist to my list of qualifications.  There will be a CD release party soon at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ and, by the way, I will be showing a few drawings at the Seligman Gallery in Sugarloaf, NY.

Gardening at Night

The first red tomatoes have appeared on the vine in my patio garden.  This is mundane stuff, but damn it makes me happy. The happiest song I ever wrote was not about love, but about how "the sun will shine and the garden's going to grow."

It's not always sunshine, I love to do a little gardening in the cool of the evening.  The REM tune has been accompaniment to the task since the mid 80's - which is when I started gardening on a regular basis.



Living here closer to nature than I've ever been has its rewards.  The slogan of Sussex County is, appropriately, "people and nature together."

Sunday I saw a hummingbird moth sipping nectar from my monarda (a/k/a bee balm).  That was surreal  -- I didn't even know that hummingbird moths existed. None of the stock photos I've found online captures the experience or the colors I saw.  I'm going to have to keep my camera near and hope it returns.  It's very freaky that an insect and a bird should share so many characteristics. Wikipedia attributes it to convergent evolution.  Live and learn..... 

Meanwhile, the music is coming along wonderfully.  I'm going into the studio on Sunday to do more tracking.  The plan is to have a finished, sparkling CD in hand by the time the Montauk Daisies (late bloomers like myself) are opened. That will be something.

xoxo