random reflections in january...

My, my, it seems that I haven't posted HERE in nearly a month. That's what happens when family holiday plans change because of wacky weather, a partner with respiratory problems gets really sick, a trip to the ER become essential, AND band practices take place, too! There have been a few FB postings - including some tributes to David Crosby - but life has clearly interupted my writing groove and will continue to do so until probably July. So, allow me the chance to share a few random reflections:

+ David Crosby: The genius doctor of vocal harmonies and clean guitar work. I was an early fan of both Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds - two 60's bands that specialized in Americana with searing guitars and close 3 part harmonies. Both bands could duplicate the precision of the Beatles but with a clearly country/folk vibe. And as much as I came to cherish the edginess of the Airplane and Dead, they were both awesome in concert, almost every night I returned to either The Byrds or Buffalo Springfield to carry me into la la land. (Ok, there was some Tim Buckley added to that mix, too.) The killer opening riff The Byrds created for Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" - and their close harmonies on the chorus - set the standard for my generation - and they kept getting better and better. One of my favorites is this reworking of Dylan's "Lay Down Your Weary Tune Lay Down."

When Cros was fired from The Byrds - a reality that would happen again and again because he had a wicked, opinionated tongue - the whole Laurel Canyon groove was taking shape. With Buffalo Springfield imploding, both Steve Stills and Neil Young were searching for new options. At Joni Mitchell's house they started making uniquely beautiful and poignant songs and when Willy (Graham Nash of The Hollies fame) made the scene, he rounded out their harmonies. I still listen to that first CS&N album and marvel at what their voices, souls, and fingers created. From time to time Neil Young would enter - and then leave - the picture adding his eclectic songs and super-charged lead guitar. 

Cros produced Joni's first album, Songs for a Seagull, put out one of the all-time most beautiful solo recordings, If I Could Only Remember My Name, and kept on rocking through all the ups and downs his wounded soul and broken heart had to experience on their way towards equanimity. His departure for the grand band in the great beyond leaves a hole in my life and I'm going keep playing his songs til I join him (which, I pray, won't be for another 15+ years!)

+ Harmonicas:  I sometimes play the blues harp with my acoustic songs. Now that Dave and I are working as a duet - in addition to our big band The Remnants - I've wanted to use them more. Especially on a few early Beatles' tunes. Sadly, for months they've been AWOL. I recall bringing them home in a small bag after we played Andy and Laurie's barn part last October but after that... who knows? I've been searching for them in earnest these past two weeks and have looked everywhere. After going through the basement, my gig bags, our bedroom, and car vigorously yesterday I had concluded they were gone forever. As I was walking back to my study I picked up a brown paper bag that's been sitting by my bed stand for months and was about to toss it out when I noticed a battery powered light inside. And when I pulled it out, what else was there, but my five missing blues harps! They've been two feet away from me for nearly three months and I never once moved that freakin' bag. I'm grateful to find them and chagrined at my distraction.

+ Lucie: For some unknown reason, our 10 year old buddy, Lucie, has decided that she's a lap dog again. Every night for the past week while Di and I watch one or another European mystery, Lucille comes off the sofa with Di, walks around the room twice, and then stands in front of me until i boost her onto my lap. She is no light weight at 70+ pounds. Once firmly planted on my lap, she snuggles in, licks me a few times, and then promptly goes to sleep until our TV adventures come to a close. Who knows why she's so inspired? Who knows how long this obsession will last? It's fun in a weird way for the old girl to be so close so I guess I'll just enjoy it til she's done.

+ Synchronicity: About three years ago I rediscovered the writing of Christine Valters Paintner at the Abbey of the Arts. In one of her books on Celtic spirituality she mentioned that the way Celtic monks made a pilgrimage was different from the rest of Europe. While most peregrinations are linear, with a defined goal in mind, not so for the Celts who chose to wander without clarity until they felt in their hearts a place of resurrection and renewal. Paintner calls this "following the thin thread of synchronicity" in our lives. That phrase brought clarity to my own spirituality. 

Last Tuesday, my partner in music, Dave, and I went to listen to a few local musicians at club in town. During a break, it was worked out for us to sit in next week and play a few tunes, and that felt like enough. Oddly, however, as I was getting ready to leave one of my favorite local politicians stopped me and asked if I might join a few of his friends at the back of the club for a conversation. It was lively and insightful. During our chat, one man asked, "Why did you decide NOT to move on to Canada? I thought you were already gone!" The short version is that one of our daughters asked us to stay put; all the rest of their extended family is out on the West Coast and she wanted her grandchildren to know their grandparents while we are still reasonably healthy. I concluded, "As clergy, I moved my family all over the country not once or twice but four different times. So when she asked me to stay put, as much as I wanted to hang in Canada with my L'Arche friends, I kept hearing a line of Scripture where John the Baptist says about Jesus, "I must decrease so that he may increase." That kept going through my head and heart so here we remain." As I was saying my goodbyes, one of the men in this conversation said (with tenderness in his eyes): "You are doing the right and beatiful thing, man. My grandparents were life savers for me during a time when life was hell. So, keep trusting your heart because being there for them could be a matter of life and death." 

Wow... who could have imagined? Talk about paying attention to that small thread of synchronicity, yes? Today I give thanks for it all and leave you with another gem from Cros who "found" the middle harmony here and holds it ALL together.