I want to meet all the nice people in the world....

I'm happy to admit my skepticisms - about politicians, nutritional content, the true value of sunscreen, how often to floss, moderation vs. indulgence - among others.  But one thing continues to surprise and please me.  There are nice people everywhere.  Recently I visited Aspen, Colorado for the first time.  I confess my preconceived notion of the playground of celebs, rich, Fendi/Gucci/Dior sporting svelte, pierced, rockers, cooler than cool, players.  Instead, I met kindred spirits - lovers of music, musicians, beautiful blue skies, coffee shops with more outdoor seating than in, blue bicycles, rugby players in clown outfits and the celebration of them all.  I'm no fool....there are curmudgeons everywhere, even the occasional rude & snotty clerk.  But folks like the FedEx man in the Auburn shirt with infectious smile and robust laugh more than make up for them.   I will contemplate the symbolism of Aspen - the possibility of the third point of my TN-FL-? triangle, for now.  So, for today, this is really real - I believe in the goodness of people and their desire to connect and will celebrate my insatiable need to collect friends.

An Oklahoma connection - always.

A Nashville connection.

An Aspen connection.

A 30A connection.

Lynn and Alexandra

Pondering their next move.

Suzi + Kim = mustangs.

Aspen committee meeting.

That Cheryl's always smiling.

Nathan and Kate.  Winners in every category.

Mason Reed and Heather Larson having fun in the Library.

A pause...

Pauses in most everything leave time to see or feel what is really real. I found this to be a perfect example.

Why Must I Compare?

Everyday, yes, every day, if I took a phone call with a voice asking me if I am a lucky, blessed and fortunate person, I would without hesitation reply 'yes'.   I would end the call and promptly proceed to carry on thru that everyday day blind to the precise people and circumstances constituting my previously declared status.  I scan CNN, HLN, Yahoo reports for world conditions and now read warnings of impending oil on beloved white beaches, as well as on wildlife whose only possible infraction against BP oil was to poop during a fly-over.   For the past three days, the Nashville area has been under siege by the same Mother Nature who brings us glorious sunsets, harvest moons and roses of an indescribable color.  Too much of a good thing is not, in this case, a wonderful thing and can only be compared to the insufferable absence of hydration.  So, for today, this is really real - I am a darn lucky, blessed beyond merit, fortunate with every tick of the clock woman and most days I do not live like one.  But I want to.

Take Me Home

Genes, in addition to jeans, are interesting things.  Certainly, I ordered ten toes, one nose, a snappy personality and the usual equipment, but never thought to check the 'red hair the color of pure copper', 'one eye just a little bit different shade of ocean than the other', 'quirky and confident taste in clothes', not to mention 'stellar and breathtaking use of body for dancing of all sorts' and 'enviable ability to speak foreign languages, even those she has not learned' boxes.  I have my very favorite daughter to thank for many things, including the cessation of my long-held practice of sun broiling my body.  So, for today, this is really real - the unit of measurement has yet to be created for the love a parent holds for a child.  Had it been, I would have broken and set the record on May 28, 1985.  I love you, Celia Rose.

Yes, I Could Do What You Want; No, I Won't.

Yes.  Only one more letter than No.  But with that one letter-space difference comes a relinquishment, real or implied, of the right to use the small word in a reply to requests, in todo.  Recently, while enjoying both the sport and stories of the Winter Olympics, I thought just how many times the athletes must have said "no" to requests for their time as they kept their focus on the quest. Undoubtedly, there were times of conflicting emotion, and that is where our similarities end.  The conflict between Yes and No is woven through life and becomes, for me, the basis of determining the degree of conflict or calm.  So, for today, this is really real - I will say Yes to you when I have concluded that I can be the best me once I have, and I say Yes to me to resist pressure, threat, shame and even reward.  For No to you (this time) is Yes to me.  

Kidney Friends

The temptation to attach a quote to this post came quickly, and left at the same speed.  I am one who relishes words, especially when they find partners on the left and right that join perfectly to express my wordless feelings.  The number of quotes associated with friends, and friendships, surely hovers in the thousands.  But none of the authors have met my friends.  If they had, they would have thrown their hands up in the air, broken their pencils (or tossed their MacBooks), and moved on to another subject - pets or mother-in-laws, maybe, because there is no word sublime enough for my peeps. So, for today, this is really real - I, like many of you, have sublime friends....those who know me and love me anyway.  Darn it, that's on a plaque at Cracker Barrel, isn't it?

A Matter of Opinion

I must admit that I am easily distracted - often by people, sounds, aromas, or even shiny objects.  When I am fortunate enough to travel, I often risk overlooking places or scenes of historical significance due to my tendency to focus on activity or notations that hover somewhere near my line of sight.  Bless the hearts of those whose patience has been tried by my lagging behind or veering off-path.  Hopefully, an image I've captured along the way speaks to them.  So, for today, this is really real - To those of you speaking through imagery - I am listening and I thank you.

Everyday is Thanksgiving. Sometimes I just forget.

The first time I met Fred, he sang this song in the dark, sitting on the floor of a friend's beach house.  I didn't think anyone in the room had heard it before, judging by the silence when he finished.  But now I know that's exactly the predictable response to every listening.  So, for today, this is really real - "...when I'm with 'em, it's like Thanksgiving..."    And I darn well better act like it.  

Red Socks, Velvet Pants

Second only to L-O-V-E, the four letters RSVP stir the soup of emotion, controversy and opinion like, well, only L-O-V-E can. Cloaked in the veil of polite, and often butchered, French, the tag line on invitations leaves little to interpretation when its origin is examined and literally interpreted.  That is, unless, one is a fan of Chucklevision, a BBC series featuring the comedy of The Chuckle Brothers, Paul and Barry Elliot.  When asked the meaning of RSVP, Paul replies, "Red Socks, Velvet Pants", a perfectly acceptable and logical, and many would agree, correct response.  So, for today, this is really real -Répondez s'il vous plaît to me will mean "to reply, if you please".  But for the record, I'm always up for red socks and velvet pants....

I Must Stand Ready

Surrounded for the past several days by talented folks who have seemingly found their purpose in life - the writing and performing of music - I've been re-reflecting on mine.  Or possibly the lack thereof.  Sure, I can pull off some feats, most moms can.  I credit instinct and motherlove, and do not expect applause for keeping my children's immunizations up to date.  Long ago I flipped the switch in my brain, redirecting the current from music-maker to music-lover and have reveled in that role.  For the most part, within just a few encounters I am referring to new acquaintances as friends, and I hope the reverse is true.  I maintain two automobiles, several small appliances/electronics and change the air filters monthly at a house 425 miles away from my primary residence.  None of these constitute a purpose, but thanks to Conan O'Brien I will sleep well.  So, for today, this is really real - "...if you work hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen".

This has been happening for a long, long time.

Capture a sunset.  Go ahead.  Try.  I know I've committed my share of GB to the goal.  It's my way of hugging the sun goodnight.  So, for today, this is really real - when I watch the sun set, I commune with all those gone before me since the first sunset.  I bet that one was a doozy.

Can I be betrayed by people I don't even know?

I have previously confessed my obsession with photographs, namely mine.  Today, I reenter the confessional booth.  Anyone who knows me, even casually, can testify as to my preoccupation with the purchase of tickets to live music events, and namely the choice seats. To summarize, I like to be close enough to read the set list taped to the floor.  So, when a favorite duo contacted me a few days ago with the promise of a presale that would begin today, I entered the date & time into my ibrain, setting not one, but two, alerts.  Without a thought, at the last minute I dodged an appearance at a meeting, instead playing my preferred one-key instrument, the refresh button. BUT THEY SAID 10 O'CLOCK!!!  No information immediately turned to Sold Out, the most dreaded two words a musicoholic can hear. Nothing to do but tweet my frustrations, relieving 'my' musicians of responsibility, of course, but fulfilling my need to reveal the wrongdoing.  Roughly three hours later, again at my instrument of delight/doom, curiosity led me back to the presale page, where I was informed tickets would be available within the half-hour.   Again, I delayed my appearance without apology, and just to prove I could, purchased three times the number of tickets I would have originally. While I'd love to think that my tweet was directly responsible for the reappearance of the presale opportunity, I'm not that hopeful.  So, for today, this is really real - I am a person who loses most of my sense of reason when it comes to getting what I want, at least when it comes to tickets.   Rodrigo y Gabriela

For today, these are photos of really real people and places.