Light And Shadows

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen
Sometimes it seems as if life is an equal mixture of ghosts and angels. I’d been agonizing all week about weighing in but I just really found myself with nothing positive to say about my world view so saying nothing seemed like the right thing to do. On the brightest of sides, our daughter Izze turned fourteen and being part of her life as she blossoms into a woman is one of life’s greatest blessings. My son Zach is a self-supporting young man… what a concept! He’s going to be spending some time with us in August so indeed, the kids are all right.
The virus is not going anywhere, and the folks that think masks are a political statement are no friends of mine. I don’t need to know someone to know what they think of me if they’re in my face with no mask. Just sayin’!
Having said that, the music is balm that never ceases to salve the soul. I watched the free Fur Peace Ranch show tonight featuring Spencer Bohren, Larry Campbell and myself. Spencer has been gone a year know and this show was taped four months before he was diagnosed. The soul goodness of this man was so evident in everything he did but his music always spoke to us all, deeply and profoundly. Death removes all possibilities and Spenser’s story now belongs to the ages. That said, to see and hear him still fit and healthy tonight on the small screen was magic. Remembrance is difficult, but there are those who must be remembered. My mom and dad have been gone for over two decades but they still walk beside me every day.
The music continues to sustain me. My buddy Jack will be pulling into town and we will be doing some vigorous rehearsing for the July 4th show. The last time we saw each other was at our last gig in February at a casino in St. Louis. It seems like a lifetime ago and in some ways it is.
I get interesting questions from time to time about the creative process in my life. During these WWCV times I have chosen to seriously try to elevate my guitar playing as well as resuscitating some old seldom played gems. I have also been spending golden time with the family. I’ll take that win.
The older I get, the smaller my world of old friends become. I guess the good news is that I get to lament their passing in person. In the spirit of good news, I’m still in the game of life and that is more than a miracle.
Well, as confining as it is I’m grateful for the Zoom lessons. It is truly better than nothing. I was hoping to go paddle boarding at the lake tomorrow, but it looks like thunderstorms are going to make that unlikely.
Still and all… you never know..
Moving right along…