Memorial Day - 2008

Today, we pay our respects to those who have given their lives in our wars. I point this out because so many people confuse the meaning of this day with Veteran's Day, which honors all service men and women. While all veterans deserve respect, those who have died in service to our country deserve a special day just for them.

And what do most Americans do today? They look for sales. They plan barbecues and parties. Very few spend much time really thinking about the meaning of the day.

Things were a bit different in our house when I was growing up. Sure, we still pulled out the grill, but we also took time to think about our fallen brothers and sisters. My father - a true, albeit reluctant, war hero - lost many men under his command in Viet Nam. And he grieved for every one. He lost friends and loved ones, and missed them terribly.

For the past several days, I've thought about this entry. The thing that came back around again and again was that so many of these deaths were unnecessary. I look at what's going on today and I know that we've lost thousands of sons and daughters that didn't need to die. And I grieve for every one.

Moving forward, I'm going to do something that I believe will honor our fallen better than anything else I could do. I'm going to work for peace. Peace for all, peace in our time. How better to honor the sacrifice than to work for a time when such sacrifice is no longer needed.

Today, I hope you'll join me in offering a prayer for the fallen. I hope you'll take at least a few minutes to think about how, working together, we can create a world where warriors aren't needed... where our governments do not fight over resources... where countries actually learn to cooperate to the benefit of all.

To those we have lost, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. For your courage. For your sacrifice.

Common Ground

One thing I talk about a lot in my writing, and when I speak, is the commonality of beliefs among people. Yes, there are surface differences between the various religions and life ways on this planet. But when you dig deep down, so much of it is the same.

We spend so much time bickering over the petty issues that we lose sight of the fact that we are all children of Spirit. We are all sisters and brothers. It saddens me to think of how much trouble this bickering has caused or the history of man.

I have friends who follow many religions - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism, Shinto, Rastafarian, and indigenous life ways beyond count. From each, I learn more about their teaching stories and beliefs. And I gain new understanding, not only of them, but of myself and the universe.

When I speak to groups, especially religious groups, I seek the common ground. I promote the ideals and ethics that we all share. I do not disclude others by focusing on one religion to the detriment of all others. And I certainly don't disrespect or talk down life ways that are not my own.

Now, there are some - OK, many - who will brow beat with their holy book anyone within striking distance who will stand still long enough for the assault. If the victim of such abuse resists or disagrees in any way, then the judgements begin. There are two things intrinsically wrong with this in my mind:

1. It's totally contrary to virtually every life way and religion. So, basically, you're ignoring your reglion's teachings by acting like this, and

2. It's probably the worst way of encouraging someone to convert.

Sometimes I really wish folks like that would just SHUT UP! and walk the talk. Show me by the example of your life that your way is worthy of further study and possible conversion. How dare you try to force others. Even Spirit doesn't force people. Why should you?

Reacting in anger, however, is never really an answer, is it? I've found that it's much more productive to listen politely and actively to the other person, then perhaps offering examples of common belief. It's not "I'll convert you before you convert me". It's more about "I don't need to be converted". And guess what? We can still be friends!

We all stand on sacred ground, and we are all children of Spirit. We are here to coexist peacefully with each other - in spite of our petty differences. And learning to rise above those differences and revel in our commonality is a wonderful way to live a life with Spirit.

The Summer Begins

Welcome back - though somewhat belatedly. This has turned out to be one of the busiest years of my life. So busy, in fact, that I have simply been unable to accomplish everything I want/need to get done. . . including this blog and other writing duties.

I'm not complaining, but apologizing for the lapses. So far, it's been a wonderful year in many ways. Deeper Blues is doing well, and things look even better on the horizon. My work with Eden Electronics is still immensely rewarding, but time consuming. Thankfully, founder David Nordschow willingly allows me to coordinate my work with him to fit my schedule, no matter how crazy things get.

Deeper Blues is rapidly approaching it's two-year mark. I don't know if that should be called "birthday", "anniversary" or what. But it sure feels good to get there. Since I first met him, I haven't been shy about saying it: Gary Jones is the best Blues guitarist I've ever heard, much less worked with. This band is, without a doubt, a dream come true - a true gift of Spirit.


For the first 15 months of our relationship, Gary and I immersed ourselves in a vision and committed ourselves to a mission and a goal. Countless nights of discussion over coffee, merciless rehearsals, and a weekly, very informal and low key performance at which to fine tune our sound. We emerged from our second season at Charlotte's at the end of August, 2007, with a CD in final production, but without a drummer. Aaron Bouslog, the fine young percussionist who had been working with us since the previous summer moved to Carbondale to pursue a rigorous education in music at Southern Illinois University.


Gary's son, James, quickly asked for an audition. From the first song, I knew he'd not only be OK, given time and encouragement, he'd be outstanding. After three weeks of constant rehearsal, James made his debut with Deeper Blues at a special Saturday performance at the end of September last year - right back at Charlotte's where the band began. Our family and friends were amazed, as were Gary and I. I've never seen or heard a better debut.


Since then, the band has been rehearsing, writing tons of new music and preparing to tour the US and internationally. We've already played Chicago, Buffalo Grove (near Chicago), Nashville and Chattanooga, and have begun our third season at Charlotte's. In addition to the full-production CD Dig the Hole, released in January, the band recently released the Homegrown Vol. 1 CD, which includes three live tracks and two recorded down and dirty (like the old days) with virtually no "production" at all. We've also released a companion Homegrown DVD that includes a trio of music videos and behind the scenes mini-documentaries. By the end of the summer, we'll have one more of each.


In the coming months, we'll be visiting Nashville again (at least twice), Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chattanooga and Chicago, with other cities being added. In November, we'll be traveling to California for several weeks, including taking part in an extremely interesting "Rock School" competition - as judges and headliners of a "faculty" concert. We'll also are working to give a presentation to the Rio Linda High School student body on Music Appreciation, and to the music students on what it takes to be a professional musician.

You may wonder what this band has to do with living a life with Spirit. For starters, remember what I've said before - every day is sacred; everything we do should be based on our commitment to living a spiritual life. If we aspire to that goal, everything we do is founded on our spirituality. But it's far deeper than that. Early on, I described this opportunity as a gift of Spirit, and I truly believe it is. We all do our best to honor that gift by giving our all, and by committing ourselves to a higher goal, a higher cause. Moving forward, I hope to share with you more about this wonderful adventure.

It's a gorgeous night, and the stars are out in force and the lake, acting as a mirror doubles them nicely. I'm going to go sit on my balcony, pet a cat or two, and enjoy it while I can. Because in just a few short weeks, there will be bajillions of nightfliers buzzing around in search of warm blooded food - like me! (smile)


Tomorrow, a thought or two on religion. Then Monday, it's all about Memorial Day and those who have given their lives in our country's wars.