GIG ON AUG. 31

Every time we've done this gig, the band members say they've never had such fun playing.  And of course, the audience loves that and they're up dancing and enjoying the night.
This time it's celebrating not only dance and the joy of music, but also the release, in Haliburton, of my CD 'Hook, Line, & Singer', and the inevitable end of summer. 
We have a great line-up of tunes and performers, so if you're in the area, come on out.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013   8PM

THE MINDEN LEGION

HWY. 35 AND ROAD 121

HALIBURTON, ONTARIO

There will be photos of the whole gang and all the merriment later, but in the meantime, here's one of me on my recent birthday morning, a little happier than the last picture.

 

P.S.  if you can't make the gig, listen to my radio show on

canoefm.com

10pm to midnight on Aug. 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE POPPIES GROW....

Even when people die, and times are difficult, those beautiful flowers are there....
A wonderful woman, a friend, died last week, and I just came from the visitation; pretty much everyone in the county was waiting for an hour to get into the funeral home and pay their respects.  A musical and fun person, who touched many lives.
This picture of me, taken last night,

looks worried, worn, and sad, and I guess I am.

THERE'S HOPE

Riding the Toronto subway last evening, and saw this colourful message.

And obviously, Main Street anytown is where we all travel at some point on the rocky road of life, so there it is for anyone who needs it.  You're welcome.

MUSIC BY THE RIVER

A gorgeous evening, and two wonderful musicians to accompany me - Paul Chilco on guitar, and Carl Dixon - of Guess Who fame - he was the lead singer for them for many years - Carl played drums for me.
Here are some pictures:

OUT STANDING IN MY FIELD

Can't help it.  I said I wouldn't make my personal life public, but it has to come out, otherwise it all turns sour within me.  So the poetry or the music pushes its way out of the birth canal, and I, as mother, have to express the nourishing milk - of human kindness - to myself? to anyone who hurts me? to the gods for making life thus?  Or just to anyone who will listen?

Early yesterday morning, the cold of the night met the warmth of the sun, and the resulting fog over the fields and in the trees made me think of "a grand soft day," which in turn made me think of someone I know, and that made me sad, and I had to just stand there, out in my field, and hope for grace, or love, or some spirit to infuse me enough to face the day, the 10th one of my grieving.
But at least I was out in the beautiful air of my northern Ontario town - one even farther north than Neil Young's, where all his changes were.  I'm going through some changes now.

I walked towards the woods and just kept going down the old logging road from many years ago.  The woods have a way of healing you, with their light and their green, their sweet sounds; and their silence.  Pretty soon I was humming "Davey Crockett" to myself, - since there are bears about.  It was a nice change from Guy Mitchell's "My heart cries for you", and all the other sad songs of love that flood out of my subconscious as soon as I awaken.

The day went on, as days do, and as they always will.  I'll get by - walking the woods, watching the waves, writing my words, and weaving my woe.  It doesn't lessen any pain, but it makes me feel part of a wider, ongoing picture of life, and I have to feel like I'm part of something larger than myself, just as I have to remind myself of the much worse sadnesses and horrors that are experienced by many in this world.

We all need to heal.

Friday, Aug. 9, 2013  6:30pm to sunset

Music by the Gull (Minden, Ont.)

Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013  8pm

The Minden Legion, Hwy 35

with the Dance Band
p.s. pictures from the Nice Bistro gig July 31:

Danny McErlain on piano; Zoe on vocals

Une rue en France; Zoe avec la bicyclette

A pensive moment

A CONSTANTLY SURPRISING REFRAIN

I have a big unhappiness in my personal life these days, so I can't talk.  No words.
However I'm happy when I sing, so the gig last Wednesday was a good respite, (I'll upload pictures later), and I look forward to these ones coming up:

Friday, Aug. 9, 2013  6:30pm to sunset

Music by the Gull (Minden, Ont.)

Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013  8pm

The Minden Legion, Hwy 35

with the Dance Band 
 
Meanwhile, about a month ago I wrote this piece, called "LIVE THE DREAM".  Courage to those who will.

Ever wonder what you would have been if you'd lived another life, or if the events or circumstances, or people in your life had been different?
I was walking through an upper-middle class neighbourhood in Toronto the other night, on my way to an old-fashioned neighbourhood movie theatre.  I looked at the stucco and flagstone-faced homes - exteriors added on to the original brick buildings.  The lawns were shrubs and flowering bushes rather than grass; the entrances were all distinctively modified and diverse.  As I passed by with my straggly hair and black t-shirt and tights, my keys and Fox 40 whistle jangled on the lariat around my neck.  It was stamped with the logo of the music organization I belong to, and was my only "jewelry".
I walked along the street, and the early summer evening reminded me of times I'd spent in the city before I knew anyone, or anything; before I made any choices.  It made me nostalgic for the awakenings and newness of leaving home.
I looked at the neat, comfortable houses that spoke of achievement and confidence; of worlds foreign to me, and I tried to envision myself as mistress in one of those homes.  I would be married, no doubt - a state I had always studiously avoided - married to a lawyer, perhaps, with three or four lovely children, and a housekeeper.  I'd have a very good executive job with a very profitable company.  We'd have lots of good friends in high places, and we'd entertain below the chandelier and up at the cottage (in the family for years).  I would smile with pleasure and fatigue each night as we curled up with each other and dropped off to sleep.
"Don't forget that political meeting tomorrow night, darling.  It's an early start."
Then one night I'd dream a crazy scenario of myself singing onstage with a group of fun-loving musicians. I'd see me wearing a sparkly stage outfit, my hair long and straight like it was before the kids, and I'd experience this amazing rush of excitement and emotion and power that seems so real that it wakes me up.  I'd lie there looking through the curtain sheers at the full moon, and have a sense of sadness, almost, that the joy I'd felt had simply evaporated.

I'd watch the moon glide in the sky and wonder, thinking what would my life have been if I had gone a completely different route?  What would I be like?
Eventually, I'd get drowsy, and just before falling asleep again, I'd remember my hair appointment the next afternoon.