Mason's Daughter

Full Moon Fever

Did anyone see the moon this weekend?  On 03.19.2011 the moon was the closest to earth it has been in 18 years.  Thats kind of a big deal.  Lucky for me I was in the city and could enjoy it with all the other decorations Chicago offers.

A “Sleep” Soundtrack

While I am busy everyday, doing the daily grind, waking up, making lunch, going to work, putting in the 8/9/10 hours a day at work, trying to grow my music and gig on the occasional weekends yet still have a life and be close with my family and friends… I sometimes get lost in all of it.  My brain can forget what is really important and what path I’m really working towards.  Lucky for me my positive attitude always beats my negative one and I end up just keepin’ on.  

I got the below letter the other day and after reading, it was one of those stop-in-your-track moments.  I sat there for a minute in awe, thinking is it possible?  My music is going to Afghanistan?!  Wow… 

Music does make a difference whether I am seeing it on the daily or not.  While I’m thankful for reassuring moments like this, I’m most thankful that I’m helping a person feel better - especially someone who is putting their life on the line for our country every day.

I wrote a letter to Alison Krauss in 2006 while I was in Iraq. I had been having trouble sleeping due to some things that were happening. The only thing that helped on ‘bad nights’ was listening to her sing “Baby Mine” the song from the movie ‘Dumbo’. I would turn it on repeat and go right to sleep. It calmed me down and helped me to forget. Since then I’ve found a few songs here and there that help on ‘bad nights’ that I still have sometimes (especially when I’m in the field training, which I am now) I wrote the letter to her just to say thanks for singing so beautifully and helping me go to sleep. I’m sure she never actually read the letter but someone responded for her I guess, it was pretty cool anyway.

The point of telling you that is that I just recently bought your newest album and found a couple songs that slow the heart rate and relax me when I’m ‘wound up’. I leave for my 4th combat tour sometime next month. I’ll be in Sangin Valley, Afghanistan and those songs will be on my ‘Sleep’ soundtrack with Alison Krauss and a few others. Thank you for singing so beautifully and helping me go to sleep. Keep up the good work.

I posted this anonymously, no identity is needed to get the point across.  

Hope everyone sleeps well tonight.  :)

A George Clooney kick?

George himself has been hanging around town filming a movie. I just so happened to see him at dinner a Dee Felice in Covington.  I’ve also been completely consumed with the soundtrack from a recent movie of his, Up in the Air.  I just can’t get enough of this soundtrack, very chill and Saturday mornin kinda listening.  

I also love that when I discover new music, it is sometimes old music.  This Crosby, Stills and Nash song is on the soundtrack - Taken it All - and I am not sure how it missed my ears before!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C8ySBZZ2yQ

Speaking of, Crosby & Nash are coming to northern KY next month.  Ray LaMontagne this June and Brandi Carlisle is opening.  Holey moley!  Gonna be a good summer.

Oh - for those of you that were wondering - yes, George is beautiful! :)

KY Cardinal

My favorite thing to do in the winter (besides sit next to a fire) is feeding the birds!  Check out this handsome fella… 

My daily visitors

Morning View is peaceful.  These pictures are of the little group of deer who stop by each day to munch on the acorns.  

Ohhh Oh Mexico

Mexico was beautiful and a MUCH needed break.  The water was 3 colors of blue.  I have a new appreciation for pelicans and sea turtles.  & Sol beer.

I saw my second wonder of the world - Chichen Itza. 

This was a cross hidden underneath a circled graveyard.  This architectural suprise doubles as a rain catching basin where all water flows to a hole underneath the cross.  Candles sit in each of the small holes you see in the wall to light the life of those buried above it.  This was the view from the bottom, looking up.  Possibly one of the neatest places I’ve ever been.

There was live music.  & birds. 

We were there to celebrate “dia de los muertos” or day of the dead on November 2, 2010.  Almost every store or shop had their own alter setup celebrating the lives of those they’ve lost.  They make food, bring drinks, light candles, pictures and even empty shoes to the spirits.  There were skulls all over the place which is also a common symbol for the holiday.

This picture makes me love photography.  There was a busking “feathered serpent” on the street.  This is the Mexican God Kulkulcan.  Here is his head dress.

 

P.S. I only know all of this because I travel with a Spanish teacher!

Life is good…

The Salt Lickers

Occasionally, I play bass.
Love it, but I’m no expert.
We made people happy in October.
In the sun.
At a state park called Big Bone Link.

Also including Dave Hawkins, Eric Edwards and Keith Clifton.

The World Equestrian Games

This was quite the experience.  Also known as WEG or “weg”, the World Equestrian Games was held in the US for the first time in its history.  To see so many different cultures and hear so many different languages in our great bluegrass state was really a treat!  This picture is of the main arena for the games.  There were a couple of these but this was the BIG one.

Lexington was just beautiful the day we were there.  In the 70’s and sunny.

This was the stage we played on.  The KY Arts Council booked all the musicians, who all happened to be from KY, for 45 minute sets throughout the days of the 3 week long games.  I was honored to be chosen.

To some, this is the olympics of horse racing. There were racers, teams and fans from all over the world.  This is a warm up area.  Can you imagine, some of these horses were flown in over 10-15 hour flights!

We tried to make the faces of the statues.  We had a hard time not smiling.

Heather sang with us that day.  She tried on the racer hats.

This is the band together.  From left to right… Chris Damele (bass), Dave Hawkins (lead guitar, mandolin), Me, Jason Halker (drums & percussion) and Heather Turner (back-up vocals & percussion)

Music brings us all so much.  :)