1st December 1999 Back in September, in my Personal Message, I mentioned going on an “extraordinary trip” with 200 readers of The Nation. Well, here’s the story. I’m sure all of us intended to go on a simple vacation cruise with other Nation magazine readers through Alaska’s Inside Passage… just 200 progressives cruising the Alaskan fjords and chatting endlessly about politics at dinner. But then, Gladys asked a question at one of the panels and none of the male panelists could answer it. Bingo! I made a beeline to her and asked if she wanted to get the women on the cruise together to talk since there were clearly so… Read More
Continue Reading14th October 1999
14th October 1999 Ah yes, reaching into my e-mail bag is so much fun. Here are some messages that made me smile. Linda Ray from Tennessee… I just feel compelled to thank you for your incredible gift of music. I am in the midst of a huge writing project and I keep “Naked Keys” running on my CD player as I write. You play like I think. Does that sound totally wierd? Nevertheless, it is what comes to mind. (You know, Linda… When I saw Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Oak Park, Illinois I was stunned by the realization that his houses, furniture, and stained glass designs look like my… Read More
Continue Reading6th September 1999
6th September 1999 Two things… First, my month-long songwriting retreat was both productive and very humbling. I did bring home several raw chunks of music which I will trim and hone and polish until each can stand on its own. Or not. Several people have asked that I explain how the songwriting process works which I will be glad to do sometime in the near future. Suffice it to say, the songs I have written which continue to give me pleasure are the ones that arrived on their own time without being worried or shoved into line. So you can quickly see how dicey it might get in the attempt… Read More
Continue Reading12th July 1999
12th July 1999 Just this moment I am sitting in a tiny cottage along the Northern California coast looking out at the Pacific Ocean-on a month-long songwriting retreat. Each day I am receiving gifts from the world-wide web even as I am spinning and weaving my small threads into the tapestry that is our precious Women’s Music. I wrap these messages around me like a velvet cloak as I venture into the cool silence. From Tuckey in Maryland… Well hello, Margie! Imagine my surprise and delight at finding your webpage! It was like happening on an old, dear friend during a long walk alone. Thanks for adding your presence to… Read More
Continue Reading25th June 1999
25th June 1999 I have just returned from the 25th National Women’s Music Festival in Muncie, IN and am still vibrating from an extraordinary “concert/speech/Q&A” interaction with the audience. Mary Byrne, producer of the whole event and a woman I have known and respected for twenty-plus years, honored me by personally introducing me… by the time she was done, I walked out into the most amazing standing ovation. It was like climbing on a magic carpet and being whisked off by the loving energies of hundreds of women. I just leaned back and breathed it in. It was thrilling to have the opportunity to not only share my music but… Read More
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