When we are children, any old thing lying around, that is no longer of use to someone else, has the potential to become something, in our tiny, uninhibited, willing hands. Plastic bags become jump ropes. Cardboard boxes- after getting a good overhaulin’ with a juicy, box of magic markers- take their rightful position as secret clubhouses.  Everyone KNOWS, egg cartons are just begging to be mobiles. Our plans for that Popsicle stick were already realized before we had even bitten into the orange, vanilla creaminess in which it was embedded. Then reality aka social structure, creeps up with the stealth of a navy seal, and suddenly there is homework, after school jobs, household and family responsibilities, more homework and studying, weekend and summer jobs, college, full time jobs, children, retirement plans, old age and passing on. Lord only knows how many shoe boxes I’ve held on to, only to fill it with junk I don’t need or use, eventually- and ironically-disposing of the box and not its contents. I betcha all those hundreds of shoe boxes coulda made a great, mid-century modern style, wall unit, stacked by length and width for visual interest, maybe painted a soft, summertime, after-a-light-rain gray, with a shiny, shellacked finish.

These ponderings seem to be reserved for childhood, but they don’t have to and definitely aren’t supposed to be. I was reminded of my ability to think and do in this fashion by a series of elegant, hanging straw sculptures displayed from the ceiling of an artist’s living/working space. Spray painted silver, the simplicity of these, overlooked, plastic objects took on a completely new identity, fooling me, until it was revealed what they really were, proceeding to evoke within me a delightful feeling of surprise. This was followed by the revealing of the origins of most of the pieces surrounding us as thrown away or found objects-often seen as useless- now, whimsical works of art. This resourcefulness is what we humans have practiced for centuries. I think the ability and desire to create and be resourceful is inherent in every one of us. It is simply dulled by things OUTSIDE of us. I would never argue the fact that necessity makes it harder and harder to allocate the time it might take to do these sorts of projects.  Isn’t it interesting though, that this same necessity is actually forcing us to? When our parents could not afford something, didn’t they make something out of nothing? Everything becomes complicated when we buy into it. It’s being SOLD to us, of course. “It” being an existence dedicated to getting more things that fill our hearts with momentary joy and our landfills with eternal clutter. It hurts my heart to see the rate that consumerism has completely and utterly consumed our culture. There has to be a happy medium. I am guilty of wanting things, but the funny thing is, once I have it, I always find the need for more. I give my kids a sweet, for instance, and if I kept offering, they would keep eating until they became sick. That is because sweets are yummy! Nevertheless, so is a bowl of steamed greens drizzled with olive oil, lemon and gomasio. A perfect example is a very pricey wedding. Honestly, what does it add to the years that follow besides debt? Even the wealthiest couple cannot attribute their happiest moments to the 20k dress. The wedding planner’s most elaborate plans cannot stop a spouse from cheating, know what I’m sayin’? Though I’ve had not had to endure the very real, heartache caused by infidelity, my personal experience with my wedding day gives me a little bit of license to speak this way. Indulge me for a moment:
I ordered my, one-of-a-kind wedding outfit from a shop in New York City’s little India, the day before my wedding, for 125 dollars. Besides laru and I and the man who married us, our only guests were the five people closest to us, at the time. We all went to dinner at our favorite restaurant and my parents treated us to one night in a hotel in the city. With no honeymoon on the near horizon, we awoke the next morning, with nothing to do but start sharing a life together, precisely the point of our decision to marry. Fast forward fifteen years later (though it literally feels like yesterday), still committed to each other, I am quite sure it has little to do with the flavor of our cake. We did not have a cake, anyway. I’m only using weddings as an example. There’s obviously nothing wrong with a big, dreamy event, if it is what you actually WANT.  I’m guessing a great part of our decisions are already made for us by a societal influence that doesn’t give a flying hoot what happens to us in the aftermath. I could have used the example of buying a house, having kids, owning certain status “things”. We’ve all been there; I know I have.  I’m just trying to rethink the stuff that’s served to me on my beautiful, flat screen TV-which I adore, by the way- and own my destiny instead of it owning me.

We sometimes think of having a vow renewal ceremony, but really only as an excuse to have a party with a great dj and a bunch of guests who will dance the night away. 

 I am dying to learn more moderation. We don’t want to kill the economy, but we can’t let it kill us. We could start by finding some balance. Maybe, everybody reading this could attempt one, homemade project, using something that was functioning as something else or was otherwise useless. Just see if it’s possible for you to set aside some otherwise, leisure time.  I am going to cut up all our old, stained t-shirts so they can be used as household cleaning rags. Shoot: that is something you can do while watching bridezillaz!  In addition, I am in no way condemning any one’s lifestyle choices. It wouldn’t be interesting if we were all exactly the same. How would we learn anything? I am just genuinely, wanting to offer up my musings as others have done for me and continue the cycle of sharing.


Okay, San Francisco and New York City: you spoiled me! Yoshi’s was a gorgeous enough venue to begin with, but when you filled it with your gorgeous selves for all of those sets, and got outta your seats ,and –triple gasp- brought ALL those delicious children to the matinee and let me sing to them and faun all over them afterwards, you turned that joint into a palace of joy☺ I hope it doesn’t take that long to come back. A big thanks to all those who travel long distances for the shows. I can never get over that kind of dedication. I also wanna give a shout out to Ame – a magical acupuncturist I had the good fortune to work with at Kobuki Springs- for the best two session I’ve ever had, to date. If you live in the area, or will be visiting, she comes highly recommended by yours truly.

Then, the Greene Space and members of the Blisslife family, surprising me by coming out, warming the environment with your familiar smiles, and encouraging sounds. You are the prefabricated house to my empty piece of land☺ I send big thanks to any and all who came to that performance. I am TOUCHED at how lovingly you all embrace Sky. It is so fine of you.


On my way to Charlotte- my first time there, I think- the songs are fresh on my mind, the melodies, still upon my tongue. I hope it’ll be a good night for all.



An enormous squeeze of appreciation to you-

melle