Pandemic: Musical Distancing

The band I’m in of a bunch of GenX friends is creatively experimenting with a way to play music while socially distancing during the pandemic. We are all part of a stay at home order by our governor and it sparked a new way to come together. One of our members is a huge David Bowie fan and this song, Five Years, is our first effort to play separately together each in our own homes. We had great fun making this happen. It’s a reminder that unexpected snafus can turn into happy accidents and deliberate new creative directions. We might even make a habit of...

Stay At Home Birthday

My son’s 11th birthday party was last night; during the stay at home order by our governor in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. At 11, he dreams of outings for his birthday with lots of friends. The stay at home kind of birthday is an adjustment. It was the way it is this year. I have a few gifts for him, he got a couple very hoped for gift cards, and cash. His 15-year-old sister stole the show, though, with her coupons for time and experiences for her brother to use with her when he wants time with her. It’s a very big deal, because at their ages his sister isn’t always game for his requests on his schedule. This will change that some and I’m proud of her to bringing it in this way. All in all? She gave him more than six hours of time for activities. Some are specific such as jumping on the trampoline and playing catch with a football to laser tag or anything...

Pandemic: Future Focus

I’m only weeks into a career transition phase of my life. As I seek a new position with a stable, vibrant company, this pandemic is catapulting us into a different time that feels even less stable than ever in my memory. We’ll likely make cultural and historical references in terms of ‘before the COVID-19 pandemic’ or ‘after the COVID-19 pandemic’ now. I have a journalistic, digital media background and, as an observant writer, remember vividly what was happening in the world around me when my dad died, August 3rd, 2001. It was only a few weeks before 9/11. All sorts of people from national leaders and media personalities to neighbors down the street began referring to life as ‘before 9/11’ and ‘after 9/11‘ when referencing past influence on the present. Anything ’before 9/11’ seemed much farther behind us and less relevant than what was referenced as ’after 9/11’ because the world was...

A Fav Farmers Market On Earth

Occasionally I’ll fall in love with a place or experience…and when that happens – it takes hold of me deeply. Think of it as something you can’t stop thinking about – can’t shake it off. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is just that kind of experience. I think it’s my very favorite of all I’ve been to – more than 50 farmers markets in a couple years time. Lavender blue corn meal donuts, pretty vegan spring rolls, four different musical experiences from a marimba band to a Latin acoustic trio. Easy parking, gorgeously rugged industrial setting, vast variety, musicians at all corners, REI, AND an entire literal creative artist market broadens out the entire Saturday morning event. We also went on Tuesday morning and while it was still pleasant – it wasn’t anything compared to Saturday’s. Tuesdays is more of a tease or...

A Bushel, A Peck, Rain Drops & Tulips

Welcome to our trek to Beloit, WI for a farmers market adventure. It was a last minute decision on the quest for a quick harmless weekend adventure. Those beautiful flowers? A $5 bouquet that lifted the spirits of several people I passed while carrying them – asking me where I got them, telling me they were just plain gorgeous and that they were. We made it through the market as rain began to fall. It was a nice one – lots of different types of booths – range of prices, nice variety, AND stores were open as they framed the streets surrounding the farmers market. We stepped into a store called Bushel & Peck and fell in love…deep soulful love. It was the store you dream about starting over wine with friends. It was this industrial type of old building big open space. Walls lines with book shelves full of used books you can wait to sink your eyes into....

Flowers: Bouquets of Joy

First farmers market of the season this year for us was the Downtown Peoria, IL Riverfront Farmers Market. I think we stopped by the second week when flooding was still an issue pushing it over a few blocks to higher ground. It’s one of my favorites for a few years and I’ve been to more than 50 in that time. I simply love farmers markets. One day I’ll write an entry with my top 10 favorite reasons to love farmers markets. This one has a great variety which are my favorite. I’m not a produce purist – only wanting produce at my farmers markets – as many people prefer. I love it all. I love the sense of community, creativity everywhere from outright plants to jewelry, and different cultural influences that equal new foods to try. Here’s a brand new reason to love this Peoria Riverfront Farmers Market. It is captured in this image of my 10-year-old...