MaryAlice Musings and More

Sasha and I went to the James Taylor and Carole King Reunion Concert this week. I had asked her weeks ago, and she said they would get the tickets! I didn't hear anything and had forgotten when the concert was, and got a call last Saturday - "when is the concert she asks?" I say, "I don't remember, I'll look it up". Oh its Tuesday, good, we're going....We met at Meritage, one my fav St. Paul eateries! We had very fun summer drinks, and good food, and off we went just as the rain started to the "x". It was great! Sasha sang outloud on many of the songs. Would say with a big smile that she didn't know THAT was a Carole King song. I loved it, memories of my own, a very appreciative crowd, Carole and James were very appreciative themselves, they had many of the band members from their first time performing together. I've been singing I've got a friend all week, and laughing at how much Sasha enjoyed going to the senior ci...

Ugh. It is so hard to believe that what the legislature passed and the Governor signed had to be the budget that we are left with here in Minnesota. With our gov veering his way east on the most conservative no tax, less government, no explanation of the consequence platform - our DFL controlled legislature was unable or didn't see like it was important to let us folks know what all of this means so that a little pressure might have been applied. Of course, with the tea party folks pouring there fantasy talk, and folks just saying no, an no fact checking going on anywhere -- hard to do the people's work. I was most bereft when the gov walked out to the media, and blamed the dem's for cost shifting, and big spending -- when they essentially passed the gov's budget! We have so far to go-or maybe to come to in order to begin to have a true deliberation and conversation about what government does and does do and how that supports the people in the state. I wish I felt...

The largest open studio and gallery tour in the United States is in my backyard. In my backyard this weekend. I try to do little steps into the whirling - and yesterday afternoon went to the Northrup King Building - it is the biggest of the old industrial buildings of the NorthEast that are now havens for artists, studios of all kinds - our arts district. I wanted to take a friend to meet Charlie Thysel l - he is wanting to buy a "head" and well Charlie's heads are great! While there Margarita Sikorskaia , she does not have any work on display but I have linked Charlie and Margarita's newest work that is in a gallery in New Orleans, check it out. My friend found two heads he liked and I found a knitted/felted sweater by Ian Baldry , wonderful texture fun and elegant, beautifully made. Last recommendation stop by Blue Sky see Peter Schulzetenbergs bench. Amazing....Charlie is on 2nd Floor, Ian and Peter on the 3rd....Enjoy Whirling!

It is windy, it is still not very warm, but the sun is out. I stepped out of bed singing Here comes the Sun - and thought you might like a little sunshine yourself. I wasn't thinking of the beatles but Nina Simone, and her cover of this fun song....I tried to download it here - no luck beyond my morning computer skills - check her out and enjoy the sunshine - glad it came back. Here comes the sun (du dn du du) Here comes the sun And I say Its alright George Harrison

As I was moaning out loud to myself this morning about the lack of sun, had lamented about it on facebook, and was feeling a little sorry for myself I decided to see what the headlines were in the NY Times. As I was trolling (it is wet here!) I saw a headline "garden of felt". Hmmm so off I clicked, I want to skip work for the next month and just make my own creations, check out the slideshow I hope you are inspired, I was. Off to my wool roving shop, I already have a jumbo crochet hook, I think I am going to braid and try a circle rug first....here's hoping inspiration, dreams, and a bit of intention turn into my own creation, or yours?

Oh you knew it had to happen, when basking in 70 degree weather in April - there has to be payback. This is Minnesota. It has been gray, cold, rainy for days, still is that way. The weather matches the mood at the capitol, where the governor vetos budget bill with taxes, and the conference committee continues to pound things out on the health and human service bill, and no one understands what is next. The session must adjourn on Monday. This is the time of the session, where adults do what you tell every kid and teenager to not do in preparing for academic tasks or work --- do not pull an all-nighter! So without sleep, with special interest, lobbyist, state workers, and more all trolling around the edges think drone on to some kind of end. By the time they get there everyone wants to just go home and sleep and forget about it! This sentiment matches what greets one as they step outside the capitol, it is gray, it is raining and it is very cold outside. Bundle up it isn't ...

I have a entire spot as I walk out of the back of my house onto the patio that is filled with Iris and Lillies of the Valley - two falls ago I dug most of them up separated, transplanted and left a pile in the pebbles. Last year the pile took, and I thought that I would just see what happened. This year such a treat, I have lovely tall, beautiful, purple Iris. They are so sturdy and majestic. The tiny white Lillies of the Valley are just shining away. They made it through the freeze warning, shouldering the cold with aplomb. The grass is so green it almost hurts my eyes. Spring is here. It is more than here, it is explosive. We are awaken. Oh my!

It was a really crisp start to this Mother's Day, the sun was brilliant and the heat came on early in the morning. Battling a bug and yearning for stillness, I have celebrated mostly alone. Radar and I went to the Dog Park. My Mom would like Radar, I know she would. My daughter likes Radar. And after a good long run, lots of dog socializing, and some owner interactions, we came back home. We both snoozed and when I woke, I was doing what many might do today. Remembering my Mom. I called her sister, I talked to my BFF, and I remembered. I remembered when my Mom broke her toe falling off the top bunk, we all shared a room and beds when we lived with her parents! I don't really remember her always being in our bunk beds, but I can't remember the bedrooms in the house, it is a complete blank! But she most of have been reading or comforting or who knows what when down she went! It must have really hurt! But at 5 I didn't really understand, I feel down alot and it ...

Gray, very cool, a reminder that while I haven't been blogging the weather here in MN has been delightfully unseasonable. I am totally ready for Friday it has been weeks of travel, conferences, budgets, health care reform, negotiations - interspersed with great family time, some really good food, laughter, and the brightest moon I ever remember. Blogging for me has become an external vehicle that requires stepping back and listening to what comes. In travels, calls, late evenings, early mornings there is less ability and willingness (that is the biggest one! Being Willing!) to stop and listen. The explosion of spring seemed to speed up everything - including me! This pause in the gray and cold more easily facilitates taking that deep breath and stepping into the silence. So a blog post is meditation and I am thankful at the end of the very stressful work week to be able to pause, not "veg out" or escape, and to listen. To enjoy the brilliance of the green on a ra...