"MISERY LOVES COMPANY, TOO"

"SUPERNOVA"

"MISERY LOVES COMPANY, TOO" 

Let go. Lean in. I repeated these words to myself, over and over and over again during this past week at the Swannanoa Gathering. Let go. Lean in. • • By definition, the Swannanoa Gathering is an educational program of summer folk art workshops held on the campus of Warren Wilson College in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. During Contemporary Folk Week, students are taught by instructors from all over the world who boast impressive resumes (those who have swaths of #1 hits and run in the same circles as Bob Dylan and Bill Withers). By experience, the Swannanoa Gathering is ceaseless creativity, inspiration, and fellowship with people of all ages and backgrounds who share a deep and sincere passion for music. • • I walked at least five miles a day and inhaled three gargantuan meals piled high with fresh vegetables grown right on the campus grounds. I was sucked into song circles (sometimes for hours at a time). I listened to gypsy jazz under the brilliant glow of the full moon and lost my voice singing (screaming) Beatles tunes into the early morning. I ate too much fried okra. I wrote songs with strangers (who ultimately became family). I listened to the voices of those who have been honing their craft for years as they sang right alongside others who had just discovered their first notes. Anyone can sing. I watched as those who had never even considered writing songs before this past week cranked out two or three and shared them with unbridled confidence. The inspiration was overwhelming at times. Students became teachers. Teachers became students. We can all learn from one another. My average bedtime was 2am every single night, and I was awake just after the birds stirred in order to make it to my first class every morning. I should have been exhausted, but I was too electrified by the magic of this place and these people to even notice. • • (Continued below in the comments... I promise I'm almost done.)
I wish I could bottle up everything about last night and keep it on a shelf forever. But that's not possible, so I guess I'll just have to remember it forever instead (and that won't be difficult). There aren't many words to describe the feeling that comes from staring out into a packed audience (in a venue that has been like a second home to me since middle school) and seeing so many familiar faces. Some, I'd seen in recent months. Others, I hadn't even spoken to in years. And the new faces didn't go unnoticed, either! There are few words. All I can say is that I was moved to tears during my set more than once, and I was reminded, once again, of how incredibly loved I am. Thank you. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Today, I'm headed to the mountains of NC with my lovely mother, where I'll spend a week at the Swannanoa Gathering. I'll be there to learn from some of the greats, write and create 24/7, and most importantly, to rediscover some self love and inner peace that for whatever reason I've lost lately. I'm taking a hiatus from all socials and emails until then, so if you need me, you can use the archaic forms of communication known as texting or calling. Last night was the perfect way to kick off this little journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
TONIGHT! Can't wait to see youuuuu. 💞
In my 27 trips around the sun, there hasn't been a single year that I've missed a visit to Lake George. My grandpa went to Boy Scout Camp here as a young lad and fell in love with the rolling hills and crystal clear waters. Several years later, he fell even deeper in love with my grandma, and because Lake George is basically an extension of who he is, he had to bring her here. It didn't take long for Grandma to also find a deep appreciation for this place, and they took their children summer after summer - sleeping in cabins and camping on islands and unintentionally building traditions that would trickle down to yet another generation. . . Through the years, my family has crafted our own traditions. We've indulged in soft serve ice cream (as big as our own heads) from Martha's several times over the course of each trip (sometimes, several times a day). We've practiced "healthy" competition over multiple rounds of mini golf at Around the World. We've taken many a ride on the "big boats", with their massive and mesmerizing steam-powered paddle engines. We've been "terrorized" by the trolls under the Troll Bridge (aka Grandpa's idea of a sick joke when Mike and I were kids). We've hiked and taken photos with Frankenstein and stuffed our faces with Capri pizza. We've kayaked and paddled and waded and tubed all up and down the 32 miles of lake. . . Because Lake George is basically an extension of who I am, I had to share it with Bobby. And when I introduced him to the rolling hills and crystal clear waters, he also fell in love. This past week, for the first time in my 27 years of Lake George visits, I finally had the opportunity to camp on an island - a single tent island, at that. We cooked all of our meals over the campfire, fell asleep to the sounds of a lone Whip-Poor-Will, carved cats out of pieces of scrap wood, read books, drank our morning coffees and evening wines from the same mugs, and pointed out what little constellations we know of in the night sky. I've seen Lake George in many seasons and from many points of view, but this angle was new. And it was magical. 💙
Not moving. 🏕
I call this: "Tourists". (Alternative title: "So happy to be here.") 💙
Happy Fourth.
Charlotteans! I'm playing a show at the @eveningmuse on Saturday, July 21st, and I CAN'T WAIT. My friend, @kellyhoppinjams, will be splitting the bill, and I can guarantee your ears will be in for a tasty treat. If you're in town and looking for something to do, I'd love it if you joined us (even if we haven't seen or spoken to one another in days/months/years). See ya soon-ish 💙
For Christmas, Bobby gifted me with "swing dancing lessons for two". Unbeknownst to him, this was not a single class... Instead, a six week course. (I dropped that bombshell on him on the way to our first class heheheh.) But WE DID IT. Last night was the conclusion of Lindy Hop Crash Course 1, and despite the looks here, we both had fun. (I think.) At the very least, we now have a whole new arsenal of moves for all future weddings. #lindyhop #wehavearrived #clearthedancefloor #jk #pleasedont
Missing this one in particular today, but incredibly grateful for the other dads who have been there for me along the way. I could list more, but I'm pretty sure Instagram has a cap on the number of photos you can post (maybe not? I know nothing.) Happy Father's Day, one and all. Life is weird. Life is also wonderful. ❤️#dadsarecool #hugyourdad