Well I have been here in the east since June 17th, first Rhode Island and now of course New Jersey. And the weather is the worst east coast June weather - sticky,cloudy,rainy - only one day of sun since I have been here. The humidity is almost worse when there is no sun! So we have the 'frizzy' hair problem which I remember well from high school.
It was so important to look like the other girls who had the straight hair. And no matter what I did, my hair would not cooperate. Ah the agony of feeling like I was somehow just not 'right'.
I wonder how many of us feel that still?I know I do sometimes. And how does that affect how we treat each other?
Just thinking out loud.....what do you think?
be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
School is out!
At least here in the northern part of Oregon, school is out. I remember well that feeling of exultation on the last day of school. The possibilities seemed endless, fun awaited each and every day.
We spent a lot of time at the 'shore' as we call it in NJ. Almost every weekend the family went down to our little shack..and shack it was. No hot water, no bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a kitchen that was it. And there are 5 kids in my family! All of my cousins, aunt and uncles and grandparents on my paternal side had cottages,even some real houses right, on the same block.
We were about 10 minutes from the bay and 20 minutes from the ocean on property surrounded by woods. It was heaven for us along with our 11 other cousins. We had free range of the street,woods,woods road and each cottage contained a relative who cared about us!
It was just like the Kennedy compound in Mass. Well except for the shacks -no bathrooms - no hot water and outhouses!
Days at the beach, barbecues every night, all the fathers there on the weekends, always someone to play with,adventures to have with cousins. The boy hater's club and the women hater's club- these were institutions each summer. We kids had rules and regulations, handshakes, passwords and a fierce determination to beat the other club in whatever games we made up. We played outside till dark every night, tag though the woods scaring ourselves silly by screaming as we ran!
Ah summer..that's what it's all about.
May you and our children have endless adventures, days at the 'shore' and lots of love this summer and always.
Sleeop tight,be in touch,
Anne-Louise
We spent a lot of time at the 'shore' as we call it in NJ. Almost every weekend the family went down to our little shack..and shack it was. No hot water, no bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a kitchen that was it. And there are 5 kids in my family! All of my cousins, aunt and uncles and grandparents on my paternal side had cottages,even some real houses right, on the same block.
We were about 10 minutes from the bay and 20 minutes from the ocean on property surrounded by woods. It was heaven for us along with our 11 other cousins. We had free range of the street,woods,woods road and each cottage contained a relative who cared about us!
It was just like the Kennedy compound in Mass. Well except for the shacks -no bathrooms - no hot water and outhouses!
Days at the beach, barbecues every night, all the fathers there on the weekends, always someone to play with,adventures to have with cousins. The boy hater's club and the women hater's club- these were institutions each summer. We kids had rules and regulations, handshakes, passwords and a fierce determination to beat the other club in whatever games we made up. We played outside till dark every night, tag though the woods scaring ourselves silly by screaming as we ran!
Ah summer..that's what it's all about.
May you and our children have endless adventures, days at the 'shore' and lots of love this summer and always.
Sleeop tight,be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Monday, June 8, 2009
Together!
At the performance in Hillsboro a few days ago, I met a wonderful band called the Oregon Beatles (at the moment at least). They were performing after me and kindly let me use their sound system. Even more wonderful was the fact that they backed me up on a couple of songs. It is so much fun to play with other people. It adds so much to whatever one is doing. I wish I could give you their web site or something but they did not have a card to give to me. When I get that info I will pass it along.
I had just seen a documentary about Pete Seeger where he was talking about making music together...singing...playing...together. I feel the same way...it is about the feeling of community that gives songs the power.
Here's to more power and joy for us all!
Keep on singing,
sleep tight and be in touch
Anne-Louise
I had just seen a documentary about Pete Seeger where he was talking about making music together...singing...playing...together. I feel the same way...it is about the feeling of community that gives songs the power.
Here's to more power and joy for us all!
Keep on singing,
sleep tight and be in touch
Anne-Louise
Saturday, June 6, 2009
too long
It has been too long since I last wrote. I am still having trouble understanding to world of blogs. And what to share with you, what would be interesting and helpful?
Shall I tell you about my trip to American bases in Germany? Each base has it's own school, just like here in the states. So many of the kids have parents who are now deployed...many for more than a year. Can you imagine that for your children and yourself? I can't really. Yet I did not hear any parents complaining or kids either.
I am grateful to be able to perform with these kids and parents. Because we all need music, it touches us in so many ways. Stories do to. So if I pay attention, be present , let go of my own agenda...maybe I can share songs and stories that will be of use sometime somehow. Or at least bring some laughter and light.
sleep tight, be in touch,
Anne-Louise
Shall I tell you about my trip to American bases in Germany? Each base has it's own school, just like here in the states. So many of the kids have parents who are now deployed...many for more than a year. Can you imagine that for your children and yourself? I can't really. Yet I did not hear any parents complaining or kids either.
I am grateful to be able to perform with these kids and parents. Because we all need music, it touches us in so many ways. Stories do to. So if I pay attention, be present , let go of my own agenda...maybe I can share songs and stories that will be of use sometime somehow. Or at least bring some laughter and light.
sleep tight, be in touch,
Anne-Louise
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