"The artist creates to save themselves. Almost always. And if other people can get in the lifeboat with us, we're just thrilled. I don't think we assume that's ever going to happen. It's creating like a little ministry. Certainly not a Christian ministry, it's sort of a ministry of creativity, a ministry of song. I think that historically that's what artists were about: telling an audience, "Here's what I feel like, do you feel that way?" And everybody kind of going, "We all feel that way." And it's an ancient art, storytelling and singing songs. It helps us to figure out how we fit into the human community. I listen to songs by Willie Nelson and think, Gosh, if Willie's been through that, then me going through that can't be all bad. We compare ourselves to the singers and songs that speak to us and get some relief from that."

Mary Gauthier

The breathtaking beauty of the winter sky. Stars seem so close you need to duck your head to get under them. Looks like a giant tossed a bag of electric diamonds on a black velvet canvas. 

Jimmy Webb said "songwriters are in the same position as professional fisherman; old fishing grounds are getting fished out." 

An hour or two laying on your back will restock your grounds beyond belief.

I envy ancient man. Their imaginations must of been going 1000 miles a hour

while they gazed at the heavens. Heads swelling with wonder and mystery.

Earnest Hemingway speaking......

"I was challenged once by a critic too dumb to know better to tell a good story in one paragraph. I did it in one sentence." He drummed his fingers on the desk. 

" For sale : baby shoes, never used."

Roland Yeomans, Ghost Writers In The Sky.

A grade A book about having dream conversations with great writers. 

I recommend it.

" For sale : baby shoes, never used."

One sentence. 

What is your one sentence story?

Lots of songs about blue jeans in the '60s and '70s. This one is my favorite because of the "tiger in my tank" line. Is he talking about Esso gas or his heart? Big hit in '76.

Jeans On

David Dundas & Roger Greenaway

When I wake up in the morning light

I pull on my jeans and I feel all right

I pull my blue jeans on, I pull my old blue jeans on 

I pull my blue jeans on, I pull my old blue jeans on 

It's the weekend, and I know that you're free

So pull on your jeans and come on out with me

I need to have you near me, I need to feel you close to me 

I need to have you near me, I need to feel you close to me 

You and me, we'll go motorbike riding in the sun and the wind and the rain

I got money in my pocket, got a tiger in my tank

And I'm king of the road again

I'll meet ya in the usual place

I don't need a thing, except your pretty face

And I need to have you near me, I need to feel you close to me 

I need to have you near me, I need to feel you close to me 

I need to have you near me, I need to feel you close to me 

You and me, we'll go motorbike riding in the sun and the wind and the rain

I got money in my pocket, a tiger in my tank

And I'm king of the road again

When I wake up in the morning light

I pull on my jeans and I feel all right

I pull my blue jeans on, I pull my old blue jeans on 

I pull my blue jeans on, I pull my old blue jeans on 

I pull my blue jeans on, I pull my old blue jeans on 

Yep......

“Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.” 

Thoreau

Oh how gloomy sunless mornings make us feel so still asleep.

Need another cup pronto.

Here is a writing prompt form the darker file.

"He hurled his glass against the wall and it exploded in a glittering shower. He stood for a few moments watching the amber stain drool down the wall." 

Daniel Quinn from his novel Dreamer.

"I always wanted to be a novelist but I didn't have the discipline or the ability to stretch out an idea for that long.  I'm probably a musician because it's easier for me.  The brevity is what helps me to realize that we only have a few minutes to tell a story.  So you have to make every word count.  With this album, I've been overwriting the lyrics; every song has leftovers.  But that's cool because I throw those in my grab bag, a file of all the lyrics I like but didn't use in a song.  When I finish writing  a song, often ends up being different than what it was in the beginning, so I have to throw a line out.  And often that line will inspire me to write a new song, so it becomes prominent somewhere else." 

Adam Turla 

Murder By Death is one of my favorite bands. Very unique sound. They truly have found a new path to walk. Adam's songwriting is killer, pun intended.

Do you self a favor and check them out.

Moral of the quote. Save your leftovers for a new entree.

The Sage

Greg Lake

I carry the dust of a journey 

That cannot be shaken away 

It lives deep within me 

For I breathe it every day 

You and I are yesterdays answers 

The earth of the past come to flesh 

Eroded by times rivers 

To the shapes we now possess. 

Come share of my breath and my substance 

And mingle our streams and our times 

In bright infinite moments 

Our reasons are lost in our rhymes.

I have always enjoyed these lyrics.

 Greg Lake wrote this song as a tribute to composer Modest Mussorgsky's 10 movement piano suite, Pictures At An Exhibition. Which Modest had based on his friend Viktor Hartmenn's artwork. The back story helps my imagination travel even farther.

Check out a live performance of The Sage here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L9Ippzdh0Qg