Minor thoughts about mortality . . plus news of this week’s broadcast/podcast:
By Helen ~ May 8, 2012
I’m counting my blessings today; it’s a beautiful, balmy, blue sky day, and I just left the office to do some work back at home on our deck upstairs. From where I type this, I can see a lovely bird’s eye view of the large yard below. Right by the deck I’m sitting on is an ash tree, completely greened out in all its splendor (spring came six weeks early here in Colorado, so all the plants and greenery have sprung forth far earlier than we’re all used to – it looks and feels temperature-wise more mid-to-late June here).
Because of the close location of the ash tree, and the fact that I’m up here on the second floor, you get a feeling almost of being in a tree house. Beyond the tree is a wonderful view of the foothills Boulder is so famous for (the hiking trails start a block or two from our house, so we’re close to the hills, even though we’re fully in a residential neighborhood). It’s late afternoon, the birds are singing in all their glory, and its the kind of day that makes you feel that time is standing still; like you could live forever.
Ironic really, since I just brought Nick home from the doctor’s, where he had surgery to remove a patch of skin cancer. This has happened a half dozen times now, and at this point it’s become almost routine; although the previous time it was not one of the more benign forms, like the one they removed today, it was actually melanoma, the most aggressive and deadly of the skin cancers - they removed that from his arm a few months ago. Now THAT scared us. They found it early and got it all, thank God. But still, at those times you can’t help but worry. You get in touch with your mortality in a big, big way. And you’re reminded that moments like the one I’m describing are worth noticing and enjoying. Precious stuff.
Anyways, Nick is taking it easy, and we’re both feeling pretty lucky at the moment, to be alive, to have all the love we have in our lives, and to do the work that we do. Speaking of that leads me to this week’s eTown broadcast/podcast, one I think you’ll enjoy. It’s one of my all-time favorite shows we’ve done in recent years:
In this rebroadcast, we welcome back veteran performer and musician Keller Williams, a fun guy, so alive and joyful and playful. During this trip to eTown, he brings with him The Keels (husband/wife duo Larry and Jenny Keel), talented performers in their own right, who bring their own special bluegrass flavor to Keller’s signature ‘one man eclectic band’ sound. It’s really different than what he’s done in the past. I think you’ll like this incarnation.
Nick and I also welcome an amazing Louisiana-bred singer/songwriter, Marc Broussard. Holy Toledo, can this man belt out a song – SUCH a great singer, in the funk and blues and R&B tradition. Incredibly nice man, too, love him.
And, in an unintended but spectacular ‘six degrees of separation’ moment, our E-Chievement Award winner this week turns out to be closely linked to one of our guests (I’m not telling which, you’ll just have to tune in and hear for yourself). That award conversation is a great one, really one of the better stories we’ve featured on the show. Plus we’ll give you several ‘one-of-a-kind’ live musical moments (those musical collaborations we pride ourselves on creating during each show) to enjoy. All this, along with ‘up-close-and-personal’ interviews with the artists, add up to what we hope will be a pleasing hour on the radio. (Check out photos and videos below from the show.)
Until next week, be well, and don’t forget to stop and notice those ‘in the moment’ nuggets of experience that are all around you, whether its the beautiful face of an aged stranger passing you on the street, or a patch of greenery in the city, or the sunrise or the sunset . . or the view from the deck. It’s a gorgeous world and a blessing to be alive. It all goes by so fast, doesn’t it?
Helen