Jorma Kaukonen and Barry Mitterhoff

Got to see one of my favorite bands, Hot Tuna, this past March in Iowa City. Then, last night I got to see Jorma Kaukonen and Barry Mitterhoff, 2/3s of Hot Tuna, at the Redstone Room in Davenport, IA. It's not the same without Jack Cassady on electric bass, but, the quality of musicianship, stage presence, performance level, and pure enjoyment was DEFINITELY present!!!

The passion, cohesiveness, dynamics, command of their instruments, and interaction between Jorma and Barry is awesome and inspiring. Awesome to see the cohesiveness that these two individuals have developed together over the years. Inspiring to keep playing music and searching for a musical partner to develop along the same or similar lines.

And, small miracles still happen as longtime friend and awesome musician, Mike Wallace, who attended both concerts with me, stated "We need to do a similar musical venture, Joe." I'm humbled, thrilled and greatly looking forward to working up a duo, or any ensemble, with Mike, playing the music that excites us and we are passionate about!

For those readers unfamiliar with the work of Jorma and Barry, the clip below should spark an interest or fulfill a curiosity. Enjoy!

Small Stones

Yesterday was Writing Our Way Home's Mindful Writing Day.

This was an online event that encouraged individuals to write "Small Stones" or short observations on any aspect of life they chose. A fun exercise that jump started writing for me. It's a delightful little practice that I hope to continue. The couple that started Writing Our Way Home have several digital presences as you can see by opening any of the links on this posts.

My Small Stone submission for the event was the following: Summer's fire burns the leaves blood red until Fall's cool simmers the fire to golds, golden browns, umbers and ambers exciting the senses and causing yearning for Spring in my heart and soul.

The next challenge posted by Writing Our Way Home is to "notice something properly every day during January" and write it down in a journal or one can start a journal or practice daily writing now with any sort of book, notebook, journal dedicated to the practice. I've been wanting to start a creative journal and this looks to be a promising practice to develop and get me going on just such a daily habit. I write a "small stone" every day and fill the blankness with doodles, collages, color, or anything that appeals to me or relates to the words written. I've got several a journal or sketchbook to put down the words and will get started with that project.

Many thanks to Marty Reger for "inviting" me to the Mindful Writing Day.