Artists, Musicians and other Bohemians....

Yesterday, life told me to SLOW DOWN. I woke up AGAIN- congested, headachy, killer sore throat (i have NEVER had a sore throat for so long, and no, it is not strep). I went out for a dump run and maybe some shopping early afternoon, but the snow chased me home (it was SLIPPERY!!!). I declined both a party I was looking forward to, and then a last minute jam at a friends, all because of the throat and the weather.

Sigh. Feeling bummed, you know??

And then, at the recommendation of a Rustie, I watched a movie on Netflix (i don't do that too often) called Greenwich Village, about the music scene in the village during the folk revival. Wow, what an uplifting movie! Highly recommended..... Things like Pete Seeger discussing how he believes music can change the world. Bits of politics (we are still fighting many of the same battles). The Folk Process in action. Lots of interviews with people known and unknown.

And then I started wishing I had been around then, old enough to experience it. One of the interviewees said something like, 'If you didn't fit in where you were, you tried to get to Greenwich Village'. The artists and musicians and bohemians, those folks congregated in this little spot in NYC in the late 50's and 60's. One of the beliefs expressed is that the singer songwriter movement started there (before moving to the west coast.....). Ok, I had previously wished to be in Laurel Canyon in the late 60s, early 70's, but Greenwich would have been OK too!! What a lot of creativity all around!!! People making music, gathering on the streets, in the clubs, listening to each other.

Yep. Envy. Green, green envy.

(Give me credit, I was sick and feeling lonely..... :)  )

And THEN I started to think about my own life. The writers, photographers, musicians, artists, poets that I know. All these people who gather to share their STUFF with the rest of us. Their ideas. Their creations. At anytime, I can head into Hudson or a number of other local towns and view some really cool art in any of a number of galleries. In the evening on a weekend, within a short drive, there are lots of places to catch a local or national act. There are readings and signings and book parties.

And the biggest thing for ME.... I am blessed to know so many folks who like to sit around and jam, in pubic spaces, in private homes, on the street..... and they welcome me. My voice, my guitar, my songs.... and I welcome and appreciate theirs. We have a creative, welcoming, growing community right here in my backyard.

Thank you for being part of that community.