I'm a bit behind, but here's part one, from this year…
My wife and I have been continuing our personal sightseeing tour of America and branched out into Canada, to British Colombia and Alberta, in Aug./Sept. of this Summer. It has been a marvelous tour for sore eyes, including the Rocky’s in Colorado and Main/Nova scotia, of course our own gorgeous state of Michigan and a couple of other locations, in the past year.
I’m refreshed and excited to catch up on some neglected passions and chores, that were delayed due to a leg injury, while playing Pickleball, near mid May of this year. It’s all the rage these days—the game, that is—not rupturing calf muscles. It seems Pickleball is popular, particularly among senior citizens, of which I’m reluctant to admit also includes myself.
I discovered it around the turn of this year and I'm hooked on it. Then started my pickle withdrawals. About the only exercise I could manage is my weight training regiment—my most dreaded activity. I skipped PT, because I’m a dedicated DIY person. I liked that as much as pumping iron every other day.
The Doc said it was a good injury. Isn’t that an oxymoron? He meant because I wouldn’t need surgery. That part’s good and I thank God it wasn’t worse. I’m still waiting on Him to confirm what I should do physically with my downtime. In the interim, I’ll go with my gut feeling and create music, which is what I do when I’m not on the injured reserve list… maybe just more of it. I’m all ears Lord.
Speaking of which, I dropped another single a month ago and finished the track for my newest song. It was released the end of June. It’s my first published, singer/songwriter style—only me and my gitter. It’s titled “These Hills Roll On.”
It was inspired by reminiscing about a hike I took in 1974, with, at that time, my best friend, Mike. We tried to complete, what turned out to be a two day hike in one afternoon. There we were, a couple of nature ignorant, teenage hippies, who setout for a day’s adventure to the mountain’s summit, from a gorgeous Wyoming valley.
Half of the day had passed. Considering the possible wildlife we witnessed and the possible danger thereof and the fact that we were far from the peak, we had enough unwitting wisdom to return to camp, trying to beat the swiftly approaching black night.
What we couldn’t see, when beginning our trek, was the multitude of rolling foothills before us. Only the hilltops were visible, which blended together, creating the deception of a much closer and smooth walk to the mountain’s snowcap. What we did observe, however, was a little slice of heaven in between those hilltops. A beauty that I’ll never forget. It felt like a spiritual encounter and in hindsight, I believe it was and I believe that God protected us. Please, give it a listen and share your feedback. Maybe you had a similar experience. I’d like to hear about it.
For now, if it is your desire, you’ll need to stream or download it from a digital file distributor, until I can upgrade my website account in order to add more of my original music. While you’re at it, checkout my prior releases.
If I can't get out another blog entry this year, please watch for my fourth release, “Jesse's Root,” during the hustle and bustle of this year's holiday season. It might end up being my favorite single record yet.
Merry Christmas!
“You Make it all Worthwhile!”