trim the table

I was inspired to create this, moved by the simple beauty of Claire Hitchin's "People Look East." I came across Claire's name this week while researching performers at Richmond's upcoming Folk Fest.  The schedule is out!  She is a former Jesuit Volunteer and seems a lovely individual.  Naturally ;).

There is something about the change of color and cooling of the world, the earlier evenings, that soothes my cold introvert heart.

Although the song is traditionally one of preparation for Christmas, there's something in the change of weather that's already gently inviting us to turn inward.  The cool beckons us to gather ourselves up, trim our hearths, attend to things closer to home.  

And it's September, PRACTICALLY CHRISTMAS, so I am sharing it here.

"People Look East" is #7:

https://soundcloud.com/clairehitchinsmusic/sets/people-look-east

One thing I'm learning

I have been listening to Mom & Me & Mom, one of Maya Angelou's autobiographies, during my commute.  Although typically I have difficulty with the start-stop of listening to books on tape, I find her slow voice and particular style of enunciation captivating.  It seems ironic to listen to this measured, gravelly voice reflecting on a youth that includes what I perceive to be knee-jerk and foolhardy choices.  Although I'm slower to admit it, perhaps I am also surprised that this tempered persona became such by rough, sometimes violent interactions.




The VMFA provided a space for some quiet reflection one Sunday morning this summer.  What I mostly remember about this scene is wondering how the ladies sitting near me knew each other: 3 women with British accents appeared to be in their 40's to 50's, who clearly saw each other regularly as was deduced both by their conversation and by their silence.

"I use the word love, not so much meaning sentimentality, but a condition so strong that it may be that which holds the stars in their heavenly positions and that which causes the blood to flow orderly in our veins."  Maya Angelou