Thoughts
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 -- 3:54pm
Posted by Bar


It's been a long time since I accessed this e-mail list that is 
basically an extension of those e-mails I blasted you with while 
Forrest was here and thereafter. I confess that I think about this list 
a lot on days when I feel like writing to you all but don't have any 
particular reason to do so. I'm still amazed at how much strength all 
of you have given me over the years and how much I still need it. It 
also occurs to me that we all need that kind of community all of the 
time and I feel lucky to have it.

Today is a quiet day here. As many of you know, I've spent a fair 
amount of time in the last 5+ years working with and knowing better and 
better, people who were directly effected by everything that happened 
on 9-11 six years ago. Because of my friends, I like to take this day 
off more or less and take the time to think about things and to reflect 
on the intervening years. It's a good day, really. There's a sort of 
softness on days like this one. I am so inspired that my New York City 
friends, even those who lost a husband or a father, are in good 
spirits. They are fully alive and glad to be so. They are inspired to 
live full and grateful lives. They are all willing and able to see all 
of the good that has come out of such a horrible day. One friend is 
dedicating her life to communicating with the rest of the world how 
much good she has personally experienced as a result of 9-11. As much 
as there is loss and sadness, there is also the best of the human 
spirit and this carries us all.

As for me, as usual, I am thinking too much. It is my great challenge 
to turn off my brain and think less, feel more. It seems I'm always 
weighing out how to continue creating music with the need to make a 
better living. I always manage, but as with most people, it's a bit of 
a struggle. I feel lucky to have a safe home and a beautiful piano to 
play and concerts to perform and all the other things that make my life 
as full as it is. It's funny that in the last few months I've devoted 
more and more time to writing (text, that is, VS lyrics and music). 
I've got a couple of ideas that are taking over my creative time. I'm 
typing late into the night and not even aware of the time when I 
finally make it to bed. Not sure exactly what's brewing, but I know 
that I am enjoying every moment of being a writer of this sort. I 
suppose that rekindling this e-mail list is an offshoot of that desire 
to write. For me, the more spontaneous the writing experience the more 
satisfying it is. So, don't be surprised if you hear more from me in 
the next few months!

I think about you all a lot and mostly I don't even know who you are. 
I've never looked at the list to see who's reading my ramblings. It's 
really incredible this internet thing. You sign-up, I write, and we may 
never actually meet one another. It's wonderful. Maybe someday we will 
meet and I look forward to that.

Until then, be well, and drop me a line if you're inclined.

With love,
Bar 

Gardening and Forrest
Friday, September 14, 2007 -- 2:10pm
Posted by Bar


Hi Everyone,

I just got a wonderful e-mail from a new friend, Fran Sorin, who was 
introduced to me by a mutual friend over the summer. She has written a 
great book called Digging Deep that our friend gave to me as a gift. I 
was so inspired by her book and her writing that I sent her pictures of 
some of the flower decorations that I've done for Forrest thinking that 
she might enjoy them. Apparently she did, so she's featured them on her 
blog. I thought you might like to see it and to know about her 
(especially you gardeners out there). She's a remarkable woman and an 
excellent writer. Enjoy what you see. I'm thrilled and moved by the 
whole thing - delighted that Forrest is still alive in this way.

Here's the link:

www.gardeninggonewild.com

If you're interested in Fran's book, Digging Deep, you can find it at 
all the regular places. It's published by Warner Books.

Have a great weekend,
Bar