Become What You Are

Newness in rock and roll land: we, the band, have changed our name to the Wrong Ways (after the song from our cd More Please). I'm really happy about this. Why, you may ask, would we do such a thing. Well, MaeRae was old and outdated, too attached to my previous band. It was an alt country band with me and Eddie as fixtures with no idea who else would be in it nor where we'd go together musically. We desire to shed the alt country tag since we've evolved into a rock band of five solid players over the past several years. I don't want the entity to be named after me, as my respect for my four bandmates is immense. And I like change. It's fun!

Question du Jour

Yesterday Rosebud asked us, "Do all bees like all flowers?" This is typical of the questions she asks us. I'll be sad if she ever stops wondering about things like this.

Rosebud and Lulu

Here are my two current favorite photos of Rosebud and her best girlpal Lulu, who are bonded by a really lovely, pure little girl friendship. Lulu cried when she had to go home that day. I think of my dear friend Ames who I've been playing with for 40 years and wonder if these two pink girls will be friends through years and maybe even decades. I hope so.

A few weeks ago the band had a gig at the High Noon, nothing out of the ordinary. Showtime grew close and four of the five of us where there. No Burke. I really thought he'd just forgotten the gig and we ended up going on without him. Right before we took the stage, my friend Hobs said he'd give Burke a call, just to see if he might be on his way. In the middle of our set, Hobs handed me a note that read, "Burke is in the hospital...". He'd was just out of surgery with a totally unexpected ailment.

The good news is that Burke is going to be just fine. The punchline is that dear Burke, much loved for his kind, loving self and much respected as one of the most talented, hard-working musicians in town, has no health insurance. We all know how bad healthcare in America is, but man, this hit close to home. Suddenly this poor guy has a bill in at least five digits and no help from the powers that be to pay it. It isn't fair. It's preposterous. Nothing makes one realize that more than seeing a loved one go through it (with the exception of going through it oneself).

And nothing has reminded me more that crisis can bring out the most beautiful things in people and in a community. A benefit was called for and the stellar local club opened its doors to all of Burke's people. And we came in droves, paying a cover charge that would go to our little patient, then reaching further into our pockets to dig up more green for him. The place was packed. Hugs and happiness ruled the evening. Burke was overwhelmed with love and went home with a good chunk of help in his pockets. It wasn't everything, but it was something. We do what we can to take care of our own when the government won't. It was a glorious thing to behold.

Chinese Music

At bath time Rosebud likes to lay immersed in the water with only her face and toes exposed to daylight. She likes to listen to underwater noises and as you can see, takes great delight and pleasure in them. Today she told us that she hears Chinese music in the bath. "It sounds like water," she said.