The whippoorwills are beginning their mantra from the trees again in the darkness, that fills me with warmth hard to describe… but it’s been a journey out here in the woods, and birdsong has been a big part of it. Even before life became Birdsong. To hear that “…whip WEOW…. whip WEOW…“ is like a beacon to me, a compass pointing home. “I’m here, where are you?” I know now, but I didn’t always know. The birds come to life in the deep blue pre-dawn and I still feel I have too; and something blooms inside, and it drives me to get up and offer myself to the day.
The birds, the coyotes at night – the past few nights so close I’m sure they’re on the property, sounding on the wind like ancient native ceremony – for all of the challenges the back-to-the-land path presented, these sounds stir feelings in me that tell me I am home. Not just where I live or being here now or a house… but HOME. If you are able, I know it’s a process but life is that way and you CAN steer it, don’t live where you wouldn’t want to die.
It’s about time I do some shameless self-promotion – I have books available through Amazon!
A Craftsman’s Path is a deep look into what makes us tick, a no-bull look at the path one walks to devote your life to artistic pursuit, advice on balancing that magic with commerce as necessary, and a call-to-arms for those starting out young or starting over to step back from the screens, pick up a tool, and figure out how to make something with it.
Old Vans & New Plans is a collection of poems & writings.
Seeker’s Companion deals with more deep spiritual path awakenings from about 20 years ago that helped me find my way to what life is now, with some great music content woven in from a trip to San Francisco to see a bunch of bands reunite in Golden Gate Park. It includes the James Gurley backstage story.
These are available, with another collection of writings in editing, and books on simple living and intentional community circle building coming, and then I hope to get to some pure music content because THAT part of things has been a long strange trip! Even outside the 20-year Birdsong journey. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Scott+Beckwith&ref=nb_sb_noss - please go check them out. I hope they inspire.
That covers the words; I’ll fill you in on the music next week.
These days the deepest music I feel is walking up the steps to the green shop, where all the woodwork happens, on a sunny morning. I open the doors and windows and that smell is there… of wood waiting, of things happening, things changing form, material finding its way to new chapters. Being in it and surrounded by it, and so intimately involved in the process, I can’t help but feel I do the same a little bit every day I’m in here. Here are some shots of wood finding its new springtime.
I hope you’re handling these life changing times with some peace, things will get better just as there are harder days and easier days even in the best of times. Just do the best you can, that’s all anyone can ask of you. And do your best to make that best a little bit better than it was yesterday. Bring your best to THAT. Offer your highest to it. Thanks for being here!
Listening to: The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow; The Essence of Maynard Ferguson; The Real Bud Freeman; The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra The Definitive Thad Jones; JB Lenoir Down In Mississippi and a documentary on Metallica’s Master of Puppets. Yea-eaah!