Fireworks

On the way home from work, I found the little town of Jonesborough swelled beyond it's borders with people! Cars lined the Hwy., folks carried chairs and children towards the main streets, making it difficult to drive home. It was nearing 10pm, so I assumed that either a night-time parade or some fireworks were coming our way.
It was the latter. We all gathered on the back deck, watching the showering, sparkling, booming lights while fireflies danced in the yard, providing their own display of light. I felt so privileged to have a good seat without fighting crowds or looking for a parking space!

Later, I watched part of VH1's "Storyteller" series, with Pearl Jam as the featured band. All of it was great of course, but there was a remake song they did, the original was titled "Here's to the state of Mississippi" but they slammed the current administration instead of MS and said things like "George W, go find your own country to be part of". It was a fabulous remake (original was by Phil Ochs in the 60's).
I loved hearing some of the stories and feelings behind their music. Pearl Jam is one of the all-time great bands that has been true to themselves and their own way of doing things. Free spirits in an industry of soul-selling, slick packaging and prescribed formats. If anyone knows where to find the Pearl Jam lyrics, drop me a line!

As I was searching for the lyrics to their remake, I stumbled across a blog by a scientist whose political views were refreshing to read. Check out "The Questionable Authority"

Another item of interest that I came across this week, is a short film about art and inhibitions. "Winter of the Dance" provokes a lot of self-questioning (just how free am *I* with self-expression? How much does society train inhibitions into us?) Thanks to Amy at Imagination Tribe for sharing that link!

This quote can be found at the film link:
"We are fools whether we dance or not...so we might as well dance."

~Japanese proverb

Sierra and Jalen have been working on a hole in the backyard. Providing the tools a child needs (in this case a sturdy, small shovel) opens many avenues of expression and learning. Not only do we need to be aware of the tools our children need, but the tools that we ourselves need in order to open the doors of passion and interest.
Maybe it's just a shovel, maybe some paint or glue, beehives or a pen. Whatever it is you need to tap that vein of creativity, get it! For the dancers in the film, warm clothes and a street corner were the tools. For others, a seed or a plant or a piece of paper will do. Once upon a time, the gifts of nature provided me the tools I needed for art at the beach. The tools are there if eyes will see.