The Good News of a Play, 3.31.2017

Playwright, clown, musician and mensch Colin McLaughlin has invited friends over this evening to do a collective reading of his new play, Jailbird, about Eugene Debs. Colin asked me to read Debs’ famous statement to the judge at his trial for sedition, which includes the following: “Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” May Colin’s retrieval of Debs eventually spread light and spark determination all over the U.S. and beyond.

The Good News of Jean Abbott’s Accompaniment, 3.30.2017

Jean Abbott* is like Kwan Yin, a bodhisattva who hears the cries of the world and through such listening knows what to do, or knows sometimes that there’s nothing to do except the being present and sharing accompaniment. She listened to me in those months of Mev death pang. She’s listened to hundreds of Bosnian, Somali, Guatemalan, Afghan, and Ugandan women. She’d lean forward in her chair as she’s listening and extend her hand to someone who doesn’t believe there’s a way out of hell. She’s given ten thousand hours of her life to this person, then that person, then another person. Andrew Wimmer said he’d go crazy doing for three hours in a single week what she’s been doing since the mid-1980s. She’s assisted people in recovering their some of their humanity after experiencing devastating violence, but she’d say to me, “Marko, it was the Bosnian woman who helped me to stop being a zombie, she gave life to me…”

*Jean founded the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma in Saint Louis.

the ordinary wonder-full moments in a day turn into magical memories when I notice them, delight in writing them, sharing them, inspiring others to open hearts to gratitude​

1. a morning walk in TG park, health to enjoy

2. myriad shades of pink trees

3. Adam coming over to help Jim​ in the workroom

4. Vet coming to our home for Lucey dog's shots and so calm, understanding

5. animals to love

6. anticipation of a mural on our garage, artist support for him, art and beauty for us

7. children  at Mullanphy beginning to talk to me

8. neighbor joyfully helping with computer issue!

9. Caroline sharing her gratitudes and inspiring me to refocus and appreciate my day....

10.  more music this week than many weeks before...

The Good News of Monthly Mutuality, 3.29.2017

Since this past September, Cami Kasmerchak and I have been visiting monthly, taking turns to come up with an agenda to explore topics and themes of mutual interest, such as photography, politics, poetry, traveling, teachers, and, through it all, creativity.

Sinéad

Here is  Sinead O’Connor's Thank You for Hearing Me.

A Share the Wealth Book of Mev Soundtrack

A while back at  a Sunday evening Share the Wealth, I invited the community to consider the theme of accompaniment in my Book of Mev.  We heard following playlist during the gathering and dinner.

Glenn Gould, Goldberg Variations, Aria
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Eddie Vedder, Face of Love
U2, All I Want Is You
Violeta Parra, Gracias a la Vida
Shakira, Ojos Así
Duke Ellington, Take the “A” Train
Bobby McFerrin, Don’t Worry Be Happy
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, Under Pressure
Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On
Sinéad O’Connor, You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart
Mason Daring, Over the Moor to Maggie/ The Bucks of Oranmore
Sinéad O’Connor, Thank You for Hearing Me
Michael Nyman, The Heart Asks Pleasure First

What I've Been Listening To Lately

J.S. Bach, Concerto for Keyboard No. 3 in D Minor
J.S. Bach, Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor
J.S. Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Ludwig van Beethoven,  5th Piano Concerto in E Flat Major (Emperor)
Ludwig van Beethoven,  Apassionata Sonata
Ludwig van Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata

Glenn Gould