Sunday, June 12, 2011 — The ecstasyThis m

In the last twenty four hours I have experienced such a range of emotions that I'm actually surprised I haven't wished to run from the whole phenomenon and pretend I'm not aware of it. But I am. And what's more, I wouldn't trade this awareness for anything. It amazes me that my emotions run from extremely unexpected and unpredictable sadness and sense of loss to an overwhelming feeling of joy over all kinds of things around me from moment to moment. No need to elaborate on the sad part. But the fact that I can also hear and see things around me that bring me extreme pleasure is a kind of mystery to me. What amazes me is the intensity of my feelings, both sad and joyous. Like the attributes of a work of art, either visual or performance, it would make sense that one could not sustain this kind of sensual intensity for a protracted time. And you wouldn't want to or it would become flatlined and the exquisite contrast would disappear. So there would go the endorphins. I am grateful that these feelings are strong. They give me a kind of energy, both physical and emotional. I feel more awake, more tuned in. It's hard to believe that a broken heart can still experience such wonder and joy. It is a mystery.

The much advertised Pacific Textile Arts Fair and sale took place yesterday as planned. There is no way to exaggerate the ease and lack of stress I experienced in the time leading up to the event and during the whole day as it progressed from arranging, pricing, establishing minimum bids, tidying up the premises and receiving the people who came to participate. The silent auction always results in my making many phone calls to winning bidders who had to leave before the countdown. This could be tedious, but actually, it usually results in my having some great conversations with a really wide spectrum of people that I might not otherwise have. We had many favorable comments from people who were seeing our new (old) buildings for the first time. All in all, a big success I am thinking. Thanks to all who worked so hard and thanks to all who came to visit and buy our goods. Also thanks to those who helped to break it all down after closing. Everything was so much easier because we could finish that chore up to a point and then simply lock the doors and walk away until a later day.

This morning I enjoyed listening to Celtic music while I ate breakfast. We have a program on KZYX called Oak and Thorn. Two great programmers alternate choosing wonderful play lists each Sunday morning. This morning they devoted some of the time to music from the US that was (is) directly influenced by music from the "old country." Very enjoyable.

While on the subject of Celtic music, I want to announce that Patti De Mateo has decided to feature Mike and Leah Wollenberg in a "Mendocino Stories" performance at the Mendocino Hotel on the night of Monday, July 18. It will feature some jazz and some Celtic. I'll have more on this soon, but I hope you'll consider saving the date and joining us. This perforance is scheduled to be a benefit for Pacific Textile Arts. I'm thrilled that they'll be up here to play again.

We're so fortunate to have the kind of quality musical experiences we do up here on this isolated coast. I drove home from the health club the other evening and decided to stop at Headlands Coffee Shop to hear a little music. As I walked through the door I was electrified by the loveliest sounds and vibrations. A solo cellist was playing something I hadn't heard before. During her break I asked her what the "eastern" sounding piece was. She said it was her own composition as were most of the things she played in addition to several classical pieces. In our conversation I mentioned that my granddaughter was heading for Oberlin in August. Her eyes lit up and she told me she had spent her first two college musical years at Oberlin. Her teach then became ill and she transferred to the San Francisco Conservatory. This lovely young woman plays here and in the Bay Area and goes by the name of Myra Joy. She is truly a name to watch for.

Last night after my swim I stopped again at Headlands and the feature was a man playing guitar and singing a huge range of songs, some by others and some of his own compositions. a very well modulated voice with a lovely range. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him. Also great people watching in the audience. Headlands is never boring.

So here's to the joyful times, the sad times and the exquisite feelings of contrast in my life as well as that mysterious gift from the gods — the ability to appreciate what I have at any given moment.