Well Howdy Folks,

New studio floor!

This is my SECOND attempt at this month’s “Rock-tober” blog.  I had it all ready to go and I threw it in the can.  It was just a fumble.  Well written but I just thought it was too negative. 

I have honestly been spinning a bit recently due to some friends I care about, their pain, heart aches, health issues, mixed in with my own grief from my Dad who passed a year ago this month.  I just didn’t like what we had written when I was editing it.  I didn’t like the song we selected or the performance of that song.  So…we get a “do over”, right?

 Sometimes you just have to do things over again and this is one of those times.  Something about the Earth shifting on its axis with Fall equinox really challenges us with the day light changing and different weather.  My world truly has been a bit “rocked” these days, so I will honor that and give myself some grace.   

 I am happy to say that I have, after all these years, learned to give myself some space and some grace.  It’s only taken me my whole life to figure that out!  Ha!  How about you?  When you are just damn depressed that day, or had a crappy day at work…do you build space for yourself?  Do something nice for yourself?  Throw away the negative self talk “club” or do you perseverate? 

 Fall brings beautiful and glorious, yellows, oranges and reds, and what also comes with it is the inward cycle of reflection.  I most certainly miss my Father indeed!  I most certainly miss the world before Covid!

 But there have been amazing “growth spurts” and things to celebrate. I have a good friend that starts her conversations with me with this question:  “What are you celebrating?”  I love that question! Spins your whole life around to make you look at the good! See what you appreciate!  What are YOU celebrating? 

As we “jam by the fire”!

 I am celebrating a new floor in our studio, and ceiling being completed.  I am celebrating my new battery operated leaf blower (ha ha! True! It’s going to be so much better than dragging that damn cord around! I just bought it today!  Happy birthday to me! LOL!) I am celebrating friends, my love for them, our deep and real conversations.

Morning Coffee with “Jam”!

 I am celebrating this REAL walk I am doing, in relationships, music, and writing.  I am celebrating a very successful season of music and the fact that we have built in some down time this Fall for things that we love;  writing, reflecting, reading, a bit of travel.  I am celebrating that I just wrote a new song TODAY!  Well…it’s almost finished, but I was inspired and moved and I feel like I have my footing on how to go about this season to keep creating.  I am also celebrating going to a song writer’s workshop the end of this month.

Finally squeaking out a song!!!

 I am celebrating Mo and Meghan’s birthdays and for that matter my own trip around the Sun at the end of the month.  I am celebrating this pooch who is resting her head on my foot presently.  I am celebrating getting wiser and not needing to do the things I thought I should to get certain results.  I am celebrating an audience member wanting to bring us to DENMARK next Spring (we’ll see…could come true!) I am celebrating finding a new and better builder for our Van and the possibilities of getting on the road next year!!!

Feeling Alive (Bogus Mt. Sunset)

 I am celebrating love, friendships, opportunity, and new exciting experiences!  I am also celebrating hitting my goal weight and staying on track with my health routines! That’s a biggy!  It’s taken a LONG time to get here!  I am also celebrating every morning with a cup of coffee in our “new studio” – just jamming every morning on electric guitar and I feel like my solos are improving! 

Darwin photo bombs!

 There is a lot to celebrate, if we frame it in that way.  My attempt at my last blog was “missing the mark” of celebration and not what I wished to broad cast. 

Juno are you ready to go to Arizona?

 Bottom line, there is a lot of pain and uncertainty in the world and in our lives.  People are struggling and I am affected by this – it’s just the nature of who I am because I care. 

Sweet Friends Kim & Trudy!

 So I thought I would give you this song…one of my absolute favorite songs.  This may be a cheat because some of you may already have this recording – but I know many of you do not. 

 “Looking Out” by Brandi Carlile with the band at the Sapphire Room! That was a magical night!  This is my sentiments to my friends, Mo and to me:

“I know that darkness pulls on you, but it’s just a part of you. When you’re outside looking in, you belong to someone.  And when you feel like giving in, like it’s the coming of the end, when your heart can break in two…someone loves you!” 

“Darkness” pulling on Robyn!

 Someone loves you!  We do!  Let’s celebrate THAT!!!

 I hope this sets your brain on a “happy train”!  Thank you for tuning in and all your love and support.  Darkness can call on all of us at some point or another.  Never forget how loved you are!  It will make your life right again! 

 Much love!

Niccole and the Mighty Mo plus Juuuunooo!

Let’s keep kicking ass!!!