Sunday, September 11, 2011
Texas Yucca
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Heather Lende: "Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs"
True confession: my personal distaste for moralistic soapbox preaching that defines the bible belt of the American south had me predisposed to dismiss Ms. Lende's book, Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs,before I even cracked the cover and got a good whiff of freshly printed paper.
Imagine my delight when not even twenty-five pages into the story, I spy a very favorite phrase of my very own: "Well, shit!". And any writer who is familiar with Garrison Keillor's alter ego, Guy Noir, is instantly on my radar as being worthy of a read.
Heather Lende was an obituary columnist for her hometown paper, the Chilkat Valley News in Haines, Alaska, but I truly believe she has been channeled by the late great Erma Bombeck, the queen of working woman/mother humor. With the same killer timing and sass, Ms. Lende had me laughing out loud as I tried to read quietly beside my sleeping hubby (who is not as fond of late night reading marathons as I am).
The author really was run smooth over by a truck while out riding a bicycle on a beautiful Alaskan spring day. Her true story about her "bad break" is filled with "small miracles" of everyday life happenings in a small community; and, yes, she often quotes religious teachings and obviously is a very spiritual person.
But lest you think this is a book filled with heavy-handed proselytizing, I quote you her "Tenth Thing to Think about after Being Hit by a Truck":
"And finally (and this is just between you and me), did you shave your legs today? Why do women care so much what other people think of them, even in an emergency?"
Like the perfect subtle humor that hallmarked the television series, Northern Exposure, Lende's book tugs at your heartstrings while teasing your funnybone with wicked good prose. Emotional without being droolingly sentimental, she introduces you to a part of the United States few of us ever get to experience. Lende's love of Alaska is palpable in her storytelling, and left me wishing I could sign up for an extended holiday way up north.
It seems I am a little slow in recognizing Ms. Lende; she has contributed to NPR's Morning Edition radio program, and several top notch magazines including National Geograpic Traveler and Country Living. Her first book published in 2006, If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name is in its seventh printing. Wow. (And I love that her website promotes local independent booksellers.)
Thanks to Leyane at FSB Associates for sending me a book that will keep a permanent place on my shelves next to my beloved Erma Bombeck, Ellen Meloy, and Barbara Kingsolver.
Article first published as Book Review: Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lende on Blogcritics.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Driftwood Fired - How to Untangle a Heartache
On August 23, Driftwood Fire released their debut album, How to Untangle a Heartache.
Lynn Scharf's smooth-as-ocean-polished-glass voice, coupled with the sweet sounds Charlotte Formichella coaxes out of her banjo and guitar make this female duo stand apart. It's no surprise to hear the lonesome soul-touching songs of Appalachia at the root of their music; both artists were raised in the Scottish mountains of Virginia.
The band is really gaining momentum and accolades. While it's certainly true the alternative/folk genre is crowded with new talent offerings, Scharf and Formichella are slowly separating their music from the usual pack. Driftwood Fire captured this year's Merle Fest / Chris Austin Songwriting contest, first place in the International Narrative Song Contest, as well as Honorable Mention at the Telluride Troubadour Contest.
In fact, the second song on the album, "Appalachian Hills," is without a doubt my favorite of the bunch, though all the selections are stand alone hits. Scharf's voice was made for this music - timeless, mournful, and distinctive. It is a musical storytelling deluxe.
Just when you're fully sated and lulled by said ballad, you get a jaunty whimsical jazz piece with a tune called "Intermission,"; very reminiscent of Django Reinhardt's famous hot jazz gypsy sound.
You might be living in the neck of the woods where they next tour, so check out any opportunity to hear these ladies in person.
And for the best $10 bucks you'll spend this month, hop on over to their site and get your own copy of How to Untangle a Heartache. You'll do more than like this CD. You'll love it.
In September, you can find Driftwood Fire concerts here:
September 9 at 8:00p
The Vogue
Lake Chelan, WA
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September 10 at 8:00p
Vagabond Sound
Oak Harbor, WA
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September 13 at 8:30p
Tease
Ashland, OR
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September 16 at 8:00p
Devil Mountain Coffee House
In the round w/ Sabrina and Craig and Laura Zucker
Mt. Diablo U.U. Church
Walnut Creek, CA
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September 23rd at 8:00 - 8:30p
Q Cafe
o/f The Elderly and BC Campbell
Seattle, WA
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September 24th at 6:00p
Mississippi Pizza
Split show w/ TBA
Portland, OR
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September 29th at 7:00p
Egan's Ballard Jam House
Seattle, WA
rticle first published as Music Review: Driftwood Fire - How to Untangle a Heartache on Blogcritics.
...The biographical equivalent of 12 hour chili - Sticks to the ribs! -
