It All Starts with a Dream

It all starts with a dream, as some say. Nashville says it all starts with a song. Either way, if it's a dream, you have to get out of bed and get dressed. If it's a song, you have to get out your pencil and paper, or at least your recorder. Then you might want to play it for other people, put it on an album, put it out on iTunes. You can't just lay around and "think" about these things.

Every year I dream of doing a  Christmas show, and beginning in January, I know that December is coming and my show won't happen with my head on a pillow dreaming about it. I can hear Auntie Em telling Dorothy "there's work to be done."

One element of planning a show is deciding how to tell other people about it.  You can't just hope that people will show up. "If you build it" a few might come, but just building it isn't enough. 

One day as I was brainstorming on the phone with a coach about all that there is to do, including the marketing, he said, "Why don't you bring your audience in on the planning of the show. Give them a peek into the planning part." 

So I got to thinking; I wonder what my audience would want to know about planning a Christmas show. Instead of me trying to guess, why don't I just ask them? I did and people responded.

Sorting through the questions, one in particular, catches my eye. I squirm in my office chair. I always struggle when someone asks this question: "What is your favorite song on the album?" 

The problem is, it's hard to pick one favorite. Songs are three-minute audio journals of my life. Each song has a unique significance and is part of the whole.

Though the question wasn't specifically about the show, it's a good question because the show actually started with a song. Ok, so Nashville was right. It really does start with a song.

It was a wintery January morning in 2000 and I was on my way to a local recording studio to record my first album. The snow was blowing and drifting across Route 696 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania—a scenic road between two mountain ranges. I probably shouldn't have been driving.

But I was in my element...SNOW! 

The first line said it all...

Whispery winds of winter white

The blizzard-like winds seemed to applaud my bravery for driving in these conditions...

Dancing across the starlit night

Twirling and swirling and sweeping the lane

Whisking the blues of the season away

These are the portraits of white

I knew it [the song] was special the day I wrote it. I could hear the polished production of it in my head. Even though it would be years before I'd actually record it, I knew it would sound Enya-esque.  I had just encountered the music of Enya, and her stacked vocal approach resonated with me. Every time I'd listen to her, I wanted to sit down and write music. 

Portraits of White Album 2013

Years later, when I decided to record a Christmas/Winter album this song was a definite favorite. I learned to respect Enya's music all the more during the process of recording. It's not easy to stack vocals. You must follow every single intonation and nuanced note of the original take each time you sing a new take. For some reason, I really enjoyed the challenge of this style of recording. 

When it came time to choose a title for the Christmas album, Portraits of White felt the most magical. Portraits of White, both the song and the title would become the inspiration for my holiday show. If that makes it my favorite song on the album, then so be it.

The album title was just the beginning...

This week's video:

Welcome to "Kansas!"

Outside my music studio window is a busy state road. If you head East about three miles, you'll arrive in Newville, Pennsylvania. It's my "Kansas" and I'd like to take you on a little tour of my town. I often refer to it is as a one-red-light-town. I'm not sure why I say red. It could be yellow or green, but it often feels red to me. Perhaps because I'm usually in a hurry?! Busted! 

According to the Newville Historical Society, Andrew Ralston first settled near the shores of the Big Spring in 1728. William Laughlin and his brother soon followed. The Big Spring is the second largest fresh water spring stream in the country and as such, it drew settlers wishing to capitalize on its potential. Laughlin built the first mill on its banks in 1762. By 1817, the town of Newville had incorporated and the economy began to grow and thrive.

Laughlin Mill - four seasons.

Photo credit is given to Steve Kennedy of Newville.

We moved to Newville in 1968 when I was two years old. Over the years, I've grown to love my little town with its nooks and crannies. I became much more observant of Cumberland Valley's beauty when my husband and I started riding motorcycles over ten years ago. We enjoy a nice leisurely ride on the back roads, not to mention the destination—soft serve ice cream. Chocolate/Vanilla twist please. In a cone.

During Covid, I started riding those same back roads on my pedal bike, often riding for hours just to enjoy the sites. With very little traffic on the roads, I felt like I had the valley to myself. I could tell when restrictions were lifted because I had to share the road once again. We have a lovely trail rail, but I prefer different views every day so I often ride the road instead.

It was over this time that I began noticing how beautiful my "Kansas" truly is. Here are a few of my daily views...

According to the World Population Review, Newville has a population of 1,341 as of 2021. Though it's very small, we have big appetites. Who wouldn't after all of those bike rides? We have a few places to satisfy your cravings. 

Now that restaurants are open again, as you are going through town, you can stop for a delicious "Skirt Burger" at Jaymee Lee's Diner, or Stromboli with fresh made bread at Kane's Korner Pizzeria. Craving a cheeseburger sub with crunchy-crispy-but-airy french fries? I recommend Brother's Pizza. You can park your car (or bike) at the fountain and walk to all three eateries. I recommend going back to Kane's for some Goose Brother's homemade ice cream. 

Sorry, we don't have a fitness center. But you're welcome to ride your bike on the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail and you can easily get to downtown Newville from there. Just be very careful about speeding through town. I can tell you from experience that it is well patrolled by our local law enforcement. :-)

I love our Newville Print Shop where the owner puts out soft water taffy for his customers during the summer—when he comes back from his trip to the shore. He keeps a small spiral notebook with a hand-written record of the copies I make there in his shop. I pay him every few years when he remembers to tally up my tab. Every time I go into the shop, he tells me he needs to get my total figured up and I always say, "sure thing, just let me know when you do." 

Then there's the local bank where they feed the local cat. I barely had the front door open one day when something dashed around my feet into the bank. A bit alarmed, I mentioned it to the teller who nonchalantly said, "oh...that's the neighborhood cat. It's ok, we feed it every day." The cat ran back behind the counter to its usual feeding spot. I smiled. Only in Newville, I muttered to myself.

I shop at the same grocery store where my mother shopped when I was a little girl. We don't have the fancy organic section that many superstores do, and sometimes I ask for ingredients that seem foreign to the stock clerks, but Saylor's Market has THE best homemade Bavarian cream filled chocolate icing donuts you'll ever taste. Just make sure you get there early in the day. The early bird gets the...donut.

As I'm writing this, I keep checking the clock—it's gotta be time for lunch soon!! All this writing about food is making me hungry and I think I might be forgetting the purpose of this particular post...

Ah yes. I just wanted to show you around my town and welcome you to my "Kansas."

Click here to enjoy a little video with sites of Newville and some news!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 84 The Rose

I met with the sound company today!  It actually happened.

It helps that he came highly recommended by someone I trust.  His top suggestion?   The Rose at Lehrman, located near the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, on the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College.

What do you think? Let me know fans.  Would you come to a show located in Harrisburg, PA...right off of I-81?

 Take a closer look here.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 54 "Portraits of White"

Yesterday my mother celebrated 90 years.

Saturday morning we will have a memorial service for Tom's mother in Grand Rapids, MI.

It's been quite a week.

I need to get packed....we leave tonight.  Sounds like we are heading into snow as we drive through PA, OH and into MI.  A big snow storm is predicted for the Northeastern U.S.

Seems like a fitting day to share the lyrics to one of my favorite tunes for the Christmas CD.  We're going for an Enya type sound on this song.

"Portraits of White"

Frolicking frills of falling flakes

dressing the earth in silk and lace

dazzling, delicate garments of snow

are warming the earth in the midst of the cold

these are the portraits of white

Whispery winds of winter white

dancing across the starlit night

twirling and swirling and sweeping the lane

whisking the blues of the season away

these are the portraits of white

Shimmering rays of shining sun

making the winter seem like fun

carving and melting a bend in the snow

wanting a friend who will see where it goes

these are the portraits of white

Even while I worked at the church today, electric guitars were being added to "Night of Miracles".  Nice to have someone eating my elephant even when I can't get to it.  One bite at a time....even if it's someone else's bite.