A week spent on the Mississippi. Ospreys, eagles, tugboats and trains all finding their way along the edges of the river.
It’s a gift to read during these days. Between distractions of screens and to do lists and the challenge of too much material available, it seems like a luxury to focus on books or long reads. I used to read long books for hours at a time. Now, it’s rare. Reading gets relegated to bedtime or travel. I have written all these songs about reading, and yet…
Vacation offers a unique opportunity to read, and I’ve been taking some advantage of it. Two whole New Yorkers, The Iliad, and Option B by Adam Grant are the kinds of things I’ve been able to take large bites out of, rather than just nibbles here and there.
I’ve also been listening to John Smith, who is one of my favorite songwriters. John has a rare depth of heart, and his songs walk that delicate line between lyric and poetry beautifully. Check out his videos here. In particular, Appalachian Rain is one of my favorite songs ever. Kickin This Stone is great, as are a number of other songs of which there are no videos. You can find his songs on Apple Music. Look for the album Traveller, or anything else.