Molly's is such a great place to play- Richard does an amazing job on the sound, and the stage feels like a second home to me.  I also love that the music room is separate from the bar.  That makes it a true listening room.  Playing a residency gives us a chance to stretch a little and maybe play some new songs, or throw in a cover or two...  Right now I'm making my set list for next week.  Yay!

The temperature never dipped below 90 the whole time we were traveling. Cups of ice and cool tile floors were Kora's friends :-)

I LOVED playing at Plaza Linda again.  The courtyard is so sweet, and the audience was wonderful.  Our host, Kiki Wow, was amazing.

The next morning, I had an interview and performance on KPIG, one of my favorite radio stations. I love that they actually play what they want to play, and they really promote local artists and their shows.  It was a lot of fun.

We celebrated the 4th with family in Napa, which was beautiful.  Ahhh- pool party in the vineyard.  Even if it was 100 degrees, the day was awesome.  

Our last show was in Santa Margarita at a great little spot called the Porch.  They serve yummy food and wine from local wineries, and the audience was really wonderful.  We'll definitely be back again to play Steve Key's Songwriters at Play. The super inspiring and talented, Maia Sharp headlined that show, and it was such a treat to see her play.

Now we're back at home, catching up on sleep and planning our next trip!

I'm so happy to be back here in this beautiful place that shaped so much of my musical life.

AND, I'm getting a taste of what it would be like to have a hit song!  When I was a counselor at a summer camp in the San Juan Islands years ago, I wrote a song called "Set Out" with 2 friends, Jon Georgitis, and Doug Archibald, who led sailing and canoe trips with the kids.  

Early this year, a friend from camp contacted me and told me that the kids are still singing our song!  I wrote to the director, one thing led to another, and now I'm up here at summer camp, writing and singing with the kids.  Whenever I'm introduced, "She wrote 'Set Out'" follows my name. YOU wrote "Set Out???" The campers/ staff say in awe.  I LOVE that song!" 

I am so amazed by the power of music.  A song I wrote with some friends in one inspired moment has lived on in the voices and hearts of so many kids over the years.  I heard them sing the song this morning and it brought tears to my eyes.  I'm so grateful for this gift of song.  I'm thankful to life for showing this to me, right now, as I'm finishing the recording my 5th CD, unsure of where all of these new songs will end up.  Every song has a life of it's own, and continues to teach me as it grows.

Set Out

Set out on the road yesterday

Brought my guitar along

Two weeks now I've been traveling

Trying to find me a song

And I can't find the words to write it down, but I'm found

Met a man on the road yesterday

Asked him which way to go

He said it doesn't matter which way you turn

As long as you take it slow

And I can't find the words to write it down, but I'm found

Set out on the ocean yesterday

Trying to find me a breeze

Who knows when I'll come home again

Blowing in from the seas

And I can't find the words to write it down, but I'm free

Walking on the road the other night, I thought I lost my way

But I found my soul again when I heard the children play

The comfort of the gypsy voices, singing sweet harmony

The songs that will always bring us to the place we want to be

And I can't fins the words to write it down, but I'm free

I'm super excited about this song!  It's a slightly different flavor than the rest of the record.  I feel like I'm getting back to my country roots a little with this one. 

I'm so happy that the photo shoot for the new CD went so well.  Taking the pictures for an album has such an interesting effect on the whole project.  All of a sudden, I understand it much better as a whole.  It's a thrill to have a vision and have it come to fruition.  I feel grateful for the sweet souls around me that help me create these things.  Andria Sato is helping me with the album design again.  She's the best.  We had a great day in the Malibu sun shooting for the CD.  

This week is packed with rehearsals with the band, recording sessions, mixing sessions, and our super special show on Sunday night in Santa Monica.  Life is good.

Mark Browne and I had a truly wonderful time on the road.  Every show was such a treat.  We met some amazing people, and reconnected with great old friends.  I loved playing some of the new songs to an audience for the first time.  I'm happy to say, I only forgot the lyrics ONCE!!!  (I don't think anyone but Mark noticed....)

We traveled through rain, wind, hail, snow, and sunshine- all the way up through Bend, Oregon and back.

So, now it's time to get back in the studio.  We're getting so close!!! We have to have some real instruments replace the synthesizers, and I have to sing about 3 more songs (!!!)  I am getting really excited about finishing this project.