The year was filled with clearing and releasing. I spent time sorting, cleaning and rearranging space in our home and came, in some places, close to my ideal, to have only the things we really needed, or wanted for their beauty and inspiration, and to have those things only one layer deep, with nothing buried under anything else. A couple of years ago, I read that one tenet of Feng Shui is that things be uncluttered, even in the places you cannot see (closets, drawers, trunks)--that all energy flows best when everything is clutter-free.

That is what was happening for me not only in the physical spaces in our home, but in my life as a whole. Some of what was central to my life shifted and I did my best to flow with that shift. The year was a time to reflect, to identify and act on change, and to open myself to what was next. It came, piece by piece. I waited for the clarity that simplicity and inward listening can bring. It is an ongoing process.

Throughout this time of passage, my belief was that I would continue to write and record music. During this time, I had less energy for that kind of creativity but the time out seemed to be important--I sensed it was, in fact, an important part of the creative process and that, at the right time, the music would come to life in me again. I sensed that I would be working differently when that time came.

Ed and I have practiced voluntary simplicity for the past 30 years, working part-time most of our working life so that we could have more time together, and more time for our creative work. I have been writing and recording music and Edwardo is an artist who has worked for years in photography using antique photographic processes.

This kind of simple living can leave more time for giving to others. Recently, I asked myself what I most wanted to volunteer now to give to others. Giving to others works best, I believe, when the giving comes out of a passion. If I give from something that I am passionate about, then the giving will flow. I won't be able to do anything other than give. As I thought about this, the answer to my question came quickly and easily. I want to give my music.

I have a job I love, working in a university library. It isn't necessary for me to earn money with my music. It is necessary for me to break even, but my labor can all be given to others. My decision is that I will do just that and with a very glad heart. This is the slight shift in perspective that I waited for throughout this passage. It changes nothing about what I am doing (writing music and recording it) but it changes everything nonetheless. In giving it to others in this way, I am freed to simply create and then to share what I have created. The songs, once released into the world, will have a life of their own. It will be marvelous to see where they go.

All of my songs will be released on this website. New songs, as they are written and recorded will be shared right away. I will also continue to make CDs as enough songs are completed to do so and anyone who would like one can receive one from me simply for the cost of the materials and postage. There is space on these webpages for one complete song and small parts of each of the other songs. The Featured Song page will contain the complete song and some thoughts about how the song came to be. The Mp3's and Lyrics page, will have parts of all of my other songs; these parts will be small meditations in and of themselves, and will enable you to get a sense of the sound and flow of the song.

My music has grown out of my own spiritual journey and has been wonderfully nurtured by the shared learning, epiphanies, and struggles on the journey of life with others. I have been blessed by all of the people who have shared with me--they are all part of my music. My deepest thanks to everyone who bought a CD from me in the past. Because of your help, I was always able to meet the costs of recording and production. Your support made it possible for me to set up my recording studio and to begin to volunteer my music. I have been so very blessed by your participation in my life and work. Thank you, each and every one of you. And, one further note:   please understand that my decision to charge only for the cost of making my CD's, and not for the labor, is a decision for myself alone and very definitely is not a reflection on those who do charge for their time and labor. Their choice to earn a living with their work is something that I support and honor. I am simply called to do otherwise.