Stuff & Such That Has Inspired Me Lately
Books, Music, Theater, Projects and Poetry
Hi folks,
I’m in NYC the weekend celebrating my anniversary with my beloved and a couple of friends…..so this one will be a little short.
These are some of the things that i’ve been inspired by lately—listed in no particular order :-)
Theater/Musical/Ballet
Ok, because I was in New York….
Illinoise Last night I saw a new modern ballet/musical on Broadway. I was deeply moved by this powerful coming of age story based upon the album Illinois by Indie folk songwriter, Sufian Stevens. The book was written by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibiles Durey. Choreography by Justin Peck. Beautiful music and some of the most incredible dance I’ve ever encountered.
A fascinating musical about a rock band making an album in 1976 from the perspective of the sound engineer. It explores the messy process making of art, personal dynamics, the nuances of being a female artist in a pretty much male industry. Ok, it was also fun that the actor playing the drummer in the Broadway production, Chris Stack, was fabulous AND he’s originally from Indiana…just sayin’
Reading
I’ve been touring a lot in the last months so many audio books along the way :-) I’m going to just link Indiebound.org if you are interested in checking out the book. The fun thing about Indiebound is that if you order online from their site, the nearest independent books store will fulfill your order. You can also get many of these titles at your local library or used on Abe Books.
“Cutting for Stone” - by Abraham Verghese (A long book but worth the commitment. Excellent writing from the author of “The Covenant of Water” which I also loved)
“Sipsworth” by Simon Von Bouys (A very short read, about a woman, a mouse and the kindness of strangers)
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (one of my favorite reads this year)
A Short Walk Through A Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke (A book about a woman who cannot stay in one place for more than 2 or 3 days. A fantasy read about living in the moment).
Walking With The Mystics: Sermons of Howard Thurman (In troubled times Howard Thurman is one of my go-to authors for spiritual and personal grounding)
Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein (Naomi is a social researcher. So this is non fiction, a fascinating look at our current world trough the lens of social media)
Rest as Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey (A case for taking care of ourselves as an act of resistance to our current “grind culture”. The author asks, if we are too busy to ever rest or think, how do we stand up and advocate for needed change?)
Poetry
Learning to Walk Like A Heron by Jack Ridl. Recently I was gifted a copy of this luminous collection of poetry. Not to be missed, and definitely to savor.
Art
Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party at the Brooklyn Museum. A powerful feminist work that honors the contributions of women throughout history.
An exhibit of Paul McCartney’s personal photography from 1963-64. Photos showing the members of the Beatles and folks in their lives in unguarded and sometimes quiet moments.
Music
“Right On” I am in love with Siri Undlin’s (Humbird) new album. Here’s a link to the first single. You’ll be humming it all day.
The Horses and the Hounds by James McMurtry
James has a way of making every song a mini novel. Take a listen to his first single from his new album, Canola Fields.
Ok, for all you Knitters
My friend, Colleen, turned me onto the Crochet Coral Reefs project to raise awareness of the beauty of coral reefs and the danger posed to them by climate change. Yup, it’s folks knitting or crocheting entire coral reefs. It was started by two women who put the word out for contributions thinking there’d be maybe a handful, but thousands of contributions later….you can check out the images on the website. Fun and whimsical, but also bringing attention to a very important climate consequence.
Well…that’s it for now! Have a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend for those of you in the USA, or a beautiful spring or fall weekend for those in other places on this amazing ever connected planet.
Peace, Love and Understanding,
Carrie
Question
What moved and inspired you this week? Book, theater, art, a conversation, a moment in nature, a poem?
Blessed Sunday morning to you, Carrie. I just listened to Humbird's "Song for the Seeds"...... great way for me to begin my morning, and I have intention to learn this one to share with others! Thanks for sharing it, and all of the other fun things you posted.
Have a blast in NYC! (Another of my own destinations this calendar year.)
My circle of friends. Like-minded people. I am grateful today for being part of a fellowship that I can trust, believe in, and depend on.
We took our first nature walk of the season. 2-hour walk with friends that I know, appreciate the divine in nature. It renews my faith, and lets me breathe a little easier. I am looking forward to this inspiration every month this season. We call them our sing group (spirituality in nature group).
I am grateful for the spirit of the Midwest, seasons at its finest! Thanks Carrie, for doing what you do.