Yesterday morning’s walk was windless but with scattered clouds, some of them blocking the sun’s early greeting but this morning…ahhh!…perfection, Neither wind nor clouds, a clear blue sky from the outset, the water smooth as glass, the birds singing the morning into paradise, my mind content to take it all in, so welcoming after so much rain. I met a live-aboard, toilet kit in hand, heading for the showers as I walked by the marina. His only words were “Don’t blink, don’t blink! It might all disappear!” A beautiful way to start the day, for sure.
I can recall other bright moments over the last two days. One of them was having the good fortune to attend a piano concert in our church sanctuary last Saturday afternoon. John Nilsen entertained sixty of us for an hour with an array of compositions, most all of them original. Three things struck me. First, he played without the use of any sheet music. It was all from the heart, you could see, as he would pause only long enough between pieces to determine where he was going to be led next. Secondly, the music was never boring or repetitious with a tremendous range of selections – including a hymn now and then but all of it suitable – its not too much say “sacred” – so inspired his playing appeared to be. Thirdly, He took a few minutes half way through the program to sit on the piano bench and talk about his life. The informality of his attire – he was wearing blue jeans and a green, long-sleeved flannel shirt with the shirttails untucked – in a way conveyed John Nilsen’s philosophical stand. He was all about pursuing his own passion, no matter what. With such single-minded focus, I asked him later how he ever convinced his wife of 31 years to marry him. He said only that she was willing to accept that in him. He gives something like 225 concerts a year. I came away impressed with the music and the man, the two of them in sync. I purchased one of his CD’s (“Twelve Shades of Light”) and played it through many times the next morning as I baked muffins for the church’s social hour following worship. I had an unusual number of members tell me how much they enjoyed these muffins particularly. Is it too much to make a connection here between John Nilsen’s music and my baking? Probably, but the music did give a lilt to my morning’s batter-stirring as I tried to imagine lyrics to go with his music.
Some of the other bright happenings: that my friend Tom would be released from the hospital to recoup at home under Mary’s care; that I was able to help with cleaning the pots and pans following Saturday afternoon’s concert and spaghetti feed; that i was called upon to read the Call to Worship at worship services as well as a poem (Wolf”) during the sermon; that my housemate, Kornelia, phoned to tell me that the situation had improved on Kauai Island and that she was now having the time of her life and lastly, that I was able to spend Sunday evening over dinner with my friends Judy and Michael. They in turn had invited Judy’s daughter and her friend, Jennifer, to join us, which made for an even brighter end to the day. I had brought over the leftover spicy Southwest Beef Stew and mash potatoes which Judy, being the splendid cook she is, converted into something much more satisfying to the palate. She then topped it off with a Berry Crisp she’d made earlier in the day. I was struck that Jennifer, during the course of our conversation around the table, spoke of her respect for me as an elder. I acknowledged her sentiment with appreciation, noting how different the native American respect for age is compared to modern culture where age is depreciated if not the enemy. Jennifer’s statement was followed by Judy’s action, doing me the honor of working with my feet, massaging them and my lower legs. A true healer, she. It’s no surprise that I slept well last night. Getting to sleep at 10 PM and waking again at Midnight but, after peeing, going right back to bed to sleep four more hours.
