Paddles Cut the Water

I've always loved that phrase from the opening two cuplets of Neil Young's "Pocahontas".



I spent a leisurely Friday afternoon with my pal Holden Richards at Falls Lake, which straddles Durham and Wake Counties. We launched from the Redwood Road boat ramp around 6:30pm. We both had a very challenging week and I suggested a paddle to get away from it all and let the tensions of the week get loose. I'd written a new song earlier in the day (first one at my myspace page) and it had a bit of a nature theme, so it was nice to pair that activity with some real outdoors. Holden later recorded the tune for me at his home in Hillsborough.



This was the first time I put the canoe on the new Jeep. There just wasn't enough water in any of the rivers or lakes last year to really get the canoe out but once early in the spring.



Hopefully, 2008 will be wetter and we'll get to enjoy the canoes a little more this time around. It's always been a valuable escape for me from the troubles of my work week or any other strains of life in this often weary world.

All photos were taken by Holden Richards (right).

How to Get Over a Broken Heart

Damned if know. I'll let you know when I find out. But some fairly good wisdom can be found here from someone much younger than me. Until then, I do believe it's better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all. It's why I stick my neck out and fall in love. I reveled in every minute of it and have some wonderful memories. Love is what it's all about. It's the only thing that matters in the end.

From that blog. This is so on target:

"Good for you for feeling something and taking a risk. That’s called living and all we can do is our best in each moment. There is no right or wrong; there is no should. There is only real.

You might feel sad and hurt, but guess what?

I think you fucking rock."

So do you, baby. Thanks for what it was and for you being you and allowing me to be in your life for a little while.

this just in (a day later)

Saw Nick Lowe and Ron Sexsmith do solo sets tonight in Carrboro. Ron opened with "Former Glory" (youtube of him doing it solo here a few years back). Was he reading my mind? I don't think my fragile ticker could take more tunes like this in one night. Wonderfully done though.

Your eyes are burning low
As you look out on this morning
But your eyes will return
To their former glory

Though the cold north wind may blow
It's all sound and fury
And the summer will return
In its former glory

Everything will be just like you remember
Today won't look as bad as it seemed
And though love's become a dying ember
It will burn brighter than you ever dreamed

For the day is coming soon
You don't have to worry
Your light will return
In its former glory

Everything will be just like you remember
Today won't look as bad as it seemed
And though love's become a dying ember
It will burn brighter than you ever dreamed