Where DOES The Time Go??

Good Day, fine readers. It is a good question and one that we ALL ask from "time to time." I will not try and explain it away, surely not, as it is one that I too ponder on, more than just occasionally. There was a blip in space where we weren't thinking of the speed or the flight of moments... ahhh to be a child without worry once more! But let us not go back nor look back too often, and instead let us go onwards and upwards!  

Life has been generous and kind as of late. I wonder sometimes if writing that out loud will screw up my serendipity but in the same breath, I have to wonder why we 'shouldn't' speak of our proud moments, and the greatness that life brings? In a world filled with 'bad news' being the norm, something inside me feels sheepish when discussing my rewards from seizing the days. More often than not (truth!) I am a listener and a helper to those in need and discussing the wonders of "me" doesn't always seem to be the right time. So, today, on MY blog, I will write about the latest flow in my life stream....

Firstly, I have to reminisce over one of my favourite nights in a long time.... It isn't always that I collaborate with another singer/songwriter, not sure why, but after our performance at MOODS in Zurich I really must change things! Thank you ever SO much to Peter Finc (and to Nicole Johänntgen for the suggestion.) I have said it before and I will say it again, having a SUPERB room fitted with a great sound/light system and an attentive audience is one of the BEST. THINGS. EVER for a musician. What a great spot and congrats to Nicole for getting residency at MOODS and having us as the Special Guests. We each played 6 of our own songs, which meant I had to learn 6 new songs! As you can see from the next two photos, there was Joy, to be sure!

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Music isn't the only thing that drives me. FIRST thing is Love. Could you tell? I am also a fan of the arts & crafts, markets and all things nature. So this is what I do, mostly; Love, create, be in nature, cook and try to find things to stimulate my eyes and senses. Every year there is a market in Bern called Zibelemärit (here is a brief WIKI on that!) but if you don't wanna click I will give you the short of it. After a fire destroyed a large part of the downtown in Bern in the early 1400's, it was allowed that other cantons be able to sell their farmer's wares in Bern while it was being re-built. The Onion Market is renowned for it's chains of decorated onions and happens every November. Kids and adults throw confetti and the entire old town is COVERED in the stuff. They also sell (fresh/soft) Nougat, which is the main reason I went in to the BIG and WAY over-populated market. Here are a few snaps...

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What a unique experience indeed, and filled with colour and amazing vibes. It is the third Monday in November, every year, so come to Bern, eh? In the meantime, if you are reading from Canada, I have a gig coming up in Wakefield at The Legendary Black Sheep Inn. It is a rare gem of a music venue, along the banks of the Gatineau River and a place filled with all sorts of Magic residue. Pints are pretty good too!!! I was listening to CKCU (Ottawa's Loveliest community radio station which is near and dear to my heart!) and heard the music of Lora Bidner and thought JEEPERS, I wanna hear her live!!! So I invited her to come along and SHINE on the same night! We play on Thursday, December 22nd. Show starts at 8:30pm and I am on first. So please come join us and we will give you some Light on a dark and cold Winters' night... Can't WAIT!!!

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Thanks ever so much for reading. I hope to keep up with the monthly blogging, and in turn, hope you will keep on stopping by for a short glimpse into the life of this Canadian Songstress living abroad! In the meantime, I am counting the HOURS now, til my return to my home & native land, Canada. Hugs and Love xoxo

Good Things.

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Well hello there everyone! Happy November! I always liked November, most likely because my Mum used to make sure my Birthday celebration was epic and it was always something I looked forward to. It sits perfectly in the middle and my brother's (and as it turns out, my husband's) sits nicely at the end... There were always parties in November, so having fun in this (otherwise dreary) month (for most!) is something I have become accustomed to! Not that I am forever looking forward to my birthday as I get older (and wiser?) but the habit has just somehow stuck. And lucky for me, I suppose! 

As I may have mentioned before, due to the lack of inspiration to write, weekly, I have decided to write monthly (for now) instead! Tuesday nights used to scare me and I would wake more often in the night, wondering about what words I would choose to string together and similar questions would always arise... What is the point? Why does it matter? So, rather than stress about subject topics and self-deprecation, I decided to let it go a little. I feel much better for it and now look forward to sharing some tidbits with you, instead of that weird feeling of being forced to (which I conjured up all by myself!) Isn't it funny how we are given this gift of life and we try to sabotage our very own happiness through excessive over-thinking and over-analyzing? I wonder if this creepy disposition stays for life and I wonder where it and when it started growing from!! Enough about that. Today's post is about good things. There are so many of the opposite trying to penetrate and drown my brain (our brains!)daily, so why not focus on the light instead? At least for today. At least for now. At least for the duration of this letter...

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I may have mentioned previously that we had our very first (Permaculture) garden this year. My husband researched this type of garden (which, after initial set-up) does not need to be (or very rarely needs to be depending on rain) watered, and no weeding has to be done! It was a food forest to be sure (thanks to Geoff Lawton of Australia for the immense inspiration and to Sepp Holzer of Austria!) and we ate from it for months. Among many of the delicious edible and life-giving plants, spices, fruits & flowers to be consumed were PUMPKINS!! We grew many of these big round and heavy gifts, and I have been creating so much greatness with them! I tried my hand at baking my first pie (which soon turned into PIES plural) and had great success. I used a tip from my Uncle who mentioned that his Mama (and my Granny) used to put maple syrup in to give it that extra magical flavour, and it worked! Thanks Uncle Peter!

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One of the most delightful things to do while hiking in the forest, is to stumble upon a patch of edible, wild mushrooms. Truly, this simple and natural thing just gets me right where it matters! Isn't it funny that my Great Grandfather, Dr. Hans T. Gussow published a beautiful (hard cover) book all about mushrooms?? I suppose some things (passions!) DO run in the family! Well, pictured above is the "Shaggy Mane" or the "Inky Cap" mushroom (or in Latin, Coprinus.) I posted a photo of one that I had come across, and was quickly tuned-in by many that it was indeed an edible (and delicious) mushroom but... There are rules to this one.... For instance, very quickly it become in-edible. When it starts to turn "inky" or that dark purple -you see the beginning of that in some of the mushrooms in the photo above- they lose their deliciousness. Also there are some very important characteristics which it has, to determine whether it is the real thing or an intruder! When you find the good ones (all white and shaped in a VERY phallic symbol I might add!!) all you need is a frying pan, some butter, salt and pepper. Voila! A delicacy! Thank goodness for Social Media, otherwise I would not have been enlightened to these small wonders!!! 

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Sometimes you have to go out in search of stimulation all by yourself. I find being alone can do me wonders. I Love some alone time, being alone does not always equate with being lonely, to be sure! This bench, along the shores of the Lake of Thun is a spot that I Love to sit in wonder and breathe in all that is right about the world. There are just so many things to be proud of, happy with and inspired by, sometimes you just need to search for it and remember! Clarity comes to me beside the water, more often than anywhere else.

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And, of course, the stage. Or rather, Home Sweet Home. When I have a listening crowd and we are together within a musical journey, this gives me the most feels. There is something about that secret and silent energy that flows between the musician and the music Lover. It arrives in the form of Goose Bumps or heart pumps but when it comes, I am at my soulful-est. I am ever so grateful to have been blessed with the gift of music, and even more so at the acceptance from my family, peers and fans, who continue to encourage me to keep going at it. And go at it I do! There is a deeper feeling now, as I get older and surface things no longer matter as much. The music will and always does speak louder.

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Autumn's Upon Us

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Indeed, Herbst is here! The Summer 2016 season is over and we have glided on into one of my favourite seasons. Awakening to darkened sky mornings means you get to light a candle and wrap yourself up in soft sweaters and colourful scarves. For some the exchange of Summer Sandals to Leather boots is also a bonus (ahem... see "I Love Shoes") Soon, the trees will display their colourful wonder and I will make my first fire in our oven (which warms the entire house via heating water and in turn our radiators.) Gone is the fear of letting in mosquitos and the sounds of lawn mowers, bring on those sweet Autmun scents and the sounds of chainsaws!! I really Love the change of seasons and not sure I'd enjoy living in a country without such a wide array of weather change, how about you?? 

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Our permaculture garden is still providing for us. It is the first time in my life that I lived with a full-on-filled-to-the-brim garden and it AMAZES me that I can eat food (that my Husband grew from organic seeds) in mere seconds/minutes and ALL without toxins/pesticdes or gmo's! How incredible and the weight of my grocery bags are much lighter too. Soon, we will harvest Brussels sprouts, Jerusalem artichokes (similar consistency to a potato but smaller and weirdly shaped! They make a Lovey soup and have a sweet perfume scent) as well as kale, carrots and more. We just harvested our pumpkin patch and if any of you have no fail PUMPKIN recipes, please share! 

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I just had the pleasure of taking part in a few music-filled days! I also had the privilege to sing with a couple of my faves Timothy Jaromir and Rykka. I have written a new song and they lent some of their musical magic to it as part of a video recording session called "Kawaii Sessions" this "Live Off the Floor" video project will soon be it's own Youtube channel and will likely launch in January, so we will have to WAIT to see the videos! We also recorded my song "Two Minds" (thanks to my pals for helping me on THAT one too!!) It was a great experience playing together and singing in three part harmony. Of course I will post the videos once they are up :) Also, the last few weekends I have been really lucky with performing in great rooms, filled with listeners! Those are the best gigs, ones that you can engage with (and feel) the audiences vibes..: It always helps when there is a give/take energy between the musician and the audience, making for a stellar and inspiring night. I THANK YOU for going out and supporting live music! It really IS fun for all...

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Life has been flowing in the right direction these days. After I posted my last blog on finding adventures, one came into my life very soon after. I found myself in a new village (for an appointment featuring Bio-Resonance) and when I hiked up to where I could take the train, I found out it wouldn't be for a couple of hours, so when I saw the "Wanderweg" sign near by, I decided to take it instead... A "Wanderweg" is a public trail which you can find all over Switzerland. Much to my delight this trail took me along a crystal clear blue (or grey depending on the sky) lake called "Thunersee." I was amazed by the the natural beauty of the forests and the lake and the mountains.... Eventually I landed in the next town where I could hop on the train home. Here are some photos of said adventure....

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Thanks a bunch for stopping by, folks. Enjoy the beginnings of your brand new season! I know I will... time to get some Pumpkin soup on the stove! Mmmm yummy. Time to eat soup again :)

Love, Lindsay xo

Adventure Awaits Us All

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The first flight I remember was when I was seven years old. We were heading back to Bermuda, my first home. I will never forget seeing the world below me get smaller and smaller until we were above the clouds, and all you could see for forever were mountains of white, gray & purple. I used to dream about what it would feel like to be out among them, bouncing around, floating, having my own kingdom in the clouds. Turns out my imagination is the only place where I can actually do that....

The next trip I would take (I was eleven) would be again, to Bermuda. This time I was alone, meeting my Dad over there. It was the only trip we would take (alone) together, and I hold those memories near and dear.   Whenever I smell gas (petrol) I think of my Dad, either on the back of a moped leaning in, or snugged up tight on the back of the ski-doo out in the wild snowy fields of Prince Edward County. 

Travel and Adventure started at an early age, perhaps already in my soul from the start, but thankfully, my parents gave me many an opportunity to do so,  I still Love exploring various parts of the world. The people you meet, the places you see, the scents, the sounds... It really is an incredible feeling; sometimes stupendous, sometimes humbling but always life changing.

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As a touring musician, I have been given the opportunity to play in and feel the vibe of some pretty marvelous spots. Being able to get to far off places with guitar in hand, is awesome and (I must say) pretty addictive. There's something about the connected-ness of it all, meeting folks with similar mindsets, soul wishes and more. That "Hunt for life, for life" I have spoken of before just keeps on playing....

There are people who would rather stay home. I too am one of them at times, there is a time for everything, but for the folks out there who wish upon a star to go somewhere different, to see something, to feel something new, I encourage it TEN FOLD. There are many ways to do it if money is the largest worry. I am lucky because I have music to pave the way, so I know with that skill, it makes things a little easier, but the world is so much bigger (AND SMALLER) than I ever thought. People will always help you along the way, from a bite to eat to a hostel/camp-ground recommendation, to a smile, you will never be alone and such connected-ness helps to dwindle fear.

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You just never know what kind of magic awaits or what kind of food or what kind of splendid architecture! Visions of wonder and beauty imprinted on your minds eye forever...

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The friends you can make! I asked my Grandfather, nearing the end of his 95years, what he thought the most important thing was, his gift of advice to me... He said you can never have too many friends. He and his wife (of nearly 65years) traveled across the world from Quebec to New Zealand when they were in their eighties. Amazing. And so far he has been right. There are many guest rooms, couches and back yards that we are privvy to, just because we went out there in search of travel adventure. Every person I have ever met started out as a stranger, so there's that....

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One day, I too would like to get down to New Zealand and Australia. I suppose one has to reach far and wide to get where they need to go. In the meantime, home is also a valuable place to be and a much needed sanctuary. However that search to find out about other people's lives, taste food from the soils of far away, dream up and off into clouds above new scenery, laugh together under a different set of stars, sitting round a campfire smelling of peat, or the view from a mountain village or the scenery of an old seaside town... Ahhhh so very fulfilling and wondrous indeed! The things I don't know that I yearn to know, through travel....

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Home is where the heart is.