one year ago

One year ago, Mike left us for points unknown. Maybe it was heaven, maybe it was for another life, on another planet. I don't know. He crossed that bridge into the unknown; into the beloved. It feels like it was just last week, but as Jenna says we know it's been a year because we've counted the days.
Jenna left some flowers and street chalk at the bike racks this morning, leaving a written message too. Someone had thrown the flowers away by the time I got there, but they were found in the trash and replaced. Eventually they were added to.
We had a lovely gathering tonight at Trip and Jane's. People gathered to eat, drink and celebrate Mike's life with us. It is nice to know that Jenna and I still have the support of those friends of Mike's that came to help us last year. Whenever I think I don't have friends in Florida, I am reminded that Mike's friends are my friends too. And good people they are. We are blessed.

Upon The Hill Records Folds

I have officially closed down Upon The Hill Records. Our web site: uponthehillrecords.com is still running, and cd's can still be purchased through cdbaby via the web site, but we are no longer doing business as Upon The Hill Records. It has been too taxing, both emotionally and physically to keep it going, pay attention to the tax man, and keep the licensing updated. I had been planning to release Mike's second recording, but quite frankly, I can't even listen to his music without crying yet. So, I don't feel like I can do the critical listening it will take to put it out. If I can get myself together, and then get some funding, I'll release the "Fingerstyle" recordings.

As a side note, I heard Robert Earl Keen's recording of "Mariano" today on WNCW out of Asheville, NC. (Streaming) Mike recorded a cover of that song that pays real homage to Keen's songwriting and to the topic of imigrant workers. If "Fingerstyle" comes out I hope to get the clearances to put "Mariano" on it.

Go find some live music to enjoy. And share the road.

bearable vastness

"She had been studying the universe all her life, but had overlooked its clearest message: For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love."

Carl Sagan
Contact

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html