News and Notes
April 23, 2008
23 April, 2008
I'd rather see liquid lake; but today I sit in our Minnesota cabin and see the lake still frozen. If I never see another frozen lake, I'll be OK. One year ago today my brother, Jef, and I drove into the Arizona Superstitions and hiked into Fish Creek Canyon. Such a magical place! We said some of the boulders were as big as a house; as we crawled over, around and sometimes through little tunnels and openings made in the rocks by how they chose to lie. What a wonderful hike my brother and I had! One year ago today, we talked of life. Made memories. Greeted all the other creatures in the canyon. We made plans! We never thought it would be our last hike together, but Jef died in July of last year. I think back now to the rocks and boulders that still sit in Fish Creek Canyon. Rocks are wonderful creatures! So patient. That is one thing I am learning from them; patience. Sitting still. Being aware. And so I am able to say, today; "It's a good day to be alive. It's a good day to die. What a lucky man am I". Those words, I see, are some quotes from two of my recent songs! They are words I try to say each morning. Even if the lake is still frozen. Peace!
February News
15 February, 2008
Rain has fallen generously upon this desert area where I live. We give thanks to the universe. It is good. Green is showing up all around. I've even seen a few blooms starting as I hike and drive Jeep into the mountains. Even a few poppies are blooming!! Once again, I'm reminded that life is precious. While four-wheeling in the mountains with my wife and her parents, just as we stopped for lunch; my monther-in-law (Donna) had a stroke. After loading her in the front seat, driving frantically down the mountain (about 12 miles, which included many hairpin turns and took over an hour); we finally arrived at a hospital in Mesa, AZ, less than 2 hours after the stroke. Donna continues to do well and is now back home! Pretty lucky. We all are! I wake up each day and am able to say "Good morning, morning! It's a good day to be alive! It's a good day to die! What a lucky man am I." Peace to you! And no matter what--the Universe is good!
Winter Home
12 November, 2007
I have left behind lake country and the soon to be frozen ground for desert's warmth and beauty. A hike into the Superstition Wilderness is just what I need to help come to terms with myself. This past summer was spent between our Lake cabin in Minnesota and my brother's farm in North Dakota. My brother, Jef, had a reoccurance of cancer in the mouth soon after arriving back "up North". After two trips to the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN; he made the hard decision to continue living with Hospice. My wife and I cared for him until he died in July. Now, as I drive through the mountains, that he dearly loved; I become very sad and lonely. Having been an orphan since 1999, having read an amazing amount about death/dying and having written songs dealing with death; I figured I was prepared! Not true! Sadness comes sometimes when least expected. Perhaps hikes and 4 wheeled drives into the mountains will help! And perhaps talking about it and singing songs that choose to come through me will too! Hope to see you at a performance. Please say Hi! My performances will be very limited in December as I have let my now white beard grow out quite long so I will be working at 3 malls in the valley! I'll be wearing a bright red outfit and saying "Ho! Ho! Ho!" !! If you'd like my schedule, please email me and I'll share it with you. Hey, another contest--the first 3 requesting my mall schedule I'll also include a free CD. Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!
New Year Greetings
1 January, 2007
Happy New Year to all of you! Thanks for writing to me about last months contest. It was fun! Jill, Tom and Cynthia had CD's mailed to them. I'm now reading a book called "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight". It's a mind hurting book, but great! Try it on! Any of you songwriters in the Phoenix area, remember to come to the Songwriters Gathering at Encanto Park near the end of the month. (See my calendar for details.) May your new year be full of joy and music!
Plant New Dreams Now Available On-Line!
26 October, 2005
You can now order your copy of Plant New Dreams on-line!
... or, come check it out at the next performance! See the Calendar section for info on R. Mark's next gig.
AchieveRadio.com Interview
17 October, 2005
If you'd like to hear a live interview I did with HarryZona please go to AchieveRadio.com and click on "Show Archives" (left side) Then click on "Music" (middle of page) and then on HarryZona under music shows. Scroll down to TalkMusic #10 Oct 15, 2005. I am the 2nd performer so you may move timer to 32 minutes or listen to whole show. If this is confusing, don't feel alone and instead come hear me at a live performance!!
New Album: Plant New Dreams
30 September, 2005
Mark's new album is finished!
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