Brian and I sing (as The Fabulous Heftones) for a number of retirement homes, independent living communities, retirement homes and Alzheimer care homes. We absolutely love this work.

Our music really is the right sort of thing for this setting. So many of our songs bring back good memories for folks. Even for those whose memories of recent events are fading, songs from decades ago seem to stay stuck in their minds.

Last Friday we went up to Alma, Michigan (an hour north of our home) to a place where we have sung several times. When we arrived, a woman was sitting at the piano. She was playing “Amazing Grace” and singing along. Sometimes she had to stop to get the chord right, but then she kept on going.

I did not want to disturb her, so I took a photo from across the room, without flash. In order for you to see her at all, I had to play with light/color levels in my PhotoShop program. Low light turns out grainy, but what happened almost looks like a pointillist painting rather than a real photo. I like it.

This woman stayed for our full concert. We really enjoyed this… at one point we had about 80% of the crowd singing along with us. They particularly enjoyed “When You wore a Tulip… and I wore a Big, Red Rose.” They also seemed to love “Bye, Bye, Blackbird.”

I just wanted to share this photo with you. It reminds me that so often we give up things that have given us joy in the past. This woman’s voice is no doubt not as strong as it was when she was younger. The piano was not in perfect tune, and she did not proceed confidently through the music.

All of the imperfections did not matter. There was no audience until we came in, part way through her song. And she was having a nice time, playing and singing just for her own pleasure.

I think we need to remember this. Do not let go of the things you love, even if you can not do them as well as you once did. Jump in and enjoy!

Once I knew others were happy but I thought I could not have what they had. Now I have such a different life, I am amazed. I did a lot of work on the road here, but the payoffs of that work are tenfold.

Tonight, Saturday, February 13
6:30-8:30
The Fabulous Heftones (Brian and I) sing at the newly expanded/renovated
Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine in East Lansing.

This is truly our home venue in a million ways. We became a better act because of our regular 2-hour performances here.

We were in the What’s On section of the Lansing State Journal this week (page 3, with a photo). There is an online version of that article (with a photo of our friend Frog, who is mentioned later in the same column).

But today, on a day when we are again booked as the “Most Romantic Act in Lansing,” I feel like it is Thanksgiving even more than Valentine’s day.

I wrote a post January 31, 2009 that sums it all up, gratitude for my new life. It’s a short column (for me). Please consider taking the time to read it. I think good news doesn’t usually make it to the masses, and I’m all for spreading the good stuff when I can.

Hello, friends. I have allowed life (and a five-day headache) to distract me from writing for you. You deserve better.

It will be another cram-packed day but I believe you deserve a little content here from me. Your loyalty is much appreciated.

Therefore, today I will share with you a particularly important quotation for me. It has inspired me through times of self-doubt. I hope it will inspire you, as well.

This text reminds me that whatever I can contribute, that contribution is important to the world. Doubt is human, and particularly common in artful folks. Perhaps this will help you, too.

There is a vitality, a life-force, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares to other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open… No artist is pleased…

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching – and makes us more alive than the others.

Martha Graham
(to Agnes DeMille)

For those who do not know, Martha Graham was a pioneer in Modern Dance. She changed the dance world in one lifetime, created a new branch of a tree called “dance.” If you enjoy biographies, I recommend the book “Martha” by Agnes DeMille (another dancer/choreographer who worked mostly in theater, and who was a friend of Martha’s).

We hope you will come and join us in celebrating Altu’s new space (Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine, East Lansing, Michigan).

This photo was taken several weeks ago, it’s even more lovely now! For those waiting to see my paint job, notice the basketweave is completed on the right wall but not at the back, yet.

Saturday (January 23/ tomorrow)

Special events from
NOON until 4pm.

• Free Smoothie Samples
• Free Food Samples
• Live Music!!!
• Local songwriters to make you smile!!!

Noon-1 will be Art Cameron. This witty, thoughtful poet will engage you and make you smile!

1-2 Measured Dose (Ben Dilday and Dave Bond) will soothe you with harmonies, playing familiar oldies and a good selection of originals.

2-3 Mike Ross, a local poet and musician, will share words and excellent instrumentals with you. He wrote most of the music you will hear. Mike is a nationally-recognized harmonica player, but plays many other instruments as well.

3-4 Beloved Ben Hassenger (also of Mystic Shake and Blue Jello) will keep you humming, singing along, and laughing. Again, Ben writes a lot of his own music. His meanings are often sentimental or serious, but the way he delivers them will bring a smile.

—

If you can not make the daytime festivities, consider dinner.

6:30-8:30
Scarlet Runner Stringband

You can order a smoothie with your dinner (or for dessert… fruit is common for dessert in Ethiopia).

I will be there for dinner, myself. I will be teaching in Charlotte during the day.

You just MUST see the new space. It is magnificent. It’s hard to believe she started with three tables-for-two and a take out.

Please, bring yourself and a crowd of friends! It will be a fun and fabulous time.

My life is very full, but I seem to be tongue-tied here lately. I have joked for years that “I have never run out of words.” I guess my fingers run out even when my voice does not.

I had a good amount of time off during holidays. I had 21 days without teaching, though I worked my pattern design/sales business, and did a lot of administrative work then.

I have been knitting like a crazy woman. Nothing is very important-looking as a rule, but it makes me very happy. I finished four pairs of wristwarmers, including working in the yarn ends, on Monday night. Two of those pairs were knit entirely in January.

I also finished in yarn ends for a pair of anklewarmers. They started out as armwarmers but at a loose gauge, and in washable wool. I like them enough as ankle warmers (perfect under pajama pants for lounging at home) that I’m keeping them just as they are.

You know, talking about the objects is not as fun as the stories behind them. I’m typing this without project photos. However, the largest “wristwarmers” are nearly armwarmers, for a big guy with a big heart… who is a musician, and a friend.

Paul (my friend) is the “squeezebox” player in the photo here. His friend shown behind him is the late Phil Wintermute.

Paul loves to go into the woods all year, and pick edible things (and just observe, as well). He alternates between mushrooms, berries, roots, whatever he finds. This man knows much about nature.

I asked if he could use wristwarmers (while picking edibles) once, when I was making some for me. He was enthusiastic. I decided to unravel a partly-knit footie in bulky yak/wool yarn, and knit him warmers from the 2 balls of that yarn I owned. I used nearly every inch of that yarn, one ball per warmer. My friend Paul will be warmer, now.

I made yet another pair for my friend Brandi, who works outdoors as a wildlife biologist. She gets wet and cold while doing field work and research on diseases such as rabies. I see her in more cozy environments, such as Gone Wired Cafe’ on the East Side (where this photo of us was taken). Photo is me, Brandi, Isabel, and April. Sort of a girl-family of choice, if you will. You just saw Isabel’s new wristwarmers recently, here.

She saw Paul’s pair and got rather excited about that idea. Hers took half the yarn of Paul’s, and I finished them in no time. Now I just have to try and connect with her, when she is not out in a field with deer and raccoons and the like.

I made a different pair of wristwarmers for a friend who is allergic to some fibers. She will enjoy these.

I made a pair for me. These I’ve worked on in fits and starts for over a year. It’s Zealana merino/New Zeeland Possum yarn. It’s soft, and airy, and fluffy… and turquoise. I’ve never had such luxurious wristwarmers, and I’ve knit a LOT of warmers.

I realized when I had all those ends worked in, that I had a table full o’tubes. I then really got the impact of that pile. I just LOVE knitting tubes. Happiness for Lynn, is knitting around and around on double-pointed needles. The less interruption, the better. LOVE.

This is great information for me to understand. Know thyself, right?

I cast on right away. For a neckwarmer. Another tube. I’m happy.

Incredible Music Tonight!

My friends Jen Sygit and Sam Corbin will be playing music at Altu’s restaurant (East Lansing) tonight, from 6:30 to 8:30. Great music, great talent, amazing harmonies. Both musicians write great originals, and they will play some of those and some music written by others. I will be there.

Many of my friends, knitters and musicians alike, will be attending a Contra Dance in downtown Lansing tonight. If you fall into this group, please consider coming to Altu’s before you head downtown. It will make a fully satisfying night… artforms including music, dance, spectacular cooking, and perhaps knitting. (I’m not sure why, but lots of contra dancers also knit.)

You Must Check Out the Addition!

If you read here often, you will know that my friend Altu’s restaurant has expanded recently. Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine (EatAtAltus.com) in East Lansing, Michigan is a place where everything is literally made from scratch. The quality is superb, the kitchen is spotless, the flavors in the food are deep… sometimes subtle, sometimes spicy, always good.

There is now a real raised stage with lighting, and plenty of space for several large groups at once. No more worries about seating, my friends! It’s beautiful now… more mellow, more unique, more relaxing.

Open House Next Week: Sat. Jan. 23, 11am – 4 pm

Altu will be having a celebration next Saturday from 11-4 to celebrate the new space. There will be music during that time, and then again in the evening from 6:30-8:30 from Scarlet Runner String Band. If you must miss today, consider making it next week. I will miss the daytime festivities but will be there for dinner, next week. (A woman must work, and I have a class scheduled Jan 23 during the afternoon.)

So, What is the Food Like?

If you have never had Ethiopian food before, it consists of different types of thick stews, either veggie or meat, mild or spicy. Even meat eaters go for veggie food here, it is so flavorful.

In Ethiopia, they present the food in family style… on a platter, with spongy, sproingy sourdough Ethiopian bread(often called Injera) under it all. You pull off a piece of the bread (it’s like a thick crepe in form) and use it to pick up your food with your fingers, like a small taco. Ethiopians get so good at this, their fingers never get messy. I’ve been practicing for years but I’m not there yet.

In Ethiopia, the Injera is made of a gluten-free  grain called Teff. Here, because our altitude is different, Altu adds some wheat all-purpose flour to the bread. However, one can order their dinner on a bed of rice instead of on bread. I have friends who do not tolerate wheat at all (celiac or wheat-sensitive, both), and they do well at Altu’s eating meals this way. There is no wheat in any other food in the restaurant.

My life is so good now! Thanksgiving always brings home how real that good is. And today I turn 51.

I’m grateful, I look good these days, better than I did in college. Mom has always looked much younger than her calendar age, and I got good genes in that department!

The gray hair (which I do not cover up) is beautiful, if you ask me… I earned every one the hard way. Each is a badge of courage and learning.

Here is a photo of me performing as Eudora (at New Aladdin’s Restaurant). The photo was taken this spring. This is what 50 looks like, at least on me.

I wish I had some photos of me in college. I gained about 35 pounds in just over a year. I was a very unhappy person and food comforted me. But if you could see the photos of me at 20, you would understand how delightful it is for me to feel well and lovely at this time in my life.

No, I’m not old yet. However, many of us yearn for youth and I am not one of those people.

I shared this one last year, but it is the only photo I seem to have of myself as a young person which is in digital form. I believe it was taken on my 18th birthday (before my large weight gain).

I was just a kid. I liked “costuming” even back then, can you tell?

I am here to tell you, though, that I would not go back for any amount of money. Youth, for me, was a time of turmoil and angst. Thank goodness I was born an optimist, so I did not notice how much upset I had and how little I laughed. I thought things were pretty good, and that got me through.

Please Join Me for Birthday Dinner/Fun

Anybody out there who is in driving distance… come on down to Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine on Michigan Avenue in East Lansing tonight. Jen Sygit and Drew Howard/Cap’n Midnite are playing, and I’m just inviting others to go to dinner there when I’m going to dinner there. The music is from 6:30-8:30.

It’s not a party, per se… I have too much stuff so I emphatically ask that no gifts come with you. It’s a gathering and a celebration. Life is good, let’s eat well and laugh, and sing, and listen to significantly incredible musicians sing/play for us!!!

Hubby Brian Hefferan & Lil’ Rev just recorded a video in our living room. I heard it live, you can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN4ZjaMLK_w

Tonight, Friday November 13, our friend/award-winning musician Lil’ Rev is performing for the esteemed Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse. The show is at the Unitarian Universalist Church in East Lansing, on Grove St. near the E. Lansing (Mich) Library. The show starts at 8pm. (More details if you click above link.)

About 9 months ago, Lil’ Rev visited us (he is from Wisconsin). At that time, we recorded a YouTube video of the three of us singing “Shake that Thing” in our living room.

As of this writing, that video has been viewed over 41,000 times. I’ve had a number of folks tell me they have seen it and enjoyed it.

It appears that we (The Fabulous Heftones) will probably be joining Rev on stage toward the end of his show tonight. The plan is to do one or two pieces as a trio. I think it sounds like much fun!

Locals, this man is great entertainment. He plays a multitude of instruments extremely well and is also a storyteller. He wraps the history of some of his songs into the stories without lecturing. He’s fascinating, and riveting. On top of that, he’s just a comfortable and trusty friend.

I highly recommend you consider coming out to East Lansing to hear Lil’ Rev’s show. You will spend a few hours with a smile on your face!

I love dance, especially love the sort in musical theatre. I’m also into retro stuff. So when I found Betty Grable in “How Come You Do Me….” on Youtube, I watched. Several times. Even though normally I’m not much into video or movies…

The last time I watched this video, I turned off the sound. Wowie. These dancers are so amazingly in sync that you might think they were animations or something.

The costumes are pretty hot, even for current standards. They flash legs, then cover, then show again. But hey, the grrl is just plain gorgeous and she doesn’t take it all off. Not everyone will like that part, but for me it’s part of the theatrics.

Loved it. Some of you out there will, too.

I had a good weekend, I hope you did as well. Brian and I (The Fabulous Heftones) sang at Altu’s on Saturday night, which was pleasant as always. Thanks to friends, fans and family who came out for the show!

Sock Class!

Sunday I taught a “Sock in a Day” class. Really it is more “structure of a sock” in a day, what folks actually come out of the class with is a very small footie with a rolled top finish. They learn toe, heel, gusset, and tricks for binding off and finishing a toe-up sock.

I’m showing Peggy’s sock from today. The yarn is Panda Silk DK, a beautiful yarn indeed.

Thanks to Marilyn and Peggy for driving over an hour to come to my class! We had a great time and they enjoyed lunch on the East Side so they got the flavor of our wonderful neighborhood as well as a class.

Gratitude for Rest

It looks like I’m heading into a typically frenzied LynnH week. I’m happy I had a day and a half of quiet rest at home on Friday/Saturday morning.

It’s wonderful to have enough time to rest a whole day… and then for part of a second day, do things like laundry and the like. That just felt like luxury, after having eight weekends in a row with travel or a performance involved.

Rested, refreshed, rejuvenated! I’m ready for a new week. I hope you feel the same.

Brian and I, as The Fabulous Heftones, will be performing at Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine in E. Lansing this Saturday. Performance times are 6:30 to 8:30.

The food is incredible. Altu cooks the best vegetarian food I know, and we usually prefer it to her meat dishes (which are also flavorful) though we do eat meat at times.

I must confess, though, the spicy chicken (also known as Doro Wat) brings back good memories of my time in Ethiopia. It’s something of a “national dish” and since I was the guest of honor for 5 weeks, I ate that dish a lot. Yum!

Ethiopian food is essentially presented in very thick stews. She has mild and spicy dishes, she has veggie and meat (including lamb, which is a big treat to some folks).

Traditionally, you would get the food presented on one large platter, family style. In Ethiopia, they eat the stews with their hands, by using pieces of the flat bread to pick up a bite at a time, almost like tiny tacos or something.

The traditional “bread” is like a very stretchy thick crepe with a sort of sourdough flavor. The bread is made with Teff flour, and in Michigan the altitude is such that Altu adds a little wheat flour to make the texture right.

If you prefer, you can have a personal plate rather than a shared platter. If you want steamed rice instead of bread, you can get the stew on a bed of rice. They have forks, too, for those who prefer it. I have friends who are celiac and can not have any wheat at all. They do fine at Altu’s when they order the rice instead of bread.

My mom and friend Regina are big fans of a personal plate with a bed of rice, and a dish that is a lot like beef stew with vegetables. It’s mild and is somewhat familiar for those who enjoy standard “American” foods.

Then there are the lima bean fans. I’m one, friend Cynthia is also in that crowd. Altu usually has to talk people into trying the limas the first time, because most of us have only had grainy ones with no flavoring. She uses fresh or frozen, never dry or canned, and they are smooth and creamy in texture.

The lima beans are mild (lots of flavorings including subtle garlic, onion and ginger) but not bland by any stretch. If you go to the restaurant, ask for a small taste of this delicacy. If you like any beans at all, you will be more than pleasantly surprised.

So does anyone want to join us? It’s a very family-friendly place, bring kids or friends. We would love to see you!!!

This one beats ‘em all. Our dear friend, Lil’ Rev with his daughter, Mariela Rose, on his lap. Brian and Mariela Rose enjoyed one another all weekend.

And Rev looks so good. Being a Daddy is definitely a good change for him. No doubt he is tired between a career, a new child/family and a Ukefest to plan, but he seems so happy. I’m happy for him.

Just look at those faces.

Love this Place

As Mom would say as we drove in the driveway, “Home again, home again, jiggety-jig!” There is nothing like one’s own house and bed, no matter how humble. Home is home.

Milwaukee’s Inaugural Ukulele Festival

We sang in Milwaukee on Saturday, for the inaugural Milwaukee Ukulele Festival. It was incredible. I just turned on my computer after a long drive, and have not downloaded photos yet…

However, Victoria Vox posted a photo on Twitpic of the three of us: me, Brian, Victoria – click the small image for a larger version, on Twitpic. The photo was taken by Victoria’s mom (whose company I very much enjoyed), on our way out after the show.

Let’s just say the talent was impressive, the musical styles quite varied (all wonderful), and the hospitality could not be topped. The volunteers were WONDERFUL in every way, making sure to answer questions about as soon as we had any to ask.

And the audience? Welcoming, enthusiastic, attentive. Everything a performer could ask for.

What is Next?

I have a huge week ahead of me, I’m dyeing yarn and it will be for sale at Rae’s Yarn Boutique this weekend (Lansing, Michigan).

I may not dye yarn again, this is an option I’m taking very seriously. It would simplify my life and take some stress out. Less stress would be great. I’m going to take a hiatus from buying/dyeing new yarn for a while, at any rate.

This weekend, there will be Resonance Flammegarn sockyarn (pictured below in Blueberry). I will also dye up what Cushy ColorSport I have here in stock. I have some Lynn’s Luxe DK-weight yarn (good for cushy socks or lightweight tops) to dye, as well. I may have one sweater-quantity of DK-weight (?) alpaca yarn. Maybe there will be other things, I still do not know what I can fit in to my week. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time…

Gratitude

I may sound like I’m complaining. I’m busy with all the things I wished and prayed for. I’m singing profesisonally with a man who I adore and who feels the same about me. I do visual/textile art and teaching all day. My friends are truly friends, and I have every physical thing I truly need and many things that are extras. Color is everywhere in my home, my life, my closet.

I’m busy, but I think I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Maybe a slower pace… but then, maybe I’d just fill it back up again.