Redtree Times

The Omnipresence— Now at West End Gallery

To each his suff’rings: all are men,
Condemn’d alike to groan,
The tender for another’s pain;
Th’ unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more; where ignorance is bliss,
‘Tis folly to be wise.

–Thomas Gray, Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College (1742)

There was a lot I wanted to write this morning. I was up extra early, like 4:30, and my mind was racing. But after trudging to the studio and sitting here in the dark with only the laptop’s light in my face, I decided I didn’t want to say anything.

If I did, it would most likely be unproductive so why bother? 

Instead, I am just going to sit here and watch as the morning light breaks through the trees. Maybe just let things be for a bit. Maybe listen to some music, something that will slow me down, something that soothe.

Here’s a favorite, Riviera Paradise, that can achieve just that. It’s from the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hard to believe he’s been gone for 34 years now. 

You can sit in with me to listen, if you’d like. Just keep quiet, okay?