Nugget from a Book I'm Currently Reading

Say to them, O father, O mother, O wife, O brother, O friend, I have lived with you after appearances hitherto. Henceforward I am the truth's. Be it known unto you that henceforward I obey no law less than the eternal law. I will have no covenants but proximities. I shall endeavour to nourish my parents, to support my family, to be the chaste husband of one wife, — but these relations I must fill after a new and unprecedented way. I appeal from your customs. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier. If you cannot, I will still seek to deserve that you should. I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever inly rejoices me, and the heart appoints. If you are noble, I will love you; if you are not, I will not hurt you and myself by hypocritical attentions. If you are true, but not in the same truth with me, cleave to your companions; I will seek my own. I do this not selfishly, but humbly and truly. It is alike your interest, and mine, and all men's, however long we have dwelt in lies, to live in truth.

From Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw

A few months ago this book was recommended to me. (Thanks, Brenda.) I found a copy at a used book store, and I've spent the past couple of days reading it.

Ever since I started reading Stephen R. Covey's "7 Habits" last year, I've become more and more aware of how many people have written about the same thing: Figure out what your life is about, and live it.

In particular, I was impressed with McGraw's common-sense approach to relationships on pages 140-142.

The book was written primarily for a female audience, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in what makes other people tick. (And...who shouldn't be?)

Another Nugget from "The 8th Habit"

(Thank you, Laura, for the book The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey.)

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me, and I will be able to do them quickly, correctly. I am easily managed—you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great people; and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human being. You may run me for a profit or turn me for ruin—it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I? I am habit!

—Anonymous

Inner Fire

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. -- Albert Schweitzer (from "The 8th Habit" by Stephen R. Covey)

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance - Sunday

Click here for photos. I'll probably write more about Shakori Hills later. (It was awesome!) It has been a long 3 days and nights since the festival ended, and I am tired.

It all started with 100% pure biodiesel for sale at the festival...

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance - Saturday

It was awesome! See pics here. I'll write more later. (I have a 2 1/2 hour drive back to Wilkesboro.)

Getting Back Up to Speed

I guess I didn't fully realize how good it was for me to keep busy at the campground until I left. This week I've started working on a web site that's been rolling around in my mind for about a year. Other than that, I haven't done much. I've been in a bit of a funk, and actually considered skipping MerleFest and pulling the house up to Indiana. (Yeah...it really is that bad.)

Over the winter I had been planning to attend the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance this spring. But, I tabled that idea when I committed myself to helping out at Honey Bear Campground. (Dadgummit!) Yesterday I realized that the spring festival at Shakori Hills had already started, and there I was holed up in my RV. I could still make it for Saturday and/or Sunday...and I am thinking about it.

Every Friday morning from 7 - 9, WKBC-AM broadcasts the Hometown Opry from Main Street Pawn in North Wilkesboro. I've been there before, and it's always a real hoot. So, this morning I went again, and had a great time. (It was the first time that I've stepped out of the RV since arriving at Bandits Roost Monday afternoon.)

On the way to the Opry I saw a sign advertising North Wilkesboro's 'Shine to Wine (Wine & Art) Festival. I didn't realize that it was coming up tomorrow! I've been to it (and enjoyed it) the past two years, so if I don't go to Shakori Hills tomorrow, I know where I'll be.

At the Hometown Opry I found out that there will be a free concert of some sort Sunday evening at one of the MerleFest stages or tents at Wilkes Community College. I'll be checking that out if I'm not at Shakori Hills.

The three evenings before MerleFest (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) there are always jam sessions at the venue (also free). The Kruger Brothers are generally there. This Monday's session will also be the monthly meeting of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.

So...from now until the end of MerleFest there's music somewhere every day...and I plan to take in as much of it as I can.

After MerleFest, I'm thinking about wandering north. My brother, Tom, has performed at the Eagle Creek Folk Festival in Indianapolis for the past few years, but I've never been there. This year it's being held June 12 & 13.

After that, the next music festivals that I'd like to attend are in the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina (where summer weather is very pleasant): Floyd Fandango Beer & Wine Festival (July 3 & 4), MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove (July 9 & 10), FloydFest (July 22 - 25), and FiddleFest (July 30 & 31). Big bonus: Two of those events are right on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

That's a lot of planning for a guy who prefers to fly by the seat of his pants. But, I'm pretty flexible. We'll see what happens.