June 2026 | between here and there (and everywhere) |
|
a place where I looked up and said ‘hi friends’, in May. |
|
This morning, I read a poem by Ada Limón, and let myself be undone, then remade, by this line. ‘Look, we are not unspectacular things’…. I pronounced it in my head as ‘LOOK!!! We are NOT unspectacular THINGS’ - my early morning face erupting into a version of 🤩 plus 🥰. The poem is a gorgeous one, worth reading aloud to yourself, and what follows this line might be a charge to the reader to live up to the proclamation. I'm here for that, yes. And also, I'm here for the staying right there. Letting it be a whole sentence. LOOK! We are NOT Unspectacular things. |
|
a not unspectacular night in the middle of the middle of Texas |
|
The last time I wrote to you, I was sitting at a huge dining room table, at a cattle ranch in the middle of the middle of Texas. I was surrounded by mostly new-to-me songwriters. We were preparing our bellies for a giant barbecue, and our hearts for a competition (which felt more like a celebration. I took 5th place, I fell in love with all manner of people and their songs, it was awesome). I remember driving to the ranch the night before and randomly thinking, OH! I might not hug anybody for like…96 hours. I spend most of my days in very close physical proximity to humans and puppies. I hug a lot of people. It was a strange thing to consider that I might be without something I probably take for granted most of the time. I've noticed when I travel alone, how my body takes a while to downshift into….Sarah. The layers of relation and context that I wear all the time at home take a minute to dissolve. It can leave me feeling simultaneously alive and untethered. The concept of ‘no hugs’ had me inching closer to the untethered piece. Thank goodness for China Kent from Colorado. Soon after meeting this fantastic singer-songwriter, as we made conversation, she took my hand and started massaging my forearm. I exhaled some level of breath I didn't know I'd been holding in. This woman that I'd never met before just offered a sense of ‘here - be - be here', that my traveling soul needed. I called her ‘China with the Good Hugs’ for the rest of the weekend. I moved through the rest of the weekend feeling at home in my body, even as I missed my actual home (and the bodies that live there). What a gift! I'm thinking of this as I prepare to set out for another such adventure, this time to Telluride, CO. See, I've always considered myself a homebody. Through the first 3.5 decades of my life, I was content to not travel. I very much like routine. But music making has given me this itch to see the world. And meet people. And look at their gorgeous faces, and maybe sing songs to them that settle them in their body in some way. I realized recently that this year marks 10 years since I started traveling for music. I'm in no way a touring musician, but I do go. I do pack my things, and Martina McVan, and I say goodbye to my loves. This summer, I will be gone from my actual home an actual lot. I will be in between here and there and some version of everywhere. Along the way, I anticipate there will be moments of alive and moments of untethered. If my body is mostly in transit all the time, where do I settle down? Ah! With you! You not unspectacular thing! You…person whose face I'm singing to. You…friend I haven't seen in a while and so we hug and it's grounding. You…person in the check-out lane at the grocery store willing to make eye contact and exchange a smile and a little conversation. You…person who sends the just right text at the just right time. I mean… I keep learning that - for me - remaining open to in-person-human-moments is not only LOVELY, but necessary. Necessary for my well-being. (I'm writing this to you a little high on an afternoon of airport singing, where the in-person-human-moments are in full bloom all times of year). I'm not sure why I felt compelled to share this today. I trust that the burning desire to type all these words means someone out there is in need of a reminder that staying open (whilst often hard - or at least not-easy) can lead you back to home, in your soul, or body, or something. Or maybe it's just a reminder to offer the hug. Offer the hug!* Let your gaze widen to take in the spectacular that may just be a part of every last one of us. *Unless you're not a hugger. I get that. There's a metaphorical way to do it I bet? Also, I'm pronouncing ‘offer the hug’ like Jack Klompus in Seinfeld saying ‘take the pen’. from L to R: Lia Meneker, China with the Good Hugs, Me, Stephanie Sammors (who I get to see in Telluride!) My pink shoes in Texas grass feeling grounded and grateful. |
|
If you're reading this in real time, I'm holding out a bouquet of 7 shows over the next 4 days! there's solo time, band time, Lars time, Matt French time, radio-show time, airport time, downtown lunch hour music time… then it's off to T E L L U R I D E! ❤️ after that it's Ely Ely Ely! where I will hug people, yes, but also trees. I will hug my favorite trees. because that absolutely brings my body home. ❤️ Closer to home is this Tuesday's Full Band Fun show! |
|
then there is…Monday, Monday! |
|
looking ahead to August…. |
|
and your monthly invitation to come over for |
|
consider for your ‘post-summer’ |
|
Song Camp at Bjorklunden in Door County, WI will be in early Fall/post-summer. Mornings will be spent in workshop, afternoons in blank page territory. If you've never written a song before, but want to try - I think this would be great fun. If you write all the time, I think this would be great fun! It's for everyone! also - Door County is gorgeous. I haven't been to Bjorklunden since 2000, but it was a DREAM and I am confident it still is. PS - I will be co-leading this one with Alice Peacock and I cannot wait! If you have any questions/interest, please send me a message! |
|
1. This Album! 🌟 It's BIG! In scope, in sound, in feeling. It powered a few of my morning runs this past month and a couple of my longer car rides and it was such a VIBE (as the kids might say). Any time I listen, my heart dances toward more-alive. My eyes see stars 💗 2. This Song! 🌟 No one that I've shared it with has loved it like I do, but I DO! I hear this song and my shoulders start to bop, my hips shimmy, my feet become lighter, my face widens into a smile. In my mind I start appearing in a very colorful music video💗 3. These Podcasts 🌟 bestowed the kind of wisdom and inspiration that I do not take for GRANTed, friends. The Kristen Bell interview on Adam Grant's podcast, ReThinking, and then Amy Grant being interviewed…by anyone/ everyone - so good! I found myself pausing, rewinding to catch that one thing they said, writing down bits and pieces. Both women offer this sturdy, open warmth. Both women display such thoughtfulness, generosity, willingness to engage - just brilliant! 💗 4. Kettles 🌟 I think it's an utter delight when you order tea (or hot water) and it comes to you in a kettle. This happens at Waldmann, and this month it also happened at the Mongolian BBQ place I convinced my Mom and Daughter to go with me, last minute. Bonus -I learned that for someone in my life who is a teen and therefore hard to pin down in terms of ‘what will bring joy’ a buffet restaurant is a win! YAY!💗 |
|
✨ Look. We are not unspectacular things. In the Midwest, we lean into our longest, brightest days. We are out! And about! And cabins! And festivals! And patios! I'll be doing it with you, and also so thankful for any moment where you YOU brings me back home. With a smile, a knowing nod, a deep exhale. Thank you thank you. For being between here, there, and everywhere with me. ❤️ |
|
✨ this email is sent with a Texas Cattle Ranch Amount of Gratitude & so much BIG
LOVE |
|
a word about our sponsors |
|
aka - spectacular things in people shape. They are sturdy hugs to me in a wild world. They make it possible for me to make things. I aim my heartwork in their direction with joy! 📣 In exchange for their monthly membership of $0-$25, I send love letters, poems, cover songs, advance ticket notice, etc. Patreon offers a free tier, which makes me happy. Because - if you want to be there, I want you there. LIFE IS EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW, but in the world of time and attention, if you want to give those things, I want to say thank you via…songs and letters and such. 📣 THANKYOUSARAHSUBSCRIBERS! |
|
4440 Round Lake Road West #N12
Arden Hills, MN 55112, United States |
|
|
pps - Ted! Maybe you read this right before you go to the Edina Art Fair? AHH!❤️ |
|
|
