From Cris - Thank the Powers That Be that we have poets among us. Mary Oliver tells us: “This is the first, wildest and wisest thing I know: that the soul exists, and that it is built entirely out of attentiveness.” Paying attention is my job, and I can’t help but think that it is the job that belongs to all of us — if we would but do it. It takes practice, and everything here on earth reminds us every day in every way that things change. That is what remains the same…Change. It’s true and still startling to me. The way I’ve learned to deal with this is by changing what I can, and accept, of course, what I cannot. I always maintained that I wanted to have as much effect on life as it’s had on me. That seems fair, in its way. I look for fairness as I go, and notice when it is not. It isn’t fair that women should have to fear for their lives, get paid less for the same job, and not be seen as the amazing creatures they are. We do what we can. 

 

Even though it’s  well over 40 years old, The Changer and the Changed seems to still hold water, and continue to refresh those who find it. I’m honored to claim it, and thrilled to perform it, when I can, playing with my amazing and talented friends.  What a joy to play these old songs together. It feels new every time! I have to pay very close attention in the performance of these songs, written when I was not yet 30. Sometimes I feel as though I wrote them ahead of myself. Amazingly, they still seem to fit so much of the life I/we now live.