HOME NOT HOME

Hello from Burlington, Vermont. Tonight we play the Flynn theatre which I am very excited about. For some reason I haven’t felt like venturing outside today, despite it being clear and nearly 40 degrees. I think I’m too close to my own home, which is not on our route to Portland Maine, and so seems heartbreakingly close, but somehow forbidden? My dog, my cats, my neighbors and friends… my bed! SO close it hurts. Driving back and forth would be a three hour round trip and would kill my energy for the show, so that’s out. I just have to sit here and long. I didn’t even visit any of the familiar places here in Burlington. I’m just a little stuck.

We were all wary of re-entering the United States from Canada this week for obvious reasons, but I am happy to report that the United States border agents were very kind and even helpful on our way back in. We thanked them, which seemed to surprise them a little. I felt the weight of ICE on their shoulders. I was disgusted by the face of Kristi Noem staring at me from her portrait on the wall. They seemed embarrassed, or at least uncomfortable. Our shows in Montreal and Ottawa were such a pleasure. I can say first hand that the Canadians are rooting for us and care very much what happens to us here in America. This is no surprise to me as I have lived in Canada and feel that I know it with my heart; the majority of its people care very much. Fascism is not on the table. Ever. The sweet crew and audience at the theatre in Geneva New York also made us feel glad to be back and we had a fantastic time. Thank you, Geneva!

Later… the show at the Flynn was really fun and the Vermonters were so supportive and lovely! The staff at the Flynn were a joy to work with as always. I was very moved by how many of my neighbors came. Thanks, you guys! Now I am in sunny, cold, blustery, gorgeous Portland Maine. The sky is magnificent. I’m so excited to play the State Theatre tonight, it’s one of my favorite venues. It’s old and resonant and comfortable.

Later, later… the show at the State was fantastic! Even on a Monday night! SUCH a lovely audience. Sometimes it seems like our job is to be the folks who make YOU feel better, but you all do the same for the band and crew and I too. THANK YOU. You are not taken for granted. We love you right back! And I sure do love the State Theatre and it’s divine crew. What a fuzzy, welcoming place.

Music and Art; they feel crucial right now. That may sound like I have an inflated sense of self importance, but I’m just telling you how it feels to deliver music at this time. My insides often feel like wet chalk. It’s all so weighted and things that didn’t feel so heavy before do now. Lyrics hit differently, I hear and feel them differently. It’s like I’m constantly filling and putting out hummingbird feeders; “Fight on, tiny, mighty ones. Don’t give up. You are the answer to all this mean reality.” Because, like you I’m sure, Renee Good’s murder in Minneapolis haunts me. It’s always on my mind. I also think about the other people killed by ICE in the last week whose names did not garner the attention Renee Good’s did, people such as Keith Porter. I think of those who have died in detention centers, and those who continue to be harassed and terrorized. The names we don’t know have one glaring thing in common; they were mostly people of color. I’m not surprised. It’s just another drop in the ocean of sadness… but I refuse to drown in it. I’m a fighter from way back.

One of the ways I want to try to strengthen myself is to pull away more from social media. It is incredibly unhelpful at the moment. I will keep writing my Lung posts, but staying off the app for the most part. I’ll still interact with you all in the comments of the posts though. You are a good community. I’ll be getting my news from ManFriendJeff for a while. If you have an even-keel person in your life up on current events and who can deliver facts free of any sensationalism, I highly recommend asking them if you can check in for news updates. It helps a great deal. It also showcases a great skill and can make whomever you ask feel helpful and valued. Win-win. Thank you, everyone. We all need each other. Peace and love to every single one of us. XO

Lovely Portland Maine