As you may have noticed, my posting has been a bit sparse lately. Tour has taken up all of my energy. So far we have done two warm, homey (and sweaty) shows at Levon Helm’s barn in Woodstock, and taken a cross-country flight, ending up in Santa Fe and then Abiquiu, NM at the Ghost Ranch -- famous in modern times for many things but mostly for landscapes painted by Georgia O’Keefe.
I'm sitting here missing the lizards running up and down my backyard wall here in Tucson --the latest bout of monsoon rains has sent them looking for shelter. I drifted and settled here 23 years ago, also without "people" --and taking some comfort from your line "[stories] are the living blueprints for what we want to become and generous gifts to the future generations." Please keep sharing them.
My wife Maria and I had the pleasure of enjoying your beauty, your amazing voice (not “vanity” but a gift to us and universe).
Maria wanted to get a message to you. She felt that maybe you were doubting yourself, not thinking you were doing enough to help us ? or loved ones? Her message is that you are providing so much joy and temporary escape for so many who are stressed and hurting in these insane times.
I don’t like to think it as “stealing” more connecting with and learning from, ultimately to return with our flavor attached.
We are in a spiritual war, (we have been for centuries) this time against an invisible enemy, the weapons are words, spelling, truth, awareness, ignorance, lies. We are headed to an age of knowledge, this is our final test, are we supporting life or are we supporting death? Life is mother, death is corporate competition the artificial matrix. Mother will make our choice for us if we aren’t ready.
Enjoy this beautiful planet and all she has to offer at every level, especially the footnotes.
Neko, your perspective on nature is wonderful! All of your senses are open to the world, you are full of true wonder and awe, and your insights are scientifically accurate (as I'm a nerdy biologist this is important to me). I thought that I was good at this, but you blow me away.
BTW, does the red eft count as a lizard? I'm sure you have plenty of them in your woods, if you're ever feeling lizard-observation-deprived. I don't think that they can autotomize their tails, but they're still very cool (and I love how their feet feel when they walk on my arm).
PS Did you know that Georgia O’Keefe spent time early in her career at Wiawaka on Lake George?
Last night I wrote a story about a modern version on Persephone mixed with the crossroads Americana folklore (Robert Johnson). The idea came to me while I was listening to Truckdriver Gladiator Mule. I made an entire photo essay about the whole thing. But this - the taking of stories - is always on my mind. I'm constantly trying to reconcile having mythology with a connection to the land I live in, but in a land my ancestors do know. So I have to borrow to piece it together, but the story itself ended up being very personal. And even then the Americana version of the crossroads is an African American story - albeit that it also belongs to blues and rock history. It gets so complicated. I'm trying now to attempt to give credit where credit is due because truly none of these stories belong to me, but they move me and shape me. And more notably, I use them to be able to express myself. It's hard. But I think you got it right about that lizard.
Neko - I have a question. Do you really think that a mother and child don't have a two way street? I ask, and I know you would understand - but the only reason that he, her child, has a body like his - to be internally, a product of another internality - is because of the mutuality of the mom and her child. So, what do you think your identity is like, when a son's is an internality, of another internality - How could you reject what other people think and feel about you?
My wife and I were talking about this nuanced, delicate balance just a few days back, while driving out of NYC through the lunatic aftermath of Ida. How does one continue to learn with respect and without appropriation, to name things as they are rather than as we wish for them to be, to share stories and cultural gifts without taking them on as our own, and to what degree is that even possible or not? The business of not having people, not really, in that the access I have to that history is limited—and therefore having to be mindful of not consuming someone else’s in an attempt to feel adopted rather than overtaken by absence, loss, grief, loneliness, blank slates, tainted, fragmented historical records—resonates a lot for me. Thank you for writing and sharing. My lizard brain is spending the week trying to learn to look after its tail before what will be a tough weekend next week. I hope you, the full band and crew, etc. are doing okay and whomever got Covid is resting and on the way to a speedy, full recovery. Sending love and healinggot vibes,
Dear brave, wise, tender Neko, what a respected and beloved Clan Mother you would make. May you continue to add wonder and light to this oft dark world.
I visited O'ahu some years back and the family i was staying with had a really nice house , high enough off the ocean that steady breezes blew through the living room's open windows. I had swam out to the Mokulua and back that morning, a quite long swim with chop and tides, and as i went to siesta on the couch, all of a sudden i noticed there were a few lizards on the rough ceiling right above me. They were walking on it upside down. The mom of the house told me, "Don't worry: We like them; they eat all the insects." I was so tired and fell into a deep sleep, as the lizards remained on patrol, above.
I have a story you might enjoy. There is a “modern-day” philosopher I admire, Charles Eisenstein, who has written several books. The very first one of his works that I read, ‘A More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible’ is, and will most likely remain my favorite. If you decide to read it, (or like me, get it from Audible and listen to it on a road trip) I would be so interested to find out what you think about it. 😊 By the way, I love your musings. Thank you!
Thank you for taking time while on tour to send word. It really gets me going.
I was going to ask you how you felt about robots as you seem to efficiently decenter Settler and/or human experience but then saw the alternative to dystopian futures line of thought and need to look into it more.
As my 9 year old craves a robot or smart device for companionship, and I grow less infatuated with human people, we are both looking for alternatives to the constraints of our immediate options. They, my 9 year old, seem at the crossroads between wanting to be closer to animals and wanting more technology. I think they are lonely. Does something hang in the balance here or is it unresolvable and all you get if you aim for it is endurance for a sustained contradiction of needing people while not being super psyched about being one ?
I know you're touring and hope they are great nights for you and your band. I thought about Maybe Sparrow while being the only rider at the back of the ferryboat this am. There were no sparrows, but so many Pelicans. So many wings and air currents. I was wondering what the vocal chords of birds are like and what it feels like to say a thing like one with their throat and mouth. Thank you some more.
Such fabulous and vivid imagery!! To all those out there near Chicago, I have a ticket to see Neko for Saturday evening at the Temperance Brewery for the Out of Space show that I cannot use. I am locked in at home in NC. Saddened, but hoping Neko and friends will come South this year eventually, its been too long that I last saw Neko and gang live! Point is, if anyone would enjoy using this ticket, I am happy to email it, please let me know at jmcdon999@gmail.com I would detest it going to waste!!
I'm sitting here missing the lizards running up and down my backyard wall here in Tucson --the latest bout of monsoon rains has sent them looking for shelter. I drifted and settled here 23 years ago, also without "people" --and taking some comfort from your line "[stories] are the living blueprints for what we want to become and generous gifts to the future generations." Please keep sharing them.
My wife Maria and I had the pleasure of enjoying your beauty, your amazing voice (not “vanity” but a gift to us and universe).
Maria wanted to get a message to you. She felt that maybe you were doubting yourself, not thinking you were doing enough to help us ? or loved ones? Her message is that you are providing so much joy and temporary escape for so many who are stressed and hurting in these insane times.
I don’t like to think it as “stealing” more connecting with and learning from, ultimately to return with our flavor attached.
We are in a spiritual war, (we have been for centuries) this time against an invisible enemy, the weapons are words, spelling, truth, awareness, ignorance, lies. We are headed to an age of knowledge, this is our final test, are we supporting life or are we supporting death? Life is mother, death is corporate competition the artificial matrix. Mother will make our choice for us if we aren’t ready.
Enjoy this beautiful planet and all she has to offer at every level, especially the footnotes.
Neko, your perspective on nature is wonderful! All of your senses are open to the world, you are full of true wonder and awe, and your insights are scientifically accurate (as I'm a nerdy biologist this is important to me). I thought that I was good at this, but you blow me away.
BTW, does the red eft count as a lizard? I'm sure you have plenty of them in your woods, if you're ever feeling lizard-observation-deprived. I don't think that they can autotomize their tails, but they're still very cool (and I love how their feet feel when they walk on my arm).
PS Did you know that Georgia O’Keefe spent time early in her career at Wiawaka on Lake George?
Last night I wrote a story about a modern version on Persephone mixed with the crossroads Americana folklore (Robert Johnson). The idea came to me while I was listening to Truckdriver Gladiator Mule. I made an entire photo essay about the whole thing. But this - the taking of stories - is always on my mind. I'm constantly trying to reconcile having mythology with a connection to the land I live in, but in a land my ancestors do know. So I have to borrow to piece it together, but the story itself ended up being very personal. And even then the Americana version of the crossroads is an African American story - albeit that it also belongs to blues and rock history. It gets so complicated. I'm trying now to attempt to give credit where credit is due because truly none of these stories belong to me, but they move me and shape me. And more notably, I use them to be able to express myself. It's hard. But I think you got it right about that lizard.
Idk this lizard sounds pretty badass to me.
So where exactly did the needle touch down then? Eh. I don't know, I'm not feeling it
Neko - I have a question. Do you really think that a mother and child don't have a two way street? I ask, and I know you would understand - but the only reason that he, her child, has a body like his - to be internally, a product of another internality - is because of the mutuality of the mom and her child. So, what do you think your identity is like, when a son's is an internality, of another internality - How could you reject what other people think and feel about you?
My wife and I were talking about this nuanced, delicate balance just a few days back, while driving out of NYC through the lunatic aftermath of Ida. How does one continue to learn with respect and without appropriation, to name things as they are rather than as we wish for them to be, to share stories and cultural gifts without taking them on as our own, and to what degree is that even possible or not? The business of not having people, not really, in that the access I have to that history is limited—and therefore having to be mindful of not consuming someone else’s in an attempt to feel adopted rather than overtaken by absence, loss, grief, loneliness, blank slates, tainted, fragmented historical records—resonates a lot for me. Thank you for writing and sharing. My lizard brain is spending the week trying to learn to look after its tail before what will be a tough weekend next week. I hope you, the full band and crew, etc. are doing okay and whomever got Covid is resting and on the way to a speedy, full recovery. Sending love and healinggot vibes,
Dear brave, wise, tender Neko, what a respected and beloved Clan Mother you would make. May you continue to add wonder and light to this oft dark world.
❤️
As I read this I heard you singing it. Not clearly or exactly; it was more like a sauce, or some smoke. LOL. Thanks for everything you do.
I visited O'ahu some years back and the family i was staying with had a really nice house , high enough off the ocean that steady breezes blew through the living room's open windows. I had swam out to the Mokulua and back that morning, a quite long swim with chop and tides, and as i went to siesta on the couch, all of a sudden i noticed there were a few lizards on the rough ceiling right above me. They were walking on it upside down. The mom of the house told me, "Don't worry: We like them; they eat all the insects." I was so tired and fell into a deep sleep, as the lizards remained on patrol, above.
I have a story you might enjoy. There is a “modern-day” philosopher I admire, Charles Eisenstein, who has written several books. The very first one of his works that I read, ‘A More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible’ is, and will most likely remain my favorite. If you decide to read it, (or like me, get it from Audible and listen to it on a road trip) I would be so interested to find out what you think about it. 😊 By the way, I love your musings. Thank you!
Thank you for taking time while on tour to send word. It really gets me going.
I was going to ask you how you felt about robots as you seem to efficiently decenter Settler and/or human experience but then saw the alternative to dystopian futures line of thought and need to look into it more.
As my 9 year old craves a robot or smart device for companionship, and I grow less infatuated with human people, we are both looking for alternatives to the constraints of our immediate options. They, my 9 year old, seem at the crossroads between wanting to be closer to animals and wanting more technology. I think they are lonely. Does something hang in the balance here or is it unresolvable and all you get if you aim for it is endurance for a sustained contradiction of needing people while not being super psyched about being one ?
I know you're touring and hope they are great nights for you and your band. I thought about Maybe Sparrow while being the only rider at the back of the ferryboat this am. There were no sparrows, but so many Pelicans. So many wings and air currents. I was wondering what the vocal chords of birds are like and what it feels like to say a thing like one with their throat and mouth. Thank you some more.
This was a pretty close to perfectly timed read based on some of my latest ruminations. So, I did a lot of yessing out loud. Thanks again!
Such fabulous and vivid imagery!! To all those out there near Chicago, I have a ticket to see Neko for Saturday evening at the Temperance Brewery for the Out of Space show that I cannot use. I am locked in at home in NC. Saddened, but hoping Neko and friends will come South this year eventually, its been too long that I last saw Neko and gang live! Point is, if anyone would enjoy using this ticket, I am happy to email it, please let me know at jmcdon999@gmail.com I would detest it going to waste!!