Month: April 2014

Cabin 6 in the Woods

“Come with me, you’ve got to see this.
They said there were 5 cabins but I’ve found number 6!”
For 3 days I’d sat, sequestered with my pen.
I was restless and bored, he needn’t tell me again.
I ached for adventure, a trek sounded good.
So blindly I followed him through the dense wood.
I think we hiked for at least 4 miles,
Scratches from thorns had replaced all of my smiles.
Deep into the forest, it was as dark as the night.
Vibrant trees gave way to those starving for light.
A break in the foliage gave way to a shack.
The moment I saw it, I wanted to turn back.
“This door is locked. I will try a window.”
“I’d rather not.” I replied, as I shook my head no.
“Beautiful coward” he assured, “I will protect you.”
To which I countered, “Lets leave so you won’t have to.”
Either he thought me not serious, or just didn’t care,
He found a broken pane and let himself in there.
I remained outside until the place began to glow.
Then I stood transfixed until I heard him bellow.
Instincts drove me from the scene of the attack,
Until a woman’s shriek caused me to look back.
Alive was the thicket, it enveloped that hut,
Obstructing all access; every escape route was shut.
I could hear him weep from within nature’s jail.
In the distance a banshee continued to wail.
Her desperate cries, a paralyzing sound.
I covered my ears and fell to the ground.
A minute, an hour, or maybe almost a day,
How long I lay there, I just couldn’t say.
All was quiet when I opened my eyes.
However, that alone was not the surprise.
Cabin 6 in the woods, it was no longer there.
It and its prisoner disappeared into thin air.

Photography: http://fav.me/d8ytgbf

Return to Home

Nature’s Rebellion

We cover her flesh,
Separate her from the sun,
Suffocate her with decor.

Mother Earth rebels,
Creeping up where neglect reigns,
She’s taking her planet back.

In an Alternate Universe…

Just to give you a little back story, last summer my home was robbed in the middle of the night by two men while my family and I slept. They literally stole everything of value from the main floor of my house. The culprits, dangerous men as it turns out, have since been apprehended. However, the judicial phase has been long and frustrating. Trial for the 2nd defendant, a master of stall tactics, won’t even begin until around the 1 year anniversary of the home invasion. I’ve always wanted to be a superhero, living by my own set of rules in an alternate universe somewhere. We wouldn’t have been forced to spend so much time wading through piles of verbal excrement if I was…

Parasite,
Con man, thief, perjurer,
You revel in your duties as a
Depraved sycophant of the diabolical.
You can’t hide beneath this cloak of lies.
My Lasso of Truth will
Expose you!

Oh, and yes, that is me in the above picture.

Record Store Day ~ The Rev Charles Way

Founded by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner in 2007, Record Store Day (RSD) was established as a way to honor the culture of the independently owned record store. It is now celebrated internationally on the third Saturday of April each year. In 2014, that day was April 19th, and what a day it was.

April weather in Michigan is unpredictable at best. Record Store Day 2013 brought us snow. RSD 2014, however, was a gloriously sunny 65^oF. Whatever the temperature, RSD is the first day of my favorite season, the festival season. From now through the month of October, the downtown Grand Rapids area is alive with music, art, dance and film. There is inspiration around every corner. I live for this time of year. It got kicked off in fabulous style on Saturday, thanks to my friend, Reverend Charles Preston Smith.

Charles, frontman for the popular local band, PotatoeBabies, started the tradition of live Record Store Day music at Dodds Record Shop. The first year he walked into the store unannounced and asked the owner where he could plug-in his amp. Here is a photo of the PotatoeBabies’ inaugural RSD performance at Dodds:

In 2013, Charles bought that record shop. In addition to headlining PotatoeBabies, on top of being on the forefront of the GR local music scene, and in spite of a regular day job, he welcomed a massive undertaking in restoring Dodds to its former glory. After 30 years in the same location, Dodds’ inventory had become overwhelming. It has taken months to reopen aisles and clear space for a stage. Thanks to Charles’ dedication, no longer is Dodds a cluttered collection of forgotten treasures. It is a museum of music history, all genres in all formats for all ages. In addition to the preservation of music history, Dodds will be known for parties and even weddings. One lucky couple was married there, by Charles himself, just a few weeks ago. Cool.

With him at the helm, Record Store Day 2014 was the biggest and best yet. Not only did bands perform on the street outside, but there was also a lineup of bands inside. I don’t know if you know this, but being insulated by tens of thousands of records does amazing things for a building’s acoustics. I’ve seen the band Bitters play at least a dozen times. They never sounded better than they did this past Saturday. I can’t get over how much fun my husband and I had with our son that day.

Of course, the weather was irresistible so if indoors wasn’t your thing, the music was flowing out on the sidewalk as well.

If this has got you feeling a little nostalgic and craving some vinyl, go see my friend Charles at Dodds Record Shop. Charles has invested countless hours, and his own blood, sweat, and tears into refashioning the downtown Grand Rapids icon into something special and unique. Hear the story of Dodds’ revival straight from his mouth and make an appearance on the 24/7 VinylCam while you’re at it. Learn more about his efforts here:

A new era for Dodds Records: http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/011614doddsrecords.aspx

Heartside record shop to showcase memories: http://therapidian.org/placematters-heartside-record-shop-showcase-memories

Dodds Record Shop, Record Store Day 2014 lineup:

And now I look forward to Festival of the Arts 2014, a weekend long celebration in the streets of downtown Grand Rapids where we appreciate food, friends, art, dance, music, and of course, Rev Charles Preston Smith and the PotatoeBabies. Look for an article on that event coming this June.

Whatever you celebrate…

Whatever you celebrate today, Easter, cannabis appreciation (aka Sunday-Funday), a day of rest, a family day, or just an excuse for candy and a hearty dinner, may it be filled with love, life, and color.

And remember… Easter is the only time of the year when it’s perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket. ~Kurt Avish

Even if today is just another Sunday to you, why not do something today to brighten someone’s day? Share your candy, pay for the next guy’s coffee, or just grace a stranger with a broad smile. That stuff is contagious you know.