Emerging from my dark cave, blinking, I think I’m ready to rejoin the world. What happened? Oh, right—the sciatica I mentioned back in July turned into a full-on crisis. I spent most of August flat on my back, swallowing a pile of pills I didn’t even enjoy. Sure, they mostly took the pain away, but I remain baffled by the label warning of “potential addiction.” Where’s the appeal?
So yeah, my summer was a bust. I missed everything, the beach, the festival, all the gatherings, the market, even the fall fair.
It’s called “a journey.” I like that. It suggests there’s an end in sight (and I do see a light at the end of this tunnel). I’m not sorry I went through it, though I regret losing August in an opioid haze I didn’t recognize until I was out of it. The good news: it kindled my fire. I’ve committed to my exercises, and I’m seeing a chiropractor (shoutout to Carmen! shoutout to Brad! We are so lucky here). I’m mostly vertical again. I still can’t walk far or fast, but I can ride my bike!
Now you’re caught up on my summer. I hope yours was way more fun, full of basking, swimming, and celebrating. Imagining you all out there having a good time helped me get through those cave-bound weeks. And now here we are, moving into Fall, and so much has changed. We have a (misnamed) Thatch, with live music, though I still haven’t been. My friend Luke Blue Guthrie played last Friday. I stayed home, because limits, but I know it must have been amazing because he is.
I did make it out to Tony Wilson’s “No Horses” festival Saturday night. Sitting that long wasn’t easy, but wow. So worth it! The first set was wonderful, but Scott Smith’s Adventures in Steel with Paul Pigat and their killer band made up for everything I’d missed. By the end, my face was frozen into a wide grin of astonished bliss. It might’ve been my long dry spell in the dark, but that night, my mind melted into a puddle of pure joy. If you were there, lucky you. Wow.
Another big change: we now have an Arts Centre! It’s happened at last. I’ve written a lot in this column about how great I imagined it would be, and how good it will be for the community over winter. I’ve missed all the opening events, but I’m very excited about the Fall programs I’m hosting.
Denman songwriters, take note: starting October 10th, every Friday at 7pm, I’ll be hosting a Songwriter Circle with Tony Law and John Humphreys. Original song creators at all levels are welcome. Fridays were chosen so Denman folks can join too. I used to be involved in circles in Nanaimo and the Comox Valley, and I’ve missed them here. Songwriters are a naturally introverted lot and we don’t have a lot of opportunities to share songs, at least not here on Hornby. This will change that.
We’ll be listed in the Tribune calendar, with posters going up soon, maybe even a website. I’ll also talk it up on my Songwriter Circle radio show, where I feature all-local, all-original music every Sunday afternoon, 1–3pm (96.5 FM CHFR). I’ve missed doing that all summer, too, but I plan to return next Sunday, woot!
Our Ecstatic Dance group will also meet at the Centre. I might be doing more floor-dancing than upright-dancing, but yeah, every little bit counts. If you’re interested in ecstatic dance and want to try the sprung dance floor, email me at phoenixonhornby@gmail.com to get on the list. Both events are drop-in and by donation to the Arts Centre.
That’s quite enough for now. I’m very glad to be back (I think I am? I feel like I am…am I?). It’s been a long, dark summer. I’d love to hear from you! Send feedback to phoenixonhornby@gmail.com.
Happy Fall!
