I was just sitting here learning a Dave Carter song when I got up to get a drink of water and thought of my preparations in packing for this tour. When I unpacked my summer bags just two weeks ago I put away not one long sleeve shirt. But I realize now upon planning my supplies that the weather will shift as I climb in latitude and with the approaching autumn.

My head is buzzing with Dave's words and I feel lighter in my body - "And the day shone bright and rounder 'till the one turned into two / And the two into ten thousand and old things into new / And on some virgin beachhead some lonesome critter crawled / And he looked about and shouted out in his most astonished drawl / This is my home…" Gentle Arms of Eden on Drum Hat Buddha.

Sometimes there's a joy that expresses itself with tears, other times with energy and passion for activities. Then again it finds expression directed toward the ones we love. But this time, while learning to sing these words I felt the welling up inside. Just for kicks I held it in to see what would happen. My body felt like a bubble stretched with something so good I cannot describe. Then it subsided. What remained was a suffusion of where it had been. I felt my cup grow. As it did not overflow I found I was able to contain more.

The fall is coming and I'm going out again for three weeks on the road. But that's October and I have not been there yet. September is a story unto itself. My CD is done. Avenue of the Saints is at Oasis CD Manufacturing getting made. Maybe it's the relief I feel knowing this process has ended and I can move on. I'm very proud of it and I think everyone is going to love it. My passion of the last three years has come to fruition.

I think autumn itself makes people giddy. All that energy returning to the ground leaves folks feeling all their colors. We feel lighter as the air grows thinner and crisp. It's the quickening in our instincts of necessity to put away food and fuel that gives us extra energy to get this work done.

And all this talk of war pisses me off. I mostly just tune it out until sometime I'm sure I'm just going to blow a gasket and write something scathing. Until then I'll just observe and try and focus on the beautiful things that really matter. Unpatriotic? I don't think so. I understand patriotism not to be confused with nationalism. Patriotism is love of the land that we live on, and as this land is our country then so be it, but all this political crap is all just fear, fear, fear. Who needs it anyway?

In McCook, Nebraska on Friday September 6th, I played at the Bieroc Café. A year earlier I had told the baker/owner Matt Sehnert about a Spinach-Walnut loaf I used to make at my bakery in Vermont. Upon arriving this year Matt handed me a loaf of bread with a label that read "Troubadour Bread" with a story about its inspiration. Matt managed to recreate that recipe from my telling of it and named it after my trade. It was in fact delicious and I was both dumbfounded and honored. Thanks Matt!

This month there were lovely concerts in grand theaters in Endicott, and Oswego New York. There was the incredible Tosco Music party in the McGlohon Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina. Close to twenty performers did one or two songs apiece. It was a blast, a first rate, and eclectic, entertaining show for all. Thanks John Tosco! But this September, most of all there was time at home. Time to reconnect with Asheville. I've been soaking it up like a sponge, the sessions, dances and people, mostly because I'm so aware of my impending departure.

So now I'm getting ready to go. If you're anywhere around the Midwest and Colorado come out to see a show. In fact this Thursday I'll be driving down the Avenue of the Saints again on my way from Wisconsin to Kansas. That's home too in a way.

Come and say hello. 
Love, Dana