new year

Enter 2016

Ahhh... here we are. Into the New Year, new beginnings, new ideas, new designs and into getting better at something or into getting better at ourselves. Am I right? Are you reading this and feeling better about YOURself, six days in, have you made any changes? Maybe the fact that so many of us ARE trying to work on ourselves, it is easier to harness the power that we need? Am I wishful thinking? It was from Emoto's water experiments that I learned about these monks who gathered around a small body of water, holding hands, sending positive vibrations and Love into the water, to heal the eco-system within and it DID come back to life!  That idea of many folks working on something together, releasing "strength rays" might just be what is going on at the start of the New Year, far and wide!!  

My_Mama_and_Aunties_in_the_60's_gig_poster

My_Mama_and_Aunties_in_the_60's_gig_poster

 There's something new for me! I am playing at one of the funkiest little venues in Bern next week. I did a few house concerts over the past while, which I LOVE to do, but sometimes you gotta get down and dirty in a vibey city venue! I have been going to Café Kairo on and off over the past few years. They have the best Open Mic in Bern, for sure, and I am STOKED to hear some new music next Monday, as well as singing my own set after, so if, by chance you are reading this and you are in der Schweiz, come on out, eh?? Getting back to new-ness....Yes, that! We were at a NYE party, a quaint and cozy one, spent with wood-fired pizza, children, red wine and music. It was a beautiful evening spent on the Lake of Zurich. Nearing the end of the evening, or should I say morning (ahem) we played a little game, one that was new to me. Molybdomancy is a form of "telling the future" by melting lead shapes and tossing the melted metal into cold water; whatever shape comes out of the water is supposed to give you a sign of what is to come in the New Year. We all sat around with our shapes and expressed what we might like to see in this year of 2016.

My_lead_future_shapes

My_lead_future_shapes

What do you see? I posted this photo on my personal Facebook page and received some very interesting ideas, which just remind me that everyone looks at everything in their own way, we are all individuals! These shapes are both mine and my husbands, and I thought it impressive that we had such similar forms. A good start to the New Year, whatever the case! As we were dreaming up new visions for 2016, I thought the most important thing to do for myself is to eat healthier and to drop the junk food. Not sure I will be able to do it, but I will try, darn it! My great-Grandfather, Dominion Botanist, Dr. Hans T. Güssow, (A doctor of flowers! He once came up with the cure for wheat disease, in Canada) Well, once upon a time.. He said EVERYTHING IN MODERATION! With hopes that one day I will actually live by that rule, I am doing my best, for now!

My_great_grandparents_in_Victoria_in_the_1940's

My_great_grandparents_in_Victoria_in_the_1940's

The history before me is epic and I just wish that I could go back in time and ask some of my ancestors questions, even just hearing the voices of those before me.. I wonder what they sounded like, my Great Grandparents... I wonder who sang? Someone must have. Ahhh, sweet music running through the blood of those before me and I became blessed with it. Lucky me.

p.s My new record made TOP 50 ALBUMS of 2015, according to CKCU, a fabulous radio station out of Ottawa, Ontario, Lucky me, indeed!

On the Verge of 2016

What have you done in the past year? Seemingly many are looking at their year, questioning themselves if they have done enough, done well, done better, etc, etc. Have no regrets though, regrets are just things you haven't done yet! At any time you can shape life in whatever way you would like. Yes, you will be thrown a "curve ball" -something that is unexpected, surprising or disruptive-  from time to time, but you can maneuver around it or take it and run! Life is YOURS, and what a wonder it is. Some days are DIP days, but there is so much out there to give you hope, to give you inspiration, to give you joy. DIP days are inevitable, there is so much pain, so much ignorance, so much emptiness, how could we not suffer from time to time? But look at THIS! I came across some Nature Magic the other day and discovering something beautiful and new always puts a smile on my face.

Wisps_of_ice_wrapped_around_a_branch

Wisps_of_ice_wrapped_around_a_branch

Nature's_wonder_in_ice_art_form

Nature's_wonder_in_ice_art_form

Lovely_frozen_fibers_of_water_wrap_around_a_branch

Lovely_frozen_fibers_of_water_wrap_around_a_branch

Fascinating, aren't they? All of these shots, were taken with an Iphone4. I am amazed at how great they turned out, but this is nature folks, and FREE entertainment, all you have to do is venture outside into the woods. Hoping to find out what these are, and how they are made, I went on over to Wikipedia and found "Hair Ice." Certainly I had never seen anything like it, but there you go, learning something new every day.  Mostly,  I try to learn a new word every day. My husband comes from Switzerland and they speak Swiss-German. If you speak German, you will not understand Schweizer Deutsch. Actually, some Swiss folks can't even understand what their Swiss German speaking neighbours are saying because of the different dialects. It sure gets confusing! Yesterday, I learned a new word, "Abenteuer"... which is actually the same in Hoch Deutsch or High German. Sometimes they do use the same words.

Mount_Pilatus_on_Lake_Luzern_in_sunshine

Mount_Pilatus_on_Lake_Luzern_in_sunshine

  Switzerland is pretty beautiful but so is Canada. I think the best thing I did in 2015 was to tour across Canada in the Summer. We drove from Wakefield, Quebec to Vancouver, Island and back. I could (and SHOULD) dedicate an entire blog about that journey, there are so many photos and memories to share! I will never forget that epic Abenteur!! I toured my newest record "Chameleon" over the course of eight weeks. It was pretty incredible, and every kilometer was driven in a 1997 Toyota Tercel. We call her "White Pearl" or "Perla" for short. If one this is for sure, you can do it too. There are inexpensive ways to make it happen, too. When we weren't "put up* by a venue, we pitched a tent. The costs vary, but are anywhere between 18$-30$ a night. So. Totally. Worth. It!!! Pork chops over an open fire and cards by candle-light... ahhh... the memories.

Lindsay_and_Doug_in_Catherdral_Grove

Lindsay_and_Doug_in_Catherdral_Grove

Lately, I have taken to PODCASTING. I try to post one or two a week. Here is my latest one, should you like a LISTEN??

I wonder what 2016 will bring?? Let's make it awesome!!! 

Happy New Year,

Love, Lindsay xoxo