Happy birthday! And thank you! Thank you for taking me back, for I, too, “grew up in the lower foothills of the Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. We were perched at a slight elevation, atop a hill—the sparkling town below, the bulky mountains behind.” The freedom of that place and time is something I miss and missed for my own children. Reading your post, I was there again on a cool November morning. Thank you!
Oh wow — how special that you grew up there, too! So you totally get it. There was a magic in that place and in those earlier eras; that sense of freedom was palpable. Thanks for chiming in here, Julia :)
I've been thinking a lot lately about woodsmoke, as the entire village is full of it now, more than 300 homes all burning logs for warmth and ambience (even if they wouldn't call it that). So many more years to go, enjoy every one of them!
Thank you, Cheryl! Yes, I can imagine your lovely valley filled with woodsmoke — and even though fires are yes, practical, the ambience is important, too! For me, it's as much about setting the tone and creating a cozy and comforting space as it is about warmth.
As always, your special brand of magic produces the exact fusion of memory, nostalgia, and healing - exactly when I needed to hear it - as I, too, contemplate the loss of a parent (over a decade, now).
There is so much about your gentle ways and talent that would make your father's proud, but the grace you spread with your music is a remarkable gift.
Thank you so much, hw. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. I'm sorry for your loss — and while a decade may seem a long time to some, the distance between now and the death of a parent never really grows. It's always just...there. Wishing you all the best.
Happy Birthday, Matt - what a delightful piece to listen to when a gentle fire and warm blanket are all that's important! Weirdly, my next article (publishing tomorrow) also features woodsmoke! Now, every time I make that dish in the future, I shall think of this piece as it gently massages my ears!
Jack, as usual, you really understood the assignment - I might need to add a disclaimer to this one that says "gentle fire and warm blanket" required. Excited for your woodsmoke recipe! Thanks for listening, and for the birthday wishes!
That's such a sweet letter, so personal yet so universal. Thank you for bringing us with you on this journey and I wish you an another amazing year around the sun :)
I thought about what you shared, about who you are and have become and not being able to share that with your father. So true for me as a writer. I didn’t start publishing my books until into my 60s so neither of my parents got to see this part of me. My children have andI have one grandchild who tells his friends about his grandma’s books. And this piece you named Wood Smoke truly touches my heart.
Thank you, Ingrid. Yes, sometimes it feels like there are multiple versions of ourselves - those versions of us from the past, who maybe hadn't quite realized who we were, or who we wanted to become. I guess it takes time (and trial and error!) to know who we are or what we want. But it's wonderful to hear that your children and grandchildren have the opportunity to see the You that you've become!
What a fantastic letter pal. Our childhoods were somewhat similar in that I loved to explore the local forests and beaches with friends but world’s apart in that the size of the area I could explore was quite small compared to yours 😂 but this resonates a lot. Thank you for writing this. I don’t know your Dad of course but I’m sure he would have been so proud.
Thanks, Heather! I did have a great birthday, in large part thanks to the kindness and generosity of folks right here in this comment section. Really appreciate you listening.
So beautiful ❤️
Thanks so much for listening!
Happy birthday! And thank you! Thank you for taking me back, for I, too, “grew up in the lower foothills of the Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. We were perched at a slight elevation, atop a hill—the sparkling town below, the bulky mountains behind.” The freedom of that place and time is something I miss and missed for my own children. Reading your post, I was there again on a cool November morning. Thank you!
Oh wow — how special that you grew up there, too! So you totally get it. There was a magic in that place and in those earlier eras; that sense of freedom was palpable. Thanks for chiming in here, Julia :)
I've been thinking a lot lately about woodsmoke, as the entire village is full of it now, more than 300 homes all burning logs for warmth and ambience (even if they wouldn't call it that). So many more years to go, enjoy every one of them!
Thank you, Cheryl! Yes, I can imagine your lovely valley filled with woodsmoke — and even though fires are yes, practical, the ambience is important, too! For me, it's as much about setting the tone and creating a cozy and comforting space as it is about warmth.
As always, your special brand of magic produces the exact fusion of memory, nostalgia, and healing - exactly when I needed to hear it - as I, too, contemplate the loss of a parent (over a decade, now).
There is so much about your gentle ways and talent that would make your father's proud, but the grace you spread with your music is a remarkable gift.
Thank you so much, hw. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. I'm sorry for your loss — and while a decade may seem a long time to some, the distance between now and the death of a parent never really grows. It's always just...there. Wishing you all the best.
beautiful ❤️
Thanks so much, Cass
Love it when with 1:22 left you shift down for a bit. Yumm! 🙏 Thank you for sharing such loveliness and for the story to give it context.
Ah thank you, David - I appreciate the close listen!
Really beautiful sentiments, beautifully framed. And what an evocative piece.
Happy Birthday Matt!
You are very kind, Jake — thank you so much for listening, reading, and commenting!
Happy Birthday, Matt - what a delightful piece to listen to when a gentle fire and warm blanket are all that's important! Weirdly, my next article (publishing tomorrow) also features woodsmoke! Now, every time I make that dish in the future, I shall think of this piece as it gently massages my ears!
Jack, as usual, you really understood the assignment - I might need to add a disclaimer to this one that says "gentle fire and warm blanket" required. Excited for your woodsmoke recipe! Thanks for listening, and for the birthday wishes!
I loved reading this piece. And the music is so beautiful. Thank you for all that you put into the world ❤️
Thank you so much, Anna - and thank you for all that you put into the world, too!
Thank you for beautiful music, presence, art. 💗
That's such a sweet letter, so personal yet so universal. Thank you for bringing us with you on this journey and I wish you an another amazing year around the sun :)
Always wonderful to hear from you, Marie-Pier - thank you so much for reading. I hope you are doing well!
I thought about what you shared, about who you are and have become and not being able to share that with your father. So true for me as a writer. I didn’t start publishing my books until into my 60s so neither of my parents got to see this part of me. My children have andI have one grandchild who tells his friends about his grandma’s books. And this piece you named Wood Smoke truly touches my heart.
Thank you, Ingrid. Yes, sometimes it feels like there are multiple versions of ourselves - those versions of us from the past, who maybe hadn't quite realized who we were, or who we wanted to become. I guess it takes time (and trial and error!) to know who we are or what we want. But it's wonderful to hear that your children and grandchildren have the opportunity to see the You that you've become!
What a fantastic letter pal. Our childhoods were somewhat similar in that I loved to explore the local forests and beaches with friends but world’s apart in that the size of the area I could explore was quite small compared to yours 😂 but this resonates a lot. Thank you for writing this. I don’t know your Dad of course but I’m sure he would have been so proud.
And happy birthday man!
That's really nice of you Simon, thanks man. Hope all is well with you in Kyoto, and with the sound walks!
Thank you pal! 🙏 Hope I can give you one one day 🤞
That would be a dream!
Hoping your birthday was as beautiful as your song... 🎶
That is a really, really nice thing to say, Susie - thank you x 10000000
Beautiful song - hope you had a great birthday!
Thanks, Heather! I did have a great birthday, in large part thanks to the kindness and generosity of folks right here in this comment section. Really appreciate you listening.
Lovely song, it really holds a mood!
Thank you! Appreciate you listening