My Sunday List
March 09, 2025
Words
“To live as an artist is a way of being in the world. A way of perceiving. A practice of paying attention.” —Rick Rubin, The Creative Act, A Way of Being
Music
I visited with John Henry this weekend and he was listening to the second movement of Schubert’s Trio in B flat a lot. I’ve heard him latch onto Nirvana as well, but he seems to appreciate a soothing tone and a beautiful melody. I wonder where he gets it?
And a reminder about my event with Natalie Hemby on this coming Saturday, March 15 — I’ll be in conversation with her as host of our Poets & Prophets series, which features legendary songwriters. Natalie is certainly that. She’ll play some songs and we’ll talk about her career during what’s sure to be a thrilling ninety minutes for me. Get more info here.
What I’ve Been Writing About
I didn’t write that much outside of my museum work this week. It was busy (rarely is it not) and I just didn’t get a chance to sit down with my own thoughts too often, much less concentrate on any literary heavy lifting. I feel fortunate that I get to do all kinds of writing, from biographical timelines and public programs to the panels that accompany our exhibits. It keeps me on my toes but I also enjoy it. Stretching in different directions keeps all of the sets of muscles in shape. The danger in writing memoir or other non-fiction, for me, is getting too used to my own style of expression. Some assignments are for reporting, some are for opinion. Anything that comes from my own life will always be slanted—these days I like to spend time in the other lane too.
Book
Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast.
Misogyny aside, Hemingway is a desert island writer. Is it cliché to say that? If so, I’ll remind myself that clichés are clichés for a reason. Apologies to Gelhorn.
I’m almost to the end. And I don’t want to get to it. There’s such youthful romance in this book—Paris in the 1920s, Gertrude Stein and her strangeness, Fitzgerald, Shakespeare & Co., and Hadley, Hem’s first wife. It takes me there so well I can almost smell the whiskey and wine.
Gratitude
airplanes. girl scout cookies. good doctors. vaccinations. dependable people. artists. my family. my friends. love.
The way you do anything is the way you do everything.
Why Don’t You…
(apologies to Ms. Vreeland, of course).
figure out the way you want to do things?
take a vacation somewhere in your home state?
let your lawn grow long and plant pollinators for the bees and butterflies? Native grasses too. I think this is the year for me.
cut your fingernails short and paint them red?
What I made.
An effort.
Favorite photo of the week
What brought me joy
seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
my son.
jobs well done.
integrity on display.
Prayer
Thank you, Great Spirit, for the life you give me every day. Thank you for the blessing of my son, my sister, my family both biological and chosen. Thank you for the blessing of this experience, even when it seems like the hard times are too hard and too many. I know I must walk through periods of difficulty in order to learn what I need to learn until I transmute the lessons and see that every encounter with my woundedness is an opportunity to address it, not to try to numb the pain. That process is ongoing and will never ease until I die if I do my proper work as a spiritual being. If I keep my eyes on you, I can see it all as a blessing. None of us gets to have a life of no hardship. Struggle exists for a reason. If you cut open a chrysalis in order to help the butterfly out and ease its struggle, it will not build the strength it needs to fly.
Humble me and lift me out of my pit. Send me the tests I need to remind me to choose the path that leads my soul home and to turn to you with every breath. Please strengthen my faith so I might hand all matters over to you and the wisdom to know you will work miracles in me through whatever you place in my blessed path. Remind me my choices determine my experiences and my lessons can come through positive ones rather than the opposite.
Allow me to gracefully release what is not meant for me and to hold tightly and lovingly to what is. Allow me to be open to change every day as you remind me it is the only constant besides you. Allow me to repair what is broken. Allow me awareness of my dissociative tendencies and keep me present so I may make choices that reflect the life I desire. Allow me clarity, focus, and courage. Allow me to rise to my highest vibration each day and spread truth and beauty wherever I go. May I learn how to truly forgive. With deep gratitude I pray that your will, and not mine, shall be done.
Intention for the week to come
May I be present and fully inhabit my mind, spirit, and physical body.
May I walk through the world with an open heart and without judgment.
May I be curious and ask questions before I decide.
May I breathe peace in, and breathe love out.
May I be humble and see myself clearly so I may accept my limitations while working to lovingly decrease them. May my progress be reflected through my actions, seen and unseen.
May I have the self-possession and grace to meet others with the kindness and acceptance I desire for myself.
May I find the flexibility in myself to gracefully accept the imperfections of life and not take inconveniences personally.
May I think before I speak.
May I think MORE than I speak.
May I first do no harm.
May I be grateful for what I have and may I not seek more for my selfish gain.
May I allow myself to trust but may I also always use my discernment.
May I have CLARITY and find a way to be CALM about it.
May I be patient.
May my vibration resonate in harmony with the universe.
May I remember it isn’t about me.
May I do good work.
May I have optimism and positive thoughts.
May I be open to what the Great Spirit knows is for me, and may I walk my path accordingly by remembering I can only take it one step at a time.
May I LAUGH MY ASS OFF.
Something special:
On Tuesday, March 4, the American Currents exhibit opened at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
From the CMHofF site: “This annual exhibit offers a broad look at country music and its place in American culture over the past year, exploring musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events. The latest installment, which will be open through January 2026, features music and moments from cozy clubs to arena rafters.”
I’m so happy that my sister is included in this year’s class. And no, it wasn’t my idea to put her in it! I certainly wholeheartedly agreed with her inclusion, however, as she is one of my very favorite artists that has ever breathed air. Her case in the museum is wonderfully put together and features her famous Shelvis guitar strap (y’all might know I named her that over thirty years ago), a sketch of the outfit she wore to the Grammys the year she won Best New Artist, her 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from The Americana Music Association, and our father’s 1960s Fender Mustang Bass, on which we both learned to play, and on which she recorded all the bass parts for her latest album, Consequences Of The Crown.
I whispered to it when I first saw it, “Well, you got in here, Daddy. Not the way you wanted, but I trust you see it all clearly now.”
Congratulations and all my love to Shelby. I’m so proud of her.
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Buddha
DO NOT EVER LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN.
Something I’m thinking about
How to live for today but plan like I’m going to live to be ninety-nine.
Wishes
That we all are and will be well.
That we all are loved.
That we all put our pasts behind us every minute.
That we all have a glorious and fulfilling week.
That everyone who reads this will feel peace in at least some small way.
That you will forward this to one person you think might like it.
Have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous week. And thank you for supporting my work here at The Autotelic.
Peace. Love.
Allison
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let's pretend Rick Rubin is a cousin...my dad used to joke as it was becomming clear I was going to remain not like everyone else that Rick was a long lost cuz....let's say it's true so we can make sure we get to witness more great art from that inspiring oke....cousin lol....thanks Allison ey all be well as can be meow
Seems odd to leave a comment to someone I don’t know, but I wanted you to know how I find your weekly posts centering. I’m so pleased I became a paid subscriber… remember you never know what your impact you may have on others. Thank you ✨❤️🙏