Allison, I’m a longtime fan from way back and just recently discovered you were on Substack. (We were both born in Mobile!) I’m thrilled to follow you here and to learn that you have new music coming soon. I look forward to the release whenever that is, and I will certainly be covering it in my music podcast/newsletter which I also run here on Substack.
I am so ready to heal with the Arts again. It's been a long year , in survival mode for years. I'm so ready to create my dream life , and certainly, this is the kind of life that is soothing and pleasing to me too. I feel like I can breathe , at least for today.
Allison: I am glad to read that you are feeling more on solid ground. Safer, embracing your artistic side. You are an artist in your soul and the painting is another way to express yourself. For as Mr John Lee Hooker said in his song "Boogie Chillen", "it's in him (her, in your case) and its got to come out. I identify as a musician. That God put me on Earth to create music, however, the only place that I am 100% in the moment is when I'm playing golf. I am driven to play golf. I often do not have fun playing it but it is the one place where for a couple of hours, nothing else even enters my head. I'm glad to hear you sound so solid in this post. As always with lots of love.
Damn! Grateful for these words, at this moment in time. Thank you. (Seriously, there are a minimum of five quotes and deep dives you have bequeathed and bestowed upon this healing Soul ... i love you ... and appreciate the green pastures and ALL. GUSH!! 💜🙏🏼✌🏼)
Glad things are settling for you and that art is helping you find clarity. I know creative work has literally kept me alive… love how it requires us to let go and trust.
Look forward to your new music!
PS Ive watched the Jason Isbell documentary 3 times …have loved his music for many years now, but after seeing the film, am just amazed by the depth of his talent. Respect his mixture of radical honesty and humility… 🎨🎸Anyway it’s late and I’m rambling, after watching the film again. Can also relate bc I’m in recovery too and know how hard it can be sometimes.
Hello Ms Allison, those ole nasty defense mechanisms that one has to use while dealing and living with crazy? What is sad, is when you are finally with sane folks and one of those ole nasty things come from no where and you realize you are now the "sick one" using defense mechanisms that you no longer need to use, and getting the side eye for using it.🤪 God Bless You lady! you are a blessing
Your latest creation just stopped me in my tracks this morning. It’s so beautiful!
The boys high school in England which I went to, frowned upon the creative but we were allowed to study art in our own time and I even managed to pass my art exam. Your latest piece reminded me of an assignment our art teacher gave us. We had to choose one water-colour and paint parallel vertical stripes with it and see how many different tones we could produce with that one colour. Then underneath we had to repeat the exercise but could blend in a second colour.
He told us that an artist shows really maturity, perhaps a strange word,m to use, when they start to understand the depth of variation within a single colour. I chose green and then blue. The variety of tone is infinite.
Even today when I look at vegetation in a garden or in the wild, I remember his words and that exercise. Once again, your written meditation and creation trigged a pleasant memory.
Thank you. Gay. Effort is exhausting. Some days even to walk. Caring 24/7 for my third Senior Dog who's ailing. Haircuts, hot showers, sleep near impossible. My 93 yr old Mama is slipping...little steps seem impossible some days. Home life is not what I wished it would be. They all seem like huge steps. New therapist and exhaustion after each heart wrenching session...but thank you.
Bless your heart, Gay. I know we all have been through so much. I'm sorry to Allison, you and everyone else that I used this forum that way. But it feels like family. Your words are not lost on me. I'm truly touched by your perceptive concern.
I love this -- and I have noticed your affinity for the Hamsa. Over Christmas, Susan tied a red cord around my left wrist; it is anchored by a black and silver enamel hamsa, the first I've had since the gold one of my childhood. But green: this is beautiful.
Your post brought me to tears this morning. Every word resonated with my own life and growth. I love that you are writing and expressing and growing so we can perhaps grow along with you. The part about praying for your family really hit me. I pray for my family every night and your words are so succinct with how I’ve been praying. It just blew me away. I love that feeling when we are absorbed in someone’s writing and it catches us on so many levels of understanding. I so appreciate you Allison for putting yourself out there in the world with vulnerability, honesty, truth and sweetness. I hope Brene Brown reads your posts. She would love you. I love your green Hamsa!
Family prayers. Yes that certainly brings back memories. The dog, the rabbit and the goldfish were always included. I still pray today for family and friends. Perhaps I pray too much for myself these days though. I always have the lyrics from one of Dylan’s songs (When You Gonna Wake Up), “Do you think he’s just an errand-boy to satisfy your wandering desires” in my head when I think about it. Those childhood prayers were full of innocence and hope. I am told however that praying like a child is not wrong 🌞
Allison, Your artwork is as intricate and sincere as your music and writing. I hope it continues to keep you grounded, and in a more peaceful frame of mine. I know the little mandala on my night table does that for me. Thank you again!!
" — I don’t seem to need to stew as much as I did a month ago." Yeah, I've noticed that over the past 6 years. S media offers many triggering events (Trump, truth, guns etc) I don't get sucked in as deep. I wanna participate and interact but w more balance rather than pure venting.
I can absolutely see past it, just like y’all see past my typos and misses.
Allison, I’m a longtime fan from way back and just recently discovered you were on Substack. (We were both born in Mobile!) I’m thrilled to follow you here and to learn that you have new music coming soon. I look forward to the release whenever that is, and I will certainly be covering it in my music podcast/newsletter which I also run here on Substack.
Hi, fellow Alabamian and more specifically, Mobilian!
I am so ready to heal with the Arts again. It's been a long year , in survival mode for years. I'm so ready to create my dream life , and certainly, this is the kind of life that is soothing and pleasing to me too. I feel like I can breathe , at least for today.
A deep, soothing breath to you, Kimberly.
Allison: I am glad to read that you are feeling more on solid ground. Safer, embracing your artistic side. You are an artist in your soul and the painting is another way to express yourself. For as Mr John Lee Hooker said in his song "Boogie Chillen", "it's in him (her, in your case) and its got to come out. I identify as a musician. That God put me on Earth to create music, however, the only place that I am 100% in the moment is when I'm playing golf. I am driven to play golf. I often do not have fun playing it but it is the one place where for a couple of hours, nothing else even enters my head. I'm glad to hear you sound so solid in this post. As always with lots of love.
Thanks Kenny
❤️
Damn! Grateful for these words, at this moment in time. Thank you. (Seriously, there are a minimum of five quotes and deep dives you have bequeathed and bestowed upon this healing Soul ... i love you ... and appreciate the green pastures and ALL. GUSH!! 💜🙏🏼✌🏼)
Thank you, Erinn.
Glad things are settling for you and that art is helping you find clarity. I know creative work has literally kept me alive… love how it requires us to let go and trust.
Look forward to your new music!
PS Ive watched the Jason Isbell documentary 3 times …have loved his music for many years now, but after seeing the film, am just amazed by the depth of his talent. Respect his mixture of radical honesty and humility… 🎨🎸Anyway it’s late and I’m rambling, after watching the film again. Can also relate bc I’m in recovery too and know how hard it can be sometimes.
Take care Allison💜
So true - it does require us to let go. When we are new at something it is especially true! Exhilaration……
Hello Ms Allison, those ole nasty defense mechanisms that one has to use while dealing and living with crazy? What is sad, is when you are finally with sane folks and one of those ole nasty things come from no where and you realize you are now the "sick one" using defense mechanisms that you no longer need to use, and getting the side eye for using it.🤪 God Bless You lady! you are a blessing
I have no idea what you mean 😂😜🤪
Your latest creation just stopped me in my tracks this morning. It’s so beautiful!
The boys high school in England which I went to, frowned upon the creative but we were allowed to study art in our own time and I even managed to pass my art exam. Your latest piece reminded me of an assignment our art teacher gave us. We had to choose one water-colour and paint parallel vertical stripes with it and see how many different tones we could produce with that one colour. Then underneath we had to repeat the exercise but could blend in a second colour.
He told us that an artist shows really maturity, perhaps a strange word,m to use, when they start to understand the depth of variation within a single colour. I chose green and then blue. The variety of tone is infinite.
Even today when I look at vegetation in a garden or in the wild, I remember his words and that exercise. Once again, your written meditation and creation trigged a pleasant memory.
Px❤️
Thank you, Peter.
It appears I'm woefully behind all of you. Covid has kept me out of the water.
Isolation and gravity does the rest.
Not good.
JB
Thank you. Gay. Effort is exhausting. Some days even to walk. Caring 24/7 for my third Senior Dog who's ailing. Haircuts, hot showers, sleep near impossible. My 93 yr old Mama is slipping...little steps seem impossible some days. Home life is not what I wished it would be. They all seem like huge steps. New therapist and exhaustion after each heart wrenching session...but thank you.
I can't see your pic.
Bless your heart, Gay. I know we all have been through so much. I'm sorry to Allison, you and everyone else that I used this forum that way. But it feels like family. Your words are not lost on me. I'm truly touched by your perceptive concern.
I'm trying.
"I'm the same old story, same old act
One step up and two steps back." -BS-
I wouldn't break protocol without an ok from Allison.
I would be happy to do it over Facebook messenger.
But not without her blessings.
If she says it's ok, you can get my name from her and message me on Facebook.
I have such ENORMOUS respect for Allison. That's the only reason.
I've thought the same thing. And you were the one I wanted to communicate with.
Again, bless your heart.
JB
There's A LOT of Gay Harris'
What does it say with your name on your profile pic on FB
Are you on Facebook Messenger?
Hang in there JB.
I'm trying. I really am.
"Life is about doing the simple things,
like getting out of bed in the morning,
putting your feet on the floor,
and moving along by putting
one foot in front of the other.
Then just do what your body
and mind tell you is right to do.
The rest of the day is easy. " - MRVERITAS.SUBSTACK.COM
🤍
"In the last days
some will depart from the faith,
and follow spirits of evil and the agenda of devils.
They will speak lies, practice hypocrisy
and deny their conscience.
They will corrupt marriage,
abstain from meats, which God created
to be received with thanksgiving
by the faithful and by those who seek truth.
Everything God created is good
and should be received with thanksgiving.
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
And nothing but evil should be rejected." - MRVERITAS.SUBSTACK.COM
I love this -- and I have noticed your affinity for the Hamsa. Over Christmas, Susan tied a red cord around my left wrist; it is anchored by a black and silver enamel hamsa, the first I've had since the gold one of my childhood. But green: this is beautiful.
Thank you, sweet Elissa.
Your post brought me to tears this morning. Every word resonated with my own life and growth. I love that you are writing and expressing and growing so we can perhaps grow along with you. The part about praying for your family really hit me. I pray for my family every night and your words are so succinct with how I’ve been praying. It just blew me away. I love that feeling when we are absorbed in someone’s writing and it catches us on so many levels of understanding. I so appreciate you Allison for putting yourself out there in the world with vulnerability, honesty, truth and sweetness. I hope Brene Brown reads your posts. She would love you. I love your green Hamsa!
Family prayers. Yes that certainly brings back memories. The dog, the rabbit and the goldfish were always included. I still pray today for family and friends. Perhaps I pray too much for myself these days though. I always have the lyrics from one of Dylan’s songs (When You Gonna Wake Up), “Do you think he’s just an errand-boy to satisfy your wandering desires” in my head when I think about it. Those childhood prayers were full of innocence and hope. I am told however that praying like a child is not wrong 🌞
I don’t think any earnest prayer is wrong. 🌞
Allison, Your artwork is as intricate and sincere as your music and writing. I hope it continues to keep you grounded, and in a more peaceful frame of mine. I know the little mandala on my night table does that for me. Thank you again!!
Thank you, Alice.
Using less words works well and I'm so glad you're doing art again I look forward to seeing your art it's amazing
✌ and heart ♥,
Sal
" — I don’t seem to need to stew as much as I did a month ago." Yeah, I've noticed that over the past 6 years. S media offers many triggering events (Trump, truth, guns etc) I don't get sucked in as deep. I wanna participate and interact but w more balance rather than pure venting.