I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from you at the Rodney Crowell Workshop [Aug. 2021]. I thank you again for that experience and teaching. But I REALLY thank you for this, so much. It would be a huge understatement to say this is so like what I've experienced. Your writing here will help me....it just did. And I've always enjoyed following your written 'conversations' with us. All the best to you, and thanks again!
2022 was by far the most difficult year of my life. Significant personal and professional setbacks. A significant loss. Losing myself a bit (a lot) in the process. Feeling completely adrift but unable to even care. (2023 is better, so far, and I've accepted that life and health, both mental and physical, require work. I've begun to put in some of the work, and I've begun to feel real hope again.) I hope you know how meaningful this community you create here and your honesty about what it's like to struggle sometimes are. To see that someone else is traveling an emotional path that feels familiar, even though the things that set us on that path may not be the same. Simply knowing that what we are experiencing is the human condition, and that it's ok, and that there is always going to be a balancing act between the light and the dark that we'll have to navigate is of great comfort. Thank you for being with us, for sharing with us, and for, somehow, always having the right words for us. It helps. Truly.
Also, if you're in the market for book recommendations, I highly recommend Things I Learned From Falling by Claire Nelson. It's really fantastic, and she's a remarkable woman.
Thank you for sharing. I and we have really missed you. I love you so much. You sound great. Your pop up pandemic concerts were a Godsend during the dark period of that time. Much of which is still present. I was afraid that we'd lost you. I hope to be part of your journey in the sense of following this forum. Thank you❤️ Kenny Parker
Whatever you have to say or share is so welcome. I've missed your Instagram posts, Soothing Sunday Soul Songs, and hearing your thoughts. But, I respect the time you needed to take this hiatus for more clarity, introspection, and rediscovery. I've noticed that many people got supersaturated with communicating during the pandemic, and then kind of got burned out.
Your story post about bad grammar had me laughing so hard! I, too, have a real problem with people who don't know how to use "Me and I" correctly in a sentence. Actually, it drives me crazy!! Thank you for commiserating with me about this unfortunate cultural phenomenon. If the time now or never to correct this, I think we're in big trouble...
Oh Allison! I’ve been hoping to see something from you here for so long and now this makes perfect sense.
I can relate on many levels. Thank you for putting it out there.
I missed your set at AmericanaFest in September but hope you’ll return this year. It’s the small venue and sense of community among the artists and listeners that resonates with me, much like the Substack community ;)
We welcome your writing and your honesty, whatever path gets you here.
What you have written is very timely for me. After 44 years of working in the corporate world, I have retired although I am open to part-time projects.
I thought that with all the time I have to spare now, I would be able to just flick the creative switch and concentrate on my guitar playing and song-writing and maybe pick-up on the talent for drawing and painting which I have totally neglected for the past 30 years or so. Unfortunately, I just feel I’ve hit a brick wall of inertia. My mind is occupied with reflection and anxiety about the future. I’ve hardly picked-up my guitar and haven’t sung even to myself since Christmas.
So I’m looking forward to being inspired by your creativity with Kenny and also to reading your thoughts here.
I love the way you express your thoughts. I have missed reading them. It has inspired me to look around for a blank journal and pick it up.
My soul has been here thousands of times, at least, and I am exhausted. This human experience has become a real drag, and I need to dredge up something to keep me here to see it through to the end. I"m closing in on 6 decades here this time, and I'm hoping it's the last time. I want to say it all, do it all, leave it all on the field so that it may be so.
I'm holding out hope you and Shelby will return to City Winery Nashville soon. That is one sure way to clean and satisfy this old soul. I love you.
Welcome back, Allison. I've always respected and appreciated the way you express yourself. I wish you well as your journey continues and will anxiously await further updates from you. I also long to hear more music from you. So many of your songs have touched my heart and my soul over the years and I hope that continues in whatever time I have left. Thank you for sharing.
Oh how 50 is fast approaching for me as well. Almost all of this hits home in a tremendous way. I feel you. Thank you for your words. Always look forward to them and thank you for sharing the tools. So much to learn, always. Proud of you and these word push me forward for my better year and all the change that comes with that. 💜
If you tour Allison, please come to Belfast Northern Ireland..Gerry
I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from you at the Rodney Crowell Workshop [Aug. 2021]. I thank you again for that experience and teaching. But I REALLY thank you for this, so much. It would be a huge understatement to say this is so like what I've experienced. Your writing here will help me....it just did. And I've always enjoyed following your written 'conversations' with us. All the best to you, and thanks again!
I’m excited about Rick Rubins book too. I’m listening to this podcast now.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broken-record-with-rick-rubin-malcolm-gladwell-bruce/id1311004083?i=1000594389354
I’m also loving this podcast!
2022 was by far the most difficult year of my life. Significant personal and professional setbacks. A significant loss. Losing myself a bit (a lot) in the process. Feeling completely adrift but unable to even care. (2023 is better, so far, and I've accepted that life and health, both mental and physical, require work. I've begun to put in some of the work, and I've begun to feel real hope again.) I hope you know how meaningful this community you create here and your honesty about what it's like to struggle sometimes are. To see that someone else is traveling an emotional path that feels familiar, even though the things that set us on that path may not be the same. Simply knowing that what we are experiencing is the human condition, and that it's ok, and that there is always going to be a balancing act between the light and the dark that we'll have to navigate is of great comfort. Thank you for being with us, for sharing with us, and for, somehow, always having the right words for us. It helps. Truly.
Also, if you're in the market for book recommendations, I highly recommend Things I Learned From Falling by Claire Nelson. It's really fantastic, and she's a remarkable woman.
Thank you for sharing. I and we have really missed you. I love you so much. You sound great. Your pop up pandemic concerts were a Godsend during the dark period of that time. Much of which is still present. I was afraid that we'd lost you. I hope to be part of your journey in the sense of following this forum. Thank you❤️ Kenny Parker
Whatever you have to say or share is so welcome. I've missed your Instagram posts, Soothing Sunday Soul Songs, and hearing your thoughts. But, I respect the time you needed to take this hiatus for more clarity, introspection, and rediscovery. I've noticed that many people got supersaturated with communicating during the pandemic, and then kind of got burned out.
Your story post about bad grammar had me laughing so hard! I, too, have a real problem with people who don't know how to use "Me and I" correctly in a sentence. Actually, it drives me crazy!! Thank you for commiserating with me about this unfortunate cultural phenomenon. If the time now or never to correct this, I think we're in big trouble...
Oh Allison! I’ve been hoping to see something from you here for so long and now this makes perfect sense.
I can relate on many levels. Thank you for putting it out there.
I missed your set at AmericanaFest in September but hope you’ll return this year. It’s the small venue and sense of community among the artists and listeners that resonates with me, much like the Substack community ;)
We welcome your writing and your honesty, whatever path gets you here.
Welcome back Allison ❤️
What you have written is very timely for me. After 44 years of working in the corporate world, I have retired although I am open to part-time projects.
I thought that with all the time I have to spare now, I would be able to just flick the creative switch and concentrate on my guitar playing and song-writing and maybe pick-up on the talent for drawing and painting which I have totally neglected for the past 30 years or so. Unfortunately, I just feel I’ve hit a brick wall of inertia. My mind is occupied with reflection and anxiety about the future. I’ve hardly picked-up my guitar and haven’t sung even to myself since Christmas.
So I’m looking forward to being inspired by your creativity with Kenny and also to reading your thoughts here.
Much love Peter x
Bird by bird, friend.
You are incredible.
Thank you so much for this, Allison. “Soul got happy now, my heart got glad” 💚
I'm so very thankful you're back.
I've missed you terribly on every level.
I'm truly struggling and you always help.
ox JB
I love the way you express your thoughts. I have missed reading them. It has inspired me to look around for a blank journal and pick it up.
My soul has been here thousands of times, at least, and I am exhausted. This human experience has become a real drag, and I need to dredge up something to keep me here to see it through to the end. I"m closing in on 6 decades here this time, and I'm hoping it's the last time. I want to say it all, do it all, leave it all on the field so that it may be so.
I'm holding out hope you and Shelby will return to City Winery Nashville soon. That is one sure way to clean and satisfy this old soul. I love you.
D in Nashville
Welcome back, Allison. I've always respected and appreciated the way you express yourself. I wish you well as your journey continues and will anxiously await further updates from you. I also long to hear more music from you. So many of your songs have touched my heart and my soul over the years and I hope that continues in whatever time I have left. Thank you for sharing.
Oh how 50 is fast approaching for me as well. Almost all of this hits home in a tremendous way. I feel you. Thank you for your words. Always look forward to them and thank you for sharing the tools. So much to learn, always. Proud of you and these word push me forward for my better year and all the change that comes with that. 💜
Nice surprise seeing this today. You have been missed. Glad to see you writing again.