Yodel-e-he ho ho ho

Pinto Pals, Yodeling, Making Mistakes & Learning Things

Hello dear ones!

Sorry for the late update—I thought I’d remember to do my Thursday updates without a calendar reminder but I’ve learned my lesson.

Last Friday I went up to Bellingham to meet my long-awaited yodeling ventriloquist pal, Brady (a.k.a. Buddy Mac). We yodeled late into the night then yodeled all morning at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market. Then we talked about God for two hours and then yodeled many hours more. It was a delight! We’re starting a country yodeling duo called The Pinto Pals :)

I woke up Sunday morning pretty hoarse. But I had plans to busk at Pike Place with a new fiddlin’ friend named Deb. So I did that for a short time, good cheer. We then had discounted fish & chips (she knew the waiters) and talked about how special it was to busk with another woman and be able to unleash full goofiness.

Monday I took off to Leavenworth, where I met my godparents in a cabin. I had a gig on Tuesday, for which my voice was still hoarse but somehow singing came out much better than speaking. The gig went swimmingly—it was at a brewery, and there were a few couples who spoke to me afterward with such joy and encouragement, I am filing it away for when I need it.

Leavenworth, little Bavaria in WA

I am also learning I need to be more intentional about taking care of my voice. It’s been on the brink of gone most of this week, brought on by over-yodeling and paired with a bit of a cold. Losing my voice is my greatest fear. I am precious about my voice. It’s been a practice in letting go of control and trusting that, if the universe wants to sing through me, that my voice will be taken care of. And, I have to learn to take care of it to the best of my abilities.

More Leavenworth. I realized I was in the alps in Austria one year ago!

After Leavenworth, I came back to Seattle to poster for my show that was supposed to be on Thursday. I went to the venue to put a poster up, and saw that there was another poster there with a full lineup for the same night. I realized that what I thought was a confirmation was not fully confirmed, and I should have followed up with another confirmation. More! Learnings!

I was disappointed and frustrated, especially because I’d built a bill that I was excited about, but it also felt like it wasn’t the right time. Brady came down to Seattle on Thursday and we rehearsed what we would have performed and realized we weren’t nearly as ready as we’d thought. So, thank God for that intervention!

Now it’s Friday. I’m going on tour to Portland, Corvallis, Hood River, and Port Townsend with Will Jevne of Sweater Weather Stringband starting tomorrow. It’s getting hectic and busy and I’m trying to stay grounded. Doing both logistical planning and creative work is difficult; they require very different states of consciousness. I am excited for this January residency where I will hopefully have time to delve more into the creative side.