My dear, sweet neighbor Charles (who lives with his son Mike, blind, with high functioning Autism) brought me a Christmas present tonight... a story he typed himself from memory, from a Canadian radio show.. a story about a family, and all the hilarity of being part of one.
http://www.voicebase.com/voice_file/public_detail/73195
I read Charles's synopsis, and with laughing tears in my eyes, I was grateful, that my sweet neighbor thought of us on this dark day. Thought about the family with young children next door, and wanted to cheer us up. I hope it cheers you up, too. Charles' sweet gesture reminded me that the world is made up of people, and that people, if we choose to, can love one another, and support one another through the most difficult of times.
I am grateful that my 4yr old and 6 yr old are being naughty, trying to find any excuse to get out of bed tonight. How I love them. How I grieve for those who lost so much today.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
GingerAvengerVintage Fall Sale!!
Hi Folks! I'm between jobs, and that means EVERYTHING MUST GO in my Vintage Dress Shoppe on Etsy... Check out the lovely frocks I've collected over the years, and fancy yourself in a new-to-you little number! NO REASONABLE OFFER(s) REFUSED!GingerAvengerVintage...Vintage Fashion with a Soul
click the above link to shop!Many of these dresses have seen it all! They lived years before we did, had who-knows-what-kind-of adventures, and then they travelled the regional indie band circuit with me! I think it's safe to assume they're happy dresses...
Honeylark + Fiawna Forte - "Afternoon" (Official Music Video) from Nathan Poppe on Vimeo.
shop, Shop, SHOP!!!
and
THANK YOU!
~Natalie
Thursday, October 4, 2012
A Night of Milk and Honey.... (and whatever else you bring.)
Don't miss Honeylark's opening set for MilkDrive at The Historic Blue Door!! BYOB wine/beer only. "Best Listening Room in the Heartland!!"
Tickets $15 here: http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/milkdrive/bluedoor/oklahomacity/9401/
$20 at the door tonight.
Tickets $15 here: http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/milkdrive/bluedoor/oklahomacity/9401/
$20 at the door tonight.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
National Walk (Pull) Your Kids to School Day
It's a gorgeous October morning. About 50 degrees and sunny, gentle breeze, and Midtown is alive and moving. And today is Wednesday. The small members of the household have been looking forward to this for days... It's National "Walk Your Kids to School Day". And I promised to participate...
When the kids attended the elementary school 50 feet from our home, we walked every day.
But Edgemere is just under a mile away. I budgeted time in my head for the trek. I can walk a mile in 15, so allow 20 for the kids, and it's really less than a mile, so... We'll leave by 7:40 and that should work...
Per usual, shoes took some time to find, melt-downs about which coat/hat to wear (from the fashionista) ensued, Rapunzel won the rights to come along, and time ticked away. We left our driveway at 7:42 though. Not bad, considering.
Our little well bundled threesome walked briskly at first. Our triangle of heads ducked for low hanging branches along the sidewalks, and stopped for a pic or two beside the brightly painted Vietnamese supermarket. Having refused help at first, Chloe willingly handed over her backpack by 24th street. (We live on 22nd.)
We discussed the necessary evils of the OKC sewer system, and the unpleasant aromas it releases. We debated the residence of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in said system. When the sidewalks became intermittant, we got our pretty riding boots wet in the dew soaked grass. This was highly unnacceptable. And while I'm sure it wasn't comfortable, the intensity of complaint was a bit extreme. These are the moments when I know. She is indeed my daughter.
By 28th street things were seriously slowing down. My arms were beginning to ache a bit. Still engaging in wildly imaginitve conversation and debate about sights encoutered along the way, I did occasionally mention that we needed to "hurry up" or "walk faster" so as not to be late for school. About the fifth time I mentioned this concern, Gavin registered it. "Oh no! We can't be late!"...
I smiled, nodded with relief, and then expected to pick up the pace. But, no. We hastened to no more than an amble.
I encouraged a speed-up again, and this time my highly competitive son said, "Mom, I am always faster than you. I am winning."...
"Bingo", I thought... "No, Buddy... I've been beating you on this whole trip... you are so busy talking, you've let me take the lead...."
The ache in my arm immediately dissolved, as a new leader emerged from our triangle of fleece hats. This is more like it, I thought.
By 30th street the school was in sight, and the kids were excited. We visited with the sweet veteran man who works the cross walk there. We watched both ways for cars crossing the school entry drive. We turned the corner on 32nd, and said "Good Morning" to the orange vested, stop-sign wielding, middle aged lady there.
And, at 8:08am we arrived at school. Pretty swell timing, considering drop-off is from 8 to 8:15. The kids gave willing kisses and squeezes. We placed out brightly colored fleece hats and Rapunzel-the-tag-along in our backpacks. Gavin ceded the necessity of this procedure, saying "Some of the guys might be jealous of my cool hat and want one. I better hide it."
They were in the door in a whirlwind. And I was alone. I turned and headed back South. I could move like an unfettered soul. And yet I missed my little fetters already.
So, National Pull, I mean Walk, your Kids to School Day came and went. Can't walk home today because we have Ballet across town. But, I have a feeling we may start celebrating this pastime more than once a year. Mama needs the exercise, and more research is needed to rule out the inhabitance of the OKC sewers by large reptiles.
When the kids attended the elementary school 50 feet from our home, we walked every day.
But Edgemere is just under a mile away. I budgeted time in my head for the trek. I can walk a mile in 15, so allow 20 for the kids, and it's really less than a mile, so... We'll leave by 7:40 and that should work...
Per usual, shoes took some time to find, melt-downs about which coat/hat to wear (from the fashionista) ensued, Rapunzel won the rights to come along, and time ticked away. We left our driveway at 7:42 though. Not bad, considering.
We discussed the necessary evils of the OKC sewer system, and the unpleasant aromas it releases. We debated the residence of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in said system. When the sidewalks became intermittant, we got our pretty riding boots wet in the dew soaked grass. This was highly unnacceptable. And while I'm sure it wasn't comfortable, the intensity of complaint was a bit extreme. These are the moments when I know. She is indeed my daughter.
By 28th street things were seriously slowing down. My arms were beginning to ache a bit. Still engaging in wildly imaginitve conversation and debate about sights encoutered along the way, I did occasionally mention that we needed to "hurry up" or "walk faster" so as not to be late for school. About the fifth time I mentioned this concern, Gavin registered it. "Oh no! We can't be late!"...
I smiled, nodded with relief, and then expected to pick up the pace. But, no. We hastened to no more than an amble.
I encouraged a speed-up again, and this time my highly competitive son said, "Mom, I am always faster than you. I am winning."...
"Bingo", I thought... "No, Buddy... I've been beating you on this whole trip... you are so busy talking, you've let me take the lead...."
By 30th street the school was in sight, and the kids were excited. We visited with the sweet veteran man who works the cross walk there. We watched both ways for cars crossing the school entry drive. We turned the corner on 32nd, and said "Good Morning" to the orange vested, stop-sign wielding, middle aged lady there.
And, at 8:08am we arrived at school. Pretty swell timing, considering drop-off is from 8 to 8:15. The kids gave willing kisses and squeezes. We placed out brightly colored fleece hats and Rapunzel-the-tag-along in our backpacks. Gavin ceded the necessity of this procedure, saying "Some of the guys might be jealous of my cool hat and want one. I better hide it."
They were in the door in a whirlwind. And I was alone. I turned and headed back South. I could move like an unfettered soul. And yet I missed my little fetters already.
So, National Pull, I mean Walk, your Kids to School Day came and went. Can't walk home today because we have Ballet across town. But, I have a feeling we may start celebrating this pastime more than once a year. Mama needs the exercise, and more research is needed to rule out the inhabitance of the OKC sewers by large reptiles.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Be Still So Scottie Can Get a Lock on Your Coordinates...
I am a songwriter. I started writing songs as a preteen. Those were pretty entertaining; overwrought with hormonal angst and social discontent. I honed my skills during college and met my future partner in life and crime. He taught me some tricks. He refined my approach. I kept writing.
For years the only compositions I made public were songs written for weddings, silly songs for friends, etc... But from about 2006 until now I've been writing with a purpose.
Why do I write? To get it out. To expel my thoughts, anger, joy, love, hate, social commentary, political opinions, worldview, etc. To express it to anyone and no one. To qualify these things first and foremost for myself. Because the mess doesn't leave my head once it's penned into a singable poem... but often I understand the mess better.
I write in strange bursts. Once I would have called them unpredictable. I no longer would. I have learned to see the signs of a writing stretch coming. When all feels lost... when i experience a new level of anger in one of my many roles in life... when the past swallows me up in a cloud of choking fumes and sedating memories... I write. Sometimes, as sleep creeps up, and my mind relaxes, a song materializes almost like a visitor beamed on board the Enterprise... and I write it down.
When all feels warm... when rays of light illuminate a new thing of beauty... when smiles commandeer my face without warning, when happy tears well up... I write.
The extremes are difficult. Life in the middle of the psycho-social road is easier, by far. But I learned to appreciate, if not embrace, multi-elevation ride. Without it I wouldn't have this ridiculous body of work, that confounds yet soothes me regularly. There's a rumor, passed around by songwriters, that Johnny Cash once stated "one must write at least one-hundred songs, before he/she will write a good one".
Well, Johnny...I passed that mark sometime in the past 2 years... Bring it on.
I don't write to any particular fan demographic. I don't worry too much about genre, or how to "explain" my songs. But I do have a goal. That purpose I mentioned earlier... I have never been moved/touched/changed/awakened/healed/delighted/entertained or heartbroken, by anything on earth, quite like good songwriting. I think of the artists I adore like forefathers. Like my team of psychiatrists... like family... like a mirror for the soul.
If I do nothing else of value in my years on earth, I want to write songs that take another person or persons to that same place. I want to give back into this incredible circle.
I am nervous, but ecstatic about the Spring 2013 debut of Honeylark's first album. I am trying to balance my excitement and dreams with doses of reality... that not everyone will like my songs. It's possible no one will... that I will probably not get a fancy record deal, and never again worry about the mundanity of earning income... that people don't buy vinyl, or cd's or even digital downloads, now that the social climate has birthed "spotify" and her predecessors/offspring...
But I'm still excited. I'm excited because my main goal is still attainable. And with that, a renegade smile has unexpectedly commandeered my face, yet again....
For years the only compositions I made public were songs written for weddings, silly songs for friends, etc... But from about 2006 until now I've been writing with a purpose.
Why do I write? To get it out. To expel my thoughts, anger, joy, love, hate, social commentary, political opinions, worldview, etc. To express it to anyone and no one. To qualify these things first and foremost for myself. Because the mess doesn't leave my head once it's penned into a singable poem... but often I understand the mess better.
I write in strange bursts. Once I would have called them unpredictable. I no longer would. I have learned to see the signs of a writing stretch coming. When all feels lost... when i experience a new level of anger in one of my many roles in life... when the past swallows me up in a cloud of choking fumes and sedating memories... I write. Sometimes, as sleep creeps up, and my mind relaxes, a song materializes almost like a visitor beamed on board the Enterprise... and I write it down.
When all feels warm... when rays of light illuminate a new thing of beauty... when smiles commandeer my face without warning, when happy tears well up... I write.
The extremes are difficult. Life in the middle of the psycho-social road is easier, by far. But I learned to appreciate, if not embrace, multi-elevation ride. Without it I wouldn't have this ridiculous body of work, that confounds yet soothes me regularly. There's a rumor, passed around by songwriters, that Johnny Cash once stated "one must write at least one-hundred songs, before he/she will write a good one".
Well, Johnny...I passed that mark sometime in the past 2 years... Bring it on.
I don't write to any particular fan demographic. I don't worry too much about genre, or how to "explain" my songs. But I do have a goal. That purpose I mentioned earlier... I have never been moved/touched/changed/awakened/healed/delighted/entertained or heartbroken, by anything on earth, quite like good songwriting. I think of the artists I adore like forefathers. Like my team of psychiatrists... like family... like a mirror for the soul.
If I do nothing else of value in my years on earth, I want to write songs that take another person or persons to that same place. I want to give back into this incredible circle.
I am nervous, but ecstatic about the Spring 2013 debut of Honeylark's first album. I am trying to balance my excitement and dreams with doses of reality... that not everyone will like my songs. It's possible no one will... that I will probably not get a fancy record deal, and never again worry about the mundanity of earning income... that people don't buy vinyl, or cd's or even digital downloads, now that the social climate has birthed "spotify" and her predecessors/offspring...
But I'm still excited. I'm excited because my main goal is still attainable. And with that, a renegade smile has unexpectedly commandeered my face, yet again....
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday Songwriter Brunch
I'm writing this while sitting on my back porch with coffee, quietly contemplating the lives around me. My neighbor is one of the most interesting, beautiful people I've ever
encountered. He has lived his life of 40 something years blind, and with an
autism spectral disorder. He is highly intelligent, a great conversationalist,
and incredibly kindhearted. He humbles me. I've experienced far fewer obstacles
in life, yet I've become a jaded and angry adult. Mike believes the best of
people and life naturally. I do not.
My son and firstborn child also lives with an ASD. He too embraces life, people, and obstacles with an inherent optimism. Although, in his six short years he's encountered much cold hearted ignorance and fear motivated rejection in humanity. What is my excuse for my pessimism?
There is beauty all around me. There is hope. There is love. But I ache for it from the wrong sources. I seek the approval and affection of the selfish, unkind world. Could it be that this is a futile enterprise?
The only thing worth doing is learning to like yourself, love those around you, and reach with disciplined determination for your dreams. My six-yr-old dreams of being Spiderman. Being a smart, others-centered bringer of justice, and defender of innocents. And he is doing a great job so far.
Are my dreams so noble? Am I working as diligently at achieving them?
My son and firstborn child also lives with an ASD. He too embraces life, people, and obstacles with an inherent optimism. Although, in his six short years he's encountered much cold hearted ignorance and fear motivated rejection in humanity. What is my excuse for my pessimism?
There is beauty all around me. There is hope. There is love. But I ache for it from the wrong sources. I seek the approval and affection of the selfish, unkind world. Could it be that this is a futile enterprise?
The only thing worth doing is learning to like yourself, love those around you, and reach with disciplined determination for your dreams. My six-yr-old dreams of being Spiderman. Being a smart, others-centered bringer of justice, and defender of innocents. And he is doing a great job so far.
Are my dreams so noble? Am I working as diligently at achieving them?
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Fall Shows and Videos...
House Show at our place on September 22nd!! RSVP on Facebook and come on out! 
You might see some of these around OKC this week and next... :)
You might see some of these around OKC this week and next... :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
New Show Oct 27th, Blue Door
Just added a fourth show to the summer/fall 2012 schedule. Nice Pre-Halloween gig at OKC's Blue Door, Premier listening room... http://www.bluedoorokc.com/
Thursday, July 5, 2012
New song... just a rough cut, without drums
Love is Red property of Honeylark. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
OKC at Last!!
After several unexpected turns in events, and weird delays, we FINALLY moved into our house June 19th! :) Big thanks to all the friends and fam who helped us out with our transition month!!
Things are slowly coming together in new house, and I'm sure the stuff we're missing will turn up in those boxes we've yet to unpack... Meanwhile, we're writing, recording, and rehearsing up a storm. First show is this month!! So excited, and a bit nervous!
Had fun trip to NYC, Boston, And DC over our anniversary week. Needed the break and change of scenery, and it was a blast! Kids played at Meme and Papa's in Gaithersburg while we city hopped. This is us on the boat trip around the Isle of Manhattan. :)
Things are slowly coming together in new house, and I'm sure the stuff we're missing will turn up in those boxes we've yet to unpack... Meanwhile, we're writing, recording, and rehearsing up a storm. First show is this month!! So excited, and a bit nervous! Thursday, May 10, 2012
Honeylark Merch
Newest addition to our Honeylark merch family... BirdHair logo (design by the talented Heather Clements) tee in soft, stretchy American Apparel 50/50 cotton/poly, size S, M, L, again printed up byt the fab fellas at Tree&Leaf Clothing. Grab one here or at a show. Going fast, get yours before they're gone. Limited edition print.
DeadBird logo shirt... printed up for Honeylark by OKC's own Tree & Leaf Clothing Inc, soft and slightly stretchy American Apparel 50/50 poly/ cotton crew, in heathered plum... available at shows this summer, and order online!
P.S. Males... model here is a gal, but the shirts ARE gender neutral. Sizes S-L...
| Size |
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Heaps and Heaps of Honeylarkiness
The new musical project is taking shape so nicely! Had first actual rehearsal (all in same town/room etc..) with the guys last night. (Joining Ryan and I are Kenny Holloway, Justin Ransford, Caleb Creed, and Wally Tarkington.)
Went so well for a first band practice! Everyone is very excited about the material, and we learned several songs on the first night. (Helped that the guys have been practicing from their mp3s..)
This is going to be so much fun!
Talked to an artist today about some awesome artwork we hope to license, also. have a looksy...Heather Clements. She's quite impressive. (Yes, I played with it... just to give you the idea...)
Very excited about an upcoming collaboration with Fiawna Forte of Tulsa. Making a duet recording and cool music video of Honeylark's "Afternoon" next month. Honeylarkiness abounds...
Went so well for a first band practice! Everyone is very excited about the material, and we learned several songs on the first night. (Helped that the guys have been practicing from their mp3s..)
This is going to be so much fun!
Very excited about an upcoming collaboration with Fiawna Forte of Tulsa. Making a duet recording and cool music video of Honeylark's "Afternoon" next month. Honeylarkiness abounds...
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Yesterday Gavin and I were playing and he asked to play "Life Cycle of the Insect"... :) I was willing, but asked for directions. He said, "First you be the female butterfly, and I'll be the egg, and you lay me on a leaf... So I scooped him up into a ball (to his great delight) and "layed" hinm gently on my green duvet... The he proceeded to enact the "hatching phase" while I ran downstairs to check on Chloe and the puppy (sounds of a scuffle were in progress)... few minutes later, he came running down the stairs, arms wide open and flapping, declaring, "Look Mama!! I'm a beautiful butterfly!"...
I love this quirky kid! He's a daily breath of intelligent fresh air. And I'm glad that his school curriculum has been using the Eric Carle books to teach core subjects this month. ;)
Monday, April 23, 2012
Headed Back East...
It's a fabulous turn of the century home, with original wood floors, windows out the wahzoo, vintage claw foot tub, wonderful large backyard, and great large detached garage for Ryan's home studio... cross your fingers for us!!!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Big City, at Long Last...
As I mentioned in Days of Corn and Honey, we are moving to Oklahoma City this summer! Our lovely home, we've enjoyed for four years in Weatherford, is for sale... See Craigslist Listing here...
We're engaged in the excited/busy process of house shopping, and we can't wait to settle into the metro. We'll be closer to Ryan's parents, closer to the airport (for those East coast visits), closer to all our fave music venues... It's gonna be great! And to those of you who've voiced concern about the holding of a certain annual autumnal festivity... worry not, my dears. All is well.
 |
| our backyard in Dubtown |
The Days of Corn and Honey...
Ryan and I were a part of alternative-country/ retro-rock band Green Corn Revival from February 2009 until March 2012. The past three years were filled with hard work, excitement, travel, performance, practice, meeting other wonderful musicians, and much more. We loved (love) the music we helped good friend, and founder/writer, Jared Deck, create. We loved the time with talented friends, making music together. We wish GCR all the success in the world. To read more about GCR's accomplishments thus far, see www.greencornrevival.com.
In March 2012, we made the difficult decision to separate from Green Corn Revival, and pursue our own musical project. Around the summer of 2009 I had begun a crazy-productive writing phase (which is actually ongoing) and soon the talented Ryan Houck and I had created several albums worth of songs we loved. Here's the deal... It's one thing to like/tolerated/accept your own songs (I'd been doing that since my teens)... But these songs, we loved. There's a first time for everything, I guess. :) We named our bouncing-baby-project Honeylark. And she is a mixed bag, my dears. Words can't describe our anticipation/fulfillment in this collection. But, that said, don't expect a full-throttle pace. We're taking this one easier. Because with two growing, beautiful children, two day jobs we enjoy, and an impending relocation to Oklahoma City... well, we kinda have to. :) We've put some demos of the album material out there for your curiosity, though... And, before long, you'll be able to catch a show in the OKC metro area. Check Honeylark out now, if you like, at www.honeylark.com. You can also Like us on Facebook.The Times They are a Changing...
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