The new book by local (Wisconsin) author Michael Perry. Similar format as his previous books: each chapter is kind of a essay on its own. But all the chapters flow and center around a theme. This book is more cohesive as a story following Perry's life over a year and a half, two years as he restores his 1950's International Truck and meets and begins to know a woman and her young daughter. I love riding along the road for awhile with a person. Their thoughts. Their questions. Their longings and frustrations and devotions. I like Mike Perry as a person. Don't always agree with him, don't admire everything about him, but I like him. I feel like reading his books is like sitting down for coffee with him, or in this case, riding down a gravel road in a well-used pick up truck.
The new Christmas CD Snow Angels by Over the Rhine. Just a beautiful, beautiful album. On par with Drunkard's Prayer and Good Dog, Bad Dog. Maybe Better. Not just for Christmas.
Beatrix Potter. I love her stories and her drawings, paintings. Her she is as a young woman. 
The painting just above is her in 1938 in her 70's done by her friend Delmar Banner. 
I think the newish and little known movie Miss Potter (starring Renee Zwelleger and Ewan MacGregor) is just spanking good. So well done. So delicious to watch.
Neko Case singing...
Danny Schmidt singing. (Thank you, Eric, for introducing me.)
Such a lovely song:
THE WINDS
Walking in the winds
A spot of springtime weather
A precessional of friends
Now strike the band to play
Walking in the winds
Do you take this man forever?
I don’t know about forever . . .
But I’ll take him everyday.
Walking in the winds
Been living just a half a life
Aloft but now descends
It’s the grounding of the self
Walking in the winds
Do you take this girl to be your wife?
Do I take this girl to be my wife?
No, but I take her for herself.
Walking in the winds
It can toss you quite a distance
So tie fingers onto hands
When you feel the grip is strained
Walking in the winds
Do you love this man in sickness?
Do I love this man in sickness?
Is there any day that’s sane?
Walking in the winds
Through the mud and through the mortar
Mold your house with just your hands
Warm the walls with company
Walking in the winds
For richer or for poorer?
For richer or for poorer?
Man, the whole world just turned free.
Walking in the winds
Might just stumble onto treasure
Through every curve and bend
There’s a cave to stop and look
Walking in the winds
Plan your dreams together
You best plan your dreams together
‘Fore they’re running underfoot.
Walking in the winds
Don’t let the daylight linger
You can claim the trip begins
Break the glass and sing the song
Walking in the winds
The ring upon the finger
Slip the ring upon the finger
Man, it’s been there all along.
Walking in the winds
When all the lipstick stains have dried
Smeared prayers across your lips
Yeah, now go and kiss the bride
We can only bless the time
And hope for gentle weather
And that the will to grow together
Just grows stronger in the wind.
Copyright 2003. Words and music by Danny Schmidt
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