Howdy Howdy May

past, present, future and a tribute

Howdy howdy, it’s May already. Over here in Tennessee all is in full bloom and I’m desperately trying to get some hours in weekly to tend the garden on all fronts. Some weeks I do better than others, that is for sure. My yard overwhelms me. I’m grateful for it, but no matter how hard I try there’s always something else popping up! Sounds a lot like life!

I just got back from Santa Fe, NM last week, where I was attending a week long symposium of the healing modality ‘Therapeutic Touch.’ I’ve been studying this wonderful therapy for many years and being with other practitioners from around the world for the Therapeutic Touch International Association’s Congress was truly remarkable. I got to know other practitioners from Australia, Rwanda, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, and of course the US. I was re-energized on many levels and felt so connected to a high vibration group of individuals. I felt with this energy healing that possibly the world could be ok.

Of course coming back to Nashville and learning that ICE and the TN HIGHWAY PATROL went on a spree this week detaining people & targeting immigrant in South Nashville took the wind out of my sails. Yet, I know it is a calling to continue to stand up for people and protect them against this sort of insane aggression, and to continue to call and contact our local legislators to let them know this is not ok.

It is about daily that I am ashamed of the United States for a lot of reasons. It’s not a republican vs democrat thing anymore. Where is the compassion? Why do some people in power double down on cruelty? I have a hard time understanding what they are getting out of it.

Music continues at least.

This Friday I am part of a cool gig that reunites me with the rhythm section I toured with last year and adds a few other great women onto the bill as well. We will be performing Linda Ronstadt’s album ‘Heart Like a Wheel’ on Friday 5/9/2025 at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge at 7:30PM. Kelly Riley, Morgan Blaney, Heather Thomas, Suzie Brown, Caitlin Cannon, KP Hawthorn, Eleese Longino Mescherry, Renèe Wahl, and me will be performing the record. It’s a great record, and it came out 50 years ago.

I’m also part of a new Darrin Bradbury project and we are showcasing some of the material we have been shedding this winter/spring this Saturday at a house show in Madison, TN. If you are local, reach out and I can give you details on that.

Lastly, I want to send a shout out to my dear friend John Mulder. He is a lifelong supporter to this newsletter, and also a dear friend, songwriter, and physician that I was able to do several creative projects with. I just learned that he left this earth last week and I’ve been thinking of him and how there was never enough time to do all we wanted. He is smiling at us all now, and at peace, but I’m also sad we didn’t get to finish all that we wanted to do together. Godspeed, Dr. Mulder.

Much love to you! xoxo mp