Oh, yes, this is no dress rehearsal, this is my blog.

The first snow is flying in Iowa, and I am trying NOT to fly by the photo enforced speed cameras at the H Avenue exit in Cedar Rapids as I return to my brick cottage in Iowa City, from Hiawatha Elementary School.

Tonight I am listening to regional artists Scott Cochran and Marty Cramer (unreleased recordings) and to Iris DeMent (My Life). What a gift it is to be friends of Scott and Marty, and to be a neighbor of Iris. Each has inspired me in unique ways. Iris's songs have inspired me to write candidly about myself and my family. Listening to Scotty is a tuition-free course in alt-country, americana songwriting. And Marty has written what I believe to be one of the most beautiful love-gone-wrong songs of this decade, "Dream Spirit."

My daughter, Genevieve, in South Korea, set up this website and blog, and I'm just

blogging because she told m e to and because I am so grateful to her and to my musical friends

and my family. I love you all and hope I inspire some of you, as well.