From: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2012 #331 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Website:http://www.jonimitchell.com Unsubscribe:mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe onlyJMDL Digest Thursday, October 4 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 331 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story [Anita G ] RE: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story [Bob.Muller@Fluor.com] RE: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story ["Deanna Knight" ] Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) [Anita G ] Re: Joni clunkers [Mitch Rustad ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 19:19:40 +0100 From: Anita G Subject: Re: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story Deanna, welcome! And I loved your post. It's very beautiful and captures how I found Joni to be that night. Full of heart, compassion and love for so many. It was a wee bit overwhelming! I am also very glad to hear of the healing nature of your music. As for us here on JMDL, we have our ups and downs, our fights, fallings out and then we also have OUR heart, compassion and, often, BIG love. We bitch about Joni and we also love her music passionately. It's all grist for the mill. I have felt annoyed and irritated here on this list but have also experienced great joy and met some wonderful people. We all have ups and downs. It's staying in when the downs are around that counts. Stick around. Many of us have stuck here for many years. In my experience, it's very worth it, Love Anita x ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 07:44:56 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@Fluor.com Subject: Re: 4/10 from Rolling Stone And three of the four were due to her not being at her induction into the R&R Hall of Fame. They gave her a pass because it was at the same time she was reuniting with Kilauren. Always nice to see a Joni mention in the RS. Bob From: Betsy To: "joni@smoe.org" Date: 10/03/2012 06:53 PM Subject: 4/10 from Rolling Stone Sent by: owner-joni@smoe.org Rolling Stone included Joni in a gallery of 13 rock stars who have disappeared. Its always nice to see her called a rock star. She received four recluse points. Within a week of a public appearance, no less! Tinyurl.com/8sj6rnm Betsy - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. - ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 09:26:56 -0700 From: "Gary Hanick" Subject: Re: JMDL Digest V2012 #1516 What a beautiful story and how fortunate you are!! Sent from my iPad On Oct 4, 2012, at 9:18 AM, "JMDL Digest" wrote: > > JMDL Digest Thursday, October 4 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 1516 > > > > ========== > > TOPICS and authors in this Digest: > -------- > Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) [Anita G > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 17:14:52 +0100 > From: Anita G > Subject: Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) > > Leading up to the Ruby Lake expedition, there was a JMDL thread about > what people might say or not say if they met Joni. I said I wasnt > going to plan but try to be there and trust what came. As I have > alluded to already, I am not sure that I did a very good job. > > After the 10 hour flight to Vancouver and on the way to the Ruby Lake, > I began to ask myself more and more why I was going and what for? The > owl had called us to go to the Lake. I was concerned as I knew some of > the beliefs about Death associated with their call, so I did wonder if > it was to say good-bye. Whatever had made us decide to go, I thought I > would buy some sunflowers for Joni and we stopped in Sechelt and > shopped. I wanted to give Joni something that she might enjoy, at > least for a couple of days and flowers seemed a good idea. On seeing > Joni the next day, I was delighted to see that she far from dead was, > in fact, very much alive and not far off kicking. > > When we first arrived at Ruby Lake and met the Cogrossi family and all > the staff, they could not have been kinder or more helpful. We noticed > a signed, framed print of Taming the Tiger hung on the wall of the > restaurant, along with a poster advertising one of the Joni and Bob > Dylan concerts. It was a very good place for us to land. Giorgio > loved the story of the owl calling us to go to Ruby Lake. He told us > that, on Jonis 60th birthday meal held at the Lake, she had released > an owl that Aldo had rehabilitated. Joni had stroked the owl for ten > minutes or so before releasing it and it flew up on to the Italian > flag pole where it sat for a long time before flying away. Steph, with > her usual dry wit, said I dont think it was the same one. > > Giorgio had mentioned that day on an email that he would be choosing > some folk to go and pay tribute to Joni at the end of the event , but > I had an idea that he knew whom he wanted to do that job, so I thought > it unlikely Id get a chance so I decided I would write something to > give to her. After all, wed gone all that way, so I might as well try > and find a few words. I wrote Joni a card and taped it to the > sunflowers. The card said: > > Dear Joni > In case I am not one of the fortunate ones to be called up to pay you > a tribute, this is what I wanted to say: > > Eleven nights ago an owl screeched at my window more or less telling > me to cross the Atlantic and come to Ruby Lake. Now I know why. > > In 1968, when I was 14 years old, my brother Michael came home from a > concert in London. He said he had seen this Lady Singer he thought I > would like and he promised to buy me her first album, which he did. > > 44 years later, I can tell you that for me and countless others, > Joni's music has been the soundtrack to our lives, supporting and > challenging us in equal measure. > > The owl has brought me here to give me the chance to say thank you > Joni for finding words for me when I had none. Bless you, and may your > road be always charmed. > > With love > Anita x > > The next day, the day of the gig, the weather was really grim. Grey, > heavy drizzle and cloud made visibility really poor, but Steph and I > ventured up the amphitheatre where the event was to be held and, even > in the greyness, it was magical. We breathed it all in and decided it > would be good to see if we do anything to help out, but, although > there must have been tons to do, Giorgio and Aldo didnt assign us any > tasks, so we spent a really fun afternoon with Phyllis and Bob making > lanterns out of paper bags to light at the amphitheatre. It was one of > those things where you find yourself with people who are good at art > and your own efforts look like those of an untalented three year old. > Honestly, Phyllis and Bob were turning them Mothers out as though > Banksy or Picasso were related to them. There were lanterns that said > JMDL and I have seen a beautiful close up photo somewhere of Bobs (or > was it Phylisss?) Hejira to Madeira. A majestic lantern! We were > joined by Pearl, Cassy and Laura and we sang, drank tea and made more > lanterns. The laughter and fun of that afternoon is one of the great > memories I will cherish. > > Five oclock came closer and the sun came out! It was an astonishing > turn around. The JMDLers had been given a table outside overlooking > the lake near to where Joni would be having her meal. We had a drink > and near six, Joni arrived. When I first saw her, she reminded me of > images painted by my friend Carolyn Hillyer. Carolyn painted a series > of circle of thirteen archetypal grandmothers and Joni could have been > one of them. Although these images of grandmothers arent available on > line, if you scroll down through her and her husband, Nigels, work, > to the Northern Sisterhood of Drums you might get the sense of her > paintings and the drift: > > http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest¬e_id=134070774102 > > People started moving up to go for the wonderful barbecue of organic, > wild sockeye salmon and prawns with salad. The JMDL group were invited > to join the queue for food. Steph said to me I must go and get my > camera to photograph this beautiful fare. She was gone for some time > and then rushed over and excitedly said You must come now, you must > come now. Im with Joni > > It transpired that Giorgio, who seemed to really like Steph, had > grabbed her by the hand and introduced her to Joni. It was then that > Steph said ' Joni, I am so pleased to meet you, but my friend likes > you more than I do' When Joni laughed , Steph said 'I didn't mean it > quite like that, but can I go and get her?' and Joni said yes, of > course. So Steph grabbed me and we went back. It was Steph who took me > to Paris when I first met Joni and it had been Steph that took me to > Edmonton when I met Joni again and here she was this time introducing > me TO Joni! Joni commented on how far wed come just to be there and I > was about to embark on chat when Steph said ' Come on, Anita, you have > always wanted to tell Joni what she means to you. Nows your chance. > I remember starting to say pretty much what I had written on the card >  about my brother coming home from London, that I was fourteen, hed > bought me her first album but then everything is blank. I don't > remember anything else. Not a single word. Not even a glimmer .. > There is absolutely nothing in my memory whatsoever until Joni took my > hand and said 'Isnt this a beautiful place?' And I kept saying 'Yes > it is......it is very beautiful I felt a wee bit mesmerised. Joni > looked around, took a breath and quietly and slowly said again This > is such a beautiful place. > > Steph, Joni and I talked a little about how we planned to do some > walking and bird watching and then my time with Joni was finished. I > dont quite know what happened. I dont remember much of it, but Steph > tells me that I said more or less what I said on my card and that I > did take my chance to thank her. However, the experience of meeting > Joni has left my bones telling me that the present really is all we > have. Everything happens in the here and now. I am no longer 14. 1968 > has gone. I wanted to be fully present with Joni and I wasnt. Joni > simply was presence. > > ------------------------------ > > End of JMDL Digest V2012 #1516 > ****************************** > > ------- > To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. > Unsubscribe by clicking here: > mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe > ------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 14:21:44 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@Fluor.com Subject: RE: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story Hi Deanna - welcome to the JMDL and thanks for your story - I'm truly delighted that all the planets aligned for you on this. Most of us that post frequently have known each other for a looooooong time. That affords us the privilege of being transparent with our opinions. Trust me, we all love and appreciate Joni and her work as much as you, we're just honest with our criticisms and can be knowing that we won't have someone lashing out at us about it. I was on an Ani Difranco message board once, and they had a zero tolerance policy towards saying ANYTHING negative about Ani. Kinda limited the discussion...I did not stay long. Hope you stick around, look forward to hearing more from you. Bob - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. - ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 10:59:00 -0700 From: "Deanna Knight" Subject: RE: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 - my Ruby Lake story Hello Folks I am new to this list but not new to Joni and her magical musical journey. As a artist myself, she is by far my biggest inspiration and cherished songwriter. I was sad to see the first few posts on here and thought this might all be critics and gossip about Joni...her aging, songs that folks don't like or how she doesn't "have it" anymore. I'm thrilled to hear stories of Ruby Lake as I was also there and hope to read more and more of the good stuff. She is human and we all age... in body, mind and spirit, some more gracefully than others. Her jaw dropping body of work is stunning and she is not a human jukebox of hits. Nuff said :) I met Giorgio and the Ruby Lake folks back several years ago. When I heard of the dinner and film viewing (while eavesdropping in the grocery line) I dashed home to check it out. Seems I was 6 hours late as Giorgio had just posted on Facebook that it was sold out. I emailed, called and messaged to see if I could get on a waiting list right away. We waited patiently and on the Thursday night prior to the event, I left a sliver of light when I agreed to babysit a friend's daughter. I told her that it was slim but I MAY be going to Ruby Lake for a special event with Joni Mitchell. Seconds after hanging up the phone I got a call from the Resort saying I WAS IN!!! My husband and I were so thrilled...I was over the moon. We also prepared a card for her just in case we didn't get a chance to speak face to face. A beautiful goddess with a spiral dress that spun into thousands of butterflies. I hope she liked it. I package that up with a couple of my CD's as a thank you. Not sure she will give it a listen but I like the idea that she will. My solo CD is a healing journey more than anything and she was very much a part of that spiritual journey. I also met her just outside when she first arrived. I had thought long and hard of what I would say and just hoped to keep it together and not embarrass myself. I was resistant to approach her as she had just arrived and didn't want to crowd her right off the bat. \A friend took my full plate of food and pushed me toward her. I have met many "stars" in my life though I must say I was "star struck" I got through one sentence when my emotions surfaced and tears rolled down my cheek. She opened her arms wide and said "hug me" After one of the most grounding and memorable hugs of my life. I felt much better. My husband snapped photos with tears and all. Not the most glamorous photos but a moment I will never forget. We had a couple more nice conversations and I must say she is still very powerful, smart as a whip, full of life, charm and wisdom. She seemed in good spirits and good health. Even with the ENDLESS photo flashes she seemed to enjoy her interaction with fans. She is building another home on her land and settling in even deeper to the Sunshine Coast... where she spends half the year. She still pays her taxes in the US but says her heart is in Canada :) You can see some pics on FB is you want to track my fan page down. Hope this was not too long of a post but wanted to share my story. I had a very strong feeling I would someday meet Joni but could never have imagined such a magical Fall Equinox. With the gorgeous setting, huge bonfire and air infused with white sage and lavender, it was literally beyond my wildest dreams. Endless blessings to dear Joni Mitchell. D www.deannaknight.ca - -----Original Message----- From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org [mailto:owner-joni-digest@smoe.org] Sent: October-04-12 9:28 AM To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 JMDL Digest Thursday, October 4 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 1517 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: - -------- Re: JMDL Digest V2012 #1516 ["Gary Hanick" ] - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 09:26:56 -0700 From: "Gary Hanick" Subject: Re: JMDL Digest V2012 #1516 What a beautiful story and how fortunate you are!! Sent from my iPad On Oct 4, 2012, at 9:18 AM, "JMDL Digest" wrote: > > JMDL Digest Thursday, October 4 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 1516 > > > > ========== > > TOPICS and authors in this Digest: > -------- > Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) [Anita G > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 17:14:52 +0100 > From: Anita G > Subject: Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) > > Leading up to the Ruby Lake expedition, there was a JMDL thread about > what people might say or not say if they met Joni. I said I wasnt > going to plan but try to be there and trust what came. As I have > alluded to already, I am not sure that I did a very good job. > > After the 10 hour flight to Vancouver and on the way to the Ruby Lake, > I began to ask myself more and more why I was going and what for? The > owl had called us to go to the Lake. I was concerned as I knew some of > the beliefs about Death associated with their call, so I did wonder if > it was to say good-bye. Whatever had made us decide to go, I thought I > would buy some sunflowers for Joni and we stopped in Sechelt and > shopped. I wanted to give Joni something that she might enjoy, at > least for a couple of days and flowers seemed a good idea. On seeing > Joni the next day, I was delighted to see that she far from dead was, > in fact, very much alive and not far off kicking. > > When we first arrived at Ruby Lake and met the Cogrossi family and all > the staff, they could not have been kinder or more helpful. We noticed > a signed, framed print of Taming the Tiger hung on the wall of the > restaurant, along with a poster advertising one of the Joni and Bob > Dylan concerts. It was a very good place for us to land. Giorgio > loved the story of the owl calling us to go to Ruby Lake. He told us > that, on Jonis 60th birthday meal held at the Lake, she had released > an owl that Aldo had rehabilitated. Joni had stroked the owl for ten > minutes or so before releasing it and it flew up on to the Italian > flag pole where it sat for a long time before flying away. Steph, with > her usual dry wit, said I dont think it was the same one. > > Giorgio had mentioned that day on an email that he would be choosing > some folk to go and pay tribute to Joni at the end of the event , but > I had an idea that he knew whom he wanted to do that job, so I thought > it unlikely Id get a chance so I decided I would write something to > give to her. After all, wed gone all that way, so I might as well try > and find a few words. I wrote Joni a card and taped it to the > sunflowers. The card said: > > Dear Joni > In case I am not one of the fortunate ones to be called up to pay you > a tribute, this is what I wanted to say: > > Eleven nights ago an owl screeched at my window more or less telling > me to cross the Atlantic and come to Ruby Lake. Now I know why. > > In 1968, when I was 14 years old, my brother Michael came home from a > concert in London. He said he had seen this Lady Singer he thought I > would like and he promised to buy me her first album, which he did. > > 44 years later, I can tell you that for me and countless others, > Joni's music has been the soundtrack to our lives, supporting and > challenging us in equal measure. > > The owl has brought me here to give me the chance to say thank you > Joni for finding words for me when I had none. Bless you, and may your > road be always charmed. > > With love > Anita x > > The next day, the day of the gig, the weather was really grim. Grey, > heavy drizzle and cloud made visibility really poor, but Steph and I > ventured up the amphitheatre where the event was to be held and, even > in the greyness, it was magical. We breathed it all in and decided it > would be good to see if we do anything to help out, but, although > there must have been tons to do, Giorgio and Aldo didnt assign us any > tasks, so we spent a really fun afternoon with Phyllis and Bob making > lanterns out of paper bags to light at the amphitheatre. It was one of > those things where you find yourself with people who are good at art > and your own efforts look like those of an untalented three year old. > Honestly, Phyllis and Bob were turning them Mothers out as though > Banksy or Picasso were related to them. There were lanterns that said > JMDL and I have seen a beautiful close up photo somewhere of Bobs (or > was it Phylisss?) Hejira to Madeira. A majestic lantern! We were > joined by Pearl, Cassy and Laura and we sang, drank tea and made more > lanterns. The laughter and fun of that afternoon is one of the great > memories I will cherish. > > Five oclock came closer and the sun came out! It was an astonishing > turn around. The JMDLers had been given a table outside overlooking > the lake near to where Joni would be having her meal. We had a drink > and near six, Joni arrived. When I first saw her, she reminded me of > images painted by my friend Carolyn Hillyer. Carolyn painted a series > of circle of thirteen archetypal grandmothers and Joni could have been > one of them. Although these images of grandmothers arent available on > line, if you scroll down through her and her husband, Nigels, work, > to the Northern Sisterhood of Drums you might get the sense of her > paintings and the drift: > > http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest¬e_id=134070774102 > > People started moving up to go for the wonderful barbecue of organic, > wild sockeye salmon and prawns with salad. The JMDL group were invited > to join the queue for food. Steph said to me I must go and get my > camera to photograph this beautiful fare. She was gone for some time > and then rushed over and excitedly said You must come now, you must > come now. Im with Joni > > It transpired that Giorgio, who seemed to really like Steph, had > grabbed her by the hand and introduced her to Joni. It was then that > Steph said ' Joni, I am so pleased to meet you, but my friend likes > you more than I do' When Joni laughed , Steph said 'I didn't mean it > quite like that, but can I go and get her?' and Joni said yes, of > course. So Steph grabbed me and we went back. It was Steph who took me > to Paris when I first met Joni and it had been Steph that took me to > Edmonton when I met Joni again and here she was this time introducing > me TO Joni! Joni commented on how far wed come just to be there and I > was about to embark on chat when Steph said ' Come on, Anita, you have > always wanted to tell Joni what she means to you. Nows your chance. > I remember starting to say pretty much what I had written on the card >  about my brother coming home from London, that I was fourteen, hed > bought me her first album but then everything is blank. I don't > remember anything else. Not a single word. Not even a glimmer .. > There is absolutely nothing in my memory whatsoever until Joni took my > hand and said 'Isnt this a beautiful place?' And I kept saying 'Yes > it is......it is very beautiful I felt a wee bit mesmerised. Joni > looked around, took a breath and quietly and slowly said again This > is such a beautiful place. > > Steph, Joni and I talked a little about how we planned to do some > walking and bird watching and then my time with Joni was finished. I > dont quite know what happened. I dont remember much of it, but Steph > tells me that I said more or less what I said on my card and that I > did take my chance to thank her. However, the experience of meeting > Joni has left my bones telling me that the present really is all we > have. Everything happens in the here and now. I am no longer 14. 1968 > has gone. I wanted to be fully present with Joni and I wasnt. Joni > simply was presence. > > ------------------------------ > > End of JMDL Digest V2012 #1516 > ****************************** > > ------- > To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. > Unsubscribe by clicking here: > mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe > ------- - ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2012 #1517 ****************************** - ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe - ------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 16:55:49 +0000 From: c Karma Subject: re: Anita's tale That was a wonderful and vivid depiction of a beautiful evening. Congratulations to you for that experience. One thing brought a smile to me, especially: "Giorgio had mentioned that day on an email that he would be choosing some folk to go and pay tribute to Joni at the end of the event" NPIMH: The "Godfather" score. CC ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 17:14:52 +0100 From: Anita G Subject: Hejira to Madeira (Ruby Lake) - Anita's Tale (quite long) Leading up to the Ruby Lake expedition, there was a JMDL thread about what people might say or not say if they met Joni. I said I wasnt going to plan but try to be there and trust what came. As I have alluded to already, I am not sure that I did a very good job. After the 10 hour flight to Vancouver and on the way to the Ruby Lake, I began to ask myself more and more why I was going and what for? The owl had called us to go to the Lake. I was concerned as I knew some of the beliefs about Death associated with their call, so I did wonder if it was to say good-bye. Whatever had made us decide to go, I thought I would buy some sunflowers for Joni and we stopped in Sechelt and shopped. I wanted to give Joni something that she might enjoy, at least for a couple of days and flowers seemed a good idea. On seeing Joni the next day, I was delighted to see that she far from dead was, in fact, very much alive and not far off kicking. When we first arrived at Ruby Lake and met the Cogrossi family and all the staff, they could not have been kinder or more helpful. We noticed a signed, framed print of Taming the Tiger hung on the wall of the restaurant, along with a poster advertising one of the Joni and Bob Dylan concerts. It was a very good place for us to land. Giorgio loved the story of the owl calling us to go to Ruby Lake. He told us that, on Jonis 60th birthday meal held at the Lake, she had released an owl that Aldo had rehabilitated. Joni had stroked the owl for ten minutes or so before releasing it and it flew up on to the Italian flag pole where it sat for a long time before flying away. Steph, with her usual dry wit, said I dont think it was the same one. Giorgio had mentioned that day on an email that he would be choosing some folk to go and pay tribute to Joni at the end of the event , but I had an idea that he knew whom he wanted to do that job, so I thought it unlikely Id get a chance so I decided I would write something to give to her. After all, wed gone all that way, so I might as well try and find a few words. I wrote Joni a card and taped it to the sunflowers. The card said: Dear Joni In case I am not one of the fortunate ones to be called up to pay you a tribute, this is what I wanted to say: Eleven nights ago an owl screeched at my window more or less telling me to cross the Atlantic and come to Ruby Lake. Now I know why. In 1968, when I was 14 years old, my brother Michael came home from a concert in London. He said he had seen this Lady Singer he thought I would like and he promised to buy me her first album, which he did. 44 years later, I can tell you that for me and countless others, Joni's music has been the soundtrack to our lives, supporting and challenging us in equal measure. The owl has brought me here to give me the chance to say thank you Joni for finding words for me when I had none. Bless you, and may your road be always charmed. With love Anita x The next day, the day of the gig, the weather was really grim. Grey, heavy drizzle and cloud made visibility really poor, but Steph and I ventured up the amphitheatre where the event was to be held and, even in the greyness, it was magical. We breathed it all in and decided it would be good to see if we do anything to help out, but, although there must have been tons to do, Giorgio and Aldo didnt assign us any tasks, so we spent a really fun afternoon with Phyllis and Bob making lanterns out of paper bags to light at the amphitheatre. It was one of those things where you find yourself with people who are good at art and your own efforts look like those of an untalented three year old. Honestly, Phyllis and Bob were turning them Mothers out as though Banksy or Picasso were related to them. There were lanterns that said JMDL and I have seen a beautiful close up photo somewhere of Bobs (or was it Phylisss?) Hejira to Madeira. A majestic lantern! We were joined by Pearl, Cassy and Laura and we sang, drank tea and made more lanterns. The laughter and fun of that afternoon is one of the great memories I will cherish. Five oclock came closer and the sun came out! It was an astonishing turn around. The JMDLers had been given a table outside overlooking the lake near to where Joni would be having her meal. We had a drink and near six, Joni arrived. When I first saw her, she reminded me of images painted by my friend Carolyn Hillyer. Carolyn painted a series of circle of thirteen archetypal grandmothers and Joni could have been one of them. Although these images of grandmothers arent available on line, if you scroll down through her and her husband, Nigels, work, to the Northern Sisterhood of Drums you might get the sense of her paintings and the drift: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest¬e_id=134070774102 People started moving up to go for the wonderful barbecue of organic, wild sockeye salmon and prawns with salad. The JMDL group were invited to join the queue for food. Steph said to me I must go and get my camera to photograph this beautiful fare. She was gone for some time and then rushed over and excitedly said You must come now, you must come now. Im with Joni It transpired that Giorgio, who seemed to really like Steph, had grabbed her by the hand and introduced her to Joni. It was then that Steph said ' Joni, I am so pleased to meet you, but my friend likes you more than I do' When Joni laughed , Steph said 'I didn't mean it quite like that, but can I go and get her?' and Joni said yes, of course. So Steph grabbed me and we went back. It was Steph who took me to Paris when I first met Joni and it had been Steph that took me to Edmonton when I met Joni again and here she was this time introducing me TO Joni! Joni commented on how far wed come just to be there and I was about to embark on chat when Steph said ' Come on, Anita, you have always wanted to tell Joni what she means to you. Nows your chance. I remember starting to say pretty much what I had written on the card  about my brother coming home from London, that I was fourteen, hed bought me her first album but then everything is blank. I don't remember anything else. Not a single word. Not even a glimmer .. There is absolutely nothing in my memory whatsoever until Joni took my hand and said 'Isnt this a beautiful place?' And I kept saying 'Yes it is......it is very beautiful I felt a wee bit mesmerised. Joni looked around, took a breath and quietly and slowly said again This is such a beautiful place. Steph, Joni and I talked a little about how we planned to do some walking and bird watching and then my time with Joni was finished. I dont quite know what happened. I dont remember much of it, but Steph tells me that I said more or less what I said on my card and that I did take my chance to thank her. However, the experience of meeting Joni has left my bones telling me that the present really is all we have. Everything happens in the here and now. I am no longer 14. 1968 has gone. I wanted to be fully present with Joni and I wasnt. Joni simply was presence. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 07:09:49 -0700 From: Shari Eaton Subject: Re: SJC: now Joni's album performance About the aging since 1998 - I was stunned too. I saw her in 1996 and couldn't believe the changes in her appearance had been that drastic. My Mom is a little younger than her, by a couple of years, and looks nothing like the grandmother time Joni has become. Perhaps it's to do with the effects of Morgellons or she is simply spent from all of the energy she used creating. She still looks beautiful to me, mind. I was just a little startled. Bless her and I hope she is feeling fine. I seriously doubt she'll be performing or recording anytime soon. I love the idea of Joni hejiras and hope she does them next year (with a little more advance notice). Shari On Oct 3, 2012, at 6:32 AM, Bob.Muller@Fluor.com wrote: > It's funny in a way...in the brilliant 1985 Rock Master Class interview, > she talks about being older and performing in a way that she is a > chanteuse talk-singing her songs, and she humorously does a brief > performance of "The Last Time I Saw Richard" in that style. 30 years on, > that's about all I imagine she can do. Looking at the Ruby Lake pictures, > she looks very frail and like she's aged 40 years since I saw her in 1998. > > Bob > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The information transmitted is intended only for the person > or entity to which it is addressed and may contain > proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. > If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are > hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, > distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon > this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please > contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. > > Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual > sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. > ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2012 12:01:08 -0400 From: Mitch Rustad Subject: Re: Joni clunkers Have to crawl out of lurkdom here to chime in ... love the early stuff the most overall, but without a doubt, 'newer' songs like Two Grey Rooms, Slouching Towards bethlehem, Borderline, Turbulent Indigo, Last Chance Lost, Man From Mars, This Place (to name a few) are absolute gems and this comes from someone who is really centered on the For The Roses/Court and Spark era ... food for thought- I really disliked Heijira at first, comparing it to Court and Spark, and missed out on 'Amelia' for years, so just goes to show ... that said, I barely listen to Travelogue, so I get your point ... Mitch On Oct 3, 2012, at 11:07 AM, Betsy wrote: > Azeem-I disagree with most of your opinions. They are perfectly valid, of course. Lots of people agree with you and think I'm insane. > >> I feel a bit out of step here, in that there are LOADS of Joni songs I can't stand. Mostly, they're recent. > > I also feel out of step, but the songs I can't stand are old. Whole albums, like LOC and Clouds, are difficult for me to listen to. I can't consume Blue in one sitting, although I enjoy most of the individual songs. > >> As for specific songs I don't like, some of the usual suspects: Dancing Fool, Lead Balloon, Empty, Reoccurring Dream. The Windfall is truly ugly. > > I like all of those, especially Reocurring Dream. And I think The Windfall is gorgeous. The only part that really bugs me is "you'd eat your young alive" because of the back story. > >> I can't listen to Shine, the album. I think it's *dreadful*! And Travelogue is, well, *shudder*. > > Shine grew on me. There are some excellent songs, and I love that Joni plays piano again. Bad Dreams has a wonderful intro. Travelogue has more good songs than bad, as well. I really enjoy Joni's singing more post-NRH, although I feel like her voice peaked about a decade earlier. > >> To me Joni is now a heritage act. > > It would be very sad to me if Joni had stopped making music before I was born. Having been raised on Wild Things Run Fast and Dog Eat Dog, I probably just have a different perspective than most. > >> Where I used to look forward to a new release, now I dread it. > > I'd at least like to hear more instrumentals, collaborations, or "hack" songwriting like Man From Mars, if she's not up for singing. Or more painting, if she doesn't want to make music. Whatever Joni does is interesting. > > Betsy > NP Borderline Mitch Rustad www.mitchrustad.com 646-319-4282 ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2012 #331 ********************************* ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here:mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe