This is a lengthy freak out! Can't help it, music is the only thing that is really mine, as in "mine alone". It's honeymoon time for me.

Things are heating up yet settling in. Communication and rehearsals to me are like having a blast back on the playground (in my case going

to the river, cruising on the rope swing). Everybody I think plays better than ever. Better than when we were in our twenties, or thirties.

The best though isn't chops...it's like a whole-person-rounded kind of deal. The energy is the same, but better.

See I never really got to play w/ these guys before. I wanted to, but it never happened. Just quick projects (like quick-breads,

but now it's like we're preparing a menu for a month).

I'm just so grateful for a goal, and work to be done, and friends to do it with. It's fabulous for me, this whole experience.

Tommy and I as individuals have more time and we each are hitting the practicing (him quite a lot). Duet vocals coming on nice.

Having had to learn and relearn his catalogue, my appreciation for his singing, writing and playing increases. It's just really cool.

We kind of followed a similar timeline, in that Whistlestop came out around "post 7th baby" when in one month, saying not much at all,

I set up the drums, took out the 4 track, found Songstuff, began making my way back. I knew Mischke was "ahead", ya know, more

realized as an artist, but I also knew myself and my worth.

Semed to me like he was coming back, too, at that time, just at a dif. levels.

Ever since recording at Mike's, I was interested in

where Mischke was headed. Ever since I re-met Mike at that high school party, I was interested in where HE was headed. I didn't

forget about either of 'em. I always wanted them to bloom. It never surprised me the strides they each made, I expected them

to. These two are special to me, cause we all grew up in the same neighborhood, even tho we didn't hang out. There's a neighborhood

kinship that does exist. They're special also because they are bona fide writers. I personally know few writers. Nice to have company.

Tommy seems now happy and settled - boy does it show in the playing. And singing! Gol that cat has it all over. Mike and I spent

yesterday and this eve, getting a kick out of Tommy. We must look at him a lot, to know where the heck he's going,

make sure he stays there - but also Mischke's so damn jolly when he sings. A friend asks "what'd you do at rehearsal?" I feel like

answering, "Me and Loo looked at Mischke all night long, and just enjoyed doing that."

I have never had so much fun playing music, ever!

God bless John Moxey!! I mean it fierce; and Steve, and Rudi and Lazz and Hari and HH (RIP) and Alistair and Nick and Prometheus

and a-wooo The Wolf - all you guys continually encouraging ppl like me. That is really all I needed. Well, and to flee the terrible situation.

But that encouragement, that help to gain confidence, no money can procur such a gift.

And now, I'm seeing fruit from the hard work. From the waiting. From the longing, you guys know how die hard I am for

music, it's basically all I talk about in here, yeah it's my husband, sho 'nuff, since I was 7 years old.

This'll sound vain, probably is, but last few rehearsals Mike was digging what I was doing. He had never heard me

play drums to this extent. He made continued comments, and then asked when I'd stopped playing pretty much ("2nd baby");

when I picked it up again ("post 7th baby").

We did my song first time tonight, him on piano. Wow. Different flavor altogether, perhaps stunning. I was abashed because my

buddy Loo really does like that song. He made it lush...wheras alone I gritted. He said man this needs to be recorded.

Yep. They all do.

I fear we kept the Mischke household up late this eve, but there I was relaxed (yes!) playing guitar, and then Loo jumped back on the drums and

we did 2 others of mine. It's a curious, rare, unthreatening musical friendship we have...all of a sudden it seemed to me like he was the

little brother again, exploring and enjoying the twinkly lights. Wondering all about them. Yet then he'll give me (always respectful) direction.

And it happens 3-way, w/ Tommy, too. We three all give and accept musical direction from one another. No weirdness, and blessed be,

a true and admirable respect for one another.

We just get so much done as well, imo.

I'd told them before years ago, it's rare the vibe going w/ us. I repeated this tonight...don't just forget about it...