News

S. J. Tucker and her sweetie, K, had planned on coming for a visit. They would be this way on other business, and so they’d finally get to see our house, yard, and we’d all go out to lunch. But we got the news that K would be coming on his own, because Sooj had been rushed to the emergency room. It turns out her appendix had a problem, and though no one’s sure what that little bit of flesh does, when it goes bad, it’s bad. She’s going to all right physically, but financially, not so sure. Sooj and K are uninsured, as are many artists. The creative lifestyle is exciting in soooo many ways, this being one of them. So K put out the word, that they need to raise money to pay the hospital bills. Here’s two links for it.  http://www.skinnywhitechick.com/announcement.php or http://community.livejournal.com/saveours00j/

There are lot’s of different auctions going on right now, everything from handmade socks, jewelry and other musicians doing music. It’s been wonderful how the internet communities have rallied to Sooj and her predicament. It helps me realize that for a lot of people e-mail and chat boards really are a community, a sort of neighborhood. This is America’s answer to sitting on the porch and chatting as people walk by, it’s just all electronic now. This may actually persuade me that getting on line more might not be a bad thing. People are being pretty wonderful.

K did come for lunch, but not alone. He had Stephen, Sooj’s Mid-West booking person, and his wife, Anna. Sooj was recovering with the help of family, friends, and her religious community, so that K could continue to do the travel and business to keep their enterprise going. I hadn’t realized until we had K here without Sooj, that they are one of the few couples that are as much a partnership as Jon and I. It was odd to see one of them without the other one somewhere nearby, like K was missing a limb, or something. I guess, in a way, he was missing a piece of himself. I know that’s how I felt doing the last Wolf Howl when Jon had to stay home because of recovering from knee surgery. It’s always hard when someone is truly your other half, and they can’t be with you, but soon, Sooj will be back to her amazing self, just as my sweetie is able-bodied once more.

For those who came to the Wolf Howl earlier in the year, you got to see Sooj, K, and even Stephen and Anna. Sooj serenaded us while I signed books. It was a lot of fun, but so hard not to pay attention to her singing. I wanted to dance! Had to be good and work. (Pout.) We’ve had the privilege to hear her sing several times. Each time is special, and full of new songs, and favorite songs, and her presence. She’s one of those musicians that is even more fun in person. But as Jon and I listened to her songs on CD, trying to choose favorites to embed in this blog, her voice filled the room. She’s this petite, delicate looking woman, but her voice is big.

Taking K, Stephen, and Anna, on a tour of the house and then out to lunch with the three of us, was great. Oh, Jon, Darla, and me. But we’re all looking forward to when Sooj can come with them, and see it for herself. Hopefully, soon.

Here are the songs that Jon and I finally chose. It was not easy to winnowing it down to just these songs. There was even one song that I think we’ve only heard in concert, so it’s not on a CD, yet. I’m hoping it’s on the new one that we have on order. The song, "Ravens in the Library." But, here are a few of our favorites, just the barest of highlights. Trust me, that Sooj’s talent, like her voice, is big. She’s also something that’s rare these days, she’s a wonderful story teller. Check out the first in the Wendy trilogy of songs, if you doubt. So, I’ll get off, so Jon can do his techie magic and attach the songs in that near mystical way to this blog.