Winter Recap

Dear Reader,

I’m sorry I haven’t blogged recently. Sometimes in life, there is a lot brewing, but I am choosy about what I pick to share with you. Not everyone wants to hear about home repairs, the stresses of my world or what I’m watching on Netflix. Or do you? 😁

In late February, I did a poetry reading for the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets at Café Coda in Madison. It was great to listen to fellow poets and make new connections!

I have so much to be thankful for as I’m very blessed and my life is very full. I celebrated another trip around the sun and, I must say, it was the best birthday yet! It lasted for at least a week and in many ways, I feel like I’m still riding the high from that week. I can remember times when I didn’t really mark the day or it didn’t feel important so I’m very grateful to those who helped me celebrate! Val, Kelly, Sydney and Janet took me out and gave me presents.

I received the coolest necklaces from my dear friend Jenna Joanis made by our friend, Melissa Kieler. Both of these women are exceptional musicians and Ladies Rock Camp coaches. Melissa does amazing work and you should definitely check her out. Jenna also took me to a place I hadn’t been, Bar Corallini in Madison. Cool vibes, good food, and excellent company. To those who showered me with love that week, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I was on the waitlist for Ladies Rock Camp since December and at the last minute they called me to fill in for someone that had dropped out of the April camp. I was thrilled to be a part of it again as I had a lot of friends going this time and I always love the experience. You have to choose an instrument to play in a band and I was able to do Vocals this time! Typically, I’d been playing guitar at camp. Shout out to Melissa Kieler our vocal coach and fellow vocalists extraordinaire Emilie, Heather, and Kristina who all rocked the High Noon Saloon on Sunday! It was a whirlwind weekend and the results were AMAZING! Special thanks to Jenna, our coach, Sarah, Jen, Madeline and Lora for being such a wonderful band, aka The Jenna Joanis Experience. We created a song called “Well Actually” that took a swipe at mansplaining. It was a ton of fun and everyone did a great job on their instruments! There were also a couple of workshops at camp and I was able to attend the one with Jen Farley about stage presence. She’s a musician and a brilliant force of nature!

One of the camp highlights for me was that my friend Jenny Wallskog wrote and performed a song she wrote about her experience with breast cancer. She’s so incredibly brave and I just have so much respect for her as an artist and also a friend. Coaches Jenna Joanis, Lo Marie, Marlo Darken, and Melissa Kieler accompanied me on my rendition of Brandi Carlile’s song “Downpour”. Their encouragement has helped me step up my game. I can’t thank them enough.

Kudos also to directors Beth Kille, Beth Dorn and Megan McGlone for creating this experience for women (and girls in the summer). Click here to check out their website and Wishlist. I’ve said it before, but if you’re thinking about it, do it! You won’t regret a weekend of music and encouragement.

Up next I’m working on the final edits for my 3rd poetry book. In addition, my daughter Sydney is working on the art for the cover! I love this collaboration! I’m still trying to find a publisher for the widow book, but if I don’t find one by later this year, I’ll probably self-publish just to get it out into the world.

I hope that your Spring flowers are coming up physically and metaphorically.

Let’s chat soon.

With affection,

Carrie VS