Rancho La Puerta is a wellness resort in Tecate, Mexico, dating back to the 1940s. My first visit to Rancho La Puerta was in 2009. Since then, I’ve returned to the Ranch as a musical guest some ten times! This year, I took my daughter Ruby along as my side kick, and we had a wonderful time. Personal highlights of the week included hiking, swimming, fitness classes, wandering through the meandering gardens, reading by the pool, eating award winning vegan meals, and best of all: connecting with old friends and staff members from years past, as well as meeting new friends. In short, a trip to the ranch felt like coming home.
A week at Rancho La Puerta encourages slowing down, breathing deeply, and living in the moment. Indeed these are gifts available to us every day of the year wherever we are! Try it now…… take a big breath in and a long, audible exhale…..Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Now, don’t you feel better?
Sunrise on the Coyote Hike – photo by hike leader Luis! Thanks Luis View from the Coyote Hike- photo by Luis Every day- a new quote on the quote board! rehearing in the Oaktree PavillionSing-along palsOne of the many winding brick paths on the 4,000-acre propertyCactus25-yard lap pool – heaven on earth! Ruby and Laura on the last eveningFrank and Ruby with a carrot pulled from the Ranch gardenDelicious breakfast after the garden walk Our casita for the weekSpring has sprung at Rancho La Puerta
Joe and I recently returned from a quick trip to Iceland, the icy wonderland in the North Atlantic which is home to around 350,000 people. On our first day we explored the capitol city of Reykjavik on foot. On our walk, we watched gorgeous swans, ducks and geese swimming and posing in a large city pond, we ambled down cobbled city streets and marveled at the mix of historic and modern buildings, and we lunched in a fabulous vegan cafe called Mama Reykjavik.
One evening we took a boat ride to view the Northern Lights (great adventure, but alas, no lights.) We soaked in the famous blue lagoon where we rubbed mud all over our faces and let the mineral rich water soak into our skin. On our penultimate day, we took a 7- hour bus tour of the Golden Circle which drove us along miles and miles of highway with spectacular views of the snow covered landscape, Stops along the way included Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, Þingvellir National Park, and the Kerid Crater (where we hiked around the icy edge).
Rose, our guide on the Golden Circle explained the gastronomical delights of Iceland including fish soup, lamb stew, and on the wilder side, sheep’s head, and fermented shark. As Joe and I stick to a vegan diet, we were happy to find plenty of options in Reykveck.
Thanks to it’s abundant geothermic activity, hot water heats homes throughout the country, as well as provides hot water for hundreds of public pools, and natural soaking spots which Icelanders enjoy throughout the country-in every village and town. Add Along with abundant soaking and swimming pools, Iceland boasts sleek modern buildings, free health care and educational systems, and a nearly crime-free oasis where the policeman don’t even carry guns because it is so safe. Indeed, Iceland is a chilly oasis of civility in the north Atlantic.
To get a sense of the vastness and open space, watch the 2016 movie Rams, available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, about two estranged, sheep-farmer brothers who live next door to each other and haven’t spoken in 40 years who come together for the good of the family sheep stock. Gives a good look at the desolate, icy landscape of rural Iceland.
Víkingur Ólafsson, word-renowned Icelandic pianist, records music as serene, stunning, and clean as the Icelandic landscape. His newest recording, From Afar, features 22 works including Icelandic folk songs, along with romantic and contemporary pieces. Listen to his Ave Maria by Sigvaldi Kaldalóns here.
Joe and Laura on the Golden Circle TourKerid CraterReykjavik side streetLaura soaking in a local hot pool overlooking the AtlanticLate afternoon sunReykjav
“This Guy’s in Love With You” by Burt Bacharach, arranged by Phillip Keveren, played by Laura Dean
Do you remember those huge stereo consoles circa mid 1970 where you had to lift a lid on the top to get to the turntable hiding inside? Listening to music was an intentional experience that took some planning – purchasing a record at at a brick and mortar record store. Not to mention, it also took a combination of strength and dexterity to lift the console lid and to gently place the record onto the turntable before dropping the needle.
My first introduction to Burt Bacharach’s music was “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” sung by BJ Thomas, and played by my Grandma Dean on her gigantic stereo console. I loved the ceremony of watching her load the record, singing along with the song, and sharing the experience together. The song, from the charming bicycle scene in the movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, remains a classic in the Bacharach canon.
In elementary school, in Choteau, Montana, where I grew up, our music classes took place in the cafeteria. Our beloved teacher, Dorothy Allen, would often pass out song sheets for sing alongs. While she accompanied on the spinet piano, we sang our hearts out. One of our favorite songs was the Bacharach hit, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” I think it was the groovy melody more than the words that hooked us, after all, we really weren’t interested in love, but we did recognize a great tune.
The news stories in the wake of Burt Bacharach’s passing last week remind us of his huge body of work and his many contributions to the “Great American Songbook.” His lovely melodies, accompanied by thoughtful lyrics, have left an indelible mark on our hearts. Thanks Burt Bacharach, we will be teaching, playing and listening to your music for decades to come!
Summertime! I hope you are enjoying activities, places, and people that bring you joy. The studio is buzzing with summer lessons, and preparations are underway for upcoming August author events. I’ve have launched a series of short music videos that go hand in hand with my book, Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier, and I’ve created dedicated page on my website just for the book. I encourage you to visit the book page for new updates-including music clips and videos! I hope to connect with you soon either online, at an author event, or around the neighborhood!
Love and Music!
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I’m delighted to announce some current and upcoming author events for my new book, Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier(McFarland, May 23, 2022).
Listen to a lively conversation about my book on the podcast, Enhance Life with Music, Ep. 134 hosted by Mindy Peterson. While you’re there, subscribe to this wonderful podcast that “explores the holistic power of music in our everyday lives through the lens of science & health, sports & entertainment, business, and education.”
Read my guest article on the blog, No Dead Guys, hosted by Rhonda Rizzo, pianist, and author. While you’re there, check out Rhonda’s compelling page turner, The Waco Variations, a beautiful coming-of-age novel steeped in music and drama.
Upcoming Author Events
Saturday, August 6, 2022, 7:00 -8:30 PM Piano concert featuring stories and music from the book; audience Q. and A.; and book signing Music Center of the Northwest 901 N 96th St, Seattle, WA 98103 Free Admission Audience members are required to wear a mask *I will have a limited number of books on hand for sale. If you’d like a book signed, I encourage you to purchase a copy ahead of time at your favorite book seller.
Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 7:00 PM I’ll be giving an author talk peppered with songs and guitar accompaniment; audience Q. and A; book signing Third Place Books at Ravenna: 6504 20th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98115 Store Phone (206) 525-2347 Free Admission by registration: call or connect online
I hope to see you at one of the events!
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Harvest. ca. 1869., artist unknown. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
William Van Orsdel, “Brother Van,” known as the best loved man in Montana. (ca. late 1800s)
Brother Van with friends and bear cub in Great Falls, Montana. Photo courtesy of the Brother Van Museum Archives. (ca. late 1800s)
“Harvest Time,” known as “Brother Van’s Song.” played by Laura Dean
Harvest Time
The seed I have scattered in spring-time with weeping
and watered with tears and with dews from on high;
Another may shout when the harvesters reaping
shall gather my grain in the sweet by and by.
Over and over, yes-deeper and deeper
my heart is pierced through with life's sorrowing cry,
but the tears of the sower and the songs of the reaper
shall angle together in joy by and by.
By and by, by and by
by and by, by and by
But the tears of the sower and the songs fo the reaper shall
mingle together in joy by and by.
Then palms of victory, crowns of glory,
palms of victory I shall wear.
William Van Orsdel (1848-1919), known as Brother Van, was often referred to as “the best loved man in Montana.” Brother Van, an enthusiastic singer, often broke into song during his sermons. He was a 19th century Methodist minister and circuit rider – a preacher who rode from town to town conducting church services. He tirelessly preached the gospel to congregations both large and small – on a steamboat, in saloons, in churches, and on rustic homesteads throughout the state of Montana. As a young man, a riverboat captain asked why he was going to Montana, Brother Van replied, “To sing, to preach and to encourage people to be good.”
For more about Brother Van and how he once saved his life with music, you’ll have to read my forthcoming book! I just learned that my manuscript has moved into the paging or pagination phase-which means another step closer to the publication date-early 2022.
Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier at McFarland Publishers, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask about the book at your favorite book seller.
“Legend of the Plains” by Charles Wakefield Cadman, an early 20th century composer whose compositions were often inspired by Native American melodies. Played by Laura Dean.
Missoulian photo
Get up. Jump up. Try hard and don’t give up. – Chief Earl Old Person
Chief Earl Old Person died of cancer at the age of 92 on October 13th. Old Person was a national treasure who served as the chief of the Blackfeet Nation for more than 60 years. He was an expert of Blackfeet language and culture, an advocate for tribal land and water rights, an inspired political leader, and an international ambassador. In his lifetime he met every president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama. He also met Queen Elizabeth, the prime minister of Canada-Pierre Trudeau, and the shaw of Iran. In his later years, he created home recordings of traditional stories and songs for the benefit of future generations.
I grew up in Choteau, Montana, on the Eastern Rocky Mountain front, about 70 miles south of Browning, Montana-the headquarters of the Blackfeet Reservation-the last stop before Glacier Park. The Choteau Bulldogs and Browning Indians were in the same athletic conference. Throughout my elementary to high school years, I regularly traveled to Browning for swim meets and to watch basketball and football games.
Earl Old Person rarely missed a high school basketball game-Browning is legendary for champion basketball teams and enduring fans. For his last visit to the Browning high school gymnasium, his casket was placed in the middle of the basketball court where thousands of mourners came to honor his memory and to say their final goodbyes. The mourning period lasted for four days and included processions, dancing, songs, and stories celebrating the life of the beloved chief.
A quick post to let you know the news that yesterday I signed a publishing contract with McFarland & Company, Inc. for my book: Heart and Place: Music and the Westward Expansion (this is the working title). The project is near and dear to my heart. I guess you say the book has been 51 years in the making, as both music and living in the West have played such a huge part in my life. There is still a long road ahead, but yesterday marks a big milestone along the way.
The book explores a variety of music traditions of the 19th Century American West including Northern Cheyenne courtship flutes, fiddle playing explorers, women composers, medicine songs, French tunes, dancing fur trappers, hymn-singing missionaries, piano playing nuns, frontier flutists, girls with guitars, wagon driving balladeers, opulent theaters, musical instrument showrooms, Chinese American Suona players, singing farmers, opera enthusiasts, musical miners, and preaching songsters. Stay tuned for updates on the book launch date!
Signing the Contract with McFarland & Company, Inc. 6/15/20
Emigrants Crossing the Plains (Albert Bierstadt), 1869
Our long journey thus began in sunshine and song
Peter H. Burnett, May 22, 1843
For the past two years, I’ve been researching the history and music of the early American West for an ongoing research project I call Heart and Place: Music of the Westward Expansion. The history of the American West brims with inspiring stories, musical diversity, artistic creativity, and valuable life lessons relevant to our modern world.
Today I’m sharing four video clips featuring short narratives and music of the Westward Expansion -played on four instruments. I have played this music for concerts in Oregon, Washington, and Montana, and even at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. I’m looking forward to working with this music and history for many years to come.
A “June Gloom” day in Seattle made for the perfect opportunity to visit the VICTORIAN RADICALS exhibit at Seattle Art Museum (SAM).
The attention to detail in the array of colorful paintings, tapestries, clothing, jewelry, and pottery transported me into a romantic world of gardens, gods, goddesses, secret liaisons, betrayals, and courtly love! My hands down favorite painting was Musica, by Kate Elizabeth Bunce. The lovely young musician with her ornate lute, sumptuous dress, and intricate jewelry, posed in front of a blooming floral arrangement, swept me away.
At one point I was asked to kindly step back from a display case (got to close). The case held a book which was open to a poem entitled, Edward Gray. I was mesmerized by the beautiful poem written by an English poet, Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892). I thought to myself, someone must have set this poem to music. When I got home, I did a little digging online and found a piece of sheet music written by Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900), of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. As it turns out, Edward Sullivan set Edward Gray to music. Sullivan’s setting is operatic, covers multiple octaves, and is far too complicated for the purposes of laying down a quick track for my blog…….. so I modified the melody and accompanied myself on my Taylor guitar as I don’t have a lute lying around the studio, I do however, have plenty of floral dresses.
Here’s my version of Edward Gray:
Here are some more beautiful paintings from the exhibit!
Sigismonda (or Gismonda), 1897 by Joseph Edward Southall
I didn’t get the name of the artist for this one… the narrative of the painting is about a young man who died in battle, the women are handing over some of his personal belongings to his broken-hearted lover!
Couldn’t we all use more flowers, more color, more art, more music, more beauty, more love?
Emigrants Crossing the Plains (Albert Bierstadt), 1869
