NORTH

     On these chilly winter days, (which I DON"T mind), it's not hard to think of all things that encompass this time of year. To me, it means cozy (one of my favorite words), coffee somehow tastes even THAT much better, and hats hide hair I don't like styling. It means I can go to the grocery store in my 'house clothes' because you just throw a coat over them, (while trying to find milk, bread and eggs because Nashville goes into emergency mode if it dips into the 20's). And yes, those of us who have grown up in the cooler parts of the world, tend to think we are a little tougher than those from warmer regions. What's all the fuss about? Just throw on another layer :)

    So, it seems apropos to tell you a little bit about a song I wrote, (and just recently loaded to my player), called North. North is another word I really like. To me, it says so many things. North sits at the top of a compass. To go North, you go up. Going up means things are looking up- and this time of year we tend to look at our lives and try to tackle the things we want to make better for ourselves. New beginnings! We physically, and figuratively draw inside. We go into our own personal winter, and try to come out better on the other side. And I said try...

     North for me, also means home. I grew up in a most fantastically gorgeous place in Northern Michigan, and it always brings up very warm thoughts. It's where I feel the most me. Writing North is part homage to the place I call home, and a wanting to keep bettering my life. We all have our own North, and in constant pursuit of the one that's true....

"EAST, I'VE BEEN WEST
SOUTH OF SOMEWHERE, I HAVE YET
TO GET AROUND, TO WHAT IS TRUE
I'VE GONE UNDER, I'VE BEEN THROUGH
NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THIS PLACE
STAY A STEADY COURSE
TO A BRAND NEW DAY
NO MORE BACK AND FORTH
OR DOWN, DOWN, DOWN
I'M GOING NORTH"