spirit lake

The pines at Spirit Lake.

So much of what I do creatively is done solo.  I hike, photograph nature, write lyrics, play ukulele. I share my photographs in a few different ways, sing my songs on occasion for others.  But the actual creative part is so often done alone.

In the fall of 2020 we were all so isolated.  Thanks to Covid-19 we were spending even more time alone than we were used to.  It was at this time that I invited my sister to join me in a project.  I asked her to be my photographic muse.  She said Yes!  I was so excited.  We decided on a location to shoot and film, Spirit Lake Nature Preserve.  Just the name of the preserve was inspiring.  I had been there before, and I knew that there were big stands of pine trees, and I thought they might be the perfect spot for our afternoon of creativity.

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A crown of flowers and leaves.

I ended up writing a new song for this project, with a different sound than my usual little ukulele folk songs.  I recorded it and sent it along to my sister for her thoughts.  She liked it!  We talked a bit about costumes.  I made her a crown of leaves and flowers, she brought a cape, and a gorgeous long green dress.

In my mind I could picture her character running through the woods.  She's a runner, so she was up for it.
I'm not sure I was ever as excited for a project.  She has a natural flair for acting, so I knew she would be great.  And on the day we scheduled to film the weather was perfect. Sunny, not too warm.  We would be under the cover of the pines, so there wouldn't be any trouble with light. ​

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My Sister, my muse.

We drove to the location.  There was no one else there.  We had the woods all to ourselves. And for about two hours it was bliss!  We shot video scenes, did a photo shoot.  She ran barefoot across the pine needles through the woods.  Things just fell into place.  And when we were done I couldn't wait to get home to edit it all together.  

And though it was an absolute beginner project, I have to say that I'm so happy with how it turned out. Her performance, the song, the photography.  I had only done a couple music video projects before, so I was just learning. But it was so much fun putting it all together.  A true learning experience.  I can't wait to collaborate with her again.  So, let me just say, Thank you, Laura. You're amazing.​

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HERE AMONG THE PINES
THE SMELL OF THE EARTH
ALL AROUND ME

HAWK CIRCLING OVERHEAD
I HEAR HIM CRY
​THE MOON IS ARISING

     NEXT TO ME
     I HEAR YOUR HEART BEAT
     NEXT TO ME
​     IT SOUNDS LIKE A DRUM

​LOVE IS A MYSTERY
IN THE WILD
UNDERSTORY

     WILDERNESS
     MOVES THROUGH MY VEINS
     YOUR CARESS
     ON MY SKIN LIKE THE RAIN

​JUST BEYOND THE TREES
MOONLIGHT IS SHINING
O'ER SPIRIT LAKE

IN THE DARK IT CALLS TO ME
SO WE WILL GO
​TO WADE IN THE WATER

​NEXT TO ME
I HEAR YOUR HEART BEAT
NEXT TO ME
IT SOUNDS LIKE A DRUM
NEXT TO ME
​IT SOUNDS LIKE A DRUM