Yesterday…..

All my troubles seemed so faaaar away…. now it looks as though they're here to stay….

Ahem! Good evening! As promised, herewith attached is the view from my desk yesterday afternoon. A warm breeze complemented the gentle breaking of the waves. As you will also note, Mabel the Mac has photobombed the panoramic view.

I introduced Darya's mother, Vanya, to the story today. She is inspired by my own mother, who was a hippy, then a wife, a mother… and, above all, an irresponsible letdown who turned her back on her children when they needed her the most, and selfishly walked away without any appreciation of the emotional carnage she left behind. One day, she just inexplicably decided to eradicate twenty years of her life. She left me hurting, and it still hurts to this day. I realised as the tears were running down my face onto my keyboard that one never gets over a rejection by a parent. One just tries to learn to live with it.

By doing this, I cannot deny it has been an emotional writing experience today, especially as it is now impossible to right the wrongs that were done all those years ago. However, it has meant that I've reminisced about my own childhood sounds today, and one of the positives from my mother was the introduction of the genius that is Joni Mitchell into my life. My mother played three of her first folky albums, Clouds, Ladies of the Canyon and Blue, on long car journeys. I knew all the words to 'Big Yellow Taxi' and 'Carey' by the age of 7. I could play 'My Old Man' (a personal favourite of mine for different reasons) on the organ at 10. Later on my older sister (who is far more intelligent and talented than me)  then introduced me to her experimental era, with the fabulous 'For the Roses', the pop-inspired 'Court and Spark', the jazz and blues of the 'Hissing of Summer Lawns', and the wonderful 'Hejira'.  So I have spent the day as a 'Free Man in Paris', knowing that 'In France They Kiss on Main Street', watching a 'Black Crow' flying and eating a 'Little Green' cucumber.

So I reached my 5000 daily target today listening to a Joni Mitchell medley on repeat, just like my mother did all those years ago. I would have loved to have known her thoughts at the time. I wish she had taken the time to explain. Perhaps I might have understood. Or at least tried to. She gave birth to me, and I suppose for that alone, I will always be grateful.

See you tomorrow, peoples. Here comes a Rainy Night…!!

MJ xx