Gradually very very gradually the hand is healing. I am starting to regain function in the thumb and pointer…although they are still a bit tingly. Some days it hurts more than others. But the pain is not front and center in my brain. I still cringe a bit when somebody wants to shake my hand. But at least I don’t pull back and awkwardly offer my left hand instead. I restarted our art group but it has been slow. On the positive side my art peeps suggested I draw how my “hand feels” rather than just drawing my hand and some magic happened.
Here we are in mid-April. It almost feels like March didn’t even happen. Last weekend my youngest son who is the bass player had his Scullers debut with Javon Jackson for the release of the album “Javon Jackson Plays Dylan”. Ryan Sands, the drummer for Altus and a good friend of Isaac’s since Freshman year at NEC was the drummer. I just love the chemistry between the two of them. Being good friends they are just able to read each other and it comes through in their music. I used to think of Ryan as shy and reserved and restrained. Especially compared to Isaac’s other NEC friend Dave who is the sort of person who can instantly connect with anyone. But I have to say Ryan has suddenly blossomed as an artist and for the first time I am really getting a feel for his creative energy and who he is as a person. It almost seems like he has morphed from the little boy I first met when he was a freshman into the man he is today. Two weeks before, Roy and I went to hear him play at Club Passim with a folk group from CT called, “Goodnight Moonshine Quartet” and although the folk songs were good Ryan’s drumming really added some special sauce to the music.
All week this mom has been bursting with pride over Isaac. My only sadness is that my mother would have been OVER THE MOON to hear him play with Javon at Scullers.
Other news I am working at a new Farm this summer. And what a joy it is. Yes I loved Drumlin and many of the people there but the dysfunction of the farm and the struggles the farmer was having to produce a successful crop was painful. Especially since I spent years admiring the gorgeous soil and well tended fields that existed when Matt was the head farmer. The new farm is well run and organized. And they will have berries and flowers and peas. The community seems wonderful and there are animals including a really wonderful border collie. The drive to the farm is a bit longer but the farm is closer to where my daughter lives so maybe some days I will go visit her after I am done.
