Collective Soul in a Pantsuit

 We like the kind of band that plays at a casino in South Dakota. 

You know we are willing to drive north to hear "Run".

Let's go. Get in the truck. 

Meg is good company. I love hearing her stories and seeing life through her eyes. The drive went fast! We put on our Strong Independent Women hats and checked into the hotel, drove to the casino and found or seats. The rest of the audience definitely skewed more to my generation. 

We were right in front of the lead guitarist and he was awesome!

I had to smile at Ed Roland's orange crepe suit. He owned it, but I had to wonder if he found it in the mature ladies section at JC Penneys. 

Either way. I respect the fashion choice. 

We had the best time and sang all the songs. We navigated our way out of the venue a little early so we wouldn't be on the road with all the drunk folks and headed back to our hotel. 

A little continental breakfast, and we hit the road in the morning. 

South Dakota is cold. They've got to be one of the best reasons to own Carhart. k

We spotted this cool circle rainbow on the way home. It felt like an alien invasion. 

Maybe they were on the hunt for the ornagiest pantsuit on earth?

Angel we have heard on high

 I know sometimes I have felt overwhelmed at Christmas with all the band and choir concerts at different schools and different times. Then we would add on the handbell concert and a last minute quartet or singing carols to at the memory care center. It can feel like too much!

And this year we only have one concert to go to...which just doesn't feel like enough! 

Everly is learning clarinet and performing with her 5th grade band and also singing with the Sunnyside Singers. 

Kylie showed up to support her!

And there is no way we let a concert go by without going to get a treat afterwards.

Nothing brings the Christmas spirit like french fries and frozen custard! 

Band and the Brick Wall

 I've said before and I'll say it again. 

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas with out concerts. 

Megan and Laney both performed tonight. 

Concert Band:

Wind Ensemble:

And we couldn't miss the opportunity to get another iconic picture by the brick wall. 

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Wicked

We were absolutely as far back as we could get....

 But it was still....

WICKED!!

Concert season

Yes, it has been almost 2 years since the pandemic. Are we still feeling like singing through masks is a good idea?

Anyway.... we had plenty of concerts to enjoy this Christmas! I'm pretty excited that we're having them at all. Anna's Sunnyside Singers gave two concerts. One at the school:

And another performance at the high school with lots of middle school and hight school kids. 

At the end, we all stood up and sang carols together and that was just enough to heal my soul for awhile. I think we're gonna survive this weird moment in history.

Laney's band concert:

Jammin at home:

Getting groovy at to the Jazz band at Megan's concert. 

And of course...always ice cream to celebrate! 

 

John Mayer and the Spotlight

I bought tickets forever ago to go see John Mayer in concert with Mark. I mean, he's so great and we both love his music. I was determined to get better seats this time and we did actually get pretty close....

Only one eensy weensy little problem....that spotlight was shining right in our eyes the whole time.

Still, we got kinda used to it and the music was so great. He played all his favorites throughout the years...it would have been so much fun...only the people right in front of us (like INCHES away) would NOT stop making out. It was pretty distracting.

But hey, nothing is perfect, right? We learned to live with the spotlight, we poked a little fun at Mr and Mrs. Smoochville and we sang along to all the best songs.

We had a great time!!

Weezer

Best. Concert. Ever.

A night at the Midland - Tommy Emmanuel

This is one of those sweet surprises in life.

Mark and I went to the Midland Theater in the Power and Light District, downtown KC to see Tommy Emmanuel play. The theater was built in 1927 and is the kind of place they just don't build anymore. It's a treat to go see someone perform there.

And Tommy Emmanuel....

He didn't disappoint.

This is my favorite of all his songs:

And then! We got to listen to these two, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensely..they have serious guitar chops.

And if that wasn't enough, Tommy did a big set with this fantastic mandolin musician, David Grisman. He was old school and utterly entertaining.

We enjoyed every minute if it. Sometimes it's worth stepping off the beaten path!