another fallow season

–won’t roots crack?

–just grow or die?

How much life must sprout beneath

before the flower shows?

The seed disappears….where does it go?

How long…

The people go hungry and search for fruit

I dedicated my life to you, (and

for this very reason).

How is it that all I’ve seemed to do

is disappear

to grow underneath, cold & alone

I know that I have trusted you.

Forget my plans; they’ve long since gone

But for Your Name’s Sake, Lord

move me on

3/10/11

_______________________

About six months ago, we went through a pretty terrible transition. The outcome was good, but the process was hard. Our lives were in disarray, but somehow I must have sat down to write this in a journal. I don’t regularly write like this anymore, really. And I don’t find the following of my thoughts as much of a treasure like I used to.   Much safer to take my thoughts captive to the things that are true! I don’t consider myself any less of a writer for it.  I just use stronger materials for building, I guess.   I published a book of poetry with my first album in 2005, and I’d like to always publish something to go with the music I create; it seems to reflect the songs better as well–to keep them with their companion-thoughts. It would definitely be very little poetry.  It would, however, most likely contain something like this.

Josiah sleeping in the bedroom at my parents' house in Texas where I first started editing the tracks on the desk to the right.

Back at home in Tennessee.

How do I explain how making new music takes so long? It would contain the answer to all of life’s problems. I can’t even comment on it. It has too many sides.

I am even thinking and trying to comment, but I cannot. I can’t explain why so many months, so many years, and not a song to show? Are you kidding? I mean, I have a bazillion songs. And with the king of heaven with me, how can I say I have lacked resources. I must be too close to it to be able to nutshell. Every week, my life changes lately. In good ways.

I have 26 tracks in my hands to dive into an entire world of editing. Choosing which guitar part was best. Choosing which ‘take’ was best. Then onto adding the vocals. I enjoy it even though it is very tedious.

As I do, it helps me grasp what it is that I have and what I’m doing. I could compile these songs a hundred different ways. So many songs! We took the studio time we had and went for all we could get. And now that I’m listening back, I am realizing that this was riskier than I had first thought. If you don’t take the time, you get crap……..sometimes.

I am really thrilled at what we have.

I’ve been settling into a jagged routine of editing tracks around taking care of a family. I think I may officially have to go to paper cups and plates until this project is over. It’s a small price to pay though it may certainly feel less-than-glorious.
You are really going to love these new songs!! I wish the process weren’t so long and slow! Today I’m moving around a solo section all over the place trying to find out where it really belongs. SHHHHHH..! Don’t tell. hahahaha.

After going through all of the songs and doing some things to get them listen-able, I’ve settled into the song “Joey”. It is like getting to know an old friend. Gosh, that’s cheesy, but I don’t know what else to say. The weather is turning to fall; my desk is right by a window, and I am just breathing deep the literal rhythms of life right now. I don’t mean to be all sappy….. but this is good.

This post is for you, Bernd!

________________________________

Joey

Joey came around today
big smile and nothing to say
he was showing off his new ways
now he’s in his car driving away

i have a letter i threw away
could not spell out every single thing
but that’s gone
just like the days we could look
each other in the face

i wish it was cold outside today
not much to do, not much to say,
so i take my time, put my things away
like pictures and choices i have made

My commentary on our self-photo-ing world.

Joni my little mini-Revolution!

I feel sooo much better!

LYRICS:

WITHOUT YOUR LOVE:

LYRICS:

Can’t go on without Your love, can’t get through this day/Can’t go on without Your love, without a kind word/Can’t go on in this rejection, Your love is my only  protection

Like a man who beats at the air are my thoughts without the truth and a child abandoned is my life without you/Can’t go on without your love, can’t get through this day

And Your love is great! You love me, You save me still!

And Your love is great, You love me, You save me still!

Lately I’ve been posting weekly articles and stories on The Difference Faith Makes under the “Writing” tab here which takes you to my blog “Sheer Drapes on My Windows”  at joninichols.blogpot.com

Right now I’m posting weekly and hoping that it intersects with people’s lives in a meaningful way.

If you want to get them sent to your inbox, find the “Subscribe” box on the righthand side of the blog.

Between a blog, a Facebook personal profile,  a Facebook music page, and a website…  if I can keep everything everywhere…. well… let’s not even finish that statement!

And then my close friend VK Lynne calls and says her husband, Sean McHugh, listens to my first cd “In the Dark” EVERY SUNDAY like a soundtrack??? Hmmm. See?? I think I’m onto something.

Lots of editing left and vocals which will be done at home here in TN.  Can’t wait to bring some of my friends in on that! VK Lynne, my good friend from Los Angeles, may be coming to stay with us for a few weeks for some music business, and I’ll get her in on it.  Then I’ll probably grab Renee Bliss and Irene Kelly to do some vocals with me on 2 songs, too!  Woo hoo–soul mommas.  My friend, Shonda Crutchfield, from Texas, may have to make a trip out here to add her voice.   She visited us in the studio and did a scratch vocal in my place while I focused on playing the piano in a distinct pattern that the Zach and Jonathan could follow! hahha.  We’re gonna try to use that vocal track in there somewhere.

We’ll start editing and vocals in September after Dolf finishes a few things on his end and sends us the stuff.  We are glad to have a short break from it, but we’re excited for the next several months.  Final arrival time = next Spring.