Mixtape 22-2
This week’s mixtape includes:
Caroline, Robin Mordecai
I ain’t living long like this, Shannon McNally, Rodney Crowell
Get Low, Smooth Hound Smith
Sex and Stardust, ZZ Ward
The Devil is an Angel, Jackson + Sellers
Like a Ship, Pastor T. L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
Back in Town, Angela Perley
662, Christine “Kingfish” Ingram
Sweet Oblivion, Jimbo Mathus, Andrew Bird
2541; Robert Forster
Madness, The Lagoons, Jelly Ellington
Find more of my 2022 mixtape playlists on this blog or here.
Wolf Moon Rising
Cold, clear evening up on the hill in East Dundee, Illinois. Wolf moon waxing its way to full. Good night to go out for a howl. (Mike Barzacchini photos)
Dino, Before and After
Dino is our longest tenured rescue dog. He gets shaggy, but he cleans up well. Love how you can see his beautiful eyes in the second photo. “The better to see you with, my dear. “
Dino, before and after. Mike Barzacchini photo.
Does Your Story Pass the Campfire Test?
Photo: Nathan Lindahl @hip_dinosaur from Unsplash
When's the last time you sat around the campfire and listened to a good ad?
Stories matter to people. They connect, inspire, delight, and persuade. Can an ad do the same thing? Sure, if it tells a great story.
But here's the fundamental difference -- a story can engage your audience in a lasting way. By its nature and shape, a story also presents a greater opportunity to be shared in a wider variety of formats, channels, and opportunities, like around the campfire.
A great story can become the centerpiece of your campaign or communication. And it's sure a lot more fun than telling an ad.
What's your campfire story, that compelling insight, example, or testimonial you tell about your organization that's guaranteed to gain attention and get shared?
Put your story to the campfire test. Commit to telling great stories, stories that are worth sharing, and demand retelling.
Lew Archer and I Share a Purpose
The Lew Archer books by Ross Macdonald have been a comforting companion for me these past two years, both in print and in audiobook format, read by Grover Gardner. It wasn’t until chapter 29 of Black Money, that I discovered Archer, Macdonald’s world-weary PI, and I shared a purpose. Here’s the excerpt:
“Money isn’t the only thing in life.”
“That’s what I used to think, until this. What are you, a do-gooder or something?”
“I wouldn’t say so. I’m working hard at not being a do-badder.”
She gave me a puzzled look. “I don’t get you, Archer. What’s your angle?”
“I like people and I try to be of some service.”
I like people and I try to be of some service. I can’t think of a better purpose for me.
How Do You Get Unstuck?
Mike Barzacchini Photo
How often do you get stuck? Sometimes the better question for me would be, “how often do you get stuck in one day?”
I try to pay attention when I get stuck or I feel like I’m about to get stuck. And I try to stage an unstuck intervention. Something small and meaningful that changes my mindset, my energy, and my attitude. Here are some of my unstuck strategies:
Brew tea.
Walk the dogs. We have four, so I can usually find a willing partner.
Go out and look at the trees (the birds, the moon…).
Read poetry.
Search for an inspirational quote and write it down in my notebook.
Write in my journal.
Stretch.
Meditate for five or ten minutes.
Do timed writing or timed drawing — something like three minutes — on a topic or idea unrelated to what I’m working on.
Write a letter to a family member or friend. Not an email or text, but an old-fashioned pen on paper letter or postcard.
One of these will usually unstick me and often lead to a new thought or better idea related to the project I’m working on. What works for you when you’re trying to get unstuck?
Moon in Recline, January 9, 2022
Waxing moon, East Dundee, Illinois, January 9, 2022.
Waxing moon over East Dundee, Illinois, January 9, 2022
I love to photograph the waxing moon when it’s about half full and starting to set. It looks like it’s reclining after a night in the sky.
Mixtape 22-1
I used to love making #mixtapes and later mix CDs. I’ve been known from time to time to still put together a mix CD for a friend. And I’m always making playlists on @spotify, @bandcamp, or just in my notebook. One of the things on my 2022 More List is more music. And one of the ways I’m going to try to get to more music into my life is by making a weekly playlist of 11 songs. Here’s my 22-1 mixtape with a link in the bio of you’re interested in checking it out. And check out the artists’ Instagram pages for more info on them and how to get their music and merchandise.
What songs would you put on your first playlist of 2022? #music #playlist
Mike’s Mixtape 22-1
1. Waste your time, @jacksonsellersmusic
2. Old time feeling, @s.g.goodman
3. RHODOENDREN, @hurrayfortheriffraff
4. Beautiful accidents, @kmickwee
5. Change things, @abbyehamilton
6. Anyhow, @kelseywaldon
7. Our love is done, @hannahjuanita_thehardliner
8. Puppy and a truck, @jennydianelewis
9. How low, @heartlessbastards
10. Wilder days, @morganwademusic
11. How I got to Memphis, @heathervalleymusic
Find more of my 2022 mixtape playlists on this blog or here.
My 2022 More List
Here’s my 2022 more list. What do you hope for more of in the new year?
I haven’t made resolutions for years. What’s worked for me have been more lists. These are things I want to practice or experience more of in my year. Here’s my 2022 more list:
Music
Laughter
Kindness
Connections
Gratitude
Poetry
Nature
What do you hope to experience more of in 2022?
First Moonshot of the New Year
Cold, clear sky. Waxing moon. My first moonshot of 2022. Here’s to many more.
My 2021 Favorite Moonshots
This past year was a great one for moon photography. Here are a few of my favorites from the year, taken on December 20, December 16, December 11, November 11, October 12, and July 21.
I take my moon photos with a Nikon Coolpix B500, flash off, on auto setting. Looking forward to more great moonshots in 2022.
The One Solution to the Riddle of Life
The one solution to the intricate riddle of life.
“There is but one solution to the intricate riddle of life; to improve ourselves, and contribute to the happiness of others.”― Mary Shelley
It’s not always an easy path, but it’s the path worth striving to stay on.
Ready to Play 2022 Fishing Bingo?
Are you ready to play 2022 Fishing Bingo?
Just for fun, I created this fishing bingo card. If anything, maybe it will encourage me to get outside by the water more often this year to see if I can fill a square or two. Download a copy of the 2022 Fishing Bingo Card for yourself and give it a try.
Under-Deck Deer
Monday visitors.
Looking out my basement office window at the deer looking in.
Happy Moon Year
Our friend Ruth created this wonderful moon painting as a Christmas gift for me this year.
Yes, I’m a moon watcher. I love moon watching and taking photos of the moon. It grounds me, anchors me, and inspires me.
I’m looking to many opportunities to moon-watching opportunities in 2022. Here’s the full-moon schedule for the year:
January 17, 2022, Wolf Moon
February 16, 2022, Snow Moon
March 18, 2022, Worm Moon
April 16, 2022, Pink Moon
May 16, 2022, Flower Moon
June 14, 2022, Strawberry Moon
July 13, 2022, Buck Moon
August 11, 2022, Sturgeon Moon
September 10, 2022, Harvest Moon
October 9, 2022, Blood Moon
November 8, 2022, Frost Moon
December 7, 2022, Cold Moon
Total lunar eclipses may be seen in much of North America May 15-16 and November 7-8.
Sources:
The Farmer’s Almanac also has a full-moon calendar that you can customize to your location and the UK’s Royal Observatory has great online resources for moon watchers and lunar fans.
Tomorrow, I’ll share some of my favorite moon photos from 2021. In the meantime, I wish you clear skies and great moon views in 2022. Happy Moon Year!
Happy Moon Year!
2021 Hear My Year
And here’s the full track list:
The Ship Song, Nell Smith, The Flaming Lips
Lost & Lonesome, Buffalo Nichols
B-Side, Khruangbin, Leon Bridges
25 Years, Jonny Greenwood
I Wanna Monkey, Guided by Voices
I don’t Live Here Anymore (featuring Lucius), The War on Drugs, Lucius
Country Child, Robert Finley
Mississippi Phone Booth, John Hiatt, Jerry Douglas
Deep Breath, Riley Downing
Breathing, Amy Helm
Mercy, Suzanne Santo
Take Good Care, Megan Palmer
Lanyards, The Hold Steady
Down in the Country, Israel Nash
Change Things, Abby Hamilton (the 2020 release)
The Ghost of Cincinnati, Big Red Machine
Lord of the Flies, Bob Schneider
Idiot, Jenny Lewis, Serengeti
Funk #49, Los Straightjackets
Grateful 2021
Our friend Ruth asked me a couple of days ago what my thoughts were about 2021 as the year neared its end. I paused and considered the loss, uncertainty, setbacks, and pain that so many have experienced. Then I shared with her the first word that came into my mind, “grateful.” I added, “If I’m not grateful in this life, in which life will I be grateful?” If the past two years and getting a little older have taught me anything, it’s been the power of being grateful especially in the most challenging times.
As 2021 closes, I find so much that I’m grateful for. Our home on the hill in this river town, surrounded by so much beautiful nature.
Visits to and from Susan’s parents in Ohio.
A visit from Jonathan and Kayleigh this past summer
Gathering with family to celebrate my sister’s birthday in Florida.
Experiencing the luminary festival with Susan.
Weekly virtual Yahtzee games with family and friends now in their second year!
Our pack, that includes our four wonderful dogs and the dogs we’ve been fortunate enough to foster. I learn from them every day.
Laughter, including the biggest laugh of the year gifted to me by Art on Christmas Day.
Above all, the people in my life, my family and friends, including Ruth, who caused me to pause and consider my gratitude for 2021.
And most of all, for my partner in life, love, and adventure, Susan, for whom I hold a deep well of gratitude.
Wishing you good health, joy, and more than a few good laughs 2022. As a wise, kind person said to me this year, “we’ll see each other again.”
