So how can I sum up an eventful summer – wow. I am still relishing the profound impact of both weeks at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu, New Mexico. Family Week was crazy, fun, and moving. I’m looking forward to next year on that one. The Peace and Justice week opened such hopeful light. I met so many passionate people across different faiths (a rabbi and some muslims) as well some deep thinkers from my own Presbyterian tradition that all believe in peace with justice. I am compelled to write simply to report some of my observations. I saw the rabbi and muslim embrace each other. I have heard the way muslims always follow the name of Mohammed with something like “blessed be his name.” I had the priveledge of hearing a muslim speaker discuss her study of some of the Christian scriptures but was quite unprepared when I heard her say “Jesus, blessed be his name…” I found myself weeping at the idea of this muslim affording such respect. This of course is no shocking revelation to any muslim because they all revere Jesus. I may have known this fact but I was overjoyed to be reminded in this way. The truth is out: people of different faiths CAN get along – even laugh together and are working for peace with justice – may it come quickly.

So great to get some singing help on our latest recording effort; thanks Trace, Dill, Eva, Violet, Ruby, Mom, E the Gibbster, Keythe, Alan, Jim, & Darmini! We now have quite a collection of tunes ready for mix. I’m looking forward to getting our one Christmas-themed song “Angel’s Song” up and ready for download in the next month. Come on back to check it out.

As my first blog entry on the new site, I want to say thanks again to our web guru Jim Rispin for dialing everything in. I also want to share a certain optimism I sense despite the heart-gripping losses to our family. The first Thanksgiving without our brother Chet is not going to be easy. God bless the Liptons for all they do! I just had the pleasure of plowing through a number of squash dishes Sharon, Mom and Lolo cooked up over at the Misners the other night. Why? Because Lolo had “all this squash.” We sat around the table to laugh and engage in spirited discussions about the good stuff: religion, politics and old family stories. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I still miss Chet. I still miss Dad. I still miss KJ. And I’ve come to cherish spontaneous togetherness. Love does never end.