The Festival of Pages was an annual celebration in Milka that people all over the Galaxy attended, and shared their rhymes, their stories, and their songs. It was a joyous occasion that not only celebrated their culture, but also held the sacred space of all imagination, and creative powers. The Ancient Ones had brought their stories with them, and each generation told them to each other. Every year new stories were imagined, shared and sung in plays, and performances in the Mingli Meadow. There were high flying acrobats, and spinning Ferris wheels that lifted one above the clouds, children played with homemade toys of ribbon wands, bubble globes, and rode on elephants and giraffes. The food carriages were loaded with Tipleah ale, and fresh fruits, vegetables, lightly scented lavender short breads, and almond cakes; their succulent deliciousness readied for mouth watering savored swallows. At the circle entrance were the drummers, and cantors welcoming all to the festivities, yelling out verse, and singing old folk songs from the first passage to Emeria.

   The tribal nation harmoniously honored their people by keeping old traditions alive. The children were taught the pages from ancient days in their studies, in them all the mysteries of life that ever were known were passed down. The celebration culminated in the procession of The Tree of Leaves which was a tall tree with many branches, and on each leaf were the words from all the fairy tales and mythology ever to be written. Offerings were made of food, candles, incense of Tipleah, made from the oils of the natural flowers that grew on the Tree of Leaves, granted their exquisite scents to be embraced in the breeze.

   The Journey of Fairy Tales epic orchestration for the future of all intuitive tales that ever were and ever shall be is an enchanted musical path of the most splendiferous and cinematic kind. Only the purest of intention can make the passage through the Linkalee Alignment to save the Book of Leaves, and recover the lost literature of the ancient ones.  These songs are featured in part in an upcoming booktracks.com of Journey Fairytales in the Spring of 2018. It\ is written for all ages of make and believers in the Laws of attraction for an abundantly adventurous and cinematic read that is a guiding light uplifting read.

 www.laurabotsford.com

If you were following the Seattle scene in the 80’s, you most likely and luckily were inspired and moved by the music of Michael Tomlinson. I’ve just recently discovered his songs, and had only one thing to say to him, “Where have you been all my life!? I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon his music on Pandora.” If you want to hear the folk pop we treasured back in the day, this is as good as it gets, and his facebook page is a delight to read. Yes, there are people who write in full sentences that resonates with human warmth. Michael is one of them. His new album is filled with mellifluous melodies and uplifting, poetic lyrics that will linger in your mind and move your spirit.

http://michaeltomlinson.com/sky_house/sky_house.htm

https://www.laurabotsford.com/music

Release Publication Fall of 2016

Cinematic track for Journey of Fairy Tales – Opening paragraph

  The journey was arduous, not even the brightest bird could follow across the stormy seas, but in Isla’s heart was a brave, and bold resolve to make it across the turbulent waters; however tumultuous the ride may become was of no matter. To be dissuaded or abandon the cause was out of the question; for she knew there was a treasure worthy of saving, if not for his kingdom but for herself, and all the children of Emeria to follow. There was a faint whisper of fragrant jasmine in the air.  She could hear the children of yesterday offering  burning incense, waved into wispy, curling prayers  upwards through the universe, their hearts one wind chime; floating their joyous callings to the heavens. Their prayers saw their way through deep space and further yet out across the sea. The waves rocked the boat, pouring it forward over the crests closer to the shore. The Books of Leaves stolen from the heart of Emeria, would be recaptured in time.

Wisteria Sonnet

Wisteria blue and indigo sonnets against a saffron rose

Edge the clouds of my day

These moments of youth pursue

My inspired hues of clay

My renewed joy

Up above the sunset, where darkness soothes the heated streets

We sing forever in the holy mist of the pure and perfect Dove

Gathering in wonder

Forget the plunder, the push and shove

And remember the song we are suppose to live

Love

Mist Into Light  link to Print

Hank Williams

Loretta Lynn

   Tonight I watched American Masters on PBS that featured our Lady of Country, Loretta Lynn. It is something of a revelation and a  surprise to relive and hear the paths of influence in my own song writing through the influences of such great songwriters like Loretta, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. I was taken back to the moments of my life where  I had immersed myself in their nuances, poetry and chords over the years, and took their hands down those same turn rows into country fields, real life story telling,  and yes, ached along with them in each note and word.

   It’s been awhile since I wrote story telling songs, as I wish for the days to return when I would write with friends, and hear their artful and authentic contributions to the song;  this longing is indeed it’s own unfinished song of unrequited partnerships. There is beauty in collaboration. This part of the documentary really resonated with me. Garth and Trisha defined it the best I have ever heard said.

   My Grandfather  loved the Sons of the Pioneers and all singing cowboys. I think we were the only ones in the family that did. My parents liked Jazz and Swing, female balladeers of sweet persuasion, but there in the spinning of old 78’s, I found a home in country songs that reached out with simplicity and those sweet harmonies.

   I have always loved singing this song of Hank Williams. The melody winds out like a train, and the lyrics are clouds across the moon, I can imagine that only the crickets chorused along when this was written. My recording of it isn’t the best, so I hope you’ll hear past it to feel the poetry of this well written classic.

   So, I’ll just ride off into the sunset for the night with heartfelt appreciation to all the country storytellers, and cowboy romance novels that have touched my heart and moved me along into “my slow moving dreams.”