Catching Up

Hi, Nancy Carey Johnson here.  Back to "It's been way too long".  The last few months of my life have been, well hectic is putting it mildly.  I mentioned in my last blog that I'd had a family emergency - the end result was the passing of my 89 year old dad - though it was really hard, at 89 it wasn't a shock and taking care of all those details kept me VERY busy for a while.

Other things keeping my life hectic: my Mommy and Me program which I mentioned in a previous blog - went very well (I am currently working on putting together  a new 8 week  program), plus I've continued working on Mama Bear Productions.  Then too, the Children's Peace Project <CPP> has kept me hopping busy (I'm the Music Director) and I also produced a mini-music festival in Spencertown, I've been writing songs - for me, for children and for  peace, I've been working on children's books, out reach, tending my garden plus keeping up with and schooling 4 boys, laundry, meals (I am astounded at how much 3 teenage boys and one almost teenage boy can eat!), dishes and trying to keep up with everyday chore -whew, did I say hectic?

Anyway, I thought I'd catch you up a little on the CPP.  We spent quite a bit of time gearing up for some MAJOR events.  In May we were invited to perform at FODfest (FOD standing for Friends of Daniel <Daniel Pearl> if you'll recall was the first journalist executed in the war leaving behind his wife who was 6 months pregnant at the time).  FOD's founder, Todd Mack was a friend and band mate of Danny's and started FOD to "Strengthen community through music".  FOD's mission and that of the CPP dovetail nicely so it was really a treat to be invited back to perform!  PLUS another really nice thing about FOD is that they they use as many talented local musicians as they can in their concerts, thus giving them a really nice showcase!  If you have the opportunity to find them on line www.fodfest.org/, go to a concert or have them come to your school or kids group, I would HIGHLY recommend that you do so!

Then we had the privilege of playing at the Old Songs Festival www.oldsongs.org/ which is an internationally known event in Altamont, NY and performers and audience members come from all over the world to attend - right, that is what makes it international-.  It was WELL ORGANIZED, with really helpful folks ready to do whatever they could to make your experience a good one!  There was also lots to do (for adults and kids alike), lots to see, music just everywhere, workshops, juried crafts and great food!  Thanks to Andy Spence for kindly allowing us the opportunity to perform and to Roger Mock and Chris Collorusso who did such a wonderful job with publicity and helped us take care of all the details necessary to make this a tremendous experience!

Lastly, CPP spent 2 days recording our 2nd CD.  I've heard the original version and now I'm just waiting to hear the edited version - can't wait!

Guess that's it for now, be well and have a great day!  N.