February First

February is my birthday month and it is going to be great for music, friends and celebration.

It kicked off unofficially January 30th when Matt Mays brought his "When The Angels Make Contact" tour to town. The gig was amazing with a light show, a video show and one rocking music extravaganza.

Afterwards, Matt did an eight song encore and within it he did what seemed like a four minute dedication thank you to me for being there at his Guthries show seven years ago when he was twenty.

He then sang a song he had not done in seven years, Season To Leave and dedicated it also to two Guthries in his band tonight, Dale and Serge. Tim the drummer had also been with them that night at the Esquimalt Inn as well as integral to the making of "When The Angels Make Contact" sound.

Matt's other band is El Torpedo and the past seven years have been a mercurial rise to alt country stardom, including gigs with The Black Crowes and Blue Rodeo.

I have seen the band whenever they pass through town at first as openers and now as headliners. Hope El Torpedo comes back this year. I think a new album is in the works and I am certainly looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, "The Angels" definitely made contact with the rapt fans Tuesday night in Victoria.

Tim and I have amazing music Friday night in the full moon to attend. Three sensitive singer songwriters are bringing their magic to Lucky Bar. Leeroy Stagger and The Sinking Hearts, Matt Hopper from Alaska and Indio Saravanja.

This show promises to be a highlight of my musical year for sure.

On my birthday, Tony and I will be seeing troubadour Stephen Fearing. It will be beautiful.

The past two months of weather have been monumental.

Fierce winds and rain storms have compromised our trees and left a trail of devastation across British Columbia.

Two trees fell in our back yard, one toward our house in the middle of the night and the other a week later at suppertime into our neighbours' yard. Both miraculously did little damage and created a lot of yard work and a very large pile of firewood.

We had a two night one day power outage and enJOYed the living room by the fireplace "chillin' time." Used camping equipment for meals and tea and listened to battery music, nice.

We have had three sets of snow so far and may have more next week. This is some sort of record for Victoria who seldom sees the white stuff.

We are into a week of sunny blue skies, cool temperatures and clear nights. Great for walks up our back hill or along the water and observing the fulling moon.

This is a welcome reprieve after the wet winter.

The snowdrops are up. The pink and yellow blossoms on some trees were up on the trees during December's snow.

I think spring is just around the corner. Sunnier days lately are giving us hope.

Christmas was wonderful with Margy here and baby Alexander and Tim and Pat.

Alexander is eight months old February 4th. He is so lovely to be around and trying to grow some bottom teeth. They havent quite pushed through yet.

Life is good. Spring is coming and my birthday is near.

February is an awesome time of year.

Peace and Love
Allie XO