Honeybees

Today I was inspired by honey bees. 

The very first memory I can recall was of beehives. I was 3. My uncle had brought several big white box hives to our house on 53rd street to keep in our backyard. My Grandad also kept bees on his property in Eastern Oregon for a very long time. A few times honeycomb was retrieved for us to enjoy, straight from the box. I remember being fascinated by it all.

As we know, bees are a very important part of ecology. It is estimated that to produce just one pound of honey, the average hive of 20,000 to 60,000 bees must collectively visit millions of flowers and travel the equivalent of two times around the world. One honeybee's contribution to the hive is only about one-twelfth of a teaspoon! Even though one bee might seem insignificant, each bee's contribution is vital to the well-being of the entire colony. They are hard workers, always busy being productive members of their society. Each bee has their part to do.

Bees are a symbol of what many hands working together can accomplish. A group of individuals with a common goal for good can make a big difference in the physical, mental, and spiritual health of a community.

Bee boxes on Lewis Brown Farm, Corvallis, OR
Photo by Dwight Brimley
http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/farmunit/lewis-brown/gallery/beebox

 In the future, when I am able, I would love to keep bees. They are not only necessary for pollination and the health of the ecology, they are also a great reminder to me about how I make a difference. 

Even if my contribution is only 1/12 of a teaspoon.

 

Behind the song: More

This instrumental seems to be a favorite. It's one of the older songs, written when I was 16.

 Yes, it does feel like there should be lyrics when you are listening to it. And there are, but they are quite personal so I don't share them. This leaves it open for you to interpret it how you will, and to really get into the mood of the song.

Track #6: More

This song is fun to play, especially on a big grand piano so I can really pound on those low notes.

Enjoy!

Me at 16...no smile for this picture. D'oh.

Behind the song: Don't Leave

I am beginning a little series called Behind the Song

(or if you can come up with a more clever title, please share!)

These posts will describe some background on a song from the album. Personally, I am always curious about what inspired the music/lyrics in a song I'm listening to so I thought I would provide that for you guys! In this post I'm highlighting track #15, Don't Leave

Track 15: Don't Leave - take a listen 

Essentially, the first half of the song is about starting a new relationship (yes, it was a specific one) and feeling scared, and also struggling to feel deserving. That section ends with "Please don't leave me." The second half of the song I wrote later, after being suddenly left alone and unheard.

Just to be clear, I am relieved and happy to be where I am and not in the place I was when I wrote the song. :)

I am aware that many of the songs on the album are fairly melancholic...and although I have moved on from the sentiments and themes contained in them, writing them was very therapeutic for me!

favim.com

 My intent in sharing my songs isn't to depress people, obviously, but to help them feel like someone else can relate to things they have felt.

~ ~ ~

Don’t leave

I am scared
to find you here
you’re turning out to be
everything I need
and I am scared

Who are we?
Human beings
I love you and you love me
How simple can it be?

If someday somebody
handed you everything you wanted
you might wonder
how can I possibly deserve this?

It’s not that I don’t care
Please don’t get me wrong
I’ve probably cared more
than any ever before

But I am scared
You’re standing here
A beautiful person
and all I can do is stare

If someday somebody
handed you everything you wanted, and more
you might wonder
how can I possibly deserve this?

I am scared
to find you here
Help thou my unbelief
and please don’t leave
Please don’t leave me

~~

Standing here at the shore

I’m wondering how I can make it

No one’s here anymore to share

The sound of the waves with

And I am fighting myself

Every step of the way

Is there anyone

Who will hear what I say?

Can anybody hear me?
Can anybody hear me?

The clouds are all around

And there’s no sound but my heartbeat

Sand is pulling me in

Water is covering my feet

I don’t wanna move, but I don’t wanna stay

What am I doing here anyway?

Can anybody hear me?

Can anybody hear me?

~ ~ ~

I hear you.

 

Little break

Hi, guys! Are you happy that Fall is here? I think it's refreshing. And it makes me want to buy cute boots. The marketing ploy that works best on me: rain. Ha.

The album has been out for a bit and I have been busy mailing you CDs! I'm pleased to hear your feedback. Ideally, I would be setting up gigs to promote it...but at the moment school is taking most of my attention. I do plan on returning to performing, in one way or another :) There are also a few live tracks we plan to convert and share with you soon...maybe some new songs you haven't heard!

Thank you to everyone for supporting me. 

Here is a photo my dad took recently on a walk (with his phone!). Look at these colors!

CDs are here! Some ideas for what to do with your CD...

Hat! You might wanna bedazzle it.

Frisbee!

A tasty snack...?

It's better toasted.

Coaster, duh.

DIY earrings.

Faulty e-brake? Safety first.

The CDs are not on cdbaby yet...I have them here at my house. $12 per CD

Broken camera

My camera has been broken since my trip to the UK in 2009. I have been able to get around it and take pictures anyway. Now, I'm tired of having a fractured method of communication/expression. A few weeks ago, I took it in to a camera shop to have it assessed. I can have it fixed for maybe $140. Maybe when I'm done being a poor college student. 

Just out of spite for my camera, I took a few pictures anyway. 

At the moment I'm caught up in the weird space of time that follows a very high point. Having spent so much time, money, effort, and emotion into putting together the album...and finally finishing it and releasing it...suddenly there's silence. At first it was strange, and now I feel it makes perfect sense. 

And it's good because I will need the mind rest before heading into the busiest school term I've had yet. I'm glad I'm minoring in music.

I'm on iTunes and Amazon.com!

I am excited that my album is on iTunes and Amazon.com now! If you're looking to save a dollar, Amazon.com has the cheapest price of $8.99 for the entire album.

Or you can buy individual tracks for .99 each.

Katie D on Amazon.com

or

Katie D on iTunes

Enjoy :)