I hope to be able to start releasing some of the new songs on Your Fool as singles on Spotify in late January, and at the same time, I'll be completing the album as a "proper" CD for those of us who are mired in old technology and still prefer artifacts (like me!) While I move toward finishing the last song in the studio, I next turn my energies to album cover design. I have had a wonderful working relationship for many years with my pal, Kim Hughes. She's done all my covers except for the Fortunate Strangers EP. That cover was simple enough that I was able to manage it myself, but this one will be more complicated, and I want to see if I can rise to the challenge. I'm doing the tutorials for my design program, Affinity Designer, which is similar to Photoshop, but more affordable! My mission will be to figure out how to get the beautiful watercolors my daughter created for me into a form where I can maneuver them into the cover art. I'm up to the task, but I may be slower than molasses in winter. But, hey! I like molasses!

THE HOLIDAY FREIGHT TRAIN IS HERE! It's very easy to feel stressed and pressed, so here's my wish for you midst the turmoil: I hope that you can find many small moments to savor the simple--like the delicious feeling of sitting with golden sun on your back while bundled against the cold, holding a hot cup of something fragrant in your hands. I hope that you can sigh out the difficulties, make them small in those brief moments, and breathe in simple wonderful facts: the steady beating of your own heart, the contagiousness of smiling, and the sure love of family and friends.

JIM MALCOLM HOUSE CONCERT will be at my house in North Berkeley on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm). Jim Malcolm--one of my very favorite musicians--is the ultimate Scots troubadour: a fine singer of traditional songs of Scotland, a masterful songwriter who crafts songs in a style which is modern but accessible to those who favor traditional music, and a highly regarded interpreter of Robert Burns.

There are very few seats left, but I'm happy to add you to a waiting list if you don't get to me in time, and I have news that Jim is performing the night before in San Francisco!

MISSION: ALBUM COVER DESIGN