Sowing some wild oats

I camped on the edge of a pea farm—a long, open field of green surrounded by trees in the distance. My station wagon was parked beside the old farmhouse (a hundred years old they tell me), and with the back seats folded down, I had the ideal little bed, sleeping next to my guitar and backpack. When the morning sun snuck around the corner of the house and started beating in through the car windows, I took my blanket out to the tree in the front yard and stretched out under a wide canopy of branches and leaves. And that’s where I stayed all morning.

This was the site of Wild Oats and Notes, a music festival outside Tofield, Alberta, where I rediscovered summer. I played on Sunday, but the festival ran all weekend and we got to hang out with some old and new friends under the intense summer sun, just trying to keep cool and soaking up some great music.

On Sunday especially, the heat was INTENSE! I took the cue from some kids in an ice fight and drenched myself with ice, sought shade, any respite from the heat. I can’t tell you about the sweet joy of celebrating the end of my set with a cold beer. Some things go together like peanut butter and jelly—and beer and hot summer days are definitely one of those timeless pairings.

Wish I had a picture of the stage, emerging from one end of the grain bin; camps hidden in the trees around the farm fields; the old blacksmith shop. But since I didn’t have a camera, you’ll have to recreate the scene yourself. Better yet, just indulge in your own nostalgic summer sanctuary of sweet heat.

The summer holds a spattering of festivals and some good time for creating music. I’ve been co-writing with Danny Fortier while I’m in town and getting totally immersed in the creative process. At the end of August, I’ll be heading on a short tour to the west coast, so keep posted for details!

Enjoy the sun…