Slow and Steady Recovery

Hello my friends,

I know most of you know this but…recovering from surgery is, like, hard? I’m not a person known broadly for my patience with not being able to do things. Even when I’m intentionally doing nothing, I fight the impulse to make it productive nothing (thank you, ADHD). So the past five weeks have been a mental struggle as much as a physical one. That said, I am progressing as expected. For the next three weeks, I am gradually experimenting with limited periods of weight bearing - usually just standing, not trying to walk - until I can put my full body weight on my right foot again. After that, two months of physical therapy await. I’m looking forward to it even though I know it’ll be hard work, because I’ll have a bit more control over my progress.

The knee scooter has been awesome and I’m practicing getting better with crutches, though I currently resemble an infant giraffe any time I use them.

I’m able to do a bit more, like laundry and cooking, with planning and some assistance. Last weekend I got to get out of the house to go see a play and a movie! But I’m also trying to listen to the friends and family who tell me to sit down when I should.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this stage of recovery is that I find myself wanting to work on things again. Yesterday, I had my partner move my guitar into the bedroom because I needed and wanted to play. I also have the impulse and brain space to write again, which makes me feel more myself. The team of regulars for our Monday “Do the Thing” meetings have been such a bright spot, too. Sharing space with some of you has made my Mondays feel a bit more normal.

Another joyful thing has been starting rehearsals for two December shows I get to participate in. I am not yet in a place where I can play a whole solo show, but I am lucky to scoot my way into two wonderful holiday concerts:

On December 14th, I will be part of the Sirens of Chatham, performing beautiful choral arrangements led by the wonderful Dawn Landes. This annual concert is raising money for Second Bloom, an organization serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Chatham county. I was thrilled when my friend Jess Klein connected me with Dawn for this one. The songs are gorgeous and the people are delightful. It feels so good to sing choral music again, too.

Then, on December 21st, I get to sing a couple of tunes at the Bull City Holiday Extravaganza! There are two shows, one at 3:30pm and another at 8:00pm. The band is coming in hot and the songs are super fun (and very different selections from your usual holiday show)! If you’re a local I highly recommend coming out in your silliest sweaters and holiday hats. I’m planning to decorate my boot in a seasonally appropriate outfit.

I didn’t get to do my annual “Leftovers” livestream the day after Thanksgiving this year, and I have missed hanging out with you, SO please save the date for Thursday, December 19th at 8:00pm Eastern.

I’ll be hosting a hangout/livestream for paid subscribers. I don’t want to call it a show because I have no idea what my energy level will be like, but we’re going to chat and play a few tunes for sure. I will probably share some fun tidbits from my upcoming Winter Songwriting Intensive so if you’ve ever been curious about why both holiday and secular wintertime songs sound so…well, seasonal, we’re going to break a few down and look at how they work.

If you’re a paid subscriber already, you’ll get an invitation and link closer to the date. If you’re not yet a subscriber and would like to be, you can do that right here:

Every subscription helps me make my little way in the world doing work that I hope helps folks connect with themselves and each other. If you have been touched by my work in a positive way, I hope you’ll consider a paid subscription. And if that’s not in the cards for you right now, please know I am so happy you’re here and part of this community!

Thank you to everyone who has sent notes of encouragement over the last few weeks. And thanks to all of you for sticking around while I haven’t been able to perform. I’m looking forward to writing and playing a lot more soon.

Xo,

J.