So, as some of you may know, I’ve been going through a bit of a difficult time lately. I certainly won’t go into much detail here, but it all boils down to too much stress sneaking up on me and then attacking with a vengeance! Sources of this stress were: Facebook, Twitter, completion of my book, completion of the HL album, my worrisome nature and not really dealing with the past. So, I’m taking steps to fix this.

This morning I deactivated my FB and Twitter accounts and it felt wonderful. More stress just floated off of my shoulders. I did like Facebook at first, but it then became a magnetic presence more than a joy. I found myself biting my tongue over people’s posts, wanting to say far more than I ever really did. Why? It was their post, not mine. See, there was the stress. I was so focused on what someone else thought about Michael Jackson’s death, or any number of other topics, that I didn’t tend to my own needs in real life. Yes, I know FB is real posts from real people, and people I know at that, but it’s also a safe little world that you never really have to leave if you don’t want to get out of your chair that day. I felt myself being “sucked in”, and it fed my ego in a very uncomfortable way. I thought “I wonder if anyone commented on what I said/posted yesterday?” and if they didn’t, it was almost worse. No one cared. It was just a big ball of unwanted, stressful agony! So, I stopped. I’m not saying it’s wrong, please don’t interpret it that way. It’s just not for me. Twitter wasn’t nearly as invasive, but it just had to go, too. They’re all distractions from life for me. I was totally fine, and more productive, before they both came along. Besides, with all that twittering and commenting, I have been coarsely neglecting my own beloved site! I’m back now, and will post once every couple of weeks or so when I have something to report. And those word count guidelines on FB and Twitter, well, I just couldn’t be my rambling self and say what I really wanted to say! Where’s the fun in that?

In more positive news, I’m doing so much better. I’ve been reading a wonderful book on anxiety (From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett) and it’s helped me tremendously. We all have issues we need to work on and mine have just reached the point where I can’t wait any longer. I have to fix this stuff now. I want to be happy, bright and not wallow in the past or the darkness any longer. I’ve spent way too much time there already. My Mom was right. The thirties will do a number on your mind. It seems to be when the past really catches up with you. That is certainly the case with me. The unresolved is a real bitch!

In garden news, things are still a soggy mess on our lower back level, but it will be ok in time. I have many plans for my good beds and that’s what I’m going to focus on. I’ve ordered quite a few Strawberry plants (three different varieties, 100 plants in all!) and another David Austin Rose, aptly named ‘Strawberry Hill’, which I plan to plant in the empty bed by the contorted Mulberry tree. I figure that Roses and Strawberries do so well in my garden that I can just go forward knowing I’ll have a great harvest! Plus, I can never get enough of those lovely berries. I also love sticking my nose deep into the lush cups of soft rose petals, taking in their heavenly aromas. These are pleasures I never tire of.

This is ‘L.D. Braithwaite‘, another David Austin variety. This is one of my favorite garden friends. He produces heavily and keeps on going all Summer long! Even in a windy spot, he flourishes. He’s a keeper! I love ya, L.D.!!

Amidst these new plantings, I think I’ll plant some more tender herbs, too. I have all of the staples covered, so I might try some Tarragon, Chervil, Dill and anything else that strikes my fancy. I just love a mixed bed! I may try some veggies in little nooks of unused, sunny space, as Marvin suggested, but we’ll see. I’m definitely in a Rose & Berry mood this year. I can almost taste the warm, sun-ripened berries plucked right from the garden. I can see it now: I stand there, berry in hand and ankle-deep in lush plants, and close my eyes. I bite. The berry flavor shoots straight to my taste buds, exploding with succulent sweetness. I sigh that sigh of absolute joy and savor every bite. Bliss! As any gardener knows, there is nothing sweeter than that. I must have it!

I know it’s cliche, but gardening really does help clear the mind. As I weed my garden, my mind gets clearer as well. I start envisioning new plantings, mature growth of my still-forming teenagers, and it lifts my heart. My goal is to spend more time outside when weather permits. I’ll probably be all tan (a farmer’s tan at that) before I know it. Oh, how very sexy!

The warmer, sunnier months are ahead. I’m charging toward them with great expectations! I’m on the mend, and I’m just around the bend.

In whatever you do, take care of yourself. That is the most important thing!

With all of my undying love,

Christa Belle

Well, where to begin? It’s been a hell of a ride this year. While it may not have seemed a busy year to the onlooker, or listener in the case of Hungry Lucy, it has, indeed, been busy underneath the veil! But, this isn’t entirely about what I’ve accomplished. It’s also about what I’ve enjoyed.

In early 2009, I went to the cabin, in the woods, in Tennessee. With me were my parents (George and Sharon), Warren’s parents (Peter & Carol) and, of course, Warren. When six people share one space for 4 days, one of two things could potentially happen. One, they could feel trapped and proceed to infiltrate the space with negativity and general unpleasantness. Or, two, they could embrace the chance to get to know each other and learn more about one another. Happily, it was number two in this scenario. Warren brought along enough musical equipment to write and record if the mood struck, and boy did it strike! Every few hours he’d go up into the loft, bang out a tune, and then come back downstairs and join the rest of us for a while. I loved that he felt comfortable enough to listen to his musical need and go do what was natural for him to do. No one minded that he would, occasionally, and without warning, just go upstairs and not come back for a few hours. It was great! I even had the inspiration from those few songs to write stories to them as I previewed them in Warren’s headphones. A few of those turned out to be on the new album (which will be released in early to mid-2010), and were written from such a pure place. For me, as the lyricist, it was immediate reaction to the music that inspired the vision in my head. That, in turn, made the words flood out in story form rather than lyrics. We let those “cook” once we came back home and they became yet another form of Warren’s original piece. That’s one of my fondest musical memories of the year… working with Warren in a cabin in the woods, and then again at home with new inspiration for music. It really is powerful to create music away from your usual environment. There was something very pure and special about the whole process. It was beautiful.

So, we all chatted, played games, cooked together and just enjoyed time as six individuals, learning more about each other. Mummy Carol with her crosswords and books, Papa Peter with all of his questions and stories, and all of us just enjoying the company and the quiet of the woods. I immensely enjoyed my Dad teaching me how to play Poker, and not doing a bad job at all, I must say! In recent years, I’ve become very close with my Mom and always jump on any chance to get a little closer with my Dad. I was happy for that time. I’ll take more of that, please! I’m excited to say that we get to do the cabin thing again in early 2010. Wheeee!!! Who knows what this visit will bring? That’s part of the fun. No one knows.

In non-musical news, I did manage to finish a second draft of my novel-in-progress, “Days with Indigo”, before the mad rush of the holiday season. My goal is to release the book mid-2010. Completing the final draft is a bit slower than I’d like, but it’s progress nonetheless. I’ve posted many updates on the book, so I’m not going to ramble even more at this point. All I will say is that the feedback I’ve received from some volunteer readers (one finished the book and the second is currently reading it now) is very positive at this juncture in the draft. The scary thing is, I think I may have managed to actually write a good story! I can’t tell anymore. After reading and re-reading it so many times, the story is a little lost on me. But, the feedback is good! To have actually done this much really makes me feel great about accomplishing something of my own, on my own. Speaking as a person who usually has so many “ideas”, and doesn’t see many of them come to fruition, it’s a shock to the system to have come this far on something I simply wanted to “try”. Try, I did.

In non-HL music news, I fell deeply, happily in love with Fever Ray. This was all thanks to a twitter posting from Imogen Heap (another music love of mine, and Warren’s) who had mentioned how cool the video “When I Grow Up” was. I knew this woman had talent way beyond the usual musical realm. Her music comes from somewhere deep, hidden, beautiful and weird. And, the funny thing about me is, I usually LOVE to sing along with artists in the car. However, with Fever Ray, I just want to hear her voice and the music. She makes me shut up. She makes me listen. She makes me wonder. Then, the opportunity to go see her perform in Chicago presented itself. We jumped at the chance! We met up with our friend Sam, and some of his friends, in Chicago and had a great time before, and during, the show. I just adore being able to spend time with friends that I don’t get to see very often. I think the show was made all the more special because of who we saw it with. It was a lovely experience. Lovely memories. Music has such power, no?

You know, I nearly forgot that Warren and I saw Tori Amos again! After Fever Ray, all past performances kinda fell away from memory for a while. I absolutely LOVE Tori, but I must admit that I preferred seeing her with just her pianos at a previous concert. The 2009 show was definitely more of a “rock” performance, complete with a full band, and seemed more showy than I was used to with Miss Amos. It was great, but I did find myself ready to leave before the end. All in all, I love whatever she does. She’s a HUGE inspiration of mine, and I admire her greatly. My own fault was that I didn’t allow the show to be its own experience. I expected what I saw before. Have I learned nothing over the last few years? No two performances are ever the same. Nor should they be. What a silly girl!

Then, we got to go to England! We stayed with Warren’s sister, Tracy, and her husband Tony. Such a great pair of crazy kids! I could totally see living there in the future. No problem whatsoever! It was so nice to troll about the South Shore, Tony at the helm, taking piccies-a-plenty and enjoying time with T&T, being so silly and having more fun than should be legal! It’s just so lovely to have such common ground with people and not be afraid to be myself. I can’t even describe how I felt while I was there. It was so lovely. I absolutely adored it. Every moment was a treasure. Best of all, Warren got some time with his sister. That’s always a welcome treat. It’s so lovely to see, too. Since I was the part-time “car wife”, as Tony called it, Warren and Tracy sat in the back seat together when we went on car trips (I get insane car sickness, so Tracy happily gave me the front seat. Thanks, Trace!) and they would chatter about together, like kids. Cute doesn’t touch it. It was extraordinary. I could really go on and on about that trip. Again, I want more of that, please!

The holidays have come and gone with much visiting of family from near and far. We had multiple gatherings for November and December. No stone left unturned. I have a large family. It takes a friggin’ village to get us all together! Actually, we ARE the village! Martin’s, Harrison’s, and all he branches in between. We met briefly, laughed and loved, and will hold that moment in time for a little while until we see each other again. As my Aunt Tommie said earlier this year, “All this because two people fell in love all those years ago.” It’s so easy to forget the simple things like that once people are gone. They are the reason we are here. We will always be tied together. Always.

On a more personal note, I turned 35 this year. I don’t know what power this number has, but things are happening to me that I didn’t expect. I almost believe there’s been a switch turned inside my brain. In point of fact, inside my heart. I feel different within myself. I feel, well, like a more concentrated version of myself. The ideas I have are actually becoming something other than just ideas. They’re becoming physical things I can see, hear and touch. I’m not complaining. I find the whole thing rather fascinating! I don’t want to die not doing what I intended with my life. I’m only just now understanding that my purpose in life is to tell stories. Whether that be in music, books, photos, films, whatever. I need a vehicle to tell a story, and I have many within my grasp. How cool! If I want to say something, now is the time! Now’s my chance!

Also, with 35 I realized I wasn’t the physical “me” I wanted to be, nor what I used to be in my younger days. Who says Vegetarians can’t be unhealthy? I’m a pasta addict. Bread, too! So, I’m trimming down and staying a whole hell of a lot more active! Then, I decided, after much debating, to chop my hair off again. It had been many, many years since I’d done this, so I figured why not? Plus, I’d colored it earlier in the year and I never quite got it to a happy state for me. It was dragging me down, making me look old. So, I cut it off. Like, OFF off! I loved it at first, as one tends to do when making such a drastic change, and felt it lifted a weight off of my shoulders. I felt better. I even looked better. But now, after time with short hair once again, I feel the pull of a desire for that which I do not have. Long hair. I knew it was inevitable, but I didn’t know when it would strike. It has indeed struck now. But, no matter. It is, after all, only hair. It will grow back–and probably in less time than I expect! My family is known for how quickly our hair grows. It’ll be back before I know it! Such a fuss we make over appearance. When it comes down to it, it’s really not that important. It’s what our hearts say that matters. I can hear mine now.

I guess it all comes down to where I allow my focus to lie. For now, I’m letting the focus be on creating. I have so many stories I want to tell, and I have no intention of slowing down. If anything, I need to pick up the pace a bit! I do have a rather relaxed schedule. I need not take it for granted.

Here’s hoping 2010 brings a sense of completion for both myself as a new Author, and for Hungry Lucy on our 4th full-length album! Also, I hope that it brings more time with friends, family, and enjoying life rather than wishing any time away. I’ll try to savor. I’ll try to be diligent. I’ll just try and be me.

Be you and know that I love you for what you already are. No change is necessary.

Here’s to a wonderful 2010!

With Much Love,

Christa Belle

Greetings, my friends. October has arrived. I adore everything about this month. Everything. Even my house knows how much I love October and all the creepiness it can bring! I don’t need no stinkin’ fake webs when I have such glorious beauties adorning my home.

I arrived home this morning, from a lovely breakfast bagel with Warren, and found a dainty, dew-wearing web on our mailbox. To add to the October-esque/Haunted House feel, our mailbox is all but falling apart! It never fails that as soon as Autumn hits, our doorway, mailbox and every corner we have gets adorned with the silky tangle of a spider’s handy work… or is it silk-spitting-butt-duct work?

So, to add even more loveliness to this mood, it’s “pea-soup” out there this morning with fog. I walked to the front entry and found multiple Grasshoppers looking back at me. For some reason, they don’t bother me. Even if I get them on me, I don’t mind. I know they won’t hurt me. This guy was slowly walking up a stalk of Russian Sage (they walk really slow, like a Chameleon. It’s so cool! But if they jump, watch out.), but I moved when he did. Hence, blurriness. I still like the “alien” quality the picture has. Soft, yet creepy.

However, I looked down to see another poor tail-end of a grasshopper, deep inside a thick web, being devoured by a large, yellow & black-bodied spider in my Rosemary. Yikes! Again, he knows he is welcome at my house. I don’t want a spider on me (minus the cute little silver spider earring I wear in my ear), but I have a huge amount of respect for spiders. They do great things in the garden. And, I always try to “catch-and-release” them if they are inside the house. But, sometimes, Pullo finds them first and eats them. I can’t count how many spider legs I’ve found lately. Gross! By the way, the pics I took of the spider didn’t do it justice, so I left him out. I think you could imagine him on your own, yes? Hey, is that a spider on your back?? WATCH OUT!! Man, I love Kids in the Hall.

So, it would seem that Autumn has arrived. I hope it really has. But, being in the MidWest, I know no good weather lasts forever. We may hit 90 again before Autumn truly arrives. One just never knows.

Enjoy October and all the misty goodness it brings. It’s going to be a busy one for me, and it ends with a trip to England! Not too shabby.

Happy Hauntings,

Christa Belle

Hello children! And how are you today? ………. GOOD!!

So, another posting here on my safety raft that is christabelle.com. I haven’t been coming in here much lately as I’ve fallen victim to the FaceBook forum. I joined, and I like it. There. I said it! My name is Christa, and I’m a FaceBook-aholic! (hears in head: “Hi, Christa.” from the other junkies!) I’m enjoying connecting to people I haven’t heard from, nor seen, in years! I like that part of it. But, I don’t like that an hour or so has passed, within what felt like five minutes, as I sit there looking and searching. It’s a bit of a life-sucker. I need to practice control. Make a schedule, if you will, as War-N does. He’s always a good guru to go to when I’m feeling all fuzzy and uncertain. One of the many reasons I love him!

Aside from that, I will be meeting with an editor in a couple of weeks to give him a few chapters to edit and proofread as a sort of test for both him and myself. If I like what he does, he’ll edit the whole thing. If not, then I guess I find another editor, yes? But, I don’t think that will be the case. I just have a good feeling about him. So, I’m excited about that! I’m anxious to get “Days with Indigo” off and running. Right now, she’s just sitting there waiting to be revised and perfected. At least she’s not going anywhere. That’s the beauty of a story. There’s really no rush. It’s not all that time-sensitive. It’s still a story, and it will be years from now as well. It’s only me that is impatient. Not the book.

In Hungry Lucy news, things are really going well. I won’t say much more than that, but we’re nearly done with all vocal recordings now. Only two more to go. Woo hoo! Oh, the album got a new title. It was going to be “The Standing Ones”, but that time has passed. It spoke to us in a new voice, and therefore, gave War-N a great new title. I think his choice was a good one. I like it much better with the new name. But, I shan’t spoil it. No more news. I’ll wait until it’s finished now!

Speaking of HL, I really miss doing the podcast. But, you see, there’s a glitch. War-N doesn’t. He’s happy to be done with it. So, what to do? I have had thoughts of making my own podcast with just me and a few guests now and then, but I don’t know if it would be well-received after so long out of the podcast world? People are used to the duo, so would they embrace me as much as they did the two of us? I don’t want it to sound “hollow” or one-sided. A lot of thinking to do. What to do… what to do?

In photo news, I’m anxiously awaiting a new lens for my D300! I had ideas of photos in my head that would require me to get a wide angle lens. I’ve wanted one for years, but never did anything about it. So, no better time than the present! Plus, I will need it to shoot some new HL shots soon. Oh darn! I had looked into the Nikkor AF 14mm/f2.8D ED lens, but it isn’t really meant for the newer version Nikon cameras (which the D300 is), since it was made in 2000. Because of that, there’s a 1.5% differentiation from body to lens. Within that, the 14mm then becomes a 21mm and doesn’t offer the ultra-wide angle that I desired. Not to mention it was very high in the cost department! But, it would have been worth it. It’s an amazing lens! So, I went to my friend Pete at Cord Camera, the one in Kenwood, and he steered me in the right direction, as he always does! I have ordered a Tamron SP AF10mm-24mm/f 3.5-4.5 Di-II LD lens that will make the same 1.5% difference, but then equals a 15mm angle. Not far from the 14mm I was searching for. Make sense? Oh, and because I still have my older Nikon cameras, they WILL work with the 10mm for any film work I want to do. Awesome!! Plus, I get an added expandable option with a short zoom. Flexibility is always nice. With the money I’m saving, I may just get a new flash to go along with it!! I’ve got some good options! Thanks, Pete!!

All in all, things are happily busy at the moment. But, we still take time to relax and enjoy being “War-N and Christa” and not spending all of our weekends as just Hungry Lucy. There is a big difference. We recently went down to the Serpentine Wall at the edge of Cincinnati and walked over the Purple People Bridge to Newport. It was a lovely Saturday together at a place we both hold dear. We should do that more often.

Hope you are well and happy out there, wherever you are. I don’t know about you, but I’m already looking forward to Fall! And with it, many new exciting happenings!

Much Love,

Christa Belle