Sometimes writers have to step away from the keyboard and go out into the world. After all, we write about life, and how can we do that authentically if we don’t live a little? So this weekend I packed in a Monkees concert and a day at the Devon Horse Show.
The Monkees Concert
This Monkees concert marked the 50th Anniversary of the Monkees TV premiere and their rocket to stardom. It also marked 30 years since I first saw them in concert in 1986. This year the Monkees have a new album, Good Times, out and a new set list, so I knew the show would be special.
Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork are the two Monkees touring this time—Mike Nesmith chose to sit out this tour, and Davy Jones passed away in 2012. Micky and Peter sounded great and enjoyed themselves as they belted out a good mix of hits and should-have-been-hits.
They did a song from the new album and they also used technology to have Davy Jones sing lead vocals while they played and sang backup live in Shades of Gray and Daydream Believer. Photos of Davy on the large screen made both these songs poignant tributes to Davy.
Micky and Peter brought energy and joy to the performance, and I think that is one thing that keeps bringing the fans back—that sense of fun. They clearly enjoy each other’s company and have a good time rocking in front of the crowd. I guess if you’re going to hang together for 50 years, there needs to be some chemistry there to start with!
I had a wonderful time at the show! Long live the Monkees!
Devon Horse Show
The next day my mother, daughter, and I went to Devon Horse Show. Since my great-grandmother gave us our first tickets when I was in elementary school, my mother and I have gone almost every year. My daughter has joined us for the past 4 years, and it has become a wonderful inter-generational tradition.
My great-grandmother had box seats in the posh blue grandstand, but now we camp out in the East 2 grandstand bleachers. We got to see carriage competition complete with regular horses, a miniature horse, and white horse-mule crosses…
A Shetland pony steeplechase…
And pony show jumping…
We even strolled through the stable area, and saw some magnificent draft horses—who were part of the team that won the overall carriage best of show!
We had a great time at the Devon Horse Show, as we usually do. Whether the horses cleared all hurdles…
Or didn’t quite make it…
They were all beautiful.
I had a lot of fun on my days “off” and will return to work recharged and ready to write.
How do you recharge?
Christmas Week 2018
Merry Christmas to all! And if you don’t celebrate Christmas, I will wish you Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, because the whole world needs that right now.
I’ve been enjoying the slower pace of this week, as there is no school and few extracurricular activities. My husband is off from work, so we’re all piled lazily in the house. Christmas was quiet—none of us got out of out pajamas all day!
Looking forward to a party tonight, our extended family Christmas Friday, and another holiday party with writing friends on Saturday.
I hope all of you are having a peaceful holiday and getting in some relaxation.