Woody Guthrie, NYC

I've been telling my mother that I'm getting ready for a concert in New York City.
Mom: "I wouldn't live there if you paid me a million dollars."

Then I'll sing her a little of what I've been working on..."Mom, do you remember this one?"
Mom: "That's WONDERFUL. You have a beautiful voice.... but don't get conceited about it."
Me: "I promise."
A little later when I come back: "Now did you come to arrest us?"
Me: "Naah, you can't get arrested for writing poems."
Mom: "I'm not a poem."
Me: "No, you're a poet!"
Mom: "Who says! Now you know what I want to do? I want to start all over again with these people I've met in these old days. Because it's been a marvelous marvelous time."

These are the good stretches. Often she makes no sense whatsoever. Or she's confused and afraid: "GET OUT GET OUT! You're a good little girl but you're not good enough!"

But music remains a powerful mood shifter. Today I sang her all her favorite hymns, it is emotional, sweet. "Oh Jonatha, that is so beautiful. You are going to make me cry. I want so awful much to be doing what everyone is doing, but I have to go home. I'm so tired from having a good time."