Check it Out

It began for me one day when my husband told me there was a song I just had to hear. Seems he'd been listening to the KPFT 90.1 FM (Houston) Friday Morning Mix show during his morning commute and heard a song, Made of Steel (from Right Outta Nowhere by Christine Kane), that he said made him think of me. I didn't pay too much attention at the time; he ordered it and another of Christine's CD's in his usual CD-collecting manner (he's got a fabulous inventory). It's when he finally played it for me as we went out shopping (yes, I remember exactly where I was...we picked up the mail and put it in the dashboard player as soon as humanly possible) that the tingling, acoustic-wave goose bumps washed through me. And, it didn't stop there; song after song grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the stage...made me cry, laugh, and want to dance like I haven't in a long time. In my music connoisseur-husband Steven's words, "Christine is awesome."

Not only does Right Outta Nowhere live up to its description on Christine's Web site (www.christinekane.com) as a convergence of lyrical poetry, song craft, and pure acoustic musicianship, but Christine's previous CD, Rain & Mud & Wild & Green is just as wonderful. It was named Best of 2003 (Folk category) by Borders Books & Music and was critically acclaimed by the press, from "The Washington Post" to "The Dallas Morning News." One of my favorite songs, Everything Green, touts these lyrics: There was rain, And we danced in it/There was mud, And we ran in it/It was wild, Deep inside of everything green/There was pain, That we talked about /There was love, And we let it out/We were made, In the shade of everything green.

I was also impressed that Right Outta Nowhere CD jacket was printed on environmentally-friendly paper from the Living Tree Paper Company (www.livingtreepaper.com), providing an alternative to the normal CD packaging of non-recycled paper and plastic.

Christine has quickly become one of my favorite artists. Maybe she'll become yours as well. It's worth checking it out! (www.christinekane.com)

Lynette Bowen

If you're looking for experiences rooted in sustainability through deep ecology and indigenous wisdom, then the Web site of the Sacred Earth Network (SEN) is a place to start or continue your exploration.

A non-profit (501(C)(3)), international organization located in Petersham, Massachusetts, SEN's mission is to empower people to work in defense of the biosphere and to create a sustainable culture. Their work is rooted in the core beliefs that all of Nature is sacred and must be treated with respect and honor, and that humanity must quickly restructure its relationship with the miraculous, interconnected living system that is our Earth. SEN's means to accomplish this is through an offering of workshops, expeditions, and indigenous people exchanges.

As SEN describes itself, We are a group of scientists, environmental educators, activists and Earth lovers who are dedicating our life's energy toward creating a more positive and sustainable future. Sacred Earth Network has arisen out of our passion and belief that in order to survive (and thrive!) as a species, humans must radically change the way we now live with each other and the natural world. Through our combined years of experience, we have a great deal to offer others who no longer want to perpetuate the myriad of ways humans have been taught to separate ourselves from each other and nature. Far too many people are moving through this precious life held back or immobilized by feelings of numbness or deep despair. Our commitment is to change this.

Having participated in a similar type of work as SEN offers (a trip to learn from the indigenous Shuar in Ecuador), I'd highly encourage checking out what SEN has to offer. These are the types of experiences that change lives and provide hope. For more information, go to http://www.sacredearthnetwork.org/.