I was wondering what I could possibly express about my horror and deep sorrow over the deaths and cultural losses in Lahaina, still haven't gotten to the bottom of my feelings ... but then ran into this video, shot by Ann Hackler - Executive Director, IMA - in her office when I was doing weekly Livestreams during the pandemic (that was, of course, a sorrowful time too). At that time we were sheltering in place, and Earl Slick was here with us as well (along with his son Lee, who's my nephew; and Nia Kete, Lee's partner, who's closely associated with IMA since our very first Rock 'n Roll Girl's Camp in 2002).

Somehow, I feel this resonates with what I feel, not only about the wildfire, but also with the state of the world.

I was facing the computer because I'm focusing on the LIvestream audience, and if you are one of those who caught this I consider you to be extremely lucky. Normally, I did them in the IMA barn, but for some reason this day we didn't have reception out there or something, so moved into the house, and Ann's office. Slick typically didn't want to be onscreen so Ann usually stayed away, but you sure can hear him ~ we happened to hit it just right, all of us in the room resonating. That included Roma Baran, who had come up from NYC for a visit ~ in fact, she just left a few days ago, being one of the instructors at our Recording Camp.

Please enjoy. Perhaps this will give you some solace, too. I know everything has to end, including our own lives, but I miss all the people whom I never knew who are now gone. May they be at peace. xx

June Millington
Artistic Dir., IMA
www.ima.org

junemillington@gmail.com