Different Splendors

I jumped on a flight from Seattle to Pittsburgh after seeing Jackson Browne at the Ste. Michelle winery last Friday night. He opened with an acoustic set with David Lindley, his guitarist on his classic hits and a stringed instrument virtuoso. David played with the band as well, showcasing his talents throughout the night on what appeared to be a lute, a lap steel, a dobro, a fiddle and maybe even some sort of sitar (we did not sit close and I am not an expert on acoustic instruments). The acoustic set, capped off with a solo performance by David about head cheese and rotten sandwiches served to the musicians backstage at a Marin County Health and Wellness Festival, was my favorite. Jackson came back with a stellar band and delivered what the crowd wanted, showcasing their true talents with an encore set of the blues standard 'Buy me a Mercury' and his own reggae-vibed song of hope. His values, songwriting, voice and authenticity made the evening sparkle.
Wine, raspberries, and song


The flight to PA was splendid simply by being smooth and on time. Landing in Pittsburgh was bizarre - half the terminal was shuttered and half the gates that were open were empty. Less that 10 travelers waited with me outside Baggage Claim for pickup with no recorded announcements about moving on and no police or security present. Turns out US Air pulled out and moved their main hub to another town who pursued them with a better offer after the tax breaks that lured them to Pittsburgh expired. When will the public and the politicians realize that corporate tax breaks are simply corporate extortion?

The next day, I came across this trailer parked on the roadside. 14 ears for butter and sugar sweet corn for $5? On August 1st? Now that's some wild splendor!

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