Pain

I’ve been writing some new songs. I don’t know what will come of them, but they’re forming up, taking shape, becoming. I wrote this one awhile back. I’ve held it close because it was written from a very raw place; even listening back to it now, it stings. But it’s the truest story I’ve ever…

Several years ago, I took to writing the word “grit” on my wrist. Any time I was faced with a challenge, emotional or physical, I would take a Sharpie and give myself a visible reminder to hang tough. Because that’s what grit is: courage in the face of anything. Strength of character. Steely-eyed endurance. Firmness…

Over the course of the last four and a half months, I ran 434 miles. Last Saturday, all of that training culminated in me running — and I do mean running — the Fargo Marathon. I did it! I ran the entire thing! I never stopped, except this one time (we’ll get to that). First…

The night before I left, my mom said to me, “I just never want you to be scared, or anything to be hard.” I laughed, because didn’t she know what I’d signed up for? Like it or not, I was right: the first week on the Colorado Trail has been scary and hard – mostly…

On Friday, I witnessed a tragedy. It’s not my story to tell, but everyone who experienced it was deeply affected, and I spent the afternoon close to the surface, eyes brimming with tears. That night when I called my mom, I erupted into sobs, undone because what happened could not be undone. I spent Saturday…

I woke up this morning with a hospital bracelet on my left hand and a patch of gauze taped to my right. Last night, for the very first time in my life, I had reason to visit the emergency room – and judging by the Vicodin now pumping through my veins, it was nothing short…

… and we’re back. I thought about making a video to give a glimpse into my life in November, but if I had, it would have been full of long, drawn out silences and artsy frames of my face staring off into nowhere.  Trust me, I respect you more than to put you through that….

First things first, thanks to everyone who has called/texted/written to make sure I’m okay.  I am not dedicated enough to go to a midnight showing of any movie, let alone a Batman one – and in fact, I wasn’t even in Colorado on the night of the shooting.  I am very much okay, aside from…

Well, well. It seems that yesterday’s post was the blog heard ’round the world – that was the most visits I’ve gotten since December 1, 2010. In the event that you’re new here, welcome. I’m Annie, the curator of this here little web log, and I live in Denver, where the weather is currently 27…

I’ve been thinking. And I think… I think that Lori McKenna’s “The Luxury of Knowing” is the best song I’ve ever heard. I mean it. Keith Urban’s version isn’t bad, either.  Holy smokes. [Please forgive YouTube videos – just listen.  And let your heart break.  And then get on with your day.]