photo by me

When the calls and conversations
Accidents and accusations
Messages and misperceptions
Paralyze my mind

Last night, my sister-in-law, Jenn, and Willow, and I drove down to Glendale (in the Phoenix area) to see the Dixie Chicks in concert.

Busses, cars, and airplanes leaving
Burning fumes of gasoline
And everyone is running
And I come to find a refuge in the

We had to go to the Glendale arena and none of us is very familiar with the west valley. We don’t typically go there. Most of our connections live in the east valley. So, we spent a bit of time driving around to find parking (because, it so happens, that the Cardinals were also playing a game in the stadium next door and roads were blocked off and it was hard to find our way).

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

We were going to eat at the new mall that had been built there. The news had said that restaurants were open. Uhhh. No. Not one thing was open – except for a movie theatre.

Monkeys on the barricades
Are warning us to back away
They form commissions trying to find
The next one they can crucify

But there were these cool fountains that danced along with music. And we got sprayed by them and enjoyed the fountain show.

And anger plays on every station
Answers only make more questions
I need something to believe in
Breathe in sanctuary in the

We finally got into the arena and there were concessions open. We bought some food (that wasn’t really great). We bought t-shirts to commemorate the event. Then we found our seats.

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

At 7:30, the opening act, Bob Schneider was fun and great. Bluesy and rockin’, he got everyone excited.

Children lose their youth too soon
Watching war made us immune
And I’ve got all the world to lose
But I just want to hold on to the

Then we waited. And waited. And it got later. And Willow got tired. But they finally came on.

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me

By that time, though, Willow wasn’t feeling well. She danced for a little bit but then ended up spending the last hour curled up in her mom’s arms, with a fever, falling asleep. I kept offering to leave but they didn’t want to so we stayed to the end.

The easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

And when the Dixie Chicks sang the song I’ve been quoting here, Easy Silence, I almost cried. It’s one of those songs that really gets to me. To have someone you can turn to who creates an easy silence…someone who keeps the world at bay…that must be the best thing ever.

But when they talked about The Long Way Around, it felt like an anthem for any of us who never take the easy road to anywhere. It’s that song for those of us who don’t follow the leader and who try things on our own, not living the traditional life.

All in all, I had a great time and enjoyed spending time with Jenn and Willow. That was the best part of it.