dual personalities

One of the highlights of our recent adventure in southeastern Colorado was attending the Michael Martin Murphey concert in the Koshare Kiva, which boasts the largest self-supporting log roof in the world.

President Dwight Eisenhower visited the Koshare Kiva back in the 1950s and acknowledged that the ceiling was truly amazing. It is a fascinating place, built by Boy Scouts interested in Indian lore. They raised the money to build the Kiva and also started collecting the art that is housed in the museum. Quite a testament to what young people can accomplish when they are inspired and supported in their efforts.

Anyway, it is a pretty cool place to attend a concert. I’m not sure how many people it holds, but it was full. We were in the third row, center and so had a clear view of Murphey.

The acoustics were excellent. We are not particular fans of MMM, but we have certainly been aware of his career through the years and daughter #1 and I remembered seeing him at the Grand Old Opry back in the late 1990s during his cowboy songs period. He was the honorary chairman of the Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial Symposium so we thought we should support the concert. I’m glad we did.

He is now 76 years old. A native Texan and descendant of Roger Williams (1603-1689), founder of the First Baptist Church in America, he is a student of history and a lover of all things western. It is in his blood he says, and I hear him. He has a good take on the pioneers, believing that they were not looking for money and power (as so many today believe) but a home and the freedom to live there. At the same time, he is a lifelong advocate for Native American rights. He talked at length during his concert about his various interests, and to be truthful, I could have done with less talking/lecturing. He rambled on for over 3 hours and how he stood there for that length of time, I do not know. (It was a long 3+ hours on my metal folding chair!) But he is an engaging old man now, who can still play like a virtuoso and his singing voice is strong and impressive.

So it was certainly worth staying up long after my bedtime to go to this concert, and I’ll admit that it’s a good idea to get out of one’s comfort zone every once in awhile.

It is supposed to rain all weekend, which is okay as I plan to stay home and get organized. And I’ll go to church–I haven’t been in two weeks while out of town!

Blessed Lord, who putteth down the mighty from their seat and exaltest those of low degree: Save us, we beseech thee, from pride and vainglory, from self-seeking and false ambition. Give us a humble and contrite spirit, that we may think less of ourselves, more of others, and most of all of thee, who art our mighty God and Saviour; to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit we ascribe all praise and glory, now and for evermore.

–Frank Colquhoun, evangelical priest and popular author in the Church of England

*Cowboy Logic by Michael Martin Murphey