Dream Weaver

Years ago, motivated by curiosity, money, a touch of patriotism, and an interest in the military culture, I joined the Air Force ROTC on campus at Michigan State University. Although great stories from that adventure still entertain when we gather as friends around a backyard fire ("Cadet Miller - front and center"), the adventure didn't last much longer than six months. I just never did "get" the hang of military deportment - tending more toward playing a part in an elaborate dress-up game. As I recall, it was following a classroom debate where I took the negative arguing the United States had acted unjustly in "dropping the bomb" at the end of WWII that the company Commander/Colonel (General? ... I never got that either, but he was a nice guy) called me to his office. "It may be," he suggested, "that you are not well suited to military life" ... or something along those lines. Of course, he was right.

Tommi called yesterday, and old stories brought the smell of campfire to mind as we laughed together. She had been sitting with friends, waiting for a next meeting to begin, when she picked up a guitar rested in the corner and began (as she put it) "to pick out a tune." A Major from her company who was sitting nearby turned and said, "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure," Tommi answer. "What in the world are you doin' in the military?!"

Tommi writes, sings, and records her own music - piano and guitar. "Dream Weaver" is a favorite for me; the haunting lyric and acapella voice offer a "face-to-face" feeling for those of you who have not yet had the privilege of meeting Tommi - the music stays with you for a while. Enjoy.





technorati tags: Iraq, Tommi, DreamWeaver