Music & friends by the fire

Last night was one of those evenings you don't plan for — just music and friends, hanging out and having fun out by the fire.

We made guitar picks. Old credit cards and plastic gift cards run through the pick punch until they come out teardrop-shaped and ready to play — green ones, blue ones, a couple cut straight out of a chip card. There's something good about turning something throwaway into something you'll make music with.

Then the drums came out, the fire got going, and the night turned into songs and laughter with the firewood stacked up behind us. The dog settled in close. No agenda, no audience — just the kind of evening that reminds you why you live out here.