This past Sunday morning, I awoke in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the 19th straight morning that I found myself waking up in a place that was not my own bed. Over the course of nearly three weeks I slept in motel rooms, guest rooms, living rooms, and finished basements. On this particular morning, I found myself with a 6 hour drive ahead of me before my final show of the tour; a homecoming gig at The Avenue Cafe in my beloved hometown of Lansing, Michigan.
I am a resilient traveler, and am comfortable leaving home for three weeks, or even more at a time. I find it quite easy to sleep on futons, couches, and guest beds. And I am unfazed by waking up in unfamiliar surroundings. It has become an occupational hazard to make my bed wherever I am able on the road. On this most recent run, I even accepted a last minute lodging offer from the sound tech after my set in Kingston.
Some of my flexibility on the road comes from having a limited budget, but I actually prefer staying with friends whenever possible. It’s a way to get real quality time with folks that I don’t often get to see in person. Simple moments like coffee and conversation can do a lot to strengthen even the tightest of bonds.
An additional reason for my flexibility on the road is that I know there is an end date to the tour, and a moment at which I am guaranteed to return home to y family, my bed, and my routines in the Sheddio. I adore the excitement and energy of the road, but I am also deeply drawn to the quiet comforts of home. I believe that I am beginning to find a sustainable way to both of those aspects to reality in my day to day life.
As I drove north up US-23 from Ohio and into the great state of Michigan, I was awash in goosebumps and tears. I was headed home for a reunion with my loved ones, and a triumphant homecoming gig to cap off the tour. As Dorothy Gayle once said, “There is no place like home.”
This week at WAIM Radio we are celebrating the end of my three week tour with a full hour of songs about the homestead. What is your favorite song about home? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
Be sure to tune in Tuesday live at 5:00 pm eastern on Suburbs Radio to hear the show live as it airs. New episodes are also archived here at WAIM each Wednesday. Feel free to go back and listen to any of our episodes at any time in the WAIM Radio archive.
Cheers,
Matty C
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