Louise Mosrie Coombe

I like to walk. It is essential to my mental well-being.

I happen to live in a beautiful part of the country – at the foot of the Berkshires in MA – but I’ve always walked no matter where I’ve lived.  I think its essential for my mental health (and physical). Walking keeps the body engaged and lets the mind rest. There are all kinds of walking mindfulness techniques, but I just look at the trees and the sky and keep my mind quiet. I listen to my feet on the pavement and the bird-calls. If I turn all of my…

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My ex-husband’s best friend died a couple of years ago. He lived out on the west coast, so I didn’t know him all that well even through 16 years of being with my ex, but I knew him enough to know his humor, talent (he was a great photographer) and kindness. He was a good friend, father and husband. He was my age. Struck by cancer in his early thirties, they treated it aggressively and it went into remission for 15 years. Then it came back with a vengeance. So young. So tragic.

When someone dies – whether…

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Here's what I wrote back:

For me, the key to writing is multi part: 1. Be open to the inspiration and aware. This is going to sound kooky...though that may actually help my reputation...ask OUT LOUD for a song idea...to God or Allah or whomever Universal Muse you want. 2. Go for walks alone. Be present. Let your mind wander. Go about your day. Turn off noise (radio, phone). Listen. 3. Write down anything that feels inspired - a phrase - something from last night's dream - a line in a movie or… Read more

One of the best things that has ever happened to me in my whole damn life is coming across the writings of Eckhart Tolle. He had an epiphany about the "nature of the mind and consciousness" and he has written books trying to explain what he discovered. In a moment of abject despair (contemplating suicide), he experienced a collapse of the "ego" - the mind. As this was happening, he realized that he was observing it. You can only observe something if you are at least somewhat separated from it. He kept…

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So, lil sis wrote back that she had just returned from a big trip and was having a lot of trouble getting inspired to get back into her work of tile making and pottery - feeling uninspired and disconnected. She referenced my album "Home" as being about "the little things" - which was true. I like the quote from Annie Dillard, "How you spend your days is how you spend your life". That quote has inspired and haunted me as I sometimes watch my days go by with little to show in the way of good work or even…

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She was worried that she is turning 40 and hasn't "accomplished" much. I think in this world of FOMO (fear of missing out) encouraged on Facebook plus just the plain old fear of death, it's easy to go down this road of "what have I done of note?". Coincidentally, I had been dealing with some existential problems myself this week, but I had a realization....so, I'm just going to share what I wrote to her verbatim. Please forgive my swearing (although studies show swearing is a sign of intelligence :))....I…

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So I went out to dinner tonight by myself...determined to leave my cell phone alone. It was a hipster place  -probably a bad choice, but I wanted to try something new.  Because I had no reservation, they asked me to sit at the bar, which was fine by me. I had two seats to choose from…one next to two couples talking and one next to one couple more my age. I chose the latter. I soon discovered this was a mistake. To my left, there was an older couple around 70 talking to a younger couple around 40. They…

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Hey guys - - sorry it's been so long since an update! Lots of changes around here. In fact, "around here" has changed too. In late May I packed up a 16' truck with all my sh*t and drove 1100 miles to Williamsburg, MA where I'm starting the newest leg of my journey. New England has a long rich tradition of folk music and I felt I needed a change of scenery. Having lived in Tennessee all my life, it was a bit scary to move so far, but it's exhilarating too. I loved living in Nashville, but it was time for a…

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I'm relieved, a little scared and a lot excited. The past five years have been challenging and rewarding in ways that I never could have imagined. When I posted to Facebook yesterday that the new album was online for sale, the outpouring of support and kudos made me cry. I am so grateful. This is all I've ever wanted to do with my life - to sing and write. I have no idea if this album will reach a wider audience and I have no control. I'm just enjoying every opportunity to play and sing for you. 

I got a…

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Last weekend was one for the books.

I played the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival - one of the oldest running folk fests in the country. I also got to lead the audience in a song while on stage with the legendary Tom Paxton (and lots of others!) during the Pete Seeger tribute (!). Wow. I felt all the beautiful history of the folk world and felt like I was a part of an amazing community. Very emotional for me. Then on Sunday, I played Fly Fest near Cooperstown, NY with The Strangebyrds and Steve Chizmadia - both…

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