I have been home for over a month. For someone who flies about 100 times a year, a near five-week stint sleeping in your own bed is a rare occurrence. I’ve heard it said that the longer you are home, the harder it is to leave, and I can feel it this morning. Creatures of habit, we humans get used to things, don’t we? Used to the routine of getting up and ready for Grade Four, walking the dog that hill or around that lake. Used to the familiar smiles on Water Street and the wink from the old Skipper who’ s Irish Setter, I swear does the same. Used to a kiss on the face from the fairest one of all in the morning or evening, or better yet, for no reason at all.

There’s a sting that comes with leaving home after you have been there long enough to get used to it, and long enough for home to get used to you. A sting that does not come when you are at the airport six or eight times a month. The early rises don’t help either. Can’t risk waking up the Prince for a final peek before tiptoeing into the cold morning air to an airport cab. Can’t drop into Mom’s and stand in her kitchen ripping handfuls of warm bread off a fresh loaf and refusing sit and eat a proper slice because you ‘don’t really want any.’

But sting or no, early or no, off we go. And I suspect the sting will fade with coffee and the site of the top of the clouds as we roll off again for another tour. A smile will come with the undeniable realization that I’m still in the game. Excitement will come when I see the Beautiful Gypsies at YYZ. And maybe even a fist pump will come when our tour bus rolls across Texas and the South US for the first time in WAY too long.

Truth be told, I cannot wait to bring this whole new thing to Texas, Nashville, Atlanta and beyond. Even typing those words eases the sting a little and I suspect chord number one will be just what the doctor ordered.

This trip includes a couple of private functions this week in TO, as well as a big day to push towards the skeleton of Book 2 before flying South to start the Tour proper. It also includes a trip to the Bahamas and the Junos, where a nomination and a gig at the songwriter’s circle should kill any lingering sting, for sure.

All the dates are on the tour page. Got a few pals in the South US? I’d be grateful if you sent them our way.

Yeah, it stings a bit this morning, no doubt. But I am reassured by the same question as ever.

Is there anyone luckier than me?

Cheers,
Alan