Part 1 — Summertime & The Annual Playlist
If you’re a longtime reader,
you already know,
and if you’re a newbie,
here’s how it goes:
when the colors in Arkansas really start poppin’ and the temperatures hover around 100 degrees, it’s time for my yearly tradition — a playlist of some of my favorite tunes, old & new. As usual, the list is varied, featuring rock, jazz, blues, rap, and pop tunes, and it spans several decades.
Here are the bands/artists who made the list this year…
And here are the tunes, in the same order as their respective artists/performers…
So if you’re ready to dance as you sweat (because most of us ARE SWEATING 🥵), click the link below to hear “Jenn’s Hot Summer Playlist 2025 — Music Is Forever”
⬇️
While I hope you enjoy these tunes, I’ve been grappling with a related issue lately…
Part 2 — How Do We Even Dance Right Now (Or Make Art, Or Laugh, Or Celebrate Anything) When It Feels Like The World Is Ending?
Here in the U.S., we are experiencing unprecedented and truly terrible times. Our country is falling apart, people are being dehumanized and imprisoned in camps, democracy is dying, and hate/racism/sexism are being boldly exhibited in public spaces because those in power have given everyone the green light – with their own hateful statements and actions – to openly express these archaic and evil beliefs.
If you are an open-minded, informed, and loving person, it’s so hard to even EXIST amidst all of this ignorance and hate right now. It’s surreal, it’s heartbreaking, it’s confusing, and if you’re like me, you probably feel absolutely powerless, and just about hopeless. On top of ALL THAT, it also feels almost inappropriate to experience any type of joy right now, when the world is flaming with injustice, lies, and cruelty. It feels somehow WRONG to take part in anything pleasant or seemingly frivolous, when so many others are dying and suffering – a state somewhat akin to “survivor’s guilt,” when someone else dies, and you feel that it’s somehow unfair that you didn’t die…you’re grateful to be alive, but you feel guilty, nonetheless. I’ve found it difficult to even write a poem, make a blog, film a YouTube video – ANYTHING – due to these feelings of overwhelm, terror, and sorrow. I crumble under the weight of these questions — Why create? What IMPORTANCE does the act of creation (or dancing, or celebrating, etc.) even have when HUGE, TERRIBLE things are happening all around me… and all around the world?
I need to get over this stagnant period and rise above this needless guilt and crippling depression, because in my heart, I know that my acts of creation and expression are the very things that are the MOST important right now. ART is especially needed and powerful in times like these. Our hearts survive and triumph over evil by creating…and by appreciating what is still good and beautiful and joyful in this life. This is currently quite difficult, yes. But I keep coming back to a quote I heard online recently, at the beginning of a TEDxManchester talk:
“The world is literally and figuratively on fire, and I am about to tell you that you need to make art.” — Amie McNee
For those interested, here’s a link to Amie McNee’s TEDxTalk:
https://youtu.be/2XZ9z6OewR0?si=tfXObnwDFoXcS7B3
After listening to McNee, I knew she was right – making art is more important than ever. Not only is it crucial to my own happiness and well-being (both having been particularly shaky as of late), but it’s also an act of DEFIANCE.
Terrible things are happening, and we need to stay informed. We should also help others and enact change when we can. BUT — we must also…KEEP LIVING. Truly living. It feels impossible right now — I’m practically paralyzed with anxiety — but in these coming weeks/months, I’m going to fight to “unfreeze” myself, and do everything in my power to bring myself back to poetry, photography, and other forms of creative expression.
And yes, I’m going to put on my summer playlist and DANCE — because even the way we move our bodies can be an act of creation and/or defiance.
I’m still here.
I’m still here.
And I won’t stop telling the truth… or creating.
Part 3 — Reminders: Links To My Latest Creations
For those who love photography, I recently gathered 50 photos that I shot on 120 film — my favorites made using medium format cameras — and I made a YouTube video, slideshow-style.
To view the video, click the link below…
******
******
And just in case you haven’t heard yet (LOL) …
…yes, I have a book — my first published collection of poetry. If you haven’t bought/read it yet, I really do believe that there’s something relatable, inspiring, or moving in the collection for EVERY person out there. Please consider supporting a struggling-but-persistent-and-passionate artist, and buy my book today. Link below.
And a sincere thank you to all who have already purchased & read my collection. 🙏🏻
Copies have sold in Ukraine, Portugal, England, Germany, Spain, and many other locations — abroad and here in the U.S. I’m so excited, and forever grateful!
If you do read “Scandinavia,” please let me know which poem was your favorite, and even why. I’ve received such interesting answers, thus far.
Okay…I must run, because THIS lovely lady is on her way to my house right now…
Today is Lana Brunelle’s 28th Birthday! 🎉
I’m off to celebrate this queen, but I’ll see you all again soon.
Until next time,
xo, Jenn
Jenn Howe 
Leave a comment