Everyone!

Goodness People. I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for each one of you in my life. I am glad to know that even though we are spread across the map we are connected in some sort of way. Each one has had such a profound influence on each other and the world in which we are surrounded by. Thanks to everyone for being alive!

Jenna Jaunts

Hello from afar my friends!

I’m in North Carolina, thinking of all of you in Oregon, Olympia ~ scattered across the country and around the world…Maine, Montreal, New Zealand, Nepal…the list goes on and will keep evolving with this dynamic community of ours *

Having travelled 3,000 miles in “the little Toyota that could” I feel like you’re a long ways away ~ but in reality, it’s just 3 hours difference, and unlike Caldera and the long stretches of highway in Wyoming and Nebraska with no cell phone service whatsoever, the satellites are alive and well in Asheville and surrounding communities : ) I’ve had the chance to touch base with a few people back home and I appreciate all the love you leave in messages ~ I hope to stay connected despite the distance. I’m happy to be in a place that is more conducive for communication and to be taking life a lot slower out here…

Of course, lots of stories and exciting updates from the road, the recording studio, and most recently from Franklin, the little town where I’ve landed for a spell. However! Before the time slips by at my little post here at the library, I want to share what first inspired me to write you ~ scribbled in a ragged notebook over coffee this morning.

Sitting alone here in my little cottage, rain steadily drip drops on the roof and melts the morning while I scribble away and sing another song about the red bird out my window. Then, Old Crow Medicine Show comes on, track 10 ~ We’re All In This Together. I LOVE that song, and it was the longest time before I ever heard it because I’d always skip straight to 11 (take a guess…) aaaaah. So after it plays out, I pick up my guitar and sing Wagon Wheel, a tribute to our friendship, time shared, and the community we created. It’s so interesting now to be alone in this place that was in the heart of our music making… Johnson City is just across the state line, Shana (who I travelled out with) is in Raleigh, Roanoke - the Cumberland Gap, they aren’t just places on a map or romantic stops along a song anymore…Playing Wagon Wheel draws me close to you. It’s a way of bringing our energy back together. I really can’t describe it ~ I can feel us gathered close together in a circle like we do ~ and everybody’s got their instruments, guitar, banjo, and the most beautiful voices brought together singing “Rock me mama like a Wagon Wheel…” I play through a few rounds where Stevo does a fabulous run on the sixstring and Travis picks the banjo like he was born to, and then…slow it down a bit and we’re all back in it together again, singing
“Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke,
I caught a trucker out of Philly had a nice long toke
But he’s heading west FROM the Cumberland gap,
Johnson City, Tennessee
Now I gotta get a move on before the sun,
I hear my baby calling my name and I know that she’s the only one
And If I die in Raleigh at least I will die free ~
Soooo rock me mama like a wagon wheel, rock me mama any way you feel…”

You are truly some of the world’s most beautiful people and I’m grateful to have you in my heart and in music no matter how far apart life takes us. Blessings.
I must be off now.

Take care and keep in touch ~ I hope your toes are tappin : ) Much love from North Carolina * Jenna

And so it was...

And so it was that the Goodness Collective closed it's physical doors. The house on Ogden Street, the wellspring of so much warmth (figuratively), is empty. It's clean. It looks like anybody could have lived there and anybody could
move in...excepting, of course, for the wigwam, which still holds its place in the backyard, a lasting testament to the unique mindsets of the individuals that have frequented the house in the past two years.

Not even two years! On the last official night of our rental agreement, September 11, 2008, Trav walked through the empty rooms, poked his head in the cubby and the basement, stared at the spot where his bed once lay, and climbed out onto the roof. He stared at the moon, felt the warm summer evening breeze, and shut his eyes, allowing flashed of memories to occupy his head; thousands of feet have passed through this house! Hundreds of costumes, laughs, chords, and embraces...




As the residents of the house and the community scatter to the four winds and seven seas, many of us can't help but reminisce a bit. So many friends! This is what community is; potlucks continue, we laugh together and we all continue to hold our values with each other and help each other out with whatever talents and skills we possess. The world will be a healthier place if we only allow ourselves comfortable human contact, hugs, and the sharing of stories. Keep all of your stories strong...





Thank you all...thanks again! The friendships, trust, music, art, and poetry that have been born of this phenomenon will last a long time and, hopefully, continue to be passed along. It's not about the house, you know. Keep having potlucks.







You're beautiful. Keep in touch and keep posting--

--Trav--