Memories are riches in life as we mature. Shaking the strong hand of the Iconic Joni Mitchell is one of my treasured memories from the early 1990's. In a small market with a tree-like name (owned by Sandy and Denny Bowen) the Great Lady Joni was behind me and I recognized her immediately. After seeing this amazing woman perform in "the Village" in Manhattan in the late sixties I always remembered the stirrings and inspiration her songs provided the soul. Knowing what I know about Joni's reclusive nature and the high value she places on her privacy, the very least I can do is respect that with every fiber of my being. Thus, although I know and she would, too, I can not reveal the name of the store or its location. Upon meeting her I expressed my reverence and respect, admiration spanning, then, thirty years. I asked for an autograph right there on the conveyor belt of the small market with an extremely renowned deli. She obliged my request with grace and shook my hand. At that time, I provided fresh brown eggs to the storekeeps for resale. That autograph is one of my most prized scraps of memory markers to date. Quite well I knew Joni's caretaker, HS, and her horse at the time often came to visit my house. Her caretaker was enchanted with my son, Max. Max still has a special mermaid from Joni's caretaker. A lifesize one like it can be found along the North shore of Vancouver's Stanley Park. One of the times Joni's horse visited me we went for a ride, without words the horse asked me to mount him and "see" with him. We did. I felt so close to this Iconic woman of inspiration. Honored. There are so many riches in "things", moments that cost not a thin dime. Bless Joni and her impact through spirit and music. Keep fighting the good fight for the Caren and Arbutus. With me, your music, and years later, handshake and autograph enriched my life. What a beautiful soul that profoundly inspired many. Peace, Dear One.
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This is a wonderful memory. It reminds me of the time I met J. Krishnamurti in Ojai, California; I approached him on a dirt path and offered my hand, he took it and I asked, "May I take your picture?" I had my camera with me. He said, "No, thank you." and walked on. I followed, and as he waited for friends, I took his picture again and again. I have always been rather introspectively regretful about my lack of control in those moments.
Have you ever felt that asking Joni for her autograph went beyond your desire to respect her aa a private person.
This is not a criticism, I just wonder.
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This is a wonderful memory. It reminds me of the time I met J. Krishnamurti in Ojai, California; I approached him on a dirt path and offered my hand, he took it and I asked, "May I take your picture?" I had my camera with me. He said, "No, thank you." and walked on. I followed, and as he waited for friends, I took his picture again and again. I have always been rather introspectively regretful about my lack of control in those moments.
Have you ever felt that asking Joni for her autograph went beyond your desire to respect her aa a private person.
This is not a criticism, I just wonder.
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AMAZING! I've "stalked" her "supposed" Beverly Hills home. But what was I gonna do? Go up and knock on the door and say, "Is Joni here?"
I reckon she'd be much like "Old Furry Sings the Blues." Points her boney finger at me and says, "I don't like YOU!" HAHA!
I'd be too humbled to say anything if I ever bumped into her in LA. I'd want to gush, but then I know Joni wouldn't want me to gush. I'd probably try to say something cool about her paintings first. And I'd probably botch it.
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It was July 4 1985. The evening was young, as well as my children, with an air of excitement as I headed out to hear some good music at a local bar. One side of the place had a band with a dance floor and the other side had a couple of guys and their guitars. As soon as I arrived, my husband came right up to me and told me that Joni was there. We walked up to the bar and I looked behind me and saw her sitting there with her then husband, Larry Klein. I didn't think it was her because she looked so young. After downing my drink in almost one gulp, I got up the nerve to approach her.
I walked up and said, "Normally I would never interrupt anyone like this, but you have been such a great inspiration to me in my life that I felt like I just couldn't let this moment pass me by."
She looked at me and said, "Thankyou so very much. Would you like to join us?"
We spent the evening together talking, laughing, singing.....It was like a dream for me. And when it was time to go I told her what an honor it was for me to meet her and she said, "No, the honor was all mine."
And now, 24 years later, it is still the most amazing night of my life. In fact, a friend told me years after that, that he'd seen a video by Joni and it was about meeting a girl in a small little bar on the 4th of July, but I never did see anything like that. Has anyone?
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From 1996-2001 I lived on N. Doheny Dr. off Sunset Blvd. and would walk most evenings down to the Virgin Records store and back. One time walking back I crossed the path of Joni outside of a boutique in Sunset Plaza, I didn't say anything but acknowledged that I knew who she was and that I much liked her, she smiled back and I continued walking back home.
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