My first husband introduced me to the Big Sound jazz/rock band Blood, Sweat and Tears, way back during the time of the dinosaurs. Songs such as "Lucretia Mac Evil" and "When I Die" and "Spinning Wheel" were great examples of their genre. However, my all time Blood, Sweat and Tears favourite (and amongst the most recognisable from my memory) would have to be "You've Made Me So very Happy", released in 1969 and establishing them as a tour de force for enthusiasts of the big brass bands.
I was completely unaware of their contentious Eastern European tour in 1970 or the multiple incarnations of the group until very recently. Whilst interesting reading, that information did not change my view of their classic rock/jazz fusion, which the group continues to play to this day.
Anyway, I have digressed, as per usual. What actually prompted thinking once again about Blood, Sweat and Tears was the generosity, the support and the care, which has been showered over us the last day or so.
Wednesday night was a new low for me. I was staring at an exceptionally low account balance wondering how I was going to cover the Telstra bill, the cardiologist appointment, fuel for the car to take us to the Big Smoke and materials for the building so Michael and Kim could continue with urgent and essential maintenance. A out-of-touch dream was being able to take Kim a meal at the pub to thank him for his unbelievably hard work and "can-do" attitude.
I was sitting outside in our courtyard, crying with frustration and despair. Our glorious girls, Stella and Lexi, were with me, both trying to get into my lap to comfort me. If I had seen the humour, I might have asked Michael to photograph us all. A Standard Poodle cross and a Staffie/Kelpie both jostling for position to lick the tears off my face. Instead, I really felt utterly hopeless.
Beggars can't be choosy. In a fit of desperation, I penned a post on Facebook. What I asked for was for anybody to come into the East End Gallery and buy a card, or a bit of pottery or some jewellery or pay for a cuppa.
What we have received over the coming day and a half has blown us away.
Support has poured in. Donations of money (with no questions asked), our artists forgoing their commissions, other artists giving us their works, helpful suggestions and a massive cocoon of love have surrounded us with the means and the hope to keep afloat.
The Telstra bill will not bounce, I was able to attend the cardiologist, we didn't have to empty our last gerry can of fuel into the car, we have money for building materials and I have just booked a table for the three of us at the pub tonight. I shouted the Autistic Superstar lunch and Michael and I shared a delicious burger. I can also pay the remaining artists owed monies, including the incredible Mizz Sue Martin, who continues to offer unwavering support as our Front-of-House every Monday and Thursday and when we are away.
I can never fully express how bloody grateful we are for all the help we have received. Please just know what each and every one of you has meant to us. And the East End Gallery, that entity Michael and I both so love, that makes no money, that we open year round, is looking so beautiful that we will pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and continue to do what we have been doing for over eleven years.
We are the East End Gallery. We support and promote Wheatbelt artists, right here in Heavenly Beverley. Not a bad effort for a loud former Education Assistant with no spacial awareness and a vision-driven former Mechanical Fitter turned exceptional sculptor who happens to have excellent spacial awareness!
And here's what I think of all of you who have providing us with support, hope and love
I lost at love before
Got mad and closed the door
I chose you for the one
Now we're having so much fun
You treated me so kind
I'm about to lose my mind
You made me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life
The others were untrue
But when it came to loving you
I'd spend my whole life with you
'Cause you came and you took control
You touched my very soul
You always showed me that
Loving you is where it's at
You made me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life
Thank you baby, yeah, yeah
I love you so much you see
You're even in my dreams, I can hear you
Baby, I can hear you callin' me
I'm so in love with you
All I ever want to do is
Thank you baby, thank you baby
You made me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life
You made me so very happy
You made me so, so very happy baby
I'm so glad you came into my life
I want to thank you, girl
Every day of my life, I want to thank you
You made me so very happy
That I wanna spend my life thanking you
Thank you baby, thank you baby
Thank you baby, thank you baby
What I did...
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