In the past decade or so, a number of strong women have entered my life and made it better and more interesting. My wife is surely one of them, but there are others, and I am happy to introduce them when they appear like prophets, there are more of them, they may save the world yet. Deena Chappell is a gifted musician, she is a singer, she also plays the guitar. She hosts the Open Mike Night at the Round House Cafe, attracts gifted performers (and poets) of all ages

She is an impressive performer in her own right, but she shares my passion for encouraging people to get up and share their work, to come out, she struggles, as many of us do, to live a creative life. That is not simple in a small town in upstate New York, at the end of every open mike night, a can is passed to each table to help pay for the music. This morning, I encountered Deena at the Cambridge Farmer’s Market, she was performing by herself as people shopped for pizza, tomatoes, fruit, produce and bread. Like any professional – musician, artist, author – it doesn’t matter how many people are listening, she sang just as beautifully at the market as she does at Open Mike Night.

I used to be a bit surprised to meet people like Scott Carrino, Athena Burke, Maria or Deena in a small upstate town. I am not any more, the hills are filled with strong men and strong women.

I took her photo there. I admire Deena, she is a generous spirit, an accomplished musician, a fellow encourager. I am happy she has entered my life, I read some poems Friday at the Open Mike Night, I am getting comfortable with it.