inspire

Major influences in Margaret's music include places of inspiration, mentioned on her albums’ liner notes, her friends, furred fans, family members and teachers who have made a difference in her life. See below to learn more about these important influences...

Places of Inspiration

People of Inspiration

Furry Fans

The Meher Spiritual Center

Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Lagunitas, California. Located in West Marin County, California, approximately one hour north of San Francisco, Samuel P. Taylor Park contains trails of rolling hills and redwood forests. It is open to the public for day use and for camping. Group and equestrian camping is also available. For information, call the ranger station at 415-488-9897 or see www.openspacecouncil.org/camp/Taylor

Point Reyes National Seashore, Inverness, California. Also located in west Marin County, this national park consists of hundreds of miles of wildlife including several beaches, woods and tide pools. There are three visitors’ stations and lighthouse with perfect views for whale watching season. Programs include tours and guided nature walks. Backpacking with a permit is also available. For information, please call the headquarters at 415-669-1250 or see www.pointreyes.net

Meher Spiritual Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This wildlife preserve and spiritual retreat dedicated to the Indian Master, Meher Baba, is located 500 beautiful acres of woods and lakes bordering the Atlantic Ocean. For information about Meher Baba and the Center, please call 843- 272-5777 or see www.Mehercenter.org

Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, New York. Located in the Helderberg Mountains in upstate New York, this special preserve includes a lake, a pond, and a waterfall as well as miles of wooded trails. Although there are no camping accommodations available, there is a bed and breakfast and excellent restaurant in town. For more information, call 797-3440 or visit www.huyckpreserve.org

The Dryden Farm, Feura Bush, New York . Located in the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains, "The Farm" was home to Margaret, extended family members, and many of her beloved animals for several years. Consisting of 138 acres of woods and fields, this farm also hosted a number of gatherings, retreats, and camps throughout the years. Once a Christmas Tree Farm, it is now a private residence not open to the public.

Pumpkin ~ This fluffy orange cat showed up in Margaret's life just before Halloween in 1987 while she was living in Arizona and became a dedicated favorite until and beyond his passing on the farm in Feura Bush, New York on August 9th, 1995 (the same day that Jerry Garcia passed away). His memory was the inspiration for "Surrender to a Safe Place" found on the "Threshold" album.

Rosie ~ "Rosita", a beautiful Arabian mare, came into Margaret's life in the summer of 1993 when she was living on a horse ranch in California. Rosie followed Margaret out to the farm in Feura Bush, New York where they enjoyed many long trail rides together before she passed on October 8th, 1995. "Awakening Hearts and Souls Dance" is dedicated to Rosie's canter off to join the Beloved One.

Sheba ~ Sheba came into Margaret’s life when she moved back to the farm in Feura Bush, new York in the fall of1994. This Lab -Shepherd was a barn dog until she officially Adopted Margaret a year later. As with most of Margaret's furred fans, Sheba made the transatlantic trip to California and back to upstate, New York where
she passed away at the veritable age of fifteen in November 2002.

Jessie ~ A boy cat named after a favorite female student in Arizona, Jessie was rescued and adapted by Margaret in San Francisco, California a week after the big Earth Quake in 1989. Jessie lived with Margaret and family until his passing in November 2002.

Thomas and Muriella ~ Born on March 9th in California, 1999, these two beautiful bunnies were favorites in Margaret’s household until their passing. Muriella, the daring female, disappeared in October 2002. Thomas, the very social bunny that was as soft as velvet and as big as a dog (really!) and even thought himself as a dog, passed away suddenly on July fourth, 2003. Like all of our animal friends who have since departed, we miss them terribly.

Margaret with her newest family member, Reba

Tabitha ~ Tabitha, Pumpkin’s sister, is the longest living of any of Margaret’s furred friends. Born in Arizona, she has also lived in Northern California and in upstate New York. A very friendly and social cat, Tabitha's claim to fame is her solo invitations to brunches and Salmon Dinners! She is currently enjoying her retirement in the old farmhouse in upstate, New York.

Timba ~This six-year-old Lab Husky was found and rescued while pregnant. Margaret and family adopted her soon after her litter was born in May of 1998. She currently lives with Margaret and family in upstate New York where she enjoys swimming, digging, singing, and long walks.

Romeo ~ Born on leap day, 1992, this famous Dachshund dog began the tradition of the "singing dogs" in Margaret's family. Romeo resided on the farm in Feura Bush until March of 2002 when he rejoined Margaret and other furred friends in their home in the Helderbergs. He currently is enjoying his semi-retired life, which includes his daily vocal warm -up routine to Margaret’s flute playing and lots of naps under blankets.

Catherine Furey, AkA "Nana", who was a long-time family friend and adopted relative. Having been a main caretaker for Margaret since she was one years old, Nana played an integral part in her physical development and spiritual development , as well. A born Irish woman and devout Catholic until the end,
Nana was instrumental in introducing Margaret
to prayer at an early age. Nana use to love to
hear the Irish tunes and especially "Danny Boy"
which Margaret gratefully had the opportunity
to play for her on her flute two days before her
passing at the age of 110.God Bless her!

Nana on her 107th birthday
with Margaret in the background

Inspiration Duo of the Month- APRIL 2006    
April's Inspiration feature is the dynamic duo, Bill and Mary Glover, of 
Phoenix, Arizona. The co-founders of the Awakening Seed School, this husband and 
wife team has inspired hundreds of children for almost thirty years. Margaret 
worked as an after-school teacher and First Grade Aide at the school while 
attending Arizona State University as a full tuition scholarship flute performance 
Master's degree student. Bill and Mary's compassion as well as their 
innovative child-centered philosophy of Education inspired Margaret to become a 
teacher herself.
The philosophy of the "Seed" is as follows:

-Throughout history, people from all walks of life have shared a vision of an 
age in which all beings will live together in peace. Those who hold this 
vision are committed to working for the benefit of all other until each one has 
attained an awareness of the unity of life. Awakening Seed is a part of this 
worldwide vision of peace and was founded on these basic principles:

- Children are respected for their strengths, support in their efforts to 
become well-balanced individuals, and encouraged to become intelligent, divergent 
thinkers.

- Life can be viewed as a series of cycles or patterns. By studying smaller 
cycles such as the breath in the human body or life cycles of insects and 
spiders, the universals of life are more easily understood.

- Each person is more than a physical being. Our intellect and spiritual 
nature need cultivation as well, in order to become a balanced person.

- We all need love and support in our efforts to learn and grow.

- Suffering can be eliminated through loving kindness and compassion. This 
attitude is cultivated most effectively at an early age.

- World peace is possible.

Learn more about Mary and Bill Glover and the Awakening Seed School at 
www.AwakeningSeedSchool.org

Katharina Forbes Dunlop - (Aunt Bengie)

Born July 14th, 1892 in Sussex County England, Katharina Forbes Dunlop
was the oldest of three girls. She had a long and inspired career both as a
writer and as an educator. Katharina's inspiration for writing poetry and
short stories not only came from her mother who was herself a writer and an
artist, but also from her encounters with the British author Joseph Conrad . The
stories she has of making rice pudding for Mr. Conrad and other tales can be
found in her book "Winchelsea Memories" which is based on her childhood growing
up in the quaint village by the English Channel in Sussex county, England
Miss Dunlop not only taught English in the prestigious Queens Gate Academy in
London, but also served as the headmistress of Stocks, the Oldest girls boarding
school in England. In 1972 she sold the school to Victor Lownes who, along with
his wife Marilyn developed a friendship that lasted the rest of her life .
Even after selling her school, this remarkable lady continued tutoring English
and Latin privately in her London flat until the age of 97. In her later
years, a scholarship was established in her name to help further the career of a
young woman in the arts.
Margaret's beloved Great Aunt , known affectionately to family members
as "Aunt Bengie" and to most of the world as "KFD", was a few months shy of 101
years old when she passed away on March 15, 1993. Margaret has many fond
memories of times they spent together during Margaret's many visits to England.
which included many outings to the theatre in London together. She also made the
trip to America to attend Margaret's high school graduation at the age of 87.
She was not only a great source of inspiration to Margaret but also to her
"girls" as she affectionately called her former pupils and to everyone else
who had the blessing of knowing her. She shared Margaret's passion and
interest in people, good literature ( especially novels by Elizabeth Goudge), the
arts, and anything intrinsically beautiful.