About Me + Us

Right here in the middle of Memphis, Tenessee

there's a street called Malcomb with a family called the Pates
sharing life and chores and meals with an even bigger family.

One day soon there will be an album full of songs about this life

in all its colors and shapes and stories. Abbye West Pates is my name

I'm a musician, songwriter, gardener, and letter-writer.

When the harvest is ready, I like to preserve things and make good meals.

I'm married to Jeff, live in a home with 4 other people, 

and occasionally pick up my guitar and chord sheets

and venture out of doors to share some melodies. 

In addition to that, we grow vegetables and marigolds and hang our 

towels out on the line to dry. We write with sidewalk chalk

and take peppers and okra to neighbors and grill

hamburgers at the neighborhood cookout.

Here on this blog, I share song lyrics and poetry

and general writing about what are, to me at least, important life-things.

Here we are. Living, singing, and writing.

We hope you'll join us on the journey.