Fun For Me ... Music For You

Sorry, but I saw this and just laughed my head off!
I couldn't help but put it on here!

Here are the pictures from two weeks ago when I went to Paris, Mo to see this bridge.
What a marvelous day it was.
One of the best days I've ever had.
It's beautiful there.
The sound of the water fills your ears.
The wild flowers add a palette of color to the surroundings.
The air was fresh.
You can hear the wind rustling through the trees.
There were butterflies ... blue and yellow ...
There was shade to sit under, feel the grass underneath you and just soak it all in.
Just to close your eyes and enjoy each little individual sound, feeling, emotion and smile and just enjoy being there.

Here's the entrance to the bridge.

It isn't open to vehicles anymore ...
Only foot traffic and a few kids on bicycles.

Isn't it just beautiful?
I love the green of this picture.
It's so inviting to me.

In the two of these pictures I was trying to capture how the siding curves and waves along the side of the bridge.
I thought it was interesting.

I love these inside shots!
Look at the boards on the ceiling.
They're all peeling and it's just really neat looking up there.

If you look up to where these posts and boards are put together you'll notice the wooden joiners that were used.
I haven't seen that in a long time.

Here's a view of the arched trusses that were used.
And yes, you can see how marked up it is on the inside.
Even though the grafitti is unsightly,
hopefully you're able to look past it and just see the beauty of the bridge.

Here's a picture of the other side.

Here are some pictures of the bridge.
I like how the above picture is like looking through a tunnel and seeing the light on the other side.
What a beautiful place this was.

In this shot you can see the trusses and beams that make up the inside of the bridge.
I thought it was very interesting how everything was put together.

In these two shots you can see where part of the siding is missing on the outside.
While I'm sure it needs to be repaired in order to keep the bridge in sound shape, I also think that it adds character to the bridge.

Here are some pictures of the low water bridge going across the Salt River.
I can remember going camping with my family. I don't really remember where it was that we went, but I can remember there was a low water bridge like this that you drove across to get to the camping and swimming area.

I tried to capture some of the cascading water.
I love the sound of the water.
It fills my whole being with peace.

Can you hear it?
I can hear it.

Now, when I'm taking photographs I make it a rule to center what it is that I'm trying to capture in the picture. I do that on purpose because sometimes by the time you get home and edit your pictures you can't really remember what it was that caught your eye.

I tell you this in order to explain the two pictures below.
The first one is the original and the second one I edited to focus in on the rock.
According to what is centered in the original picture I was focusing on the texture contrast of the water swirling around the rock.

However,
Have you already noticed what's special about this rock?
I don't remember noticing it before until I was editing the picture.
The rock has a face.
It has a nose, a mouth, an eye, a forehead, cheek bone ... the whole rock is a head.

I think I will have to go back to this place just to find that rock again.
I can see in my mind right where I was standing when I took this picture.

Here are some pictures of the Salt River out at Union Covered Bridge.
I thought it was really pretty.

You can see the low water bridge that spans across for traffic to use.
Some people drove across slowly just causing ripples
and some people went across quickly making a pretty big splash.

There were some kids who came and were riding their bikes back and forth across the bridge.
It sounded like thunder!
It was very loud.

The kids also had a couple of nets they were using to catch minnows.
I didn't see any minnows when I was over there, but there must have been because they were catching something down there.

I'm a little late getting this posted, but I wanted to share with you a wonderful gift that I received from my blogging friend, North. She lives in Canada and here is what she sent me.

First, look at this cute package!!!!!
I loved it!

What was inside?
Let's look ....

There were two cards which she designed herself.
Aren't they goergeous??
One had the sweetest note inside of it addressed to me.

Here is a little heart that she made.
This will probably end up on my Christmas tree.

And knowing that I collect salt and pepper shakers ...
Check these out!!!!

These were from her own collection.

What cute cats!
I love the look on the black one's face!!!
He looks like he got caught doing somehting naughty!

And look at these little chefs!
How fabulous!

North,
These will always hold a special place in my heart because they are from a friend.
Thank you so much!!!!

One of my students just made my day!
Their mom came in after their lesson and brought me a potted yellow mum.
It has about 100 blooms on it and is just beautiful!

Thank you!

Just wanted to let you all know not to worry about me if I'm not posting as regularly as I have been in the past.

There's a lot going on here that I'm not discussing on the blog at the moment.

Just going to be very busy!

Keep coming back ... I'll be popping in.

My love to you all.

I played Benny the Banjo this afternoon out on the porch swing.
What a happy little instrument he is!

Tomorrow is music night in Hannibal and I'm looking forward to it.

Here's what I learned about hair today.

I have almost waist length straight hair.
My blazer has a sun roof that I just love and have open most of the time.
Today was such a nice day, it sprinkled earlier this morning and cooled things off.
As I was driving around town, I had the sun roof open and the windows down.
I had CCR in the cd player and was singing along.
My hair was blowing everywhere ... looked like I was caught in a whirlwind.
I had my sunglasses on though, so my hair wasn't whipping me in the eyes or anything.
And yes ... I could see to drive.
Anyway, I'm coasting along and singing when suddenly there was a gust of wind from the passenger side that blew my hair across my face and into my mouth.
Suddenly I found myself with a mouthful of hair and actually choked a little bit.
Dang!
That's never happened before.

So ...
The lesson learned ...
When you're going to be driving with the sun roof open and the windows down, tie your hair back so you don't choke on it.
Wow!

No, I'm not hurt ... I'm referencing the song by my beloved Johnny Cash.

I used to perform this song but haven't lately because I play the piano when I sing this one and I don't usually find myself where there is a piano available.

You talk about raw emotion. What a powerful song.

My Dad taught me that if you're going to sing or play a song, make it your own and do it with heart. I love this song. I loved it the first time I heard it. It made me cry. I was sitting in my living room watching the debut of the video on CMT.
---

I hurt myself today to see if I still feel.
I focus on the pain the only thing that's real.
The needle tears a hole the old familiar sting.
Try to kill it all away but I remember everything.

What have I become, my sweetest friend?
Everyone I know goes away in the end.
And you could have it all, my empire of dirt.
I will let you down, I will make you hurt.

I wear this crown of thorns upon my liar's chair.
Full of broken thoughts I can not repair.
Beneath the stain of time the feeling disappears.
You are someone else, I am still right here.

What have I become, my sweetest friend?
Everyone I know goes away in the end.
And you could have it all, my empire of dirt.
I will let you down, I will make you hurt.

If I could start again a million miles away.
I would keep myself, I would find a way.
I would find a way.

---

There are some who find this a depressing song.
Not me.
I find it to be a real song.

Who hasn't done things they would like to erase?
Who doesn't look back at something that could have been done differently?
Life tends to turn us into robots of ritual and habit.
Haven't we all wondered if we still feel?
Haven't we all changed over time?
Aren't we all afraid of being hurt by someone else?
Don't we all have broken thoughts buried somewhere?
Haven't you ever wished that you could start again?
Don't we all have barriers up to protect us?

I think we all do to some extent.
This song speaks to me.

Well, I had a pop tart and five fiber pills for breakfast.
I ate a spinach salad and I'm on my second cup of Postum.
So far, haven't gotten sick. There may be something to this ...

Well, I haven't got out a pencil and sketch pad in years. Really ... it's been about four or five years ago. Ran to Walgreens last night and bought a new sketch pad and some pencils and set to work on a couple of things. Want to see?

Here's my new sketch pad.

This was the first sketch that I started. It's just done VERY lightly in pencil. I had to edit the photo and darken it to get it to show up. As a general rule, I don't do people very well and it takes me forever to finish one. This one was headed in the right direction and I was pleased with the progress so far, so I stopped before I messed it up and started on another sketch.

I don't think I've posted the photos of the trip yet, but last week took photos of the Union Covered Bridge in Paris Missouri. This is a sketch of the bridge. I think I will be pleased with it when it is finished. Hopefully.

I prefer to sketch in black and white. I can have a black and white that I love and it just seems to ruin it when I add color to it. I've tried water color, water color pencils, colored pencils ... I just prefer the black and white.

Since my posts from yesterday about Elvis songs,
I've discovered that several of you are Elvis fans also.

You know, as a little girl I had several dreams for my life.
One was to own a zebra or two.
I've always been in love with zebras.
Life's not over yet ... maybe I'll get one before I die.

The other was that I would either marry Elvis or Clint Eastwood when I grew up.
I just knew they were waiting for me.
Elvis sang so wonderfully.
And Clint Eastwood was just down right cool.
If I'd had to pick between the two, I'm pretty sure it would have been Clint Eastwood.
He was a much better shot with a gun and wore that cool poncho.
And he had an evil eye like I do.
He's always been my hero.

What is a smore?
It is a sinnfully delicious chocolate treat to die for!!!!
That's what a smore is!!!!!

Supplies needed:
Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Chocolate Bar
Toasting Stick or Fork

Directions:
Toast your marshmallow
Place chocolate and toasted marshmallow between two graham crackers.
Smash it together.
Your toasted marshamallow should melt your chocolate.

Warning:
They are very messy and very gooey.
But delicious!
If you are a chocolate lover ...
you will love smores!!!

I just sang "Burnin Love", by Elvis.

How fun!

Yes, I just found a bunch of Elvis lyrics on line.

Look out!!!

No, I don't "have" a fever ...

I've been "singing" Fever.

You know, the song.

My favorite version was by Elvis who is my favorite singer of all time.

Great song!

Well, I've been on this diet for a while, just eating small single portions. I've reached my goal and I'm trying to stop now, but my little body is rejecting food.

I decided this morning that if it doesn't get better in a few days, that I'm going to go to the doctor. There was a time in my younger part of life when I was anerexic. (Don't know if I have that spelling right) Anyway, don't want to end up there again.

A friend told me to take some fiber pills, so I gave that a try today with lunch and it seems to be working. I'll experiment with this for a few days before I decided if I'm going to the doctor or not.

Wish me luck!!

I just ate lunch. I had half a turkey sandwich, half an avocado and some fresh raw spinach.

Mmmm!

If you ever want to say that you love me, just hand me an avocado!

If you already read the post below this one and it was before 11:04 ...
read it again because I kept editing it and adding to it.

I'm done now.

:)

You know, I'm sitting here singing some of these old, old country songs and so many things are going through my mind as I do so.

Like ...
running moonshine.
You know ... from the still hidden somewhere safe.

I just have to chuckle because although it's never been verified verbally ...
I'm pretty sure some of my relatives on my Dad's side down in Beamin' Holler, Missouri participated in such activities. I will have to question my Dad about this.
I can remember my grandpa having one of those big ... and I mean big ... ceramic jugs with a handle and cork that he kept out in his black smithing shop. He'd crook that finger through the little loop of a handle, swing that jug up onto his shoulder and take a "swig" he called it. I wonder if that jug survived and where it is today?

Beamin' Holler is located close to the border of Missouri and Arkansas. Out in the middle of nowhere. Hills, hills, hills and more hills. Both of my grandparents on the Williams side are buried out there. I sure do miss them.

To this day the smell of a forge being fired up is such a comforting smell to me. I love it. It reminds me of good times. When we played for The Battle of Athens a few weeks ago there was a black smith there and I really enjoy that.

My grandfather used to let me melt metal, I banged on all sorts of stuff with that hammer of his and I always watched him working. I also got to crank the handle that flamed the fire. It was fun!! The shaping of metal was interesting to me. Still is.

Hmmm ...
Maybe I should try it sometime and see what I can make?
Might be interesting.

I think a man standing at an anvil in an apron with a hammer in his hand is very sexy. Would that hold true for me? A girl? A girl at an anvil in an apron with a hammer in her hand? I guess it would just depend on how much I was sweating and if my makeup stayed on.

That does it! I want a workshop!!!!

I'm spending all of my free time today with my guitar and singing. I've needed to work up some new songs for Ely and I have several in my book that I haven't written out the chords for yet.

So far I've worked up my own version of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Watch out ... it's a tear jerker!!!!

And I got the rest of the lyrics for Down to the River to Pray and wrote out the chords for it. I'm getting ready right now to sing it and make sure I got it right.

Oh, and I need to tab out Squirrel Heads and Gravy for Doug. I'd better do that right now before I forget.

Look at these pictures!
Aren't they just marvelous??

A friend of mine who knows that I am a bird watcher showed me something that I've never seen before. A dove sitting on a nest.

It's so beautiful. Look at that face.
I was so excited to get to see this and have pictures on top of that!

I was surprised at the lack of nesting material that was used. How do the babies keep from falling out? Hmmm ...
What do baby doves look like?
I've never seen them before.

I espeically like that piece of rope hanging down from the nest.

One of my students was at piano lesson on Monday and was telling me about some of his science experiments that he's been doing. He also has a friend who comes over and they do these together just for fun. My student is 7 or 8 years old.

He was telling me about mixing baking soda and vinegar. His favorite thing to do it blowing up plastic soda bottles. His most used technique is mixing the baking soda and vinegar ... shaking it up ... and then throwing it. It was quite interesting hearing him tell it and seeing how excited he was about it.

He said that if you use a wine bottle, the cork will shoot off just like a rocket. He told me the best technique for the wine bottle is to dig a hole in the ground to sit the bottle in so that the cork goes straight up.

Now here's one for you ...
Mentos Candy.

The recipe:

A two liter bottle of soda and an entire roll of Mentos Candy.
Open the bottom of the roll and let all of the candy drop in at once.
Run.
He said that it just takes a few seconds for it to react by shooting up like a fountain.
Sounds very cool to me. I'm going to have to try it!

I found this and it cheered me up!!!!!

Sing along!

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee,
Greenest state in the land of the free.
Raised in the woods so's he knew every tree,
Killed him a bear when he was only three.

Davy, Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier.

Fought single handed through the Injun war,
Till the Creeks was whipped and peace was restored.
And while he was handling this risky chore,
Made himself a legend, forevermore.

Davy, Davy Crockett the man who don't know fear.

He went of to Congress and served a spell
Fixin' up the government and laws as well.
Took over Washington, I heard tell,
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell.

Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear.

When he come home, his politickin' was done,
While the western march had just begun.
So he packed his gear, and his trusty gun
And let out a grinnin' to follow the sun.

Davy, Davy Crockett, Leadin the Pioneer.

Well, I deleted this post once in hopes I'd have something else to say before the day was over, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. So I'm rewriting this one.

I'm having a blue day today.
Just have a lot of things on my mind.

Even took a walk to try to clear my head, but that didn't work.

Did some writing to clear my head ... that didn't work either.

Tried to think of something else ... that didn't work.

Tried to ignore it ... that didn't work.

So here I am, sad. With nothing I can do about it.

Woke up at 3:30 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep.
Got up at 4:30 and watched Gunsmoke.
Went back to bed and laid there awake until I got up.
Cleaned out the frig ... that didn't work.

Did dishes ... that didn't work.

Taught lessons ... that didn't work.

Played with my dog ... that didn't work either.

Called my mom ... that didn't work.

Talked to my son Tom ... that didn't work.

Talked to my son Chris ... that worked a little. We both "vented" about life at the moment and understood where the other one was coming from. He actually cheered me up for a little bit but it didn't last long after we hung up. He gave me some advice ... I gave him some advice. Then we'll both do what we want. That's how it works, isn't it?

I do have lip gloss on though. My lips are very pretty at the moment. Just depressed and frowning.

I miss my music friends.

There's nothing on tv.

I teach until 8:00pm and then I'll probably just go to bed.
Might as well lay there in the dark and be depressed, right?

Oh, I'll feel better tomorrow.

Anyone have any good "cheer em up" powers??

I've been practicing my piano jazz chords and I can now move them up and down the keyboard chromatically. It takes a lot of concentration and visualization to do it, but hey!

But now I have to go clean out the frig and do the dishes. Play time is over.

I just sat at the piano and heard my first 17359 chord.
Oh my gosh!
I can't quite move it up the keyboard yet, but I'll get it there.
What a great sound!

Thank you, Bill!!!

My friend George, from Monday night jam session is wanting us all to post our potato cake recipes so we can all try it different ways.
So ...
I'm enlisting everyone's help. Please post your recipe and let's see what we come up with.
I'll post mine in the comments section as well in just a little bit.

Thanks!

And now, it's 11:00pm on Monday night and I need to go to bed.
But first, must dance.

Good night to you, and I hope that you dance in your dreams.

Hello there everyone! I hope that you all are doing well. I just got home from the Hannibal session. We were a bit of a thin group this evening, but we still made some good music.

Let's see who was there ... Larry on fiddle and guitar ... Chris on tenor banjo ... Ian on guitar ... Lisa on fiddle ... Don on bass ... Jeanie just listened tonight ... Andrew on banjo and mandolin ... Sondra on banjo and mandolin ... me fiddle and tenor banjo ... Joann on whistle ... Dwain on guitar ... Dave on guitar ... Sarah on bass and whistle ... Dale on guitar ... Robert on fiddle ... Tony on flute, whistle and fiddle ... Kevin on percussion ... Rob on percussion ... John on guitar ... Wade on percussion ... the two drummer girls ... and I think that's it for musicians.

Tonight was Andrew's birthday. Happy birthday!!!!!

I was glad to see Dwain, we missed him last week. We hadn't seen Robert in what seems like a long time either. I was glad to see Kevin there ... missed him last week.

Kevin noticed that I've lost weight. That was nice! I've been working hard at it, but I've lost all I care to loose. I hope to just stay where I'm at right now.

I missed Doug, Beverly, Clayton, Elizabeth (where are you?), Bill, Ned, Fred, Paul, Evelyn H, Charlie, Harry and Ellen, Sarah on tambourine and anyone else who was missing.

Evelyn and Bob had family with them tonight and I got to meet their son, daughter and grandson. Noel and Mary Jo were there and Suzie. Lydia and Maddie and Wade's son. LA stopped in for a few minutes. Melanie stopped in for Andrew's birthday surprise and then went back to sewing club. She had four ladies there this evening. Dale and Adam were there and Michelle. I think that covers everyone in the audience that I knew.

Adam took me for a ride in his new mustang convertible. Wow! I was surprised at what a smooth ride it was. The 90's version of mustang rode terribly. Way too bumpy. I figured these new ones had the looks without the handling. Wrong. What a smooth ride! It was also very roomy inside. For those who don't know who Adam is, I've told you about him before. He's 15 and one of the best guitar players that I know. I told him tonight that, as a teacher, I consider him gifted and don't ever want him to quit playing. I sang with him for a while and we could get some good blues going.

My dream car is a 72 metallic emerald green mustang convertible. Oh baby!! Maybe I'll have one some day.

There was a construction crew there this evening and one of them is learning the five string banjo. I invited them to go out to Ely on Thursday and meet some of the banjo players out there, but I don't know if they are or not. He said that he's just learning.

George was there and wants me to post my potato cakes recipe. I will, but I'm also going to get Merle's as well. It would be interesting to see if we all do it differently. Mmmm ... potato cakes!

I talked to Thelma for just a little bit. She is so sweet. I'm just thrilled to have her and John coming to session.

Don and Jeanie invited me to come and eat some bread sticks with them, but I got side tracked by a piano player. Sorry guys.

We met a man while playing street music on Sunday who is a jazz pianist and organist. Oh my, would I ever love to listen to him play. He came to session tonight and gave me a jazz piano lesson that I'm going to work on tomorrow morning. He invited me to come and sit in on a set with the band, but there's no way I can do that just yet. I told him what they taught me when I studied jazz piano in college and a few seminars. He told me to forget all of that and he showed me what to do. So here we are, the two of us sitting at a table, pretending to play the piano so I can see how to place my fingers the right way. Our hands moving up and down the keyboard in half steps, pretending to reach up for the black keys and back down again for the white keys ... making our shoulder movements ... moving up and down the table just like we would the piano keys. We got a few "looks", but who cares!!! It was fun!! He taught me the "17359" method and he says that's all I need to know to get going. Bill Morrison is his name and I sure hope that he comes back and teaches me some more!!!! I'll let you know how my practicing goes.

Well, I'm tired and headed to bed. It was a long weekend. Street music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and played with Ely Sunday afternoon and evening. I let myself get dehydrated and I'm trying to recoup. I'm still not up to par, but getting there.

Hope you all had a great Monday and those who were missing know that you were missed and hope you're back next week.

Until then ...

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Love you all!

I was just over at Merle's blog and she was talking about potato cakes.
Oh my gosh!
I love those things!
I haven't had any in forever.
Well ... more like twelve years!
Mmmmm!
They sure sound good.

Anyone else like potato cakes?

Okay ...
I did a no no.

I'm writing this post two days after the fact, which means there is most likely something or someone that I will forget. Please accept my apologies now. You know I love you all!!

Let's see ...

Where to start ...

(imagine the wavy vision they have on tv when looking back in time)

wavy ... wavy ... wavy ... wavy ...

----
----
----

Well, I left the Quincy session early at 8:00 and got to Ely early. I don't know if anyone noticed that or not but I was eager to get there!

I just love this group of people. They are so sweet, genuine, fun, inspiring, funny, comical, mouthy ( I fit right in) and I find myself just looking forward to seeing them and playing music
all week. Here it is only Saturday night and I'm sitting here missing them all.

Anyway ...

First thing when I got there here came Little Jessie with his fiddle. Now Jessie ... in case you're reading this ... I know you're not little. This is just how I'm telling the difference between you and the other Jessie. Less confusion ...

Anyway, here he came! He played everything for me that I gave him to work on last week and did it so well!!!! I was so proud of him! I asked him if he would like to learn to read notes as well as play by ear and he said yes, so I loaned him one of my books to study from. We went over the first few pages together and assigned him some to work on. Before he left that night, he already had part of it memorized!! I think he's motivated!! That's awesome!

Then I saw Kyle. Kyle has his driver's permit and he let me look at it. We always just got a sheet of paper with a form on it that we had to carry in our wallets and purses to show that we were legal to practice driving. Now they actually get a regular ID, just like a driver's license. It was awesome! Of course, he covered up his weight so I'm not quite sure how much he weighs, but he had a great picture! I told him that if he was going to cover up his weight, he probably ought to cover up his age too. That's what I would do if I were showing him mine!!!
He did!
He is so funny!!!

Kyle,
are you listening?
You and I have a date to sing next time. I have a ton of gospel in my book and I love singing with you.

Let's see, then I offered to give Dorothy a fiddle lesson, but she didn't need one.

I met Ellis for the first time.
I sure hope that I spelled that right!
I've seen him there before but we hadn't officially introduced ourselves to eachother. What a sweetheart! He also has his driver's permit and showed me his. He had a great picture too. I found out that he used to play the saxophone. We have that in common. I haven't played mine in so long I've probably forgotten how to even blow in it. I'm serious! It was a year ago that I picked up my Irish Whistle for the first time and now all I play are the whistle, fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo and my guitar. Well, of course the piano and organ ...
Anyway, we talked about saxophones for a little bit and then I went to play my fiddle.

So, who was there? Let's see ... Ashely ... Bill ... Dorothy ... Doug ... Jessie ... Patty ... Del ... Deann ... Jim ... William ... Little Jessie ... Me ... Danny ... Peggy ... Wes ... Lorri ... Dick ... Allan ... Greg ... Don ... Jeanie ... Wes Jr ... Anita ... Bert ... I think Dan was there ... John ... Kyle ... Bert's husband ... Ellis ... and I'm sure there were others whom I have left off and there were some there that I didn't know.

Everyone mentioned to me how quick Doug is learning the tenor banjo. I really enjoy playing with Doug. He's learning the fiddle and the banjo so fast that he inspires me. He's doing very well. I gave him some new music that he can work on if he wants. I didn't give it to anyone else so I'll probably end up in trouble. Yikes!

William had been working on his van and had just gotten it fixed that day. I forget where he was headed, but I think they had a show to go to this weekend.

Little Jessie listened to us playing. It won't be long until he is right in there with us. I told him that I'd have some new music for him to work on next time.

Danny let me play one of his guitars while I was singing. That man has NICE guitars. Wow!

Lorri and I sang Walkin After Midnight together.

Dick told me quite a little story about John and Wes!!!!
You'll never know!

Allan has just about mastered Soldier's Joy on his mandolin. I was watching him when he didn't know it and he was doing great!

You know, I just thought of another reason I like it so much out here. No one tries to out do anyone ... we just all play together and have fun. I really enjoy that.

Don had his little uke banjo with him. It was SO cute!!!! SO little!!!!

Anita played The Chicken Reel with me on her harmonica. Awesome, girl!!!! I would probably only last about three seconds on the harmonica before I was out breath and turning red. She just goes and goes and goes. She plays wonderfully.

Bert showed me the lyrics to I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and now I've been singing that all weekend. It has a wonderful chord progression that is just so sad! But beautiful!!!
Maybe we can sing it together?

And then there was John. When you get John, Doug and I in there on our fiddles, they sound so good together. John doesn't mind me drifting off into harmony and I love doing that. Sometimes I can make it sound good and sometimes I flop but it's fun anyway.

I saw Kyle playing the banjo that night. He plays the guitar too. Does he play the mandolin? I can't remember. All I know is he told me that he only hangs out with cute girls, so since he was hanging out with me for a little bit, I could assume I'm cute!!!!!
Whew Hoo!!!!!!
I'm cute!

You know, a girl just needs to hear that every once in a while.

Well, I appear to have gone on and on and on and on ...
I know I've left something out.

I was going to take the telescope but it was cloudy all day so I didn't. It ended up being pretty clear and there were lots of stars.
Oh well.

I'll wrap it up.
Love you all!!!!

What a day!

Got up at 8:30.

There are some bushes and vines in front of the house that were totally infested with aphids to the point that it all was dying. Got all of it cut up, pulled out and thrown away. Now I just have to figure out what's going to go there in it's place.

Sondra and I played street music in Hannibal today. It was the Huck Finn Festival and there were quite a few people there. The bad part is we had to stand in the sun for the first hour and nearly baked on that concrete. "Mark Twain" came to give a speech so we took the opportunity to escape and go find some shade. We went to our favorite bench by Java Jive and played for half an hour. The shade felt wonderful!

Charlie, my 99 year old fiddle judging friend came to listen to me play my fiddle today. I was afraid that I would be nervous ... he REALLY looks you over when you're playing, but I wasn't at all. I was glad to see him and just had fun with him. He clapped and whooped ... I danced while I played ...he told me that my playing has improved a lot. That means a lot coming from him. He's a treasure! He asked me today to drive him to a bluegrass festival in Columbia, MO. It just happens to be during Old Threshers in Shelbina and I had to tell him that I couldn't. He drives ... it's just too far for him to go on his own anymore. He and I do have a date for the Hannibal Bluegrass Festival though. If he's still driving, I'm just supposed to look for him when I get there to say hello. If he's no longer driving, I'm supposed to pick him up and take him with me. Would be my pleasure!

I gave him two hugs today. He claims I'm his inspiration and that hug gets him through the whole week! Yes ... I'm sure he gives his best smile and uses that line on ALL of the girls. I bet we all fall for it too!!!!!

Yes, he told a joke and made me blush today. He said loud enough for everyone to hear that I'm beautiful when I blush. That man! Then he found himself in trouble and thought he'd better leave before he got into anymore trouble.

Then Sondra and I went back up to the museum complex and played in the heat for the rest of our time. It was miserable. My fiddle had sweat all over it. Her banjo had sweat all over it. My poor guitar! Her poor mandolin. Nothing would stay in tune today in the heat. We tuned about every three songs or so.

But we made it! We were wilted and lifeless ... but we made it. Boy were we ever glad to get into the blazer and turn that air conditioning on! Whew!

Yes, I stank AGAIN.
But I showered.
I smell better now.
I'm all "girly" again.

That was my day.

I hope that you had a good one too!

I'm smelling much better now!

What a day it has been today.

After my late night at Ely, I slept in until 9:00. Did my Thai Chi, danced a little bit.

Ironed my music clothes and then Sondra and I went to play street music in Hannibal for a few hours today.

When we were finished I went into the Dry Goods store and got my ritual bottle of coke that I get every time. It's my reward when we're finished. It was ice cold and delicious!

I drove over to one of the water front parks across the river from Hannibal and sat for a little bit before I went home. It had a good view of Hannibal and a fabulous view of the light house. I didn't have the camera (it's out of batteries at the moment) but I will return and take some pictures.

It was a nice little park. I just sat there and listened to the waves gently lapping against the shore line. I watched a Kingfisher hunting and catching fish. They are very efficient little hunters!

I must have sat there for half an hour just thinking and listening.

I took a nap when I got home. I needed one. It was short ... just 30 minutes ... but it was just what I needed.

I just got back from playing street music in Hannibal. It was a scorcher today! Very humid! Very hot! And boy ... do I ever need a shower!!!!!

There weren't very many people out and about on the streets today.
Saturday is the Huck Finn Festival, so I hope there will be more people tomorrow.
We're going to play down at the Huck Finn House for at least an hour tomorrow.
Maybe more.

Today there were two couples across the street listening to us play. One of the guys was dancing while he was listening and he motioned for me to dance too.
So I did!
Here I am playing rhythm on my guitar and dancing away!!!
He passed us again later and left $10 for us in the case.
He was very sweet.
Made our day.
Oh yes, and he danced for us some more when he passed by the second time.
He was probably in his late 60's to early 70's or so.

We saw some babies.
It's interesting how the 0-2 year olds react to the music and the instruments.
They're captivated.
Some of them will sit there and listen and watch for a long time.
And they smile at us.
So cute!

Then we have our "regulars" who work in the shops or live above them who come out and thank us for the music.
(So far ... no one has complained and tried to run us off.)

It's very sad ... this is our last weekend of street music.

:(

It's been a lot of work,
It's been hot,
But it has been a lot of fun.
We've met a lot of people.
Played a lot of music.
Gotten pretty good at a few of them.
It's been a great experience for us both.

I am tired today after spending the day at the Union Covered Bridge, then music at La Gondola and then Ely yesterday.

But it's a good tired.
I may take a shower and then a quick nap.
Or not.

Must wash my music outfit before I wear it again.
Whew!!!

I have several posts to get in ...
Before Kyle comes to hunt me down!!!!

I'm getting there!
I'm getting there!

My love to you all!

Here is a post from my friend's blog ... thank you Pasadena!!!
Anyway, I thought it was quite funny and wanted to share it with my friends!!!
Enjoy!!


Story Of Elijah
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophet of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.

“Now,” said the teacher, “can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?”

A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, “I know! I know!” she said, “To make the gravy!”


Lot’s Wife
The Sunday school teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, “My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving,” he announced triumphantly, “and she turned into a telephone pole!”


Good Samaritan
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, “I think I’d throw up.”


Did Noah Fish?
A Sunday school teacher asked, “Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?”

“No,” replied David. “How could he, with just two worms?”


Higher Power
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?”

One child blurted out, “Aces!”


Moses and The Red Sea
Nine-year-old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. “Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”

“Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.

“Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”


The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible: Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Ricky was excited about the task…but he just couldn’t remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, “The Lord is my Shepherd, and that’s all I need to know.”
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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.

The daughter answered, “Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilt.”

Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the paster stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning’s Sunday school lesson was about.

He said, “Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.”
**********

Church Smiles
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. “Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.

“Only the Ten Commandments,” answered the lady.
**********

While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign…

“Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust.”
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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it’s still out there in your pockets.”
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And finally here's a little poem to live by...I know most of my blogfriends already live by this message:

Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.

I just checked on my spearmint stems and leaves that I dried and pressed. I think they are ready to come out, but I'm going to leave them there just a little bit longer before I put them away in my treasure box.

They smell SO good!!!!

Here are some of the exhibits that were at the Cannon House.

I always find exhibits like this interesting

Here's a spinning wheel.

And a four poster bed!
How cool is that!

Here's one of the boards they had set up showing pictures of the village and houses as they used to look. Athens was quite a busy village at one time.

Even though this looks like just a regular piece of furniture being used to exhibit flyers, I recognized it immediately as a piano.
Oh, if I could get my hands on that baby and have it restored!
You can't really tell in this picture, but it's very ornate and just wonderful.