It has taken me some time to record some of my own guitar playing. This is one of the first songs I ever learned from Gary Bolstad in Berlin, Germany in 1968. It is a Bob Dylan song, “Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues”. The melody and lyrics mimic some of my melancholy side in music. Most importantly, I play it on a 12 string guitar. The octave strings add such a rich sound.
Baldwin Auditorium – Ciompi Quartet
Music is the window to the soul. Tonight a good friend, Mary, took me to Duke University in Durham, NC. We experienced the Ciompi Quartet at the Baldwin Auditorium. It was exciting, entertaining and educational. If you ever get a chance to listen to live classical music, please do it. It will lift your soul and create another facet to your personality that cannot be removed. The memory is worth every effort.
Carolina Blue with Snow
It snowed last night in Youngsville, NC where I am temporarily hold up. It is the first time it has snowed here in years. The locals were in a panic for most of the day, talking about what was about to happen. It is still beautiful with the blue sky the next morning.
Contemporary Folk Night
Last night I was invited by a new friend, Ginny, to the most unusual venue I have ever attended for music. Prior to arriving I had little idea of the kind of music I was about to experience.
Here is an example of the group “Molasses Creek”
I was so inspired by their versatility and harmony that I made a decision to write two songs. One about my great, great grandfather, and a love song. Stay tuned.
One of the things that made the venue so unusual was that it was held in a home of a lovely couple in Raleigh, Bett and Bill. Here is the picture of their home, Little Lake Hill.
http://www.bettpadgett.com/
Here a not so good picture of the band, Molasses Creek.
It was a lot, lot, lot of fun. Thanks!
Here is their website;
http://www.molassescreek.com/band
Here is a love song they wrote that really touched my heart.
Painting #1
It struck me yesterday that I have a talent for painting and that I need to create something now. I want this because I want the adrenalin rush of having said I would do it, do ti, and celebrate that I did it! I know, pretty base ego-driven motivation? So what, it doesn’t hurt anybody else. It increases my self-esteem, which none of us has enough of. It leaves a possible teaching lesson for future generations. It’s free.
Imagine a painting of a storm over Roratonga, Cooke Islands at sundown. The sky is pink, there are some cumulus clouds with thin white tops to their silver lining edge. The water, smashing into the shore line, is pink as well, from the setting sun. Only white wave caps break the continuity with the sky and clouds. A silhouette of palm tree stark-ens the pink contrast.
Now paint this picture. Challenge accepted!
And then this one.
New Years Day 2014
I have been working on the things that I am grateful for from 2013 and my goals and expectations for the fabulous year 2014.\r\n\r\nI love to dance. I took tap dancing when 8yrs old. My sister was taking ballet and I think my mother thought it would be a good idea to take two of us to lessons, rather than just one. I just like to move to the music. I can muster up a Foxtrot pretty easily and I found a Spanish nightclub where they teach Salsa. I just had to go. I might even take somebody with me some time. In the meantime, I am just having a blast.
Happy New Year 2014
I had a great experience at First Night Raleigh for New Years. Met some great people and took pictures for people so they did not have to take selfies.
Christmas 2013
With ice storms in Ontario and thousands without hydro, how grateful am I that I have been able to spend Christmas in Raleigh with sister, Molly, and her kids and friends. I had to make the traditional Christmas card photo in front of the fireplace – smiles.
And I had to include my faithful bud, Peanut, who continues to travel with me on my adventures. For those who are not familiar with Peanut, check YouTube search for Jeff Dunham. It will make you laugh.
Molly’s grandchildren posed in numbered shirts to reflect eight wonderful girls and boys who blessed the Christmas pandemonium. Good food and great company.
From left and oldest to youngest: Kore Marie, Sterling, Leah, Curtis, Inari, Nathan, Zander. Missing number 3 tuned in by Skype: Kayia. How CUTE!
And when the food is good, relaxing afterwards is mandatory.
T’is The Season
As I prepare for Christmas 2013, here I am in front of my fireplace and front yard.
Sunday Service White Memorial Presbyterian Church
A wonderful friend of my sister, Margaret, mentioned that she would be singing in a Vivaldi choral arrangement at her church on Sunday. White Memorial is a beautiful church in old Raleigh. Having sung in an all boys choir at Church of Our Savior as a child, I jumped at the chance to experience the Advent celebration. Here are two phone recordings I made.
Enjoy!