A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III

Subject: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part 3
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 03:24 PM

Part Two is HERE Night Owl will be along in a while....

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:52 PM

Barns. The word pictures are the main thing, but maybe photographs would complement them.

And here on this page there is a picture of a barn, in a village called Jordans in England; the timbers it's built from came from The Mayflower. And I read a story once about a farmer who wanted to travel the world, so he pulled down his barn, used the wood to build a sailing boat, and set off on his travels.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:21 PM

Thanks for that link McGrath...fascinating place!! You got me wondering here...AND I WILL look further into it.

There used to be a barn here in the village, built from part of a shipwreck...(it's gone now). The storm was called (locally anyway) "The Portland Gale of 1898" named after the ship. Given the large number of ships that sunk here off our coast...I wonder. Thanks again.......

blithering on.....

After Mary Ellen came "home" to my lap (no other way to describe it) I calmed down....inside. I hadn't been consciously aware of how loooong I'd been "on alert" but certainly felt it when I settled down. Holding her and playing her.....SOMEHOW....... made it ok for me to open the door to the room that held my burnt albums and instruments.

I had cleaned up Sandy and Caroline's album months before.....so knew it was worth the effort, at least to peel off burnt covers and look at the vinyl records themselves. I'm almost done restoring them and as I mentioned...waaaaaaayy up above, I'll have about 1/3 of my collection back. I found a wonderful resource for new album covers and sleeves

www.bagsunlimited.com

(in case anyone needs them). They sell an incredible array of products for protecting and storing music collections, are VERY helpful on the phone.....and send out the orders QUICKLY! I just received the new album covers in the mail here.

I hadn't opened the bags of burnt instruments since I brought them home from the Music Store. Just didn't have the emotional strength to look at them before.....nor could I bring myself to just throw the bags into the dump.

Mary Ellen had just finished spending a few hours teaching me some music Rick must have made her memorize....and she let me know I was going to be fine now. I put her back in her case, and went to look in one of the bags of instruments...and found my lap dulcimer, the same one I had taken to the cemetery for my brother's burial. She was yelling to be let out of the bag.

I took her downstairs to the kitchen....and did a "pre-surgical" evaluation. Her body wasn't cracked.....black and charred but NOT cracked/broken. The wood itself was structurally intact.....and the fretboard was charred but still straight. The tuning pegs had melted but not INTO the wood......the majority of the badly burned wood was behind the tuning pegs....and the scroll was charcoal. Her back looked like it only had one layer of soot on it, but otherwise in good condition.

She had been hanging on the wall in my living room ....within a couple feet of my "memorial wall". I had found no trace of the things on my "memorial wall"....nor any trace of the things I had on the small table in that corner of the room.....but the wall the Dulcimer was on, remained standing.

Anyway, I set up an "operating table" in the kitchen, and bought various "grit" sandpaper and operating equipment....(mask, gloves etc.)......and started GENTLY sanding.

Her back came out PERFECT!

Her front and sides suffered a bit more damage, and I had to sand quite a lot to get through charred layers....BUT she'll be FINE!!!

She looks VERY odd, not symmetrical any more at the top of her "hourglass".....but then.....neither am I.

I was at a loss with what to do next with her...she was SOOOOO thirsty.....dry....the heat she went through was intense....and I had NO clue what she wanted for a drink....and what to put on her for future protection.

So I did what any rational Mudcatter would do.......I pm'd (S)paw. bg

He agreed to supervise the job......gave me detailed instructions......WHAT to apply....HOW many coats......HOW to apply....WHAT to watch out for and WHEN etc. AND,
he explained each step in ENGLISH....so I easily could understand what to do.

I confirmed with Paw....that the scroll behind the tuning pegs could be removed without affecting structural integrity or playability......so currently the charcoal has all been removed and I'm in the process of sanding the wood that's left. After a LOT of patience, I was able to get the old tuning pegs out and I've already bought her NEW tuning pegs and strings.

I was debating about staining her.....so that she would be one color on the front. During conversations with Paw....I changed my mind and decided to leave her "unique" appearance as is.......because the fire is now a part of her history.

And like Paw said...."One thing's for sure, there'll be none other like her in the universe".

THANK-YOU (S) PAW!!!!!!!! For being.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 06:11 PM

T'was nothing and the least I could do. Jackie is so enjoyable to talk with over the phone that the calls were probably as good for me as for any help I gave her.

This little Dulcimer had been with Jackie through many things both good and bad, a real friend. I guess for me, it represented what is true of Jackie and indeed many of us. We've had ups and downs, good times and bad, and we've endured the fire. As Jackie told me of her condition I was probably less than hopeful, but I also knew that any friend who had been so important as this Dulcimer, deserved to have the chance to sing again........and now she will. Her voice may not be what it was and her appearance may be a bit odd, but that's just like us too isn't it? Yeah, her voice may be different.......Tempered by the fire and a life's experience, it will be better!

Hopefully one of these days I can play her a bit myself and the tune that comes to mind first is Jean's Dear Companion. She certainly has been that to Jackie.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 01:46 AM

Nice to hear your part in it, too, (S)Paw.:-) I am still in awe at how incredible it seems for the dulcimer and the albums to be recovered. Seems pretty magickal to me, just like Jackie, that's it! Our Magickal Jackie!*bg*

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 11:57 AM

And when it's available, I'd like to see a magical pic of the Dulcimer!

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: CapriUni
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 01:38 PM

you bet, Spaw! And when Jackie's ready, maybe she could upload an MP3 of her playing it...

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: CapriUni
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 11:10 PM

Refresh, because for some reason, I had to go back 3 days to find "Thank You II" to get to this thread... something odd!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 12:32 AM

I am JUST NOW finding this and the preceeding threads.

Pretty fantastic.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 12:37 AM

Dulcimer and barn pix tomorrow!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:00 AM

Art, I'm glad you DID find this one. It's a reassuring thread in a lot of ways about the people here and this place. Jackie's story just keeps unfolding and the "lessons" that could be taken from it could fill the sermons of any real preacher for a year.......ar any self-help book, psychological treatise, or any number of other things that purport to explain "life." It's all right here in these threads, in her words, and in the interactions of herself and others.

It would get to be trite I'm sure, but I'd love to hear the stories of 20 other 'Catters who have fought and continue to fight life's battles and "get by with a little help from their friends."

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 12:29 PM

'Spaw has been an inspiration to me for over a year now. When the doctor told me she was very concerned about my high blood pressure and type two diabetes I just knew that life as I knew it was about to end for me. Remembering all that our beloved 'Spaw had been through it kept going through my mind that I could deal with this! As it turns out the only thing I did need to do was adhere to a regimen of pills to control the BP and a combination of diet and excercise to control the diabetes. But I am convinced that just knowing about 'Spaws health concerns that mine paled in comparison and all would be OK in the end. Thanks 'Spaw!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 09:29 PM

Barn and Dulcimer Pix are up now!!! CLICK HERE and click Documents. They are the last batch in the line-up when you get there.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 10:10 PM

Wonderful photos!!! Seeing the picture of the dulcimer made me start on the recitation 'The Master's Hand'....

It was battered and scarred,
and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin
But he held it up with a smile.

What am I bid good folks, he cried,
Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then two, only two?
Two dollars and who'll make it three,
Three dollars once, three dollars twice,going for three but no...
From the room far back a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow
Then wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening the loose strings
He played a melody soft and sweet as a caroling angel sings......

There is a sort of a similarity here...the old dulcimer and the touch of Night Owl's playing of it....Probably will sound sweeter than it ever did! Thanks Kat for the pics...Night Owl do keep the pics coming, this story is indeed an inspiration to us.

Maybe even some pics of your new buddy, Jon with his guitar...Have you introduced him to the Mudcat yet?? Have you converted him to acoustic yet?

Just a bit of a ramble from this end...I just learned this evening that my 13 year old grandson loves Bluegrass music. I happened to mention to his mother, our daughter, that we were going to attend a Bluegrass Festival in a nearby city Sunday and she said that Thomas loves Bluegrass music! I didn't know that...everytime I saw him he had a rock tape of some sort going...In talking to him I find that he not only likes Bluegrass, but the older it is the better...That makes him a natural for Old Time music as well...BTW, He will be attending the BG festival with us tommorow!! I am looking forward to it twice as much now as I was earlier today!!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 03:29 AM

Have FUN at the BG festival Banjer!!!! and thanks for "The Master's Hand"...it sure fits this Dulcimer....! (The pictures of her were taken after I did the sanding and removed a layer of charcoal from the scroll).

Anyone remember a tv show that ended (or began):

.....There are many stories in this city....this is JUST one of them. ??????

continuing on...

There's another amazing thing here at Mudcats.. the "AUCTION".

THANK-YOU MAX!!!

If I remember right, it was born from fundraising suggestions from the "masses"...(that's us).....and incorporated into the design of the website. For me....it's been WONDERFUL!! It's a FUN and meaningful way for me (and you) to support this community.....while rebuilding music collections.

The first auction I participated in (I think) was, the now infamous, "Moustache Tuner" which was created, designed, developed and refined by Catspaw. At the time Spaw "invented" the tuner, I was going through the most painful part of the "archaeological dig".

Paul knew of the daily horror and "blackness" I was dealing with because his hand was constantly bruised from my clutching so tightly. I've already mentioned how he continually reminded me to stick CLOSE to the music... and to TREASURE the small miracles when I found them ......and somehow managed to keep a trace of a giggle in me. It's JUST different in this Mudcat community......having friends here who UNDERSTAND how VITAL music can be in a life.

The "Moustache Tuner" was the perfect "thank-you giggle gift" for Paul, while at the same time, being able to THANK and support Max and Mudcats.

'NUTHER THANK-YOU SPAW!!......for your incredible sense of humor that gets us ALL through the blackness we hit at times.

After Potato Peelers and instruments started arriving here....and I was able to "turn the page" to a positive rebuilding...I began looking through auction items again...and found MY "Kate Wolfe Songbook" I had lost in the fire.

THANK-YOU NORTON........for putting this book in the auction!!!!

and then shortly afterwards.......Amergin put Carl Sandburg's "American Songbag" into the auction....another book I lost!!!!!!

THANK-YOU AMERGIN!!!!!!!! the book is EXACTLY like the one I had!!!

and to all of you who participate in the auction.....THANK-YOU!!!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 07:33 AM

Amish-Australian Pitchfork Moustache Tuner now owned by Paul. After using it regularly for quite awhile now, Paul has only been to the ER for stitches on 9 occasions.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Peter T.
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 12:15 PM

I always suspected in my darker moments that one day the entire Mudcat mayhem would make perfect sense as one complete "locosystem". And lo and behold, it does.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Banjer
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 04:21 PM

Just returned from the Bluegrass Festival. It wsan't as good this year as in years past. Only two of the bands were a true bluegrass sound. One of the others was the 97 Regimental String band, a group I know from reenacting that plays Civil War music and for the 5th year in a row wouldn't play Hard Times by S C Foster for me. I told them that I would never bother them with any request again, and when I came home I played it for myself on the banjo...Don't need them, just like their version of it. The other band that casued me to cringe was a group of unkown origin with not a single acoustic instrument among them, they had a bass guitar, a solid body electric guitar, and a solid body fiddle. They played some stuff that I would expect to hear in a sleazy bar along the back side of the docks. Fortunately there is a bike trail that runs right next to the park and the grandson and I went biking for the duration of their set!! (Pedaled ten and a half miles we did) He really enjoyed the true bluegrass music we heard and I was so tickled to learn that he likes it!! There is hope for the new generation after all. I will do everything in my power to expose him to as much old time and original bluegrass as I can!!

End of thread drift, returning control back to Night Owl!!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 07:36 PM

WOW, Banj! 10.5 miles! That, along with the shared love of bluegrass, is just awesome! Good for you!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: JenEllen
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 01:55 PM

*refresh*

waiting bated,
yerJen

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 05:20 PM

'Nuther "thank-you"........

There was a VALIANT attempt (2000/2001)by Mudcatters to put together a global "thank-you" song for Max. The goal was to have a few Mudcatters from different parts of the globe, singing together......one song.

Musicman(Paul) put together the master track and I sent pm's and e-mails to Catters from different countries. Unfortunately, in the middle of it, I got sick with the flu and wasn't able to keep up with responding to the questions and technological computor/format challenges the project presented. We did finally pull together a "toned-down" version of the song ("Fishin' Blues") and gave it to Max during his Birthday Radio show in April of 2001.

THANK-YOU.......ALL of you who helped work on it and wanted to participate.....but couldn't.

THANK-YOU.....Paul, Amos, alison and Allan of Oz....who REALLY did it!!!!!

When I began writing here, the range of emotions within me were ready to burst...from deep sadness with my losses...to...heart giggles and deep GRATITUDE for "potato peelers", MUDCATS and friends.

Among the giggles was a green vegetable brush that kat had sent.....in the shape of a duck.

It stood with the potato peelers throughout the holidays...and began, slowly, to take on a personality of its own. And the more I looked at it, the taller it seemed to stand.....chest out, chin up.....with a sense of personal dignity...and giving off a bright colorful green light..

It stays....now..... as the "centerpiece" on my dining room table....reminding me that even during those negative "bad-hair days", I CAN still choose to stand tall, and continue to look for....and grab hold of..... those green lights when they come my way.

In conversations with kat...."it" has become a "she" and has been named the "Green Light Luck Duck" (click on Documents, it's #25) complete with a "birth" certificate kat made for her.

THANK-YOU KAT.......for your ear, your friendship.....and the "vegetable brush"!!!!!!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 05:30 PM

Keep it up, owl! This is a very happy thread, and just what I need right now.

I just wish I didn't feel like the only guest at the birthday party who didn't bring a gift. :>}

LEJ

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 06:02 PM

LEJ.....your BEING here IS a gift and HAS been since wayyyyy back when I first came here.!!!! (and IF you wonder why.....re-read the gifts you give us....like the post you wrote on March 21.)

and if you need a giggle today...be SURE to look at the Green Duck picture when it's ready.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: JenEllen
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 06:12 PM

Yup, them lil' ducks is a well-traveled lot. Mine went with me to Buffalo (sans birth certificate) and after telling the story, the "Green Light Luck Duck" song brought down the house. *g* Good thing they do have such a distinguished line, because most folks look at her and say "What the hell is that???"

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 06:54 PM

I just finished re-reading this thread.....from the beginning......and am amazed that SOOOO many words came outta my fingertips.

I started this thread shortly after I learned that the bulldozer was headed to my house.....and aimed at my lilacs. I want to THANK you all who have read the "obituary" for my home and my "memorial wall" and its meaning for me.....and THANK YOU for your responses!

With so much help, collectively AND individually, from Mudcatters and others, there is NO way for me to dwell on losses....and in the future, I WILL remember...the incredible amount of combined energy and music it took...to keep my inner spirit alive.

Without the "floods" of support, I would NOT have recognized open doors....nor would I have found the strength to walk through them as they opened up for me.

I think sometimes, we get so busy with the "stuff" of everyday life, we forget how important "spirit" can be...and we forget to pay attention to it... within ourselves and the people we care about in our lives. I DO hope there are some thoughts in here that are/will be helpful to anyone reading, who has had similar struggles...or knows someone close to them...that could use a kind hand to hold for a while.


THANK-YOU ALL for allowing me to "process"....here... in the forum.....

I also believe that, IF I had pulled my Dulcimer out of the bag, any SOONER than I did, I would NOT have been able to see past the blackness of her, and would NOT have seen any hope for her to EVER play again. THANK-YOU Mudcatters...(and Mary-Ellen) sincerely... for that!

Like my Dulcimer, (click on Documents,it's #26) I came out of all this chaos in one piece.....with some permanent scars......but able to PLAY again. (I will take another picture of the Dulcimer when she's ready).

SOME where....recently.....here in the forum....in one of the threads......SOMEone...... (don't remember which thread or who) said:

"Control the chaos....allow the mystery to go on."

The thought sure fits here.......

Hopefully, after reading through ALL this.....the rest of you can join me in saying........

THANK-YOU MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for ALL of it and the "magic ride".

and yes, Paul......you CAN relax .....I've finished talking........(for now)........bg

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Banjer
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:29 PM

NOOOOOOOO!!! This can't be THE END! It is only just a beginning....Please Night Owl, ranble on!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:49 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:55 PM

These are a couple of verses from the song-in-progress I mentioned on another thread. Your story is worthy of its own song (or maybe several songs) but having read the posts in these threads, the words sure apply. Nightie, thanks for sharing the whole story and allowing your light, your song, to penetrate the darkness and reach those of us on the periphery. I think we want to be a part of all this. I think maybe we now are a part of it simply because you shared the story with us.

Your love is a light, drawing moth to flame-
It's a siren's call, far away, but strong.
One stands apart, on hushed and shadowed path,
And yearns to join the vision or the song.

And never mind the song is one not meant for me to hear
Never mind if you don't even know I listen
I stand in silence, and to me, it's wondrous and clear
On these edges, even shadows dance and glisten.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:20 AM

Wow! Congratulations, Night Owl! Ya made it through and ya did good!! More than! Thanks so much for sharing and for letting us all be a part of this incredible journey!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: CapriUni
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:58 AM

So, are the lilacs (or a lilac clone-child) happy in their new home?

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Amos
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 11:22 AM

N'Owl:

A wonderful tale, and now that the dulcimer is out of the bag, will you not be sending along a wee file for inclusion in the Mudcat Sampler CD? Wouldn't be right not to have that in there, now would it??

Love,

A

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: CapriUni
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 11:46 AM

I second that motion, Amos!

I am also thinking that this tale needs to be put down into some more concrete form than an arrangement of electrons on a silicon chip. In print, or recorded voice, perhaps...

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Amergin
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 01:21 PM

i agree with Amos.....and Jackie...when you told me that you lost your copy in the fire...well...that made me very happy that you had won the auction....

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Morticia
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:57 PM

I feel like I'm losing something special with the final installment but, in a sense, I guess I've gained a lot too.Your story has been nothing short of inspirational and " when the dog bites, when the bee stings" I hope I can remember and learn from it.I certainly intend to try.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 06:49 PM

Now that you've finished your tale Jackie, let me say a thanks to you. I spend less and less time here anymore and I often think that some of the fun, cameraderie, knowledge, and sheer enjoyment has gone from this place. In many ways it has of course and as we grow even larger it will become more and more difficult to really know each other as we did in the past. Mudcat will continue to improve in many ways but with two steps forward, there is often one step back.....and it gets really easy to focus on that backwards step.

Like a few others have said, like Mortie up there, I too needed this thread about now to bring the great things of Mudcat and the changes that are occurring into focus. Your tale here was obviously inspirational to us all and we love you all the more for the sharing and the "thank yous" that you didn't need to give. But for me it was also a reminder of why I still come here......and I needed that......and I thank you. You are very special and make me see all the specialness in the folks we have come to know so well, most of them somewhere posting on this thread. Bless ya' dear Owl (:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 08:59 PM

Please, please refresh.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: bet
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 10:52 PM

Night Owl, Thanks for sharing so deeply. I too have reread your posting and have those caring tears running down my nose. You are an incredible person. bet

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 01:16 AM

Indeed, this has been an incredible thread, in fact, the best I've come across since I joined a year and a half ago. I've read every entry and have been very touched. Thank you Jackie ...

Barb

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Night Owl
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 09:54 AM

kat has been giving me "lectures" about accepting "thank-yous" for this thread.....instead of feeling embarassed.

ummmmmmmmmmmmmm You're welcome. bg

It was a VERY hard thing for me to write all this out.....BUT a VERY healing process for me. Your posts in response to it continue to give me a peaceful "heart smile".

When I realized how MUCH Mudcats has been helping me stand back up again, I would have BURST if I didn't say THANK-YOU....esp. to Max for opening the door and letting us all "set a spell". So, THANK-YOU ALL back again and the nurturing community we ARE.

CapriUni.....the baby lilacs AND my grandmother's roses LOVE it here...I've taken pictures of the leaves sprouting on them and (maybe)??? will put them on the "picture page".

Spaw.....I don't care WHAT "they" say about you......you are a VERY sweet, kind human being!!!!!!!!

and Morticia.....IF reading about "potato peelers" gave you a trace of a giggle.....put one on your wall....so you can glance at it every so often...and breathe.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 12:53 PM

NO - About a week ago, there was a fire in the house next door. Two families lost everything. Like everyone else I watched as the firemen soaked down their possessions and the smoke damaged everything. I am new here and not quite sure of the "Maine Thing". Had I been in NYC, I would have gone out, brought the family into my place, made coffee or offered a strong drink. Here, I felt like an outsider and only watched.
Today, one family came with their two teenage children to salvage what they could. The kids helped a while and then sat despondantly on the family car. I thought of you and decided to do something.
I had some new sheets still in the package. I figured that they would either accept them or tell me "No thanks". Either way, I had nothing to lose.
I wish I could describe the look on the man's face when I tapped on the door and offered him the sheets. He was overwhelmed. His wife said "Thank you" very quietly and talked a little about their loss. It was easy to see that she was holding them all together.
Thank you for helping me do the right thing. Your generosity in sharing your story has helped a family who will probably never know that you exist.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 01:24 PM

Well the thing does spread out doesn't it? But of course, new or not, I wouldn't have expected anything else from you Sins......glad the Owl's tale helped in making you less of a newbie too.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 03:05 PM

Good for you, Sins. A few months or a year from now, I'd say give them a copy of these threads, too, if they are around. Sorry to hear of that happening, though glad that no lives were lost. Ever since I first heard about Night Owl's fire, I've always been so grateful that she was not in the house when it happened. We had a woman fall asleep with a lighted candle too near her towels here a couple of weeks ago. She didn't make it out.

Thanks, again, Night Owl, for everything.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: CapriUni
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 03:43 PM

the baby lilacs AND my grandmother's roses LOVE it here...I've taken pictures of the leaves sprouting on them and (maybe)??? will put them on the "picture page".

Oh, Goody! It must really be home, then.

(In my not so humble opinion, it's not a home if multiple species can't share the same space)

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Musicman
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 03:47 AM

(peeking around the corner to make sure the coast it clear.............

musicman bravely steps into the open and says:.........)

Well Jackie........hmmmmmmmmm......... Well Done!!!!

For the record here...... I want you all to know a few things......

Jackie and i met on the Music therapy threads in the spring of '99 (she remembers the date, i don't, but i could look it up..... i think). We spent alot of time talking "chatting" through ICQ etc.....talking about our losses and our 'future', music, healing etc, etc., etc.,....

oh yeah. ... sailing too... although she didn't really understand what the heck i was talking about....... "Trapezee thingy??? you ain't getting me out on that!!!"

so.. the question came up... shall we meet.....??? sure.. why not...

I was planning a trip from Vancouver to Ontario, towing my boat and my daughter (well.. she was going to ride in the car not on the boat) who was 11 at the time.. and had just lost her mom about 6 month prior.....

soooo.. we were headed for Nelson, to visit relatives before heading off to ontario.... well.. the car didn't even make it into the mountains before it overheated and broke down.... Big confusion reighned for the next week while i sorted out the car thing, ending up buying a new (used) car and blowing out holiday money.... Emails to Jackie from nelson (my brother in laws place) told her i wouldn't be making it out. She was meeting me in ontario..... A few emails back and forth and i get the message.. "I'm coming out.. be there sunday!". Oh.. Ok... great! Coooooolllll... Sunday rolls around, jackie arrived safe and sound, we took her to the beach.. where she got to hang out, meet some friends etc........ and go sailing..... ( i have a picture of that somewhere here,, now where is it??? ) anyway..... moving on.....She stayed with us for a week and a half.. joining us at a regatta in Summerland BC for a weekend (that's another story, not to be mentioned here)before going home again.....

I did not know anything about the fire at this point ( don't remember when she told me either) I had no idea what she was going through and what it meant to her to be with us.... I just knew she was enjoying it... she got to meet a friend of mine who has horses and some other people who became good friends as well....

so we kept the conversations going after she left.. of course there was more to it this time..... phone calls... (i would hate to see her phone bills over the past 3 years!).. would usually end with "talk to you tomorrow!" and she'd giggle.. thinking i was kidding.. but then she'd call again...

we'd share music over the phone... talk .... say ummm alot.....share music through the computer....

I was accused many times over of having a hidden video cam in her house because of offering her just what she needed when she needed it..... i was just lucky i guess....

She was 'ordered' by her staff to holiday with us over new years that year.. ( i DO have a picture of that! check out the mudcat photo album) and she's hopefully planning another trip this summer......

her phone calls have never been an interruption, couple of times she would listen in on rehearsals i was having in my house.....

she would share her 'discoveries' and dissapointments, and her fears and hopes.... which i believe are more important when they are shared... because then you can start to believe them yourself when stated...

where am i going with all this???? I have no idea... really .. i don't..

i guess i'm just glad to have been the one with the big shoulders who has been on the recieving end as well...

i am glad to have been able to share my music, my family and my friends with you Jackie and know that will will continue to do so for many years to come........

"talk to you tomorrow!"

:)

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 07:04 AM

Say, I was wondering if anyone could give me a definition of "friendship?"

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 10:56 AM

Being there and knowing your friend will be there.

One of the hardest lessons I ever learned was when someone I thought was a friend walked away.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 11:05 AM

My question was just a joke based on Paul's wonderful post, but Sins, when you said that....."being there and knowing your friend will be there".......Wow! That just about DOES sum it up and certainly sums up Paul's post beautifully!

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You - Part III
From: Amos
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 11:10 AM

Sinsull:

Tough lesson indeed; a long time ago I read a story about an old Quaker who bought his paper at the same New York newsie's stand every morning. Every morning, the Quaker spoke politely, thanked the man, and said "Good morning", and so on. And every day the man in the newstand was ill-mannered and contemptuous. A friend finally asked the old gent why he continued in his courteous manner with someone who was so ill-mannered and rude, and his reply was "Why should I let him define how I choose to act?".

Friendship means different things to different people, as does love, and reality, and communication and a lot of things. I think perhaps the best you can do is try to be true to your own best defintions, learn when you fail and be loyal to your own decisions and your highest sense of right action. It'd benice if we never fell short, huh?

Regards,

A