26 Jun 00 - 12:49 PM (#247088) Subject: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg REAL OR VIRTUAL, UP TO YOU: It's a June Thursday afternoon in the high hills they call mountains in rural north central PA. The low ground is still mushy, but the cows are already grazing on the hill overlooking the red brick farmhouse next to the creek. The barn cats have had two litters already, and the last remaining chicken is teaching the kittens who's who around the place. Soon, in the early evening, the does will bring the fawns down the hill. Hardiman is just finishing touching up the yard with the little John Deere. Praise and Lemur (her step-daughter), are changing about a dozen cat pans. They have given up struggling to "clean" the house, knowing that the gritty red dust from the gravel road, over across the small cornfield, that goes up the hill, will only settle back in as soon as they're done. The PortaPotties are on the way and the neighbors have been visited to discuss the impending parking problem. The pop-up camper, the back addition, and the spare rooms-- all have been aired and stocked with wildflowers and fresh springwater. Hardiman thinks there'll be room for a couple of dozen tents, too. He's hoping a couple of people will want to go canoeing with him over at the state park. The dining tables have all been taken out onto the porches. The front porch, right on the hard road where the trucks and ambulances flash by, is set with the summer rocking chairs and the Coleman lanterns. The back porch, with the hill stretching beyond, is wired for amplifiers, and the hill seems to be waiting to bounce sound all over the county. Pillows all over the downstairs of the house await people who want to relax and set a spell, and a fire's been laid in the paneled room for the chilly north PA nights. Just in case there aren't enough afghans and comforters. The gas grill, dutch ovens, and 24" cast iron fry pan are all scrubbed out and ready to go. All the kitchen counters, the refrigerator, two large freezers, and even the smaller freezer are cleared for whatever food people will bring. And the songbooks and copier are set out in the dining room, near the PortaStudio and boxes of blank tape. Hardiman comes in, sees all the instruments littering the living room, and says, "The Mudcateers aren't even here yet, and it already looks like a F**king music store! How many d'you think're coming?" Praise replies with a grin. "Well, there are a lot of Mudcatters, lots just in PA and Ohio-- it could be big. But don't fret about it, honey, we can always hit WalMart for more TP. And I'm sure no one'll stay longer than a week, once we show 'em the coldwater outside shower you rigged! Unless we invite one or two to move in! But don't worry-- I am sure that anyone who comes will send us a message first!" From far away, echoing around the base of the hills surrounding the farm that surrounds their house, Hardiman thinks he hears the sound of an old-timey banjo coming closer. Praise grins, and soon they see a Harley up around the curve. "Is that a boombox, or is someone actually playing while they ride..." |
26 Jun 00 - 01:13 PM (#247102) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: MMario oh - how I wish...had a friend call the other night with an invitation to dinner, and the earliest date we could figure out was mid july!!!! And THAT's only an hour away... and I still owe you guys a song for worship service... |
26 Jun 00 - 01:16 PM (#247105) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg But Mmario, I need you to run the pillow fights! Ya gotta come!!! Ya gotta! ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 02:06 PM (#247155) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Thursday night in June...let's see, there's only one of those left this year... do you mean this Thursday?? |
26 Jun 00 - 02:24 PM (#247172) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Dulci46 Sounds like fun and my kind of place...Cows, chickens, kittens, and even a front porch. Must be heaven on earth. You'd never get rid of me!!! |
26 Jun 00 - 02:31 PM (#247182) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Animaterra.... Yes, but that is only the beginning. It goes on till school starts in the fall, unless more firewood is brought in.... ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 02:37 PM (#247185) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Mbo And as Dulci & I well know and believe, "If the world had a front porch, like we did back then We'd still have our problems, but we'd all be friends. Treating your neighbor, like he's you next of kin Wouldn't be gone with the wind If the world had a front porch, like we did back then. --Mbo |
26 Jun 00 - 02:48 PM (#247192) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Lovely, Mbo. It is still like that, where we live. Just today it was my turn to knock on a stranger's door, for help, to report a road wreck on the way to work. (Not my wreck!!!) Unlocked door, and a new friend calling "come in..." I knocked on the porch door, see, and was met with welcome before he even got to the door.... and to go in and use the phone, with no fear, and a mutual wish to have a good day... Sometimes it's our trun to let someone in to make a wreck report, for ours is the only house with lights on late at night, right on the road.... Come see us, we have a good place to share. ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 02:52 PM (#247194) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Mbo Keep yer fingers crossed, and it may happen! And you know what Oasis says! YOU GOTTA MAKE IT HAPPEN! YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! --Mbo |
26 Jun 00 - 02:57 PM (#247198) Subject: Lyr Add: THE ROCKS OF BAWN From: JenEllen Allright m'dear.... This girl would arrive walking up the drive, scuffed and dusty, carrying a big bundle of every kind of wildflower from her house to yours. The big black dog at her side would be wishing he had a floppy straw hat to keep the sun away from his face too. She'd be carrying in her pack, amongst various other things, the whiskey starter for the fruitcake she told you about. She'll need help testing it before the night is over, I'm sure. She felt compelled to come, word of world-class pillow fights travels pretty far these days... As the first evening draws near, she'll sit on the porch, surrounded by a pile of kittens that seemingly materialized out of nowhere, and she'll sing you a song.
Come all you loyal heroes ~Elle |
26 Jun 00 - 03:01 PM (#247202) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: MMario JenEllen - you don't know how fast....snicker....peruse this! |
26 Jun 00 - 03:02 PM (#247203) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Mbo Yeah, love that song, Elle! Hand me some of those kittens, will ye? --Mbo |
26 Jun 00 - 03:13 PM (#247212) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: JenEllen Okay Mbo, you can have a kitten, but hands off the bottle, eh? Belongs to the lady of the house now. I'll let ya have this little orange tabby if you'll sing with me. Deal? How about The Claddagh Ring? MMario, tsk tsk..chainmaille pillowcases? Hopefully someone has a first aid kit? It's dacron for me all the way. Granted, none of the splitting and goosefeather theatrics, but for durability, you can't beat it. So, whoever's got the first match-up, I call a roll with the winner! :)
~Elle
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26 Jun 00 - 03:14 PM (#247213) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Rummaging in the pantry.... yep, some of the fruitcake ingredients are there.... but we'll have to make a run to the store for the rest... Mbo and I take off over the hill to fetch 'em... Blossburg Holiday Market, where we also have a quarter of beef on order to pick up... ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 03:50 PM (#247226) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: canoer Hardiman get your paddle! We'll take one baking of cornbread from the cast-iron skillet, fresh butter from the churn, 2 PFDs and never look back. "Cruisin' to the state park, on a Thursday afternoon...." Just lovely. |
26 Jun 00 - 03:59 PM (#247230) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg I'll tell Hardi-- time to Armor-All the Bayou Butterfly! Anyone care to accompany? Hills Creek State Park also has lake swimming, hiking... and a nice shady spot near the parking area to set up for a jam.... ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 04:26 PM (#247252) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Lonesome EJ Well, if'n I could be there I would treat both of y'all to a stirring rendition of Charlie and Ira's I Like the Christian Life. Maybe virtual.... |
26 Jun 00 - 04:34 PM (#247259) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Wal, LEJ, Ah reckon if virtual You is all we kin git, virtual'll hafta do.... go for it darlin'! Write yore lonesome self on in, then... ~S~ |
26 Jun 00 - 04:52 PM (#247272) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Dharmabum Sorry I'm late guys,but ya know they got route 6 all tore up this side of Galeton. Hellava thunderstorm over there in god's country lastnite. Durn near laid a 60 foot larch cross the hood of ol' Bessie. I threw a couple boughs in the back, we can throw some on the fire later on,keep them Tioga skeeters from eatin us alive. Was talkin to Denny over in Wellsboro the other nite,you remember Denny,he did some electricle work for Hardi a while back,said he might try to stop by. He's still playin that old yamaha I sold him for 25 bucks. Hey where can I put this pan of eggplant parmesean? It's still pretty hot,oughta feed bout a dozen of us. I bought the eggplant offa Fat Albert out there on 6. I'da used my own but that durned ol Potter County woodchuck ate mine fast as it came up. Didn't bring my tent, just figure I'll sleep in the back of ol Bessie, besides, there ain't nothin like layin on your back, lookin up at the stars. Hey ,we got time for a tune b'for supper? I'll go grab the 5 string. Ron ,comin in from Ulysses. |
26 Jun 00 - 05:58 PM (#247311) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Dharmabum!!! R U actually HERE now?????? Where were you Friday night when we jammed then???? Put yer phone number in my personal page so I can invite you good and proper! ~Susan! |
26 Jun 00 - 06:53 PM (#247347) Subject: Lyr Add: DO YOU KNOW ANY BOB DYLAN? (Eric Bogle) From: SDShad A bear-sized, bearded red-head with a braid down to his waist ambles up to the porch. He seems displaced in space and time, suffering a temporal hangover from a different virtual party. After getting his bearings and greeting those already assembled, he gently moves a kitten or two aside and takes a seat on the porch, and takes his turn with a song:
DO YOU KNOW ANY BOB DYLAN?
At the age of nineteen, I was young, I was keen
CHORUS: I said "No! No! A thousand times no!
And with my guitar I traveled real far, CHORUS
Well, I struggled on, but the magic was gone CHORUS
And ever since then, again and again, CHORUS
But I tell you my friends, that was the end
[sung very nasally:]
Well the audience went wild, mans, womans and childs Evenin', all! |
26 Jun 00 - 07:02 PM (#247355) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Sorcha OK! Movin in here. Need a little bit of room, tho. Brought the "Circus Tent"--16 x 16 with a 10 x 16 awning fly. Plenty of room inside for a session when it is raining. Garden here is not quite ripe, so somebody else will have to provide tomates, but I do mean onion flowers on the grill. Virtual Sorcha is all you get this summer, but am thinking seriously about next summer. Plan now.....Hardi, let's fiddle around while Himself sets up the Home Away from Home. Lisdoonvarna for starters? |
26 Jun 00 - 07:43 PM (#247383) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Irish sergeant Praise & Hardiman: Sounds like a blast! Unfortunately I have so much going inbetween the Civil War and painting the house that I doubt I'll be able to get there but I wish you the best and when I practice or play at a reenactment, I'll play Rosin the Beau for you, Hardiman and A Soldier's LAment for you both. Fondest reguards, Neil |
26 Jun 00 - 08:41 PM (#247406) Subject: Lyr Add: 800-POUND JESUS (Maddox, Thorn) From: Mbo I'd like to play a song that I really like... I saw a garage sale, pulled up in the yard Found a statue of Jesus that was 8 feet tall He held out his arms, and He seemed all alone So I loaded Him up and I drove Him home. Out by my driveway, He looks down the street Long hair and sandals made of rebar and concrete I painted Him white, with a long purple robe He's the rock of ages on a gravel road He's an 800 pound Jesus Standing taller then a tree He's and 800 pound Jesus A bigger man than you or me I thought losing my job was the end of the world Till my best pal ran off with my best girl I felt suicidal, with no real friend So I walked outside with a rope in my hand Out by the statue, there's a big oak tree So I hopped on that statue and counted to three I had every intention of buying the farm But when I jumped off, He caught me in His arms I wanted to return the favor to Him Cause I never had a more solid friend So I planted some flowers all around His feet And I bought Him a flock of ceramic sheep! He's an 800 pound Jesus Standing taller then a tree He's and 800 pound Jesus A bigger man than you or me --Mbo |
27 Jun 00 - 12:41 AM (#247523) Subject: Lyr Add: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (Louvin Brothers) From: Lonesome EJ My buddies shun me since I turned to Jesus They say I'm missing a whole world of fun But I still love them, and I say with pride I Like the Christian Life
I won't lose a friend by heeding God's call ..a-HEM...I'll need another cold beer if I'm to continue...thanks, Praise.. |
27 Jun 00 - 12:47 AM (#247527) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Mbo Go for it, EJ! --Mbo |
27 Jun 00 - 12:50 AM (#247530) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Sorcha What? A friend of the man who turned water into wine wants BEER? Oh my, doing a faint here. |
27 Jun 00 - 12:58 AM (#247540) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: Lonesome EJ Ah shucks, then give me a cold glass of White Zinfandel.
My friends all tell me that I should have waited |
27 Jun 00 - 08:46 AM (#247643) Subject: Lyr Add: CAMPING IN CANAAN'S LAND (A E Brumley) From: SDShad A little more old-time, tent-revival gospel: CAMPING IN CANAAN'S LAND (Albert E. Brumley)
I have left the land of bondage with its earthly treasures Refrain:
Every day I'm camping (camping) in the land of Canaan (Canaan's land)
Out of Egypt I have travelled, thru the darkness dreary Refrain
Yes, I've reached the land of promise with its scenes of glory Refrain |
27 Jun 00 - 09:28 AM (#247672) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: GUEST,Pete Peterson souds like you live somewhere just off the Jericho road! I am myself in eastern PA about two blocks from the Delaware River (less during floods) just south of Easton PA. I had hoped to get to Annap's last week and didn't make it (youngest daughter gets married in two weeks and four days) |
27 Jun 00 - 09:42 AM (#247679) Subject: Lyr Add: FOREVER AND EVER AMEN (Randy Travis) From: Mbo Congratulations Pete!!!! Here's a good wedding song for ya! You may think that I'm talking foolish You've heard that I'm wild & I'm free You may wonder how I can promise you now This love that I'm feeling for you always will be You're not just time that I'm killing I'm no longer one of those guys As sure as I live this love that I give Is gonna be yours till the day that I die Oh baby I'm gonna love you forever, forever & ever, Amen As long as old men sit & talk about the weather As long as old women sit & talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithful I'll be happy to tell you again I'm gonna love you forever & ever, forever & ever, Amen They say that time takes it's toll on a body Makes the young girl's brown hair turn grey But honey, I don't care, I'm not in love with your hair And if it all fell out, well, I'd love you anyway They say that time can play tricks on a memory And people forget things that they knew But it's easy to see it's happening to me I've already forgotten every woman but you Oh baby I'm gonna love you forever, forever & ever, Amen As long as old men sit & talk about the weather As long as old women sit & talk about old men If you wonder how long I'll be faithfull Just listen to how this song ends I'm gonna love you forever & ever forever & ever Forever & ever Forever & ever Amen --Mbo |
27 Jun 00 - 11:13 AM (#247744) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg The tent is all set up, backed up against the corn crib, and various 'Catters of variuous traditions are in there reviving whatever needs reviving, with heavenly help OF COURSE. The laptop in the living room has the printer humming, running off song requests from the DT, while chordmasters work up arrangements to feed to the copier. The kittens have worked out a yowling good harmony, singing JESUS IS MY AEROPLANE... "So I'll just dance the shores of Jordan till the angels carry me...." But it ain't Sunday yet so don't ya be thinkin' we gotta stick to hymns. Oh yeah. Blues, wild folk, whatever. We don't mind. Those of you who have gotten to know us wouldn't be surprised at wehat we play but the rest of you.... well try it, and see! Prolly we already know it! ~S~
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27 Jun 00 - 03:09 PM (#247935) Subject: Lyr Add: DRAFT DODGER RAG (Phil Ochs) From: SDShad Well, in that case, Praise.... From the great songwriter who was once referred to as "Comrade Ochs" by the American Opinion:
DRAFT DODGER RAG
1. Oh, I'm just a typical American boy
CHORUS: Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,
2. I got a dislocated disc and a racked up back.
3. Ooh, I hate Chou En-lai, and I hope he dies, |
27 Jun 00 - 03:13 PM (#247941) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg Par-TEE! Par-TEE! |
27 Jun 00 - 03:20 PM (#247953) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: SDShad That better be a noun, not a verb you're shouting there, Susan. You start trolling for Rick Fielding like that, and next thing you know he'll show up and start talking about F chords and such. Wait a minute. That'd be a good thing. Par-TEE! Par-TEE! Chris |
27 Jun 00 - 03:22 PM (#247957) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg F us all! |
27 Jun 00 - 05:45 PM (#248063) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: SDShad Well, Geez Louise, Miz Praise. I didn't know it was going to be that kind of a party. And me without my marmot. |
27 Jun 00 - 05:54 PM (#248073) Subject: Lyr Add: YOU CAN'T STAND UP ALONE (Martha Carson) From: JenEllen WAH-HOO there Selma!!! :) Okay, how's about a little tent-flapping gospel music? Who can I grab for harmony???
I'll go down to the quiet and peacful shore |
27 Jun 00 - 05:59 PM (#248081) Subject: RE: Praise & Hardi Country Houseparty From: wysiwyg ...ah-loooooone........ |