Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 12:11 AM

Hi Jimmy (if you get a chance to check this)--

My understanding is that the Glagolitic alphabet came first. The Cyrillic alphabet was derived from a combination of Greek and Glagolitic. We sang a piece--can't remember the composer--and as usual it's late--called the Glagolitic Mass. And it wasn't the same as Russian.

I like the way the Cyrillic alphabet looks--so much that I've been writing my name in Cyrillic in all my books for years. Cyrillic even has some exact cognates with English-- so ATOM is exactly the same in Russsian and English.


Jerry--

You're absolutely right about the importance of simple things--and the importance of companionship. Mudcat has the potential to be a source of long-lasting companionship for quite a few of us, I think. The love of music--and learning, I'd say--could make a real community--as long as there's a bit of tolerance, which there seems to be in most Mudcatters.

Your oasis here is wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 09:37 PM

Sit down, take a deep breathe and a vacation from Mudcat Wars.

A small incident.

This afternoon, Ruth and I did some shopping and ended up in that limbo when it was really too early to eat supper (it was about 4 p.m.) but by the time we got home, too late to make it because I had to go out to practice this evening. Suddenly, the excruciatingly slow service at Friendly's seemed just what we needed. If we were waited on and served quickly, we wouldn't be hungry enough to eat. But thanks to the complete inneficiency of Friendly's it took almost a half an hour to get our food and by then we were hungry.

While we were sitting there waiting to get hungry, I noticed a man in the booth behind Ruth. He must have come in just before we did, because the waiter came over and took his order before us. He ordered a 5 scoop ice cream sundae, and the anticipation showed in his face. He looked like he was in his 80's and looked very pale and fragile. When he got his sundae, I watched him eat it, as he was directly in the line of sight behind Ruth. Talk about savoring!
He lifted each spoonful out and looked at it with great satisfaction before taking it into his mouth. I had the feeling that this was a ritual for him... something he really looked forward to. And because he was alone, I suspected that he was widowed and perhaps was carrying on a ritual that he had enjoyed sharing with his wife.
When he finally had scooped every last drop of ice cream out of the large dish, he quietly folded his napkin and asked for his check. When the waiter came over all he said to him was "That should do me for awhile." When he got up, I realized how fragile he was. He couldn't stand up straight and almost lost his balance and fell. He had to hold on to the booths to walk and was listing dangerously to one side. He finally got enough balance that he was able to hobble across the room for a trip to the Men's Room.
When he came out, it was a real struggle to make his way across the restaurant and out the door. We watched him walking to his car, concerned that he would fall over, but he made it. And I thought, "How sweet the simplest treats can be when you are old and living alone." And I knew that could be me some day. I could understand that... the pleasure of breaking up a lonely day at home by going to Friendly's and getting the largest ice cream Sundae they make. Damn the calories and the cholesterol. For a few minutes, the man could savor the time when it was just him and that big bowl of ice cream. And perhaps a one or two sentence conversation with the waiter. I didn't feel sorry for the man. Or fear that I might end up that way. There can be great pleasure in the simplest of things that we think nothing of.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 11:48 PM

ROn I just was at the tomb of St. Cryil in ROme and this seemed to hit home to me! I get very confusied with Glagolythic writing!   Had a great expericence in ROme though!    jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 11:36 PM

Hey, Ron and Jerry. You are not alone. I'm napping in the corner.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 11:30 PM

Hi Jerry--

Looks like it's still just thee and me.

Just got back from rehearsal.

Had an interesting experience on the way out on the subway. Sat next to a guy, about 18-20, who had a notebook with English on one side and a language I didn't recognize on the right. Turned out he was a Turkish student studying English. So, as I like to do with a new language, I asked him how to say hello and goodbye-- in Turkish. When he told me I wrote it down in Cyrillic--since it was actually easier to write what he said that way than in English--English doesn't have exact equivalents to his words. It's interesting that knowing something about another language--in this case Russian--helped write a third--Turkish. There are certain guttural sounds we don't have. So that was fun.

And I sat next to a friend at rehearsal who couldn't figure out what I had written--even though he's a Russian expert. So I told him he need not be concerned not recognizing the words--since it was Turkish.

How's that for small talk--(pretty small)-- around the table?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 08:53 AM

Hey:

If you're interested in movies, search IMDb. I just stumbled across this site, looking for an old movie, Boomerang (not the Eddie Murphy lame comedy that has nothing to do with this movie.) As it turns out, the movie is not available on DVD. (I have it on video.) This website not only has extensive reviews and information on over 3,500 movies, it links to web sites where you can buy the movie, by country. I can see I'll be going back to this for a long time.

Yesterday, I got my DVD of The Body Snatcher (considered by some to be Boris Karloff's best film.) It came from China (not the alternate title of the movie.) I picked it up through eFilmic for $6.99. It's a quality print and is in English, but has chinese subtitles. When I tried to get rid of the subtitles, all the instructions in the menu are in Chinese... :-) It took some experimenting to figure out how to get rid of the subtitles, because there are 7 choices. Six of them are for other oriental languages, from the looks of it. I finally tried the 6th choice on the list, and it removed the subtitles. I had to laugh at the subtitles because they are very complete. Unlike movies where the character is speakeing for a minute and the English subtile is "Hello," the subtitles are so complete that in some scenes they almost cover the complete screen... you have to try to figure out what's going on behind all the chinese characters.

Now that I've figured out how to get rid of the subtitles, I'll watch the movie tonight when Ruth is safely ensconced upstairs watching the decorating channel. She don't like scary movies, and while this movie is not at all explicit, visually, it is definitely very creepy.

Your schedule sounds like mine, Ron. I cancelled my service at the nursing home this morning because my cold is lingering... much better, but still here. I had practice last night, and last Saturday, and have practice on Wednesday night, too. And preformances with my group and both of the Male Choruses I sing in coming up, and have just agreed to be chairman of one of the Male Chorus annual concerts. As I said to my brother-in-law, my plate is full, but it's all deserts..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 12:15 AM

Jerry--

Hope your cold goes soon. Guess most people are busy now--not many left (temporarily ) at the table.

I have rehearsals tomorrow night and Wednesday night and a concert Friday--I'll try to get back when I can--I hope tomorrow night--but it'll be late.

After work, saw lots of people dressed in white, who evidently had come from one of the pro-immigrant demonstrations. Haven't heard of any violence. Sounds good.   Parallels are being drawn with the civil rights movement of the '60s.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Apr 06 - 08:28 PM

It's Sunday night, I have a whopper of a cold (which I've had now for four days) and I'm sitting here thinking how blessed I am that that's all I have to be concerned about. I had a brief window, Friday night, where I was able to sing with the Messengers, and then I got socked in right after the program.

Saturday morning, the Messengers came up for practice and I had my new sounds system set up to try out. I can't remember when I had more fun singing (even though I sounded like a goat with it's tail in a vice.) The system has a powerful, rich bass range to the speakers and Joe sounded so wonderful. I could see how much fun he was having. Singers know how exhilarating it can be when you have a sound system and mic when you can really hear you voice. I didn't think Joe was going to leave. It does my heart good to see good folks feeling good.

So, if you drop by, sit on the far side of the table, and I'll be sure to cover my mouth if I cough.

All will pass. I'm singing three times this week, so it better..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 09 Apr 06 - 08:24 PM

Naemanson--

I suppose you're really tired of answering this but I probably missed it if you talked about it. One of the things Guam is famous for right now is the brown snake. Are they really everywhere? Do they have them under control yet? Were they really responsible for the disappearance of several bird species on Guam?

Hope you don't mind talking about them.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 09 Apr 06 - 05:57 AM

Naemanson--

And here I thought this was going to be a hard-hitting expose on the plague of dogs in Guam--"My dogs are killing me".

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 10:47 PM

Hi, been gone for a while. Mind if I sit down? My dogs are killing me.

Living in a territory on the other side of the world brings a slightly different perspective to the whole immigration thing. The population of Guam is a true melting pot. The Chamorros were first on the island arriving about 6500 years ago. The Spanish arrived in 1521 with Magellan and subsequent 'visits'. They colonized the islands here in the 1600s. Over that period they brought in Philipinos, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese. Then in 1898 the USA took the island from the Spanish. That brought in the overwhelming influence of the land of the 'free'. The Japanese took the island and held it for almost 4 years. Since 1944 it's been an American base and has been influenced by the USA to a great extent. However, it is also a vacation mecca for the Japanese and, to a smaller extent, the other Asian nations. Because Guam is so urbanized and so busy we get islanders from all over the Pacific living here. It is not unusual to hear 6 or 7 different languages as you walk around the mall.

So on this island people tend to be puzzled about the big deal back on the mainland. Of course, mainland politics don't get much attention here anyway. We cannot vote in national elections, our congressional representative has no power and can only make requests of congress, and our income taxes go out to the feds and then are returned to fund the island government. None of my taxes are being spent in Iraq.

Added to all that is the general tropical attitude of 'Chill out and enjoy life.' People are very good at planning parties. There are businesses set up here that kust support parties. The hotels down on Hotel Road are doing OK, could be better but then the Asian economies are a little wishy-washy right now. Life goes on in this tropical paradise...

I wonder what my point was when I started this thread? Oh well, guess I'm late for my hammock.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 10:23 PM

I'll stick a CD in the mail for you tomorrow, Ron:
Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 03:28 PM

Hey, Ron:

No, it's an illusion. Not everybody on Mudcat has the Gospel Messengers CD. It's available through cd baby on the internet, but I'm selling it for less to Mudcat members... $10 + $3 for shipping & handling. It's $13 + S @ H on cd baby.

What's been fascinating to me is that a reviewer for several british blues magazines liked it alot, listening to samples on cd baby and wanted a copy to review. And, someone with a blues program on radio in Poland liked it and asked for a copy as well. I hadn't thought of a blues venue as a place to send copies, but I guess I'd better re-think things.

For our canadian friends, when we were in Vermont, we drove north to the Canadian border, and turned around before crossing the border. The entrance check is a mile or so inside the U.S. border, and we had to go through customs, even though we hadn't gone to Canada. We explained what we had done and they asked a few questions and let us through without a problem.

And as for beans.. I struck up a conversation at the airport with someone scanning our luggage and he said the most suspicious object to avoid bringing into this country is peanut butter. It has the same consistency as plastic explosives. So, if you're planning on bringing in gourmet peanut butter from England, think twice, it ain't alright..

Who would thunk?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 01:10 PM

Jerry--

Hey, it seems everybody else has a copy of the Messengers' CD. Is it available through Camsco?--I like to try to buy folk CD's there to support Mudcat. Or if not, can I buy one through you--I insist on paying.

Elmer--

If you're still checking this thread, that was fascinating information about the background to "Oh Happy Day"


Billy Bob--

I can certainly understand your feelings about US Customs at the airport---since I go to Sidmouth almost every summer, I've had occasion to notice the British Customs authorities are nowhere near as paranoid as the US ones.

Favorite story here is Jan's entry to the US, coming back from Sidmouth a few years ago. She loves Heinz baked beans. But though Heinz is a US firm, we can't get them here. So she gets them in the UK and brings them back in her suitcase. Well, the shape of a baked bean can is of great interest to the machine that checks luggage. So the Customs people wanted to know what was in the corner of the suitcase. She told them. As you might imagine, they wanted proof. So she showed them a can. So then what's in this corner here? They couldn't believe she'd imported 4 cans of Heinz baked beans. But she had.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 09:08 AM

Welcome back, Jimmy!

Table topics is whatever anyone wants to talk about. Can you imagine... well over 300 posts and not a single ugly, insulting one?


SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 09:06 AM

Hi folks, coffee ready? Thanks,
you are right the feeling in Europe is rather different,unfortunatly the press here only focus on illigal people arriving here and then living of our benefits system, free housing, free medical care, not getting a job etc,they very rarely talk about genuine refugees who come here to avoid persecution.So the innocent get a bad name due to the bad behaviour of the others.
After July 7th bombs we have had much bad feeling.I was brought up in London and have to admit that when I was a child it was unusual to see a foreigner but now London is very multicultural.
The crazy thing is Billy still has an American passport, having lived here for 35 years, we thought it might be a good idea for him to apply for British citizenship as well, when we saw the form to fill in, nearly as big as the bible, I took umbridge and said do not bother!
I really think as he has a business here and pays his taxes, has never claimed a penny from the state he should be fast tracked!
It is funny when we go back to the USA the immigration guys at the airport are very suspicious, like... how long are you staying?Why are you here? Billy no mates???
Back to work, thanks for the chat ,Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 08:05 AM

Can I have a cup of coffee? We just got back from Italy last night and since I was jet-laggewd I logged on to the webcam and saw ANdrew and Carole get married today in Wales!   What a wonderful thing technology is...or can be!   Anyway, glad to be back and will catch up on my reading of table topics soon! jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 07:59 AM

But we just raised the minimum wage back in 1997

Ah 1997... the days when the beeper reigned supreme

Asking corporate Amerika to provide a liveable wage is like asking Tony Soprano to give up his skim.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 06:52 AM

That's a real good observation, Ron: reducing exploitation and raising pay for everyone on the low end. Exploitation always pits one group of the poor against another... usually along racial lines.
Reducing illegal immigration could possibly raise all boats. At least that's more likely to benefit the poor than the "trickle" down" theory. Make me richer and the crumbs from the table will be better.

Ultimately, this is more of a humanity and justice issue than a political issue. Politics tends to offer two inadequate choices with the selection based on emotion or prejudice. The one who can make people hate each other holds the power. I know Little Hawk sees it this way, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 07 Apr 06 - 11:53 PM

You're right, Jerry--it seems to hinge on whether somebody perceives that his or her job is threatened by illegal immigrants--or can imagine a scenario where they would be competing with illegal immigrants for the same jobs. But legal immigrants would offer the same threat--and supply and demand means that the immigrants will come here, legal or illegal, regardless of the outcome of this particular bill. In fact, if someone were concerned about pay at the lower levels, I would think they would want the immigrants to be legalized--that would lessen chances of exploitation--and raise pay for everybody on the low end of the economic scale.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Apr 06 - 09:10 AM

Hey, Ron:

A discussion about politics is fine around a kitchen table. There aren't many "discussions" about politics in here. It's a rapid-fire interchange of people who already know all the answers.

My own theory about politics is that it's ultimately the wallet that drives people... wealthy or poor. Morality rarely gets in the way of political decisions. And to me, even that is understandable. When it comes to immigration, one's attitude will be determined by many things that have nothing to do with philosphy or morality. For starters, it depends on where you live. If you live in a small town in Minnesota, the effect of illegal immigrants is most likely different than if you live in one of the border states, or a large city. It also depends on your level of education. If you are a manual laborer in an area where jobs are scarce and you have an influx of illegal immigrants willing to work for less money than you can live on, you're bound to have a different attitude than a computer programmer in Boston. If you are a business man and you can make a far greater profit hiring illegal immigrants, you're at least going to be tempted to look the other way when workers are hired. It may just mean that dream home in Aruba and sending your kids to Harvard. If you're poor but there is very little influx of illegal immigrants that threaten your job secvurity, and you can buy a product or service at a lowere price because someone is hiring illegal immigrants, you aren't likely to complain. There are probably another half a dozen scenarios where your attitude is driven by the impact illegal immigrants have on your life... among those, the effect on social services.

There was a time when illegal immigrants congregated mostly in ghettos in large cities. That's not so true anymore. Wherever there's a need for cheap manual labor, you'll find illegal immigrants no matter what the size of the town.

My opinion on the topic? (and it's just an opinion, formed in part because illegal immigrants aren't a major presence here in Derby, Ct.) I can't see the practicality, let alone the moral foundation for sending everyone back to where they came from. And here's where it gets fuzzy. If they've been here five years and have a steady job and are being responsible citizens, then I'd think it was fair to let them apply for citizenship. If they came yesterday, I'd send them back and make them apply for citizenship. Giving them green cards for a limited aount of time to work in this country isn't a bad idea. If they do it for Europeans, why not Mexicans?   This seems like a problem that calls for measured compromise.

I don't know what the answer is... these are just some of my thoughts. As for our Canadian and European friends, they'll have a different perspective. Europeans aren't concerned about Mexicans sneaking across their borders on a moon-less night. They get a flood of refugees from the middle East that create similar problems, financial and social. I'd be interested in getting their perspective.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 11:28 PM

I know we're not discussing politics around the table--and if you think this is not a good topic, I'll drop it-- but I'm getting more and more interested in the controversy about illegal immigrants--I'd be very curious what people think. To me it's clear they should be put on a path to citzenship--but I'd like to hear your views.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 08:25 AM

Christian Sands has two CDs on CD Baby. He is FIFTEEN YEARS OLD!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 08:20 AM

Yes, yes... and yes.

"Oh happy day, Oh happy day
   When Jesus washed (3 times)
   Oh happy day (2 times)

He taught me how to watch
Watch and pray
And live rejoicing ev- every day, every day

Pretty simple words. I still have my 45 rpm of the song by the Edwin Hawkins singers. The Men's Chorus where I sing does the song, pretty much with the same arrangement as Edwin Hawkins, but the lead singer does an even more exciting job on it.. at least my wife and I think so, and we both love the Edwin Hawkins version. The Men's chorus isn't as good, musically but they more than make up for it with their exuberance.

The version we did last night has the feel more of Ahmad Jamal, the jass pianist, if you remember him doing The In Crowd and Wade In the Water. The lead "vocal" is done by the piano, and we make the response. Very, very exciting. The pianist's name is Christian Sands, and he has a couple of cds out... going to see if I can find them at amazon.com and pick one up. He's a young kid who is gaining a national reputation in the jazz world. May still be a teenager.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 01:43 AM

Ah yes, I remember it well. In February, 1969 on radio station KSAN-FM in San Francisco, the late, great DJ Voco (Abe Keshishian) introduced a track by The Northern California State Youth Choir. Their director, Edwin Hawkins, had entered them in a singing competition at a youth convention in Cleveland. To raise funds for the trip they recorded eight songs on a two-track machine in the Ephesian Church of God in Christ. These were made into an album, Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, of which a thousand copies were produced to be sold at the convention. One track, "Oh Happy Day," was a call-and-return led by a young singer named Dorothy Morrison. A friend gave Voco a copy and he started playing and promoting "Oh Happy Day." It caused thousands of hippies to start praising the Lord for such authentically far out music. Things went a little crazy for the choir, bringing on some of the various complications of instant fame. However, even as they continued to sort themselves out, San Francisco continued to have a happy day for many months.

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:30 PM

Jerry--

Oh, Happy Day--is that the one by the Edwin Hawkins Singers? That was the best thing about the entire year of 1969--admittedly not a good year for the US. But I remember being totally hypnotized, caught up in that song even on a tinny radio--and totally flabbergasted that it was such a huge POP! hit--got up to #2 nationally, I think. It is such a wonderfully joyous rocking song--I know avowed atheists who really love it--(what do they do about the words?)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 09:37 PM

Keep in mind, Jerry, that in 'virtual reality', Jimmy can pop in here as he pleases and go right back to Venice.

Think I'll write a story about lives being lived at arm's length! Actually I think it's already been done- life size images thrown on the wall for chatting and courting, brief interludes for procreation and back to 'making our own reality'. Hmmmmm Where did I hear that phrase before?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 09:19 PM

Thanks for the concern, billybob. My back is coming along. Got a rough throat from a cold too, but I went to Men's Chorus practice tonight and my voice and back both loosened up to the point where I pretty much forgot about them. We're getting ready for a concert at the end of the month and we sang tonight with a jazz trio led by a brilliant young pianist. We're doing Oh Happy Day with him, and His Eye Is On The Sparrow, with a saxophone duet added. Really exciting stuff. The Messengers are guests, too so it will be a great night.

Been a slow day at the table, as happens. I've been excited checking my e-mails as our CD is now on the internet and I'm getting inquiries from places I never suspected... sent a prom copy off to someone in Poland who has a radio show, and one to a blues critic in England who will review the CD for severtal magazines... and one to Florida to a promoter down there who likes our sound. Small potatoes, admittedly, but fun.

I see my buddy Jimmy is in Venice. I'll have to invite him to stop by for a cup a when he gets back..

Bedtime's a comin'..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 06:37 PM

Jerry
Glad the back is better, ask your wife to try a base oil like grapeseed oil with a few drops of lavender,camomile and geranium, perfect bliss!
Have to go to bed 11.23 here , love this table but have been sitting up till the early hours of the morning listening to the conversation....or ...ok put the coffee on...keep me awake.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 10:43 PM

Funny thing is, Ron. I don't know if you've noticed but as I get older, people don't talk as loud, anymore. Why are they always whispering?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 10:38 PM

Just got back from rehearsal. It seems some of us ( a fair number--most of us are baby boomers) are starting to notice hearing loss. And I've heard that just a group of our size (about 180) generates a fair amount of decibels--and just singing (and contributing to the volume) in the middle of such a group--over say about 20 years--which several of us have done-- can have such an impact. But, it's also a real high--so I'm not about to give it up.

I already have to turn up Jon Stewart louder than Jan would like. But at least I'm trying (sometimes) to not turn up the radio or tape player real loud in the car--although that's a high too. I suppose we have to make adjustments.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 11:08 AM

Aw Jerry, I don't usually start my day with tears in my eyes. Beautiful story.

I suspect that we still don't really understand music. Perhaps it iis connected with the pulsing earth itself and puts us in that cradle of sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 08:24 AM

Thanks, folks:

My wife rubbed my back with alcohol last night... the closest thing there is to a wonder drug in my wife's mind. It's much better this morning.. glad I got rid of that stoopid 80 pound sound system.

A couple of things..

I can identify with your wife, Ron. There are group folks and one on one folks. I think of people like Catters Guy Wolf and many others who could sit up singing and playing music until dawn. Delightful people and in some ways, the heart of a folk festival. For them, the festival begins after the formal program ends. I enjoy their company and have occasionally stayed for the late night sings. My wife and I are more one on one folks. In a small group, I am pretty outgoing. But in a larger group, I seem to be more content just to sit and listen. The larger the group, the more content I am to sit quietly. I don't know why. Maybe my Mother was frightened by a turtle while she was carrying me. Ruth becomes even quieter than me, as she isn't a "folkie." She has found the folk community to be very welcoming, and really enjoys the people but the music was never a part of her life so she doesn't have the same appreciation that dyed-in-the-wool folkies have. For me, talking over a cup of coffee, or finding a quiet corner to just sit and play music with one or two others is more my speed. Or lack of speed. If Ruth and I make it to the Getaway this year as we're planning, don't be surprised, or offended if we leave early (11 p.m is early? Sheesh!!) We love you all, but that's not our style. And don't be surprised if we want to linger over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table long after you're ready to get up.

Something else.. how beautifully music can bring comfort.

Last week, I sent off a copy of the Gospel Messengers CD to my brother-in-law Everette in Brooklyn. Everette is one of my all-time favorite people... endlessly appreciative, warm and loving. And generous to everyone he comes in touch with. Everette's wife had several strokes over a period of years and he took care of her all those years when she was wheel chair bound. Despite the seemingly heavy burden, he was always cheerful and thankful for any small kindness. When I first met Everette, I really liked him and when I found out that he loved the 50's and 60's rhythm and blues groups, I made many, many cassettes of that music for him and his wife to listen to. Everette would tell me that when his wife was really feeling low, she'd ask him to play one of those tapes. She couldn't stand alone or walk, but she always loved to dance. Everette would lift her out of her wheelchair and support her while they danced, with her standing on the tops of his shoes, like a little girl. I tell you, when Everette would talk about how much those tapes meant to him and "Bootsy," and I pictured them slowly dancing around the room to Earth Angel or My Prayer with Bootsy standing on his shoe tops, I was so moved that it would be hard to talk. Bootsy died a couple of years ago, and Sunday was her birthday. Everette received the Gospel Messengers CD on Saturday and Sunday evening he went to a church gathering and they played the CD through six or seven times. One woman particularly loved a song When I Get To Glory and every time it came around, she'd just get up and quietly walk back and forth in the room, totally absorbed in the song.

Everette called yesterday to tell us how much the music helped him to get through Bootsie's birthday. That's enough reason just in itself to make me thankful that I struggled for a year trying to learn how to make it.

Music soothes the savage beast, they say. It also soothes the aching heart.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 05:27 AM

Dibblers Ron,
In the 60's John Peel was broadcasting on the pirate radio ship "Caroline". He used to be on air very late at night. He had a wonderful Liverpool accent( although he was not from there) and a beautiful voice.He used to sign off with a poem that finished with something about the perfumed garden,and the dibblers playing in the grass, all around us is beautiful and love is in the air. I always thought he meant rabbits? Anyone round the table know?
Lovely cup of coffee, thanks Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 03:38 AM

Hear, hear! Thank you, Raptor.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Raptor
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 11:15 PM

I'll take a cuppa tea.

And I'll raise it to Ron's Jan and also Ebbie's Tony.

And to My Heide!

To those with us and whom have left us.

Here's to you all Me Hardys!


Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 10:46 PM

Dibblers-- sounds like there's a story behind that word--is there?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 09:07 PM

get some lavender oil Jerry and ask the wife to massage your back.
Nibblers?/ dibblers?,John Peel was from Liverpool....all these years I had it wrong, but he was a wonderful broadcaster, he died last year, every Saturday morning I listened to him on BBC radio and many of us miss him.He started off in radio in the USA.
Hope your back gets better find a good aromatherapist if not, we can cure anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 08:56 PM

An elephant with a handle! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 08:48 PM

I thought rabbits was nibbler, billybob :-)

And you're right about the toll that illness takes on the care givers. I've seen it time and again. My wife and I being praying folks, we always make sure we include the family and loved ones (and friends.) If you love someone, when they hurt, you hurt. Sometimes sympathetic pains hurt mor than the real ones. (I realize that "sympathetic pains" normally has a different meaning.)

Speaking of pain... OOOOOH, my back. I bought a portable PA system last Friday, and was all excited about it. They swore that it was portable because they put a handle on it. Putting a handle on an elephant don't make it portable. But the swearing part came in handy. My excitement quickly faded when I managed to get the thing home with my wife and I killing ourselves getting it up the steps (think Laurel and Hardy in the Piano without a laugh track,) I set it up and started to use it. I don't know what was worse... the lack of power or the sound quality. I mean, it looked COOL, sitting there. Maybe turning it on was the mistake. Anyway, I took it back today and upgraded to a Yamaha Stagepro 300, which not only has fantastic sound, it's light enough that my wife can carry it. Not that I'd ever let her, of course. But tonight, my back remembers that first PA system that I took back today. I'm feeling a little bit like Gabby Hayes tonight. But, the sound system is great! I can hardly wait to use it with the guys.

Jerry

Or is it quasimodo.

Are songs that feel like they are modal Quasimodal?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 08:37 PM

Back at the table,thanks for the coffee,enjoyed my day sitting in the garden reading a good book, with a CD playing quietly, music of the Italian Renaissance by Shirley Ramsey, pure bliss then my favourite Eric Bogle CD.I love my day off , back to work tomorrow.
Listening to your talk round the table re Jan, makes me say again " count our blessings" When someone close to you is very ill it is very hard,sometimes I think it is harder for those closest than the person who is ill.That sounds very trite but I am sure you know what I mean, you wish it was you instead of the one you love.
Away with sad thoughts, tomorrow is another day, spring is here, the birds are singing,and the dibblers are playing in the grass!( dibblers = rabbits, John Peel BBC Radio 1970)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 06:27 AM

Yes, Ebbie, she does. But up to now at least she's tended to go to bed early (11 or so)--so has missed some of the best singing. She also has had throat problems--possibly related to the neck, I suspect) which made singing difficult. And she unfortunately has other issues---totally against singing in a circle, for one thing.

And she's a very strong vegetarian--thinks Getaway fare should be more overhauled in that direction. She is one opionated gal.

We are trying to work up some duets--if her throat permits.

Hope I can persuade her to come this time.

By the way, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of McPhetres Hall---and of Tony, in March, 14 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Apr 06 - 01:29 AM

That is fantastic, Ron. I hope someday to meet her. Does she ever come to Getaway?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 11:55 PM

Thanks to everybody who commented on Jan's close to miraculous operation. She's really lively--and feisty.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 05:40 PM

Old, reliable things are nice, Jerry, but there's something to be said for state-of-the-art, brand-spankin' new too, isn't there! Is that why we love babis so much? :)

So true, KT. Tony always made us smile and still does. And it is something I should remind myself of more often than I do. The problem is that one grief leads inexorably to other griefs- and it's hard to remind oneself that we haven't really lost them.

Absolutely glowing and almost transparent. The image keeps coming to my mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 05:33 PM

Nice to see you, KT:

Some are Ring Bearers who are called to heroic acts. Some are just pot boilers, like me. I intend to keep the kettle on, even if no one stops in on any particular day. It makes no difference where the conversation goes.. I just enjoy the company..

Jerry

Bought a new sound system yesterday,,, after I try it out, I'll make some comment on it. My sixteen ton PA system finally gave up the ghost last week, after 9 years of faithful service...

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: KT
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 04:06 PM

Is the coffee still on? Or actually, how 'bout tea? Hot water will do...It's the company that counts. I've popped in from time to time but haven't been around for the whole conversation. I guess that's what kitchen tables are about.

I was brought in this time by Ebbie's talk of Tony. Ah yes, a remarkable young man, who is with us still, I believe. I too, remember the intensity of those days, while we held out hope against hope that he'd be found alive, and just waiting for us to find him, and the disbelief when we learned that that was not to be. And the dreams....and the songs that were born as a result.....But one of the gifts of his life is that we are left with such joyful memories of who he was to us. I don't know a soul who can recall him without smiling. So it was while he was here in the flesh, eh, Ebbie?

Ron, I'm so glad to hear about Jan's successful treatment. Rejoicing with you both!

Jerry, thanks for keeping the pot on. It's lovely to drop in from time to time.
Have a wonderful day, all.
KT

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 02:28 PM

An interesting story for you, Ebbie (and all):

Three or four years ago now, Lee Hagerty, one of the founders of Folk-Legacy Records with Sandy & Caroline Paton passed away. They had a memorial service for Lee, and Ruth and I went. As most of the people there were musicians, we went around the room, with each person either doing a song, or talking about a particular favorite memory of Lee. I did a song I'd written, titled May My Heart Find Rest In Thee. The chorus is:

   And in the darkness, give me the eyes of faith
   In my sorrow, send down your saving grace
   And on my journey, may my path be straight
   May my heart find rest in Thee.

A few weeks later, I received a phone call from a man whose wife had just died. As it turned out, she was at Lee's memorial service and was very moved by my song. She didn't come over to speak to me, so I had no idea who she was. She knew that she was dying of cancer, and asked her husband to call me after she passed to ask me if I'd sing that song at her memorial, and bring the Gospel Messengers along to sing. And we did. They had a beautiful service out in the woods... very informal, and we sang a half a dozen songs, including May My Heart Find Rest In Thee, which I did unaccompanied, as I had at Lee's memorial. It was a beautiful, touching experience, perhaps even made morseo by the fact that the woman and her husband (and almost everyone else there) was Jewish.

I ended up singing that song at two memorial services in a span of about six weeks... once for someone who as far as I know was an Atheist, at a gathering of people who were mostly non-believers, and once at a Jewish memorial service. No matter. Most people were moved by the song. We all have times when rest is our greatest need.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 01:11 PM

Thank you, Jerry.

After he died there were a couple of memorial services. At the first one there was a large paper banner where people could write whatever they wished. A friend remarked that whoever didn't realize that one person could change the world was not there that night.

It was amaxing how many people had had personal connections with that boy, and on so many different levels.

One reason last night was an emotional event is that it was like a step back in time; so many of the people who were there were the same ones who were there 14 years ago.

When Tony died some people started writing songs who had never written a song before. (Some have never stopped.) Last night a person told me that we should compile and releaxe those songs.

Thanks for listening! Yes, I will have a second cup, thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Apr 06 - 08:41 AM

That's a hard story, Ebbie: I would expect that last night was overflowing with emotion. Tony must have been quite a spirit to have lasted so strongly in your hearts and minds. People like that are rare. In here, Rick Fielding was certainly one of those people.. someone who is remembered and loved by everyone whose life he touched. I such a brief life, Tony made a great difference in the lives of many. And continues to make a difference.

Thanks for sharing that with us, Ebbie..

Jerry