Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie UPDATE 30 Jan.2010

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Hollowfox
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 10:27 AM

WYSIWIG's right. I check threads, but I don't want to waste bandwidth just to let people know I was there. I don't know why it didn't come to mind befor, but Strumla's post reminds me of Taffy Thomas. He's a British performer who cam to the National Storytelling Festival a few years back. I saw his performance of Take Thse Chains From My Heart, and *that's* how I learned he'd recovered from a stroke. His recovery was that complete. I recommend the cd to anyone who can get it. Good thoughts and prayers, Mary

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: KT
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 03:08 AM

I've never had the pleasure of meeting/knowing Jean, but have always enjoyed her posts. Reading this thread makes me know that it's a privilege to be living on the planet at the same time as this remarkable spirit. I add my prayers and voice to the community of music lovers who've gathered here in love, admiration and support. Jean, wishing you strength and peace as you move through this. May you feel the love surrounding you. KT

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:26 PM

I hope Jon knows that this thread is checked (and thoughts of Jean and all her loves are strong) MANY more times than the number of posts here would suggest. On a number of such threads, that's been the case as soon as anyone asked if people were still praying/etc. when there were fewer posts.

Mudcatters tend to be in things for the LONG haul, whether we get updates or not. :~)

So Jean has been much in my thoughts the last several days as well, tho I may not always post each time I look at the thread to join the well-wishes posted here.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:08 PM

Peace, and joy, and inward music to Jean and those who love her.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: gnu
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 01:41 PM

Me too.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 01:41 PM

Just to let you know we are thinking of you, Jean and family, on this day. May it bring Light, Love, and Peace with good news for you all.

LOve,

Kat & Rog

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: gnu
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 05:25 PM

Thnaks Lisa!

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Lisa Johnson (Strumelia)
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 03:47 PM

When my own mother had a serious stroke, she was able to make pretty amazing improvements over a period of 18 months in the nursing home where she received excellent rehab/physical therapy. Recovery from serious stroke usually takes a long time, but it deeply impressed me how much my mother improved each month.

I would like to point out to Jean's fans who are players of the mountain dulcimer that over on our online community 'Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer', we have started a little group called Fans of Jean Ritchie. It's a place where we've lately been discussing how Jean has touched our lives in various ways, and sharing our individual thoughts about Jean's wonderful accomplishments, performances, writings, and learning materials.
The group warmly welcomes any interested person and is located here:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/fansofjeanritchie

Sending my personal warmest wishes of healing and comfort to the Ritchie family...
Lisa Johnson
Chatham, NY

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: mkebenn
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 02:54 PM

Thank you, Susan, for that FYI, my experiances have been less than ideal. Mike

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 11:08 AM

As we move through Christmas Eve here in England - with snow on the ground, carols on the radio - my thoughts are with Jean, George, Jon and Peter.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 10:27 AM

FYI

"Nursing home" is a generic term that can range from full-on rehab to any level of care. When someone is discharged to a care facility, it just means that a patient's situation is no longer considered acute and that longer-term strategies are being implemented in a less expensive facility with different staffing that suits the situation better.

In other words, it's usually good news to be discharged in that direction.

===

I share the Christmas wishes for the family and I know they will do Jean proud.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: maeve
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 05:32 AM

Good morning, Jean and family. My husband and I hope you have a joyful Christmas. We are so grateful you are in this world, for you add immeasurably to the light.

maeve

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: gnu
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 07:35 PM

Not the news I was hoping to hear, but at least it's some news.

I check this thread a number of times each day... just hoping for good news for such a wonderful person.

I know I am one of many.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:58 PM

Found this bit of news:

Legendary Folk Singer Jean Ritchie is in a New York hospital after suffering a major stroke earlier this month.

Ritchie is a Perry County native and has been called the mother of folk and a national treasure.

She recently turned 87 years old.

Long-time friend Mike Mullins with the Hindman Settlement School says Ritchie had a stroke on December 4th and possibly another one after that.

She's been unable to talk but can respond to commands.

The family says she may be moved to a nursing home once she's stable enough to leave the hospital.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:00 PM

The spirit of folk music is never more exemplified than in the music and ther presence of Jean Ritchie- true heart, honesty and kindness towards all.

Wishing a good recovery to her and best wishes to the family.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Tinker
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 01:15 PM

Here in New Jeresy we will raise the peace round with our New Year's toast.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,jbgood789
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 11:20 AM

The round will be sung in Maine on New Years as well!

Sending loving energy to Jean, be well!

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Susan Brumfield
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 11:39 PM

Dear Jon,

I'm sending all my love and prayers for dear Jean and for your family tonight, along with a promise to sing The Peace Round on New Year's Eve, in the New Orleans French Quarter. Jean's been on my mind for weeks, and I'd written to her about our "Kentucky Mother Goose." I'd been thinking that it was unlike her not to write back.

I'm praying that she will make her way all the way back to you, very soon. Please send my love to her and to your precious dad, too.

Blessings to you all,

Susan B.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 07:06 PM

Just listening to Jean sing her family's old version of the Cherry Tree Carol on Ron Olesko's Christmas show from last Sunday on WFDU. Jean, your voice is so incredibly beautiful. What a beautiful gift you are and have given the world so unselfishly. May you rest comfortable and continue in peace and love.

kat

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 11:09 AM

Wysiwyg, that makes sense to me, considering who and how she is, and especially considering her thoughtful Mudcat letter about age and dying. Sending her my own good wishes for light and love and peace to be with her. And a joyful recovery, if that may be.

Rita

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:11 PM

Even before all this singing-thing started, I just keep sensing a deep, wide peace surrounding Jean, and Jean peaceful in it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Celtaddict
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 06:26 PM

I used to sing rounds with my younger daughter. She is now married and lives in Nevada. I am going to see if we can work it out to sing the round by phone or Skype.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 01:10 PM

Barbara: Midnight your time would be great. Seems "Peace Round" could ripple -- echo? -- and greet 2010 time zone by time zone...
Little Robyn -- I'm pretty sure I took the lyrics from Jean's "Celebration of Life," but I've noticed "grow" used instead of "dwell" and "children of the earth" instead of "children of all men." Also, sometimes the round begins "O, what a..." and sometimes cuts straight to "What A..." I haven't seen or heard Jean comment on the variations, but I do think it would be great if some sang "grow" and some sang "dwell..." Let the folk process have its way on New Year's Eve == Mark

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,maeve on a borrowed laptop
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 12:20 PM

Jean and loved ones-

I have a couple of little things to sort but will soon be able to keep tabs on this thread. Do please call Carol Rohl via Timberhead (Gordon Bok's office) she is eager to be of help regarding stroke issues.

You are in my prayers.

maeve

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Hollowfox
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:26 AM

What a grand idea! The Peace Round will be sung here onthe Ohio/Pennsylvania border as well.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:30 PM

Will hold the line (so to speak : ) in North Carolina, singing loudly for Jean, her family and friends, and for peace.

Dani

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:53 PM

Hey, George- I saw you today from a distance at the Cambridge Revels (brilliant production, as always), and was so glad you're still there. I sang The Peace Round with everyone there, my heart full, and my thoughts on Jean and George and this whole family of ours.

Allison

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Carrie Shore
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:43 PM

If the Ritchie family reads this thread, I just wanted to add my good thoughts, healing energy, prayers and whatever else I can possibly offer to Jean and to you all.
I feel very blessed to have met Jean at Turtle Hill Folk Festival. There is a sparkle in her eye and a magic in her music that can only come from a truly beautiful soul. Much love to you, Jean. Be well. Be at peace. You are a blessing.
Carrie Shore

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:02 PM

see my post dated 4 02,four posts above they a singing Four Marys

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:58 PM

Spaw, that is the tape of Edna's which I played all night, in and out of the post-surgery fog, before I was aware of even surviving much. Her sweet, high voice was like a balm of calm love, just as Jean's is. Talk about blood harmony...there is a rare video of them both on youtube, which George taped in the 60s. They're singing Four Marys and it is difficult to tell their voices apart. What beautiful and enduring Beauty they have given us.

Love and Light from Colorado,

love,

kat

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:41 PM

Yeah GSS.......I call it the Ritchie Family Voice as it came through them all with that same sound. Sandy Paton recorded Edna and her album is available on CD from Folk Legacy.
http://www.folk-legacy.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=29

Her dulcimer work is different than Jean's in a way. She uses the dulcimer for embellishment and almost "punctuation" rather than accompaniment.

Get better Jean.....All the best still coming from southeast Ohio.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,George Emlen
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:36 PM

I second Gayle Rich's thoughts (from 15 Dec). We are deep into the 17-show run of the "American" Christmas Revels in Cambridge that is shot through with Jean's gentle spirit and energy, for it was she and Jack Langstaff who created this particular Revels in 1980. It was my great honor and pleasure to be her stage "husband" when we ran the show again in 1986. She declined to take part a third time in 2000, so Sheila Kay Adams filled her shoes that year. Now, with Suzannah Park in the Jean Ritchie role, we feel that we are continuing a great legacy. By the time we close, 18,000 audience members will have sung Jean's Peace Round together, in one of the sweetest and most memorable shows that Revels has ever created. Surely that is some testament to her enduring contributions. I will dedicate tonight's performance to her.

All best wishes to Jean, George and Jon.

George Emlen

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:02 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrPTrkpO6EQ&feature=related
and this is wonderful.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua0QuXO4wgE&feature=related

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,adie grey
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:14 PM

Jean, you have been such a dear friend to me despite the minimal time I've had to be actually in your presence. Hope you get the best physical therapy care there is....I am working in the field now and see amazing recoveries all the time, and wish this for you. Love to all your dear family.

Adie Grey

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 01:57 PM

I'm trying to learn the Peace Round to join in at New Year and I have the words given by Mark. I found the Youtube link and was listening to Jean leading the audience when it occurred to me that her words are slightly different.


What a goodly thing
If the children of all men
Could grow together
In peace

So which words should we sing?
The tune is almost Hey Ho Nobody Home so that's not a problem.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 01:45 PM

Jean has been a kind friend since I met her and her family at Viper in 1955. An evening of hearing Balis and Abigail sing together with several of their children, thoughtfully assembled by Jean for our visit, has to be one of the most inspiring and memorable experiences of my life.

There must be very few people who can light up a room like Jean. Her extraordinary singing, her delightful presence, her humor (she can be ticklish funny)—and all those unexpected things, like borrowing my banjo and picking "Lord Bateman" on it with a sly grin—so many memories come flooding back.

Jean has filled my life and so many lives with beauty and enjoyment. She's showed countless of us the secret of what traditional music can mean, and its rootedness in a the life that went with it.

Jean, Amba and I wish you a splendid recovery, and more years of song to come. Our hearts are with you, and George, and Jon, and Peter. Bless you.

Love, Bob

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Weslea Sidon
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:36 PM

George, Jon, Peter and Jean, we are thinking of you all with love and much gratitude for all you have meant to us over years, Curtis & Weslea

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Joe_F
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:15 AM

Thank you, Big Mick, for the link to the video. It puts me in mind of the story of the Ritchies' Christmas in 1930, when Jean was 8 (_Singing Family of the Cumberlands_, Chapter 10). That is the best Christmas story I have ever read, and I will sure read it on Christmas Day, regardless.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: autoharpbob
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:15 AM

Peace round will be sung and played here in Nottingham in the UK.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:59 AM

Any news?

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Becky Wilson, Indpls, IN
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:23 PM

Dear Jean and Family:

While I have never had the privilage of meeting Jean and family, I have many wonderful things about you all. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

May blessings continue to come your way.

With much love,

Becky Wilson

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,brashley46 in Toronto
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:55 PM

I've linked the Peace Round call on my facebook, myspace and livejournal accounts, and will be recruiting as many people in Southern Ontario as I can to sing it here.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:02 PM

We sing the Peace Round often here in southwestern New Hampshire. We'll sing it New Years Eve for sure.
Still holding Jean and her family (and all of us, her extended family) in my heart.

ALLISON

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,John Ramsay
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 07:11 PM

I am sad to hear that Jean is not as young as we used to be! Those were glorious days. I know that there are others who are making their mark today and that we can sit back and let them. Jean left her mark in so many ways and will continue to do so even if in different arenas. I recall her singing Black Waters and throwing her weight into the strip mine situation with a strong "RUN THEM ALL OUT!" And how she defused the explosive situation at the Lake Junaluska CSM Conference with her gentle but respected "presence."

Jean (and family), we pray for comfort for you and, Lord willing, many more years of gentle living.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Barbara
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 07:10 PM

I can certainly add it to our west coast music gathering --Camp New Harmony with the SFFMC. Is midnight our time (3 a.m. east coast) okay, or do you want all the times to line up, Mark?
Blessings,
BArbara

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 06:48 PM

We will be doing it here in West Michigan.

I want to share another Youtube video with you. It is the Ritchie Family Christmas Gathering as taped and narrated by Dave Garroway. For those of us raised in the 40's, 50's and 60's this will really resonate. I am not sure why, but I think it is because we were on the cusp between those earlier, simpler times and today's fast paced world. We remember the fulcrum point in the 60's. And often we yearn for the sights, smells, sounds, and good feelings of those simpler times. To see our beloved Jean as the beautiful young woman in these shots, to see her mother and sisters, well ... I can't speak for others but it makes me so thankful to know this wonderful woman. So, enjoy the 1955 Ritchie Family Christmas

Love to George, Jean, Jon, and Peter,

Mick

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: Janie
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 06:15 PM

I'll be in West Virginia then, and will surely see that it happens there.

Janie

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: GUEST,Zeke Smukler
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 05:22 PM

I hope you feel better, Jean.

Subject: RE: Is kytrad okay? Jean Ritchie hospitalized
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 05:16 PM

Ooops... Skarpi included.