Wow what a summer!!

Subject: Wow what a summer!!
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 01:22 PM

I just thought it might be a good idea for catters to tell everyone what they have been up to through the summer. Some of the main things in my summer have been Holmfirth, Beverly and Whitby folk festival. At most of these festivals I have been booked with AAAAG 'An Accordion And A Guitar'. I have had so much fun at everyone, playing in the food tents till 5 or 6 in the morning. The last two weeks have been mad though. I spent a week at the FABULOUS FOLKWORKS YOUTH SUMMER SCHOOL which lasts a week and you learn tons of tunes teqnics and make lots of great friends. Though the week a great 13 piece band from Norway called 'CHATEAU NEUF SPELEMANNSLAG ' were there performing and running workshops, the highlight of my whole perfoming career the came up , when there accordionist had to go back to Norway and they asked me to stand in for her. I then did 3 gigs with them. I have also just come back from Whitby Folk week which was excellent, full of music and very busy but a great time was had by many people. Its not over yet there's still Fylde and Otley festival to go!!

Cheers, Sam

Whats everyone else been up to then?

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: WyoWoman
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 01:35 PM

Learning the guitar, 15 minutes a day's worth, and getting the beginnings of callouses on my wee little fingers. Learning several waltzes in A. Learning "Seven Bridges Road" well enough to play rhythm guitar for myself on it. Competing in two old-time country music shows and winning second in each (female vocals). Making my "Torch Singer Debut" here in Wyoming, to general acclaim. Talking with a local recording studio owner about how much making my own CD would cost and concluding that it's probably too pricey right now. Begging an old friend who plays guitar to move back here so we can make beautiful music (literally, not figuratively) together. He'll be here in September and I can't wait.

ww

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Keith Richardson (selby)
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 01:38 PM

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Keith Richardson
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 01:45 PM

If you read my earlier contribution you wil have now realised that there was nothing due to a technical hitch at this end ( finger trouble ). Whitby as Sam has already commented on, some excellant workshops a couple of sessions that went well for me. And the first oppurtininty to see Last Nights Fun they were brilliant. Cant wait for WB.

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: emily rain
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 02:57 PM

dreaming and scheming. : )

don't knock it; i'm a helluva schemestress.

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Jen
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 03:21 PM

Getting ready to get married. Stressing about the amount of stuff I've collected in a 25 year period(my whole life). Stressing about how everything is going to fit in our new place. Realizing it's not. Finding out that fiance and I are on the same level with me wanting space for crafts and writing stuff. Being relieved. :) Starting to sell my stuff on ebay, doing ok! Being relieved about that.

Realizing that I only have one month and 11 days until I get married!! Yikes. *g*

Suffering from glares from a jealous harp who thinks I should be practising instead of packing...

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Margo
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 04:51 PM

This summer has been a re-awakening for me to social life. Besides being mudcat addicted online, I am meeting more and more 'catters in person.

Musicman in Vancouver BC was a gracious host to Jack and me for a week. We enjoyed ourselves very much, as well as Musicman's generous hospitality.

We said our farewells to Easy Rider and his wife this morning as they departed for sightseeing and other vacation activities. We enjoyed their visit very much and are amazed at how well our muddy encounters went this summer.

We have both stayed with someone and hosted someone whom we knew only from online and both times we were happy to find we have new friends we want to stay in touch with. I am looking forward to meeting more muddy friends, may it never end! Love you guys,

Margarita

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 07:08 PM

Well, let's see. There was NEFFA in Natick, MA, then the trip to Virginia Beach for my dad's 100th birthday party, then the Hudson River Revival (Clearwater) Festival in NY, then the Old Songs Festival, then Falcon Ridge, then the Gebhart Woods Dulcimer Festival in Illinois and a side trip to Michigan to take part in the Ark's anniversary weekend (on the way to which we had country fried steak with our illustrious and charming Big Mick), then Schroon Lake in the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley in Vermont, then Hartford's Connecticut Family Folk Festival. I have a feeling I've left out a couple. Then there was the dandy Mudcatter get-together at bbc's which gave us a week-end in which we could just relax! Sure needed that!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: bbc
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 07:30 PM

Yes, Sandy, the Mudcat weekend at my house was really special. We led into the summer by attending/participating in the Clearwater & Old Songs Festivals in New York in June. At the end of July, we had the get-together at our house. In mid-August, we went to annap's second get-together--a wonderful time! Thanks again, anna! In between, I've been adding email addresses & birthdays & mastering how to do photo & profile pages in the Mudcat Resources website, as well as a lot of thread-reading on Mudcat. Duane, David, & I are embarking on a new project w/ our church choir director & his wife, plus another couple, to do musical evenings at Christian coffeehouses, starting in November. We fit in weekend trips to Maine & Cape Cod, plus my recent 1-week visit to see my folks in Missouri. We are looking forward to the DC Getaway in October. Music, mostly folk, & Mudcat seem to be becoming a larger part of life all the time. Hope I can make the transition back to school schedule!

really have enjoyed it,

bbc

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 07:52 PM

Sandy...you had a sister's get married, too, right?:-)

Jen: Congratulations! Just take a deep breath and hug your harp and then your honey!:-) So that would be October 10th?

Margarita: we are getting pretty serious about trying to move out that way. Hope you do as I would love to be where there are a lot of Udder Mudders!:-)

This summer, I've Mudcatted a lot; written a lot, columns and worked on a novel and a memoir of the "ranch"; designed and sold some jewelery to a new client, who ordered about 6 necklace & earring sets all at once, drug out her whole wardrobe for me to match up stones to; went to visit my sister, bet, in Colorado (hot tub under the high Rockies' sky with a nighttime rain shower coming down; enjoyed WW's debut as a Torch Singer; and muddled along thanks to some incredible friends, btoh here in Casper, and on the Mudcat!

Hopefully, I will find more time and motivation to practise some of the music I've been collecting, but moving is on my mind, a lot, and sorting & packing seem to want to get done, regardless of when & where we decide to go!

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 07:53 PM

Bbc, you forgot your photo E-MAILING SKILLS!!!! (I'm gonna have to get a digital camera just for self defense.)

I went to Old Songs and bbc's and annap's parties. Had a couple of my tunes recorded beautifully by Tam Lin (which still thrills the whatsit out of me!!!) I stopped moving around and spent my first summer in my first house. Much of the above was due to being here, at the 'Cat. All the fine friends I've met this summer have made it the best one since I reached adulthood.

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:34 PM

Considering that on May first I was unconscious and on a vent with a lot of Docs making gloomy predictions to Karen, this was a great summer. As the song says, "I just can't afford to die!" Thanks for all the multi-religion prayers and support once again group. Today I was playing with the boys outside the nursing home where Karen was visiting with Grandma. I beat them in several 40 yard dashes and really wasn't winded at all.......surprising them, Karen, and myself. Last week the family Doc says, "You REALLY DO have REMARKABLE recuperative powers!" When he said it, I'm proud to say, I had the best response possible.........."Yeah Doc, I got Mudcat."

We did take it a little easier at first, but we've done some camping and gotten quite a few pesky things done around the house. I did make a little progress on moving and reorganizing the shop and just yesterday bent the sides for 2 hourglass Appalachians.......It's been a long time.............was nice to start back a bit.

The kids were gone for 2 weeks with their aunt and Karen and I enjoyed the time, although we missed the kids. We took the one weekend to go to Niagra Falls and spend the day with Rick and Heather Fielding. It was a high point for us, because we felt as "unemcumbered" as a couple of childless 25 year olds.....and we realized again how close it had been in May and how much we mean to each other. And of course Rick and Heather were wonderful...well at least Heather was. I was also fortunate to meet Cara when she was home here from DC. Sadly, we couldn't make a couple of 'Catter get togethers that sounded so great, but we are looking to an even better Fall, my favorite time of year, and a couple of camping trips, including the FSGW in October.

I hope to have the shop finished by October since I stupidly took a couple of Hammered orders that have to be done by December. The kids are in school, Karen and I are both feeling great mentally and physically, we've got some plans for the future we're working on.........Folks, it's been a DAMN FINE SUMMER!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:37 PM

YOU BET IT HAS, 'SPAW, ESP. CONSIDERING YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF IT! Sure glad of it!

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 09:30 PM

Hello All <<>> Ive been Pulling together a guild of traditional potters to make flower-pots<<<>>>>some in the US Some in Hondarus and alittle bit in The UK.Wich meant I was on the plain alot...Phili to Atlanta to Chicago to New York Just In late July and early August!!!!! I think I'n going to have to get one of thuoghs Martin travling guitars just to stay sane.. I Stopped at a Music store in Penrith Cumbria and begged some time on the guitar and Banjos just to stay alive on the last trip to England{Dec} and Have found that the only way out,that is to try stuff out at a few music stores...I realy wanted to do that in Atlanta and Chicago but was just to crazed at the time. The new CD came out on the Fourth of July weekend so that has kept the summer very bussy!!!! Thanks for asking Jen have FUN with your wedding.Erica and I had a blast<<>>>>It's great to have mudcat introduce me to a great neighbor!!!! We just had a party to end the summer and to celabrate my daughters first year serviving a cancerus brain tumor .We have so much to be thankfull for..I'm very happy to have found you all <<<>>>Guy

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Susan A-R
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 09:44 PM

I went to a week-long singing camp, cooked a lot of food, catered two weddings, spent a lot of time with my family, celebrated my parents 50th anniversary, did artist management work for my husband the concert pianist, totally neglected my garden, got out there swimming a couple of times (NOT ENOUGH!! I am a polar bear at heart) spent a couple of weekends with my folks, anxiously watching Dad go through a really rugged, pretty instantaneous shift from walking about and being a part of things at the cabin and in the garden, to narrowing his life to a hospital bed,and am wrapping it all up with a Labor Day weekend trip to Toronto. Life is bitter-sweet.

Susan

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 10:03 PM

I am sorry Susan that all this is happening with your dad. I watched my mom start to fail last fall and pass on in Jan. and it is not easy. Glad you are able to take time for what I hope is a fun trip for a bit of respite.

I've been getting curiouser and curiouser about Guy Wolff's pottery, phoaks. SO....after reading of his busy summer, I went looking. This link gives a nice bio on him and his "pots", but the picture doesn't show how beautiful his pots are when finished with a white, mossy look, using real Cornwall clay. They are beautiful! To see them check out Peter Wakefield pages, from there.

Now, Guy, I find, after I've moved away from Mystic, all of you wonderful Mudcatters who live in the area! Wished I'd known earlier. You can bet next time I get back to visit my daughter & grandsons, I will come see you in Litchfield! BTW, do you ever sell any to Logee's in Danielson? Used to go there and to Caprilands all of the time. Beautiful pottery! I will also have to check out your CD, with such recommendations; what a lovely combo, both intensive, hands-on labours of love.

kat

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 10:08 PM

*coming up out of the shop, covered with exotic dust & shavings..*......

summer?...is it SUMMER already?...

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 11:15 PM

Hey, BillD, don't you know you're not supposed to play in the hamster's cedar shavings!??? How big IS that wheel you have them powering your computer with??? What were ya doing, trying to help tham out a little???**BG**

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 11:42 PM

Dear Bill,

"To DO is To BE ---- Oblivious"

Spaw

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 10:27 AM

HI Kat<<>>> Yes Tovah Martin {Who was at Logees} is an old friend and has latley moved near me to Roxbery Ct. We have been talking about doing a book on the history of garden pots in the US and CAnada, if we can ever find the time!!! I used to bring pots to her on the way out to visit Allen Haskle the topuary man out in New Bedford Mass. I am so sorry I never got to Caprilands. I hear she is not with us anymore and Im shore I would have liked her. I love the Mystic area..My best friend growing up was Donny Wimfpheimer over in Stonington and we had lots of fun around there in the sixties and seventies..We used to go down to Union Grove from Stonington every year untill that got to big... Thanks for the nice words and I look forward to meeting you whenever you may come through..{I am 8 miles from White Flower Farm wich has its own draw} and 14 miles from Sandy and Caroline { much more of interest!!!!}

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 11:01 AM

WHITE FLOWER FARM?........Geez, I wish we had back all the money Karen has spent with those folks over the years. Neat place though......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 11:34 AM

High point of a long, dreary summer? Certainly meeting Rick Fielding -- so catspaw and I have something in common -- and being slowly winched up out the guitar swamp of incompetence in consequence.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Bert
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 12:14 PM

Jen, Why not use the Mudcat Auction to sell your stuff. You get to choose the commission. Hit the Shop button above.

'ghing, You're not supposed to use 'Cedar' shavings for small rodents 'cos they can be allergic to them. Also you can 'lose' babies in the litter because they are the same color.

On to 'What Have I been doing this Summer'. Started off being lonely while Tree was out of town. Now we are busy catching up since she's been back.
Joined a new folk club. The Bucks County Folk Song Society. It's a ways to drive but they're a real great crowd.
Started taking guitar lessons.
Will be starting on "Mudcat Radio" Wednesday night.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: kendall morse (don't use)
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 01:19 PM

Shortly after the last time I got dumped, I learned Utah Phillips song Faded Roses Of December, plus a bunch of other songs since I discovered Mudcat. Man what a treasure trove!! Bought a motor home, been to a number of Bluegrass festivals. A friend of mine is not a bluegrass fan, and, when I tell him that I get a lot of positive feedback at those gatherings he said "A hawk is an eagle among crows." Anyway, it's true...about the feedback, I mean. Also bought a house in South Portland Maine, and my dog Shamus and I are quite happy with it. Been to a couple of "Rinktums" a gathering of friends for folk music, both here and in Canada. I know so many wonderful people, they almost offset the one Republican I know!!!

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 03:51 PM

Jeez, Bert, can ya tell how long it's been since I've had hamsters in my cat-owned house? The last time was in 1974, when my old lady Siamese figured out how to open the cage and was toying with them all in my houseplants, no injuries, just terrified. This was the same cat who once caught an emerald hummingbird and brought it to me unscathed. I held it until it got over the shock and it took off. Incredible moment. Sorry, if any hamster babies got lost in the cedar, BillD!

Guy, I have some best friends who grew up in and still live in Stonington! And, I am pretty sure I remember your friend's name, actually may have spoken to him a couple of times, if it's who I am thinking of! We lived in Mystic from 1987-1993, lotta fun! AND, I am so glad to hear of where Tovah is! I wasn't able to find anything out about a year ago when I tried to track her down. I always enjoyed visiting with her whenever my brother and I went up. Please tell her hello from the composer, Del Hudson and his sister, Katey.

VERY sorry to hear about Adelma Grenier Simmons at Caprilands. I have some of her books from back in the 70's and had the pleasure of meeting her. I am sure, given her feelings for nature, etc. that her spirit lingers at her beautiful refuge. Grateful I met her.

Bonus that you live so close to Sandy and Caroline! Now...decisions, decisions....do we move to the nw coast of Oregon or go back to New England.....Aarrgghhhh!!!

Thread creep lives! Sorry, phoaks!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Bert
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 04:10 PM

I used to keep mice (amongst other animals) and learned about cedar shavings the hard way. Just hope that spreading these wonderful snippets of knowledge might help some other 'catters with their pets.

Bert, (BTW, shouldn't that be ghoaks?)

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 05:35 PM

Bert: LOL! You are good! Glad you and Tree are under the same roof, again! And, truly, I never, ever used cedar chips...that was just what came ot mind for the joke. Ghoaks....don't try this at home with your little critters! Bert is right! Seriously...thanks, Bert.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Wow what a summer!!
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 06:53 PM

well, last week I DID have cedar shavings-made two Eastern Red Cedar artsy bowls......but no Hamster would survive loose in this house..the cat LIKES small beasties like that...we keep them hamsters working upstairs so I can talk to you all...but don't be calling the SPCA, they get a break twice a day to knaw stuff

(and I am currently covered with Holly shavings)

yep...cedar is NOT good for small animals, just as walnut chips/shavings are very dangerous to horses...and MANY types of wood dust are bad for people,,,I am allergic to 'most' rosewoods...(just getting over rash now)