BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia

Subject: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:20 PM

In a very few days I will be leaving Virginia. Mrrzy and BeauDangles will have to fend for themselves from now on. I leave with the certainty that they are up to the task of keeping the Mudcat alive in Virginia.

At the end of next week I will be heading to West Virginia to live with and care for my mom. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to pay back a small portion of the debt I owe her. God knows she took care of me when I was much younger. Now that she is well past 80, the roles are reversed.

Mom's farm consists of some 200 acres of West Virginia. As most of you know, West Virginia is not quite heaven, but, I am told that the area code is the same. Certainly the farm is exemplary of what you might expect there.

Bill Sables has spent some time at the farm and knows that I will be having the time of my life. David C. (who, you might remember, was unable to accompany Bill and me on our Adventure last month,) lives nearby and will be dropping in to pick some music with me. I hope that some other 'Catters might feel inclined to do the same.

My info on the resource page as to how to find me has already been updated. And of course you know you will always find me here at the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:34 PM

Stonewall Jackson country, eh?

I hope to make it out to Sperryville again, next June - I'll try to arrange time to make a trip out your way, if you're still available, and the scheduling God smiles on us!

Best wishes to you, and your Mom, on the move.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:35 PM

Allan, I know how you've been looking forward to this move. Best of luck and blessings for you and your mom- does she know how lucky she is?

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:58 PM

Oh, Allan, that sounds like so much fun and just lovely. I recently found out some of my ancestors came from parts of early Virginia, Augusta County, which wound up being in West Virginia. One day I would love to come out and find more about them.

Lucky mom...getting such a wonderful son and a serenade, too....blessed be, my friend,

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: annamill
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:12 PM

That's wonderful Allan. You're a good man, but I always knew it. 200 acres huh? Sounds like a wonderful place for Mudcat's tenth anniversary. Does your Mom like music and intinerent musicians? I miss you and David. Please give him my love. Good luck.

Love (and you know I mean it), Annap 2

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:14 PM

Allan,
Enjoy your new surroundings. If there is a cave with hot and cold running water on the property (preferably on top of a mountain) I am in the market for a rental.
How lucky your Mom is to be able to stay in her home with someone who loves her. Best of luck.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:24 PM

I don't know what part of West Virginia you will be moving to, but I would like to recommend Shepherdstown, which is in Jefferson County in the eastern panhandle, as a place to find good music. There is always something going on here for music lovers.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:29 PM

Shepherdstown is where Col Wm Monaghan died, late in the Civil War. He had been born in Ireland, and was 46 Yyears old when he drummed up the 6th Louisiana regiment out of New Orleans. He was one of two Irish born commanders of the regiment and a genuine hero.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:30 PM

sorry for the thread creep ... I guess I was just having a 'moment'!

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:32 PM

Alan, big decision. Heather and I wish you all the best.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:46 PM

Allan-

Best of luck. Are you anywhere near Charlestown? I get out there every year.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 02:05 PM

Allan, best wishes to you and your Mom - she sure did a great job raising you, and you did a great job getting raised!

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 02:39 PM

*sniff* - BeauDangles, got any beer to cry into?

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: BeauDangles
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 03:53 PM

Well, gee whiz, lot's of mixed emotions about this.

I am sorry you are moving away just as I was getting to know you, but that is a small thing really, cuz I can keep getting to know you thru the Cat.

I think what you are doing is a beautiful, loving thing. I hope this opportunity results in a deepening of what must already have been a very good relationship. And it sounds like a really cool place to live. I hope you have the opportunity to hit the dances at Shepherdstown, and the various workshops at Davis & Elkins every summer (Irish week, Dance week, blues week, etc.)

Mrrzy, let's try to find some time to take Allan out for a few beers, or better yet, some hard cider. When do you leave, Allan? I will be out of town Saturday, but Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...any of those would be good. Whaddya say, one for the road?

BeauD

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Pene Azul
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 03:57 PM

Allan, you're a fine man and a fine musician. Best of luck to you.

PA

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 04:07 PM

An urbane sophisticate like yourself living in the hollers? Sounds great! Will you be anywhere near the New River? I used to kayak there.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 04:07 PM

Yes, Allan, where in WVA are you headed. Remember, if you stay there too long, one leg grows shorter than the other so you can navigate the hills better.

Roger in Baltimore (who has some property in WVA in Paw Paw; actually Marge and her sisters own it. Wonderful piece of wooded hillside just a few mile from the Potomac. Unfortunately it was originally accessed by a county road. In the '30's the State Government took over all of the county roads and they let this one go. Now you can only get there by crossing someone else's property)

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Les B
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 04:12 PM

Allan - good luck in your new endeavor. Hope you'll find time to get back to Montana soon. Remember the Arabic proverb: "If you carry your mother on your back to and from Mecca seven times, you haven't begun to repay her !"

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: bbelle
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 04:39 PM

Before my sojourn to mudcatville, I spent a wonderful, relaxing, soulful weekend in Charlottesville with Allan. He fed my tummy and my soul. We've been making beautiful music together, now, for almost a year, and we did some of that, too. (Y'll know what I mean by that ... in the literal sense.) He made it possible for me to meet Mrzzy and the three of us sang every song we knew. We took a wonderful drive through Virginia's byways to the "farm." It is beautiful and peaceful and the sense of space and freedom is phenomenal. His mother is a delightful woman, who possesses a lot of "true grit" and caring. Allan has made a wise decision ... for himself and for his mother.

Allan is a dear friend ... one of my "treasures," whom I would never have met but for the Mudcat Cafe. I would wish for everyone a friend, such as he ... unconditional caring and not afraid to shake the tree when the need arises.

Allan ... as always, the distance is but a mere phone call, "net" connection, day's drive, or 2-hour air trip ... you are always welcome at moonchild's parlour of music, merrymaking, and comfort food. Oh, hell ... let's be truthful, here ... my dad likes you better than me ...

love ... jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 05:07 PM

...and we sure hope to see you at the Getaway...hope this doesn't alter THOSE plans.....

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: bill\sables
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 05:35 PM

Great News Allan Give Mom my regards Bill

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 05:37 PM

All the fine things about you have been said Allan and I can only echo the good wishes and thoughts of everyone else. It is a big move on your part and I'm proud to know a man with the courage and compassion to make it.....the epitome of the word, gentleman.

And NOW.........Say, I killed a couple of WVa's State Birds today. Gawddamn flies!

Spaw (who has actually BEEN to Paw Paw, by accident, and also to Ansted, again by accident, which is the birthplace of Stonewall's MOTHER ferchrissakes. I know every town needs a claim to fame, but I always felt that was stretching it. I seem to have had a lot of ccidents in West By Gawd Virginia)

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 06:03 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 08:49 PM

God bless you, Allan, and your mom.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Allan C.
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 09:37 PM

I have just (finally!) gotten the computer hooked up out here in the sticks. I had to run a drop chord for about a quarter of a mile just to plug it in. *G* Just kidding. Bill and Jenny know that I'll be in the lap of luxury - th' branch water pours right into th' sink! And indoor toilets!! But we ain't got no cement pond.

Now that I have the IMPORTANT stuff moved up here, I'll be heading back to Charlottesville to work three more days at my job. And then I am loading up my stuff and heading west!

I have been telling Mom about all of the caring friends I have here and have passed onto her some of your remarks from this thread. Thank you all for your good wishes.

Today is the first time Mom has ever even SEEN a computer. So, naturally, I had to show her the Mudcat first. And then I totally blew her mind when I showed her the Mudcat radio show of June 21st which featured, among others, her very own blue-eyed boy! She was also pleasantly surprised to see Bill on the show and to hear him sing. She really liked that! Tomorrow, I'll probably show her the one with Moonchild on it. Little by little she will get to know you guys a little better. She has always liked folk music, ya know.*g*

My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains...

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 10:14 PM

Oh, Allan and MudCat Mom, good luck to you both. Can't help but think of that (schmaltzy) John Denver song; "I hear the radio callin' me......." And, Allan, good luck with selling David's guitar. If it won't sell well here, try Elderly Instruments. They do consignments. Is David not able to play anymore, or has he another guitar? I hope he can still play............Love ya, boyo, and come back soon. There was a lot we missed seeing and saying. (Hi Mom)

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Allan C.
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:29 PM

Last night Mrrzy and BeauDangles gave me a great send-off (Does that mean the same thing on the other side of the pond?) to the western reaches of what used to all be called Virginia. Oddly (but pleasantly) we never quite got around to doing any music. We spent almost the entire time discussing non-musical topics and many of the people who make the Mudcat what it is. (Were your ears burning?!) Anyway, it was a fine evening well-spent in getting to know each other better, discussing thoughts about the local folk scene and my plans for how to spend my time in West Virginia. I'll officially take up residence there on Friday the 4th.

Thanks, Mrrzy & Beau!

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: folk1234
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 03:29 PM

Very little I can add. Your a fine gentleman, Allan. It was our great pleasure to meet you and Bill on your famous journey. Enjoy life on the farm. I know we'll sing together again.

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: jeffp
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 03:48 PM

Allan - it's a good thing that you are doing. Let us know what part of West by God Virginia you are in. If you are in Randolph or Barbour County I can put you in touch with some fine people who play music.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 03:54 PM

Well Allan, get back on as soon as you arrive so we know you are safe and sound. And don't forget the the three "R's" they teach in WVa schools: Readin', Ritin', and Route 33 to Ohio.

Be safe.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Allan C. - formerly of Virginia
From: Allan C.
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 05:44 PM

Okay, a lot of people have been asking so I'll tell you. I will be in Hardy County. If you look at a map that shows Winchester, Virginia, cast your gaze to the left about 50 miles or so. That's about where I will be.