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Marion's busking tour
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: michaelr Date: 16 Nov 03 - 06:03 PM So Marion -- you won't be coming to the NorCal coast area then? Santa Rosa is only about 3 hours from open mike's place, and you're certainly welcome here. Cheers, Michael |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: mg Date: 15 Nov 03 - 10:32 PM Cool....and we haven't heard from our Italian friend lately...are you still planning a trip? mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: open mike Date: 15 Nov 03 - 08:41 PM Marion is a great embassador (ambassador?) for folk music. Marion is keeping us all connected as she weaves her way around gathering stories sharing songs and reminding us that life is goods and friends are essential!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 15 Nov 03 - 05:11 PM Marion's picture was in the Torrington newspaper last week. After I get permission from her, I will e mail it to Pene... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 15 Nov 03 - 05:04 PM Hello gang. Here I am on Open Mike's old hippie commune. I ended up in California by mistake (thought I was getting on a bus to Las Vegas, but landed in Los Angeles instead) and came up north to see OM before winter descends. It's been a great time here trading songs and having new experiences: salmon-watching, newt-catching, Paltalking, CD-recording, trench-digging, woodstove-using, and going in the back of the library just as if I was a real librarian. We have gone to one house concert and plan on another tonight, after having a sauna. Then later tonight it's back on the bus for a few more days of wandering, then to Denver to see Mudcatter Rex (if I can find it, that is. Maybe I'll end up in Dunsmuir or something.) Love, Marion (Concow, California) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: open mike Date: 13 Nov 03 - 03:23 PM The first day of Maid Marion's visit here was my day to drive the book mobile so i left her off at the library while I visited several small communities around the county and then we had a small jam session with my musical friend Bob before going to a delightful house concert given by another travellinig Canadian female musician Margaret Christl!! Marion opened the second set with some wonderful fiddle tunes and a good time was had by all! http://www.mgl.ca/~jhcole/mc/mcHome.html she has a recording on folk legacy, our own dear Sandy and Caroline's label: http://www.folklegacy.com/cd/cd62.htm Margaret Christl's concert was a wonderful way to welcome Maid Marion! Margaret is no longer associated with water bug music, but they have some audio files on their page; http://www.waterbug.com/christl_songs.html |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 12 Nov 03 - 08:51 PM I carried guitar and fiddle--together, both weigh nothing. Both less than my own fiddle and MUCH less than a banjo and case....didn't try the backpack.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: mg Date: 12 Nov 03 - 08:20 PM SHe travels well, but she doesn't travel light..I tried picking up her pack and couldn't lift it..not to mention the guitar and fiddle... mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Rex Date: 12 Nov 03 - 01:02 PM Our Marion is sure skilled at touring. She must travel light. I will just check here now and then to find out where on earth she is. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: katlaughing Date: 12 Nov 03 - 10:51 AM Thanks, Laurel, I was just wondering where she'd got to! But, as far as I know she didn't go east. She went southwest from eastern Wyoming, to western Colorado. Last I knew, she was catching the bus from there (my "here") on Monday afternoon and wasn't sure where she was going, but probably south, i.e. warmer.:-) She had talked about New Mexico. I'd asked if she didn't mind backtracking and she said no...the bus pass gets her almost anywhere and she doesn't mind crisscrossing at all. What a great experience! Great fun! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: open mike Date: 12 Nov 03 - 12:15 AM whew--a whirlwind tour... methinks our dear marion may have run into a big wind and been driven off course. got a call from Lost Angeles this morn and she is due in northern california in a few hours...not sure how going east from wyoming brings one around to Lat/long 39N/121W, but i will be interested in finding out... meanwhile, thanks for the hint, Sorcha, got some soy milk in the fridge to greet her! will send reports.,...and perhaps do a Pal talk session-- alert! be on the alert! will announce before hand so people can log on.. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: GUEST,Rex on the work 'puter Date: 10 Nov 03 - 08:15 AM Wheesh! Idiot! Belay that. We are playing on, now when is that? We are playing between 6 and 9. PM. On Friday, the 21st. Yes, that's right. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Rex Date: 09 Nov 03 - 11:51 PM It's good to hear that you've gotten to see Kat. I still have to get out to Grand Junction and see her new diggins. And you got it all wrong about Catspaw. He's a dyed-in-the-wool Buckeye. Same as me. I've just strayed a bit far from that "cradle of civilization", the lovely state of Ohio. To any catters in the area, here is where Marion and I will be playing the evening of the 19th: Aspen Perk Cyber Cafe Coffeehouse with high speed internet access. Couches, business and leisure meeting areas, kids play area. Live music every Saturday night. Computer and website consulting services also available. Address: 25797 Conifer Rd., Unit B-102 Conifer, Colorado 80433 Phone: 303-816-4339 Well that's what thet say about it. If you need maps and such, let me know. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: katlaughing Date: 09 Nov 03 - 07:09 PM This has been a wonderful day! Marion has a lovely voice, very sweet and I love her original songs! All of you cat lovers need to hear her parody of Cocaine Blues!! Your cats will thank her for it.:-) More later! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 09 Nov 03 - 06:24 PM Rex, I have just sent you a PM with the long answer. The short answer is yes. I'm here at Kat's house of cats (balancing out all that dog energy from Wyoming, you know.) We've had a nice leisurely day chatting and trading songs with Kat's friends and relations, and debating whether Catspaw is a Yankee or a Southerner. Cheerio, Marion (Grand Junction, Colorado) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: open mike Date: 09 Nov 03 - 03:05 PM conifer is on the front range: Serving the Colorado Front Range Communities of Conifer, Bailey, Pine, Pine Junction, Evergreen, and Morrison and the radio staion that Kat was mentioning is in Grand Junction. there's some hills between the two. (rocky mountains!) The Radio Room at KAFM, located at 1310 Ute Avenue in Grand Junction, is up and running. This intimate 75 seat smoke-free room is sure to become the premier spot for quality musical performances. There is not a bad seat in the house and everyone is close to the stage. We are proud to announce the following scheduled concerts which are all benefits for KAFM Community Radio. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Rex Date: 09 Nov 03 - 02:33 PM So where in Colorado is Marion headed, West? middle? South? Marion? Sorcha? Kat? I have a gig for us at at coffeehouse in the Conifer area for Friday, the 21st. Can you make that one Marion? It's all set with a sound system and such. I need to hear back from you before I have them send out the ads and flyers. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:22 PM And, she's OFF! Heading for Colorado this evening. I am home from the bus station safe and sound. All you Catters out there, remember, the door is always open here and the coffee is always on. Come on Down!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: katlaughing Date: 08 Nov 03 - 05:13 PM Yea! Sunday morning music and a good visit! Marion, I know you probably won't see this, but I ran into a guitar picker at the bakery, today, and invited him over for tomorrow, too. Sounded pretty good and plays a slew of stuff, some might be more pop, but he's got the requisite gray ponytail, hat, etc. and is known around the Valley as "musicman." It's his only day off, but he said he'd call and might find some time to join in. We've got a couple of other sometime musicians coming, too, besides some of my family. Enjoy your ride over the Rockies! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 08 Nov 03 - 02:58 AM Thanks gang. I hope nobody followed Kat's link above to listen to the radio program - I decided to skip it, but it didn't occur to me to tell y'all so till this evening. Sorry for any inconvenience. I have had a pleasant time at Sorcha's (also known as Chaos Central - she has a very busy life chauffeuring and period-costuming the townsfolk), especially playing with the dogs and sitting in on two of her fiddle club's gigs. Tomorrow it's off to Colorado. Love, Marion |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: GUEST,Obie Date: 06 Nov 03 - 10:47 AM Marion, I'm surprised that you indicate that our American friends are still running on the 60 minute hour. The international dec-hour is so much more computer friendly! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Miken Date: 06 Nov 03 - 12:15 AM Marion, Thanks for keeping us posted. I look in here regularly. Mike |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: mg Date: 04 Nov 03 - 11:39 PM here is for a sunny day (ha ha) 90 will be pretty hot 80 will be nice 70...nice..long sleave maybe 60..getting brisk 50..brisker 40...chilly 30 cold 20 really cold..need good jacket 10..need mittens, muffs etc. on rainy day.. here in NW..probably won't be above 55...it will be probably between 40 and 55 and will be damp and chilly... mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Amos Date: 04 Nov 03 - 09:15 PM F = C * 9/5 + 32 Regards, Amos |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Mudlark Date: 04 Nov 03 - 08:17 PM Hi Marion.. I think a quick, rough way of converting C to F is... Take cent. temp, double it and add 40 to get approx F temp. It will be within a few degrees. Hope that helps....have fun! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 04 Nov 03 - 08:03 PM Mary, at the South Bend museum I picked up an article about Bertha Allison. She came to Washington from Missouri by herself when she was 18 to teach school at Nemah and South Bend. All: Cross-cultural information needed to get around America. I'm familiar with miles, and pounds, and feet, and the 60 minute hour, but I don't know anything about Fahrenheit temperatures (other than -40 and +451, of course). Can someone tell me how to do the conversion? Thanks, Marion |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Rex Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:35 PM I should like to be up visiting Sorcha myself. I miss her fiddling. Do keep us posted on your whereabouts and plans. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: mg Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:10 PM cool...what is the song about????? mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 04 Nov 03 - 10:55 AM Hello gang! I am here at Sorcha's house; got in yesterday and was very glad to see a bed after four nights on the highway. We have been jamming (I tried out the famous Maggie)and making plans, and I have played with her amazing upside-down fighting dogs and gone to visit cute grandson Owen. Before leaving Long Beach I went to see a cranberry harvest where Mary Garvey works, and listened to Gordon Bok sing some of her songs (I especially liked a Stan-Rogers-esque song about Newfoundland). Mary, the song I'm working on now is set in Nemah/South Bend so it'll be sisters with your oyster song. Katlaughing and Rex, I will PM you each shortly. I've done very little busking over the last week, though, as it's getting too cold and snowy. After I visit the Colorado contingent it'll be time to head for the real south. Love, Marion (Torrington, Wyoming) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:50 PM We are having a great time! Played some music getting used to each other, cooked a (sort of vegetarian) dinner, but I added a venison roast which Marion didn't partake of. Walked over and played with Owen a bit, tomorrow night we are playing at the local nursing home. Rex we will get in touch with you. Think Marion is leaving Cheyenne on Sat. eve, 8 Nov. to go to kats house. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Rex Date: 03 Nov 03 - 06:23 PM Sorry to be so late in jumping in. I was playing at an Irish pub near here on Saturday with scottish fiddler, Loretta Thompson and mandolin marvel Charlie Provenza. I just got a call from the owner of the place saying there's another scottish fiddler that will be there tonight. She couldn't recall the name so I mentioned Marion. Nope, but when is Marion coming around she wants to know? So, Marion, if there is a time this week or next week that you could come to the Conifer area. Karen of Sweet Fanny Adam's Irish Pub would like for you to drop in. They don't have much in the way of money but they have rooms to put you up in their resort. Fine eats and great hospitality. And plenty of Guinness and single malt. I would be happy to accompany on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, whatever. Please let me know. You can drop a line here, or PM me, or email me (timetravelmusic@yahoo.com) or call (sent by PM) This could be fun. Rex |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 01 Nov 03 - 03:10 PM (If I had MudCat company more often, my house would stay cleaner!) Sorch, cleaning like a madwoman |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 01 Nov 03 - 11:07 AM Marion is arriving here on Monday, 3 Nov. I'm sure she'll check in! Exciting stuff! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Willie-O Date: 29 Oct 03 - 04:37 PM Ah the mystical charms of the Pacific Northwest. Where I spent my only winter ever not in Ontario (in Olympia). I'd be even more nostalgic if it hadn't been cold and raining for the past six or eight days here. It's like February in Oly. Still, I am glad to see you're having an excellent adventure Marion, and meeting all our western compadres...carry on. Bill |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Deckman Date: 29 Oct 03 - 04:23 PM Marion ... you might be lucky enough to be able to dig and cook and eat a "RAZOR CLAM." Unique to the area and simply delicious. Hi Mary! Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: mg Date: 29 Oct 03 - 04:11 PM ;hi. marion..if y6ou haven't left yet please email me the letters and I'll see if I can pop them into word and how long a document it is...also, Oysterville is an oyster town but the song was probably closer to South Bend area. mg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 29 Oct 03 - 03:45 PM Hello gang. I'm at Mary Garvey's house, by the ocean, and finding my way here was certainly worth it. She sang me an interesting original song about gathering oysters during the war blackouts, and this afternoon I'm heading off to the town in the song. I'm very much looking forward to meeting Sorcha and Katlaughing. Mick, I was listening to "Follow Me Down to Carlow" a couple of minutes ago. Mehitabel, I got your family letters - it's an embarrassment of riches - and have started reading. Great to hear from you Don and Bob, and Bob, I'll have to hear what you do with the song eventually. Love, Marion |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Deckman Date: 29 Oct 03 - 01:22 PM Kat ... I'm quite sure you'll enjoy your time with Marion. Bride Judy and I certainly did. One of the more memorable events was her sharing a song she wrote. very recently, based on some letters published from the slavery days. She wrote a very poweful song titled, "The Lily Of The South." I'm working on it now. Be sure and ask her to share it with you. CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: katlaughing Date: 29 Oct 03 - 01:15 PM Well, drat, I just got off the phone with the radio guy and they are also having someone else live that afternoon, so he said it'd be about two songs' worth of time, so Marion, ya got any long ballads? I'm thinking him changing ten minutes to two songs could be a good thing.**bg** |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: GUEST,Big Mick at work Date: 29 Oct 03 - 12:42 PM Got to get back to work, but I had to jump in and see how our Marion is doing. Glad I did. This is a great log, from a great lady. I can't wait until I get to sit down with you again and see how it has changed your music from the last time we sang together. FYI, Amergin is the name of a Poet/Bard. His "Song of Amergin" is (I think, correct me if I am wrong, Mudcatters) the oldest extant written poem. His story of how the Gaels came to Ireland is where much of the lore begins. Fascinating stuff, Friend Marion. Keep the updates coming. All the best, and safe travels, Mick |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: katlaughing Date: 29 Oct 03 - 10:48 AM It'll be warm enough here, Sorcha, for her to get some busking in, I think! This is going to be so much fun. She's going to be on the community radio station here at 2pm, Friday 7 Nov for about ten minutes. Ya'll can tune in at www.kafmradio.org. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Frivolous Sal Date: 29 Oct 03 - 02:39 AM Shall we start a thread about traveling in the 60s? I'd sure like it. Marion, I was sorry the chocolate didn't get on the pie. Now, I am just sorry. I wandered my house all day looking for chocolate, alas. Where is the song about that? It would have to be written by a woman. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Sorcha Date: 26 Oct 03 - 11:33 PM Wow! Looks like Maid Marion will be here nest week or so!Wheeeee! (It will be a bit chilly for street busking here though....) We'll try..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Deckman Date: 26 Oct 03 - 10:33 PM Don ... You are absolutly right, as usual. And actually, there is a reason that I posted this on "Maid Marion's" diary. She speaks to the obvious wisdom in traveling "smart" when you are alone on the road. I well remember that it was our perception, back in the late 50's, or whenever that Jean sailed through (French Algiers?), that a guy on the road had a much easyier time of it than a lady on the road. I suspect that, in this regard, things have not changed much in 45 years. Eh? Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Don Firth Date: 26 Oct 03 - 10:15 PM Wow! That sure dredged the old memory bucket!! If we're thinking of the same person, his name was Jean Galland. I just ran a google on the name and all I came up with was a French movie actor (1897-1967), obviously not the same guy. The guy we knew was French, he knew Rolf Cahn real well, and he also knew Lord Buckley. Must be the same person you're thinking of, because he was a real raconteur, and I'm pretty sure he did some race driving—sports cars. He could sit and regale you with stories all night long, and the beauty of it was that he was such a good story teller that you didn't even care whether the stories he was telling were true or not. I think most of them were, though. He wound up singing for several weeks at a fairly nice club downtown, a place that normally did jazz. He sang Irish, Scottish, English, and American songs with a slight French accent—not unlike Rolf Cahn singing the same stuff with a slight German accent. Often hung out at Guenter's Pastry Parlor. I remember several stories he told about Lord Buckley, but I don't want to hijack Marion's thread. (Sorry. We'll take this conversation out to the kitchen and let the singing continue here in the living room. . . .) Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Deckman Date: 26 Oct 03 - 05:59 PM Don ... What the heck was the name of that guy we knew from Europe that blew through town back in the early 60's? He spoke French, was an incredible entertainer, stole most of the wimmen we were interested in. I think I also remember that he was a car racer. He always reminded me of a male Scherazade (sp?). Ask him a question, he's start to tell you the story, and six weeks later, he was still living at your house! Hmmm? Just wondering. (I hope that Marion doesn't think I'm trying to cause her thread to creep). CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Don Firth Date: 26 Oct 03 - 03:25 PM Hi, Marion, I posted a story on Mudcat a year or so ago told by one of the folks who passed through Seattle back in the early Sixties. I couldn't find it on the 'Cat or I would just link to it, but since I saved what I wrote on disk, I'll repost it here for your enlightenment and amusement. Back in the late Fifties and early Sixties, a number of folk singer types were doing what they considered to be the mandatory pilgrimage: picking up their guitars or banjos and hitch-hiking around the country. Sort of doing the "Woody-Wander" I guess you could call it. They seem to feel that it legitimized them as "folk singers" or "wandering minstrels." Anyway, when they hit Seattle, they'd usually make their way to the University District and mosey into a music store there called "The Folklore Center" and ask if there were any gigs in town. A few of them had some pretty good stories about their adventures "On the Road."Apparently dumb questions are the order of the day when you run into the authorities while on the road. Once when Walt Robertson was hitchhiking from Seattle back to Haverford, Pennsylvania a week or so before college started in the fall, he had rolled out his sleeping bag in a farmer's field somewhere. He woke in the middle of the night with two guys from the sheriff's department standing over him. He immediately recognized the glint on the barrel of the shotgun aimed between his eyes as he blinked in the light of the big flashlight in his face. The question? "What're ya doin'?" As sleepy, scared, and irritated as he was, he wisely resisted the temptation to give them a smart-ass answer. No problem, though. Once he satisfied them that he was just a college kid on his way back to school, they left him in peace. It's undoubtedly just as well to err on the side of caution and safety. You might miss a few good adventures, but better that than have an adventure that you'd a whole lot rather not have. Good travelin'! Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 26 Oct 03 - 02:11 PM Romance! Terror! Exotic Adventure! Marion's newsletter #2, September 15 to October 26 Hello my friends. This is an account of my northwest passage through Canada and my infiltration of the American border. Administrative note: I've added some email addresses to this list, of people I've linked up with in the last month. If you'd rather not get newsletters, let me know. If you want back issues, let me know. Ontario: First stop was Toronto, where I went to stay with Shawn and Katie and Shawn's brother Blair. They are the guardians of my good guitar, so I had a joyful reunion with it. I went to the radio station to see Rick, Heather, and Peter, and to ramble about the Simpsons and SUVs on air. I went back to some of my old busking spots, and we had a fun potluck with other friends Anita and Tom. It was with some reluctance that I left Shawn and Katie's House of Good Conversation, Food, and Guitar. (I had a "Talking to Americans" moment; when arriving in Toronto, my seatmate from Maine said, "And I thought New York City was big!" When I suggested that New York is in fact bigger than Toronto, she said, "No, New York is two or three million people, and I've heard that Toronto is, like, two billion." No wonder it's so hard to get a seat on the subway.) I also went to Simcoe in southern Ontario to see my old roommate Rebecca and her dog Gypsy. We participated in a dog sport called agility, which is essentially an obstacle course, and she fed me falafel with cilantro salsa, which is my new favourite food. We went out for a sunset at Long Point beach, which we had all to ourselves despite it being a provincial park. I also visited my cousin Carol and her kids. Heading northwest, I spent a quiet Sunday wandering around Sault Ste. Marie. My next planned stop was Thunder Bay, but Monday in Thunder Bay in the pouring rain is not as appealing as you might think, so I went ahead to Winnipeg. Manitoba: In Winnipeg live my old roommate Mercy, and Will and the kids. We played Dutch Blitz, which is the best card game I know of, and listened to U2. Also in Winnipeg live my old roommate Dulcy, and Amgad and the kids. We caught up on nine years of gossip, and I learned that a couple of people I worked with in Egypt were on a fact- finding trip to Baghdad. I also made a couple of short trips from Winnipeg: to Lac Du Bonet to see my mother's cousin, and to Brandon to see a friend of my old landlady's. Saskatchewan: I went to Saskatoon, which is a nice small city and the sun made it seem very likable. Pretty good busking, too. I then went and spent an evening in North Battleford with Crystal, another roommate from Egypt nine years back. Alberta: I went to Edmonton. Then I left. British Columbia: I had a wonderful day in Prince George. While I was busking, somebody invited me to the Old-Time Fiddlers Association that evening. When I went to the community centre in advance to get the details, there was a seniors' lunch club in progress and I played for them awhile and they fed me too. That night I went to the Fiddlers thing and took turns with the other fiddlers leading the band. I was reminded of how great it is to have a good piano accompanist, and how good it feels to see people dancing to your music. Yukon: The bus ride up the Alaska Highway was its own reward, great scenery and wildlife spotting, and with a bus ride that long you start to feel bonded with the other passengers, so I had some good chats and some music sessions on the bus breaks. I was fortunate to hit Whitehorse during Indian summer, so I got some busking in. I went to an open mike by the Whitehorse Folk Society, sang a few songs, and heard some great gypsy fiddling, classical guitar, and cowboy poetry. It sure beats shooting whiskeyjacks and trees. I went to Burwash Landing with Will Jones and spent a couple of days. It's an isolated but quiet and beautiful place. British Columbia, again: I spent another evening in Prince George in passing, visiting friend-of-a-friend Kirsten. Alberta, again: I went to Jasper, a very touristy mountain town. Now I often busk in places where it's not really allowed, but usually nobody will stop me for an hour or two (if at all). In Jasper the cops shut me down in ten minutes. The interesting thing is that I had been chatting with a passerby when the cops approached, and he became quite indignant on my behalf and started mouthing off to them. I strolled off as they were demanding his ID. So I got back on the bus and rode the Icefields Highway to Banff. It's another legendary drive: through the Rockies, with glaciers just sitting there beside the road, and mountain sheep fearlessly asserting their right of way. British Columbia, yet again: I spend four days altogether in the Vancouver area, where it never stops raining, and I didn't busk a note. I don't know why everybody wants to move to Vancouver. Fortunately the visiting there was good. I spent some time getting acquainted with my favourite brother Harold, who I don't see very often. I was reunited with Sonya who lived with me in Cape Breton, and met her new husband. And I stayed with Marg Jones, had Thanksgiving dinner with her and learned about her massage practice she's opening. I also spent a few days in Victoria. I met up with Katie's sister Annie one evening. In the hostel I met a Scottish girl travelling with a guitar and spent hours swapping songs (we sang Caledonia three times). And I went on a hostel field trip to see the salmon run. It was early in the season and I only saw a half dozen salmon, but it was extremely interesting to learn about the salmon life cycle. Washington: Having obtained some advice about the delicate art of border crossings, and having disposed of my subversive literature and baggie of corn starch, I crossed the border without a search - they seemed mostly interested in whether I was carrying any beef. (I had been a little paranoid about the border, as the last time I tried to cross by bus I was turned back.) First stop was in Everett with Bob and Judy, who are internet pen pals (from my favourite site, www.mudcat.org). I had a wonderful weekend singing and talking about music, and they invited their friends - including several people I've also met on the internet - over for a jam. Oregon: I went to Portland to see Jeanene, another Mudcat pen pal and the person I got a lot of advice and inspiration from when I was getting into the business of doing music at nursing homes. We went to her song circle and I got to know her friend Lee and did some good busking. I also went out one evening with Nathan from Mudcat. In fact most of the Americans I'm acquainted with are from Mudcat, not real life. Washington, again: I went to Seattle with Jeanene and attended one of her retirement home gigs, and played a little fiddle there. Seattle seems like a nice place to live - good busking, a good folk scene (I'm planning on going to a bluegrass jam this afternoon, then a song circle tonight). And I found a restaurant with a vegan Thai buffet (why would you ever stop eating?). Overview: This has been a great month for wildlife spotting. I saw a bald eagle on the ground, beaver swimming, flock of trumpeter swans, grouse, literally dozens of mountain sheep, deer, elk, and "free-range" horses, as well as a salmon spawning run. My other encounter with nature was helping to pull porcupine quills out of a dog's nose, but I'm trying to repress that. In other bad news, I lost my towel. This might not seem like a big deal, but those of you who have read "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" will understand the symbolic and emotional significance to travellers of keeping track of one's towel, and know that this is a bad omen. But there've only been two days where I hated everybody and everything and wanted to go home, and I figure that two days in two months is an acceptable percentage. And I'm very pleased that I've gotten into the rhythm of writing on the bus and have written six and a half songs on the road so far. I continue to collect stories to write about. So take care all, write to me, have a good fall, Marion |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: Marion Date: 26 Oct 03 - 02:04 PM Was the post above from Open Mike? I haven't been to California yet. I do intend to look you up, but it'll be a while yet (I'm not going straight south). Mary Garvey, I'll respond by PM in a couple of minutes. Reggie, I've asked Genie to send you info about the bluegrass jam. I don't really know anything, I'm just trailing her around. Have thought a bit more about Don's post. The first reaction was to feel sorry for those poor suckers in the 50s and 60s who didn't have Mudcat. The next was to wonder why I don't have any "tales of wild adventures on the road" (other than the time I wrestled a husky). I guess it's because the protocols I follow to feel safe travelling as a single woman tend to make wild adventures unlikely (i.e., I don't get into cars with strangers, or impair my judgement chemically, or participate much in night life when I'm on my own, etc.). But certainly the process of screening out bad-wild adventures also screens out good-wild ones. Oh well, what are you going to do? All: when I was in Portland I met up with Amergin one evening, which was very enjoyable. We talked mostly about high school, for some reason I can't remember, and I forgot to ask him what Amergin means. I listened to parts of the Mudcat CDS, and was particularly taken with Khandu's "Cool Cup of Water" and Deni's "There I Must Lie". In Seattle I went to hear Genie doing an Octoberfest/harvest gig at a retirement home. I played a few fiddle tunes as an overture and later with her chording. Quote of the day: "Do you mind if I blow my nose on your chords?" Cheers, Marion |
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Subject: RE: BS: Marion's busking tour From: GUEST Date: 24 Oct 03 - 11:01 PM Dman you passed thru Chico CA already and narey a howdy do. |
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