A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick

Subject: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:26 AM

It's hard to believe, imo, that a whole year has passed since Rick left to teach the angels how to sing or pick or something.:-)

Anyway, I'd just like to say, let's all raise a glass to him, take a quiet moment, sing a song, or pick a tune and send it out to him and to Heather on this day. She and I had a neat visit on the phone yesterday and it sounds as though she has a good day planned with good friends.

So, here's to you, Rick. We miss you and love you and hope you are having a good time and that you've had the chance to hang out with Quentin Crisp!*bg*

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:37 AM

If time heals all wounds, it is taking its own sweet time about it. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: kendall
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 08:59 AM

This is going to take a LONG time.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: gnu
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:10 AM

Odd. I was just looking at his pic's in the member's photos. Rest in Peace, Rick.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:22 AM

I am having a hard time reconciling my beliefs about life after death and some recent events. Rick is with us in more than his music. And he is very peaceful.
SINS

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: KathWestra
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:34 AM

Miss you, dear friend. You gave so much, and our world is the better for it. Here's to you, and the times we all shared. Here's to all the things you were to so many...and still are in our hearts. Agreeing with Peter and Kendall that the hole you left still feels very large after a year. Thanks, Katkin, for starting this. xo

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 10:24 AM

"Just like it was yesterday, I hear the churchbells toll
And time it takes forever and the hours slowly roll.
Though they tell me passing days surely heal an aching soul
My tears could fill the harbours of home."

Raising too many glasses to too many absent friends lately.

But Rick is still here in his music and in the volumes of good advice he left in the Mudcat archives.

Linn

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 10:31 AM

As I stumble for my morning coffee, my eyes fall on this thread. And as I try to decide how to put words around what I want to say, my eyes fall to the bottom of the page where it reads "singing telegrams nationwide with many costumes gorilla and chickens"

I remember, and I'm smiling once again. It's been a hell of a year.

Tinker

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 11:11 AM

This is the sort of anniversary I don't want to acknowledge.
It's also the sort of anniversary I find impossible NOT to acknowledge. In the past year, I repeatedly told myself I was 'getting back to normal' and repeatedly wasn't. This once-in-a-lifetime friend enters my life and is there for a little more than three years. SO not enough time, but the folks that knew him for 5 or 15 or 20 years probably don't feel like they had enough time with him either.

I want to believe the universe owes me something, and it doesn't.
Fate doesn't, society doesn't, and even people don't owe me, and this is hard to accept because it just ISN'T FAIR! The only person who I can demand fairness from is me, and I'm not too sure about me.

For time to heal, the dangerous edge of memory has to be dulled. Memories have to be allowed to be memories instead of reminders of what's gone and examples of how life should be.

Heather, Peter and those of you who'll be together today, I'm thinking about you and Rick too. Imagine Rick saying, "Hey - I know that waiter. His name's Apu. Go ahead and ask him for some more water." Imagine him inquiring as to where his East Indian drag clothing has gotten to...

The funny thing? Tinker pointed out the Google ad for singing telegrams a la gorllas and chickens.

Right now, for me, it reads:
Wound Care -- singing telegrams
It's just weird enough to me to seem significant, even if the meaning exists only in my head. I dunno. There's probably some logical explanation, but if I choose to find meaning in coincidence, it's my bidness.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Dave Swan
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 11:48 AM

I was awake at about 0230 this morning and Rick crossed my mind.

Best wishes to Rick, whatever he's up to.

Best wishes to Heather and Peter and the rest left behind.

D

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 12:55 PM

There are very few people I have known in my life that I can just see walking into a room, or singing a song or making a joke...but Rick tops that list. About the very first set of pics in the Mudcat 'event' photos was Rick's concert in DC, where he sat around and picked with us afterwards, and discussed how to modify an autoharp with me. ...As usual, he went from being a stranger to someone you felt you'd known forever in just a couple of hours.

A day...a year...10 years...forever.....it won't make any difference to those who knew him--so very much Rick remains with us .

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Amos
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 01:14 PM

I think "SInging Telegrams -- Chicken or Gorilla Costume" is just the sort of ad Rick would put under a thread of his!! :D Weird, huh?? :)

It's awful good to know he was here, no matter how sad his absence.


A

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Justa Picker
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 02:34 PM

Bless Him.
Sorely sorely missed.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 03:29 PM

One glass is not enough.

~S~

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 04:13 PM

Sinsull, I'm glad, and not surprised.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 05:08 PM

One day I will have a Laskin guitar and somewhere on it will be a picture of Rick on it.

I miss him more than I can say here. This is one of the few times the ole Big Mick is without words. Peter had the right of it, as is usual. I am not sure I have enough time left.

Mick

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Stewie
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:09 PM

Strangely enough, yesterday (20th here in Oz) I was talking to a record collector friend of mine who told me he had just got hold of some MP3s from the obscure recording session by Snoozer Quinn in hospital. The mention of that name immediately made me think of Rick Fielding. Quinn was one of Rick's guitar heroes. Rick's postings are solely missed.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:34 PM

"A once in a lifetime friend". Jeri, you said it all.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Col K
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 07:03 PM

Although I never met Rick in person I know how he affected so many people, that I feel like I knew him. His postings here are missed by all and his friendship is missed by the many who actually met him.

Raise a glass or two in memory of Rick and think of Heather and Peter as well.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Justa Picker
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:51 PM

Tune into CIUT Radio tomorrow nite between 7 and 8 pm, EST.

There's going to be a special show dedicated to Rick.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:54 PM

Thanks for that, JP.

I am sorry if this reminder caused anyone more pain.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 03:10 AM

Thinking. Remembering. Remembering. No words that speak well enough.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: mooman
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 04:04 AM

Done Kat. May he continue to R.I.P. and best wishes to Heather.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 04:12 AM

I still come across things and think "I must tell Rick..." and realise I can't.
I hope Heather is coping.
RtS

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:05 PM

Just refreshing this because the show's on now.

Kat, somebody needed to start the thread!

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:10 PM

Wow - recorded Rick gig!

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:23 PM

Just got to the computeur--great stuff...

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:25 PM

One more post, then I'll stop. JustaPicker's on the show, as is Paul Mills, Tony Quarrington, Peter T, and the're jamming just like in da old days. Very nice music guys!

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:30 PM

I'm glad you did Jeri, it's nice to know your on the other side of this ethernet...

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 08:25 PM

Zach (11) sat with me and explored how many different ways he could get Windows Media to visualize the music. Then as Moses began Hobo's Lullabye he crawled in my chair and sang along with me.... great mix of live performance and live recordings of Rick. Thanks.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 10:04 PM

Tks, Jeri.:-)

I missed the show, 'twas midst phone calls with rounds of docs, 'til time'd passed for tunin' in...which actually will have been a good thing, as it means my Dream Team is hard at work.:-) BUT, dammit, it sounds like I missed a wonderful show. Anyone tape the whole thing or know if it'll be archived?

Thanks, again!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 10:22 PM

Alan....Denny.....Rick.................I quit celebrating the days of their passings as I have found that time makes no difference and pain doesn't care.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 11:46 PM

I was poking around the photo pages this evening and noticed a page for memorial photos. Maybe one of the Joe Clones will link to Rick's photo from there also?

SRS

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 11:48 PM

To Rick!!!

The ---------

May the spawn of his spaw rest forever within the claw of a cat everlaughing.

Sincerely,

Gargoyle

let us see the clonenas ...spurinius thus in a thread non-spurulus!!!

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 11:50 PM

"Here's to you my rambling boy
May all your rambling bring you joy"

and here's to the joy your rambling brought us
and the power your voice gave to our sails

May your light forever shine,
High on a mountain

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Justa Picker
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:28 PM

The show was so much fun, and yet bittersweet....but with the live excerpt clips, it was as if HE was right there in the studio with us.

It saddens me though that this thread didn't garner more attention - not talking about the radio show.   :-(   

(I'm also wondering exactly how long you have to be deceased to be listed in the Memorial section of this place?)

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:33 PM

I met Rick Fielding at the first Getaway Edmund and I attended, only -- what -- four or was it five years ago? He was the guy who said "Hi!" as if he had been waiting for hours for us to show up. The next year, I poked a tentative finger at the mandolin he was waving around, and he thrust it into my arms and downright bullied me into learning three chord shapes ...

Today, I'm-a gunna go home after work and spend the evening playing tunes on my lovely mandolin.

Thanks, Rick.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: jeffp
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:38 PM

Just spotted this thread. I am still saddened by the loss of a man I never got to meet yet still feel I knew. Mudcat was richer for his having passed through here on his way to eternity.

Jeff

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 04:01 PM

I really miss the guy and still sometimes find it hard to believe he's gone, just when we were getting to know him. We actually spent the day at another friend's deathbed, playing music to ease his passing. Four of us with instruments and voices stood around the bed and sang our hearts out, hymns, jolly tunes, everything. Of course I also thought of Rick and the sad anniversary of his death. I guess we all need to get used to facing this living and dying, since we all have to go there someday, unless they think of something real soon...

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 07:18 PM

Justa, what would you put on a memorial page for Rick?

It isn't there (in my opinion), not because Jeff doesn't care enough but because he cares too much. A stark page with a picture and dates... it wouldn't be enough, it wouldn't be right, and it would be done. So what would you put on the page?

As far as the thread getting little response, I think some people feel bad Rick's gone, but just didn't know him that well, while others may just not feel like talking.

The show sounded to me like the sadness is losing ground to the joy in music and life that Rick inspired and was inspired by. This is good.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 07:47 PM

just because....

(if anyone does want to make a special page anywhere, I have a number of nice pics to offer...)

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 07:47 PM

I think of him often too. Mudcat and I are the richer for having Rick around.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:43 PM

nice pic, Bill ... thanks

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:46 PM

Ain't it though, Beef Bro? Some good memories there for me. Him in that hat is what will be on my Laskin someday.

Mick

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: John Hardly
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:59 PM

I won't pretend that I knew the guy, but he was one of the best reasons to log on and read the threads here.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Justa Picker
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 09:38 PM

And here's how he be looking at all of us now for grieving over him. :-)

(From my personal photos/Feb. 2002)

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 09:44 PM

He's sorely missed, that's all I can say. He made a huge contribution to our lives.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 10:10 PM

More great pictures of Rick for those who want them

(Photos taken by our own hesperis)

[Miss you, Rick]

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 11:15 PM

JP, my guess is that this thread is getting a lot of attention. Judging by me, anyway. I've been missing my brother a lot lately so when I check this thread the tears are already close. The love and loss shows clearly in this thread...

I wish I had figured out a balance between acceptance and resistance.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:14 AM

That's my Ebbie. That last line deserves a song. Think I will go to work on it.

Mick

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 01:39 AM

sniff...

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 10:33 PM

great photos folks are linking to. Thanks.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 10:55 PM

Trust they have planted a tree overhead to nourish on the rudiments of his essentials.

Two score Centurium will the resonating guitar .... entomb ....an auditorium....or embelish the bathroom panels of a nobel's house?

Sincerely,

Gargoyle

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 11:09 PM

I was listening to This One's the Dreamer just the other day and I have to say I got a little teary eyed listening to the last song on that album. Mainly I knew Rick through his postings here, and through his music, and I still have those when ever I want them. I mainly miss the attitude he had...the man was unembarrassedly kind and honest,and you could tell he just naturally liked and trusted people. I always thought I'd get to meet him someday, and still hope so. Until then, I am sure I'll continue to see his comments in the threads, and be gladdened that, in some way, he'll always be part of the conversation here.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 11:48 PM

more pics..from Getaway-Oct.2001

early Friday night

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA192871.JPG (same...change #)

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA192872.JPG   (same...change #)

early Sat morning..getting acquainted

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA202878.JPG (same)

at stringed instrument workshop

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA212913.JPG (same)

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA212914.JPG (same)

http://home.comcast.net/~somethingextree/Getaway/remembering_RickF/PA212920.JPG   (same)

one I don't think I had posted before of "The Guitar Lesson" (Rick had slipped off into a corner to help Amanda, a beginner, with basics instead of heading off to jam.)


and last...Rick, looking like he wishes his 'partners' had practiced more..*grin*

it was a good time

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Peter T.
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:20 AM

Thanks Bill D., that photo of the Guitar Lesson says about everything one wanted to say about why.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 11:16 PM

I get moist every time someone open an old thread and there's a Rick contribution..
but it's a GOOD moist. Thanks for all the threads, Rick.

Seamus

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 03:32 AM

I am one of many here who never had the good fortune to meet Rick face to face. I have been missing his presence here for over a couple of years now, when it became clear that illness was restricting his very welcome contributions. I have an album of his wonderful musicianship, which he kindly took the time to send me when he had enough other problems to deal with.
He did have a warped sense of humour, which I was not alone in enjoying. What made him so exceptional here, was that he was able to express it so unabashedly, but without a trace of spite. I guess we were lucky to have him around. I wish it could have been for a lot longer.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:51 AM

once, again - Great pics, Bill. Thanks for posting 'em.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Willie-O
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 09:50 AM

Here's to you Rick. Sorely missed at the Mudcat and wherever folksingers gather...

I drive past Rick and Heather's house--well, Heather's house--every Friday on my delivery route, which always causes me to think of Rick and wonder how Heather's getting on--glad to hear she is keeping up the radio show. (I don't stop in though cause I don't want to disturb, and I am terrified of that driveway on busy Kingston Road.)

I'd play a tune for Rick on his old guitar, but I can't, cause it's on loan to a singing friend in Toronto who was sadly bereft of a guitar due to hard economic times. Appropriate enough I guess. The only request he ever made of me about that instrument was to play "Leezy Lindsay" on it sometimes cause that was the first song he ever sang to Heather in a courting way--can't you just picture the scene? (Sniffles here.)

Best
Bill

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,McKnees
Date: 03 Apr 05 - 06:38 PM

I just wanted to say thanks to all who posted the photos. It was lovely to look through them and remember the smiles.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: GUEST,Angie
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 03:17 PM

Rick's been on my mind a lot lately as I've been trying to pick up the ol' mandolin again. I haven't touched it since my last lesson with the man. It's hard, but I know it must be done. Will never forget him.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 11:12 PM

Good for you, Angie.

McKnees, it's so good to see you here. Thanks for sharing.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 09:17 AM

A shame the photo links have expired.

RtS

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Bert
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 09:24 AM

The bugger still owes me a guitar lesson.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 07:39 PM

Still remembered, still missed. Every now and then someone opens up an old thread, and it's great, in a sad way, to run up against him once more.

Subject: RE: A year, already - Raise a glass to Rick
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 07:48 PM

Better be good, Bert, 'cause you're going to have to get thru the Pearly Gates to get that lesson...

B~