Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 04:55 PM

Summer here and breakfast in the garden, ah this is living !

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 11:01 PM

French horns can play in treble, alto, and tenor clefs. In that respect I'd say they're a real pain to play! Trumpets usually play in treble clef. To paraphrase what used to be said about polygamy, "Isn't one clef enough?"

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 10:48 PM

I've heard of double and triple-tongueing. I always thought it was impressive to just have enough air to be able to play a line on a brass instrument. I think Haydn has some triple-tonguing in his trumpet concerto--or at least that's the best way to play one particular line. As I recall, Maurice Andre is (or was) a great trumpet soloist-I think I've heard the Haydn done by him--and I think heard about triple-tonguing in reference to him.   Is it true that the French horn is even harder than the trumpet?

I always thought Garrison Keillor was being unfair in his "Young Lutherans' Guide to the Orchestra" when he said something to the effect of "Most people who perished at concerts were victims of long trumpet solos--and they were glad to go." Of course he wasn't very kind to violists (nor is anybody else, of course). He said something like "Violists have a dark moody streak--maybe it's from the realization,, after decades of playing in the orchestra, that nobody can actually hear them in the audience. You think you're hearing the violas, but it's really the second violins. Violists go out to abandoned parking lots and cook chicken on wire hangers and think of absconding to Mexico with a girl named Rosa."

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 10:55 AM

Yup. Lipping is perhaps 75% of brass work. Tonguing -- double or even triple tonguing -- is perhaps 15%. I could triple tongue in High School, but these days I'd settle for playing well enough to please myself.

My brother plays trombone, bass and treble clef baritone (euphonium), and can fake it on bugle and trumpet. As I said, I just play to please myself.

It's hard to describe the lip work. You "buzz" to set up the vibrations that create the note, and the amount of pressure, smallness of the lip hole, and other things create higher or lower notes.

Consider the bugle or the hunting horn or any horn without valves and with fixed tubing -- you only have your lips and tongue to create the notes, and yet you can achieve a very wide range of sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 10:27 AM

Hi Rap and anybody else--


That's interesting about your fingers knowing the right positions. I had something similar. I play viola--therefore had to read the viola (alto) clef. Last time I played viola in a classical setting, I found the alto clef came back to me. But when I tried to read it without having the instrument in my hands, I found I couldn't read it. (Of course now it's been so long I'm afraid I couldn't read it at all. But I suppose you never know.) These days I play bluegrass and country viola--which consists of making up the harmony as you go along. It's great fun--and amazingly well appreciated.

I really like the trumpet--everything from Dixieland to the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. And sopranino--ever play that? Evidently lots of Baroque music for sopranino.   And valveless trumpet. Can they really do all the notes just by changing the configuration of the lips?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 08:28 PM

..Talking keeps people together.. My parents are both gone now, Rapaire, and my sister and my two brothers have kept the family intact. we all live in different places, but talk regularly by phone and meet up a couple of times a year.

I'm just back from Austria, where I've been listening ,talking, listening, talking, with my youngest daughter, her husband, friends & family for a month. Have been back in Oz for three days doing the same again here with my other daughter, her husband and my granddaughter.

but while I was away, I read this thread several times a week & enjoyed it so much. The only live music I heard was the local Carinthian all male choir. I saw them in the local church, where they sang hymns, gospel & some African songs (none of which i recognised), in three part harmony.

best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:43 PM

I play (when I play -- dental work has really done for me in the past few years) whatever comes into my mind and is to hand. Alone, usually, in my office in the basement. When I get my embouchre back and solidly in place I'll blow some stuff I make up as I go. I've never been good enough for even Second Chair, so I have fun instead.

I laid off from about 1965 to 1993. Completely. Had the horn and never picked it up. Then I took a notion to recover what I could, and ended up playing in my High School Band's 50th Anniversary Concert in 1995 along with others I played with Way Back When. We had a great time, renewed old friendships, caught up on each other's doings.

Here's an odd thing. When I picked up the horn and was playing, I knew the fingerings! I knew the fingerings for notes I rarely, if ever, played -- notes like G flat -- and I could play them, although I might be using an alternate fingering instead of the prefered one. Of course, I didn't and don't care.

All I can think is that the mind processes information even when, or perhaps especially, when you're not using it or likely to do so in the immediate future.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 02:57 PM

Hey Rapaire--

What kind of stuff do you play on trumpet--hot jazz, dixieland, orchestral? Have you been in groups?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 08:28 PM

My father died when I, the oldest, was five. My mother held things together for another 31 years, and then she must have decided that enough was enough and she went to join father.

We hold ourselves together now. A couple weeks ago I went to visit first my youngest brother and my sister and then the middle brother. We sat around kitchen tables and talked, we walked around backyards and talked, we sat around living rooms and talked.

Saturday my wife will arrive in Chicago, rent a car, and drive down to see our nephew graduate from high school. She'll sit around and talk with my family, and then drive to our friend's house in Indiana.

Talking keeps people together.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 08:19 PM

Sitting here with a final mug of coffee. Ruth and I are flying to Madison, Wisconsin tomorrow morning and will be gone for more than a week. If I can get my hands on the internet, I'll try to stop by, but that's unlikely. You folks will just have to keep the home fires burning until I get back. Even though I've gone back "home" countless times over the years, this trip will be different. My Mother isn't really up to galivanting around like she has for so many years, so our visits will be shorter and less strenuous. I have a son who lives just 45 minuts away, so we may end up seeing him a little more, and do more with my two older sisters. We're also looking at some day trips on our own, just to make it a vacation, as well as a family gathering.

I don't know about your family, but mine has always been held together by my Mother. Even when my father was alive, it was my Mother who organized the picnics and gatherings. After my father died seven years ago, I became the Patriarch of the family. There wasn't even an election. But, I can't be much of a Patriarch from 1,000 miles away. Even in my Mother's advanced years, she's still the one who has organized a family gathering when we're out there... perhaps more than one. When she is gone, I think that my sisters and their families will function independtly from each other and family gatherings will only happen when Ruth and I come out. There's a natural passing of the guard. I expect that's happened in your families, too.

But, it will be good to gather one more time around Mom. I inow how much she will appreciate seeing her family together. There just won't be a kitchen table, anymore. Not one you can sit at, at least.

It will be good getting back and seeing how you all have been doing..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:29 PM

MY dentist (or at least my oral surgeon) is nuts. But nicely nuts.

He's going to give me some general anaesthesia on June 29. This time he's going to use a RUBBER mallet, because the wooden one left noticable dents.

Actually, he's going to open up my gum and screw posts into the sockets he's already put there. Then I'm going to get a permanent bridge put in.

It's really amazing what dentists can do these days. My first dentist was incompetent, a public health dentist who rarely used anaethesia even for extractions -- he was later convicted by the state of Illinois of fraud, among other things.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:20 PM

My dentist is so nice, Jimmy, that I pray for cavities. I bet your pateients do, too..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 31 May 06 - 09:59 PM

Thanks for the nice dentist references, Jerry. We get some every now and again but not too often! Last Saturday I had a friend call me in a panic. His 10 year old daughter had been to a birthday party and while jumping on the trampoline she decided it would be a good idea to grab the safety net with her teeth! Bad Idea. One of her front teeth got ripped completely out. Mom panicked and asked for milk to put the tooth in. None was available so she put it in Vanilla Ice Cream. I wonder what in the heck the poor tooth was thinking when this happened! After sitting in the emergency room for nearly 2 hours, they called me in a panic to see what if anything I could do. I had them come right in to the office, I got her numb, put the tooth back in place and splinted it there with some tooth colored adhesive. Next day she auditioned for the lead in Alladin, and later on had a piano recital, both of which she was able to perform perfectly. A good feeling to get that kind of results on a youngster.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:35 PM

Hip Hop sneakers?

I tell ya.

This afternoon, I went shopping for sneakers. At the mall. I just wanted some comfortable, mostly white walking sneakers for a reasonable price. While Ruth was checking something else out, I walked into a store that just sells sneakers. I was the only one in the store over 22, I think. They had TV monitors blasting away, showing the latest hip hop videos and the two "sales persons" were engrossed in watching the videos and looked at me as if I had toilet paper stuck on the back of my worn out sneakers. But made no offer to help. The few other customers in the store were all under 21, from the looks of them, and they were busily engaged in looking cool.
The sneakers were all wildly colored, with transparent panels in the heels and lights. They were sneakers a kid would kill for. And sometimes they do. The cheapest pair that I looked at were $100. I figured that the only people who could afford to spend that much money for sneakers were the parents of a 15 year old kid who had to have them to look totally dissinterested in everything. Like the $400 game systems that only parents of fifteen year olds can buy. Meanwhile, people studiously avoided eye contact with me, so I quickly left.

On the way home we stopped at a discount place and I found a pair of mostly white K-Swiss sneakers for $34.99. The sneakers I was wearing were the same brand and they were very comfortable and lasted a long time. I was really delighted to find them, tried tham on and they fit just like that old magic slipper. I knew I could walk down a deserted street at two in the monring wearing them, and no kids would jump me for my sneakers.

Remember when we were teenagers and the world didn't revolve around us (no matter how much we tried to make it?) Hey... in the 60's the slogan was "Don't trust anyone over 30." Now, I think it's "Don't trust anyone old enough to drink legally."

Imagine what it must be like to feel old when you're 25!

Yikes!!

Dad Gum!!

By Cracky!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 31 May 06 - 09:33 AM

Hey, Weelittledrummer: How nice to see you. Yeah, the coffe pots on, and I have a nice tin box of tea that Colin Kemp brought over last year (and a second box from another Catter, so I am well set for my Brit friends if they find American coffee not to their taste.)

Mudcat goes in fits and spurts... there always seems to be some threads to get people riled up and feeling ornery. We're the tortoise, not the hare. Just ambling along and enjoying the scenery.
Reminds me of a song a friend of mine, Jerry Rau wrote... Driving In The Right Hand Lane. It was all about the rewards that come when you take your time and enjoy the world around you.

No need for speed bumps in here..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 May 06 - 09:08 AM

There's MOAB, but the drinks are strange there.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 May 06 - 07:42 AM

Hi there folks!
Seems like this place is the last refuge in the BS section away from Northern Ireland.

any coffee going....?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 May 06 - 10:23 PM

I hope so! I haven't touched my trumpet in months because of this stuff, and I miss it. The keyboard just isn't the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 May 06 - 10:15 PM

Rapaire:

OUCH!!!! my dental work sounds downright pastoral... I know it will be good for you to get all of this behind you.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 May 06 - 10:03 PM

I went to the oral surgeon today. I'll have my implant stems screwed in on June 29th. I asked for general anesthesia, so I can get some sleep.
Then, 10 days or two weeks later, they can start constructing the new bridgework....

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 May 06 - 06:54 PM

Good to see you, Rapaire:

Thanks for dropping by..

Back to one of our favorite topics, dentists!

Hooray for dentists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been having a recent problem with a molar, and went back in today to have it checked out. My Dentists squeezed me in during his lunch hour, because he really wanted to figure out what to do before I went on vacation. He spend about a half hour examining the tooth, trying probes, temperatures tests and looking at x-rays, and finally took one more x-ray to make sure he knew what he needed to do. After I was finished with the appointment, I went out to the desk to find out how much I owed for the appointment and the x-ray and he said that there was no charge. This is the second time that he's done this, and he always takes a substantial amount off his usual charge, for me. And he's not the only dentist I know who does good stuff like that, without seeking any recognition. One of them is a Mudcatter, in fact.

As best I can, I've partially re-paid my dentist by giving him music... gave him the Gospel Messengers CD, which he was very enthusiastic about and is going to play in his office.. It wasn't much to give, but I just wanted to show my appreciation for how kind he is to me. I have three more CDs of mine, so each time I go, I'll bring another one..

I know another Catter who has received a lot of free medical care with no public recognition of the Doctor's generosity. There are a lot more beautiful acts committed every day than we know about. In part, that's what makes them especially beautiful.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 May 06 - 06:27 PM

My in-laws have been visiting, and tomorrow I drive them to Salt Lake City to get the train.

But over the long weekend, friends from Cincinnati came 'round as well as relatives from Carson City, Nevada. It was cold and rainy out, so we sat around the dining room table (seats eight with comfort) and got acquainted and re-acquainted. For two and half days.

I cooked chicken and hamburgers, we drank good beer (Moose Drool, Fat Tire, Polygamy Porter, and others), and in general had one heckuva time.

As for Memorial Day -- a retired Colonel, a former Sergeant, and a current Colonel were there.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 May 06 - 10:46 AM

Hey, billybob:

It's always nice to see you in here... and to find out what's going on over your way.

We had a great weekend here in Derby (Darby, to you.) We heard some great singing (and did some) Sunday afternoon and yesterday we had an impronptu family gathering at the house. I went out in the morning and bought some fixin's and baked up a double batch of baked ziti, which along with barbequed chicken, salad, garlic bread and watermelon made a nice, light meal. It's always good to have family here. Ruth grew up in Brooklyn, so her side or our family is all around us. Long ago, they become my family, too. Ruth is a wonderful cook but as you women know, after you've prepared yout ten thousandth meal, the pleasure starts to wear thin. I raised two sons alone so I like to cook, and so far no one has complained about the food. Ruth does at least as much as I do in welcoming guests, so we make a great team. There's no "his" or "hers" when it comes to our relationship. Just ours. Same with our family and friends. They are all "ours."

We also honored those who have given their lives in the endless wars we've lived through. We didn't want the day just to be a cook-out.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:25 AM

Hi Jerry
please keep the coffee pot on, it is the best part of my day, popping by to see who is at the table!Sometimes I just sit back and enjoy the conversation,and it is great to find out so much about all your lives the other side of the Atlantic.It is so good to take out a few minutes in a busy day, I can always put the pot on if you are out !!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 May 06 - 12:53 AM

Hey, Ron:

Funny you mentioned Damn Yankees. It's one of my favorite musicals and I picked up a DVD of it recently. We watched it two nights ago. It's still a lot of fun. "Heart" is my favorite song, although there are several great songs... including the Devil's that you mentioned. Another favorite, with a great dance production is Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo.

An ACL isn't an abreviation for ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union.) It stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament. A torn ACL is common in any sport where there is a lot of stress on the legs. It's common in football, too... especially among semi-pro teams of out of shape guys who work in an office and participate in local amateur sports leagues. My next door neighbor had one from playing football last year... only reason that I know about it.

The knowledge exchanged around a kitchen table may be of limited value, but it sure is esoteric..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 29 May 06 - 10:30 PM

Hey Jerry--

What's an ACL in baseball terms? (I thought I was doing well to drop in RBI--I was even able to explain to Jan what that is, even though I know very little about baseball.) The thing I know most about baseball is Damn Yankees. I sure remember hapless Senators (I mean the baseball kind)--and it made perfect sense the Senators would have to have somebody sell his soul to the Devil for Washington to win a pennant. First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League--as I recall.

And the Devil had the best lines (as the old complaint goes) or at least the best song in that show: "Those Were the Good Old Days"

"Like the hopes that were dashed when the stock market crashed"
"Those were the good old days"

I used to have that one memorized--another good one to cut lawns by--like songs from Camelot, Music Man and lots of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 29 May 06 - 08:56 AM

Hey, Donuel:

You sure you haven't been listening to my quartet? We do a song titled "Where Would We Be?"

Reminds me of a story a minister/friend of mine told me once. He was a young Pastor, just starting out in a small church in Minnesota. At his first bible study he asked each person to say which passage in the bible gave them the greatest comfort when they were suffering, and as they went around the room, many people recited the 23rd Psalm... "Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.." When the turn finally passed to an old farmer, he said that the passage that he always thinks of when he is suffering is, "And it came to pass.." He figured that if it came to pass in bible times, it surely would for him. :-) Never mind that "And it came to pass" was a literary equivalent to "Later, Dude." Or, "back at the bunkhouse," He took it as a promise..
No sense correcting him. Whatever helps you keep on keepin' on.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Donuel
Date: 29 May 06 - 08:48 AM

Jerry. the meaning of your card reminds me of the song 'Where would you be without love'.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 May 06 - 12:37 PM

Hey, ebbie: Good to see you. This is sounding more and more like a baseball discussion... first RBIs and now ACl's (a common injury that occurs in baseball players.) As long as no one strikes out in here..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 May 06 - 11:26 AM

Here I am, empty cup in hand. I'm in a lightened mood this morning.

My little Cairn Terrier had her ACL repaired on Wednesday and as of last night she's feeling better. Little children and dogs going through trauma that one cannot explain to them break one's heart.

She's pretty perky this morning.

And we have our misty rain back this morning. The last four or five days it's been hot - I think it hit only 70 degrees but 70 is hotter up here than it is down south (That may even be true!)- and bright and sunny. It isn't bad for a change but most of us welcome our normal weather's return.

So how is everybody?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 May 06 - 11:25 AM

Hey, Ron: Glad that Jan in home, and hopefully will continue to improve.

The times they are a'changing indeed. It seems like many of us in here are dealing with change (the most dfreaded four letter word for most people.) Last night I got a call from a dear friend of mine telling me that the Director of one of the Male Choruses I sing is i leaving... actually he is leaving today. The retired Director was still active at the church until about a month ago, when he died, so there is no musician or Director for the Male Chorus, or the other choirs. Talk about change. There are a couple of other changes taking place in my life that are disturbing, that I'm trying to deal with. And then of course, there are the health problems that strike close to our hearts.

But yesterday, I was driving in the car, trying to figure out what's going on in my own life right now, and The message I put in a Christmas card a few years ago came to mind.. "Step out on faith." And that's what we all have to do, many times in our lives. When you can't see where you're going, or understand why things are happening to you, you just have to suck in your gut, and "Step out on Faith." Gotta be a song in there...

For you doo woppers, I just bought a rare CD of 30 tracks of doo wop done a capella by well known groups who never released songs that way. It's a fantastic CD, with such familiar songs as The CLoser You Are by the Channels, Sunday Kind Of Love by the Harptones, Sh-Boom by the Chords, and My True Story by the Jive Five. There are even three cuts by the Moonglows, a capella. I think most of the tracks were recorded informally, as there is a party atmosphere in the background of several of them. Some may have been audition tapes. With one or two exceptions, the sound is very good. And, without instrumental accompaniment, the bass singer has to lay the foundation and is far more creative than they would be iaf the song wasn't done a capella. I'm behind on getting out CDs at the moment, and am busy getting ready for our trip, but you never know what might appear in your mailbox, someday.

Nah... I ain't leaving the table yet, except for our trip. As long as people stop by once in awhile, I'll keep the pot on. But, all good things run their course, in time.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 27 May 06 - 10:14 PM

Aw, Jerry don't leave us (until June anyway, when you had said you would). Obviously it can't be a one-man show. But I'm sure there are folks around who'd drop in once in a while. Now that Jan's out of the hospital, I should have more time, certainly.

Now here's a little story about the Net and music. I was thinking of checking Mudcat since it's probably too late for Saturday Night at the Movies--(Jan and I like to watch a DVD around now--especially for the extras.). Anyway, I was looking for music to check Mudcat by--I check classical stations since it's not easy to write sensibly when I listen to vocal music--I get easily distracted. Making sense is a goal of mine on Mudcat--not that I always make it.

So I was checking classical stations on the Net and the first one was doing an opera. Definitely not what I was looking for. So I tried the next one--(Charlie Baum had told me about)--VPR.

But what came out?---doo wop!!!--and what's more, nonsense doo-wop. An hour of nonsense on a show called "My Place". Great stuff!!! I heard about the Rivingtons, who evidently backed Thurston Harris on Little Bitty Pretty One. But more than that, they were called something else on other recordings. And both the Rivingtons and the other name (can't remember) were streets--one in LA and one in NYC.

But not only that, they also did Papa Um Mau Mau (which I think is a version of another R & B song. And, since that was a hit, they did (I've just learned)....................Mama Um Mau Mau. And, this DJ said, they also did The Bird (which as I recall, starts out as Papa Um Mau Mau.) (And I thought the Trashmen did The Bird--now's there's an earthshaking issue--who really did it?

Anyway, another song was Oo-Shoo (sounded like it anyway) by Shirley Gunter and the Queens (1954). Shirley Gunter was the sister of Cornell Gunter--who was one of the Coasters.

I only wish I'd heard the whole hour.

There's always more to learn about music. I can't get enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 May 06 - 07:17 PM

Sounds like the kitchen Klatch could use a vacation... Don't hear much from ebbie these days, and Elmer is off somewhere stalking the WereHare. Anybody seen Wallace and Gromit and The Curse Of The WereHare? That soudns like just what I need tonight. I could use a few laughs, myself.

You know, it's funny to think of it but we all need vacations, even after we're retired and it would seem like life is just one endless vacation. But sometimes, it's just important to step away from all the daily grind when it becomes larger than life. That's what we'll be doing this Friday. I've tucked the Gospel Messengers away for the summer, and after the first weekend in July, I'll be free of any commitments to both of the male choruses that I sing in. I sense the strong need for stepping back in many of the folks here on the Cat, and in my non-cyber life as well.

When you can't step back, sit down and have a cup of coffee...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 May 06 - 11:25 AM

That's great news, Ron: Give Jan our love... we'll keep you both in prayer.

And Jan must be so proud! It sounds like she has more RBIs than Barry Bonds.

Way to go, Jan!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Donuel
Date: 27 May 06 - 09:14 AM

Ron, congratulations on your successful rescue.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 27 May 06 - 09:04 AM

Hi Jerry and everybody else--

I tried to pull up a chair last night, but the kitchen was closed--sure hard to get a meal when the hours are so erratic. But I understand that may be improving drastically--and soon.

At any rate, I finally rescued Jan from the clutches of the evil Hospital Monster. That happened at 5 PM on Thursday.   (Actually her jailer (doctor) let her go.

Now she has another boatload of drugs to take (including steroids--her RBI is already so high--can't imagine why she has to take them) Actually those are to taper off--had a lot in the hospital--and can't go off them cold turkey.

She's SO glad to be home--and so am I.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 26 May 06 - 10:28 AM

Naw.. Just had to reset my cookie...

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 26 May 06 - 10:25 AM

I are a guest in my own kitchen! Hmm... has my cookie crumbled?

Strange things are happening

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 26 May 06 - 10:23 AM

Hmm... don't remember needing to type in a "From," before. Maybe this is all part of an upgrade.

And Elmer, I sent you a PM, which went to PM heaven, I guess. At least for the time being. I just wantyed to thank you for the beautiful surprise that I found in our mailbox a couple of days ago.

You wascal, you!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 May 06 - 07:47 PM

Hey, Jimmy:

If you want to get an idea what NOMAD is like, go to nomadfest.org and click on the workshop grid for 2005. That will give a good overview of how diverse the music and dance is. We are a twenty minute drive from the shuttle bus parking lot, so it's really easy for us. The festival may be a little thinner this year because of the conflict with the Getaway, but there'll still be more music you want to hear than you could possible get to.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 24 May 06 - 12:19 AM

Well, it seems we live in "interesting" times (in the Chinese sense) and have "interesting" ailments--Metchosin, you sure do. Hope things improve for you (and everybody else).

Jan keeps talking about how she needs a "body transplant". There's a gospel bluegrass song called "I'll Have A New Body--I'll Have A New Life"--but that's not really what she means.

She had to go back to the ER today--her doctor insisted on it--though we protested strongly. They man-handled her arm--giving her IV's--she has huge bruises now--, didn't feed her at all til about 8 this evening--when they gave her two pieces of Wonder Bread and 2 slices of cheese. I think it's partly since she's a vegetarian--and they have no idea what that sort of animal might eat. They also virtually ignored all the other problems she has--if it didn't have to do with the pain in her chest, they had no interest.

It seems they always have tunnel vision--can never treat the entire patient--or even let us do it. Finally I left the ER--where nothing was happening-- came home and got a boatload of food, drugs and other items she wanted.

And of course now they plan to wake her up again at 4 AM. So she'll get hardly any sleep and nothing to eat (except what I brought)--but at least she's finally been moved to a real room--albeit one with beeping for long periods with nobody doing anything to address any problem that might indicate--until, again, I called it to their attention.

But with hardly any sleep and virtually nothing to eat, how can they expect anybody to improve their health?

And pneumonia rampant in hospitals it seems--I'll tell you, we're going to spring her as soon as humanly possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 23 May 06 - 10:26 PM

Ron, I know that was a difficult evening for jan and you! I hope all is well. Jerry, I may be tempted to attend the Nomad! Tell me more about it!   jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Donuel
Date: 23 May 06 - 06:04 PM

Hi all, its been 3 weeks since my last confession...

Since then I had a horrendous fall while trying to get a seed pod of a Paulina tree. A six inch bolt protruding from the rear of a guard rail slammed into my ribs right at the heart region.
Because I had taken a small amount of a cox 3 inhibator about a year ago, my blood pressure can sometimes go way up and stay there for several hours. Merck Inc is not going to do any studies concerning how long any damage from Vioxx may persist but it was recently leaked that even a year after taking the drug the risk factor is the same as ir one never stopped taking it.

I have been meeting some remarkable people by accident lately. Some are obscure and some are famous. This Sunday Congressman Waxman came over and sat down for lunch next to my family at a little Italian Restaurant. I thanked him for being one of the good guys... No I did not smoke :)
This month I will be meeting with various people including Maria Alsop and Joan Collins regarding a composer friend of mine. I'm going to see Joshua Bell this June. If anyone here knows him (via 6 degrees of seperation) let me know so I may pass along a message or just a hello.

I have been spending time listening to some of the greatest thinkers alive today like Thomas Friedman and Charles Osman. Now I'll have to catch up with the greatest thinkers on mudcat and see whats going down lately...

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 May 06 - 04:42 PM

Hmmmm. My post disappeared- just as the Cat fled.

I want to reiterate: Ron, Jan and you have gone through so much. I hope that her system will soon overcome all the stuff that's been thrown at her. (Not to imply that you are throwing dishes, Ron. *G*) Give her our love and share with her our concern.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Metchosin
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:38 PM

Thank you Ebbie and thank you too Jerry. I will keep you updated when I periodically pop in, even if I don't manage to sit for long. All my best to the others as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 May 06 - 12:59 PM

Ron:

That had to be very frightening! I'm glad that you're back home, but you both must be completely drained. We'll keep you both in prayer..

Keep us informed, please..

My friend Howard Glasser, who was in intensive care is much better, and in a regular hospital room, able to receive visitors. I appreciate good news wherever I can find it..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 23 May 06 - 11:05 AM

Hi all--

Had to take Jan to the emergency room last night. A very severe asthma attack. Albuterol did not do the trick.

We got home about 3. I'll take her to see her doctor this afternoon (who, fortunately is also a pulmonary specialist).

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 May 06 - 10:29 PM

Hey, Hey!!!!!! I just got the enthsiastic thumbs up from the Doo Wop group that they want to do the Church And Street Corner Hamony workshop at NOMAD. Now, I have to get the applications in and hope that the Nomad Committee approves. If so, the only question that remains is, What are you doing Saturday, November, jimmyt, Ron and The Villan?

Oops... didn't forget you, Elmer! We can do What A Fwiend We Have In Jesus.. Or Wed Sails In The Sunset..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 22 May 06 - 08:26 PM

Thanks guys! (ebbie included)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 May 06 - 10:33 AM

{{{{Jimmy}}}}}