Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 May 06 - 10:27 PM

Thanks for dropping by, Jimmy. Ruth and I have been keeping you, Jayne and her sister and all the family in prayer. Sometimes it seems like we catch it from all directions. When I see the suffering around me (and we see plenty, as Ruth and I visit the sick all the time) it brings life into an even clearer focus for us. All is illuminated... the fragility of life and that tomorrow is not promised, but also the courage and beauty that surrounds us in our lives... so often going unnoticed.

Let me tell you about beauty and joy.

Last night, we had our concert at First Baptist Church. This last year has been very difficult trying to keep the Gospel Messengers in a positive frame of mind. We really miss Derrick, and for a long time, our singing sounded empty without his voice. And his positive spirit. In a way, this last year has been mostly downhill. Frankie has been losing ground physically and he is so preoccupied with his business (paving) that he loses concentration when we're singing. He has terrible alergies and in the Spring has a constant flow of tears from his eyes. Joe is dealing with extremely difficult issues in his life which are most likely to get worse as the months go by. It has taken all my enthusiasm to keep them believing that we still sound good as a trio. Last night was the reward. It started off with me setting up my new sound system, trying it out for the first time. It's a small system, and I had no way of knowing whether it could handle a mid-sized church. When I set it up, it was exciting, because I had the volume on 2 out of 10, and we had all the power we needed. And our voices sounded better than I've ever heard. After we had a wonderful dinner together, with many family, friends and neighbors there to celebrate, Joe and I went upstairs to try the sound system. Frankie got waylaid, talking to people, so Joe and I did a couple of songs as a duo. There were a couple of people sitting in the back, and they were really excited about how good we sounded. It was a gift to us, because Joe realized that even the two of us can still make good music together. When Frankie came up and we started singing, we sounded so good, we hated to stop for the people to come in. There was a lot to celebrate last night. We celebrated our 9th Anniversary as the Messengers, with Joe and Frankie by my side from the beginning. We celebrated the first Anniversary of the new Pastor of the church and what he's done to resuscitate the church in a very modest, humble way. We celebrated Frankie's 80th birthday, belatedly by two days, and Joe's 82nd, coming up on the 27th of May. And then we just celebrated being together as one with many family members, friends and neighbors. I don't think that we ever sounded so good, and if there was any doubt in Joe and Frankie's mind that we can carry an evening without Derrick, it was washed away last night. I say that out of thankfulness, not boastfulness. This last year has been very hard, and last night was the reward. Sometimes just keeping on is the best we can do. It too has its rewards..

Love,

Jerry and Ruth

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 May 06 - 09:41 PM

Just wanted to check in to say hi to you all. Jayne is at the airport in Atlanta getting on a flight to Cleveland Ohio where her sister is presently undergoing extensive tests. She has Giant Cell Arteritis, an extremely rare condition that sometimes (usually actually) causes blindness and kidney failure leading to death. In her case, no kidney involvement, no ocular involvement, but the irony is she has lost complete blood supply to the main artery to her arms, the subclavian. BOth sides, both arms sort of dying on the vine with no real reason or great cure. She lost her husband a year ago, but shortly before he died of a sudden heart attack, he bought her a grand piano because the only real joy she gets is playing the piano. Now the piano sits quietly in the livingroom and she can't hold a spoon or button a button. SHe is scheduled for a surgery this Thursday where the doctors will put a length of artificial teflon artery in her arm to see if it is successful. Keep us in your prayers or thoughts if you will. Crazy world we live in, but glad I have the kitchen table to drop this stuff on.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 May 06 - 07:38 PM

Hey, Metch:

I'm so glad you stopped by. Yes, I do manage to keep the table cleared off. I have an enormous, invisible cyber-waste basket sitting next to it. But you know, sometimes, it's good to put the frightening things on the table, look them in the eye and tell them that they will not prevail. One thing that I know for sure. Not everything can be explained, or understood. I used to tell a friend of mine, who was constantly denying all good things as being "not real," that she was just dragging herself down with her deep-seated belief that everything happens for the worst. She'd stop in to my office every morning, trudging up the steps, to plunk herself down at my table. Yes, I had an old wooden table in my office that was much more of a kitchen table than a piece of office furniture. Every day, she girded her loins (figuratively) in preparation for Hell to visit our neighborhood. 99% of the time, it didn't happen. When she'd get very depressed, I'd point out to her the countless times she'd come into my office, pronouncing one doom or another that never happened. Her attitude was that she was just "preparing for the worst." Just in case it happened. Truth is, there is no way of "preparing for the worst."
You're a lot better off preparing for the best. How can you prepare for the sudden loss of a child, or finding out that you have cancer?
I don't mean to minimize depression, because I had a depression and committed myself to a psychiatric ward. I know what it feels like to wake up every day, dreading that moment when you swing your legs over the side of your bed and put them on the floor. But you know, people sell you a faulty bill of goods. Too many people say that it's unrealistic to be hopeful. As if reality only came in one flavor. I notice that when "Shit Happens" became such a catchy bumper stick wisdom, no one said "Good stuff, far beyond anything you could even imagine, happens too." (You see I'd make lousy bumper stickers.) They'd only fit on Hummvies.

The truth is, Doctors don't know it all. The good ones are quick to acknowlege that. I could give endless examples of what were either miraculous cures (or phenomenal miss-diagnoses.) A recent one will do. I came to know a woman in a black gospel Chat room who was becoming increasingly distressed at her physical state: for good reason. She's a single Mom with a child to support, working in an office, entering date into a computer all day. She was getting stabbing pains in her wrist and arm to the point where she could only type short sentences in the chat room before the pain became too excruciating. I talked with her about my friend Joe, who had just undergone carpal tunnel syndrome surgery at the age of 81, and waws coming along well. But, she was trapped. If she had the surgery, she couldn't do her work and she'd lose her job. As the sole/soul provider she was afraid that she and her child would end up on the street. Despite being in increasingly severe pain, she managed to keep working, but she had no idea how much longer she could bear the pain. She wasn't able to sleep at night, and saw no way out. And then one morning, she woke up pain free. No explanation. Her Doctor could offer no explanation. The pain had been very real, but so was the healing.

If I started a thread talking about all the miraculous healings I've seen in the last few years, it would become one of the longest threads on the Cat. Being a realist, myself I know that not every
story has a happy ending. But many, many do. Believing in healing is the best medicine you can take.

Thanks for laying your "haunt" on the table, Metch. We'll all put our hands on it and tell it if it doesn't behave, it's going into that gigantic, invisible garbage can.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 May 06 - 06:08 PM

Ah, Metch, I'm sorry. I hope you get better news soon - even if it means that they have to admit they were wrong! TWO rare diseases sounds a bit overly coincidental to me. Let us know how that shakes out.

In the meantime I love your dancing! Surely- since we are so blessedly susceptible to the suggestions that our systems give us - surely when the body gets the information that you will be dancing, it will help speed all the bad stuff right out.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Metchosin
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:49 PM

Thanks Jerry for the offer, I think I will try to take a break from being a human doing to be a human being for awhile. When it rains it pours, eh?

My table looks like Alice's right now and I just can't muster the enthusiasm to physically sort through all the debris that's accumulated there in the past few months, so if I can sit at yours for awhile, it would be a pleasure. Although considering some of the stuff coming down, I did think twice about submitting this message, but guessed that some stuff never gets said if you hold off waiting for exactly the right time.


One thing I did do at my table the other night though, that I also haven't done for awhile, is dance around it, so that's a good start. I danced for almost an hour, full tilt, while my favourite Mr. Dave and Wally Ingram provided the accompaniment . With the dancing, the full realization of what I had just been told by a doctor started to sink in.

The doctor I saw this week was Rheumatologist. After reviewing the file my GP sent to her, my blood work, a further grilling for information and a physical exam, she's fairly certain I have a rare auto immune disorder called palindromic rheumatism. It is thought to be an abortive form of rheumatoid arthritis and in about half of the cases it does eventually become rheumatoid arthritis. Goody! something that finally fits all my symptoms right down to a reoccurring eye infection over the years.

You might think it odd that I'd dance in such a celebratory manner with that knowledge, but given what I'd been told beforehand and getting my life, my heart and my brain around what I had been told, prior to seeing her, as a diagnosis, this doesn't suck.

I was diagnosed with leukemia awhile back. Not your run of the mill leukemia, if there could ever be such a thing, but some really rare kind affecting my T cells, with a very bad prognosis; a type that is usually found in elderly men and doesn't respond well to even the most current treatments with three to seven months max, as the bottom line.

Not being an elderly man or feeling like an elderly woman come to think of it, it did seem an odd diagnosis. Other than a slightly elevated lymphocyte count, which has dropped on occasion....hmm....... I thought the problem with these cells is that they won't go away and die like good TCells should....hmmm.... I also don't have any of the symptoms usually associated with it.....nope.... I'll check again.... no lesions showing up today....hmm.....no extra lumps, aside from my breasts .....hmmmm. A CTscan also determined my spleen and liver, despite their prognostications to the contrary, were in very good nick,...nope, no swollen spleen....dang!...... now that seems a little odd too.

But hey, I was assured that the cancer guys in Vancouver I was sent to are amongst the best in the business, linked to the best in the business in North America. You're in the right pipeline, I was assured. The pipeline guys also assured me, in a rather patronizing manner when I queried them, that, no, my slightly elevated lymphocytes could not possibly be the result of a virus or an autoimmune disorder, good cancer guys can tell a malignant T Cell from one that isn't, how dare you ask! Are you in some sort of denial? And while, they reminded me, we're surprised that you're in such good working order, this aggressive sucker is a matter when, not if.   

Also, they told me, my intermittent joint pain, which was the reason I went to my doctor in the first place, was nothing to do with the leukemia.

I danced after that too, all night, to a friend's reggae band. I needed the sort of zen state that it puts me in and was so thankful they were here from Toronto, at the right time, to remind me, I like my body, especially when its in sync and immersed with the music.

Soooo, here's where I stand for now, trying to ignore the sword of Damocles over my head........ In my mind the probability of having a very rare disease is, well..... very rare, but certainly not impossible. But now, the probability of having two very rare diseases, simultaneously, would seem to be really getting out there.

When the rheumatologist asked if I wanted a second opinion, regarding the leukemia diagnosis, even though that is not the reason I finally managed an appointment with her, it got me thinking. Why not? A cranky old lady with gnarled hands like my old aunty? Seems better than getting ready to kiss my ass goodbye in the short term. Awaiting the return of even more blood tests and yet another visit to my GP to decide, where do we go from here?

Oh yeah, there is more going on in my life right now too, but I think I'll save that for another time. And I think I'd better keep my dancing shoes handy.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 May 06 - 03:43 PM

Somebody locked the door, and nobody could get to the table!

Real mixed emotions this weekend. My old friend Howard Glasser, who ran the Eisteddfod for so many years was in intensive care for several days. Thank God he seems to have turned the corner and is out of intensive care. And then I see where another old friend, Margaret MacArthur is dying. I connect them in my mind and heart because I drove up to Massachusetts to hear Margaret at a concert that Howard was doing. We did it to suprise Howard, and to meet Margaret. My 37 year old son was still in diapers then so it's been a long time.

At the same time, we had a beautiful concert Saturday night. a big turnout for the dinner, with family friends, neighbors and strangers all enjoying each other's company. I used my new sound system for the first time and it was magnificent, and we all sang better than we have in a long time... amazing what a good sound system can do for you.

I've been trying to get an answer about the Church And Street Corner Harmony workshop and was getting frustrated because the guy from the Doo Wop group hasn't responded to my e-mails. Got an e-mail today and he's been dealing with family crises and apologized for not responding.

That's the way life shakes out... Thank God for the beautiful times.. they help to get through the hard ones..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 20 May 06 - 08:46 AM

Sheesh, Ron! And here I think that I am busy. But then, you're a young tad.

This morning, the Men's Chorus (one of them) had a practice at 8 a.m. I live an hour's drive away and with great reluctance, I decided not to go, even though I have the greatest admiration for our Director and in some ways, I know he counts on me to lead the baritones. It took a lot of consideration to decide not to go (and some strong "suggestions" from Ruth.) This evening, the Messengers are doing a concert and it looks like it is going to be a sellout (can you have a "Sellout" if the admission is free? Maybe it will be a Free-out. The evening will start with a dinner at 6, so I have to get there at least by 5 to set up my new sound system and see if I can also set up to record the concert. I have a lot of work to do during the day, so getting up at 6 this morning to make it to practice by 8 just seemed like too much for one day. Now, if I was as young as Ron, maybe I could just whiz through it. But I'll be 71 in a couple of weeks and I guess it's time to make a few minor concessions to my age. When you're in your 40's, or even 50's, you look to retirement as a time when you can do all the things you don't have the time or freedom to do when you're still working. If you are blessed with good health, you can do a lot of the things you've always wanted to do. But not all, because your energy level gradually subsides as you get older. I see it in many of my friends who are mule-headed about cutting back on how much they are doing. I notice that I have long ears when I look in the mirror sometimes, myself.

So, today, I'm going to ease back a little nad prepare myself physically and spiritually for this evening. I encourage Joe and Frankie to do that, so I guess I'd better take my own advice.

Soliloquy? Isn't that just a polite word for talking to yourself? I tell you, Ron. When you get as old as I am, you'll be soliloquying like crazy....

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 May 06 - 12:17 AM

Well Jerry, believe it or not, this is the first time since Wednesday that I've even had access to the computer. Didn't get back from rehearsal last night til after 11--and Jan was still on--and stayed on til midnight. No rehearsal tonight--but again Jan was on til midnight. So I stayed upstairs and played the piano. Among other things she's concerned about some junk e-mail we've been getting. Fake names, addresses untraceable. She's now set up the computer to send all that stuff (it's all the same type)--immediately into the junkpile--and then to trash. But we'll have to try harder to find the source.

But I'm not about to lose any sleep over it. We'll try again tomorrow.

It seems to me the 'Cat has calmed down recently--would you agree? All we need now is for Shambles to go back to fighting PEL's (which is definitely a good cause)--and things will be the best they've been in years.

I certainly should be able to help keep the coffeepot on while you're gone in June--I'll have Mahler rehearsals and concerts and bluegrass and folk festivals--but I can certainly come into the kitchen (though obviously it can't be a soliloquy.) It's the least I can do for the cause.

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

Winding down for the night.... and checking in at the cat. With Elmer gone, I may end up talking to myself in here. Not that there's anything new about that. It's when you start disagreeing with yourself that you got to start worrying.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 May 06 - 11:23 PM

We'll save a chair for you, Elmer..

I'll be gone from June 2nd until the night of the 11th. I am counting on someone keeping the kettle on, while I'm gone, too.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 18 May 06 - 11:18 PM

I'm gonna be away from the table for a spell, so y'all have a good time now. I'll bring back some coffee beans for the pot, a bag of bagels and maybe a few new stories and songs to share.

Elmer

PS to Jimmy T.: Those dentist blues songs were all in good fun. Just thought that doctors shouldn't corner the market on blues songs and dentists should get their fair shake. Just wait until someone gets going on art historians--or exterminators--or ESL teachers--or day traders...the mind fairly boggles.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 May 06 - 07:49 PM

Kinda quiet around the kitchen table today. Some days are like that.
Glad that they are, too.

I've been having some fun these last couple of days trying to pull old songs deep out the the crevasses of my mind. Yesterday, I got out my guitar to play a song that I've played a million times, give or take a few... Old Man At The Mill. I kinda remembered that I did it in a sepcial tuning, but I wasn't sure. It took about five minutes of awful noise before I dredged it back up to the surface, but it felt good playing it again. I'm dusting off some favorite songs I haven't sung in so long I almost don't remember them in preparation for a Songs From The Atticv workshop I want to do at NOMAD this fall. If nothing else, I sure am having a good time doing it.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 May 06 - 10:49 PM

Yeah, Ron: The CD "Huh" is not for the faint of heart. I only know two people on the planet who might conceivably enjoy that CD... you, and I'm not so sure about the second... he's my son Pasha from Ruth's marriage. He listened to the first few tracks when I gave it to him, and he took all the style swings in stride. He loves all kinds of music.

Glad you like the Bob Scobey and Clancy Hayes CD. Other table-sitters have packages on the way, too... different CDs, trying to fill other's interests..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 17 May 06 - 10:33 PM

Jan also says I should tell you I just brought a glass of orange juice to the table. Would you all mind if I sat here and ate my Dutch Apple yogurt? I try to buy as many as I can (I'll buy 25 if I can do it)--and eat one a day. I'm afraid I'm pretty boring in food tastes. (Jan says Amen).

I used to be accused of eating only orange food at home--orange juice, carrots, apricot yogurt, cheese.

I've branched out--a bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 17 May 06 - 10:26 PM

Hi Jerry and everybody else,

I wanted to tell you Jerry, that I've received the 2 CD package (HUH? and the one with Peoria, Everything is Peaches Down In Georgia, and Down On the Chesapeake Bay--and lots of others.   They're great--and there are all sorts of songs I've never heard before--what an added bonus! But my rehearsal schedule--rehearsal last night and again tomorrow, for instance-- has been such that I've not had a chance to hear HUH? When I do, it may test Jan's tolerance- she used to complain when I had part of My Music or Prairie Home Companion at the end of a classical tape. I gather HUH? keeps switching music types constantly. I'm looking forward to hearing it, myself--each one has a link to the next?

Flash!!!!!--Jan says the Dixieland CD (Peoria etc) is a smash hit with 19-month Henry. Jerry--you're going to monopolize the entire 5-CD player----2 of the other big hits with Henry (and us) are the Gospel Messengers CD and The Gospel in Black and White. Jan says Henry bops to them all.

And we still haven't had a chance to hear the Louis-Ella duets. I keep thinking I can set aside about an hour to do that and nothing else--I don't want to be eating or anything else when I hear that one--but I can't seem to find an hour.


Thanks again,

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 06 - 07:35 PM

Hey, Jerry, missed you at the old Mudcat Campfire!
The beginning of that thread was lost in Mudcat crashland, but still has some life to it.

Seems like my kitchen table, session, campfire, performing, singing time has been on hold for a couple of years. I may go
back to our session here again, but the venue has changed, and once again it is in a corner of a bar with bad acoustics.
I haven't even been singing in the shower!! ;-)

alice

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 May 06 - 01:21 PM

How nice of you to drop by, Alice!

Don't be a stranger..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 06 - 12:51 PM

My kitchen table used to be a gathering place, especially when I had friends in town who were new mothers like I was, when our kids would be playing together and we would be having coffee and talking. Over time, those friends moved far away. Then, as I became more involved with music, the kitchen table was the place our band gathered and practiced. My son grew up and my time was consumed with working. I didn't go to the session or get the band together like before. Now, I am focussed on getting out of debt from the child raising years, and my kitchen table has become the largest desk in the house, piles of paperwork and forms, a flow of accounts to call on, accounts sold. Hopefully, when my finances are healthy, I will be able to take back the kitchen table and it will once again have a vase of fresh flowers, clean wooden surface without work papers, and cups of coffee or tea with new friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 16 May 06 - 10:26 PM

Had a great practice tonight with the Messengers. And was reminded of something far more important than a good practice.

For the last several months, we've had a hard time accepting that we're a trio. We kept thinking of ourselves as a quartet. missing a member. That was undertandable because Derrick, who was with us for seven years was such a fine singer, and an even finer person and friend and we still miss him terribly. But recently, we've come to accept that we are the Gospel Messengers. Not the Gospel Messengers minus one. I was talking with Frankie and Joe about that tonight, because our singing was really inspired. It made me think about one of the greatest qualities about my Father. My Father was far from a perfect man. But we all have strengths and wisdom to pass on to others. One great wisdom that my Father passed along to me was not to complain about what you've lost, but be thankful for what you still have. At 70, he was in a 10 mile walk to raise funds for some charity. By the time he was 80, he could walk about a mile. But that was good enough for him. He knew a lot of people who couldn't walk a mile. When he had to use a walker, I bought hima bike horn to blow when he passing slower people with their walkers. And that was good enough for him. When I'd ask him how he was doing, he'd always say, "Pretty good .. there are a lot of people who can't do what I can." I'd kid him and say, "Dad, if I ask you how you're doing and you can't walk any more, you'll say, pretty good .. I can still crawl across the floor. There are a lot of people who can't do that." My Grandfather was like that. He lay flat on his back in a bed for six or seven years before he finally wasted away and died. When you asked him how he was, he always said, "pretty good."

So, if you wonder how the Gospel Messengers are doing, we're doing "Pretty good." We're no longer a quartet, missing a tenor.
We ARE the Gospel Messengers and we're not missing anything. We're just greatful for what we have.

A good attitude to have, whatever you've lost. Be thankful for what you've got left.

We're going to have a fine time, Saturday night. They've already sold at least 80 tickets for the dinner, and I wouldn't be surprised if they hit 100.

Still room at the table...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 16 May 06 - 10:10 PM

The world is safe, as long as we have you, Elmer..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 16 May 06 - 08:26 PM

Hey, you're talking about wascally wabbits in fwont of the wrooooonnnnnggggg guy!!!!!!!!!!

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 May 06 - 07:38 PM

Refresh so the door doesn't accidentally close, and lock perchance.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 May 06 - 09:28 PM

I know one thing, Ebbie: There'd be a lot more rabbits in six months than folks. Maybe rabbits would have evolved into a Master Race and they'd be trapping us for stealing carrots from their gardens.

Maybe it's best not to have these kind of thoughts... :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 May 06 - 08:56 PM

Well, let's see. Let's assume the rabbits were young but of breeding age. So they were at least 4 months old. The ark traveled for how long? The rain continued for 40 days and 40 nights but how long did it take the waters to recede? Anybody know?

The gestation period of rabbits is approximately 30 days and the average litter is about 5 kits. So we can safely assume that the number of rabbits coming off the ark was only about 7.

But in the next 6 months? Wow!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 May 06 - 08:34 PM

My main question with the Noah's Ark thing is, if he took two rabbits on board, how many hopped down the gang plank when Noah found dry land?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 15 May 06 - 07:17 PM

Aha! Bill Cosby's question answered at last. I'll bet those songs about Noah are really great--lots of room for creativity with that theme.

My arms aren't very long, so somebody else better volunteer theirs for the requisite cubit.

Well, if people keep on hootin' and hollerin' around here, and if the rain keeps falling and the creek keeps rising, please pass me a cup of coffee UNDER the kitchen table. I feel a lot safer down here, giving a new meaning to the phrase, "duck and cover." (There are a few of our web-footed friends paddling in from the rain and quacking in dismay at all the racket their opposable-thumbed friends are making.)

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 May 06 - 06:00 PM

Interesting that you would ask "what is a cubit?" Elmer. We do two or three songs about Noah and I offer some helpful little tidbits, introducing them. A cubit is the distance from your elbow to the tip of your fingers. My cubit may be longer than yours, but not nearly as long as Chombo Chimp's. Depending on which translation you read, the ark was either made out of gopher wood, or shitim. I kinda prefer saying it was made out of gopher wood.. :-)

Yeah, if all this furor keeps happening, maybe we'll all have to break into a rousing chours of Katie get up and bar the door...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 15 May 06 - 05:18 PM

With all the mudslinging going on around in the catbox, mebbe some of us are better off hiding under the kitchen table!

Or mebbe we better start building that ark just in case. Right. What's a cubit?

E.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 May 06 - 02:37 PM

Probably better spell that 'cruise'.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 May 06 - 01:44 PM

As much rain as we've had the last six weeks I really wasn't surprised to see an ark in the ocean in front of downtown Juneau. Actually, there were four of them, huge behemoths indeed.

We're deep into the tourist crusie season already.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 May 06 - 01:01 PM

Got to the post office today, so there are a bunch of CDs taking flight.

With Mudcat down for half a day, I thought I'd just throw something in here so the thread doesn't slide off the table. It's been raining now for a week and a half. If this keeps up, I'm going to start building an ark. Until then, I mowed the front lawn in the rain... something I've never done in my life. When the grass is higher than the windows, you have to do something..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 May 06 - 05:47 PM

It's been a beautiful Mother's Day here. Talked to me Mum and she is doing fine, and getting all wound up about our coming out to visit. Ruth has loved her day - took her out to eat, went to her daughter's church where she gave a powerful sermon on the strength of women (and their need for a mutually supportive relationship with their husbands) Ruth liked her gifts, and we had a beautiful afternoon... just the two of us. We'll have a simple supper, and watch a movie together.

I can't believe that life gets better than this.

Meanwhile, the storms are raging... what a sad state of affairs when so much of Mudcat has became an 8 car collision, with everyone pulling over to watch (and comment...)

It's just real nice to know you folks..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 14 May 06 - 01:51 PM

Hi Ron, not sure where crack of sparrow came from, but I think crack of dawn is part of it, dawn chorus... sparrows? Maybe some one will know who is a cockney? I am from the wrong part of London to hear Bow Bells.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 14 May 06 - 01:39 PM

"crack of sparrow"--is that rhyming slang--or what's the story behind it?   Bet it's a good one.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 14 May 06 - 12:46 PM

Hi all,popped in for a coffe and just thought I would say Happy Mothers Day to all the ladies, we had our mothering Sunday some weeks back in the UK. I hope you all got breakfast in bed and get taken out to dinner. Have a lovely restful day girls.
I remember when my children were little being woken up at the crack of sparrow with a tray of tea made with cold water, had to drink it of course!
Tears at this table? How about tears of joy and tears of laughter?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 May 06 - 10:45 AM

Hey, KT:

I'll stick a copy of the Bob Scobey, Clancy Hayes CD in the mail to you. I sent some stuff to you, Ron, on Friday, and have four more packages ready to go to the post office tomorrow. I wanted to mail them on Saturday, but we went to a baby shower. Man, those babies hurt like Hell when they land on your umbrella!

We didn't pick any up..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 14 May 06 - 08:43 AM

It's a new--and much brighter day--on Mudcat-and, finally, not just on this thread.

May the spirit of the kitchen table spread--and onions are great.


I have to get up now and go sing in church.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 14 May 06 - 03:37 AM

I LOVE ONIONS
by Donald Cochrane and John Hill

I don't like snails or toads or frogs
Or strange things living under logs
But mmm, I love onions

I don't like to dance with Crazy Ted
He's always jumping on my head
But mmm, I love onions

{Refrain}
Onions, onions, la-la-la
Onions, onions, ha-ha-ha
Root doot doot-doot, doot doot doot
Onions, onions, la-la-la
Onions, onions, ha-ha-ha
Root doot doot-doot, doot doot doot

I don't like rain or snow or hail
Or Moby Dick the great white whale
But mmm, I love onions

I don't like shoes that pinch your toes
Or people who squirt you with a garden hose
But mmm, I love onions

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 13 May 06 - 11:40 PM

If there are tears shed around this table, (aside from onion induced ones) , they'll be tears of compassion for fellow travelers on the journey. A good place, this kitchen table.

And yes, Jerry. I'd love a copy of that CD, thank you!

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 May 06 - 07:53 PM

Jerry's State Of The Onion Address:

Onions are pleasing to hold in your hands. They have a delicate, paper thin outer skin, and a silky smooth inner skin with a diaphanous film separating the two. Onions bring zest to the blandest of foods, are easy to raise and extremely inexpensive. They are the food of Kings, yet available to the poorest of paupers.
But like most thin-skinned organisms, they cry easily when cut or bruised. Or more accurately, they make the beholder cry. Now it may be true that people who allow an onion to make them cry are not tough-skinned enough. Probably the kind of people who are hurt by vile insults on the internet.

Here around the kitchen table, let us hope that the only tears that are shed are because of onions. Let the wolves howl outside the door, or rant incessantly.

This is a good place to be.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 May 06 - 09:38 AM

Now, jimmy, if you were really WITH IT, you'd realize that Levi has a brand called the 501 blues. I'm glad you didn't get the blues, posting the 501st post.

Maybe we can reserve the 600th post for you..

Always good to see you in here, jimmy. I hope that you, Jayne and family are getting some relief. And that we'll see you (and Jayne, too) after we get back from Wisconsin. We're coming back the night of the 11th of June.

And, it looks like a "Go" for the Church And Street Corner Harmonies workshop at NOMAD in November. My new-found friend KIen is confirming it with the other four members of his a capella doo wop group, and so far, the powers that be at NOMAD are enthusiastic. What a time that will be! This summer, I'll invite the group, The Sentinels over for a sing around with the Messengers.

Great Day in the Morning!

All day, that day.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 May 06 - 09:15 AM

Just imagine, if you will, a grown 58 year old man sitting at the computer at 9 AM in his underwear, then suddenly jumping up yelling "WOO HOO!!!!" just wanting to high five someone purly based on getting rhe five hundredth post. I know it may be a touch childish but it was a very good feeling to know that as far as the number thing, in this thread, at least for the present, I AM DA MAN!!! now I need to go shower and get busy. Thank you all for allowing that outburst.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 May 06 - 09:11 AM

FIVE HUNDRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 May 06 - 09:10 AM

YOu folks are all on a roll, albiet at my expense! grin

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 May 06 - 07:51 AM

You're on a roll, Elmer: I just hope that it's sugar-free.

Jerry Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 13 May 06 - 02:50 AM

Got a bill from my dentist down by the San Francisco Bay,
And my HMO sez they ain't gonna pay.
I didn't mean to need a new bridge.
Heck, it costs more than my fridge!
I'll kiss my credit good-bye,
I'm gonna swear off pie,
This bill's enough to make a grown man cry.

Now my Visa's overdrawn and my accountant won't give me the time.
And my mouth hurts so bad I think I'm gonna lose my mind.
When the lidocaine wears off for good,
You'll hear my sobs all over the 'hood
'Cause I got the acci-dental blues down by the San Francisco Bay.

Uh, it's after my bedtime. Nighty-night.

Lockjaw Elmore

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 13 May 06 - 12:14 AM

Got my baby a gold crown.
A root canal, and a brand new partial too;
I told her, "Ain't nothin' too good
For that sweet little smile you do."

Now she done run off with the dentist,
And I'm stuck here with the bills;
I'm gonna cry into the toothbrush glass
And then head out for the hills.

--Blind Lowdown Elmer Bicusp

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 May 06 - 01:28 PM

"And all I could say was 'mumble, mumble, mumble.'

Good one!

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

Just got a very moving e-mail from an old friend. Back in the 50's, he had a couple of regional rock-a-billy hits and answered the siren of musical fame. His "fame" burned out very quickly, but he kept playing, singing country music in bars... living the Merle Haggard life without the recognition or financial rewards. All those years of playing in bars left him with asthma, and now he has to be on a breathealotor (or whatever they're called) at times. He's moved back to him home town where his Mother and Father are in a nursing home, and he can't find work.. having a tag sale just to try to meet bills.

So, along with the other CDs I'm burning to send out to some of you folks, I'm putting together a package for him. He can't afford to pay for anything, but I love doing this kind of stuff, so we're a good combination. I have the blessings, he has the needs. Sometimes, just knowing that someone cares about you is the greatest gift of all.

And, I've got a batch of CDs ready to pass around the kitchen table, too..

Whoops... I think the mailman is coming..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 May 06 - 10:02 AM

Good ones, Elmer:

How about,

"I went to see my dentist
'Cause I was feeling down in the mouth
He asked me why my baby left me
And all I could say was mumble, mumble, mumble"

Jerry