I'M A BODHRAN MAN

TUES 21 FEB 2012 1:31 pm  Went for a drive yesterday, ending up at Niagara Falls. If there is a tackier town in North America I don't know where it is. But, it's so much fun. There have to be more motels than anywhere else in existence. Clifton Hill is a riot of colour and noise, everyone vying for the tourist dollar.

Then you go down and around the corner and there is one of the most spectacular natural sights you could imagine. Hundreds of tons of cascading water, thrilling the tourists and keeping our lights on, all in one fell swoop, (meaning single action or occurrence – I looked it up). It's a strange juxtaposition that's been going on since the first Europeans stumbled upon the falls.
'This is pretty cool, but imagine it with a hot-dog stand!' 


We stumbled upon a Tender Tootsies outlet and I found some much needed new boots.

Saturday I went with Matt and Vanessa to see Jay Linden and Duane Rutter share the stage at the Moonshine Cafe www.themoonshinecafe.com/about.htm in Oakville. It was a full house but you could almost hear a name drop as they traded original songs for close to three hours. I've mentioned before how the Moonshine is very supportive of musicians, treating them with the respect they deserve. A good place to see someone if you want to really listen to all the nuances.

I stayed over at Matt's and had a really good day hanging with the kids on Sunday.

My Bodhran

J just came home from the post office with a big package for me. It is a Bodhran (Celtic  drum)from Michael. (My bd is coming up.) It even has a CD to tell you how to play it. I've always liked the sound of them, so now I can learn. Good stuff!

INSPECTING THE GULLIES

WED 15 FEB 2012 Today I'm taking you on a walk to the far gully, the other path down to the lake shore.

The cherry trees are receiving a line of manure.

Ice is building a bit along the shore. It would normally cover the lake by now.

Sand blowing up the cliff face collects in an impressive dune.

Seriously eroding cliffs.

And we make it to the gully., also eroding rapidly.

Here's where the stream from the gully (Hemlock Creek) empties into Lake Erie.

  You probably can get to the bottom but it's not an easy trek. I'll leave it for another day.

Looking back up the gully.

On the way back we get another view of the dune.

And a close up of the ripples of sand.

      That was a good walk. Hope you enjoyed it.

A BUSY WEEK

THUR 09 FEB 2012 3:53pm  This has been quite a week or so. We went for a walk to the cliff today. Strong wind, hard to stand at the cliff top without being pushed back. Sunny though, not like February at all.

I've been critiquing the other student's scenes for the writing course. I find it really hard to do, but it's coming. Reading the others students' critiques gives me a clue to what's expected.

Yesterday I met Lori for brunch at the Harmony. Then went to Simcoe library to show her what it's like. We have an mutual affinity for the book depositories, having met at a library-tech course.

On Saturday I attended a house concert featuring the BarnKats, a great bluegrass band. Then over to Duane's Rutter's 50 hour Guitarathon. I played with him for a good space of time and really enjoyed it. Matt, my son, met me there. The next day I went back for the finale, and Duane did indeed go for the full 50 hours, collecting enough in donations to send 4 kids to camp.

On the Friday I went to visit my brother George and his wife Topi. Helen was there as well as Robin and Blaine and Melita. We had a long-overdo visit. George and I spent a good hour looking over the names and pictures in ancestry.ca; all the aunts, uncles and cousins we haven't seen for years.

The other day we went to the main beach in Port Burwell. The dunes are growing nicely behind the beach, and gaining vegetation. The pier is being fixed up for the arrival of the decommissioned submarine that's to come this summer.

The growing dunes

The old signal light

Front of light

SAT 11 FEB 2012 9:43pm  Finally got a good snow storm today. It went from bare ground to about a foot of snow over night, along with high winds that really piled up the drifts. We decided against a trip to Toronto we had planned.

Later in the day I went into town for something and all of a sudden found myself traveling sideways. I steered three times into the slide and finally got it under control. Spending time in a ditch is so inconvenient, it's best to avoid it.

Got a missive from Westie last night. She's the little port town girl who's been sending me her thoughts about life. I'm hoping she'll stay with me long enough to fill a book with her story. It is almost like automatic writing with her. When I'm calm and relaxed, sometimes almost asleep, she starts talking. And if I'm smart I listen and write it down.

Also watched Pleasantville today. It's one of my favourites. It involves going back in time to the squeaky clean 1950s and finding it's not so great. It's an allegory that never makes a misstep, a perfect film.

Now Jackie and I are both winding down, getting ready for the long mid-winter nap.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

Duane Rutter

If you haven't seen or heard Duane Rutter don't worry. You will have lot's of opportunity this weekend as my friend from Port Rowan plays his guitar for 50 hours straight. In his last attempt he only went for a paltry 48 hours, but it was his first try, so we'll give him the benefit.
Last year he raised enough money to send four people to Camp Trillium, a Waterford, Ontario based summer retreat for children with cancer and their families.  He's hoping to help out more this year.
A steady stream of area musicians sat in with Duane last year to keep him company night and day, so if you like live music, (and who doesn't?), you owe it to yourself to get on down to support this effort with your applause and your contribution.

This all takes place at The Robot Cafe in downtown Port Dover. 
When
Friday at 2:00pm until Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:00pm 
Where 
Fred Eaglesmith's Robot Cafe and Hobo Store, 243 Main Street, Port Dover, Ontario

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