Drumming tonight and More.........

Nice clear, cloudy and cool day here. Riding up Dry Creek yesterday it rained on us, and way up the road, there was a tree trunk on fire, might have been a lightning strike??
I’ve heard news that Keio has made it safely back in the USA and is currently in New York awaiting a flight to Fresno. This is good news!
We will be drumming Tonite (Wednesday) in Visalia, at Linda’s house. Several have already said they are coming and I believe Chuck is one of them. It’ll be a drumming happy nite so please join us…………..Call me for directions.

All things in Moderation

News from the Weekend

Lot of good things happened this weekend to tell about. We did a really nice sweat Saturday night, with 7 of us jumping in the river around 11 pm under a beautiful starry and clear moonlit night. An hour after we were all done it rained and continued all night till the next day at noon. There were several who attended that had never done one and are changed forever and can’t wait till the next .

Our drumming last night had a surprise visit from Wil, who was in town on a quick visit and joined us. It was groove time and strong and tight was the rule. We called Gary on a cell phone and drummed a nice song with singing for him while he listened. This really cheered him up and got him ready for his homecoming March 7th. Another starry night, with the partial bright moon forming the head of Orion. Some clouds in the air but mild temps with a big fire was the moment we were in. Thanks to all the attendees.

This Wednesday we will be drumming at Linda’s house and I will get directions. Please call me about this tomorrow if you are interested. I won’t post the directions, but you are all welcome to join us.

I received mail from Keio’s brother this morning regarding her departure from Africa……

Keio called from Conakry and left a phone message this morning
saying she was flying out today on a flight with Royal Air Maroc,
expecting to be in New York tomorrow afternoon, at which time she
would be staying with a friend and would call here with further
details. No mention of the dog.

Thanks to all of you who have expressed your concern over her welfare
and have kept her and Wadaba in your thoughts and prayers.

Art

Tour of California Bike Race

Nice day at the coast yesterday! We headed over for the Tour of California Bike Race early, to Cambria and ended up walking around moonstone beach and hanging out in the Bakery drinking coffee. The race started in Monterey and they rode from there to San Luis Obispo in 5 hours, 132 miles. That’s some peddling in the rain! This race had all the riders that will probably be in the Tour de France so it was one to see if you like this sort of stuff. It seemed that a lot of people did and when we were at the finish line in SLO town it was packed! I really like that downtown and we ate dinner and headed back to some awesome displays of lightning in the Sierras.
We’re thinking about doing a sweat tomorrow nite, so let me know if your interested. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Rumors and more...............

Halloween Past...........

I made some phone calls this morning and found out that Gary could be coming back to Three Rivers as early as March 2nd. It all depends on him finding a Nurse to administer his Anti-Biotics twice a day. I have heard that Gary has found someone locally and so he’s coming home. This juggled in my mind the rest of the day as I did a plumbing job in Three Rivers. A beautiful spring like day (in wait of a BIG storm coming tomorrow, winter storm warnings and all that). So, on my way home I saw a friend heading up the hill, right at the Video store on the main street of Three Rivers. Here I stopped and then ran into others and next thing you know, I was totally updated on everything from websites, the latest on the Gallery, Slickee and to Gary’s nurse that is still totally up in the air about helping Gary. That’s life in a small town I’m guessing. Things are moving forward though and who knows, it’ll be life at the Gallery and Slickee again. We’ve been talking about doing a sweat soon.

Tomorrow I’m heading to the coastal town of Cambria to see the Amgen Tour of California bike riders ride through, and finish in San Luis Obispo. We’ll be grabbing a fish dinner and coming home where I’ll let you know how it went. Thanks for checking in friends. Enjoy the weather!

Calling all Drummers

Drumming does happen, and not just every Sunday Night. We had a small crowd Sunday and even though the sky was weeping on us, we moved through. Jose had a nice big fire going already when I arrived. The Gallery as usual was dark and uninviting, the trolls up in their lair. Several core drummers came and you know when you have a small core group it rocks. We went on long journeys and as the beats got tighter, the rain got stronger. It never did rain all that much, just a gentle easy going drip. We kept up our gum chewing grooves till way late, and went home wet and happy. We sure could have used some dancers! Stay Tuned, there’s more coming…………

A past Wednesday at Karen's

Gary's new number...........

A sunny mild day here, really beautiful!! A good day for a hike, bike, or something that gets you out in it. I have my bike riding plan for tomorrow morning up Dry Creek road (the Krsna Highway) and I’m sure it’ll be enlightening. It’s just so green and looks like springs in the air. Though, we need rain, and snow most of all! Yesterday, at work, 4000 feet and it was almost 80 degrees. This is not good; there should be snow all around! Weather supposed to come in next week, so we’ll see eh.

9 am Saturday….Just as I was biting into a maple donut, newly acquired from a trip to the donut shop, the phone rang, it was Gary. He sounded really good, like the old days. He’s in his new rehabilitation hospital, nursing home. Here he will stay with his anti-biotic drip for a few weeks. He likes it so far. He can get out, he went with his son to dinner, and he is more free to do what he wants. There’s a roof deck to ponder the city from and lots to do inside. He has a workout room that will make him stronger and puzzles to work his mind. Although, he says it feels like being in the army, with his roommate there and all. So, it’s going good for Gary. Here’s his new number, PLEASE call him…………….415-749-3222

What do I know about LOVE

Your probably right, given my situation, what do I know about Love. I’m down to hugging puppies and petting cats. But, I try to emanate love by giving it out in different ways. I go in front of a mirror and try to put on the most loving smile I can achieve and remember it. Then while driving around anywhere, like around the lake, I put on this smile at any on coming cars. This REALLY works my friends. Its amazing how many people look at you when you go by, and when they see a smile, well most are pretty dumbfounded. But, it does make a difference. I do get lots of smiles back and I know that I’m spreading love in my own special way. Try it out.

Happy Valentines Day Friends

Well, a much deserved Happy Valentines Day to all of you beautiful people. It’s your special day .Maybe a time of reflection or infatuation. You always have to check to make sure that the fires burning. Maybe add another log, or get some kindling to heat things up! Not just some smokey wood either, something that will start a FIRE!
Just a card don’t get it there guys, it has to be flowers, bath oils, chocolate, or a big bottle of wine with all of the above.

Its been a couple of days dealing with air leaks over here. Yep, air leaks! My truck had a slow leak in the front tire. I had to put air in it several times, at 75 cents each time! It’s a pain to pull over and do that too. But, it beats driving down the road knowing that you’ve got a low tire. Finally, I took it to the tire store yesterday. I had to pump up the tires on my mountain bike so I could ride it back home to wait for my leak to be fixed. In the mean time, I got invited to go for a bicycle ride up Yokohl and I got out my road bike to get it ready. It had a flat on the front tire! More air, 120 pounds worth! I sure hope thats my run of air leaks for now…………………….And You????

Views from the past.........

Catching you up on this Monday....

It was a really great weekend, and we drummed 3 nights in a row! Wil picked me up Friday afternoon and after hooking up with Linda in Visalia, we were off to Jim and Shelia’s place in Auberry. We were greeted to a big and happy crowd fresh from a best ever potluck and ready for some drumming, which we did till the wee hours. It started raining during that time and glad we were under a nice carport with a tin roof. What a great groove and dance there was! Got to meet some new faces and catch up with others since our last gathering together in January when it was 29 degrees. It was really mild this time. We had such a good time Friday night that Wil, Paul and I decided to stay another night and do it again Saturday night. We again were not disappointed. People just kept showing up, even though it was raining like crazy. We had a flute player and many drums. The groove of all grooves made us sway to the beat, and dance to the rhythm that is connecting all of our souls together. Sleeping was easy as the rain came down on that tin roof both nights, with some heavy wind gusts and howling coyotes real close both nights. Many Thanks to our new friends in Auberry.

Sunday nights drumming at the gallery brought some surprises. The gallery was totally lit up when we arrived and chairs were set up inside for us, in case it rained (which it didn’t) I guess this is a peace offering to us, and we accept. There was a successful art opening at the Gallery, Saturday nite, and there was some great music by the new Rag Time band that drew quite a crowd we heard. Well, that’s the latest from here, but there’s more and I’ll be right back so stay tuned!!

More Gary News.....

I called Gary this morning, to see how things were moving along over there in the Hospital in San Francisco. His voice sounded strong on the phone and we talked about how he was going to be transferred to another hospital soon for rehabilitation.
I’ve been gone to a drum-a-thon for several days and will update you on this and more tomorrow, after Drumming tonight. I’ve heard that a lot of people were coming tonite, if you don’t come up, then please give Gary a call………..His Latest #415-353-8200
See you Soon!!

Getting ready for Friday

Work has been good this week. I finished the attic floor and shelve. This project, which was just supposed to be a shed redo, has morphed into a full-on house addition, with an inside loft. I’ve had lots of fun thinking about building and being up there at 4000’ mostly alone with tall pine trees all around.. Its then that you have to deal with yourself as a work partner, and we do argue!! Kind of a moral right and take it easy left that makes up the talk or thoughts of the day. It feels good to talk out loud and to do it right.

Gary has a staph infection that’s causing some of the fluid in his lungs its turns out. He’s on a heavy dose of anti-biotics , while he recovers so, it won’t affect his heart valve which is new to his body. He is going to be in a re-habilitation hospital for around 6 weeks, according to his son Paul, who called me with all this last night, Wednesday.
That will just about put him back in Three Rivers around the beginning of April, which is what he had planned.

We’re headed to Jim an Shelia’s tomorrow night for our monthly drumming fun in the foothills of Auberry. I’m feeling full of energy and plan to release it all, and save alittle for eating the crispy crèmes on the way home, so please join us if you want, it’s a pot luck, and drinks are needed.

Late August 2005

Not too bad of a weekend here. I remember when we used to all get together and celebrate the full moon…………a full moon drumming. They were nice gatherings and this full moon would have been a good one for this. We watched it rise over the hills last night at the Drum Circle as we drummed away our lives and stared in awe. It was a mild night, but the big fire still felt pretty good. Once the moon rose, we had luminescence all around and didn’t need any other light. We were a small crowd, but determined and you know when there’s just a few of us that usually drum together, we can whip it up. We were an engine, with all the pistons hitting and the sound going out into the sleepy town of Three Rivers, where teenagers raised here don’t know the town without a Drum Circle. Thanks to all who showed last night, it was defiantly one to remember. We’ve got a big week ahead and I’ll let you know as we get closer to Friday, how its going. We are looking for a place to play music on Wednesday night. If anyone has something to offer please contact me……………Have a powerful self………….

News from Keio and Wadaba in Africa.........Please Read!

From Art…………Kieo’s brother………

I got a phone call from Keio this morning with some important news.

Keio and Wadaba are safe for now, but Guinea is in something of a
disruption. Keio cannot get to the Internet, so is unreachable by
email. Wadaba has a cellular phone, though; his number is (224)
60539004 (to explain: 224 is the country code of Guinea; you will
have to first dial 110 to get out of the US).

Keio says that tanks are in the streets and gas is impossible to get,
so no one can get anywhere.

She also said that she thinks that she may have to reschedule her
trip for an earlier departure.

That's pretty much all she had time to say (she was using someone
else's phone).

Please pass the word along as widely as you can, particularly among
the Kaweah River Drum Circle and the Fresno drum class, and please keep
Wadaba and Keio in your thoughts and prayers. Also, please give
thought to the safety and well-being of our friends in Guinea. I am
sure that they would all appreciate it very much. Art Ogawa

From Keio……………………………………………..

Wadaba and I leave for the village today this afternoon (finally) to record
our new CD. We will return to Conakry approx 10 days Wed Feb 14 or so. I
fly home the following weekend. Wadaba will stay here in Guinea until 3
weeks after I arrive in the US, and will arrive in Fresno on Tues March 13
with the same itinerary as mine except the dates changed.
For those who don't know, Guinea has been in a state of turmoil lately.
The entire country went on strike for over 3 weeks, everything shut down.
The population has demanded that the president step down. He is very ill,
very old, and unable to run the country. There were probably about 100
people killed over this time, in the streets. The official number is
lower, but I know better. I stayed at home the entire time and felt
relatively safe, but we were not able to accomplish anything during this
time. The strike is over, for now, and there are serious negotiations in
process. The president has agreed to terms that the population agrees to,
but has not officially signed, and the people threaten to go on strike
again. It seems unlikely at the moment that another strike will happen,
but God only knows. Our biggest risk in going to upper Guinea is finding
gas to get home, but it seems that things will be fine and we will find
gas. I feel confident that we are safe
doing this.
I will not be in email contact during our trip to the village, but phone
may be possible if we are near Kouroussa.
Since I have cc'd this email to several people, Wadaba and I give you all
our warmest greetings, and we miss you and are looking forward to seeing
you when we get home, to tell you our good news!


Love to you all,
Keio and Wadaba

Gary is fine.................

Just heard that Gary made it through his surgery and that he’s in ICU for awhile. He might be able to take phone calls soon, and I’ll put the phone number up later tomorrow. I’m heading up to Jon’s for a sauna tonite, I need one………………..

I’ve made a flurry of calls this morning to see how the surgery went. I have heard nothing from anyone!! I hope things went well, as I trust they did. I have to head up the hill now, and will update you later, hopefully with lots of news………………..

From the Tower

Gary ..............

A gray day here. Up in the mountains where I’m working at 4000’ it was very chilly and almost real foggy. No snow around anymore, and we need either rain or snow pretty soon or we’ll be in a bad way.
I’m thinking positive as we travel through the long wait to see how Garys surgery went. I imagined getting rolled on a gurney into a room and guys with saz-alls and jigsaws at the ready. All masked up and white everywhere. After they give you the gas, you just become a dummy. That’s why they call it a practice I guess, but I know that the medical field has many professionals and some are taking Gary on and will make him well. I talked with Gary quite a bit last night. We kept it all positive. I told him that if he does get a pig valve, he might give out an Ounk every now and then and no telling what he’ll do when he gets to a mud puddle! The pig valve is almost exactly like a humans and the body takes one well in most cases. We laughed a lot and one of Gary’s tubes came out. So, as the wait continues, I’ll let you all know what happens next…………..