Last Wednesday in January............

Cold is the way it is this time of year. Its nice to be inside around a warm source like a heater or wood burning stove, but don’t take that stuff for always being there. I think you have to harden yourself to the cold to make it and live longer. Think about all the pioneers who made it through the cold winters. Well, it’s been really cold up in Three Rivers and it helps to have a warm down bag and a blanket or two,that defiantly takes the edge off! The frogs have been loud lately, I think it’s the spring thoughts that makes them croak. And, the rivers been up and down, with the trend now being down, but judging by all the snow it won’t be too long that way.

We’re doing music tonight so bring your quieter instruments and come on up. I’ll catch you up on some more premo news later so stay in touch my friends……….

Good Monday....................

The winds they did blow Saturday night and Sunday day and then again last night after drumming. I stayed up at the gallery and the place was swaying to the winds gusts several times! And, yes it rained both days a lot making the river start taking a rise that’s still rising as I write.
We drummed inside last night and it was a little group with a warm fire and some really good drumming grooves. Thanks to all of you who came up even though the weather was raining and it was cold.
We got a bike ride in on Saturday before the storm and went to the fire station in Yokohl for a 28miler. I’m starting to feel better at the plan to get in shape and now that I’ve stayed at the gallery for a few days I’m feeling more and more like a mountain man………..Ha Ha……………..Enjoy your day my friends…………

What are you Thinking??

Last week when I was in Yosemite I heard a story from some climbers who had just come from a climbing trip in Sonora Pass. It’s a funny sport in that you have to hike sometimes long distances through thick brush and up hillsides full of everything that can slow a human down, only to end up at a big rock formation somewhere. Most people don’t even really look at rocks let alone going all out to get to a rock to climb. It’s that way with Sonora Pass. It comes out of the gold rush country and goes over to the desert. Its remote and you have to go way down into it to climb. Nobody goes there but a few climbers cuz the rock is so good. But, these guys, hardened Alaska climbing veterans, got the holy moly scared out of them from some kind of creature they say made them leave in a big hurry their second night in. They quickly packed with their pocket knives drawn and split out of there!! It all started when after having a great day climbing, they went to camp and got ready for the evening. Their dog, a 120# pit bull who usually never barks started freaking out with its hair standing on end and barked and barked at something down the canyon. They could hear some really weird sounds as whatever it was moved through an area of heavy brush. It wasn’t a bear and could have been a cat but it was somehow different than all that and sounded bigger. It made a loud scream that sounded like a shriek…..loud, so loud it finally made them just leave. One guy had already gone to sleep when all this came down and was hastily woken up and told they were getting the hell out of there and he could tell by their looks they weren’t kidding. There was no one else anywhere near where they were and whatever this creature was didn’t want them in there. This all happened about two weeks ago.

Well, will be going to stay at the gallery for the weekend. It snowed all the way around Three Rivers last night and everything stayed white most of the day. It should be a nice stay for a couple of days as the weather changes will make for some good river watching! Do come on up to Drumming Sunday night or check on us during the weekend. You know we’re always getting something going! Love to you and see you soon………….

Its for You.................

Lots of fun stuff has been going on over here. The sweat Friday night was fabulous. It was a pretty cold night already, and then after we were all thoroughly heated to the core, we took the long cold walk to the river and jumped into the really bone chilling fresh snow melted water. BRRRRRRRRRR!! It felt good after getting out though and it sealed our pores and bumped up our mental fitness level.



Saturday it was off to Auberry to see our other drumming friends. We ate a great potluck assembled by some fine cooks and then went out and drummed the groove out to the hills close by. We stayed up very late and I slept outside to hear the coyotes howling in the moon lit night. Next day we helped balance rocks and take pictures. Good friends for sure!


Sunday night drumming and it was getting pretty stormy looking outside with the wind gusting up and making the trees sway. Gary and Lorissa had trimmed all the grape vines and now they filled the entire bottom of the drumming circle for the 8 o’clock fire show. I was against the fire because of the sparks it would make but we compromised and Jimson got the hose ready. Well 8 came up and it was lit. It started pretty slow and we drummed along as some cardboard caught fire. All the while the wind joined in the groove too. Pretty soon it was going pretty good! It got bigger and bigger and the wind came up and it went nuclear! We all were thinking we better drop our drums and run like hell to the river or go get the hose! All the neighbors had all come over by now and it was a dumbfounded look of wonderment for sure! This is going to be an annual event now I just know it.. Come on up and join us! Happy Tuesday Baby…………………..

Your the one.......................

I know for a fact that I’ve been being a lazy donkey. Haven’t rode my bike, haven’t really done much to further my New Years resolution for getting in the best shape of my life. So that came to an end yesterday, the end of being a lazy donkey and moving on with the things that will make me a strong drummer. Went to Yosemite and did some more climbing yesterday. It was a beautiful day with dark blue Sierra sky and fairly warm temps all day. It got alittle breezy as we climbed higher but it was just really nice! We went higher than we had on our last trip and climbing harder stuff too. Check…. on the first day of fun, then today I finally rode the bike 20 miles. Man, it’s really gorgeous out there in the green zone, the hills all green now and that’s happened since I’ve last been riding, about three weeks.
Alrite, so we’re doing a sweat tonight……….go in around 7. I know its short notice, but that’s how these kinds of things go. If you really want to join us, and you are welcome to, you just have to see how the plans for it are going. We usually start talking about doing one and then, bingo, we make plans. Its time to do these kind of things now that it’s green out and the first rains have come.
We’ll be heading up to Auberry for the drumming up there tomorrow, so yes, a big few days of Mucho Gusto!! What are you doing?? Its going by pretty darn fast, you better get out there before you get too old. Love to you…………….

Its gonna be alrite........................

Yes, Wednesday night music is on tonight. We’ve got 2 accordions , keyboards, guitars, flutes and drums coming so you may want to change those plans and come on up. We’ll start around 7pm. Bring goodies…………

It’s been another cloudy kind of foggy day here again. Yesterday was like living on Pluto with all the dense fog and very cool temps swirling around in a steady breeze. The Sun is trying to break through and it might soon. Of course yesterday in Three Rivers it was sunny all day, though hazy and still it was pretty cool.

Well, that’s the latest, but not everything yet. I’m going to Yosemite tomorrow for another climbing trip so stay tuned for that. And, hope to see you tonight………..Peace and Love…………………

Good week a coming............

Monday, Monday. How’s it been lately? Great weekend to report here. Kinda couldy on Saturday night around the fire with good friends, and last night at Drumming it was real starry out with a sliver of moon showing, it was pretty darn chilly! Orion was swinging by in the sky.
The river has gone back down some, but it sure left its calling card along the edge. Driftwood everywhere, all laying in a washed up fashion. There’s stuff hanging high in the bushes which shows the high point that happened on a recent Friday night. River art for sure, and drum circle fire wood last night. The stuff will burn, but don’t try it till you run out of everything else because it’s basically soggy or has been. And, yea it burns but its smokey. So, that said, we need firewood folks and I’m putting the word out to you to bring anything you have, as long as its not painted, treated or particle board. Thanks for that ahead!! Orlando and Victor and friends helped get the river wood up in flames last nite and it took some work! Low light and warm coals all night and even though it was smokey, we all huddled around as it got cooler.
A good group of us too. Its always a surprise to see who shows. Its asking a lot to think people will drive up and join us in the winter time when the shows on TV are coming up big Sunday nights. Leaving the warm house to stand in the dirt with smoke getting in your eyes and the sounds of the river and frogs going at it. Surrounded by friends who make us laugh and see the lighter side of it all and a call of the wild later on from the coyotes nearby. Us beating the skins of our drums together and thinking about our lives and what’s next. You know you’ll be the first one I tell……………………See you tomorrow…………

Lets jump in....................

Happy Friday to you my friends. Its coming up the weekend and I hope you have big plans for some relaxations. There’s always Sunday nite Drumming.
Cool and chilly work pretty good as a description of the weather here. The rivers running pretty good and the mountains and some hills have snow. It’s going to be a good year for all of us in nature for sure! I hope alls well and that we can hook up sometime this weekend my friends. TGIF……………..

Happy Wednesday to you................

Hello Wednesday. This weeks going pretty fast and now its already time to think about how its going to go with the weekend, and yes……Wednesday night. Are any of you interested in getting together for music tonite?? If so, please let me know.
It rained a lot last night and snow was falling up high. Its shaping up to be a great water year for us…….unless of course a pineapple express comes through……you know, one of those warm tropical storms that makes it rain up high and melts the snow all at once. That’s always a good photo op! I noticed yesterday that the lake is filling up nicely too.
Lots of emotional changes going on here. The only way I could tell you about it in truth would be to play my guitar for you…………………………Some really good feelings too……..Thanks for checking in as always. Love to you and your day……….

Whats on your mind??

We ended up drumming inside last night. The drum area was under water and the wood was wet. So, in the boom room we went. We got a fire going in the stove and opened the area up to make room for all the drummers. There was a few of us, around 15 and we jammed !! We surprised ourselves and there was a giddy laugh amongst us. Chase ended the session with a Native American flute tune which we promptly joined in on. It was inspiring to get on the beat when we all were together. Good job folks!
I am adding a picture of the inside of the Gallery showing the decorations still hanging from New Years. The aluminum foil icicles…………….

Work those resolutions...........

It’s still been really nice and rainy here. I’m heading up to the drumming grounds a little early to see how the place looks. We might have to play inside, but that’s if we really have to of course. We love it outside…….fresh air, good stars and now…….the sound of the river! Yes, the river is back and it really came up on Friday night…..I mean WAY up! Twice as high as the seasonal runoff which is usually around 3500 cfs…..Friday night from around midnight till 2 am it got up to 7000 cfs! Lots of wet rain and we’re still getting it. Lots of snow too! Well, what the heck, come on up and check it all out with us tonight…….and as always….bring goodies! Love to You……………..

Enjoying the Change..........

Saturday morning here and its pretty wet outside. We had a major rainmaker come through last nite and its was needed and good! A big soaker making the ground muddy again. Had a nice dinner with Gary and Lorissa at the Chinese food place here. We looked through the window at the main street of town where the rain was coming down as we sipped our hot tea.
The New Year feels different huh? I just feel a change and it’s for the good. Don’t you feel it too??
I went on a climbing trip to Yosemite on Thursday. It’s only about 3 hours away and my friend goes every week from here. So, I’ll be hitching a ride to get in climbing shape again. Let’s get together tonight for some music…………call me. And Enjoy!

Climbing in Yosemite on Thursday.............

Time to get it done............

I haven’t talked to you since last year…..and there’s a lot to tell. The New Years Gallery Party was excellent of course! The place was decorated from top to bottom with lights and lots of aluminum foil. Outside was a ball of Mistletoe 5 foot square in diameter with lights all inside of it making the poisonous plant look edible and luminous! Lots of people trickled in and enjoyed the live band, which really played some good music. Since their lead singer broke his leg and couldn’t come, some local musicians stepped up and helped the cause. Lots of Champagne was there at the last hour and it ended up being around the fire outside where we bid farewell to the old and brought in the new the way we know how. A beautiful clear night with the millions of stars as the only witness to another really great memory!!