Friday....Winter Solstice

Tomorrow, Friday is the first day of Winter, the winter solstice. And its been cold and rainy. Christmas is on its way fast and pretty soon it’ll be New Years Eve at the Gallery. Live Band………………….stay in touch for details………Enjoy your Friday!!

The best times ever................

I’m putting up some old drumcircle pics for you history buffs out there. August, 1992 was our starting date as a drumcircle and we’re coming up on another year to add to the tally. Thanks for asking about that because you know I like to talk that stuff when you ask. So, I’ll be putting up more of these. As always, you can double click the big pictures for full screen viewing and saving for a screen saver or your Kaweah River Drum Circle historical file.
We had a great warm drumming last Sunday night, though not many came. We had the fire the hottest it’s ever been, I wish you were there so we could brag about ourselves to you. We had big stumps and got them all burning hot. Nice fire all nite and some good grooves for just a few of us. Sometimes it can be tighter with just a few.
It rained pretty good here for the last couple of days. The river got way up….almost 700 cfs!! The highest in awhile, enough to catch the ever creeping lawn chairs and head them to the lake. Snow too, a lot and that’s good my friends. I even saw 2 kayakers heading down the river today……Its going to be river time soon!!
I’m sure glad we drummed for rain and snow the last few drummings. That stuff really works!!!! See you soon……………

Music outside up on the North Fork

Drum Circle 1993

We Love Sunday Night................

It’s really a roll of the dice with how you recover from a surgery. Health has a lot to do with it and then there’s all the other factors like ethnic background and I guess your general constitution, you know, how your body moves through the air…..of life. How tough you are I mean. I’ve had the thermostat set at 71 and that’s a bit too soft I think. And just taking it easy takes some work. I have ridden my bike around 50 miles on 2 pretty hard rides in the last few days so all that’s working again! But I’m taking it pretty easy and slow. Thanks to all who asked how I have been doing, I really appreciate that!!
Yea, and Gary and myself even went to the bar last nite! A couple of beers is good for you…..just don’t drive right away of course. We hung around and watched the band and caught up with friends you only see at the bar and then I went home.
Tonight we’ll have a big fire going before you get there so Come on Up. We’d all love to see you, meet you again!

The Wednesday before Thursday......

That’s cool, its Wednesday on a week soon to be Christmas. Just getting into singing Christmas carols and smelling the pine tree smell and seeing the lights and ornaments. Not like when I was a kid and had my eye on what was under the tree. I knew exactly what my packages were and what they might be…..given a torn corner or two. I hated getting clothes as they never seemed to fit what others were wearing and always was not hip to wear. So, I haven’t seen any stuff under that ole tree yet but I’m thinking about hitting the malls here soon. Like maybe afterwards………This way it will be a surprise!
Cloudy and cool about sums up the weather and since Gary’s gone to San Francisco this week, no music tonight…………But, be looking for the call here pretty soon as we’re all ready to do some celebrating together……………Think Christmas………..

Monday Monday............

The sky was black and starry and it was really cold! That said, we had a really good grooving time last night. The upsized core of the drum circle was there in their best. We just drummed and drummed some more. I took it easy and just did shaking with my shaker. The fire felt warm and cozy and we kept the wood on to make it so. This is what it takes to be outside no matter what the temp and be together in that way. I’m sure glad we can do this and be able to have everyone join us! This is a gift we receive every Sunday night. Give Thanks………
Man I haven’t been out too much, so if you think I’ve been grueling through the malls looking for that present to give you , well………Hold on then………
It is the time to think ahead too. The big New Years resolution. Its time to think about that and make our lives more abundant with everything we want…..or don’t want. Getting healthy is on my list….to get in the best shape of my life….hows bout that one. Why not? Its easy and fun and you just go slow, like the turtles…….Hope your day goes well my friends……………….

Everybody's coming up tonite.................

Its Sunday and that means the drum circle is tonite! Warm fire, good friends and the groove from the exact center of Three Rivers. I’m ready to head up and see how it goes. Don’t forget to wear your long underwear and bring cookies as always. See you there I hope………………….

Its Saturday...............Let's Go.........

We got quite a bit of rain over here! I have been watching the River rise (on the computer) and it’s up to 350cfs now. It has been at 35cfs forever! We need the rivers to flow and the snow to stick. Build up a pack for the winter storage. Now, its clear and alittle sunny. All the liquid amber trees in the yard are finally turning their leaves the fall colors and it starting to feel a lot like Christmas………..
I’m still moving slow over here……sore man! I’ve been trying to stretch the time between taking the pain pills and have got some long ones but its back to the pills when the jaw hurts real bad. I’m gonna make it though! I’ve been real anticy to get out and see you all. I’m ready, almost to get back on the bike and the drum and the guitar. What are you doing tonite???? Call me and if your in the area, stop by and say hi……….Thanks to you friends………….

Bring it On!!

It really is a miracle how the human body heals itself so quickly. I got all my bandages off and I’m looking normal to the unknowing eye. Still got staples and stitches in and they will come out Monday. What a trip it is to be just kind of dopey on pain meds and moving through life here, where it is presently cloudy. A perfect way for the day to be feeling how I do. I can’t wait to get back in the middle of the river of life. Play my drum and guitar again and just have this monkey off my back finally.
What are you doing today? …………………
There is a winter storm warning in effect for this evening into tonight and tomorrow too. Snow down to around 5000’ with the possibility of it coming all the way down to 4000’. This is good news for a lot of areas around here you know. The river has been really low lately, running like it does in late August. So, we’ll see how it blows……….batten the hatches my friends it’s a gully washer a coming………………….Pour your self some hot chocolate and pull up the easy chair closer to the fire, this should be cool to see Winter arriving with a parade in tow. Let’s talk again later and see how we’re doing………Thanks for tuning your dial this way………………

On the other side......................

Yo, I’m back. Go get yourself a warm cup of tea and I’ll catch you up on my last few hours.
Well, I didn’t die so that’s good news. I made it through the surgery and it went great! No facial deformities like I was thinking were going to be the case and I feel pretty darn good. My head is all wrapped in bandages and I look like the mummy. I’ve got pain meds and lots of time to lie around watching TV and thinking. I don’t need to lay around and today I go see the doc again and probably get some bandages removed.
The worst part was the drive over yesterday. Of course I’ve been dreading this surgery, my first, ever since I made the appointment. I was told by several of my friends around here that you just have to give in at some point and let them do what they do. I came to that conclusion while in the waiting room and with an IV stuck in me I just meditated on what was to come. I had to wait a couple of hours like that and I listened to all the other people getting ready for their operations. Then they came and had me go to the surgery room and lie down on a table. The guy with the knock out drug had me breathe in some oxygen from a mask and that was the last thing I remembered. I opened my eyes in the recovery room after my 2 ½ hour surgery and sipped on some sprite, ate some crackers and urinated. I was spaced out……………………….
Monday, the day before, I took a long 30 mile ride on my bike. It was a beautiful day and I had some good friendship to help psych me up for my big day. I was feeling really healthy and turns out I am!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any of you who hang around me probably have noticed that I’ve been a lot more subdued lately. Well bro this is why. I’ve had a lot on my mind and now I’ve got to plan my next moves with my new life……..yippee!!
Yours thoughts and prayers for my operation going well paid off and for that I am forever grateful !! Thanks for checking in………………..My Love to you all…………

Nows the Time...................

I’m back after touring alittle bit of the country. Very nice week it was and now I’m ready for my biggest adventure yet…………..surgery! Yep, going under the knife on Tuesday morning to remove this lump I have on my jaw that s been there a long time. Now is the time to get this done, but it turns out that its more complicated. I might look alittle different next time we meet folks, and as always I’ll let you know how it goes. Plus, one more thing………..I don’t have health insurance!! Luckily it’s only around 7 grand………
I’m drumming with all I got tonite to bring in all the luck there is to bring in. I’m very, very Thankful for all my friends and will be seeing you after my two weeks of recovery time…………and hopefully sooner. So, as always my friends……….Stay Tuned and come on up tonite………We’ve got more wood….Thanks to Paul….so we’ll have a big fire to warm your souls……………..see you there………………..

Good to see you!!

I’m posting these pics that Kevin T. took or his friend. They show what it looked like Sunday night at our drumming. Kevin hasn’t been in awhile and he is our fire twirling master wizard. So, a show we received….twirling and whirling in the darkness, with only the circles of fire in the air, and our drumming to egg him on too of course! We had a good one, you just never know who’s going to show and that’s one of the draws of this game we play every Sunday night along the Kaweah River.
Yea, were still pretty darn dry and no river hardly flowing, but its gotten cold like a frozen Alaskan lake!
Did a real nice ride up Yokohl today and we could feel the cold air arriving with a blowing wind. Nice though, that’s what it’s all about ………….
So, big things coming up……….I’ll let you in soon so like always my friends….Please stay tuned……………….Love to you………….

The beach is just 3 hours away.............

Moving along the conveyor of life over here. Its gotten colder and I’ve heard about 30 degree temps going around this morning. Well yea! It’s supposed to be snowing and it is in Iowa I hear. Here it’s still dry and no snow and well, it better hurry up. Can you imagine owning a ski resort in Tahoe right now! All dressed up and nowhere to go!! Thanksgiving holiday was always a big ski weekend for some, but now we’ve got the global warming and all that. That’s if you believe in it………..And I do by the way!!
So, we’ve been hard at the socializing. I’ve been working at the barn at Slickee with friends stopping by to say hi. Do come by too if your in the area, it’s the best part of the river. We did a nice sauna Friday nite, Wil, Gary and myself. Purging the bad and enjoying the good. Then went to Bruce’s 50th birthday party last night. All pretty easy fun for the funsters. And Tonite, we’ve got the big Sunday Night Drumming in the center of Three Rivers. Big warm fire, and lots of beats to push you into the week. A great way to start the week………..I hope to see you there my friends……Bring cookies and cake but no leftover Turkey please…………Lets catch up…………

Thanks and more................

I’m feeling pretty fat my friends…I’ve eaten a lot and dessert too and well I’m burping and feeling like a good day has passed. The moon is big and bright and there’s probably going to be frost on the pumpkin over here in the eastern edge of the Central Valley of California.
We had a really good music session last night. We had a Violin, flute and 2 guitars and some drums. This made for a nice sound and range. Considering we all were just jamming the whole time, we actually came up with several movie soundtracks that need to be repeated to show all that we can make music…………….Good luck with that you say……Well, it was only the first one……….Come on!!
Alright, stay warm and lets get together soon and I’ll tell you some more juicy stuff I’m hearing……………………Happy, Happy…………….

Holidays here we Come...................

A Happy Thanksgiving to all of you friends out there! I hope its happy and things are going your way. We all went to the big Drumming performance by the ….Obo Addy..Drummers …at the COS theater last night and it was great! 4 drummers with lots of long cylinder drums and some small ones and squeeze drums and a Marimba. They gave a 90 minute show and we were into every minute of it. Friends from Auberry were there, as were the locals and us. We got the call to get something inspirational out of this to bring home and we sure did.
We’ll be doing a little music tonite, starting the Wednesday Nites again we’ve got the coffee on and the heater too. So come on by my friends and warm your Soul……………Happy Thanksgiving and Thanks for Giving!

Tuesday Night Drumming Show....................

Been out riding a couple of times now….Rode up to Badger from Lemon Cove yesterday and today did about 20 miles , that makes around 67 so far. I’m off work now and I can do this kinda stuff if I want. If feels good out there, blowing through the foothills, fresh coolness and good friends to talk to while riding along. Its our kind of golf.
And Drumming, yea, it was pretty darn good last night! Dave Crow came by, a longtime drummer and tribe leader from Visalia. We had some nice talking with the drums…..Logrhtymns if you will and lots of interaction amongst ourselves. It was almost all the old core drummers who were there and of course we were tight and played like we’ve been together for a long time………..Hey Wait, we have!!!!
What are you up to for this Monday?? Don’t forget about tomorrow nite….COS theater at 7 oclock, There is going to be a drum group playing….Sorry, I don’t know their name, but everyone’s going…..And Wadaba will be in the audience, before he heads to Africa. So, see you all there ……………………….

A New Life begins....................

They call it a carry out….its when someone gets injured in the backcountry, or frontcountry in this case, and needs to be carried out. Preferably on a one wheeled litter, stretcher. This all happened as I was leaving work on Thursday. A call on the radio of a med-a-vac with a person injured, and they started calling for help in the form of emergency resources. A couple of us left got called to go help with anything we could and off we went. An hour later found me hiking behind our fast moving Captain, headlamp on and the heavy smell of the Bay and Oak tree in the air. It was ink black all around and only the starry night above. It was uphill and I was glad the tempature was really cool! After going in about 1 mile and a half we found the crew starting the litter down the trail, a mass of headlamps in that blackness of trees and we got in line to help. This guy was looking pretty hurt! Broken arm, broken leg and concussion so far from his fall off a cliff. So, that’s how the evening went, and after carrying, sweating and getting lots of dirt in my shoes the job was done. My last big bang as my 6 month season of work with the Wildland Fire Department in Sequoia National Park ends.We had a end of the season party last nite at Brewbakers and we toasted the high adventures and cheered as we parted ways with big hugs and see ya next season!

We are doing a sweat tonite down at the Slickee site. Join us……7 oclock. Bring your swimming shorts! And, Food or goodies like Juice or Cookies. Hopefully we will see you there! See you next entry……when a new life begins……………….Love to You,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bear in action..................

We get bears at work that just stroll on through looking for that picnic basket or morsels of food. This week they are attracted to a big garbage truck that’s been parked at our auto shop, behind where I work. They prowl around the truck at night and hope to get in. Its gotta be some kind of big interest to bring a 350 pound bear to the area. He leaves down this slope and goes over a chain link fence that I’ve watched go from being bent over to now being just broke and the pieces laying on the trail that goes down to the river. He leaves behind big piles of scat too. Yesterday this bear even tried to just go into the office via the front door, but was immediately dispatched outta there!!
Its been party week at the office with all the goodbye stuff going on every night after work. I am going to the big goodbye party Friday nite and then that’s it………..
I hope you’ve been on the edge of the best time of your life and I want to hear all about it….so, hey, keep my in the loop eh…………Love to YOU…………

Humphrey's Hobos and Harlots..........a Band we like

Yo, four more days here and its off to the next life. The life of a builder, electrician and general construction. I love doing this kind of work and using my tools and setting my own schedule. I’m hoping to have at least one day to goof around.
And, I’ll be back at getting Wednesday music on the list of fun things to do with all of the friends who want to join us.
I put the picture of Jons band up so you can see that members of our Drumcircle have branched out and are doing other music. We have all come from here and there are many spinners who spin out into the world having learned what we have learned and now are ready for the big world of bands and all that. They are a great band to watch and all are good friends of ours. If you get a chance to see them play, I highly recommend you head on over. Having a good day here and how bout you??

The future is NOW................

It rained a lot yesterday, Sunday. Into the night and of course this made us have to drum inside, The BOOM room. It really wasn’t that bad I guess, considering we had around 20 people at the 8 O’clock check. We drummed around the stove with a good warm fire going. Willie our Native American friend from way back was there all the way from San Jose. He cooked steaks and we all ate some. We played music with good food smells in the air and good friends all around the small circle we made. Into the night…..around 1 am it was just Willie and myself, talking about old times with Tom and with Indian music playing in the background. The Blacklodge drum from Washington playing powwow songs. We both have been to lots of dances and we know some common friends back on the Porcupine Reservation in South Dakota. This brought back lots of good memories of the past! I brought in the Sage we picked last weekend and this too brought memories of a good life on the Powwow trail. I’ll have to tell you those stories sometime…………Hou Kola my Friends………….

The only way down is to Jump............

Going good over here, and yea, Thanks for checking in. I think your going to find that as the time now moves on, there will be a lot more entries and I hope you will like it!!
As always, you can double click the big pics to make screen savers or just to check it out bigger, and the little pictures you can save to your own set and do as you please. I do enjoy comments of any sort, even from the peanut gallery if you will………..
Well, don’t know for sure but this big storm is supposed to arrive sometime soon here, although presently its sunny and mild out…….
Its been a GREAT few days so far………You better just keep looking cuz you know how we are………ever looking for that adventure in life……Love to you till we meet again………

You should go tonight............

Hey, How’s it going there for you today? Its Thursday, yea, and I’m heading up to Lodgepole today. This should be great fun in the sun! I’m looking forward to seeing how fall is moving along in the big trees and the dogwood that turns that really cool redish color.
Linda from her new home in Truckee, is coming to town today and would like to see you at Brewbakers tonight at 8………….Please come by say hi……..
I’m having a family Thanksgiving this Saturday. This should be fun and interesting to see us all together again after all that’s happened. I’m sure I’ll eat a lot……….Have a great day and Think Big…………………

It is Fall after all.......................

Wednesdays can always go either way since it’s the middle of the week. How is yours going so far?? I’m getting ready for a big day and a really good day. Not that anything’s happening, its just that I’m telling myself to make it that way……..
We’ve actually got 2 fires going in the Park that will be let to burn. They are in pretty rocky areas so as long as it doesn’t burn the big Fox TV antenna we should be alrite.
We’ve got to plan something, its that time of the week where we drummers go, hey, what’s going on this weekend……….Let me know ……….Love to you and wow, I can smell that perfume your wearing this morning all the way over here………and I really like it……….see you soon…………

Brought to you by a warm November day...........

I owe you guys I know! So, what’s new? I passed my final! Yippee!! That was a hard thing to do, but now that its done, it wasn’t really that hard. Its that way sometimes, you get all worked up about something that you think is in your way and then you look back and think, man that really wasn’t that bad and I can handle it better now. It takes getting out of your comfort zone to make big things happen. This is the only way. You know what I’m talking about ………
Maharupa brought some pretty good cookies to drumming last nite. They were store bought, but man, they hit the spot! And, they were passed around our pretty good sized crowd a few times. Some didn’t take any cuz they make you fat I guess. I didn’t get any fatter and I ate about 20 of em………..
Drummed too we did, around a big fire that got alittle smokey there boys, but you did good in getting the fire built and going before I got there. I try to always get there early and make the fire, but I sure appreciate it when someone else steps up………as many have!! We all know how to make a fire………..its really not that easy to get all of them sticks to lite! It takes some boyscout logic and some paper. Yea, you could torch it with fuel, but we don’t do that……….its wood, sized ones, twos and threes. Little to big and just a few pages of the newspaper (we prefer the Kaweah commonwealth) and off she goes. It should be just like that, and if it ain’t go back to step one………………
So the week, ah yes, Tuesday is coming and its been pretty darn sunny and kinda hot. No rain in sight for several days. We’ll be doing the Rain Dance at drumming from now on. You all remember the last time we did this don’t you???? El Nino…………………
Bye for now, and hey you are looking good in that you know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See you soon.

Kiss and a Hug...........Its Friday............

Its Friday and that didn’t really take that long! I’m going to work for the big final test after training for the last 2 days………it was really hard and bringing up the memory of doing big math problems and all that. Its good to go into this part of the brain again and push all the cobwebs away and …….well, get smart about it.
So, the weekend……..I’m going on a little trip and will be back on Sunday, just in time for drumming of course! What are you doing this weekend?? Well, make plans to join us Sunday night and we’ll talk about our up coming sweat. Its time to start getting really clean and jumping in the river…………..See you soon and I’ll be thinking ………Have a great weekend my friends……………

Thinking about you................

Hello Friends, Thanks for staying tuned here! Its been a crazy week with lots of weather and now sun and fairly mild temps. I guess this would be an Indian summer here then . There was snow on Alta peak after the big storm, but it soon melted away. Things are in line for some snow and rain soon I hope there oh mighty one!.
Well, its one more week of work here and then another life to work on and new work to do. I’m excited and apprehensive to say the least! I’m glad I have you to help me through this all! I’m going to miss all my friends in the park, new and old and will probably see them during the winter. The winter, think about that now!!
We pulled tarot cards last nite at the little Halloween gathering around the fire in the drumcircle . We were all dressed like the ghouls we are and laughed and sang and played drums and ate the goodies that Paul brought. And , yes the tarot cards…….we all pulled one and had them read by Lizzy, who turns out is an expert tarot reader. Mine was Happiness and it couldn’t be more true!! I only pulled one but others pulled several and then threw them in the fire. I think that cancels it out there bro!!
I’m done eating all the candy and watching all the wonders of the rites of Halloween. Its time to be thinking turkeys now I guess. Strange stuff we do eh……….See you soon I hope!!!!

We made it through a big storm................

I’m just starting to get out and check after the Thunderstorm from hell that happened here last night! Man, were you outside and did you see all the lighting? It was almost like day light for half an hour, a light show of divine powers. So, I’m running late and have to catch you all up on the big weekend and the big drumming and the big storm, so, I’ll have to get back to you. Sorry, but I gotta get my mojo up the hill and go to work, stay tuned for the latest report from the chair here in Exeter. Love to you……………..

Check this out for tommorow nite....Friday............

Drum Circle

friday
October 26, 2007

7pm at Nadine’s
311 W. Kaweah Ave.
Visalia
623-4967

potluck

Who left something burning????

Big fire burning everywhere. Lots of park fire people have gone down to help too, and we pray that everyone makes it okay.
We had fire hit close to home here, Sunday night at the Gallery. Someone who went up to the tower left something burning and it started the canvas surrounding the tower on fire!! It smoldered till morning and dropped ashes down onto the deck and made burn marks on the railing and deck. Luckily the roof is tin and luckily it didn’t burn the gallery down!!!!
We have to be more careful there folks, we dodged the bullet this time, but this could have been the end to life as we know it at the Gallery because someone was careless. You know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall is here....but its hot............

Really great weekend here. Moving on into this week now and lots of plans going . The weather is supposed to get up to 90 this week……………
Went on a nice ride yesterday, around rocky hill and down the canal. It was a gorgeous day, clear as any ever! You could see every peak in the Sierra.
Drumming was another big one on Sunday night. Lots of old friends showed with new ones too. We got it on with the groove early and it went way into the night!
Like I said, there’s a lot of plans for this week, especially this coming weekend, so please do stay tuned………………..Enjoy your day!!

Everyday People..............

Moving through the week like a train going up a hill. Don’t know where were headed but its been pretty scenic so far.
Cold and cloudy in the park yesterday, though some sun did pop through a few times. It’s the big Auberry weekend, and I’m going to miss it. I want to start going again within the next few months though, and it’ll be drumming and driving on tap for that Friday night excursion. Though, they closed the crispy crème in Fresno, so the trip won’t be the same.
Friday is tomorrow folks and I hope your ready to get some weekend in to your busy schedule. Come on by Sunday night and say hi, we’ll have a nice warm fire going I’m sure…………..

Heading up the hill with donuts................

As the song says……Its been awhile…..I’m back with loads of news and a pic too. A wild west kinda weekend with work on Saturday, riding on Sunday and then drumming to set the trend for a life that’s on a pretty even keel right now. Our season is ending soon, and that means new things and new people to deal with. I’ve been enjoying working in Sequoia park a lot and I’m gonna miss it and everybody! Its just that now we have to move on to other parts of our life to see what we can see.
Yea we rode on Dry Creek on Sunday, up to the horse and donkey, and it made a nice 30 miler, all up hill on the way in and yes you guessed it , all down on the way out. I didn’t feel to bad considering that I’ve been off the bike for a couple of weeks.
Drumming was a small one and it was time that it happened that way since we’ve had such big crowds. It reminded me of the old days ……….We had some good grooves though and dancers too!
Well, I better get ready for work, now that my schedule had changed and I have to start at 8 till 4.30………..Its still dark!!

Holding down the fort for one more day...........

Drizzly and cloudy pretty much sums it up over here. This is my view out the window right now, and there’s even alittle fog. I got my cup of espresso to kick me off for another day at work. No real worries about fire though. Our fire in Grant Grove is just about out too. It was a perfect 3 day event, but the tourists that were staying up there freaked out. I guess it was a nice night time show of big flames Thursday and it was right behind the village. They were ready to evacuate! What they didn’t know is that we had it totally under control after getting it ready for several years.
So, this brings us to another weekend of fun and frolic. Music, social stuff and getting out with friends. Oh, and a bike ride……….yeah, lets not forget to get our exercise. See you out there eh??..........................

Cool easy days............

Weather is supposed to come in this weekend, maybe some tomorrow. I went up to Grant Grove, where we have a controlled burn going that was lit yesterday. It got real foggy up there and it was slow going for fire burning. We’ll see today………….
Then, next week a big weather maker is lined up to hit us, a multi day event. October is coming in like a lion……..
Well, no telling what them drummers will do next, but you can bet that it’s gonna be good! You better watch here for some updates before you make too many plans. See ya soon………………….

A great time had by all.......................

Two Fabio looking German brothers broke the vertical land speed record by climbing El Cap in 2.45 yesterday in Yosemite. That’s way super human!! It takes a normal party of climbers around 5 days to climb this huge monolith..
We did it, we played the Rein Faire in all its pomp and glory and we kicked it hard! In fact we were all hurting Sunday night and couldn’t even hit our drums too much. We had a good group of us drummers show and with Chuck and Wil and Paul and Maharupa and Gary, we were able to pump grooves out that filled the skies above Hanford and had people running to see what the heck was going on. It was a really great time together and it was really fun. Dennys afterwards was the best food a hungry bunch of drummers could want who were living the days of our lives with great adventure! Thanks to all who supported us!!

To Hanford Rein Faire we go......Tonite!!!!

I got a cool surprise yesterday at work, we got 3 days off!! And here I thought we would be doing another fire today and I would have problems going to the Rein Faire…..Well my luck is running high…which reminds me, I should buy a lotto ticket today!
It rained buckets in the park yesterday! Lots of water came from the sky and some hail too. It was cold and so, yes, it snowed up around Moro rock, putting out the prescribed burn we had finished, a perfect end to that. Snow was pretty good in the high country, and as I listened to the backcountry rangers calling in from afar I wished I too could be cabin bound in the backcountry, with the hot chocolate on and the fire stoked full of wood, with the scenery outside like no other view on earth as good! Of course I would need you there……………………………….
Well, like Wil said Kristi, come on up early, we’re arriving around 4.30, and hook up with us for arm bands and our strategy session. I hope you all come up and help. If you come to drum, bring only the drum that you are going to play, and don’t bring too much other stuff because the crowd gets crazy and any drum unattended will be picked up to play. Even when your playing your drum people will come up and try to play your drum with you………..this ain’t cool and so shoe them away like you would a pesky fly!!
Also, it’s a standing gig so you probably want to have your drum strung to your beautiful bodies my friends. Let’s go to Hanford and kick the groove out there and show them that we RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, please join us for a trip to dennys for pancakes after……a Drum Circle Tradition!

Rein Faire in Hanford tommorow nite..............

Chilly today. Some rain may come in and maybe some boomers of thunder, and yea it is fall.
Getting ready for the Rein Faire. Chuck and Wil and Paul and Gary and Maharupa so far will be there along with myself. Already this is enough to get into trouble so I’m ready to have a great time and do some serious drumming!! Oh and don’t forget, we’re all going to Denny’s for pancakes afterwards……………We’ll see you there my friends!

I"ve seen Fire and Iv'e seen Rain............

Things have tuned down here finally. I’ve been working lots of overtime and getting out some too! While on duty with these things, the camera has been by my side and I have some more pictures to pull from. Quite a few from the fire and some from my recent trip to Truckee to visit our drum circle friend Linda.
The big news this week is still the Hanford Rein Faire this weekend. We are hoping for you all to join us with this, Our BIGEST gig of the year. Saturday night 6 in the evening till 10. It’s the after hours party for all the Rein Faire folks who stay, and there’s quite a few who do!! We would like all to attend early and get an arm band so they won’t kick you out when the gates close at 6 for the public. Please plan on coming up……….and of course the Faire goes all weekend and is free. It’s a great event!! Stay Tuned up for this and more news tonite. Thanks to you ……………..

Controlled Burn...................

Wow, I’ve got some things to tell you about and I only have about 5 minutes. So, I’ll save the good stuff for my next entry. I’ve been busy on a fire we have going up in Giant Forest. It’s been late nites and early days, but I’m loving it! Please Stay tuned and I’ll tell you all the latest about what’s going on with the unrulies. See you in a few!!

Looking forward to the Hanford Rein Faire....Oct. 6th

Cool and getting cooler. That’s the forecast for all around here. Since this was the slowest fire season since 1947 at Ash Mountain where I work, we starting a prescribed fire on Sunday up in Giant Forest. This should be really neat and I’ll be up there quite a bit so stay tuned for that!! The BIG News is that we’re doing the Rein Faire in Hanford Oct. 6…….Saturday after this weekend. We’ll be playing from 6 pm Saturday till 10 that nite. Its our biggest gig of the year so please come and join us!! We will have to all have arm bands to be able to stay after they close the gates, so come early and get one. We will be playing the “After Hours” party for all the Rein Faire people………….and we usually have around a 100 or so who look forward to us playing every year. This year will be the Hanford Rein Faire’s 30th anniversary

A day in the life.....................

Hey Yo……….Coming at you from the chair here in Exeter, it’s the weekend update of drumming and socializing, including today.
I have today off, so besides taking it easy from coming home around 2 last nite from drumming, I’ve been kicking back putting off all the house duties I’ve put off from last week. I gotta get at this stuff soon! All the animals are lined up around me waiting for my next move, which in their case is going to be buying dog food, cat food and bird food.
I got CNN on and have been watching the speech by the President of Iran at Columbia University in New York. I just don’t know, but the University President introducing him had some cool stuff to say!! I try not to be political here, so don’t ask. Anyways, I got all patriotic and such and decided what I needed to do was get right out there with the people of this country. After all here we are in the breadbasket of the world, the heartland right? I wanted to be around that feeling of America, so I headed off to Wal-Mart. Now mind you I even waited till around 3 in the afternoon, when I knew it would be the most crowded! I parked and went in, cart ahead of the horse. I moved through the aisles getting bumped by the biggest butts in the country, women with lots of kids clogging the candy aisles and soda aisles. Women with hickeys and curlers, men with just got up outta bed looks buying a starter to put in their car in the parking lot and then I ran into the geekest guy I ever worked with just back from Oklahoma. He worked at the same factory I did and also did weekends as a security guard, but I’ll bet somehow you knew that right? I went to this place to hopefully run into someone I knew from a past life, and buy animal food too and what I got was a fresh slice of our country, and I don’t know what to tell you other then I still love it and I’m glad you all are my friends!!
So, drumming…………..Great and with a big crowd as we lit our first fire of the fall and celebrated our lives as drummers and hangers on of the idea that this is what we want and we aint going for any other ways. A big group a familiar faces fills the circle, some are new, but have come a few times and are feeling like regulars already. We welcome you and Thank You for coming and Drumming!!
We have been invited back to the Renaissance Faire in Hanford again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay Tuned for this as its only 2 weekends away and WE NEED YOU TO HELP US DRUM!!!

A Hard Rains gonna fall.............

Really nice rain we had last night and yesterday! Really nice! We got some thunder and lighting too, wow, bang, bang boom! It made all the dogs howl and run for their owners. The ground was so dry that the rain streamed off like a ducks back, headed to the river and the lake. I know, last nite as I was heading home from work that the river was coming up and now we’re into Fall. The first day of Fall was Friday and now it’s the changing of the seasons coming. Maybe alittle summer still, but you know, it’ll be nothing like triple digits anymore. Pat yourself on the back folks, we made another central California summer!
So, drumming tonite should be interesting. We’ll have our first fire and be smelling like it when you get home, Cool! Come on up and help us with this joyous occasion!

Its Fall you all...................

Cool and cloudy says the way it is outside. Its supposed to snow down to 6500’ tonite or tomorrow. Now if that doesn’t feel like the fall calling! Fall does start this Friday, the first day of Fall. Wow, we made it through the summer, and it wasn’t such a bummer.
Its going on record as one of the slowest years for fire in the park. They went way back in the records and so it is. Though, the season is not over yet.
We did a sauna Monday night. First time for me in awhile and it was good to release some of those toxins. Then, Tuesday nite we went over to Lizzys for her birthday celebration and potluck. Lots of good food and friends made for a fine dining experience in the small town of 3 Rivers, where the river is really just a creek right now. We’ll see what the next few days brings……………….Enjoy your day at work.

Thanks for a great Birthday................

I’d like to give a big personal Thanks to a great birthday time at the drum circle last Sunday night. Carol brought a cake with candles, and everyone sang happy birthday, around 40 people!! It was a great turnout and you all made me feel pretty special you know! We had a great drumming too, with lots of old friends and new putting the hand to the drum and pumping out the grooves to the starry night sky. Dancers came and circled the fire, Cole Fonseca came and played his blues Harp and sang, Maharupa played his guitar, Chase played his new digereedoo, Carol did tap dancing, and Jon sang drum circle songs. There was about 20 of us left and it was around midnight it was that kind of a night . Thanks to you all for being my friends, my tribe……………

Come on and join us Sunday.........

Cooler weather is really nice eh? Won’t be long till we start having fires at the circle and wearing long underwear again. Alittle longer though. Still could have that warmish weather . How are you doing with the cool?
Its more goodbyes and they are starting to bum me out a bit. How about some welcomes to bring things around again. I’m going through this as my age turns up one more year on Sunday. Us Virgos gotta stick together and work on rolling and controlling. I’ve already got people asking me, are you gonna be there Sunday night?? Answer………You Bet!! Come on up and lets celebrate……………..

Thats Cool man...............

The coolness feels good with the window open all night. It should be so as the first days of fall are coming up. Imagine that, fall, one of my favorite times of year around here. Mainly cuz of the cool. I also like Friday nights where you can see the lites of the football stadium in the trees and hear the cheering of the crowds at the high school. There is something fall about that! Also, they are saying that it may SNOW in the upper elevations around the 21st, that’s next week!
Well, here’s the last video of the set to watch, again, all from 2003. I’m working on getting a hold of a few other ones and I’ll put those up as I get them. They should be a little more current. Enjoy the last day of the 90’s my sweetheart……………….

Kaweah River Drum Circle Pt. Three

Tuesdays Thoughts

We are still riding the bikes, though I haven’t been riding during the week due to working late. So, its either Sundays or Mondays to ride. We rode up Dry Creek yesterday, just about 8 miles and came back. This was all after the sun had gone down so the light was nice and the temps were fabulous! Though we didn’t yesterday, we usually ride up about 15 miles to where this horse and donkey are in these corrals. Its a lot of up hill to get to this point and we’re feeling it by then. We’ve got this experiment going to see what happens when you give a donkey a clif energy bar pretty often... Super Donkey maybe, we’ll see!
Drumming was great on Sunday. Another big one and the groove to live for. We thumped into the dark night with the stars burning in the inky black sky. We turned out a nice after hours too with guitars and small drums. Should have recorded that one!
Well, here we are, Tuesday and I’m heading to work to start my work week. Who knows what will happen next, but I’ve heard it’ll be really good………..I’ll let you know!!

How deep are you?

Went to that bar last nite, McDougal Maguire’s and watched the band and ate some yummy shrimp and other things with Tequila’s. It sure wasn’t that crowded for a Friday night. We get out some and check out the local venues for music. Some, like the one we went to last night will flat suck up your money like a vacuum! Yea, its tasty and all and my eyes were doing somersaults when we left but wow that much! It is easier to go to the Riverview bar in Three River and just get a beer, go up to the counter where everyone is trying to get in for an order and just stand there and the bartender already knows us and he sets us up with our drink without any talking and not much money exchanged either. Of course he is a drum circle chap and knows what we know and gets us all hooked up just because we are who we are…………river celebrities……….feral river celebrities.
Yea, its one of the cheap thrills of being a drum circle dude, or dudette.
We should be doing music tonite so check in with me after I get home from work. Who knows though, it could be a big fire or rescue day……….there sure is a lot of smoke in the valley from that fire up north wafting down! Well, call me sweets………………

I'm just a soul whose intentions are good..........

Yes, you are right, I did ask for comments, and that means good or bad. I apologize for feeling so about the comments and should expect that not all feel how I do on these subjects. I get all passionate about these things that I hold close. You are in titled to your opinions and I Thank You for checking in with them, good or bad.
Its Friday and I hope that you will be having a great one! I’m looking forward to the next get together with you all and that’s coming soon. Enjoy you Day………….

Get a life ......................

I am so surprised to get the negative comments that we did! Wow, do we look that weird and do you really think we’re trying really hard to be something other than what we are?? Wannabe’s……….Yea, I wanna be a better drummer and a better person for that matter, and calling us a tribe is what we are, a tribe!! Family works too. I know Native American also and that’s not what we’re trying to be like here. We do our own thing. We do however celebrate our lives on this earth. We do like to feel the sand between our toes, and the cool river run over our bodies. We do feel the spirit when we are one with the drum, one with the dance and one with each other. Does it have to be so prim and proper to have a good time at night under the stars drumming? Have we not released ourselves from all this……….Rules. In the early days we called ourselves the “Unrulies” but now we’ve grown up in our way and we have rules……well, some rules. People come to us on Sunday nights to get away from what modern man has brought upon our society. They come to get away from all the negative nay sayers. Should we be embarrassed……..Hell No! We’ve been doing this for 15 years now and come they do. This last Sunday night was a good example of a really, really great drumming. People of all sorts greeted by hugs and love, professionals, down and outers, people with long hair and beards, woman in long dresses, guys in tie dyes, guys with skin heads, families from church, kids with drums, dogs, cats. Native American, Wadaba the famous drummer from Africa, Chuck who manages at Wal-Mart, a millionaire, Mexican American friends from the valley all here to drum and get together and be under the stars at night along the river with water that comes from the biggest trees on earth, dancing around a alcohol and candles fire with the smell of nag champa in the air, celebrating our lives! Wannabes for sure!! Oh and I forgot the burnt out psychedelisized hippes from the 60s………………you should let go sometime……..

The 2003 Video .............

Below is the first video made by Maharupa in 2003. It was not meant to be like a movie or sound video, just a capture of us in a moment of our lifes. Lots of people come and join us every Sunday night, people of all ages, racial backgrounds and genders. We celebrate life in our way, as our tribe does best, outside by the river with the people we love. Below is a comment left about the video and we welcome all comments, good or bad. Enjoy............................

Kaweah River Drum Circle Pt. One

This is so beautiful. it gets me into a sort of trance every time I listen to it. And I listen daily, to all three of them. You guys really need to make a recording of this and sell it. I would love have one. It makes me want to dance! Bless you for sharing this magic with the world.

The Labor Days of your life...........

We had a great time at Linda’s last night! Lots of socializing and then we played drums and guitar. Real nice groove going on . Lots of really good food too. We were having it big! We’ll sure miss Linda! Moving to Truckee seems like a dream come true though, and what a sweet town right by Lake Tahoe, the biggest lake in California, surrounded by pine trees.
Sad day also for me yesterday as I sent my daughter off to college. Yep, out of the nest and off to a 4 year school, in the dorms. She had her car loaded down with all the stuff they have to take to school these days, and don’t forget the I pod, emailing cellphone and apple laptop please!
So yea, I took the day off yesterday and now, with all the lightining and stuff, we’ll just see whats happening in the park. I do know that its Labor Day weekend, and right off it’ll be a tourist zoo, with people catching the last few days of freedom from their lifes, freedom in one of the most beautiful places on earth, where the trees are huge with mountains to match! I’m going there real soon, as soon as I finish my coffee and run to the donut store that is. I’ll catch you up on the latest, we’ve got Wil coming into town from Santa Cruz today and a really big drumming planned for Tommorow, why don’t you all come on up. Enjoy you day and yea, Stay Cool as the groove we’re going to do …………………..