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 …………………..

Thunder and Rain and Heat.............

Wow, big boomers since around 3 am this morning. Thunder and lightning oh my! Its got the dogs all freaked out and it does kind of startle you when it first comes. Then it started raining like crazy, a big wet rain and more light in the sky. So, now the clouds and some booming in the background, its gonna be a great day! I love this kind of weather and I’m sure it’ll smell fresh in the park. It was really hot yesterday, I know over 105 because it was that when I went to lunch in the shade! And now, it’ll be wondering if all this activity caused any fires?? They don’t always show up right away, they call em “sleepers”. They just sit there and smolder for several days and all of a sudden a wind gust comes and wow, we’ve got a fire!
I hope you all plan on going over to Linda’s tomorrow night to send her off on her vision quest of life. Bring your drums and something to eat and drink. We’ll see you there my friends and have a great and adventurous day!!

Its us and you can hear it............

That’s pretty cool huh, a video of a past drumming, 2003 in fact!! Its funny how many people in the video still come and drum, and how some have grown up. Now that I’ve finally cracked the code, you’ll see and hear more of us. Judging by the one comment already, it’s a surprise to some to hear and see this kinda stuff. Maybe you thought we were some gospel group?? Maybe we are all the riff raff in town all summed up into one good time. Its culture baby and we’re having it big. All this and no alcohol allowed in the circle, it’s a safe environment and we’ll walk you to your car if you feel different.
This Friday night we’ll be drumming at Linda’s in Visalia. She is getting ready to move away and we want to make sure to send her off with a big drumming smile. She has been a member for a long time and we’ll sure miss her!!!!
Nadine has asked me to list a room she would like to rent out. This sounds like a good deal and its in Visalia. Large Master bedroom with two walk in closets for rent in spacious 2 bedroom 1 bath home near downtown. Available now, Rent…..500/month includes utilites, use of washer and dryer and kitchen. Call her now if your interested. 559-623-4967

Kaweah River Drum Circle Pt. Two

Life as we know it on Saturday............

Well, yesterdays post got put on today, and now I’m on it again cuz its Saturday. That all make sense?? It’s the weekend and who knows what will happen next. I do know that its fricking hot and going to get hotter. No big fires in the park yet, but man its dry and its extreme on the fire rating. Somehow the visitors are behaving themselves while recreating, and if anyones keeping track, I think they are breaking records for behaving. Everyday when I go into work I see all the tourists just coming into the park, staring out of their car windows, or getting out after long drives and stretching. I see couples in love, or mostly couples in some sort of fight about something. The somethings that happen when your on vacation. So many people have to wait till that one or two weeks in the year to have that vacation, and expect it all to go like they pictured it all year. All those dream moments gathered into one or two weeks of total bliss……….or so they hope. Hey man, get a life beyond that……..life is our vacation and I’m recreating everyday!! Enjoy yours

Now here we go to Friday...............

It’s Friday for you and Thursday for me. One more day after today and my weekend is here……..whoopee! It’s going pretty darn fast these days and I’m holding on to the thoughts and trying to smell the flowers along the way. Doing art is all about rejection, that’s the main thing to deal with as an artist, rejection. Once you get over that and go with what YOU like its goes easier. After all who cares what they think right. Its going to be a great day full of good surprises I just feel it already………………….

Thinking of you and its good..............

Thursday here and I hope it’ll be cooler today than it was yesterday. Well, it is August, but we’ve been having a fairly mild summer as things go, and the air has been pretty clean too!
Probably heading into Visalia tonite after work for some dinner, anyone want to join, sp far, Paul and I?? We’re going to be making some plans for the weekend that’s coming right up and they could involve you. I hope you have a great day today and let’s start praying for rain…………….

Blasts from our Pasts

It’s a work in progress this blog. I’m busy on a long overdue redo of the pics and all and I hope you’ll enjoy the new stuff. Thanks for checking in!!

We had our first medium drumming in awhile, and though we did have around 30 people attend, not all drummed. Lots of lookeelous. That’s cool, but we do enjoy when all participate. It was a pretty quiet weekend for all concerned it sounded like and mine was the same. I did go on a nice ride yesterday, up Dry Creek . 30 miles and it was hot and I was wondering about my ever shrinking water supply, which barely made it to the end. Water is so precious when your running out and exercise is involved.
Well, stay tuned for the changes and have a greaaaaaaaat Day…………

Fall is in the background

Everybody loves Friday. Its my favorite day, not because of the end of the week, but just because its Friday………Happy Day. Most all are in a good mood and that sure makes life easier. What are the plans for the weekend? well that remains to be seen. I know some stuff is in the works though and I need you to tell me so I can go too!!
There’s just the slightest smell of Fall in the air, its cooking, well just simmering in the background, but its there, Fall. Pretty soon it’ll be Halloween again!

To you sweetheart............

Alrighty, its Thursday. So many friends with so many changes going on. Changes are in the air I guess, just like all the smoke from the Zaca fire that fills the air everyday and makes the sun bloody red when it declines at the end of the day. It’s a really stubborn fire that’s burning in rough country where no crews can get to easily. North of the town of Santa Barbara. Now if it gets much closer to that rich town it’ll be put out you can bet! It has already cost over 55 million to fight, you know that the rancher who was grinding on that gate to start this fire is wondering about his life. We don’t have it that bad and I’m glad!
But, we have another big search going on in the Park starting today. A backpacker is overdue 10 days already. His car is still at the trailhead and we’re going looking in full force. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I went with Gary in his sports car, to Brewbakers the other nite. We had dinner and met Paul and Lizzie. Lizzie just happened to be there and so we all sat together and ate drank and got merry. As Gary and I left town we were followed by the cops, but Gary drove good and we made it out…………..Have a wonderful day my friends……..

Tuesdays news....................

Tuesday already and I’m still recovering from the big drumming we had on Sunday night. I’m sure we’ll be talking about this one for awhile, at least till the next big one, which could be Sunday already. The last 2 months have been this way.
Wil has been working on getting a drum circle together over in Santa Cruz. Now you would think that Santa Cruz, being the drum capitol would have a bunch of drumming all around, but turns out they don’t. Huh???????? So, Wil is getting some drumming together and has his first date set……………

…Announcing a new event for The Live Oak (Santa Cruz) Drum Circle Meetup
Group!

What: August 25th (Sat) drumming at Moran Beach (East Cliff) in Santa Cruz.

When: Saturday, August 25, 7:00 PM

Where: Click the link below to find out!

Event Description: I am giving a call out to everyone interested in
drumming on the beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday, August 25th. Please bring
your musical instruments (of all kinds), a desire to dance around a fire
and fire dancing devices (if you've got 'em). Also a respectful attitude
towards your fellow drum circle participants (please read the meetup
description).

I will be arriving at 7pm to get drums, wood for a fire and a few other
items organized. I could use a little assistance with this, or at least
keeping an eye on things while I do the hauling. If you can bring some
wood (no nails please), that would be most welcome. We will be jamming
until 10pm.

Locally, the beach is known as 26th Ave Beach, but officials call it Moran
Beach.

To get to it from Highway 1:

Exit the Soquel Ave turnoff and get on the beach side of the freeway. You
want to turn left onto Soquel AVENUE (as opposed to Soquel DRIVE, which
crosses the freeway...).

To clarify - if your coming from the south, you?ll take the Soquel exit
and turn left to cross the freeway. If your coming from the north, you?ll
just need to turn left onto Soquel Ave. Soquel Ave parallels the freeway.
At the first light, 17th Ave, turn right.

Take 17th Ave towards the beach, about 2 miles, through 4 traffic lights.
The road will curve to the left and become East Cliff Dr.

On East Cliff, about 7/10 of a mile is Moran Beach. A stop sign at 26th
Ave is your cue the Moran is coming up. The road soon dips down to beach
level. Turn left into the parking lot and cross the street to the Beach.
Look for drums, a flag (still working on that one), and a gathering.

Any questions or suggestions, please email me.

Hope to see you there!! Wil.............

Happy Anniversary to US....................

A HUGE drumming came down last night folks. It was our 15th anniversary. We’ve drummed every Sunday for 15 years and only missed one!! That’s dedication and discipline and just plan getting on it!! We had lots of drummers and lots of dancers to fill the circle. Jon made the big announcement toward the end about it being our anniversary and we had a great, heartfelt round of applause and cheers from everybody all around the upper tier, the inside and all around the area!! It made it feel all worth while and know that we have touched the lives of so many in that way!! With the meteor showers in the sky and the people coming in and out of the circle to congratulate us it was an evening like no other!! I want to personally Thank All of You who have helped over the years to make this dream come true for us. Its with Love and Peace that we’ve reached this summit. We have far to go, but far we’ve come and its been YOU who have got us here!! Love to you ALL……………………………………..

The Weekend is here....................

Moving into the weekend we are and its with anticipation for sure. I’ve been so busy at work that I feel like when I stuck my head out the door it was Friday. That’s cool though, no clock watching this week. Whats on tap for the merry pranksters, well we’ll have to see, Drumming we know will be happening and if its anything like it was last Sunday then I’m going early!! The river is getting kinda slimy so think about that as your going in. What are you doing tonite?? I might have plans and I know we’re riding in the morning so let’s see, whats left, oh yea, Monday. I have Monday off and its always a hoot to watch everyone heading off to work as I’m just kicking back and taking it all in, drinking coffee and all that. Well, there it is, a slice of the life and you??

I'm going to have a great day today!!

All right, I’m back from some long hours at work. We have a big incident going on and I’m doing logistics for it. Our fire way in the backcountry has gotten to almost 1000 acres and that’s huge for that area, so we’re all over it. Also, there is a big garden raid going on that’s pretty scary and so big they have had the Mineral King road closed for 2 days!! How have you been doing anyways??
We had an awesome drumming Sunday night for sure! The big Three Rivers beat was being sent out for all to hear. We had a huge grouping of dancers and drummers that came into the circle around 9 and joined us for the romp. Lots of dancers and drummers,. We even had a lady who played a saw with a bow, and that was very cool! We happened to have Kelly’s violin lying around and for after hours the saw lady picked that up and totally blew us all away with her violin playing. We had a great after hour’s music time! Thank you all for joining in on the fun, cuz it wouldn’t be fun without YOU! I love you!!

Gary Post has passed away....A friend of the Circle

A Drum Circle friend has passed away and we are all totally surprised and wondering about it all. Gary Post has been around us for all of our being as a Drum Circle, though he was always on the outskirts. Recently he started coming to our circles and participating. He had told Kelly he was real interested in helping us fix our big drum, and I pictured him and I working on it, putting a new skin on it so the drum can sing again. With new births happening, there is also death and its one that is not easy to take, even though you may not have known the person well, you feel the human side and we all are the same, sharing Love. Rest in Peace Gary…………

Wil's a Daddy..........................

I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE TO YOU THE BIRTH OF


Ruby Joyce Mundy




ON
JULY 31st
AT 7:19 PM


SHE WEIGHS 8 POUNDS, 11 OUNCES


IS VERY HEALTHY, IS ALERT AND FEEDING NICELY.


MOM IS DOING REALLY WELL, THOUGH TIRED AFTER 20 HOURS OF LABOR,
AND A FOLLOWUP C-SECTION.


DAD'S TIRED BUT ALSO DOING WELL.


HOPE YOU'RE ALL DOING WELL.


WIL MUNDY
=

Wil's a daddy....................

Wil is the proud daddy of a baby girl!! Right on Wil!! Its been a long time coming, and it didn't go as we all wanted it to go for you, but now we are here and we congratulate you there buddy. Now it really begins………..

August is the dog days of summer

Well it was 107 yesterday. That’s pretty darn hot for me! We rode up dry creek about 26 miles on Monday afternoon and it was really hot!! We were red in the face and wishing we’d brought lots more water. I brought 2 big 16 oz ones and it was still not enough. Its dry up there in dry creek! We’re at “Extreme” fire danger in the park and well, who knows what the day will bring today. There really hasn’t been any significant fire as of yet.
Planning any big things this week?? You should now that its August !

Living the Good Life................

A wild and wholly weekend would work. But, it sure could have been more wild and wholly, it really depends on your goals and standards to which you live your life. We have drum circle standards……I know your saying “yea right” the unruly drummers have standards…..Ha!! Well we do damn it and we’ve been being pretty good considering the things that get brought in. The doors always open you know and who knows what the cat will drag in. We had a great, yes great drumming last night!! Long grooves with lots of dancers and Jose the facilitator in action in the middle of it all! Thanks Jose for getting us up and dancing and grooving. It was tribal last night, we chanted and got really sweaty. I got there early to water down the place and it took a long time for people to show up.You never know who will come, and after quite awhile they came…..in droves! From the river, from the street and all came to drum. A well behaved crowd I might add too, under that bright and full moon we did what we came to do in the fashion that the town is used to hearing echoing through the air of Three Rivers on every Sunday night of the year.


Renn surprised us with a welcome to her house boat around 10.30. This was kinda interesting because only 10 people could go and there were many more than that still left playing music. Somehow the natural selection kicked in and off we went for a really surreal adventure way out in the middle of Lake Kaweah with what turned out to be the core of the circle. We have all been friends for many many years and its great times that I’ve had with you all!! I’m glad you are ALL in my life……………………..

Sultry days and humid nites...............

Muggy and buggy here. There has been huge thunder heads over the mountains everyday lately and lighting, with some strikes hitting the ground, but mostly they have been cloud to cloud. We have a thing on the computer at work that shows where all the strikes struck, and when there is a concentration, we go fly by to check for fire. Its been fairly quiet still really.
Haven’t heard if there was any music on Wednesday. But, I did hear a rumor at drumming on Sunday night that just blew me away!! Something that was just really eye opening and really, really wowed me to the core!! You won’t believe it when I tell you and tell you I will………………………….Soon. Love You , Rene’

The weekend...............

Pretty good weekend we had. The Visalia Music Festival looked pretty packed, there were lots of people roaming the streets when I got to town late Saturday night and I could hear the bands playing from brewbakers, and never made it much farther. Had to get up early for a big 50 mile bike ride, and I did all the stuff wrong, stayed up late, drank some beer and ate some taylors chili dogs around 1 am, now that’s training!! Made it on the ride , but barely and kicked back the rest of Sunday.


Went to Cedar Grove on Saturday for work. It was hot and dry, though there was a real nice breeze going. When we got to the Cedar Grove fire station they had a bear inside in a trap. It had been a bad bear, having broke into some cabins. The bears are misbehaving lots this season. The Kings River is way down for this time of year………Man, I mean Wayyyyyy down!!


Drumming was great of course! Keio brought us all some good pie to eat early on, and we had a really nice none alcoholic time with all the kegger dudes absent. It proved that we can still do what we do and not get too crazy. Hope your day goes well, and I know it will looking as good as you always do!!!!

Fridays fun and frolic.................

Well, I know that there are no grizzly bears in the park. And, I know that you are not supposed to feed the bears either, but man, it doesn’t take much to please a hungry bear these days. That smile does do the trick I think, and keeps the bears in line and headed back into the woods for now.
How are your plans going for the weekend?? Let me know if you would, I already have a big ride planned for Sunday and need to psyche up for that one. I’m talking to some friends about going climbing too, so it’s starting to go wild here soon.
We’re getting some more fires at work and so, this could trump any plans though. Alittle backcountry fire here and alittle one there.
Well, have a great Friday beautiful and we’ll see you around…………..

Thursdays thinking for a weekend of fun..........

Motoring along like a big diesel as the week goes by pretty quickly. Its been cool too, which is a treat for this place usually feeling like a big pizza oven. Gary invited me to dinner last nite and it was really nice. Several old friends showed and we ate BBQ’ed salmon and spinach. Great full tummy for me, a treat these days!!
The Visalia music festival is this weekend, looks like lots going on in V town for your socializing pleasures. There’s also the drumming in Auberry on Friday night. I’m probably going to miss all the above due to work. I work all day Saturday, and then have Sunday Monday off, which works for a lot of other events, such as drumming and biking. I need to get out and ride, damn, I’m way over due! All my riding buddies have been outta town, so it’s a great excuse to not ride, but that’s not really good. I have been watching the Tour De France on TV though……….It counts mentally. And how are you doing there sweetheart??

Welcome back you all..................

Wednesday already and I owe you some thoughts about whats been happening up here at our drumming lives and more, yes. We had our friends from Austin, Texas arrive late Friday night at the Gallery. I was supposed to met them there but it was way too late when they arrived and I worked the next day, so I was kinda bummed to think I would miss them after all that positioning on the phone for several days before. Next day I heard they were staying another day to see everybody , so, I was elated! We ended up going to the bar that night and having a mighty good time and seeing all of our friends who we haven’t seen in quite a awhile, plus catching up with all the things we needed to catch up with. We almost closed the place down and I was feeling pretty good about showing our friends a good time just like the old good times we knew so well!
Drumming was really good and big. Things are changing in a good way since Gary put a fence up to keep all the people out of slickee that need to stay out. All the trashers and people from the valley who don’t respect the place. They don’t belong down there and can go and trash somewhere else. Its starting to be nice and quite again down by the river and this also has a lot to do with how the drummings go. Jon talking to the crowd mid way into our drumming about leaving litter at the drumming site and not drinking at our drummings. We aren’t against drinking but its not a kegger dudes and its not a big party either, its drumming and please participate with us and see why we have been doing it so long and why its really a pretty cool thing to play music in the most primitive way. We had many dancers and we are always thankful in a big way for that. Thank You all for coming and drumming with us.

Its Friday and its the 13th.........Good Luck to You!

Friday the 13th, a good luck day for all. You didn’t want to hear bad luck did you? Why go that way with it, its all good you all. All good all day!! Lots of luck will come to you dressed that way………..wow!!
We have a drum circle lady that used to come long ago in town tonite. Sarah from Texas. All the way from Austin and she and friends will be going backpacking tomorrow for several days. We are going to show her and friends a good time this evening and hope you will join us. Probably the Riverview for dinner and drinks and I think they will be staying at the gallery tonight.
You have any big plans for the weekend?? I’m ready to get into something and give it my all, how bout you??

Hey, What the...............

Moving on through the week. Haven’t heard from anyone of the drumcircle bunch, but that’s not unusual. They never hardly call me, I have to call them to find out how the weeks going for them. What’s that all about anyways. I could use a call once in awhile too! I don’t mind being the glue, but sometimes I need to know I’m not bugging you……………………
I’m typing this out before they turn the power off on the street here for the day. I’m glad I’ll be at work and miss all the action. It’s already Thursday and the weekend once again is coming on. Any plans for you??
More interesting weather on que for the next few days. We’re keeping open for any events of lightning that are bound to happen and you know what’s next. There was a transformer that blew in Sequoia Lake yesterday, causing a fire that had to have planes and helicopters put out. So, yea, High alert and excitement. You better click this up on your favorites list on your desktop there cuz its gonna get good real soon………..Call me

Wednesday excitments

Wednesday already. The middle of the week into the second half of the year. The picture of the bike riders laying on the road……it’s not an accident, it’s us cooling off after a big uphill, laying on the cool pavement. Of course it won’t be cool much longer.
Drumming needs to be talked about more, yes. We had a visitor Sunday night, Frankie, aka “Jungle” who is the best didgeridoo player I’ve ever met! And we have had a lot of them come to our drummings. Frankie can make the instrument bark and roar all the while keeping it going with the circular breathing that requires arduous action. This was a real treat! He was on his way to San Fran and thought about swinging by since he hadn’t come in about 6 months ago. He thought it was Saturday night and much to his surprise we were drumming! We also had an interpative talk about the origin of the people by Lizzie, who does campfire talks in the park. This was really great and had us riveted to our rocks.
We had red flag fire warnings yesterday with this monsoonal flow overhead. Don’t know if it sparked anything yet, but I’m heading to work right now to find out………Come back later and we’ll talk.

I’m back after a good dose of life, some of which I’ll tell about. It has still been hot, yes, but not real scorching as last week. It’s around 102ish and bearable for now. I feel pretty good in the heat so far, drinking lots of water, and trying to keep a sweat on.
We headed up for a big bike ride yesterday. Another hit on the Woodlake triangle. We rode off towards Woodlake early Sunday, smelling the morning coming on and saying hi to all the walkers on the road, though they weren’t walking for exercise. Riding through the country you could feel the place, hear the areas sounds and become one. We rode up 13 miles to a nice little picnic table under a huge old oak to take a break before the big uphills. Right as Bruce and I came up his tire blew big time! It sounded like a gunshot and made the others duck. It blew a good 3 inches of that tire away. We fixed it as we could and I decided to stay with Bruce and go back, which ended up being the right decision. Even after being fixed he couldn’t go far. So, the other rider went on with the ride and we missed out on all the uphill………darn! I rode back alone to the truck, 13 miles away and came back to meet Bruce at the donut place in town for chocolate treats and coffee, so much for the weekly exercise.
Drumming………….ah yes! We had a huge one last night! One full of pirates wife’s, drinking the kids beer, bud lite. Girls in bikinis dancing and a groove so tight, deep and soulfull that you would have thought that it was made with a back hoe! We love all of our attendees and want you to know that you are always safe with us all around!!

Hotter than haites.........

It was very hot yesterday! We read the weather a lot where I work because its part of what we do to check for fires. It was 118 at the Ash Mountain station yesterday! It was 88 degrees in Grant Grove at 88 in the morning, that’s way up in the trees! Its supposed to be cooler today……….by 2 degrees…..whoopee!
The seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year………Hey, that’s tomorrow, could the the luckiest day of the year for all you seven lovers.
Can you imagine not having a place to go drumming. Our famous place at the gallery is not ours forever and things are in flux. Stay tuned………….

Its Thursday to you............

Happy 5th of July. Man there was lots of banging and sulpher smoke in the air last night!
It got up to 108 in Ash Mountain yesterday, it didn’t feel too bad, I guess because it was a dry heat right? Our fire threat is extreme and things are just crunchy everywhere. Theres a big fire going on in the Santa Barbara area and I took some firefighters to meet with the hotshots last night. They all had just been home one night and off they went again.
I’ve been itching to do some music, or just getting together. Lets plan something eh?

Happy Holiday.................

Happy Fourth over there! I have to work as you might imagine with the fire threat at an all time high. We are positioned all over the Park waiting. Waiting for fire.
No big plans here, the Exeter fireworks are famous and free, though I can see them from the yard and I’ll be spending time keeping my dogs happy with all the banging going on around. You are welcome to come by and hang out………….Now that would be cool !!

Sundays memorial and beyond

Tom would have been proud of his one year memorial. In fact, we felt him Sunday night. We had a great little get together, just really close drumming friends, at 5 in the afternoon. We talked about him and us with him. Wadaba shared some treasured words that Keio translated about Tom. He did leave an impression that will forever be the history of the Drum Circle. We moved to the circle and did what we do, drum and lots of people came. Some didn’t know about the memorial but were caught up in the moment when they found out. We had fire dancing and lots of dancing too. I left around 1 am and felt good about the time had.
Now we have to move on, on to the thought of the fourth of July and beyond. Thoughts of the big heat we face this week. It’ll be alrite if you drink lots of water and keep a smile on. We’ll talk about that next.

The Moon of Love.............

Friday for you, Thursday for me, its that easy. The full moon is really big and calling. Lets plan something shall we? It lites up the whole yard with its luminescence. We used to love climbing in the full moon, its just so surrealistic
Spent the day in Mineral King yesterday. It was cool and the skies were very blue. After I did what I came to do, I went on a little walk, off trail, just to try and really get in touch with the place. Sage was growing all around and I got caught up in the smell, which takes me to many places. I roamed around an area with old rusty stoves and metal strewn about, maybe from the old mine days which gave it the Mineral King name. The place has lots of history, which I love to read about. I meet up with some new friends and headed back to the heat of the valley.
We are really hoping that all of you will come to our drumming Sunday night, which we are going to honor a past member and founder of the Drum Circle. Tom Rose, passed away now a year ago Sunday and we still suffer from his loss and all that he brought to the tribe. We will be drumming in his honor and please come on up..

Looking good there!

Thursday over here. A nice moon is brewing, anyone got any ideas on how to celebrate its fullness? Going out and getting a moon tan maybe. The moon effects moods too, it pulls at you and gets you moving with determination to some battle invented inside your head. And, I was just reading that 80% of all big earthquakes occur during the full moon.
I’m heading to Mineral King today for work. I’m driving and that’s always fun, cranking the radio up, having the park radio on too and then thinking………That’s a lot of miles of thinking and I’m sure I’ll come up with something to tell you when I get back. Your going to have a great day looking as good as you do today! Hope to see you……………

Take me to that other place..............

Jam night at Crawdaddys tonite. We got there just before they closed and hung out with Sage and Paul. Saw Nadine cruise by the place. It was a good time and a hot time on the town, meaning temperature.
I get in trouble with putting my little blurps on the blog about my ambitions of love. Yes, I guess I’m fishing, with several lines in the water, but its all catch and release. I’m a catch and you can hook me into a net with a good meal, perfume and long hair and wearing those long dresses gets me too. The eyes get me going and the smile is golden!
I guess you can guess who you are. Its an amazing imagination…But who am I to say really……………………
We’re gearing up for our Memorial for Tom this Sunday. Please plan on coming up to celebrate our lives together as drummers and friends.
Yes, the last picture was from a helicopter and this one is from a cow trough………..

Tuesdays surprises.........

Alrighty, I’m pretty much all caught up and and ready to head back to work today. My days off are Sunday, Monday, in case your wondering. It goes fast, those days off, but I’m usually ready by today to face the facts ahead.
We took a nice ride up Yokohl yesterday evening, a 26 miler. Its been a couple of weeks for me so I needed to check it out and see how much I’d lost. Its hard to keep it up at a certain place. Just staying in shape is one thing, but if you want to really get fit, it takes a intense diet, lots of rest, and a lot of saddle time. Oh well, that pretty much blows me out of the water! I’m on it though and am feeling good today, ready for whats next.
Whats next, now that’s exciting, who knows what the week will bring, if its like the past ones, well, then I can’t wait to envision the surprises that come.
We’re heading into Visalia tonite for our usual time on the town. Join us if you dare……….
Thats the Middle Fork of the Kaweah in the picture above, the place where the river that goes by the drumming grounds comes from.............