The Queen Mary and Drumming and Living....

Wow, A week is almost done and its like....whatever happened to that guy that does the drum circle blog anyways?? Well, alot has happened in the last few days my friends. I've moved to the heart of blossom peak country and I've started working in the park again. Yea, Seqouia, Kings Canyon National Park to put it in proper english. Its been pretty grueling moving though....I'm missing the river sounds at night! Thats replaced with the sound of lots of frogs and just quiet. Oh and I do hear lots of earwigs scuttling around and scorpians too. Its nature taking back.
The drumcircle is still beating like a heart thats on fire. We've got a mission to keep on keeping on and we're going with it. We were inside Sunday night due to the rain and cooler temps and this weekend we'll be back at our old stomping and grooving grounds for sure! You should just plan a trip and come on over. You never know how long we'll be doing what we're doing these days, but we're determined and enchanted at the same time. Come on over! Love and Friday to you.....

The Drum Circle Rules.....with Rules.........

The weather has been the biggest news around here with snow falling in Giant Forest and winds blowing dust and trees around. The river has mellowed and it looks like the rafting season will be a long one, which leaves the boaters smiling. Here I'm getting ready to move to my new place and setting up base camp there as the life in this small foothill town keeps moving along, though not too slowly.
The Drum Circle will rule longer and we're going to be obeying all the rules, which is not like us really. We'll quit at 10 sharp and put all the big drums away and be watching our backs as we're being watched by big brother more closely. There's talk of building a sound wall on our west side, as the main reason we were cited by the county was a noise complaint. We have lawyers and they have been very helpful to us in a pro bono kind of way and we're very thankful for that!! Thanks to all who are on task. Come on over for Sunday Night if you will and support us.............

Update............

We've got an extension on our drumming till June 15th......Keep the prayers coming!!!!

We Really Need Your Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I"m sorry to say that we've gotten some really, really bad news from the county. We have to stop drumming at the gallery! Stop drumming after 16 years just because of use permit issues! So far it looks like next weekend will be the LAST drumming here for awhile. Bummer!! We are working on the issue. Gary has talked to his lawyer already and things are in the works. We need cohesion now more than ever my friends. We need to all come back together and pray that we will be drumming for another 16 years at least together. We can only hope that things work out and that drumming will be drumming. Stay in Touch and I'll try to update as I hear more. One more thing that the letter from the county said.....Myself and the other roomate will have to move out in 15 days too due to permit issues...........Yea, its big and lots to boggle the mind on. We talked alot last night at drumming and Thank You all for your input, which will be put to good use in our quest to keep drumming alive!

Sweltering.........

Whew........man its Hot!!!! We're drinking lots of water and staying hydrated over here. Looks like Tuesday and Tuesday night is when the ocean cooled air will arrive and give us the reprieve that we'll be very welcome at that time.
There's an art show here at the gallery today and tomorrow. We've been cleaning and prepping all morning for the event. There's free cookies and cheese and crackers and water..........we like that! Lots of advertising for this show means lots of people and we're ready for the crowds, no air conditioning and all that too........hey we're roughing it, what can I say. Get strong because its gonna just be hot for a long time my friends...........

Sweating it out on Friday.....

Record temps are going on these days around here. Flirting around the 100s everyday! Its cooler at night luckily and the river is raging! Nobody has drowned yet and that's good, although the odds are againest us I'm afraid. We're keeping our heads up and the ropes ready in case we can help. I cringe when I see unkowning familes driving up with inner tubes strapped to their car. Don't go in now. Wait a few days, or stay on the edge!
There's so much going on around here that I'll have to give you an afternoon update so stay tuned. Its exciting times my friends!

Our new Sweat Lodge....

I promised the lads from Iowa that I would post the Sweat Lodge pics and here they are. Notice all the detail they put into it. Carved willow sticks, leaving the bark on in some places to make designs........very cool and authentic too.....Thanks for all your work my friends.........

Stay Cool...........

Its on tap to being hot here for the next several days, into next week even. We're ready to sweat it out I guess. Stay cool by the river where the river rats have been gathering with all the fun and festivities of a river side rage. Every day they stream by here, heading down to sit on a rock and take life on step at a time. Meanwhile, the working bunch of us are hard at it, making ends meet. The peak of the river is supposed to be May 19th, I said it wrong on a past post. They are saying the peak will run at around 2500 cfs. That's getting pretty mighty! It came up to 1700 again last nite. I could hear the sound being louder here from my cozy chateau in the center of town, and right on the edge of the river......pretty regal eh!

HIgh and Hot.........

Down by the river..........as the song says, so lives the life. Its getting hot over here! The high point in the river is now moved up to May 15th. All this hot stuff has caused high stream and river advisories. Be careul around this water or it will have its way with you. This is a pic of the South Fork.

Yes, only Love can Break your Heart.........

It was only the thinking of drumming that got us here. I got home late last night to the skin pulse of hands meeting drum. The pluse I could hear from the gas station real well. What are them crazy drummers up to now? I'll let you seperate those kernals from the cob yourself. It was a good beat to listen to from up above I'm here to tell you. There was a crowd too. The really good bands can't even do that on a saturday night at the riverview! We're living in a great time and taking it all in as we beat the drum and strum the guitars. Thanks for joining us!
Went down to LA this weekend and wow, are we lucky to not have to sit in traffic all day huh! Did a really nice beach skate for about 8 miles, sand on both sides and a great breeze to get pushed by on the way back....it was like flying. Then back to more people and more traffic and more smog and well you know the place. It was good to hear the sound of the river again, which came up the highest yet this season on Saturday nite. 1700 cfs. Now, with this weeks heat wave coming, it'll be topping out. They are saying the highest will be on May 26th. You better plan your vacation now.............Till then, coming to you from the east side of the Kaweah, I"m gathering stuff for tommorows post............

Your Comments are Welcome again............

As my boss and I dunked our heads in the South Fork yesterday, I bid goodbye to my job on the shatner ranch. It was a good life as a ranch hand and now I'm getting ready for whats next.....working fire logistics in the park.....whopeeeeeeee!!
I can't wait to catch up with all my friends from last year and be in that beautiful place for another season of fun and adventures. I'll keep you posted.
BTW......I put the comments back up and so please do respond with your input but please keep it real and I'll be watching for the spammers of bad things. I hope we can keep the comments on tap and hear from you all out there reading this blog. I'll be trying to keep the pics from nature and life as I see it for your reading pleasures. Enjoy the next few cooler days as a big warm up is expected next week.... we knew this was coming since its almost summer again. Let me know how its going.

We're gonna be famous................Ha, Ha,Ha, Ha

The lads from Iowa stayed busy this weekend being models for a photographer friend of the Gallery. She set up all the lights and strobes and brought lots of props and costumes. Interesting stuff!
And, a really fabulous drumming happened this last Sunday nite!! All of our friends from past showed, Chuck and Wil from Santa Cruz, Keio, Summer, and all the old core members creating the grooves and big beat that we have come to love. Dancers were out on every diddy and to top it all off......a film crew making a documentary for TV came and filmed us doing what we do best! Lights, camera, Action..........we even got interviewed and signed release forms for the movie called "Cowboy Up" a film about the Rodeo and Three Rivers. This might just be the one that makes us all famous, but I wouldn't quit your job just yet.................

The General Banter........

Hey, How's it going for you? Things have been moving along like the river here. We started the new sweat today. Had the Iowa lads learn bout indian lore and well basically things that are becoming a lost art. We better pay attention to this stuff because it could be handy if you have to live in them thar hills....
I'll tell you more next message, with pics of course. I've been using the last river picture as a screen saver and its taken me there already a few times. I"m putting these pictures I take of life as I see it, so you can use them for the same. Enjoy!

Character studies and river watching.........

Artists, Drifters, Loaners, Hitchhikers, Strays, Rainbow types, Hippies, Loafers, Wannabe’s, Soul searchers, Dead Heads, Players, Fringe elements………We get it all through the Gallery. You've probably entered with one of life's titles attached yourself, I know I'm one. We've had these two lads from Iowa hanging out and they sure do work! they are a nice and hopeful introduction to the new generation coming up. They were just back from a 6 day backpacking trip in Sequoia and lost in Visalia when Chase picked them up.......good catch to the tribe. They stayed for our Sunday night drumming of course!
So the river is sure letting its voice be known! Its up 1600 cfs and is being rafted and kayaked as it makes it way to the sea. The Kaweah Drainage here is 128% of its average snow. It looks like a good year for water, drink and be merry. The poison oak is out in bloom too so watch what your touching friends. I'll see you again soon...................

Missing you on a Friday Night.........

This was what we saw on the way to Nadines birthday drumming. Gary and I were going in the story laughing about that message that was being sent out to all the people shopping at the grocery store on a friday nite. Turns out inside there were alot of people from Three Rivers, and we were in Visalia! I didn't regonize them folks cuz they weren't wearing their UGGS.........
Nice little drum jamming at the party. Good to see Keio and Lawrence.

Thursday Thoughts........

Hello from the east side of the river where its just pretty nice today. Sunny and breezy is the way life is giving it. Its a good day to take it all in and plan for whats next. Get strong on your thoughts and free your mind from the stress....
I have to apologize to the beer drinkers reading and telling me my past post was alittle anti beer drinking......I love dark amber from the draft so there..... I think I might have had some callraphobia going, yea that was it....
It was alittle cool here this morning and now it'll warm back up. You know it'll get real hot soon so enjoy it while you can. Check out the earth around you and see nature at its best.......



So, Don't get too lazy today, its a power day, a day to get it done and get ready for the weekends fun in the sun.............

A word from the North.........

Well, its not been a bad Tuesday at all. It went by very quick really. Working on the ranch in the morning fixing fence lines and then in the afternoon up to the house way up on the hill to work. Jim an Inuit indian has been moved in up there and we have shared stories on life. He has told us how to hunt whale and how they wait in their boats out in the water for hours on end in the quite of the artic waters. Then up comes the whale and the quest begins. I'm not sure how I feel about whale hunting , but if anyone should do it at all it is the Inuits. They have been there a long time and they still do the hunt the old fashioned way with harpoons and paddle boats. As we worked during the day up there we kept hearing cat sounds. We were all pretty sure that a bobcat or mountain lion has a den somewhere close by and it was there babys playing..........cool! Since Jim is from far northern Alaska, where his village is, I asked him how the global warming was going. He said that the weather was already so harsh that it was hard to tell. The villages that are loosing their ground to the melting ice were late arrivals to the area and kept moving further out and now the water was taking it all back. So, thats the word from the north. I like hearing this kind of stuff and look forward to talking more with him while he care takes the place and builds his art that he is so good at. Tuesday for me......see you tommorow............

Monday, Monday............

Here we go with another week ahead and day 113 of the year. The big wedding happened this last weekend and now somebody has been married in the drum circle area. It was pretty posh as country weddings go and it all went off without a hitch. Thats saying alot! Past weddings have not faired to well on longevty unfortunatly, with only one that comes to mind that has lasted. Good Luck was our advice.
The new drum circle rules went into effect last nite, with all drums put away at ten. Other insruments and general hanging out still cool. We're just going on the aspect of caution since the county guy came last week and we haven't heard anything since. We are very lucky to do what we do and glad that all who came respected what was asked. That said, we had a great groove going for quite awhile and all who came went to bed with drums in their head!
It got really cold last nite, with frost showing up in the valley. The wind machines were spinning and the orange and grape growers were eating their rolaids.
Check in again soon and I'll tell you some more good news...............

Rolling and Controling........

Well here we are, the weekend! There's a big "private" wedding here at the gallery today. There's been crews of people coming in the last few days doing cleaning, and I mean cleaning! The rafters the floors and mowing the lawn even. Now there's tables everywhere and lites and all bells and whistles that come with weddings. Theres caterers and bartenders and a DJ. I"m stuck in my loft here with a front row seat. Just don't hang my laundry out just yet....okay. They are getting the vows in the drum circle hole, so this is a first.
We're still riding the bikes. I haven' been on my triathlonish push though since moving here and living a few lanes over from the fast lane. But, yesterday we rode from the mineral king fire station to Giant Forest in the park. A 30 miler. It was all up hill but it wasn't too bad. It took 1 1/2 hours to ride up and about 25 minutes to come down............fast!! I love tucking into those curves. We passed a few cars too. Well, don't come by today but don't forget about tommorow nites drumming and full moon festivities............

River Dogs and River Rats..............

That's Zia the river dog. He spends his time lying around playing ball and since last nite, catching and eating a big Raccoon. The buzzard's have been sitting around the carcass all day, what was left anyways. The river dogs around here also ride in the white water rafts and do class 5! There's also the river rats who lazily wake up around noon and moosy down to the edge of the best part of the river with their 12 packs and swill the day away. Not my style, just my friends. You gotta mingle with the locals to get along here. People don't lock their doors, but you have to be local to be able to do that. Our Drum Circle creedo,to trust all comers and so far its been working for us. they also watch our sunburned backs for us!
The rivers been steadily running up in height on its way to the ocean and soon again the white water boaters will be coming around with their wild yells as they go by and their big beer drinking parties at night around the wood fired BBQ's. River men and Women leading a nomadic life following rivers all across the country, a pretty healthy lifestyle really! You'll see them in their cars and trucks coming up the road with the boats on top. Right here at Drum Circle central in the exact center of Three Rivers and the exact middle of the river run is where it happens.
I'll keep you posted..................

Direct from the Sockmonkey.........

Well, we've had a major cool down here and its been very welcome after the few days fo summer past. The rivers pretty darn high too, 1400 cfs it went to last night, the highest its been in awhile. And, it looks like its been snowing....cottonwood fluff from the big Cottonwood tree by the river here. The white stuff is everywhere! There's some other stuff to report to you also.....They killed a big bear across the street at Marcie's Saturday. We heard the gunshots and thought, man, its a shoot out or something?? Then Marcie came by to tell us that a bear that was being bad got shot by the fish and game guy. Its a shame that it had to go that way! The guy cried when he did it, which says alot for the guntooting type. Also, after our great Drum Circle Sunday night, a county guy came by and said they had a complant and was sent to check things out. He took lots of pics of the drum circle area and asked Gary questions of the big brother type. We'll see where this takes us............

Feeling like Summer already........

Yea,Thats right, Its hot today and gonna get hotter for the weekend. The river is slowly coming up to speed with the temps running high all the way up into the snow areas still covered and we should see significant rise as that happens. Its really nice to sleep to a river that runs close by and dreams are easy to come. The hills that were recently covered in a flower display that rivaled all the locals has seen are now quickly turning there summer brown. And I mean quickly and since its hot it'll just be brown by next week I"m sure. Come on up and see the lupines give out their blue hues before they dissapear too.And oh yea, don't forget that we're still doing drumming sunday night too....................

Back at Last...............

Well here I go again, back at it here in my mountain dwelling among the birds, frogs and river running by my bed. Its been awhile I know,but its back to everyday entries and updates for your reading a viewing pleasures! Alot has happened in the last month and as we go along here I'll let you know the latest so you can see that my new life ain't too bad! How have you all been doing anyways? The drumcircle has been alive and well with the big spring crowds coming up every sunday now. The River has been coming up too and theres still alot of snow to come down. Its been an experience for sure..........I call it going back to the stone age, but don't let that throw you off cuz we're still alive and well and giving you the news and pics you've been waiting for. Thanks for all that and yes, stay tuned ............

Life's Sweetness...............

Yes, I’m still here and getting it slowly together. The internet here is coming soon so it’ll be blog city before you know it, with entries every day for awhile to catch you up and show you the way we do it with drumming and general nature studies.
Its been just blazing with flowers around here, so much that you just drive by and give it a quick glance now. Its soooo full of color around the lake! And, we’ve already seen a rattler too……….you know I like that.
The drumming last nite was good. We had a slower moving crowd due to the time change, but I’m sure as the rivers rising that soon there’ll be lots of attendees.
Well, I’m going back out to take more pics for you to see what we see and know that I’m thinking about it all and you too……………………….till next entry…………

Pictures taken today..................

Now here's some pics from today, taken around the lake. Its just fabulous!! It just so happened that Sunset Magazine left a message at the gallery about doing an article, and Gary asked me to call them and I did. We'll be looking for the May issue so hey. Go up and check out the flowers and then stop on by my friends.........to you..........

Getting Back to You................

Hello Friends, I'm sure glad Wil was watching our backs when these comments that carry a bad link came through! I've changed the settings and now that should be solved. Of course we always encourage your comments, but now it will be just alittle harder to put the bad on.
If I were you I would get in your car right now and head up to the lake for the flower display!! Its the most FABULOUS I"ve seen in years!! The poppies and fiddlenecks are everywhere and people are lining the side of the road to take pitures. I'm working on gettin some up to you so again Stay Tuned. Love to you all for checking in...............

Little by little will get me there....................

Hey You-all, How’s it all going for you? I’m living out a dream in Three Rivers, good friends and good feelings for the time I’ve been there so far. The frogs are still going strong and the river, well its moving along, though not too high yet. There is a lot of snow that’s waiting its turn to come down for sure!
We had a really nice drumming on Sunday night. It’s starting to get bigger again and it’s been good. We had a Belly Dance troupe join us Sunday nite and we all got involved in learning some new rhythms and making jazz out of old ones. Good brownies were brought by Carol as usual, Thanks for That, and of course a nice warm fire!
One day at a time is how things go. Trying to do the best and being productive has been my mantra these days. Trying to get some long needed repairs at the gallery done has also been happening so it’s all good as they say. Come on by and visit, you’ll notice the changes already. Stay in Touch my friends………………….

I get by with alittle help from my friends............

Well, got rid of those comments!! Sorry bout that folks…..hope you didn’t get into trouble. These things happen when your world wide I guess.
Baby was born on Saturday……….a baby Girl and her name is “River”. An appropriate name for a baby born at Slickee for sure! I’ll put up a pic as soon as I get one.
It’s been busy days up in Three Rivers, nice and sunny most days and flowers are starting to show………lupines and poppies mostly. I’m slowly getting into the swing of the new life I’m in and for sure I’ve had some really good help to make things a lot easier. Thanks to you all for that! I’m working on my internet connection up there so stay tuned and you’ll see that I’m going to be sending you stuff regularly very soon again. Stay Safe and stick to the good life of Love and Peace…………
PS.......Finally took the old head off of the Big Drum and we're looking for another skin.........

The Baby's coming.......................

When I went to the Slickee barn house this morning, there were cars and quiet. As I walked around looking at the job site, the midwife came out. Jaylene had some changes over night and she said it looked like the baby will be coming today!! Now that sent a flurry in our minds!
I’ll let you know how that goes, the first birth at the barn and maybe the first birth at Slickee…………..though I don’t know about that one. So, we’re all in a waiting pattern. Nice to see you last night!! Lets get together again soon eh……..Love to you…………

Frogs and a big River............

Hey, How’s it going there? I know, I’ve been out a lot and alittle interent deprived for sure, but, I will get the word out to you so please do check in. Things are going good up in Three Rivers. Cold nights, but the frogs are still croaking away and with that and the river flowing softly in the background, sleep is good! The Chateau of dreams!!
We did some really good music last night. Some surprise visitors who play came by and with that and what we already had going, it was a pretty good little jamming. Thanks to all who showed.
Jaylene is getting ready to have her baby any day now. As you all know, she lives with Scott and their baby Finn at the Barn house by Slickee, the river rapid that’s famous for the Slickee surfers. So, She is having the baby at the barn too! This should be interesting, we’ve been working on getting all the stuff going for her comfort, like hot water and such. I’ll be working on the shower and tub next. I’ll let you know how things are going along…………………….I love you and miss you all, so come on up to visit!

Hello to you.................

Hello my Friends, How have you all been doing?? Any big things happen over the weekend? I know yesterday was really stormy and cold and besides it was super bowl Sunday so I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t come up last night?? No problem, we had a small and intimate drumming up in Gary’s room. There’s always something going on Sunday night even though it’s only a small crowd.
A big weather weekend for us up in Three Rivers where I’m currently staying these days. At the Cort Gallery for now and who knows where next. It’s a life that’s got a lot in common with camping and sleeping outside, which I love!! On Saturday night it rained all night long, I’m glad I was nice and warm and fuzzy for that wet night. Then on Sunday it hailed like crazy for awhile! I love weather when it’s cozy and warm and so it was watched that way and to me that’s the only way!
Saturday night was kind of a wash out for the Mardi Gras celebrations downtown in Visalia, but several drum circle members did play in between sets before the rain totally made things wrap up. And, on Friday night several of us went to the Brazil, Brazil performance at the COS theater. It was an inspirational performance with lots of rhythm and percussive and cool Brazilian vocals and songs you would remember.
So, we did lots of fun stuff even though the weather has been holding us back. We rode the bikes on Saturday and did a sauna on Thursday night and yes, we are doing what we said we would be doing so please make plans to just come on up and join us………YOU are always welcome. Love to you………….

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

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

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