Working and Drumming.........

Busy, Busy here. Its fire season and this has been a very busy year. I'm sure all of you living around here see all the smoke! I've been working lots of hours and thats good. Its why we come. Adventure too having all the excitment of a fire going on.
Drumming too has been real good. Thanks to all of you for my birthday drumming!! Thats really cool to be sung happy birthday that many times! And good food and for sure all my good friends who came. Nice!! That felt good you all..............
There's more, but I'll have to update you as I'm off to work again. We'll talk sooner this time I promise..........

Drama at Drumming....................

Yea, you heard it right, we did have some drama at Sunday nights drumming. Some goon who was dancing way too close to the fire, kicked the bowl over and the fire juice spilled out as all the dancers were going round, and it caught one dancer and bam, fire all over her dress and going fast up her whole body!! My god how that fire did go!! She fell down instantly, over where we were and we jumped and went to put her out. We stamped and padded and rolled her in the dirt. It went out, finally and she got a second degree burn on her side. Yea it was a bummer and a shock and the guy was promptly reprimanded by all and made to apologize and well, he was a stranger anyways, and like I said, a goon. It didn’t take long for us to make this Safe. Thanks to Jon, who staked the bowl down hard on Monday. It won’t do that again my friends!
It was a large drumming with chaos the mood of the night. Lots of people and lots of dancers and drummers. We were rolling and controlling pretty much though, and it was a great and historic Labor day weekend drumming for sure. We handled the situation real well and don’t worry, we got your back baby. Come on up and see Sunday night if you would. And, yes, we did go swimming again after and well, it was kinda cold out! We layed flat on the big rocks that were all warm from the sun of the hot day and looked at the milky way stretched out over us from north to south and talked about all that happened....... it’s a good life!!

Labor Day Night.......Sunday Drumming

Billons of stars I'm telling you..........

So, how did it go Sunday night you ask? It was really hot out and I thought it was too hot too come and drum you say. Well, it was a great hot sweaty one! We had less folks show than normal, but that's still quite a few nowadays. We had drummers and plenty of dancers swinging around the alcohol fire. Though we only had one big bottle of the fire juice that we had to make last all nite, we did it. As the drums were going and the dancers showing the fire would go out and it would be just really dark. This was kinda nice actually with all swaying to the groove going on. We just kept going and even though you couldn't see you knew what was happening. Well lots of long sweaty grooves like I said and then at ten we headed to the river. Jon and Paul and Sage and Michelle and Myself slid in the river at grandma rock and stayed there till around midnite. The current gently nudging us with the ink black night and the milky way lighting up the night sky north to south. Billons of stars were above us and we were glad to be alive at that moment! This is what its all about on a Sunday night in the very center of Three Rivers. Have a good one..............

What you think of our Company is what you think of this Society

Happy Friday to you. You deserve a few days off after all the stuff from this week huh! Well, enjoy then, relax, eat sleep and be merry. Laugh as much as you can. Smile, it gets everyone else involved. Be nice to all of us for sure. We're having a good friday too. Get stuff done! Finish all the things on the list and get ready to say, "I got it together". Then, make plans to come up and join us for Sunday night drumming to get you ready for another week. And, one more thing, spread Love........

The Moonlit Night............

Nice cool weather here today. A welcome change after the grueling heat. Its been a nice full moon too with the drumming being lit by it just around 9. The groove was going on too with dancers and drummers merging in a flow that you could only get with the crew of the night of August 17th. And, I missed it, but they went on a moonlight criuse of the lake after drumming too! In a houseboat, just like we did last year. I'll bet it was nice out on the lake with the last of the sierra snow melt to float on, lit up by the full moon beams. Wow! Now thats living! Meanwhile, Kelly, Ella, Maharupa and myself kept the monsters away from the drum circle area by talking about what we needed to talk about. Hope your day goes well..............

Read this.................

Well Yea, Hows it going there bud?? Its been a crazy and busy couple of weeks, but now its almost back to normal. Almost! It can't be just regular and boring,I just wouldn't want it that way. The last few weeks have been filled with heck tic work loads and lots of Helicopters. A crew that has been working with us here are from Alaska. All Indians except two women and the pilot. They have some really cool stories and we've been all ears. I want to go to Alaska someday.
Drumming has been good too! Lots of grooves filling the dry hot air around here on Sunday Nites. And news too. Roger Jennings died. All of us old timers in the drumming know him real well for sure, though not necessarily all good thoughts. He had colon cancer and decided not to get treated for it. He died over in Bishop where he has been living. He claimed to have powers and tried real hard to influence our good things with those bad things. I think he put a spell on me one time. I got a rose thorn embedded in my finger deeply and it really put a crimp in my drumming style! I finally got it removed and got over it but man, it was a real bummer. Anyways, we don't want to think bad about anyone who has died and we all hope for peace and a new beginning ...........
Its been hot still. I know fall is coming, my favorite time and this year Halloween is on a Friday so wow! Well, I hope that your smiling that smile and living the life that's bringing good and Love to you!
Thanks for the personal comments sent! We're all missing and thinking about you over there in the far east Jill. I hope your happy and reading about us. Send some pics and I'll post them here. We're always interested in what our drum circle folks are up to in other lands. So, Much Love to you ALL.............

How are you doing??

Still busy with work. Gotta get the hay when its there for the getting. Lots of OT hours and I guess that's good eh?? Haven't seen my drum circle cronies lately either. Well, some of them at least. We have folks everywhere and I can always get updated on the latest by just asking so and so, or what's his face huh! I try to protect the Innocent of course. The drumming Sunday wasn't soo big and that happens now and again. A small drumming is sometimes the best. You can hear everybody playing and you can get intimate with it all. Its defiantly got its place.
The river is way down.... I mean it ain't no river really, its a stream these days. The dog days of summer.... August. Not been too hot though and really, we've had it pretty good with the temps and all. Now we have this monsoonal moisture thing coming it and it'll be fun to watch. Maybe some lightning later this week. I hope you day goes well and Thanks for checking in on my life and the life of others around me. I'll try to be faster................

Keep on Looking.................

Busy, busy with work. We've got a big fire in Tehipite dome area and its way out there. Everyone gets flown in and its a logisitcal challenge for us for sure! I love it though, big adventure of the kind that's called work around here.
Drumming, yea well it was great last night!! Lots of people and lots of dancers drummers and lookie lou"s too. I'll have to update you more as I get time.... gotta go, but as always Thanks for your looks. LOve to you...........

Happy Wednesday to You....

Made it by the big cast party event last night at the Imagine You center. Everyone was there celebrating last Friday nites performance by the African Ensemble at the Fox. We talked, we drummed and we ate really good food. It was nice enjoying all of our friends so early in the week and just seeing smiles too!
We're forging along this path of deadlines and daily too doo lists. The month is almost over and it did go quick. I'm just trying to remember all the good because there's alot. Hope your Wednesday goes well my friends. Remember to smell the flowers.

Wadaba Rocked the House...........

Just really Fantastic would be a good description of the show at the Fox Theatre where it was packed and people were standing in the aisles! A great performance was done by our friends of the West African Ensemble for sure. We were proud of them folks and it was good to finally see them getting the attention of the community. They are a mighty talent and Wadaba rocked the house! It was a performance of all and I was glad I went and glad that you all showed too!
I'm waking up here to clouds and coolness, which is very welcome! It should be a great drumming tonight so please make plans to come on up! Enjoy you day of rest.....

Middle of the Weak....

Yesterday they were talking snow at 8000'. Thats crazy huh!! And, Monday night around midnite the river went from 200cfs to 800 in about a half an hour. There was alot of rain coming down in the mountains and it came down.All the backcountry rangers were talking about all the rain when they called in and the river is all brown and muddy compared to the clear emerald color it usually is. Well, at least its been kinda cloudy and cool. And hot too!
Wadaba is playing at the Fox this friday and we're all going to support our local talent and friends who play. These are drum circle folks who study african rhythmns and they're really good! Featuring Wadaba who was born a drummer of all drummers. Come and check it out my friends, and have a great Wednesday!

Wadaba is playing at the Fox this Friday Night.......

Wadaba and his group will be playiny at the Fox this Friday night. Its the big time and we all plan on being there to support him. He puts on a fabulous show and if you have ever seen him play you know what I mean! Come on out and join us.
Its still hot and muggy and even with that we had a great drumming time last night. Everyone was sweaty and smiling when I got there, and I could hear the pulse from out in the street out front. Lots of people came and dancers and drummers and lookers were all into what was going on. The Big Groove in downtown Three Rivers, between the river and the road.
I've got a real good connection again so plan on checking on me and seeing what life's adventures have brought.All for you my friends...........

We've been missing you.....

Life's been very good, with alls thats going on around us. Drumming was real special sunday night because it is. Works been going good with new adventures and great surroundings. And, we have really been enjoying the fact that we have this close knit community of drum folks here that are much more than just drummers. Special people you are my friends and I'm glad to be with you all....

Some if you have asked whats been going on with the lads from Iowa. Well, they got all trained up in the life of a small town with a drum circle and now are headed out into the big world out there. I know for a fact that we left an imppresion on those lads and perhaps put more good vibes out in the world their headed to. We'll see them again, because we all know the drum circle creedo....You'll always come back!!



Well, I know you've been wondering if we made it through all the hot and muggy weather?? We did, barely. Its still hot and muggy, but alittle less of all of that. We took a nice dip in the river on Thursday night, late, around 11. We went to grandma rock and just slid on the rock in the dark night, right in the river. The current was not too bad and the water was ink black and warmish. The sky was all stars.

Mu Picante

Well, we made it through the weekend of the 4th of July and now its on to the rest of the month. The word here is HOT. Its going to be really hot this week and you might want to hunker down with some air conditioning and a cool drink. The river is calling for sure!
Drumming was good Sunday nite. I got there alittle late, but that sure didn't stop the crowd from filling in and grooving the groove. It was dancing and drumming with smiles and mezmorized looks for all. Stay Cool brothers and sisters.

Ready for the Fourth..............

Hey There, How's your Thursday going? this day of the week has always been my power day. The day when it all seems to come together in my favor. The day when I get it all done in a timely fashion and it all goes that way..........We'll see.
There's no fires in Seqouia, Kings Canyon as I'm typing. All the state has been burning, though lots of the fires are getting under control. Our fire crews are out of park at some of those bigger fires like the Piute fire down by Lake Isabella and the Clover Fire also up in the mountains by there. Its fire season and our park here has just been luckly so far. We're at High Fire Danger and its really dry, and its almost the fourth of July. Have a Powerful day my friends......

Sundays Delight

Well, the smoke has gone, kinda, and its just hot now. Summer in all its fury is setting up shop for the next few months. The river is down to swimable levels and the rafters are packing their bags for the next river.
We had a really good drumming Sunday. Had some old friends show to help pound out the beats and had some fun with the dark. We only had one bottle of alcohol for the fire, so we had to make it last. When I say alcohol, I don't mean the kind you drink, I'm talking about rubbing alcohol. The little bottles you buy at the store for a buck. We pour that into a bowl and it makes a nice light flame thats smokless and gives us the ambiance of a fire without the heat. We use it in the summmer. We always have to have something to drum and dance around and since the exact center of Three Rivers is right where the fire burns its special too! Now, this stuff doesn't just appear. Paul had been gracious in buying it lately, but we're always hoping that you'll bring some too. Its only a few bucks and we love it when we have it.
Tonite we'll be doing a drumming for Tom who passed away 2 years ago yesterday. Come on over and join us..................

We Make it up as we go

Hey You all, How've you been doing over there? Man, its been awhile huh!! Well, I'm putting down a few words and hope to get regular with it again here. The hit and miss signals and just life in general have put a crimp in the commuicatons hose. Well, anyways, Drumming tonite! Its been hella hot and the skies have been very smokey! Everyday. Its bad air for sure and we all dealing with it. Particulates and Ozone levels have been 10 times above normal. Anyone know what normal then would be?
I'm sure that down by the river it'll be just right. I'm just going straight down there when I get to the gallery. I know as I walk up the steps there'll be so and so and whats his name and those people and whats his face and that dude with that chick and you know, I might get distracked. But I'll take the back way around and just go down there. Down past the drum circle hole where chuck will be gettin the grounds ready. New people will be starting to gather, thinking that we're going to be starting drumming right at 6 like the rules say. There isn't a core drumcircle member in sight and won't be till it gets dark. We'd like to think that we're all linning up at 6 and starting our rhytmn fusion right on time and all that, but it just doesn't come down like that ever. We do it going pretty soon though cuz as we start gathering around we feel the pressure to drum. To do what we do. Its our language, and we start getting antcy to get the drums out and talk to each other. I've been to drummings where I'd be there all night with all my friends who I only see at drumming and we don't talk all night. We drum and look at each other and smile and groove and get all caught up in the bump thats coming round.
So, down by the river like I was saying...............See you tonite

I"ve been to Hollywood, I've been to Redwood.....

So, here we go with another 16 years of drumming! It was a good one last nite and one for the books for sure. Kieo came by and updated us on all the stuff thats coming up. I'll post the things here as my technology lets me. I've had a real rough time getting good reception where I'm now living and its been frustrating not being able to get it all done. Its funny how the reception works, with some little parts of the room getting good signals and some just nothing. I would have updated you with more pics, but blogging from the toilet seat is not my usual style I'm afraid. But, as always, you'll be the first to get it right here.
Its been hot again and well, its the Summer Soltice this Friday so I guess its supposed to be hot right? We might as well get used to it. The river is running real nice too, but tame compared to whats been coming down since a few months ago. Well, I'll be in good range this week and have lots of pics and updates so please check in...............

We've been Vindicated by the County!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!

Big Thanks to our great lawyer lady who got us many more years of drumming along the Kaweah River in Three Rivers! Gary got a letter from the city council saying that we're okay to do what we do and that it was NOT a wrong assemblege of people, as stated in the original complaint letter by the County of Tulare. So, of course we still have rules and have to watch each others backs but hey, we're going to be drumming and getting together and lets celebrate tommorow night eh!!!!!!!

Snakes are Out.............

I personally haven't seen any snakes lately, but its been cooler. This pic,taken with a cell phone camera is from out in the dessert near Landers. I didn't take it and got it from a climbers groups site. Thought you would like it! As soon as the temps get hotter they'll be out. Our crews up in the park have seen several already. Its all a part of life. Snakes could be looked at as protectors of the true wilderness, where we know they are we ain't going!!
So, its been really nice weather, the rafters have been going down the Kaweah and we've been just enjoying things here as we move through the week and into the weekend. Drumming tommorow night you'all and you should make this the one that you come too. You won't be dissapointed I promise. Bring your instruments and don't forget the goodies to share afterwards.............we always like that you know! Looking for some good times with you tommorow night!

The Latest from here...............

To all our viewers from around the globe, here's Sunday nights drumming report, live from the ear wig hotel where I check my shoes every morning for scorpians just like in the jungle movies. Brought to you by the sheriff who stayed out in front of the gallery Sunday nite till 10 to make sure we were obeying the rules. It was a big one like they said! Lots of folks came and enjoyed an evening of grooving and moving around the alcohol fire. The feral skater cats from downtown main street in Visalia joined us with the glow sticks glowing and the gyrations flowing. We had the big drums out till 10 and lots of dancers.... all was well......so far! It was really good to have all of your support and we Thank You for coming and drumming! We're still alive and well, us drummers and its gonna be alrite I think. Lifes been very good to us.
The rivers coming up again with the temps staying pretty cool around here. No sign of hot weather in the forecast, and hey that's okay with me. Have a good day you all..........

Glow with the Flow.....

Here's to you on a Sunday in Three Rivers. Cool, sunny and kinda windy. We're all getting ready to go drumming tonite. It should be a good one with lots of people coming I hear. Anyways, that's what they said at the rumour mill, aka...The Gallery.
All the local drumming hucksters were at the Cellar Door lounge last night to watch Keio and Wadaba's group perform. I got there early to have my ears blown out by the Lincoln Park wannabe band that was first, with the miked drums that made the wine glasses shimmy in the rack. I thought this would surely chase the crowd away, but I was wrong. There were at least 100 folks there and standing room only for Wadaba's performance! The whole room took off with applause and yelling after every drum diddy and it made us proud to see our local drumming group take off to the big time!! I got to sit next to the sound guy and record the event and I think it will be a great take. It was also good to have a front row view for sure. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all about this and I'm working with Keio to get more news up for their up coming events and classes here for you all to see. And, the main street of Visalia was hopping too. There were several events going on up and down the street with live bands and tons of people everywhere. Keio and Wadaba's show was the biggest thing going for sure and it goes to show that there's more to culture than agriculture in Visalia these days. Hey, see you all tonight................

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...........