Freewheelin' Franklin Graham

Been playing around with Photo Shop lately, and I thought I'd share this one; a combination of an old favorite subject and one more currently topical.

Any ideas on what you think this character might be saying?

I like this one:

"Dope will get you through times of no religion better than religion will get you through times of no dope. "

YouTube Channel Now Up

For those of you who would like to listen to my recently-uploaded college symphonic band recordings, that link to my YouTube channel is now up and running. Not much video to speak of, just the album covers. But the music is there in all its vinyl glory. The link is on the right. Enjoy.

SDSU Symphonic Band 1975-1979

This photo is of the South Dakota State University Symphonic Band, taken in February of 1976. I am on the bottom right, holding my beloved Meinl Weston tuba. (It was really the school’s, but you couldn’t pry it from my fingers). The photo is from a textured album cover, so it looks a little fuzzy. My apologies to everyone in the photo.

Anyway –

I have recently been transferring some of my vinyl records to a digital format; mostly stuff that has not already been commercially remastered.

One of my first projects involves the music we recorded with this band, under the direction of Dr. Darwin Walker and Mr. James McKinney. These records were manufactured by the Al Opland Recording Service of Pipestone, Minnesota, from tapes custom-recorded by both them and Dr. Walker.

I am really, really proud to have been a part of these recordings. They represent many fine performances from 1975 to 1979. As they originate from vinyl, they will have the usual pops and crackles. But I still feel the outstanding musicianship of the participants shines through. Someday I may re-do this, once I re-model my home studio and fully integrate my computer and sound system. (Right now I just kind of move parts around each other.)

I had originally used a file-sharing service to share these, but with free programs easily available (such as the ones by Freemake) to download and convert the Youtube videos listed on my other post, I deleted them here. 

Enjoy!

Devil's Tower

We have recently been in touch with a highly-regarded psychic friend of ours, who told us it was a good time for a trip to Devil's Tower, as there was abundant spiritual energy there to tap into .

Well, it turns out that it was true. We had some questions concerning our place in the world, and we felt this was a good time to ask the spirits for guidance and strength.

After several days of rain here in Iowa, the clouds parted on the way across South Dakota, and by the time we reached the Black Hills, the sun was shining. We decided on a quick drive through Spearfish Canyon to augment our journey. It was beautiful, as the fall colors were in full force.

We arrived at the beautiful Devil's Tower Best Western Hotel in little Hulett, Wyoming, and I had just enough daylight left to snap some photos. Seems, however, that the zoom on my camera was not working properly. Oh well, I thought, I'll just use the largest pixel setting on my camera and edit the pictures down when I get home.

The next morning we were a bit dismayed to find a veil of fog blanketing the area when we got up. But after breakfast and some time in the hot tub, we discovered that the fog was beginning to lift, so we drove off to the tower.

We were careful to approach the tower with proper respect, as we were very aware of the spirits' activity. I could only wish all the other tourists would have been so thoughtful, but the spirits seemed to allow my forgiveness for them. Kind of a Jesus thing, I guess. Didn't know I had the power. Wow.

Then the spirits graciously allowed the veil of fog over the tower to dissipate as we walked around the trail circling the tower. And as I prayed and snapped pictures, the spirits must have felt I was a worthy visitor, because suddenly the zoom on my camera began working again.

We were just finishing our walk when a group of tourists rushed by us on the trail; some of them were giddy and others more aware of the spiritual presence. I guess the spirits accepted them, as I was gently reminded that admonishment on my behalf wasn't appropriate.

I was able to get all the photos I wanted, including the lucky shot you see here. You may see the other pictures I took on my links list.

On the road back to Sundance to head home, the fog rolled back in, followed by rain. I don't have much doubt that was the spirits wishing us peace.

I was left with a sense that it is time in my life to get my own spirit in order with the cosmos, and I think I'm on my way. It's not necessary for me to worry about what negativity others may wish to spread; I am content with my own inner peace. That is all that matters.

We are making plans to come through here next summer, and to spend another night in Hulett on our way to Glacier National Park. I am sure there will be at least a brief pause on the road alongside the tower, if only to re-energize from the marvelous spiritual energy I that was very honored and grateful to receive on this journey. I am very much looking forward to that.

Jim Carroll 1949-2009

"It's when the body at the bottom,
That body is my own reflection
But it ain't hip to sink that low
Unless you're gonna make a resurrection
They're always gonna come to your door
They're gonna say, "It's just a routine inspection"
But what you get when you open your door
What you get is just another injection
And there's always gonna be one more
With just a little bit less until the next one
They wait in shadows and steal the light from your eyes
To them vision's just some costly infection
But listen, you should come with me
I'm the fire, I'm the fire's reflection
I'm just a constant warning
Just a constant warning to take the other direction

Mister, I am your connection."

Copyright Earl McGrath Music/Jim Carroll Music ASCAP (1980)

Thanks for the poetry and the autograph, friend. I'll try to keep your light on.

Onabike 2009

Onabike 2009 pictures now up. 63 miles through the beautiful Loess Hills of Western Iowa, in a time of 4 1/2 hours; average speed 14 mph. Pretty good for me. See the link on the right.

Mulberries

A couple of summers ago I noticed that we have two mulberry trees in our yard. I didn't really know what to do with them until I Googled it today. Turns out mulberries are very high in resveratrol, which is a powerful antioxidant.













So this represents my first harvest of the berries. A little bit sweet, but delicious, and they leave your fingers (and teeth) red. Depending on how much ambition I have, I may either try drying them or making a pie or jam. We'll see.















Of course Athos wanted to check out the situation, but after her first investigation, she went to look for something else to do. No doubt she would prefer something she could chase, like a bug or a mouse. That's fine with me.