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Inventor’s Bad Dream
Sharon Jones RIP
I was very sad to read that the amazing soul singer Sharon Jones passed away today, after being ill with pancreatic cancer for some time. She was just 60. I was just thinking about her and her music yesterday and posted one of her performances on this blog (scroll down to that post and you can watch it). Tuffy P and I were at her concert here in Toronto back in the summer. Although her cancer had by then returned and she was undergoing treatment, she and her awesome band, The Dap Kings, put on one of the most energetic and fantastic shows I’ve ever seen.
Here are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings performing This Land is Your Land – a soul version of the Woody Guthrie song.
Nothing Runs like a Deer(e) – banjo practice
My friend Chris, the sax player (etc. etc.) across the street, gave me a John Deere cap, an accoutrement which I figure ought to instantly make me a better banjo player. I say this because any old fool knows that old time banjo players need to have the right hat. I figured I should celebrate by recording one of my fave old time fiddle tunes, Forked Deer (say for-ked), also called The Forky Deer.
I’m playing my Dogwood banjo tuned to DD (aDADE).
A brief digression…
….from the usual onslaught of old time stringband music usually heard around this joint. Sometimes I just need a little taste of the mighty Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Strength Axis
A Long Day in Long Branch
The construction on lower Twenty Seventh Street was overwhelming today. There were an unbelievable number of construction vehicles around, equipment and materials everywhere, and a tremendous amount of noise and dust.
The dustmakers across the street
This morning, the tree protection was removed from the spruce tree at #4. I guess it was in the way (!?). They did some excavating over there, and I could see some large exposed tree roots. When there were done, they put the tree protection fence back, but work was done on the inside of the fence. I’m pretty sure the intent of those tree protection areas is that the builders stay outside of them. Later they filled in the area they excavated. It’s too bad that Urban Forestry does not have the tools to effectively manage this kind of thing. Some of the builders are more respectful of our neighbourhood trees than others. In this case, there isn’t a lot to protect, since a few months ago they stripped every branch off up to a height of about 25 feet.
The view from here
As ugly as it looks, I’m not too concerned about all the building materials next door. They’re working on the interlock driveway and they should have it done in a few days. In any case, so far those guys have been very respectful and they’re building a lovely house, so I’ll get over the short term mess.
Fall Work in Long Branch
Meanwhile there are still quite a few trees around here unaffected by the building frenzy here in The Klondike Long Branch, and the leaves are falling like rain. Today I had the heavy Tonka equipment out, helping with leaf collection.
More banjo practice – Durham’s Bull
Here’s my attempt at playing the Buddy Durham fiddle tune, Durham’s Bull. I learned this one at the last Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. This one would be more fun to play with a fiddle player I think, but I enjoy it none-the-less.
Check out The Immortal Jukebox
I’d like to encourage my visitors to check out The Immortal Jukebox. Thom Hickey is among the most passionate and articulate voices writing about music out there in the blog-swamp. The Immortal Jukebox has introduced me to a number of performers I knew nothing about, and offered some new perspectives on some of my faves. Thom’s blog is a gem.
Grooming Day
Newfs need occasional deep grooming. I don’t mean your basic brushing. I mean they need a thorough bath to start, then all the loose underfur along with accumulated mats get stripped out. Fur around the paws gets trimmed and nails get cut.
Memphis with Lorraine – Memphis just got out of the tub
We’re really fortunate to have an exceptional groomer, Lorraine Wilson, whose business is Peticure Paws. She’s in the Dufferin and Dupont area. When Lorraine started grooming our Newfs, she had a grooming truck, a somewhat funky self-contained grooming van, which had tanks, tubs, a hydraulic table and all her tools, and she would come to the house. These days we go to her, and even though it’s a bit of a trek into the city, we wouldn’t let anyone else groom our Newfs.
This is Lorraine’s dog Pele. She’s wonderful
It’s a big job to groom 2 Newfs – it can be 6 hours or even longer to get them done.
George in the tub getting lathered up
They’re like different dogs after grooming, super-clean with all the loose underfur ancient history.
Our girl Memphis, almost done
Memphis likes getting groomed these days and is very well behaved. Young George gets a bit impatient and wants the whole business to be over with. Grooming is mentally exhausting for both of them, and when they get home, they pass out quickly.
Banjo Practice – Sandy Boys
I’m playing this on my Dogwood banjo.
27th Street 