June 6, 2014
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Surfing the Old Time wave

Banjo camp continues… I attended an excellent demo on playing in a string band this morning, led by Cathy Barton Para followed by another on creating breaks and variations, led by Michael Miles.

In the afternoon, I participated in two workshops. The first was an intro to Round Peak style. I learned a lot about the nuts and bolts of the style from Riley Baugus. There was a lot to absorb in a short period of time, but I think a lot of it will sink in over the coming weeks.

The second was a workshop on drop and double thumb techniques for claw hammer, led by Ken Perlman. Ken led us through this with many exercises we all played together. I was able to make significant improvement in executing these moves, as Ken made sure everyone was doing everything right before moving on, making individual corrections throughout.

After dinner we enjoyed the first of two two-hour faculty concerts, with both Old Time and Bluegrass players from the faculty performing. there was some great music!

Finally, I attended one more jam, led by Chuck Levy. After that there were still quite a few players settling in to play late into the night. Time for me to hit the hay though.

June 5, 2014
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Rino’s Kitchen with friends

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In Windsor Ontario – met up with friends Vin and Basak for a fantastic dinner last night at Rino’s Kitchen. Great company, great meal too. Dinner involved pulled pork served on savoury waffles. Outrageously tasty. Off to Michigan today.

June 1, 2014
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Walk in the Forest

Today I met up with my friends Robin and Jamie for a walk in the woods looking for oyster mushrooms. Oysters almost always fruit right around this time, but this year with the long drawn-out winter, some things are late. We found a couple trees starting to show oysters, which should be fruiting in a week or so, but we saw none fruiting.

IMG_1349IMG_1355Although we didn’t find mushrooms, we did find all kinds of interesting things in the forest. For instance, Robin pointed out some beautiful Jack in the Pulpit.

IMG_1345Then there was this fascinating tree. I wonder what caused it to grow like this?

IMG_1350We didn’t notice them on the walk into the forest, but on the walk out we found a patch of ramps, and harvested enough for a couple dinners. Ramps, or Allium tricoccum, are also known as wild leeks. They are edible perennials which have a strong garlic-like flavour. Very good indeed!

IMG_1374Jamie and Robin came across a swallowtail butterfly which had just emerged.

It turned out to be a great walk. I had Memphis and Georgie along and my friends brought their pup Georgia, so the dogs had a great time too, especially when they discovered mud-puddles.

May 30, 2014
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Book Box in the paper

This morning on the way in from my morning dog walk I picked up the Etobicoke Guardian from the stairs. On the front page there is DSC05814an article about new book boxes that will be appearing at Humber College June 4. The article quotes the folks behind this initiative – it turns out they were inspired by our little book box here on 27th Street. I cut out the article and put it up on the bulletin board in the book box.

By the way, there are some new additions in the box – including a copy of Robin Doolittle’s book, Crazy Town (I bet this one will be snapped up by this afternoon!). Our book box is IMG_1279located south of Lakeshore on 27th Street, just a few houses up from the lake. Drop by if you’re in the area. Feel free to take any books you want. You can keep them or you can read them and bring them back. And if you have some good books you’d like to donate, bring a couple by….there is usually room for a couple new books, especially if you take a couple with you.

 

May 29, 2014
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Writing & Painting

Somebody landed on this bit of cyber real estate after searching, “Is writing similar to painting?” In a way yes, in a way no, I suppose. They’re different languages. I think the experience as a painter is very different, more physical. In painting, everything is frozen in time. You get it all at once, even though you may not be able to take it in all at once. To experience writing you have to give it time to get from beginning to end. Paintings are all beginning and end. But doing the work I guess you face a lot of similar creative problems.

What do you think?