Posted on June 25, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with no comments yet

Gruhn Guitars – Nashville

( Peter MacDonald photo )

 

 

I was staring at my computer screen at 6:00 a.m. yesterday wondering what I was going to write about. As mentioned the other day, I have some great stories in the works about some very special people and places. I am very excited with the possibility of spending some time with one of the elders from the Wacobah First Nation.

And I am continuing to collect stories about the late Frank McGibbon who influenced the lives of literally thousands of young people. Someone reminded my of one of Frank’s classic refrains: “We gotta get these young fellas into sports before it’s too late. First it’s the smoking and then it’s the drinking, then it’s the other thing.” Frank never elaborated on “the other thing!”  I think he might have been talking about chasing girls. What do you think?!

Do you remember the equipment shack down at Columbus Field? Do you remember the smell when Frank would unlock the doors? It wasn’t an unpleasant smell for those of you wondering.  The collection of old leather catcher’s mitts and other assorted sports paraphernalia had a very distinct aroma.

If you have any “Frank” stories , please drop me a note, private message me or invite me for coffee.

Anyway, as I scratched my head trying to come up something fresh, I spotted my two guitars over in the corner of the living room. And just like that, I was off and running. I’m not a particularly good guitar player but know enough chords, and the lyrics to hundreds ( thousands? ) of songs, to keep myself amused. I have played in groups and done solo gigs. I have played in churches at weddings and funerals. I have played in Legions, pubs and hotel lobbies ( one infamous evening at a hotel in Kilarney, Ireland ). I have played at a gazillion singsongs and have entertained the elderly in nursing homes. I expect that just about every other guitar player has done exactly the same things. Oh yes. I have played around a campfire and have sat on the beach by a roaring bonfire singing “Barrett’s Privateers.”

I even took a stab as a street musician one day in Vancouver when my dear friend, the late Siobhan  M. and I parked our butts on a street corner. I played guitar and she played flute. We managed to raise enough money to buy one large pitcher of beer at a nearby pub.

I don’t play much these days but there are memories to last a lifetime about my long romance with the guitar. Coming up Saturday, look for “Striking a Chord.”

The first Antigonish Art Fair of 2015 will be held at Chisholm Park tomorrow evening starting at 5:30. We have an action packed evening of art, music, culture and ethnic food. The ever popular “Children’s Corner” has been expanded this year to include face painting, balloon animals, painting culturally symbolic masks, dia de las muertos colouring pages, flags of the nations beauty parlor and many more fun activities. It is a great family oriented evening so please grab a folding chair and possibly a sweater ( it may cool down during the evening ) and come and join us.

Hope to see you at the Art Fair tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. If you’re in Inverness , Charlos Cove ( Seawinds ) or Halifax in the next few days, check out this awesome trio:  “Belle Paine”  www.bellepainemusic.com . Saw them at Dreamcatchers last night. Terrific music and great food.

Posted on June 18, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

Slow and steady wins the race

 

 

“Slow down, you move too fast; you got to make the morning last”

The 59^th. Street Bridge Song : Paul Simon

We caught up with this gal the other morning while walking The Landing. People who know these things tell us that momma turtle is laying her eggs in the gravel along the roadway. Now that we live a stone’s throw away, our trips around The Landing are just about everyday. We never tire of the scenery and you meet such nice people who stop and chat.

We walked there yesterday. Is it possible to taste a morning? It had rained heavily the night before and it was a warm, sunny morning. Everything was so fresh and wonderful. And speaking of meeting people, we were delighted to bump into Charlie and Patty “D.D.”.  Now, just so you know, the D.D.’s lived right next door to the P.D.’s on Hillcrest Street. This was at a time when the neighborhood teemed with children and we lived outdoors. The memories came flooding back. The D.D.’s had one of the first outdoor rinks that I can remember, complete with boards. After all those years skating on the Salt Ponds, we felt like we were one step removed from the N.H.L.  Sorry, but nostalgia still rates as one of my worst afflictions. I love the present but those childhood days were so special.

My first few weeks of retirement were anything but dull. ( Some of you know what I’m talking about! ). But now, after five days in Newfoundland, I am ready and rarin’ to go.  My road warrior son Peter , and I , are planning a trip to Newfoundland later this summer or fall. We’ll pack our guitars and some copies of my books and head over to do some gigs. I have been talking with some of the folks that I met last week and they are going to try and arrange some venues for us to do a combo of music and storytelling. We might add a third feature: art. At least one artist we met, might join us. It could be a great deal of fun. We’ll “sing for our supper.”

I am looking forward to doing a full length story about the roadside gardens we saw all along the west coast of Newfoundland. They can’t grow anything close to their seaside towns because of the salt water blowing in off of the Strait. It is fascinating to see these carefully tended plots of land on the side of the road and often, many kilometers from their homes.

It was very heartwarming to get the feedback on yesterday’s story about Sally “Central.” The best thing about writing is the rock star treatment I get. ( Only joking! We live in a two bedroom apartment and drive a 6 year old Yaris… hardly the stuff of fame and fortune ). Stories beget stories and several people got back to me with some amazing accounts of their own. Folks in Mabou would certainly remember the time that Sylvia Tyson came to Mabou to tape a ceilidh at the home of Angus and Sally Beaton. A young John Morris Rankin played piano as did Joey Beaton. Dan R. MacDonald played the fiddle, others sang Gaelic and Jim St. Clair ( who graciously shared this story with me ), did some story telling. In the wee hours of the morning, Sylvia Tyson sang hauntingly… a capella. I know it’s an oft over used expression but, my, if those walls could talk.

I am hoping to get back to my regular publishing schedule. I don’t have any excuses for not being able to churn out “Musings,” “Tidbits” and stories.

Thanks for continuing to read my material. As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing.

Have a great weekend.

 

Posted on May 21, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with no comments yet

Anybody know where this picture was taken?

 

 

Just a short note to let you know that Week45 is on a brief hiatus. I am retiring next week …and, we have our house closing… on the same day. Needless to say, it is a bit busy trying to tie up all the loose ends with both of these things.

Have a great weekend.