H1N1

or some other flavor of virus has laid low my sweetie and I this week. She started coming down with it on Wed and my distress began early Thursday. Particularly sad for dear Hannah as All Hallows Eve is her most favorite and celebrated of holidays. Here's H getting into the spirit of the holiday a week ago.

Seems contradictory tho to refer to it as a Holi-day per-se, being a celebration of darkness and evil hauntings and such. I was reading the Catholics Church's rant the other day warning of too much celebrating with Satan. Now that was scary.
My cohorts are mostly in favor of partying with Beelzebub. Not really in my nature, but who am I to decline a good party. Tho I have passed on the downtown celebration for over 10 years now mainly cuz it used to be more fun in the 80s. All moot point as I recover from this devil bug. Fever broke yesterday (!) and is settling into a simple head cold today. Will call H in a minute and see how she's faring. Hoping she is up to carving a few more pumpkins today. Some of her work at chez Hamer:























listen:
The Mic
WORT

view:
so much dumb broadcast TV
my head could explode

Dilettantes in public and being leaf tourists

Just returned from a very nice trip with Hannah to Prairie du Chien over the weekend. spent most of Saturday at LaRiverre Farm Park for a party put on by the in-laws of our guitarist Sam to play at his wife's family gathering - the Shedivy clan - have gathered nearly every year for 10 years in the Park Barn. Knoshing and music-making friendliness for all who attended. This fine structure for country gathering is situated in a 320 acre park and reserve in western WI.






















An overnight in town and then on Sunday we made the trip across the rivers to Pike's Peak State Park in Iowa for the view of the beautiful valley where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers join together. The weather was pretty chilly all weekend, but only a minor distraction from the good company, music and leaf tourism. The leaves aren't actually kicking in with color much yet, but that doesn't matter a smidge.


























The greatest pleasure of the weekend was spending nearly 2 full days with Hannah and getting away from our routines and such. This jaunting-about activity is soon to be somewhat diminished by the arrival of fluffy white slippery stuff and even less hospitable temperatures, so the timing of this trip was perfect.

It was a very unique sort of 'gig' - I hesitate to call it that. I believe we played our hastily put together set with competency. My kit sounded great in the room, I could hear everyone too so it wasn't a struggle to be tight. Given the number of little ones about, I held back from the possible heavy hitting I might have preferred, but I also tried to not be overly subtle on our slower quieter numbers. I think it worked out. It was difficult not to show off too much with my sweetie in the front straight ahead of me. Anyway, it was fun to play for those folks and there were some fine performances of folk rock material throughout the day from the Shedivy clan and friends. Did I mention the food? Well, it's worth mentioning that the cooking and presentation of victuals was very well done! Sliced beef, turkey/noodle casserole, pasta & potato salads & assorted snacks were yummy. Skillfully avoided the desert tray which looked very tempting. Anyway, I hope we sang for our supper in an entertaining manner for our gracious hosts.












I'd normally blog about the hotel room here...but don't really feel inclined to give a review in this case. H enjoyed a swim before the pool closed and we both enjoyed the hot tub and huge comfy bed. It was a bit ostentatious for me to have accommodations like that, literally one of the last rooms available in town, due to my late booking. I should know better! My good fairy had a hand in my finding the room that became avail, it had been booked solid with leaf tourist reservations. Happy that we ended up staying over in Prairie du Chien and our little excursion into Iowa Sunday was very nice.

























This was one of those times that the thought "it's good to be home" wasn't the first thing on my mind when coming back to Madison from a trip. But still, it is good. Feeling very rested and centered.

Listen:
Radiolab podcasts
Ladyhawk
Agitpop - Back at the Plain of Jars
Bruford's Earthworks - All Heaven Broke Loose
RTQE