Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Fat Boy



I came upon this picture when I was putting together a small digital picture frame for my desk. This is 'Fat Boy.' He was the apple of my eye. I lost him nearly five years ago to kidney failure. We had him only 8 or 9 years.

He came to us from the Humane Society and was brought there as a stray. At the pound, they called him Oliver, but we promptly renamed him Fat Boy. After I brought him home, he wouldn't come out of the basement for six weeks. Sometimes he would sit down there and caterwaul until I went down and got him and put him on the couch with me. Even after he mustered the courage to come upstairs on his own, he was still shy and retiring--always ready to beat a hasty retreat.

David was always concerned when our vet would send out the notification to come and get Fat Boy's annual shots. The postcard was typically addressed to 'Fat Boy Patton.' Dave was afraid that the mailman might think that card was meant for him (Dave).

One of Fat Boy's favorite things was to sit beside me on the couch when I was watching television and he would put a paw on my leg as we sat there together. It was darling. When Lucille came to live with us, she didn't care for him, but he admired her greatly. He was just a sweetie-pie. I still miss him.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Harvest Table 2010




I always like to have a harvest themed centerpiece on the table in the fall. Here's the one for this year.



The squash came from several different local places. The tablecloth I got in Savannah, my favorite city. I thought the candlesticks were a nice contrast. They came from the Peachtree Gallery in my hometown of Owensboro, KY.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Blue Bear Gig



One of my favorite gigs we did this summer was the Blue Bear gig. Dave, Terry and I were sidemen for Mike Marsh, playing at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver for a doctor's convention. We played just inside and up an escalator at a spot right before the attendees entered the exhibit hall.

The blue bear has been peeking into the convention center for five years now. He is a 40 feet tall steel sculpture by artist Lawrence Argent, and his official art name is "I See What You Mean."

I had never seen the bear in person--only pictures of him in the newspaper--and I was just delighted to be playing with him looking in upon us. When I realized we were going to the convention center, I still didn't remember or realize that the bear would be there, but as soon as I saw him, my heart lifted.

The Blue Bear is very popular among Denverites and those from the ouskirts like me and I can see why--he's just fun! After we finished playing, I lined up next to all the tourists to snap shots of him. He made my day.

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Gaither Homecoming



An acquaintance of mine asked if I wanted to join her and her parents at the Gaither Homecoming event in Broomfield last Friday. She knew I might have some interest because I admire Ben Isaac's bass playing very much, and his family band, The Isaacs, play in the Gaither shows now.

I had no idea what the Gaither shows were all about. I found out. I categorize the Gaither show as a huge gospel extravaganza--very Christian-focused. There were probably ten acts that were part of the show. Bill Gaither is the founder of these shows and serves as the master of ceremonies. In the first half of the shows, he introduced the other acts and they would come out and perform. In the second half of the show, all of the performers sat in chairs on stage throughout.

The auditorium was probably 80 percent full-- and that means there were over 5,000 people there. There were two large screens on either side of the stage that showed what was happening on stage throughout the show.



The singing was extraordinary. I guess that is what the Gaither shows are known for.



I heard the Isaacs last June when I went to the ROMP bluegrass festival in Owensboro, KY. I knew that they were really good. They are pretty Hollywood, too. The two daughters were channeling the Dixie Chicks with their costumes.



Ben Isaac's bass playing was just as excellent as I knew it would be. Gives me something to strive toward.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Garden 2010



My garden had its ups and downs this year. I was very successful with carrots, corn, cabbage, and onions.



The rabbits and a squirrel ruined my hopes for spaghetti squash and cantelope. They even ate the squash blossoms. Dave took care of the rabbit problem once they caused so much damage and shot them all.

The beets I grew were a mixed bunch. I left them in the ground too long, and some of them looked like they came from outer space.



One of our peach trees was laden down with fruit. I even made a peach crisp.

Well, it wasn't my best garden ever, but I am definitely looking forward to next year!