Hey guess what?
I have a banjo. And I learned how to play it. Last weeek the Sutherlands and I went to music camp and I took banjo & mandolin lessons. I love the way chords ring from a mandolin; they have four sets of doubled strings strung up like a violin...if that gives you any idea(?) And the banjo...the round base part sounds like a snare when you tap it, so the resonation of the strings has this real weird twangy percussive sound. I hope I'm not patronizing you...y'all know what a banjo and mandolin are...it's just I'm still surprised and delighted by the sounds they can make, that's all.
I guess you want to know more about camp: all the people I met, the shenanigans, the food, and of course the music. Well all I can say is, ~~~~~ #()# & "***"!

Well, I'm back. Killarney was...(sigh).
Here, I'll give you an excerpt from my notebook:

"So much beauty the past days I've stopped being greedy. Content to sit on this rock...vantage point for an A.Y. Jackson painting -enlivened in full 3 dimensional style.
didn't know cornbread could be sweet..I eat it like cake-no butter
didn't know longing could be sweet...always seemed bittersweet -seems faith dissolves the bitterness"

Well I'm off tomorrow. Goin' up to explore a bit of the Great Canadian Shield. Don't know when we'll get out the door...still so much left to get done. At least I got the essentials: murder mysteries, cigars, and a couple extra boxers. Should I should let you in on one of Ontario's best kept secrets?...I will: Kilarny Provincial Park -up Sudbury way. It's beautiful there.

It occurred to me today that most of the music I listen to has the air of melancholy. What attracts me to sad, beautiful songs? Maybe it's the honesty I hear in them. Besides, it's hard to find music that's both happy & real. Not impossible, just hard. It's hard to find artists whose music is celebratory without being contrived. Paul Simon, Bob Marley, & Dave Matthews are some names that come to mind.
But my question remains: what attracts me to sad, beautiful songs? (I don't consider myself a sad person...)
Hmm...

today I rest. it's settled.
the amount of grumpiness per day has increased significantly the last three days. this is understandable: stress hits me post-crazy/busy & last week was crazy/busy with preparations for Ben & Mylanna's wedding. however, I still can't help be grumpy about being grumpy. Arrgg.
well reader, may you have a pleasant, peaceful day...
just don't bring your superficial "happier than thou" attitude around me! I'll bite your head off and spit out the hair!