On the road...

Spent 5 day in Charleston after the festivities. Much time was taken up with Zelda who had diarrhea. We saw vets and gave her medicine and cleaned up all her messes, which were numerous. Thanks to Sim, we got her a better medicine which took care of the problem. 

I had dinner with Kathie and lunch with Claudia, as well as more sushi and dinner at Berry Hills. I watched lots of tennis and worked with Sears Monument to get a grave marker for my dad. Since he was a veteran, I am trying to get a free stone from the government. But of course there are many hoops. John found me his SSN and Patti sent in a request for the service number. It might take 3 months, but it will probably be accomplished by November.

Today we drove most way to NH in a caravan with Patti and Jeff. Am currently at a pet-friendly HoJo in Middletown NY. Tomorrow will be at Sunapee. 

Day Four

Last day of weekend celebrations ended with the Charleston Light Opera Guild's final performance of "Civil War, the musical". We went to St. John's this morning for church. In the afternoon, Ned and Royal went to the Taste of Charleston while Patti and I did the Sunday puzzles, we then went to the Sunrise Carriage Trail for some fiddling and other entertainment.

Below are some pics from Catharine and Deborah who were in Nantucket last week.  They are standing around the tree that was planted last August for Aunt Liddy. It blossomed at the end of the week.

Chamblees and Catharine by Aunt Liddy's tree in Nantucket

Day Three

Today started with a parade up the boulevard, then a chili cook off, then Vandalia Gathering music.  See pics below.

Joe Manchin (former Governor and current Senator), starting off the parade

Parade antics

Jim Mullins, the Vandalia winner for best fiddle and best banjo (also my friend Marty's husband)

Vandalia Gathering

Ned and Royal on the capitol steps

Sen. Robert C Byrd at the capitol



Gen. Ulysses Grant reviewing the parade

The day after

Celebrations continued today with the dedication of the Robert Byrd exhibit at the Culture Center, there was a nice lunch afterwards and really fine fiddling. I'm going back to the center next week to soak in the fabulous WV history maize.

Then Ned, Royal, and I went to the levee to take a ride on a paddle boat. It took an hour and just went up to the Capitol and back. But it was a beautiful day. We stayed at the levee for the Kathy Mattea concert then drove over to the University of Charleston to catch a rerun of the fabulous fireworks.  They were equally amazing from across the river.  We missed the symmetry of the fireworks last night.

Thankfully, Patti looked after da girls for me. I'll add some pics tomorrow.

University of Charleston aka Morris Harvey College, Bill's Alma Mata

Kathy Mattea in rehearsal

West Virginia Day 1863-2013

Today we celebrated the sesquicentennial of WV becoming a state. Ned, Royal, and I went to the Capitol grounds this evening for symphony, light show, and fireworks. Below are some pics. We had a great time. The light show appeared on the front columns and top of the portico. It was amazing and appeared to be in 3D. It included a history of the state even to Sen. Byrd playing his fiddle and Mary Lou Retton tumbling. I never saw anything like it. Here's a link http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=4dgXq77UkFw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4dgXq77UkFw for the light show and fireworks.

Ned and me at fireworks

Patti, Jeff, Royal, Ned and I at sushi

Ned and Royal awaiting fireworks

Spectacular display taken from across the river

Slippery Pickers

Below are two videos of the Slippery Pickers playing Old Joe Clark, Orphan Girl, and Cripple Creek.  The video camera is set on me, however, but I was joined by Pam and Phyllis that night at the City Tap open mic.  I had lots of friends there but it was really crowded and noisy.  This was almost a month ago but couldn't figure how to upload the videos. Here's a link to the video recording.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96759087@N07/

 

 

 

Big Night

The Voices concert on June 1 has come and gone.  I sang the alto solo in Mozart's Missa Brevis in F.  Then we sang McCartney's Ecce Cor Meum. I was most pleased with our and my performance though I messed up one note in my solo and was told I could not be heard by three different folks who sat in the back of the auditorium.  There were microphones for the CD recording but not for the Hall.  Folks sitting in other areas could hear me.  Attendance was very good. Below are some pics from Memorial Hall. I'm in front on the left side next to the soprano in blue.  Here is a link to more pics and some of our music.

Here's a pic of Sim and me out to dinner at ACME in Carrboro the other evening.

The night before the concert I went to a concert by Paul McCartney's son, James.  None of us were too impressed with his stage performance or singing but liked his guitar playing.  I have continued to get estimates for the kitchen redo, but the estimates get higher rather than lower.  Will have to do some more thinking on this.

ML and R made it across country in 4 days and I enjoyed tracking them on my iphone.  They and Georgia are in their new apartment in Novato CA.  I think she starts work very soon.  Not sure when their pods arrive with their furnishings or when the audi arrives.