tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80714076590825847792024-03-05T11:15:48.902-06:00Randy Arnold: Whittler of Fine BanjosRandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-33699810292999384802009-09-20T06:48:00.002-05:002009-09-20T07:00:51.290-05:00Instrument Makers of Alabama Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQOcWUKc9K4LwXl-VY7nHDEuuDZHaxmgXyDge9mYyRbnlEelcnxJDYdy7Z_KIQRzhrrMRBdDoh45TGQVxBA57vPmNbKq8Cz_oH9hvZQnRTATRdjXRHaqzNLUSJTqt3prnedWaPUjGU-LZ/s1600-h/jim+cauthen+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQOcWUKc9K4LwXl-VY7nHDEuuDZHaxmgXyDge9mYyRbnlEelcnxJDYdy7Z_KIQRzhrrMRBdDoh45TGQVxBA57vPmNbKq8Cz_oH9hvZQnRTATRdjXRHaqzNLUSJTqt3prnedWaPUjGU-LZ/s400/jim+cauthen+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383515903338643362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I must apologize for the delay in posts, this summer turned out to be very busy.<br /><br />One of my projects this summer was working with the Alabama Folklife Association documenting Instrument makers of Alabama. The interviews will reside in the state and national archives, and the final project will be exhibited at the Smithsonian in 2010.<br /><br />The deadline for the project is September 30th. If there are any luthiers of traditional instruments living in Alabama who would like to be interviewed, or if you know someone who would like to participate, please contact me. I would really like to have at least one or two more interviews.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8BZyr7sf8fxfLIgF0fvxPllIpvntsZAcia3O-64tRDrzvEt-D242a3A0hoBiiJ3TvaOi_j5fWoOII1CcpuefyBbOW_rBj3ka7Jxztn97cvxTXs6UBqYA2kYLBP_TZIeEMHoJ0VEidh7p/s1600-h/Gene+Ivey+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8BZyr7sf8fxfLIgF0fvxPllIpvntsZAcia3O-64tRDrzvEt-D242a3A0hoBiiJ3TvaOi_j5fWoOII1CcpuefyBbOW_rBj3ka7Jxztn97cvxTXs6UBqYA2kYLBP_TZIeEMHoJ0VEidh7p/s400/Gene+Ivey+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383515891262538930" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-19005270720635254012009-06-13T09:59:00.002-05:002009-06-13T09:59:00.866-05:00Hands to Work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUt1pJyKMupMZoqJW2_9AO67XuPHe6iJIN_s57jndYDBEHdw7kErKpedJkaq7PqGQ3iJ8ZX6fe1d-AT_yYxfxd2lAYd9Z8WUn07tnDwDkYt7ZfuVgPcImOQLSao0rrtT7xH2QRgqjeURS/s1600-h/SNV12991.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUt1pJyKMupMZoqJW2_9AO67XuPHe6iJIN_s57jndYDBEHdw7kErKpedJkaq7PqGQ3iJ8ZX6fe1d-AT_yYxfxd2lAYd9Z8WUn07tnDwDkYt7ZfuVgPcImOQLSao0rrtT7xH2QRgqjeURS/s400/SNV12991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261354648167330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On a recent trip to Michigan we stopped and visited the Shaker village at Pleasant Hill.<br /><br /><br />I've been fascinated by the Shaker community for a number of years now, being most familiar with the Pleasant Hill Community in Kentucky.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQx1H_XVMZ36nt3vDck9JCFmqjhV4rUdWYpqIoM8ySvkTJz4RhVZ7ZMiAUejg73suOOjDOQS8VtJOsUKWqfPXl3E42d6x25h7L6mc-7FF6Yqc1KKnuenps4gQ1NYM02XBmLAgELpXv_-2/s1600-h/shaker+village+family+dwelling+b%26w+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQx1H_XVMZ36nt3vDck9JCFmqjhV4rUdWYpqIoM8ySvkTJz4RhVZ7ZMiAUejg73suOOjDOQS8VtJOsUKWqfPXl3E42d6x25h7L6mc-7FF6Yqc1KKnuenps4gQ1NYM02XBmLAgELpXv_-2/s400/shaker+village+family+dwelling+b%26w+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261351973228002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />People came to this country for many different reasons, but one thing united them all, a desire to try something new, live by a different set of rules. Naturally, with such independent spirits and liberal beginnings there were many Utopian experiments in Early America, religious and otherwise. To me the Shakers were the most endearing, beautiful and efficient experiment.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCTMY5F_xvL7jIlMFXCwmpFQVDjAZIdrNrgVM9L6NQoj53gs81ToVnn0lLZqB4XCYVhVcBHC3GNIAy73WnDU4GpCZx7htOYW929Yfz4VZ7wtJ9P9TsWKFoPNYQOL3ZdgP2dRYOnQSvua5/s1600-h/shaker+chairs+%26+table+b%26w+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCTMY5F_xvL7jIlMFXCwmpFQVDjAZIdrNrgVM9L6NQoj53gs81ToVnn0lLZqB4XCYVhVcBHC3GNIAy73WnDU4GpCZx7htOYW929Yfz4VZ7wtJ9P9TsWKFoPNYQOL3ZdgP2dRYOnQSvua5/s400/shaker+chairs+%26+table+b%26w+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261152594173074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing were given the name Shaking Quakers, or Shakers, by the outside world because of their unusual dancing. The Shakers did not believe in a house of worship, instead believing that work was worship. Their mantra was "Hands to work, Hearts to God."<br /><br />The Shakers were industrious, inventive people, inventing or improving many objects that we still use today. They believed in technology, science and hygiene. On average shakers lived 15 to 20 years longer than the people of the "outside world."<br /><br />Shakers believed in equality. They believed that men and women were equals, and races were equal. They were vehemently opposed to slavery, on some occasions purchasing slaves from their masters to free them from slavery.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGxJH6jXD3n11id2N32hVcsZfzn29WlmeyoHbKad0xnOkwp3pQNA0QMu_Uq3H8wbaqOvUYoYDluZewmYCCkbPvjEbt_0n7QAcbVfMtUZPeYF7dwHf2ZtuINYjEJ88cL1VklaV7Q3R4ZHP/s1600-h/family+dwelling+upstares+b%26w+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGxJH6jXD3n11id2N32hVcsZfzn29WlmeyoHbKad0xnOkwp3pQNA0QMu_Uq3H8wbaqOvUYoYDluZewmYCCkbPvjEbt_0n7QAcbVfMtUZPeYF7dwHf2ZtuINYjEJ88cL1VklaV7Q3R4ZHP/s400/family+dwelling+upstares+b%26w+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261152151746994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The architect of the Pleasant Hill Community was Micajah Burnett, a brilliant man referred to as the "Thomas Jefferson of the West" by one of the Shaker historians that I talked to. A self-taught mathematician, architect and engineer, he was brought to Pleasant Hill in 1809 by his parents. He was 17 years old. At the age of 26 Micajah began mapping out the Pleasant Hill Community.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVu1_Aew79bzY6mHMO0jI_KhUhx2KiYTAMeqwrjAEi9vm_HGMs6EBWVvjlj573z7mRqc4rOAbzQnq7T9y89l4JH7kHX-IvFoyvVaNXcZcqbGVI4pEXbTRt9iXHFBh_B7JCFW3hM1fNNaf/s1600-h/family+dwelling+upstairs+b%26w+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVu1_Aew79bzY6mHMO0jI_KhUhx2KiYTAMeqwrjAEi9vm_HGMs6EBWVvjlj573z7mRqc4rOAbzQnq7T9y89l4JH7kHX-IvFoyvVaNXcZcqbGVI4pEXbTRt9iXHFBh_B7JCFW3hM1fNNaf/s400/family+dwelling+upstairs+b%26w+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261149679601442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />For me, the Shakers represent the height of American design and philosophy. Craftsmanship that attempted to go beyond human, design that worked simply and efficiently, with satisfying and pleasing proportions. With all of the tools available, perhaps the most valuable was Ockham's Razor. We could learn a lot from their aesthetic today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifECwfDMFD84FXujRvunNVtvJihGS5ZVzboZJKeDirMH3qqz45sCs_OaW5xD7xjRp54vPS4pA954gEOlkyyfoKsWmnBQ-sClEAugsSP_3HzsHGLSvbaTVM-60IpvajkokybT_t8zsoBKJj/s1600-h/family+dwelling+chest+color.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifECwfDMFD84FXujRvunNVtvJihGS5ZVzboZJKeDirMH3qqz45sCs_OaW5xD7xjRp54vPS4pA954gEOlkyyfoKsWmnBQ-sClEAugsSP_3HzsHGLSvbaTVM-60IpvajkokybT_t8zsoBKJj/s400/family+dwelling+chest+color.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261146170481378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It is easy to feel the presence of craftsmen at Pleasant Hill, whose goal was to transcend what is human, and whose mark of craftsmanship was to attempt to go beyond what is possible.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGmWEDS1051htsZo4q_Tr7AfLmCjffehwvsSc7jp3TBHzTJwb9T4jJtaI6dYJCwc-GOZiakbCNHmIXrAqyBrnrmPmsYeiDAkEcdSKd6ncsZEplqvBmrNp_Ap5v8XcSyBi_rVlrHOv7krR/s1600-h/family+dwelling+across+from+drawers+small+color.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGmWEDS1051htsZo4q_Tr7AfLmCjffehwvsSc7jp3TBHzTJwb9T4jJtaI6dYJCwc-GOZiakbCNHmIXrAqyBrnrmPmsYeiDAkEcdSKd6ncsZEplqvBmrNp_Ap5v8XcSyBi_rVlrHOv7krR/s400/family+dwelling+across+from+drawers+small+color.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341261143566613970" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-38927752527789877272009-06-12T10:37:00.001-05:002009-06-12T10:37:00.494-05:00Focus On Book Arts Conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sbb3h3nKLf0PwlHrzM8WzxHbKwSX35y35HARrSbBH4tJO6chHBy1dpki9BoxqiIrghjP44f0vpe0YqF5LPnuyIJkhTSYiMayrGW3iOJieIvBBzyAXfVT4tzrzi5QYboX6FPOVyv1gT1t/s1600-h/foba_bickley.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sbb3h3nKLf0PwlHrzM8WzxHbKwSX35y35HARrSbBH4tJO6chHBy1dpki9BoxqiIrghjP44f0vpe0YqF5LPnuyIJkhTSYiMayrGW3iOJieIvBBzyAXfVT4tzrzi5QYboX6FPOVyv1gT1t/s400/foba_bickley.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346094841409593858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAREWwKiPMiyyDx5pX08y25OqCHLuUv4uE7P9NDWIR7yUJECvbIm4gMgqRzlupyB8dPfsZtJYqCqWLWry3zkFCOuDUP8qeOOOeYevdBemr3qS1Yuhz2nL9HtwGUal16swjJumDAnKI8zW/s1600-h/logo_no_text.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAREWwKiPMiyyDx5pX08y25OqCHLuUv4uE7P9NDWIR7yUJECvbIm4gMgqRzlupyB8dPfsZtJYqCqWLWry3zkFCOuDUP8qeOOOeYevdBemr3qS1Yuhz2nL9HtwGUal16swjJumDAnKI8zW/s400/logo_no_text.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346094841366464338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Colophon Book Arts Supply will have a few of my Ebony Folders for sale at the Focus on Book Arts conference held on the campus of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. The conference will take place June 24th through the 29th.<br /><br />If you are attending the conference, please feel free to inquire about the Ebony Folders.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-66271010911718344432009-06-11T10:31:00.002-05:002009-06-11T10:36:44.100-05:00Colophon Book Arts Supply<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROAY_02pZCjzg0O53ItR57fGH14Pdl7jBIxz7pLVe_9XGH0jemno02GMnyjScpiVe3KniDedKpPTTPVz20q0VcSc-r6S7sBXbdV-lx2l3vktEJPvByHD6vJrOnyhcuhCyD_0HMhQl_zJW/s1600-h/raven+folder+close+up+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROAY_02pZCjzg0O53ItR57fGH14Pdl7jBIxz7pLVe_9XGH0jemno02GMnyjScpiVe3KniDedKpPTTPVz20q0VcSc-r6S7sBXbdV-lx2l3vktEJPvByHD6vJrOnyhcuhCyD_0HMhQl_zJW/s400/raven+folder+close+up+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346093452535613026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am happy to announce that Colophon Book Art Supply will carry my hand crafted Ebony “bone” folders. For information on ordering please contact Colophon Book Art Supply.<br /><br />Phone: 1.360.459.2945<br /><br />Fax: 1.360.459.2945<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QL75metTSVv6GBLsvf6aTy_zYDpQaCMPVaY7mBHKuHyLRHr1JJ3C1y0aY8NMB87kypkBB2FRJmRVojxeKdpTtdGwqceM-b5f-vFLcYF3Psqr8lmZrUM3gIkUWV0NnaANxclHLjH97yQj/s1600-h/Raven+Bone+Folder+2+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QL75metTSVv6GBLsvf6aTy_zYDpQaCMPVaY7mBHKuHyLRHr1JJ3C1y0aY8NMB87kypkBB2FRJmRVojxeKdpTtdGwqceM-b5f-vFLcYF3Psqr8lmZrUM3gIkUWV0NnaANxclHLjH97yQj/s400/Raven+Bone+Folder+2+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346093457160304178" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-81843928295389226282009-05-30T08:37:00.004-05:002009-05-30T09:07:23.757-05:00Book Arts Tools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs8n_OoyW5uQQIaAaVVch6UhfWjtg2uAgM7m2kiHW-26ddZP6EkuV1lTqPZwDulroYUmMjqYhkf52IH3Z6Dt6H_aPFTVJ1CHCDeydD33hOgFCDfygGsGJCfFt8cIoLbD13rh20wk4tCV-/s1600-h/spalted+bone+folder+4+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs8n_OoyW5uQQIaAaVVch6UhfWjtg2uAgM7m2kiHW-26ddZP6EkuV1lTqPZwDulroYUmMjqYhkf52IH3Z6Dt6H_aPFTVJ1CHCDeydD33hOgFCDfygGsGJCfFt8cIoLbD13rh20wk4tCV-/s400/spalted+bone+folder+4+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341614030409258978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I am pleased to announce the creation of my new blog:<a href="http://randyarnold.wordpress.com/"> Randy J. Arnold: Handmade</a>. The site will focus on Book Arts/Binding Tools. I plan to continue this site as well. As always, I welcome any thoughts, comments or suggestions.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-38044865755572323802009-05-25T11:09:00.003-05:002009-05-25T18:18:00.955-05:00Sam Maloof 1916-2009<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IKIoezZUK6s&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IKIoezZUK6s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Sam Maloof<br /><br />1916-2009Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-52417547312078770552009-05-12T09:44:00.003-05:002009-05-12T10:04:33.951-05:00Ebony Bone Folders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbCamObcUuKlXYBHf4ZPAvVsVMoEtsm7ooShTfGltACsQNKc8NQBkF3MtpSMRtCIo78zdWY5PxkhR0-WUiHKL_4ZEPreeLDcB1OKp3ne-fojQNCk9Ff7yO6iwRgP3Hyh9g1pup7mS86dp/s1600-h/bone+folder+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbCamObcUuKlXYBHf4ZPAvVsVMoEtsm7ooShTfGltACsQNKc8NQBkF3MtpSMRtCIo78zdWY5PxkhR0-WUiHKL_4ZEPreeLDcB1OKp3ne-fojQNCk9Ff7yO6iwRgP3Hyh9g1pup7mS86dp/s400/bone+folder+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332536777747640146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Images of a couple of ebony bone folders and box that I made for a great book artist and friend in Denver. Her father was a harpsichord maker. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of his shop and was given a large piece of the ebony that he made the keys from. I used some of that ebony for this project. I hope that it will be of some use.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5lZ_kfXp-Kna3d8bZKS1wAhShQpUKVDBG2BlCJVBqODZ2LSHmEVc89SEsUtBRkXkmMvLxBc3m2cSdcw46K6fJZRv1OufE23N3aZlGR9OEDb2zgz6Irh7SuTdCW8_v-plnsSFNLXLX9qQ/s1600-h/bone+folder+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5lZ_kfXp-Kna3d8bZKS1wAhShQpUKVDBG2BlCJVBqODZ2LSHmEVc89SEsUtBRkXkmMvLxBc3m2cSdcw46K6fJZRv1OufE23N3aZlGR9OEDb2zgz6Irh7SuTdCW8_v-plnsSFNLXLX9qQ/s400/bone+folder+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332536775012749410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1trL4zmPATyZ189BT9UErGjmwosUdiq606lrCDwlqPBfXlPE8KDjPC6VTpJlHJdrMUIBSCLkhNeyxkvDF5zBvMJinMlFsXY9_6TgGA0c3xk7qa5t3m12CihILc1qpbw1PcHksf3aR1vi/s1600-h/bone+folder+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1trL4zmPATyZ189BT9UErGjmwosUdiq606lrCDwlqPBfXlPE8KDjPC6VTpJlHJdrMUIBSCLkhNeyxkvDF5zBvMJinMlFsXY9_6TgGA0c3xk7qa5t3m12CihILc1qpbw1PcHksf3aR1vi/s400/bone+folder+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332536774139286338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ebony Bone Folder: Ebony with pearl inlay.<br />Box: Spalted Oak (gathered locally), ebony, leather (locally tanned).<br /></span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-69036349429935964992009-05-05T12:14:00.007-05:002009-05-05T13:29:00.818-05:00That Which Was Old Will Be New Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAZFf70SrtXhVfEFJYaRpaZVNzCqUwKhbd7IaEw-V24ShdzbrOK8z_IECrg_-Log2pa77dY1eKDyGgHt-m67SwIqZB-WBIW-jmtLZMGtO75Mv0jMJcDckSfhzDVnRvICYoXflOTwkfFyl/s1600-h/tool+storage+open.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAZFf70SrtXhVfEFJYaRpaZVNzCqUwKhbd7IaEw-V24ShdzbrOK8z_IECrg_-Log2pa77dY1eKDyGgHt-m67SwIqZB-WBIW-jmtLZMGtO75Mv0jMJcDckSfhzDVnRvICYoXflOTwkfFyl/s400/tool+storage+open.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332398242645323042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With the cool spring we have been having here in Alabama, I've been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and busying myself with a project that would soon be unbearable with the inevitable coming of the summer heat. Anyone who has not experienced summer in the deep south will just have to take my word for it.<br /><br />Time to take care of the leaks in the roof.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCUngk0q-ZwKoMPkIatkVj6EMojUu1AGecvibF4HdEOX-3gSbpj7JhzYBiCbpN224HS65r765hlRoUkV3SU3G7WhgEIElFucLiS88qTTAxRrrCq1xQ25t_B08eyb44tvMLWvfuxG-W9O0/s1600-h/shop+roof+before+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCUngk0q-ZwKoMPkIatkVj6EMojUu1AGecvibF4HdEOX-3gSbpj7JhzYBiCbpN224HS65r765hlRoUkV3SU3G7WhgEIElFucLiS88qTTAxRrrCq1xQ25t_B08eyb44tvMLWvfuxG-W9O0/s400/shop+roof+before+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397828543292914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Holes and nails patched...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrQkywCCprin2BwlLyhXqrHeYG7owsUTOXbvl5M-unpmxsngHlgRrkW3u4G3WJYaWqO0YYX1LWhLLvAe62WeGpeWtCiZGGmXjbjQ4Qcd6CeBLz6KC9bLHxTiAnFArcZPPy8yAY8SJB0xF/s1600-h/shop+roof+after+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrQkywCCprin2BwlLyhXqrHeYG7owsUTOXbvl5M-unpmxsngHlgRrkW3u4G3WJYaWqO0YYX1LWhLLvAe62WeGpeWtCiZGGmXjbjQ4Qcd6CeBLz6KC9bLHxTiAnFArcZPPy8yAY8SJB0xF/s400/shop+roof+after+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397819352566466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />covered with aluminum covering and finished. Hopefully the fixed roof will help protect the tools from rust.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UGcmJ85LqAyrNnYkWS270Qdkt7gaqOw3g4QNagT3yeDoRul5dk1bxpMSn0Iydv8yC16md6C1_bNV1YAJe20VWq2Mn9NstvXyTeBnQ-9d0cx3TGh6j7238FXSG76-JUGdXbON_08miVm8/s1600-h/old+flooring+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UGcmJ85LqAyrNnYkWS270Qdkt7gaqOw3g4QNagT3yeDoRul5dk1bxpMSn0Iydv8yC16md6C1_bNV1YAJe20VWq2Mn9NstvXyTeBnQ-9d0cx3TGh6j7238FXSG76-JUGdXbON_08miVm8/s400/old+flooring+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397819957541762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Along the same theme, I decided to build a tool cabinet to protect some planes and saws from moisture. It gets very humid in the south, and a little bit of extra protection goes a long way.<br /><br />I used some of the old boards that were saved when I put down a new floor last year. The old pine was rotten through much of the board, but I was able to salvage plenty to build the framework for the cabinet. The top and sides were from the old shelving on the side of the shop. Nice, thick old growth pine that I'm happy will see a new life and usefulness.<br /><br />The floor boards were purchased locally, I imagine in the 1940's. I noticed the stamp E.E. Jackson Lumber.<br /><br />The boards were cut and planed to uncover some beautiful wood underneath.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojxdoTrpyRspM3fwvka8cOyC4hZVvH5C22uS7tK6BMSnEtdbsAm58EDm154N_bMF6htGoF70pZ8pngZl5N2EM3vS2TVE1s64SKshfnW8VT1mzypcWxQmqNyXZWovANZMc4w6Y_SBOJx_X/s1600-h/tool+storage+closed.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojxdoTrpyRspM3fwvka8cOyC4hZVvH5C22uS7tK6BMSnEtdbsAm58EDm154N_bMF6htGoF70pZ8pngZl5N2EM3vS2TVE1s64SKshfnW8VT1mzypcWxQmqNyXZWovANZMc4w6Y_SBOJx_X/s400/tool+storage+closed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397837069335506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here is the finished cabinet. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCgeQ_WvotFp6IxXWeDt2lvLpD_XjHGRsW8eS_NHbbtB1bpDtxDtPTHrHEAcGSGhRLoJvbvkrH9m62HJlK2cDMnn9kSk-jcQFN0W3bXv2zpgFRMBvNgj9q0LTfcb8272IChp2alE1F-Eq/s1600-h/silica+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCgeQ_WvotFp6IxXWeDt2lvLpD_XjHGRsW8eS_NHbbtB1bpDtxDtPTHrHEAcGSGhRLoJvbvkrH9m62HJlK2cDMnn9kSk-jcQFN0W3bXv2zpgFRMBvNgj9q0LTfcb8272IChp2alE1F-Eq/s400/silica+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332397831479478482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I keep this container of silica gel in the cabinet with the tools to protect them from any moisture.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-71358220574718285972009-04-12T22:05:00.000-05:002009-04-12T22:05:00.373-05:00Morning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsbLoUOetfBkDtBpO65GtTIY2wCCyEFhjwE4x6-e1onaJ8n-yrqn7M_9PqqN3AwMPFBZznSoSqAX_vHQsJnsU349eCX7vIhVlJEZQ-xwPKY9qgcGGjDySEBSIVfKiNkdGydobb-QcXmqi/s1600-h/morningsmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsbLoUOetfBkDtBpO65GtTIY2wCCyEFhjwE4x6-e1onaJ8n-yrqn7M_9PqqN3AwMPFBZznSoSqAX_vHQsJnsU349eCX7vIhVlJEZQ-xwPKY9qgcGGjDySEBSIVfKiNkdGydobb-QcXmqi/s400/morningsmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316215066317201954" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-5971396596764094462009-04-02T17:31:00.000-05:002009-04-02T08:35:01.774-05:00Greet the Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc8f1qdrNwIhCXOsAUhUpmGvYhzomEUzxnaSYYjZZampf2AS242CkIOdUXA97hBVpsDCeSVBnykhKc6Bw88dFvxFm5mZ2QSqixlemsw_Lj-Q4PAl_pz9-Hvr1Nzsb9px2zHwthT77cRLf/s1600-h/peach+tree+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc8f1qdrNwIhCXOsAUhUpmGvYhzomEUzxnaSYYjZZampf2AS242CkIOdUXA97hBVpsDCeSVBnykhKc6Bw88dFvxFm5mZ2QSqixlemsw_Lj-Q4PAl_pz9-Hvr1Nzsb9px2zHwthT77cRLf/s400/peach+tree+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310948605349130914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Walking around the house, seeing the signs of spring. Bright, bright green leaves on the Oaks. and the blooms on the fruit trees, reminds me of a poem by Gary Snyder:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>The rising hills, the slopes<br />of Statistics<br />lie before us.<br />the steep climb<br />of everything, going up,<br />up, as we all<br />go down.<br /><br />In the next century<br />or the one beyond that<br />they say,<br />are valleys, pastures,<br />we can meet there in peace<br />if we make it.<br /><br />To climb these coming crests<br />one word for you, to<br />you and your children:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>stay together</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">learn the flowers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">go light<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For the Children</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A poem by Gary Snyder</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From the book</span> Turtle Island<br /><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMhItvCojUH1if1ukJ_7u9a4DL3hMrW2uPc0uvOs5NhctFMCPZ9SHmF2uiojXDJJU_ZtPy8qK9mQuDBCiGy7uMfXS9_K6WmK8foYB1Bs9N-CoJpVs5dWwYtaahQrz8yKke6AL0kWp01ve/s1600-h/pear+tree+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMhItvCojUH1if1ukJ_7u9a4DL3hMrW2uPc0uvOs5NhctFMCPZ9SHmF2uiojXDJJU_ZtPy8qK9mQuDBCiGy7uMfXS9_K6WmK8foYB1Bs9N-CoJpVs5dWwYtaahQrz8yKke6AL0kWp01ve/s400/pear+tree+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310948611079532002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Happy spring.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-21809398496753331732009-03-26T20:49:00.003-05:002009-03-26T22:13:54.918-05:00Bone Folders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nRqh33sKmp8D1f3dC5LsZCkKx7EnzOxYxvr2J-IIur0QXOVdWurIU6U3dbTWQeMCPdQ8GwtEmzLtCoV0P9fFh5i10WEHk_Q8kcCSUhtNbf7g1uFtuVi8Dnx2dwDgMsdKc4LUyBcPBevw/s1600-h/image+1+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nRqh33sKmp8D1f3dC5LsZCkKx7EnzOxYxvr2J-IIur0QXOVdWurIU6U3dbTWQeMCPdQ8GwtEmzLtCoV0P9fFh5i10WEHk_Q8kcCSUhtNbf7g1uFtuVi8Dnx2dwDgMsdKc4LUyBcPBevw/s400/image+1+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317689405519553506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.paintedbuntingbooks.com/">Amy </a>attended a workshop today taught by <a href="http://www.flyingfishpress.com/">Julie Chen</a>. It was a big deal, as Julie Chen's <a href="http://www.popularkinetics.com/juliechen_page.html">work </a>inspired her to become a book artist. As a special gift, I made Amy a pair of ebony bone folders to use. Here are some photographs documenting the process.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0rs7saMzn6qJ1j34hYNaDmse8nMwOeVjLSVNUIL-XGC__Z-dWikToKDmQjdY0-XspGyemOdsyWDN6v73N0tijQo9gGjXATmDCjZUEJi2sfsRdHXB5HVMiOsrHA9R-3tPKVFobS6DbB5G/s1600-h/SNV12605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0rs7saMzn6qJ1j34hYNaDmse8nMwOeVjLSVNUIL-XGC__Z-dWikToKDmQjdY0-XspGyemOdsyWDN6v73N0tijQo9gGjXATmDCjZUEJi2sfsRdHXB5HVMiOsrHA9R-3tPKVFobS6DbB5G/s400/SNV12605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317689405045330802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M50M_kCJwmkH6bCwJHhzK74ITH3543GSPa8XsnJB3j2lSY7zSEz18zcBgOPIV9b77LfBOpeCGuGSRm25rv94kQJ6DfDJQz0td1TrS1cVbaDmkR0aCw9Y6k8FSqO-NDaIsbo-3RX-Pwo4/s1600-h/bandsaw+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M50M_kCJwmkH6bCwJHhzK74ITH3543GSPa8XsnJB3j2lSY7zSEz18zcBgOPIV9b77LfBOpeCGuGSRm25rv94kQJ6DfDJQz0td1TrS1cVbaDmkR0aCw9Y6k8FSqO-NDaIsbo-3RX-Pwo4/s400/bandsaw+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317688970175617458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCSM6S0i3NVY9hMgOcTk8TZ4JlsOLO33s1OUCgF-shru5m7zkYJkT43nkD9Z2j1xiWOJVP7GRdS1Wn-bIL09_7CIdnLWF30ZXq6XsZbruim86N-_YsIsZ2XOQqWUp7df9R7AeiIf0cIVh/s1600-h/after+bandsaw+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCSM6S0i3NVY9hMgOcTk8TZ4JlsOLO33s1OUCgF-shru5m7zkYJkT43nkD9Z2j1xiWOJVP7GRdS1Wn-bIL09_7CIdnLWF30ZXq6XsZbruim86N-_YsIsZ2XOQqWUp7df9R7AeiIf0cIVh/s400/after+bandsaw+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317688967271683650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYVmsjqy71lqMXSHCfbJXAu1bK0rti3BnJJRPBgFaulhxiWyhmEaRAIf8trXXZEtaWXiywWyqwB-rsT9msQWMk3eh4h64HUGWWwiItu-ghPjRZQ-5GtFBWLiJ-iZ8ItEZ2DUJSrZ8GHMn/s1600-h/planing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYVmsjqy71lqMXSHCfbJXAu1bK0rti3BnJJRPBgFaulhxiWyhmEaRAIf8trXXZEtaWXiywWyqwB-rsT9msQWMk3eh4h64HUGWWwiItu-ghPjRZQ-5GtFBWLiJ-iZ8ItEZ2DUJSrZ8GHMn/s400/planing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317689398246085874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrPPJugVa8ORpMgSsw_kFyq6ghYAoSGfLUdZPUMht7-_pDkIPGjRmiI5Qr6w38gmyWDOxuxd-bfWHjl-Q240OHtmxS1NqwSjx6Jz9YeIB02txRL_v7Ji1N_uqaaPPasEZvpf0UtwnhHmd/s1600-h/box+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrPPJugVa8ORpMgSsw_kFyq6ghYAoSGfLUdZPUMht7-_pDkIPGjRmiI5Qr6w38gmyWDOxuxd-bfWHjl-Q240OHtmxS1NqwSjx6Jz9YeIB02txRL_v7Ji1N_uqaaPPasEZvpf0UtwnhHmd/s400/box+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317688973913026178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPkIwf1elBxBjIE6i8XzQYJWjUJSXWtALzZ3dlhwWV1LxfUMZh_sScuuvzYJnbcAjzb7945xQNxtvFUGiH9jXB3q2z0Ojn9DPtvBAVYT13vdEqsldNTZbadVpj_lLEVJaKK7ahp2hkBo/s1600-h/100_8191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPkIwf1elBxBjIE6i8XzQYJWjUJSXWtALzZ3dlhwWV1LxfUMZh_sScuuvzYJnbcAjzb7945xQNxtvFUGiH9jXB3q2z0Ojn9DPtvBAVYT13vdEqsldNTZbadVpj_lLEVJaKK7ahp2hkBo/s400/100_8191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317688964508787026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkylv5tNpvENFy1grZ2iGjheJbKzWWAMpqvGGoZRuIRKjaK09LAHoS-Hr4MS94xGfop8FTxPcRKzDBrVPEHlp1LEF339jM97jDAQmC9ohdwhYk95DEVZ7dW9ed7InZiQHfgruDB8rZxQe/s1600-h/box+and+folders+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkylv5tNpvENFy1grZ2iGjheJbKzWWAMpqvGGoZRuIRKjaK09LAHoS-Hr4MS94xGfop8FTxPcRKzDBrVPEHlp1LEF339jM97jDAQmC9ohdwhYk95DEVZ7dW9ed7InZiQHfgruDB8rZxQe/s400/box+and+folders+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317688967871900226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The box was made with found wood. Bone folders are made of ebony with pearl inlay. The second bone folder specially shaped to aid in box making.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-82521582481702098062009-03-17T06:56:00.004-05:002009-03-17T12:23:56.330-05:00Southern LightsThis blog was mentioned in an <a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903161978/1007?Title=SOUTHERN-LIGHTS-Blues-could-mean-big-business">article</a> in the Tuscaloosa News Sunday.<br /><br />Thanks, Ben.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-1951233820470946382009-03-09T18:32:00.005-05:002009-03-15T08:22:15.190-05:00bindingsLast week I inlaid ebony into the pot and installed a walnut cap. After gluing the Walnut cap, it was time to install the fingerboard binding. As I held the plastic binding in my hand, I thought, I can't install this. I can't put this on the fingerboard. It's plastic, and the reason why I enjoy building is to move<span style="font-style: italic;"> away</span> from plastic...in many different ways.<br /><br />Every time I look around I see<span style="font-style: italic;"> plastic</span>. Things that look to be what they are not. Cheapness disguised as the genuine article. That little piece of plastic binding that I held in my hand became a lot more to me than something to hide the tang of the frets. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AdQ0DlVQ6ugISs7GRjsCIHQjFtKpdPo4YsQDPOqVJoZqwRAGaE8-vomHYDgzSwpU395qbKR9smadD8C8Ei5aYhGKvwHD_xCH4sM-aSkigHGWbk2ksNEawGiLPLAH2HhvYWxFLvWLJOOw/s1600-h/binding+and+potsmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AdQ0DlVQ6ugISs7GRjsCIHQjFtKpdPo4YsQDPOqVJoZqwRAGaE8-vomHYDgzSwpU395qbKR9smadD8C8Ei5aYhGKvwHD_xCH4sM-aSkigHGWbk2ksNEawGiLPLAH2HhvYWxFLvWLJOOw/s400/binding+and+potsmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311337050354974146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I cut a few small strips from a piece of walnut.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIH-bPDu0Yp628aVflr99c3qhV9YvJ02AS28cd7_tWI4M4cSVVG1JtSkzT6krLacVO9gOUcbxBme4FhpMQ1yuedVi74hzReFMeyieFh7liysmRc_1S-GIrC_vRMpKPot0OXTL3Mh9Q13S-/s1600-h/bending+stove.small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIH-bPDu0Yp628aVflr99c3qhV9YvJ02AS28cd7_tWI4M4cSVVG1JtSkzT6krLacVO9gOUcbxBme4FhpMQ1yuedVi74hzReFMeyieFh7liysmRc_1S-GIrC_vRMpKPot0OXTL3Mh9Q13S-/s400/bending+stove.small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311337049667035234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I put the strips in a bucket of water to soak, then looked around for a heat source to make a bending pipe. I dug up an electric camping stove and attached a pipe to it with wire.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1PtHjz8mPTixyp68Im4JywAnkRqfvuSHavK-4X-4YE0mV5btfVJ0UWmO5ikllto_PFYiiUf_WRLDaCvlp-jEzpEojoXCvgG-NL52gfKWO0uXT732kiq-vvQLFOJzqjIX-8nAlMyxNF01/s1600-h/bending+binding+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1PtHjz8mPTixyp68Im4JywAnkRqfvuSHavK-4X-4YE0mV5btfVJ0UWmO5ikllto_PFYiiUf_WRLDaCvlp-jEzpEojoXCvgG-NL52gfKWO0uXT732kiq-vvQLFOJzqjIX-8nAlMyxNF01/s400/bending+binding+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311337044847107826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I made a metal bending strap from a clamp used on the gluing form for the pot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8FZDptDiLuHTLbn_0HoNR33o0TBktnzUIRhKYUcIRalKPxKSKRTA9xvnVqRgTIjbMVHAt0_EL9nGO5bbSwPEcv6XoypbwG8xTHKHNgSKdyrBhuUm7dzqd8Z4jmEPIdmsrejdWIYqv0rr/s1600-h/binding+taped+to+fretboardsmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8FZDptDiLuHTLbn_0HoNR33o0TBktnzUIRhKYUcIRalKPxKSKRTA9xvnVqRgTIjbMVHAt0_EL9nGO5bbSwPEcv6XoypbwG8xTHKHNgSKdyrBhuUm7dzqd8Z4jmEPIdmsrejdWIYqv0rr/s400/binding+taped+to+fretboardsmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311337054829778242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Bent the sides carefully and glued them to the fingerboard. The tape holds the binding in place as the glue sets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WPxj4sPEA5uu7FoTnEa3kT6QGny8CmkVJ6p30NeZtOl-_8C8_GsvyfX5zBciRUdWU6LWTIXeWaHBZN0JdND3_eOn1wPxRcQvSQuJTUoam1tDiajlsmxqD3SbUvzHuLLkY7AD2BdKtRCU/s1600-h/fretboard+with+bindingsmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WPxj4sPEA5uu7FoTnEa3kT6QGny8CmkVJ6p30NeZtOl-_8C8_GsvyfX5zBciRUdWU6LWTIXeWaHBZN0JdND3_eOn1wPxRcQvSQuJTUoam1tDiajlsmxqD3SbUvzHuLLkY7AD2BdKtRCU/s400/fretboard+with+bindingsmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311337059374770898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here we are, walnut binding on the fretboard. It makes me feel better to get away from the plastic. Hopefully that is the direction that I am personally moving as well.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-20278400102079602742009-03-07T06:35:00.002-06:002009-03-07T07:27:03.504-06:00Working on It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjIGXxXq5fJBM2FImzh3GZmKoTewo74AEhOAg7r1_E8TH6kmG81BUGPp0CcFs_7XVWw3TF6_P_2yLItl_L5xUgE7VVG3TR8n21mpjGczzEumeq24TgCp5Vb_JxQ_Al7aRmDanutWHOM_z/s1600-h/working+on+it+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjIGXxXq5fJBM2FImzh3GZmKoTewo74AEhOAg7r1_E8TH6kmG81BUGPp0CcFs_7XVWw3TF6_P_2yLItl_L5xUgE7VVG3TR8n21mpjGczzEumeq24TgCp5Vb_JxQ_Al7aRmDanutWHOM_z/s400/working+on+it+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310436590180291874" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-59023750488561913622009-03-01T20:28:00.005-06:002009-03-01T21:14:54.453-06:00Snow Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kQS31ZPlnocWnFoIDKGiHhgtYOdHRvI0exeRPWorXaNJ3fUXY0SWm_kSKheoZLgVG5mRVV97eRZ164rU5g9Ukd7uegayLkS6gjqwsE_gqd0Ib6_LuGxqdzlLgpYLjndK0ImPAXQyTYta/s1600-h/SNV12477.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kQS31ZPlnocWnFoIDKGiHhgtYOdHRvI0exeRPWorXaNJ3fUXY0SWm_kSKheoZLgVG5mRVV97eRZ164rU5g9Ukd7uegayLkS6gjqwsE_gqd0Ib6_LuGxqdzlLgpYLjndK0ImPAXQyTYta/s400/SNV12477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308416022039912434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Not only have I begun to feel Spring in my bones, I have also begun to see it on the trees. Tell tale white flowers forming on the pear tree in the back yard, the slightly perceptible pink just beginning to bud on the peach tree.<br /><br />And then today, Mother Nature's last hurrah. The raised bed garden, almost finished, rests silently under a blue tarp. The signs of my work lay as remnants in the yard. Scaffolding lay dormant on the porch, springtime painting only just begun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq6jxIf4PI9vJQw0Jm4nU_cPGK-esa17NNF1kGsBGFJrfmO2A5rc44X98ATD2uemB1Lw9JcJZMwKt3ZolrBLglOMoyKm5L1z2VHSv3FIne6WQzREl_JG_WjdM8yQZq2T1e5KQE9a7ucEJ/s1600-h/SNV12461.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq6jxIf4PI9vJQw0Jm4nU_cPGK-esa17NNF1kGsBGFJrfmO2A5rc44X98ATD2uemB1Lw9JcJZMwKt3ZolrBLglOMoyKm5L1z2VHSv3FIne6WQzREl_JG_WjdM8yQZq2T1e5KQE9a7ucEJ/s400/SNV12461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308416008984399506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbj_y3YwFdwzOqM1mTcLAr8awSLg5oflZCBKk1mGr3-iP7Wm36pwFsgnWBfZx7B0KOp8BxO9NMxDzO4LSmmww2pfxCtbXLDSGeSbu9lOWh7L8q-pZre0LfuJYi8c3zsDAmFldDyXfu7l4/s1600-h/SNV12460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbj_y3YwFdwzOqM1mTcLAr8awSLg5oflZCBKk1mGr3-iP7Wm36pwFsgnWBfZx7B0KOp8BxO9NMxDzO4LSmmww2pfxCtbXLDSGeSbu9lOWh7L8q-pZre0LfuJYi8c3zsDAmFldDyXfu7l4/s400/SNV12460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308416001453857794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the first snow in 9 years, and the heaviest snow since the early or mid 1990's.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1WcsJTnYubkMjgV21MPtw9tXAPkjWZTJJPI3XTqRP9xehDbvERquemSWkJqPl2UDD2rGNRlUK7eQq2JZEJAn2riCpiT0RcYF1nefgBgz1C02oT5kueXyeCVQBeQkHrBtmdu4Kat6qe16/s1600-h/SNV12474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1WcsJTnYubkMjgV21MPtw9tXAPkjWZTJJPI3XTqRP9xehDbvERquemSWkJqPl2UDD2rGNRlUK7eQq2JZEJAn2riCpiT0RcYF1nefgBgz1C02oT5kueXyeCVQBeQkHrBtmdu4Kat6qe16/s400/SNV12474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308416019047604114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />All is silent. The tools and the work lay quietly for the day. This is winter's final moment. Inhale, exhale, then greet the Spring.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx3AdANRIzHn-LqHmBJsP21J7_7FS1UCPkjcgAKPeRPmFvHn4YHNAZy5vy34h886s9BnfsWInFYzCohWIHk4pTiw3bWzqkC_7kAkBj5eg4OfbJSA6y3Lw9D5_m7fs3ZuMt179aU0Jjmw4/s1600-h/SNV12478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx3AdANRIzHn-LqHmBJsP21J7_7FS1UCPkjcgAKPeRPmFvHn4YHNAZy5vy34h886s9BnfsWInFYzCohWIHk4pTiw3bWzqkC_7kAkBj5eg4OfbJSA6y3Lw9D5_m7fs3ZuMt179aU0Jjmw4/s400/SNV12478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308416027995921042" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-63698472539480556632009-02-10T06:00:00.003-06:002009-02-10T06:00:01.371-06:00Weather Report: February 10<span style="font-style: italic;">WEATHER REPORT: FEBRUARY 10<br /><br />I walk downtown, wearing a good many of the clothes I own, keeping my head down and breathing through several thicknesses of a wool scarf. A day so cold it hurts to breath; dry enough to freeze spit. Kids crack it on the sidewalk.<br /><br />Walking with care, snow barely covering the patches of ice, I begin to recall a canticle or a psalm - I can't remember which - and my body keeps time:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cold and chill, bless the Lord<br />Dew and rain, bless the Lord<br />Frost and chill, bless the Lord<br />Ice and snow, bless the Lord<br />Nights and days, bless the Lord<br />Light and darkness, bless the lord<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Another line comes to mind: "at the breath of God's mouth the waters flow." Spring seems far off, impossible, but it is coming. Already there is dusk instead of darkness at five in the afternoon; already hope is stirring at the edges of the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Written by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kathleen Norris</span><br />From the book <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dakota: A Spiritual Geography</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-15754707413069087422009-02-03T10:18:00.002-06:002009-02-03T10:18:00.533-06:00Working on it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXdCuhEtloRsfgwxB6kIJWvP6pphsbr4LFjpeej8nurnEJZtsMnbwrryVOChUcJWlfXm6j4Mi4SUlgJ_k-WccS19gLnLGYxP8PFOJTKN8HKohA1WcCF2Iisxjxo11m23VsQFeB-lz6N9D/s1600-h/nic's+banjo+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXdCuhEtloRsfgwxB6kIJWvP6pphsbr4LFjpeej8nurnEJZtsMnbwrryVOChUcJWlfXm6j4Mi4SUlgJ_k-WccS19gLnLGYxP8PFOJTKN8HKohA1WcCF2Iisxjxo11m23VsQFeB-lz6N9D/s400/nic's+banjo+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294710216797217922" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-10364927865702861262009-01-27T17:09:00.005-06:002009-01-27T17:09:01.992-06:00How To Build a Banjo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrUrJIcPcnB0iG6hs6ZZ5oHnDMeNbwYTgVmN8AG7mXm3l-1hHHJV_ObGRRKk8xPSNbONzqJbAZYTyQYMBy7mKRa9Sq0xi2SOaIc_-05Q1LkCpvfAe2Xw53UZoFG8mn1Y8_gh2C_0Tu-8z/s1600-h/3141C~Wallnut-Tree-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrUrJIcPcnB0iG6hs6ZZ5oHnDMeNbwYTgVmN8AG7mXm3l-1hHHJV_ObGRRKk8xPSNbONzqJbAZYTyQYMBy7mKRa9Sq0xi2SOaIc_-05Q1LkCpvfAe2Xw53UZoFG8mn1Y8_gh2C_0Tu-8z/s400/3141C~Wallnut-Tree-Posters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293521258907254434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. Plant a tree. I prefer black walnut.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrp4_UB1m37FSnbEW7zHnf_B_Od4hNP86wKOCUPNoBvpTHPDoSI9r_xqKCUIDN5LQLWrEY0xTRtf5k1myHm36AVAZi-WVJTyS7Yb0Qu_mIzt1taGxvo5dmwEzwbJ43xgSXNq7GZ6Sjyyn/s1600-h/walnut_black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrp4_UB1m37FSnbEW7zHnf_B_Od4hNP86wKOCUPNoBvpTHPDoSI9r_xqKCUIDN5LQLWrEY0xTRtf5k1myHm36AVAZi-WVJTyS7Yb0Qu_mIzt1taGxvo5dmwEzwbJ43xgSXNq7GZ6Sjyyn/s400/walnut_black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293521252642582738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />2. When the tree has grown to just the right height and circumference (approximately 80 years), it is time to begin.<br /><br /><br /><br />3. Look at the tree. Try to visualize the banjo within the tree.<br /><br /><br /><br />4. With a chisel, remove the parts of the tree that are not a part of the banjo. For your safety, you may consider laying the tree on it's side before carving.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2vKKIH7xB555AOFM-ypXMByVxXm4LBdsBgeMvbxCOKZVjjsG3BCOJU_KGE0QUFTkLYLVUqxZ8PeUpSvUzBN_ouIFCsKUihh8BfiD_wREx4ZoRGvug1rY2sYNyEtfLvtFz6A-cL8S0F0m/s1600-h/MammothTree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2vKKIH7xB555AOFM-ypXMByVxXm4LBdsBgeMvbxCOKZVjjsG3BCOJU_KGE0QUFTkLYLVUqxZ8PeUpSvUzBN_ouIFCsKUihh8BfiD_wREx4ZoRGvug1rY2sYNyEtfLvtFz6A-cL8S0F0m/s400/MammothTree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293522904504396610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And that's all there is to building your very own banjo. Enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoFN2s2IpmlK1mEqtU7PypphCvYXGO1144UFRv2I3pe0C2sBZXF39snpGhLMcUgEALYhoagS2U0k957qX5ct_tmaS6lEKyNkzZ9b4qcM9AjGBVOh_FWq-5AHZusxQSHb3r2dkNhhnWGwE/s1600-h/10038441~Walnut-Tree-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoFN2s2IpmlK1mEqtU7PypphCvYXGO1144UFRv2I3pe0C2sBZXF39snpGhLMcUgEALYhoagS2U0k957qX5ct_tmaS6lEKyNkzZ9b4qcM9AjGBVOh_FWq-5AHZusxQSHb3r2dkNhhnWGwE/s400/10038441~Walnut-Tree-Posters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293523577206797122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-5759724025383787162009-01-20T16:44:00.003-06:002009-01-20T17:06:16.016-06:00White House Blues 1932<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61LoWZ3J5CefHlB28FHRnspGfRFBw2Zjx9C7NU8hjOBD0Z9XMRlne3DOzGzm6_HRdqYlXj1Wjz_5CgAYF-SegzP4hZ1dujz8_LbSRCrMWzKjLD-Ih2VK6GlDbQ0xMSkT-bpwtFCDbFPFW/s1600-h/cPoole_KinneyRorrerL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61LoWZ3J5CefHlB28FHRnspGfRFBw2Zjx9C7NU8hjOBD0Z9XMRlne3DOzGzm6_HRdqYlXj1Wjz_5CgAYF-SegzP4hZ1dujz8_LbSRCrMWzKjLD-Ih2VK6GlDbQ0xMSkT-bpwtFCDbFPFW/s400/cPoole_KinneyRorrerL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293515003999825186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For some reason I awoke this morning humming the 1932 version of <a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/whitehou.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">White House Blues</span></a> :<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Got up this morning, all I could see</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Was cornbread and gravy just a-waitin' for me</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And now he's gone, I'm glad he's gone</span>"<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-45163957762576214902009-01-02T10:46:00.006-06:002009-01-02T16:07:17.696-06:00Christmas Tree / Last leaves of the New Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKzx3fGlLbe1qsxQQ9efKkw2a-S6Qu75OWz08781RuyOLz5-xFwRAirVN1_KyJIkXPj2iF_qgayHu1koH_IE2R1XJhugSIbS7g4o2sR7o7yjrRUcnVlIPA3Hkb7zn0xctARPZg0F4yAxZ/s1600-h/new+year+in+vulcan+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKzx3fGlLbe1qsxQQ9efKkw2a-S6Qu75OWz08781RuyOLz5-xFwRAirVN1_KyJIkXPj2iF_qgayHu1koH_IE2R1XJhugSIbS7g4o2sR7o7yjrRUcnVlIPA3Hkb7zn0xctARPZg0F4yAxZ/s400/new+year+in+vulcan+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286765359791379570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It is December 27th. It is 75 degrees outside. The sun is shining brightly, but dark gray clouds are moving in from the east. The wind is up and even though it is almost the end of December, it feels like early spring.<br /><br />I am at my day job at the moment. As I write this in my notebook (I usually keep a notebook handy, even when I'm away from the shop), I notice a crow take flight from one corner of the building where I work, to land on the roof of the bank building across the street. The sun throws an elongated shadow of the crow across the pitch of the bank building roof as the bird walks back and forth across the roofs length.<br /><br />Christmas was especially nice this year. The rotten economy has effected us all, so gifts were thinner this year, but it seemed like we got closer to the core of what Christmas is about. To amend a popular saying, 'it's the <span style="font-style: italic;">thoughtfulness</span> that counts,' and it's family that counts.<br /><br />And now, as a new year approaches, so does a new life. My workplace will be closing permanently in a couple of weeks, and I will be without a steady job.<br /><br />And that has given me an opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a luthier full time. You only have one life, might as well try to do something rewarding with it, right? An old friend once told me that all major life choices were decided by either faith or fear, so let's hear it for faith. Lou Reed said that you've got to have a busload of faith to get by. Lou never did have the cheeriest outlook on life, though.<br /><br />So, if all goes well, I will be spending my time in the shop building banjos, maybe book arts tools. I'm also open to other projects if anybody needs anything...but the wood is calling, and I must follow.<br /><br />The one thing about my workplace that I will miss is a small maple tree planted on the sidewalk just outside the front window. Beautiful, caged in cement. It is unnatural that such a thing be caged like that. The tree's lifespan is the lifespan of the building. Depressing.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I spent many pleasant moments gazing out of the window at that maple. I've watched that Maple since it was four years old, I believe. We've marked ten seasons together. Ten years of flaming red autumns and bright green springs.<br /><br />About three years ago I planted a maple tree of my own in a wooded area on the family property. I cleaned out an area that was overgrown with nambina bushes covered with a soft blanket of kudzu. The tree is planted in a valley just across the street from our house, and is not visible without peering down into the valley from the road. As time moves on, I expect to see the top of the tree peer from the valley as it slowly but surely makes its way toward the sun. Even in its youth it is a majestic tree.<br /><br />If you've been reading this blog for awhile, then you know that I am a man who loves symbols and ritual, so it would be no surprise to discover that the olive tree is one of my favorite trees. Beautiful, varied, and arguably the most significant tree in history. Mentioned in the Odyssey by Homer, written about numerous times in the bible and the Koran, painted by Vincent Van Gogh. Brought to America in the 17th century, the olive tree is a symbol of abundance, glory, peace and purification. Thomas Jefferson once said that "the olive tree is...the richest gift of heaven." And it was an olive branch that the dove brought to Noah as a sign that the flood waters were receding.<br /><br />For Christmas I received three gifts from Amy based on new beginnings for 2009. The first a *black walnut tree, that I may live long enough to cut it down and use the lumber. The second, seeds for our vegetable garden from <span style="font-style: italic;">Seeds of Change</span>, and finally, a Lucca olive tree, a symbol of hope, prosperity and purity for my new venture. I hope that, like Noah's dove, this simple olive tree is a sign that I will soon gain solid footing on dry land.<br /><br />Just recently I painted the shop. I only got the base coat on before it turned too cold to paint, and then too wet, but it's a start. And now that the shop has a fresh coat of white paint, it resembles a little country church, to me anyway. And that is just as it should be; there are ghosts in there.<br /><br />So, I planted my Lucca in front of the shop window. The tree is only 4 feet tall, so, from inside the shop, I have to consciously peer over the window sill to see the tree, and even then I can only see the top.<br /><br />But, like the maple caged by sidewalk, I hope to spend many peaceful moments watching the Lucca tree grow, and I hope to grow with it.<br /><br />And I hope to take care of my olive tree just as I build banjos. The Lucca tree will be a reminder to concentrate carefully, listen thoughtfully, and work peacefully and diligently.<br /><br />And as the olive tree instills hope in me, it is a reminder to instill hope in others. I guess if I had a New Years resolution, that's what it would be, to try to be a vehicle of hope.<br /><br />So...wish me luck, and think good thoughts, they will be felt and appreciated. I am fortunate to have someone in my life who has enough faith in me to entrust me with an olive tree. It is a big responsibility.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAcFLNLM5HEw0RtkJMEmYsc4oNHlujRqR3iSiwPtmAGlHZbz59AJatG1RrERLg7MfoqsfYooHSZRGiioTzHLnpQG-GoHnTEJ1XMRHnR-ZzXi8EXlaRrvEokQUp6CkZWUq0dwlHbDZiTiS/s1600-h/olive+tree+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAcFLNLM5HEw0RtkJMEmYsc4oNHlujRqR3iSiwPtmAGlHZbz59AJatG1RrERLg7MfoqsfYooHSZRGiioTzHLnpQG-GoHnTEJ1XMRHnR-ZzXi8EXlaRrvEokQUp6CkZWUq0dwlHbDZiTiS/s400/olive+tree+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286744171929619410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If I can find my copy, I hope to start posting <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Man who Planted Trees</span></span> by Jean Giono soon. One of my favorite short stories.<br /><br /><br />*<span style="font-style: italic;">this gift was based on something I wrote for Amy several months ago entitled "how to build a banjo." I never intended to post it, but since it came up, I'll try to include it in a post within the week.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-47515583489463873282008-12-24T00:18:00.006-06:002008-12-24T10:29:16.358-06:00Merry Christmas<span style="font-family:Times Roman;"> <i><br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk99PCrzxIkjL5CSvQgPoElLHbMneE9vv3Kzyn-_K4lKpzeEgGfSu-8RHa2lJ-WVwXxo58ZCDvSErWrxzDkoNinNJtybZlcPfsnGgQCEo4-NFvcuKR_UjQGdeDtmk7-xB680JFtEGgkGkL/s1600-h/christmas+2008+2+small.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk99PCrzxIkjL5CSvQgPoElLHbMneE9vv3Kzyn-_K4lKpzeEgGfSu-8RHa2lJ-WVwXxo58ZCDvSErWrxzDkoNinNJtybZlcPfsnGgQCEo4-NFvcuKR_UjQGdeDtmk7-xB680JFtEGgkGkL/s400/christmas+2008+2+small.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283349836764924658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's wishing everyone a happy holiday and a peaceful New Year.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.</i></span><i></i>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-44988843843254855552008-12-15T22:08:00.007-06:002008-12-15T22:21:01.618-06:00Sun is Gonna Shine (slight return)A quick follow up to the March 14th 2008 post, <a href="http://maxwellbanjo.blogspot.com/2008/03/sun-is-gonna-shine.html">"The Sun is Gonna Shine."</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span><span>TUSCALOOSA STREET TO BE NAMED<br />FOR "QUEEN OF THE BLUES"<br />DINAH WASHINGTON </span></span></p> <p align="left">The Alabama Blues Project is very happy that Dinah Washington, known as the "Queen of the Blues", will now have a street named for her in her hometown of Tuscaloosa. The Tuscaloosa City Council renamed 30th Avenue between 15th Street and Kaulton Park as Dinah Washington Avenue.</p> <a href="http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o263/caralynn4/?action=view&current=dinah.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o263/caralynn4/dinah.jpg" vspace="5" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-37065830768283323832008-12-11T12:11:00.007-06:002008-12-12T14:20:54.029-06:00Reflections<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpc_899WAoTAwRyqbdOwMuN3b1Qd5cOc35dhIIxaKG9i50_WOSjmCS3b7n4xzaT7Agi5e_l7gMuTF31Mm8-eoS_0S2_lzLEiQcrjeUsnqEqaMIkaCSOu2oe_83DACJnnfCPodpi_lmUpK/s1600-h/christmas+tree+reflectionsmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpc_899WAoTAwRyqbdOwMuN3b1Qd5cOc35dhIIxaKG9i50_WOSjmCS3b7n4xzaT7Agi5e_l7gMuTF31Mm8-eoS_0S2_lzLEiQcrjeUsnqEqaMIkaCSOu2oe_83DACJnnfCPodpi_lmUpK/s400/christmas+tree+reflectionsmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278605405218752050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's hard for me to pin down exactly what it is that attracts me to "old-time" or "roots" music. It's like a multifaceted gem, place it between your fingers and it will sparkle in different areas depending on how you hold it to the light.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGOzq7LjxWwo9J2Xaj08Yb4_AdEvwGDNZJKNO1QL2AvUiVJkjEksBhNRx2pcJreRHUzluRjNxXg5YRs6xtZLTl4baC8n8fuL9IncTYXa7u6IfH4n1-Gtoh2Xc7eDm558_Ud-KU8QGsL3m/s1600-h/fern+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGOzq7LjxWwo9J2Xaj08Yb4_AdEvwGDNZJKNO1QL2AvUiVJkjEksBhNRx2pcJreRHUzluRjNxXg5YRs6xtZLTl4baC8n8fuL9IncTYXa7u6IfH4n1-Gtoh2Xc7eDm558_Ud-KU8QGsL3m/s400/fern+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278598391171067490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Roots music is history: It's American history, the peoples history, our ancestors history...dig back as far as you like.<br /><br />One of my favorite tunes to play on the banjo is "Road to Boston," a song popular during the revolutionary war. Another favorite is "If You Miss Me at the Back Of the Bus."<br /><br /> "If you miss me at the back of the bus<br /> And you can't find me nowhere<br /> Come on up to the front of the bus<br /> I'll be riding up there"<br /><br />Old-time songs keep history alive. They inform us and teach us, and we are the better for it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf2iS5P4rcr_qG4DwIH1i2J8TDW4qJk7jX8wX8hIjl6tjQ_osGkpXsX8R0cUnaAx4ZwEkSjPLWKi62wHPtcXn3YAV_y3PtziphFVY9gmVdcnmqdBX0AgsTWzwr1ZfHQotYYpBuYhUvIfi/s1600-h/moss+1+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf2iS5P4rcr_qG4DwIH1i2J8TDW4qJk7jX8wX8hIjl6tjQ_osGkpXsX8R0cUnaAx4ZwEkSjPLWKi62wHPtcXn3YAV_y3PtziphFVY9gmVdcnmqdBX0AgsTWzwr1ZfHQotYYpBuYhUvIfi/s400/moss+1+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278598397885357458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And the old songs give me a certain, indescribable feeling, like a connection of sorts, a bond. It feels like the earth, the dirt. It's beautiful and dangerous and very, very real. Listen to "Little Bessie" by Roscoe Holcomb. If that doesn't hit you in the breadbasket nothing will.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkztcvQcBDKNeRB-EPInhmFLRbN1aenzKizGQlONkyg0jCyb6rz7nTvzl7FkxY7J9BBj1nwk6xxzo96YZW1kZ8A_bRbjOe9kLhcOdWERvXn6GAAsMpoiKg9I9kSCiL7WXyG1QoMKc5HQ67/s1600-h/christmas+treesmall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkztcvQcBDKNeRB-EPInhmFLRbN1aenzKizGQlONkyg0jCyb6rz7nTvzl7FkxY7J9BBj1nwk6xxzo96YZW1kZ8A_bRbjOe9kLhcOdWERvXn6GAAsMpoiKg9I9kSCiL7WXyG1QoMKc5HQ67/s400/christmas+treesmall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278605112724096626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I can't imagine what my world would be like without the song collectors, folk scholars and historians who collect, preserve and teach the music and stories of the past. People like Mike Seeger, who not only collects and preserves, but teaches as well, assuring that the music of the people will never be far from view for those who are willing to look for it. People like Alan Lomax, Art Rosenbaum, Joyce Cauthen, Cecil Sharp, John Cohen, Joe Bussard Jr., etc. These people handed us a gift. They are the ones who placed the multifaceted gem in our hands to do with as we please.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKd1TlOkbDnHcA4Pw9qs_nh4YPuEZs3M4tulKkfIcQiAo0PF9UIh1Uh51KunYaPrI91aD4qgFFuF7yuNbB1MTLzhllPC_8V3qpdlcB-BjYnGMTqGYHEOu5cY5shWEpMg1OfDMLproIAXu/s1600-h/moss+2+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKd1TlOkbDnHcA4Pw9qs_nh4YPuEZs3M4tulKkfIcQiAo0PF9UIh1Uh51KunYaPrI91aD4qgFFuF7yuNbB1MTLzhllPC_8V3qpdlcB-BjYnGMTqGYHEOu5cY5shWEpMg1OfDMLproIAXu/s400/moss+2+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278598402465732562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, what<span style="font-style: italic;"> do </span>we do with it? Do we coddle it and protect it like a baby?<br /><br />As Mike Seeger once said, <span style="font-style: italic;">"I feel like we're picking up this music from where it was left off, and we're going to carry it on. Some of us will warp it around a little and mix different elements together. And then some of us will write new tunes and songs based in tradition. That's the way tradition has always worked,</span>" and <span style="font-style: italic;">"young people all over the U.S. are picking up this kind of music now, and not only playing it well but...they're expanding on it."*</span><br /><br /><br />.<br /><br />So, this music, this gift, has been given to us without baggage, to do with as we please. We can keep it to ourselves, preserving the music as one would bones in a museum, or we can let the music live and breath, continuing the tradition of integrating cultures and experiences into the music. We can think of the gem as something to be taken out and played with, not hidden.<br /><br />That, I believe, is where the jewel will sparkle.<br /><br />I'll leave with a quote from Alice Gerard:<span style="font-style: italic;"> "It's not just a question of keeping the music alive but integrating it into our own lives, and it's having meaning alongside the way we live now."*</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This post was inspired by </span><a href="http://banjomeetsworld.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/consumerism-and-orthodoxy-in-old-time/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Consumerism and Orthodoxy in old-time</span></span></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">written by Cathy Moore on the Banjo Meets World blog</span>.<br /><h3 class="entry-title"><br /></h3><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >*from the film <span style="font-weight: bold;">Homemade American Music</span> by Yasha Aginsky</span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-6261625885082343802008-12-08T21:15:00.001-06:002008-12-08T21:17:03.209-06:00A Joyful Sound<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_pcJ3RGFQJVUWxmbbd4wLdaDGycdXDPT-QTxJIx9TGVdP3bmVRfT5Mk2Ro7ApLSa6rze2DU3SBgQlvRmLoaI8zY_4tEx6ZxWzrzfqgPljqYuPCum7gRfh69qQrodvxG5YjtCK6MBK1p1/s1600-h/DB_BanjoClub.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_pcJ3RGFQJVUWxmbbd4wLdaDGycdXDPT-QTxJIx9TGVdP3bmVRfT5Mk2Ro7ApLSa6rze2DU3SBgQlvRmLoaI8zY_4tEx6ZxWzrzfqgPljqYuPCum7gRfh69qQrodvxG5YjtCK6MBK1p1/s400/DB_BanjoClub.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277623757362840722" border="0" /></a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071407659082584779.post-4385535338282245532008-12-07T19:18:00.011-06:002008-12-08T09:31:46.986-06:00Quiet Mornings & Unheated Workspaces<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ofMwv6op8b8IkPdrkZIn4pkUhqa7Z9MDN2LzFexeelJw1zuCsVU_xdXWbeXUoJlISc1OBO02IZPB1Zm8Bzt4xQ82c1vrIlDPuob5tvbHJlZuO3neZkR0bNoGkyD3bNkuxHYlNlh9tBGy/s1600-h/small+mandobanjo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ofMwv6op8b8IkPdrkZIn4pkUhqa7Z9MDN2LzFexeelJw1zuCsVU_xdXWbeXUoJlISc1OBO02IZPB1Zm8Bzt4xQ82c1vrIlDPuob5tvbHJlZuO3neZkR0bNoGkyD3bNkuxHYlNlh9tBGy/s400/small+mandobanjo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277222986268535922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The winter chill is making it difficult to enjoy the pleasures of woodworking. In the mornings as I wait for the temperature to approach something close to bearable, I have been designing a new instrument, my take on the obsolete mandolin-banjo, sometimes referred to (incorrectly) as a banjolin.<br /><br />Late mornings and afternoons are spent jigging up, then it's back inside for hot tea.<br /><br /><br /><br />.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00276121886071142282noreply@blogger.com4