Another session of guitar lessons with Jean-Francois Delcamp is starting.  Especially good for beginners....learn from step 1.  See you there!!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This little rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is for my Sister-in-law Shelly's Grandma Gig.  Shelly said it was a favorite of hers and I've been trying to get this arrangement down pat enough to record.  Not an easy song for the dulcimer!!  My playing is based on an arrangement by amazing dulcimer player Tull Glazener (www.tullglazener.com).

If happy little bluebirds fly.....beyond the rainbow why, oh why, can't I?

Older than Old Time: Parson's Farewell

As a fan of old time music.......I decided to do something older than old time.....renaissance dance music.  I've had an interest in playing some of my favorite classical guitar pieces on the dulcimer.  This requires a bit of time and patience....I have little either these days.  But this little Playford dance tune, published around 1650,  I managed to fit.  Its a work in progress...will be tweaked as time goes on.

September on the Mississippi

Continuing adventures on the mountain dulcimer.  Haven't played much lately with life getting in the way of musical adventures, but decided to venture this one today.
This is a composition by Larry Conger, 1998 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion and teacher extraordinaire.  Recorded on youtube with composers permission.
www.larryconger.com
Music book with September on the Mississippi available on his website.  A worthwhile investment....20 songs for 7.95!!  A steal really for you musician types.
Enjoy!

There is a really great forum for classical guitarists that I've found at www.classicalguitardelcamp.com.  What?? You don't play classical guitar??  But you'd like to??  Free Lessons, all levels, with video and music are available on the site.  See Below!  Supportive folks and beautiful music.....come on by!

How a Crow Got my Goat

Started to record Southwind for my Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer group and the moment I hit record a crow landed on my windowsill to join in.  Tried to keep recording but the crow got the best of me.

Here is Southwind without said Crow

Good Morning Balloon

Laying in bed early Sunday morning we heard the sound of our furnace dying....huffing and puffing loudly. In the fog of sleep, we suddenly realized our furnace wasn't on. We sprung from bed to the open bedroom window in time to see a basket going by just feet from the window. We wished the basket occupants "Good Morning!" and they returned the greeting.

Zipping downstairs and outside, we were greeted by a spectacular and colorful view on a beautiful Springtime mountain morning. Its just not every day a hot air balloon lands right in your front yard!

Perfect landing....tricky on a steep hill!

Keeping the balloon upright, waiting for the ground crew. How lucky are we to have such a beautiful balloon decorating our landscape!

Ground crew walking the balloon carefully down to the roadway. The pilot kept the balloon hovering just above the ground and the crew walked it down our front lawn.

Tipping over....

and letting the air out

Carefully arranging balloon material on road for packing

Squeezing the remaining air out, the crew then rolled/folded the balloon and put it and the basket on a small trailer and off went crew and sightseers......down the mountain.

We often enjoy watching the hot air balloons fly through our scenic valley. We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and many people come here to enjoy the views from on high. This is the first time we've seen a balloon and crew up close and personal...flying within speaking distance!

It was a glorious and exciting morning in the mountains!!