Granny Pam

Posted By grannypam on August 12, 2010

The grounds of KC Campground, Milan, Michigan are already filling with campers. There is room for more, but this is as large an early crowd as I have seen. Here is the view to the northeast of our camper at noon, Wednesday.

And here this is what it looks like to northwest at the same time.

You should all come on out, a great line-up is in store. We expect typical Michigan August weather, hot, humid, and maybe an afternoon showers or two.

Category: Bluegrass, What's going on | 2 Comments »
Tags: Bluegrass, Milan Michigan

Posted By grannypam on August 11, 2010

For many years, the Oakland Community College Bluegrass Series has been a highlight of our dark, Detroit area winters. Last spring Oakland Community College (OCC) announced it was ending support for all performing arts, effectively ending the concerts.

Tom Laing, who has assisted the College staff with talent selection, was very disappointed. Greg Cahill of Special Consensus has described Tom as, “A great supporter of Bluegrass”, and Tom proved himself as such, springing into action. Tom and wife Barb have collected signatures in support of the series, and started a mailing list of interest people. He also began investigation into other venues in which the series could be presented.

Tom Laing receives thanks and a memento of appreciation from OCC’s Velma Jones at the final OCC bluegrass concert on May 14, 2010.

In a recent communication from Tom, we learn the following concerning the status of the OCC Series and possible alternative locations:

I met July 27th with Chancellor Dr. Timothy Meyer. I was encouraged by the meeting as he is a bluegrass fan and attended one of our concerts last season. It was a completely pleasant visit.

He has invited me to meet with one of their chief accountants to review the past six years’ financial data I developed which shows a positive balance sheet.

Thanks to several members of our bluegrass audience, we are pursuing four other sites as alternates, if necessary. These are located in Royal Oak, Trenton, Taylor, and Waterford.

I will soon survey each of you by email as to which of these locations you would attend if a move from OCC is required.

Thank you for your loyalty and continued support. Stay tuned!!

Tom Laing

I suggest everyone support Tom in his efforts. If you want to be added to Tom’s list and keep up to date on his progress on this issue, use my contact link to send me your e-mail address, which I will forward to Tom.

Category: Bluegrass, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: Bluegrass Detroit, Oakland Community College Bluegrass Series

Posted By grannypam on July 13, 2010

I have a bundle of things to do today, but I am barely treading water. The reason is that my father died on July 13, 1979, 31 years ago today. Somehow, that 31 years seems like a long time, but the events seem like they happened yesterday.

James Austin Yearnd, Sr., 1927-1979

I remember the blur of the day, but not much more. It was Friday, the first day of a busy weekend at a concession stand I ran. The night before, my stepmother stopped at that very stand, and told me it would be wise to go see Dad. Papa and I went that Friday afternoon, an hour’s drive to a unfamiliar hospital in Traverse City, Michigan.

It was clear that he was not doing too well, and I do not remember if he was conscious enough to know who we were. What I do remember is the nurse seeing that he had visitors, and that she hurried to find a doctor. That doctor wanted to talk to us, so we stepped out into the hall. He delivered the bad news that there was nothing more that could be done. Although I knew in my heart that that was the case, I did not even know how to react. I remember asking, “How long?”, and the doctor just shrugged his shoulders, and said “A few days, perhaps a week.” We stayed for a while, and when we got up to leave, I said, “Dad, see you in the morning,” and gave him a kiss.

I had a concession stand to run, so we headed for home. I do not remember who was watching the little girls, but I do remember that our oldest daughter was at camp. When we got home, Papa got out of the car, and I was about to head to town to open my stand when he came back out of the house. The call had come just before we got home, Dad was gone.

He was fifty-one, and would have been fifty-two on July 20. I was twenty-seven years old, married, and the mother of 3 little girls; my youngest sibling was only fourteen. For twenty-four years, every time I had a birthday, I would wonder if I would make it to fifty-one. Since I turned fifty-one, I wonder how far past that number I may live on every birthday. For many years I was very angry with Dad, because some lifestyle changes might have prevented his early death. Then I just became sad, sad that he missed my daughters growing up, his beautiful great-grandchildren, all the fun times you can only appreciate after your children are grown.

How can I forgive him for being himself? When I was particularly bitter, or sad, or frustrated one day, one of his sisters pointed out to me that he had good qualities, as well as the undesirable ones I remembered. Lately, as I go through some old photographs, scan them, and file them away in sleeves, I do remember to good qualities, and the young dad who loved babies and small children.

I just wish I had known him longer.

Category: What's going on | 2 Comments »
Tags: Yearnd

Posted By grannypam on July 12, 2010

We ventured over to Ann Arbor last Thursday, July 8, 2010 to see Dailey & Vincent. As I anticipated, it was a high powered show: powerful vocals, powerful instrumentals, impressive stage presence, a truly great experience for the audience. Attention to detail, in singing and presentation, is the hallmark of a Dailey & Vincent performance. The Cracker Barrel Logo sat atop vertical pedestal displaying the band name, “Dailey & Vincent”; the background color matches the cover of the band’s current CD, available only at Cracker Barrel. Jamie Daily mentioned that the band’s relationship to Cracker Barrel is about to be extended to the bus. Watch for a rolling Cracker Barrel logo at a show near you!

We took our 11 year old grandson along, and he really enjoyed the show. He especially mentioned the “bass singer”, who could sing “real low”. The last time we saw D&V, Christian Davis was new to the group, and just settling in. He now seems to be a comfortable part of the group, adding a little humor to the act along with his great bass vocals.

Christian Davis

On the other end of the vocal range, Jamie Dailey is a finely tuned performer. Like a batter at the plate, he spreads his feet about shoulder width, stands straight and square, and belts it out. Darrin Vincent is one of the best harmony singer you will see out there, and also sings some great lead. Jeff Parker, and Joe Dean, Jr., add complementary vocals. Jesse Stockman plays the fiddle, Dean the banjo and guitar, Parker the mandolin and guitar. Dailey plays guitar, and played bass on one song, Vincent plays bass, but can play anything stage. He treated us to a tune on the archtop guitar during the show, it was much appreciated. Davis strummed a guitar on some selections, in what appears to the a concession to the bluegrass way. I really noticed no weakness in this group, the song selection, and the presentation.

L-R: Jesse Stockman, Jeff Parker, Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Christian Davis, Joe Dean, Jr.

I try to pick my favorite of Papa’s photos when I post about a group of photos, and it is always a challenge. Today, it is this one of Joe Dean.

You will want to see check out a Dailey and Vincent performance when they are in your area. The rest of Papa’s pictures are in the gallery.

Category: Bluegrass, Photos, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: Christian Davis, Dailey & Vincent, Darrin Vincent, Jamie Dailey, Jeff Parker, Jesse Stockman, Joe Dean Jr, the Ark

Posted By grannypam on June 7, 2010

I was flattered several weeks ago, when Tipper, of  The Blind Pig and the Acorn, asked me to write a guest post for her blog. To lay the groundwork, let me tell you a bit about Tipper, and her blog. Tipper’s writing focuses on Appalachian culture, her art work, and the music her family makes. She offers a view of life in her section of Appalachia, a place secure and familiar to her, but perhaps not as familiar to some of her readers.

I have been reading Tipper’s blog for quite some time, it was suggested to me by one of my genealogy blogging buddies, Apple. Apple writes the very interesting Apple’s Tree. Ya gotta hand it to her, her creative title beats the dickens out of “Granny’s Genealogy”.

One thing that you learn very quickly after you begin blogging is about the community of bloggers, based on common interests and goals. Thus, it does not seem to much a stretch that a fellow genealogist might also read my personal blog, note my interest in music, and suggest I would enjoy Tipper’s blog. Enjoy it I do; especially like her Appalachian Vocabulary Test posts. Language is an important part of how we live, and tells a lot about us, our culture and our feelings. It has been interesting for me to see how many of the phrases used in Tipper’s neck of the woods also are used, or have been used by people in Michigan.

In addition, there are many things about the rural life in the Appalachians which have parallels to my own small town and rural Michigan home. That place where I lived for over forty years, and raised my children, is never far from me, and is very responsible for who I am. I do not see a lot of difference from the rural experience from one place in the country to another; or perhaps I especially notice the similarities between Tipper’s Appalachian world and my northern Michigan home.

Back to the guest post, what an honor to be asked to write about music, especially about the music of the mountains. Papa and I have spent a substantial part of our forty-year marriage following, listening to, and learning about folk music. Bluegrass is our favorite, but we would have never heard any bluegrass without the folk movement of the ’60′s, which helped spread string band and bluegrass music to a wider audience.

For the post, I chose to relate a little of how a girl from northern Michigan could have heard or found an interest in the music tradition of the Appalachians , and to include interviews with two gentleman who are involved in keeping the music alive. A tip of the hat to Big Mike Ramsey (Son!) and Dr. Everett Lilly, of the Songcatchers, who both generously assisted me, put up with my pestering and questions, and gave me some insight into their efforts to bring the music of Appalachia to a wider audience.

Now, the best part, my post is part of a series on the Music of Appalachia, and there is a big giveaway to go along with the series. I know you are going to want to enter to win the beautiful guitar Tipper is giving away as a part of it all. So hop on over to The Blind Pig and the Acorn this morning, and give my little effort a read, leave a comment. Then, enter to win the guitar, and continue to drop by Tipper’s blog often.

Thanks to Tipper, to Big Mike, to Dr. Lilly, and to all of you who will rush over, read my post, discover Tipper’s great writing, and enter to win the guitar!

Category: Bluegrass, What's going on | 2 Comments »
Tags:

Posted By grannypam on May 28, 2010

We have catnip growing in our yard, and have had for years. It is impossible to get rid of it, so we just enjoy it. That is to say, some family members enjoy it. I was out pulling weeds the other day, so I also pulled a catnip plant and brought it in.

The cats shared for a while, then there was a little discussion:

Things smoothed out, and they were soon happily rolling and playing. A long afternoon nap was the final result of the fun.

Category: Pets, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: catnip, Cats

Posted By grannypam on May 23, 2010

A few years ago, I wanted to have more perennial plants, and reduce the amount I spend for annuals in our flower beds. I purchased the two outside plants, and the center one was a gift from my daughters.

They have been in three places in the yard, and I think we finally found a place they like. This is the best they have looked since I planted them. D3 studied up, waved her green thumb, and added iron to the soil. The have beautiful blooms this year.

I hope they continue to do well, they sure look great right now!

Category: Our Earth, What's going on | 2 Comments »
Tags: yard and garden

Posted By grannypam on May 21, 2010

D3 helped me plant planted our patio pots just before Mother’s Day. She has a green thumb, and I can use the help. We have had to move and cover them several times since that day, but I believe the frost danger has passed now.

These will be placed in the beds between the roses. I had to gather them up to cover them, but they will be back in place soon.

These hang on the privacy wall. Well, they are supposed to hang there. I have the brackets, and I hang them up there, but they don’t live there every day. It is just too hot and dry out back. I have to put them down on the patio and water them twice a day to keep them alive. I should put cactus out there!

Category: What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: yard and garden

Posted By grannypam on May 19, 2010

D3 planted a small raspberry patch at the edge of the garden a few years ago. It is a lot of work, but we get quite a few berries from the bushes. They are looking strong this spring.

If you strain your eyes, you will see my cabbage and broccoli at the right. It is pretty happy in the cold wet weather. Go, cabbage go!

We like strawberries, but really don’t have room. D3 found this solution this year.

She purchased bigger plant with the strawberry row-marker, and it is doing quite well. We thought it was such a good idea, we bought some plants and planted them in the hanging baskets we save from year to year. Papa makes the row markers. He has tons, for many vegetables.

I wonder if we will have enough berries to do anything with? I might have to move my base of operations out to the patio and eat them as they ripen!

Category: Our Earth, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: yard and garden

Posted By grannypam on May 17, 2010

For many years we had a basketball hoop here in the yard. Our two oldest grandsons lived here, and used it every day. Sometimes if I close my eyes, I can hear the ball banging on the driveway out front.

The boys are long gone, one in the Navy and one in the Army. This year, a new family moved in across the street. The snow was not quite melted when the middle schooler in that family knocked on the door and asked if he could shoot some hoops. I was thrilled to say yes.

Papa went outside, got the snow blower, and freed up the hoop, and helped our new neighbor get the entire works rolled across the street. That left me with the spot where the hoop had resided looking a little empty.

A little trip to Costo solved that, and a week ago, D3 planted some annuals in my new container.

Now that space does not look so empty. Sometimes I can here our neighbor bouncing his ball, and it brings back memories.

Category: Grandchildren, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: yard and garden