Granny Pam

Posted By grannypam on January 11, 2012

Богородица

We are approaching a milestone here at Granny’s. Papa’s retirement date is set, and he will be under my feet here at home helping me in the near future.

This is a good thing, he has always been a hard worker, and it is time for a little rest. Life in the slow lane, or something like that. We don’t have a huge list of plans or things to do, but I will be documenting at least some of them here. I am hoping that the garden will have fewer weeds, that the yard work will seem easier with two of us, and that we will be able to get to the zoo, and The Henry Ford more often. Also on the list, seeing our “little” grandchildren more often. Perhaps we can make a few games, concerts and other activities from now on.

Friends ask if we will be attending more bluegrass festivals and shows. In the past few years, we have attended between twenty and thirty events each year. I would think that we won’t increase that number much. We will have more relaxed trips, not having to “get back for work” in a hurry each time.

That’s about the WE, what about the HE? When we discussed what Papa would like to do, he thought it would be great to visit every local history museum in Michigan. That is a goal for an ambitious person! Seriously, we have visited many local museums and feel they are a wonderful resource, often reflecting the efforts of a very active historical society or other organization. Look for more on that goal as the days pass! Papa has been stocking up on supplies for the workshop, and thinking of displaying them at local craft shows. He may also expand his photography sideline some.

I have been thinking, it seems like just yesterday we married, but was almost forty-three years ago. It seems like yesterday we moved to the Detroit area, but that has been twenty-three years. It seems like yesterday that I retired quit working, but it has been over ten years. I believe I will soon be looking back on this change and reflecting that it seems like just yesterday when I finally got to spend as much time with my husband as I always wanted to, but it has been ten years. Time does fly when you are having fun!

Category: What I think, What's going on | 5 Comments »
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Posted By grannypam on June 2, 2011

иконографияКартинимека мебел

Wow, too much to relate here. I have spent some time just thinking. What is important, what I should do first, second and so on. I was sick for a while, thankfully that is in the past. It did make me think even more, however.

Our daughters are moving on, to places of their own. I supposed, while I was thinking too much, that they were trying to escape the possibility of having to take care of us! But I do believe they might help if needed, but from a safe distance. Second, Papa has set his retirement date, just nine months away. That made me think again, about the end of endless “me” time, and living a more corporative life. What should I do with my time in the intervening months, be productive, or enjoy the quiet and a few naps? Forty-two years ago when we married, we wanted nothing more than to be together. Happily, more together time is right around the corner!

Spring, then summer, arrived, but not in a steady fashion. The weather here has been unpredictable, and very wet. Our garden has suffered, and I am not sure how it will do. We planted our favorites, but cut back on quantities of certain things. With cans from last year still lining the shelves downstairs, we don’t want to get carried away. I located a food bank/soup kitchen which will accept our extra produce, after we have satisfied ourselves, and the neighbors. The daffodils, then the tulips were beautiful. I didn’t get the peonies staked up, so they are leaning all over, but with huge blossoms.

We have three graduations to attend this year, an all time high for us. One down, two to go! We have made our summer plans, and will be attending four more bluegrass festivals, and just Saturday of several others. For the first time in several years, we will skip the IBMA World of Bluegrass. The vacation time that we would have used for that has been allocated to family events, and to the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival in Morganton, North Carolina. We will need a day on each end to make the drive, and the Festival runs June 30 to July 4. We will also be at Jekyll Island again this year, a wonderful break in the winter weather.

On the genealogical front, a new-found cousin brought more information on Papa’s family, including photographs we had never seen. I have been busy catching up on my data entry, a never ending task. Hard work by Oakland County Genealogical Society volunteers made posting an index and images possible. Work continues on the next part of the project, taking some of my time.

What does all this mean? I am still here, and still plodding along. Some things are finished, and some will never be finished. Maybe I will be able to post on a more frequent basis, and maybe not. Time will tell.

Category: Bluegrass, Travel, What I think, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: Bluegrass, garden, Genealogy

Posted By grannypam on May 10, 2011

My little corner of the world is undergoing some changes. One of our daughters moved into an apartment last week, leaving an empty space in our home. I wiped up and swept up the rooms, and began moving books, magazines, and other items belonging to the genealogical society into the empty space. It was a struggle to get it all up the stairs, so I stopped when halfway done. Today, I will get the rest up those stairs.

It also appears that our other daughter will be taking an apartment soon, leaving us with an empty nest. Those who know me know that these daughters are beyond the age when most kids fly off, but we enjoyed having them with us. We will miss the day to day contact and conversation. All the cats will disappear from our lives, too. I will especially miss the cat that curls up in my lap each night. We will be waiting until the summer festival season is over before deciding if we will get our own cat or kitten. I know there are many awaiting adoption, it is just a matter of whether we will stay put enough to properly care for another family member.

I finally got started working on our little space by washing and painting one door. It needs another coat of paint today; later this week I will move on and do another door. I have decided to take every project a little at a time, so I will have a little variety in my days. I will probably start a project list, or perhaps two lists, one for inside and one for outside.

By this time last year, I had purchased plants and planted my flower pots. D3 helped with the process, since she has the green thumb. With her gone, and her sister headed off, too, I will be planting fewer pots. They need frequent watering, and I might not be able to keep them going when we take trips. Hanging baskets are out for sure, or at least in the numbers we have had in the past. Papa and I will shop for plants together this weekend, and find what pleases us both. My morning glories came up from last year’s seed, but not as thick as in the past. I am going to throw a little seed in there today.

We did get the vegetable garden planted last night. We planted peas, radishes, lettuce, spinach, rudabaga, cucumbers, green beans, cilantro, dill, parsnips, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, beets, zucchini, and some things I have forgotten. Papa put some popcorn and buttercup squash in one little corner of our garden. The rhubarb is looking great, we need to have pie this weekend, too. We will get tomato, cabbage, broccoli and pepper plants this weekend too. Yes, you saw cabbage and broccoli twice. I will buy just 4 plants each, and count on my seed to have more of the same later. We left space to transplant the plants that come up from seed, and some will replace the green beans and other early maturing plants.

Here it is, dark and empty looking right now.

And a closer look at the Raspberries and rhubarb.

Now, on to today’s adventures!

Category: What's going on | 1 Comment »
Tags: garden, planting

Posted By grannypam on March 9, 2011

We are headed down to Maumee, Ohio tomorrow to see Lost & Found in concert. If you aren’t familiar with Lost & Found start with this video:

There are a bunch more videos on YouTube, but why settle for them, when you can see the real thing? Lost & Found are one of our favorites, and they do not appear in or around southeastern lower Michigan too often. Hope to see you there!

Category: Bluegrass, What's going on | 1 Comment »
Tags: Allen Mills, Glass City Opry, Lost & Found, Ronald Smith, Scott Napier, Scottie Sparks

Posted By grannypam on March 3, 2011

What in the world have you been doing?

Well, a lot of things, and most of them take more time than I expect.

Thing One?

Well, the flyer for Pickin’ on CF is finished. I also updated the CMS on that page today.

Anything else?

One more that I will mention today. We are having an indexing party over at the Oakland County Genealogical Society. I have been sending and receiving files so fast that my head is spinning and I am having trouble keeping up. There have also been quite a few book sales over on that site. By next week, you will be able to pay member dues on-line, too. This does suck up quite a bit of time.

Do you do anything besides volunteer?

Well, the usual, cook, clean, and I do sleep a little. Last weekend our two little granddaughters visited and we hit the Detroit Zoo. It was fun, even in the snow.

What is coming up?

Summertown Road will be at the Kentuckians of Michigan tomorrow night, don’t miss that. There are quite a few good Bluegrass shows within range over the next few weeks, hope to see some of at them.

Category: Bluegrass, What I think, What's going on | 1 Comment »
Tags: Bo Isaac, Genealogy, OCGS, Summertown Road

Posted By grannypam on February 23, 2011

This morning, I headed over to my feed reader for a quick look at the headlines. The sad reality that the library in my city, Troy, Michigan, will be closing on May first was the first thing to greet me. Tweets showing that the Libraries in Birmingham and Rochester Hills will not serve Troy residents, even for a fee, were front and center. Look for yourself, if you need a good cry: http://twitter.com/#!/troylib

Life without reading? Life without learning? Without a library? I can’t imagine, and I am sure I am not the only person who feels that way. I have never lived without a library nearby, and spend much of my childhood roaming the stacks, and carrying books between my home and the library.

There was a millage proposal last fall; the Friends of the Troy Library had a plan to keep the library open. Several self-serving groups took out petitions to muddy the water, and made it their business to dispense misinformation about the library, and the city finances. They managed to confuse an already confused electorate enough to defeat the proposal. It was small consolation to me that the original proposal failed with the largest number of votes. I have no idea what is wrong with people who are so interested in keeping a few dollars in their pockets, they jeopardize the quality of life in the city by allowing this to happen.

What is wrong with you, people?

Category: What I think, What's going on | 3 Comments »
Tags: Troy Michigan, Troy Public Library

Posted By grannypam on February 18, 2011

Yes, I have been MIA. I am back, but probably not as regularly as I should be. What is up? Life, I guess. I haven’t accomplished as much as I would like this winter, but something about the touch of spring we have had lately has energized me. Not all the way to “Energizer Bunny” status, but I do feel the renewal of spring in the air.

I have not accomplished as much of my personal genealogy as I hoped to this winter, but have made some progress. I also did this, and updated this, and did this, and mostly kept up here and here, along with a little makeover here.

Since we have had a few warmer days, I am thinking of other things, like my flowers, the vegie garden, and cleaning the garage. Spring for sure when these things come to mind. I have heard a few birds chirping lately, and this morning the snow is mostly gone. To be sure, we are a long way from spring here in Michigan, but I do feel some hope that it will finally arrive.

So, back to a few projects I have piled up here, and looking forward to a trip to the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana tomorrow to do a little genealogical research.

Come on spring!

Category: What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: ACPL, spring

Posted By grannypam on January 22, 2011

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out appeared at Royal Oak Shrine High School on Friday, January 21st.

Since Oakland Community College withdrew support for live performances, the Bluegrass Series there was discontinued as of last May.

Through the efforts of several individuals, including Tom Laing, the Royal Oak Bluegrass Series has been created. Although no further bookings have been made, it was announced that organizers hope to have a series of four concerts throughout the year.

Mr. Van Rohr was the MC.

IIIrd Tyme Out

Wayne Benson

Russell Moore

It was a great evening, and wonderful to see so a good crowd; since it was a cold night.

You may see the rest of our photos in the gallery.

Category: Bluegrass, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: Edgar Loudermilk, IIIrd Tyme Out, Justen Haynes, Russell Moore, Steve Dilling, Wayne Benson

Posted By grannypam on January 21, 2011

I submitted a few comments to fellow blogger Tipper, of  The Blind Pig and the Acorn, the other day, and lo and behold, they ended up as a guest post!

I’m honored, thanks to Tipper.  Head on over and read the post!

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Posted By grannypam on January 21, 2011

We had a great time on our mid-winter break down at Perrysburg last weekend. Larry Efaw and his family put on a great show which was enjoyed by the largest crowd in recent years, and we were glad we were among them.

The show was a great mix of regional and nationally touring bands and included the Deepwater Bluegrass, Wildwood Valley Boys, the Larkins, Summertown Road, Remington Ryde, Idletymes, the Prater Brothers, the Whittaker Brothers, Vertical Limit, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and the host band, the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Charlie Patton was the MC, and did a fine job,as usual. It is quite a thrill to see him sing both the US and Canadian National Anthems, a capella, to open the show.

Don’t every let anyone tell you that Rhonda doesn’t know where the camera is.

Hunter Berry and Rhonda Vincent

It was nice to see Larry supporting a local band on his show, in this case, Deepwater Bluegrass. These folks are single-handedly responsible for the great bluegrass shows which are presented at Glass City Opry. I hope you are attending them as often as you can, we sure are.

Deepwater Bluegrass

A special treat was seeing Janis, Lewis, Travis, and Jamison Lewis, who are appearing as The Lewis Tradition.

Janis Lewis Phillips

Jamison Lewis

Travis Lewis

Lewis Phillips

Although bluegrass purists would question the keyboard Jamison plays, it sounded just right with Lewis Family music, and eighteen-year old Jamison’s harmony blended right in. The new Lewis Tradition CD, Precious Memories, was on my must purchase list and I have been playing it almost full time since I got it home. The Lewis Tradition was headed to Marion, Virginia for a taping of Song of the Mountains, so watch for them on your PBS station soon.

One more little sample, then I invite you to check out the gallery for more photos. We remember Stanley as an eight-year old mandolin whiz kid, and have seen him play every instrument on stage.

Stanley Efaw

Enjoy the rest of the photos in the gallery.

Category: Bluegrass, What's going on | No Comments »
Tags: Aubrey Holt, Bluegrass Mountaineers, Deepwater Bluegrass, Idletymes, Lewis Family, Lewis Tradition, Prater Brothers, Remington Ryde, Rhonda Vincent, Summertown Road, the larkins, Vertical Limit, Whittaker Brothers, Wildwood Valley Boys