Fiddle update

I am mastering the D scale which includes Joy to the World and shuffling and improvising in spite of the fact that EM said my fiddle was shit ($39 on EBAY, I'm not complaining because what do I know?).  I have managed to break a string already.  I played for Maisie while she ate her Elmo organic blueberry waffles this morning.  She loved it, bobbing and clapping along.  She is a great and appreciative audience.  This fiddle playing is a little addictive and when done well heartbreaking.

Old Port Festival

The Old Port Festival was today.  There were way too many people for the adults in our group, but Maisie seemed to enjoy herself a great deal...she listened to a jazz trio, an old time folk trio, had a strawberry smoothie, got an Elmo balloon, and saw the sights from a nice cozy, comfy backpack.  What's NOT to like about that?

Alas, the events of the weekend took their toll and the little mite went to bed without a bath, supper and with her clothes still on.  Hope you had a rip snortin' time this weekend, too.

Here Goes Nothing!

After I finished the post lamenting my lack of ability to play any musical instrument in an entertaining fashion (although Maisie does seem to enjoy my singing), I read one of the blogs I regularly follow and her post was about starting a fiddling for the complete and utter beginner contest/support group online.  So, today, my new eBay student fiddle arrived and a few days ago I got my Old-Time Fiddle for the Complete Ignoramus instruction book and CD.  I started tonight and it was not pretty.  I played on the back porch and the dog stood on the lawn and barked at me.  I have some advantage in the tutorial department as there is a group in the area called Fiddle-icious and one of our chaplains is a member.  Stay tuned. (no pun intended)

Maisie sure do like her some men folk

 

Yep, she is a MOFGA member

MOFGA: Maine Organic Farmers Association

Music Market

I was just sitting out on the back porch having a little bonding moment with Abby (There are fewer of these than she would like since Maisie came along). In the neighborhood directly behind us, someone was playing When the Saints Come Marching In on a trumpet.  It sounded great.  Yesterday Maisie and I were at the farmer's market in Portland and along with the produce there was also a number of musicians: a clarinet player, two kids playing a guitar and a violin, a kid on an electric guitar, a cello player, two mandolin players and singers,  and a drummer with two belly dancers.  They were spread out over the course of the market that wends it way through Deering Oaks Park so they were not in direct competition for audiences.  Maisie seemed enthralled by the clarinet, me the violin.  I am thinking about taking harmonica lessons($20/hour and guaranteed) because I want Maisie to be able to entertain herself and others if she so chooses (and me thinks she so chooses) Listen to these sisters from Sweden. Music is as good company as reading, writing or making  art.  Charity begins at home and so does the "creative economy".

Go forth and make tune for all the world.

"Higher" Education

 
 We went to the Spring fair at The Community School in South Tamworth, NH on Saturday of this weekend.  HE's cousin is the organic farm mananger there.  These photos simply can not capture the beauty of  the valley and mountains. 

Inspired by this experiential learning community, I  built Maise a sandbox on Sunday.  It is not fine quality workmanship, but is servicable quality and I, for one, was impressed (or is that surprise?).