The Sandwich Life

The Jans Project and CynthiaFest! Big News!!

Big CynthiaFest news! As you may, or may not know, our beloved Phil Lee is playing CynthiaFest. Phil Lee...sigh....we adore him and can not wait to have him here again. As we talked about it though we thought we kinda wanted an opening act because I believe Phil will just play one longish set. We tossed ideas around and then at one point one of us said to the other, "The Jans Project." And then we both cackled happily because it was just so perfect. Then of course we sat there wondering if they would be willing to do it..... I emailed quickly before I lost my nerve and within an hour all the guys had said yes. I went to bed just giddy....

The Jans Project is the latest incarnation of a band that goes back to well....a HELL of a long time ago! I've known them all since I was mmmmm 18, 19? When I turned 21 I went to see them that night at Mabel's and they played a Mott the Hoople song for me. I can't remember....was it All the Way From Memphis? Afterwards Steve muttered, complaining about their performance, and said, "WHY didn't we play a Johnny Thunders song?....we would have been FINE!" Despite Steve's muttering it was wonderful, hence my remembering it all these years later.....

So yeah, they go way back. We saw them last fall at Cowboy Monkey and they made me ridiculously happy...(although I will always miss our beloved Berni Proeschel...and other past members like David Wisnieswki whenever I see these guys) and Steve Lindstrom has a great writeup of their history and where they are now on their facebook page.

It is incredibly kind of them to do this. They will be playing for tips. I know everyone coming will have already generously put money in toward the party but please come with your pockets full if that is possible. Oh, and you'll be able to get their CD too! It means a lot to me that they are doing this. If it were anyone but Phil Lee I'd worry about him following them (no worries with Phil though).

Damn but I'm happy!

Oh, and look! I just found this clip from the last show of Jeff talking about our house concerts. You can hear me laughing. I always laugh too loudly.  Sigh.

 

and a couple of my favorites....

 

 

CynthiaFest, Phil Lee and Celebrating the Here and Now

It's really not like me to have an event named after myself. And normally we don't particularly celebrate birthdays in a big way....but somehow we started joking about CynthiaFest and it has stuck. CynthiaFest isn't really about my birthday....it's more about so many of my friends turning 50 (or thereabouts...and thereabouts again) and reveling in it...despite not understanding how the passage of time has brought us here. CynthiaFest will be a celebration of being here....and enjoying the here and now, warts and all. I hope you can join us. If you're not on our email list, please just let us know.

Phil Lee. It's hard to adequately describe Phil Lee. He's a funny, outrageous character with a wicked, wicked wit. He has incredible innate talent and can write songs that quietly hurt....hit you right in the chest, you know? More than that though, he's one of the loveliest people we've met. Ernie and I are fortunate to have the most wonderful of neighbors, and given that our house is too crowded to put anyone up, our friends Vickie and Greg often graciously put up our guests. When I emailed Greg the other day about Phil's schedule he sent me back an email that said, "Phil is a gentleman and fun to host, he is welcome here pretty much any time that we are home". I loved that....it such a perfect and true description of Phil. He is a gentleman. He's very special and if you haven't seen him live you really ought to.... This will be an incredibly fun evening... Oh, and as an added incentive, after this one we don't have anything scheduled til October so you should definitely make it!!!

Oh yeah, and he throws knives too....maybe we can get him to give a demonstration....

 

 

 

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1. Ernie returns the rented cello today. Owen never took to it although we made him finish out the school year. I think once he realized that it wasn't a stand up bass it was all over for him....

2. Here are my beloved non-bi-fold doors with their pretty little Bennington knobs. They look so pretty in the sun....awwwwww....

3. Good God but I think John Fogerty is the cutest thing...regardless of the goofy scarf around his neck...but it works for him. And his damned songs....so good. Yes, God help me, I watched American Idol last night. I was kind of in and out so I missed some of it but I thought Fogerty was wonderful---I just can't help but grin. Aerosmith seemed to be in slow motion to me...made me kinda sad.

4. We've got a tentative date for Kevin Gordon to be at our house in October. Cross your fingers that this works out...this would make a fall line up of Kevin Gordon, David Olney and Sergio Webb, and, assuming Fats isn't too busy off playing with Jack White, Fats Kaplin and the glorious Kristi Rose at Christmas time. Now mind you...that's a long stretch....from June 23rd (CynthiaFest) to mid October....but I guess I should restrain myself. I was kinda thinking about trying to get Eric and Peter to come back....it's hard....I think I'd probably make a good addict.

5. This Kevin Gordon song sticks in my bed like a CRAZY thing.

 

6. I'm using a couple of my personal days--or floating holidays---whatever they're called so I will have 5, count'em FIVE days off. And what is the forecast for said days? Oh 99 degrees or so the whole freaking time.  Geesh.

7. And NOW as your final treat.....watch this incredible clip (THANK you Van!) of my beloved Rod Picott doing Owen's and my (that sounds awkward...is that right?  Heather??) FAVORITE song. As he says, midway through, "that's the best I've ever played that goddamn solo." Then he grins and keeps playing my favorite song and I tell you...all is right with the whole damn world! Thank you Rod!!

 

Random Notes from Middle School

1. I couldn't kill Leo over doing his math project really late because he ended up doing a great job, the little jerk. We went to his presentation today and at least in his summation of what he learned in the project he DID say, "I didn't manage my time amazingly....so I might start earlier next time."

2. Some of the kids showed their businesses making only a few hundred dollars a month. Leo estimated his business to earn $3,000,000 the first year. Lord I love that boy.

3. There was a Bon Jovi 1983-2008 poster in the 6th grade math room. Huh. You gotta like that.

4. All the kids' projects were great though....I liked the guy who did an instrument store because he said his french horn and his piano were the most important things to him.

 

5. Leo is pleased that he'll be getting extra credit for designing an employee uniform.  The employees will be looking sharp indeed, in a black suit, white shirt and red tie.  That's my boy...an eye for the classics.

6. There weren't tons of parents there today. One parent answered a question for their son when he didn't know how to answer it. If I ever do that please shoot me. Leo pretty much never acknowledged our presence.

7. Lord but I'm happy that I don't have to navigate middle school again....

8. And in a final, and totally random note, please watch this Malcolm Holcombe video....

  

 

 

What I've Done on Post Rod Picott Day

Woke up. Stretched because I ached a little. The better the house concert the worse I sleep so I slept terribly last night. Too much happiness.

Got up, came downstairs. Looked at the computer while I ate one of Van's cookies. Ernie and I sat and smiled at each other and lazily talked about how incredible Rod Picott had been the night before and what a lovely person he is. Then we smiled some more.

Ernie made me my standard bagel with peanut butter. I took a bite and realized I could be having a leftover piece of Dick "Piecrust" Detzner's apple pie instead. Set the bagel aside, enjoyed the pie. That boy and pie....

Looked at some of the pictures from last night. Edited the curry powder off my shirt in the picture with Rod, Ernie and Owen.

Thought about writing a blog post but realized I wasn't there yet.

Thought about listening to music but realized I was still too full up from last night.

Went back upstairs and laid in bed, alternating between reading and thinking about last night.

Came downstairs and sat here listening to Leo and Jair playing some video game in the next room while Owen convinced Ernie take him to the hardware store so he could spend some of his money on purchasing more drawer pulls to create hidden blades a la Ezio. I just luxuriated in the soft air and the slightly messy house....the living room floor filled with pillows and blankets from the boys' sleepover...

Admired the Gerking poster that Rod signed. Found the spot where he signed the big guitar.

Realized that I'm not going to get a damn thing done today....at least in terms of productivity.

Decided I'm fine with that.

Yet again I wished that I could fully articulate to people the strength and heart and beauty of Rod's music. I love all his cds but Welding Burns is well, for lack of a better word, it's a masterpiece, and good God but Rod brought it to life last night.

My Father's Tattoo has never sounded better than it did last night....same for Sheetrock Hanger....same for all of it....

Thought about what damn nice acoustics my little house has.

Thought about Rod's stories about his parents. Thought about how much I love Maine accents.

Looked at Owen's guitar and was pleased that he decided Rod should sign it in the spot he'd been saving for someone special. Marveled at Owen's ear for a song.

Thought to myself that the fact that Leo has listened to a particular Pendulum concert 86 times is pretty damn special too. 

Thought to myself how thankful we are for all the friends, new and old, that came and shared this with us last night.

Decided to go back upstairs and finish my book.

 

loved watching Dick busily sketch as he watched and listened to Rod

 

 

Nice to know that Annie was not going to let a pesky house concert get in the way of her favorite window.

me and my beloved Peggy

me and my guys, and no curry powder on my shirt....

 

 

 

 

Random Notes from Rod Picott Day

1. Have I ever had trouble finding chicken thighs when I wanted them? That is a rhetorical questions because NO, I never have. Yesterday and today however, multiple stores are out, or their shipment didn't come in or whatever. Don't tell me where there are massive amounts hidden because it's too late I have made the philosophical switch to chicken breasts. Just don't blame me if they are dry....blame the failure of massive distribution techniques. 

2. God only knows how the curred red lentils will be because I keep looking at this recipe and that recipe and then THAT recipe, consider combining them all, then think NO....and now I'm using a recipe that is actually for lamb. Who the hell knows. If you come tonight you will be guinea pig. And where DOES that phrase come from?

3. I am waiting to for toasted cumin and coriander seeds to cool down and for the onions to come home from the store. Although since Ernie also has to run to the bank and the hotel it could be awhile....and yet I feel strangely disinclined to clean. Oh, and nobody except kids gets to go upstairs tonight, o.k?

4. Be warned....we're buying cheap beer.

5. Here's one of Owen's other favorite songs:

6. Here's where we saw Rod coming up on a year ago...beautiful Lubec, Maine. Sigh...wish I were there right now but I guess our ramshackle little house will work well tonight too.  Can't wait!

7. You're still invited by the way..... 

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1. What would I do without music? This song is one of those that helps relieve the ache I get inside me sometimes. I adore Rod Picott. A week from TOMORROW folks! Man, I can't wait to have him in our house again. Time to send your money in.....Friday, May 18th....potluck at 6, music to follow...this will be a great one. There's something about his songs that is just good for my heart. Why is it that songs with a lot of hurt in them somehow heal?

 

2. Rod has promised to sing Sheetrock Hanger for Owen and me. And even if he hadn't, I think that if Owen asked with his new cheetah puppet he made at school, Rod would have to agree....

3. Iris isn't particularly one of my favorite flowers but they can suck me in....and I do have a weakness for Siberian Iris....here's a white iris that is out at Japan House....

4. Here's another picture from the ponds at Japan House....although I haven't seen the goslings in the last few days...I hope they're o.k...

5. I got a few plants in the mail that I had ordered some time ago when I guess I was feeling more flush...and between the plants and all the packets of seed I have strewn across my sideboard, I fear once again I have been too ambitious. We were talking about putting raised beds on our patio but it's almost planting time and it hasn't happened and...well...I'm just not counting on it. Especially since Ernie told me that some garter snakes live under the daylily plant back there....he just looked at me and said, "Didn't you know that?" Like I'm stepping foot on the patio again....  Geesh.

 

Most Played Album Award: Rod Picott's Welding Burns

Ernie went to bed before me last night.  A rare occurance.  When I got upstairs I could hear the Rod Picott album playing softly in the dark as Ernie slept.  Sometimes I think that's the way that album sounds the best....in the dark, lying next to an open window. Having Owen snuggled up with you is optional.  That's what Owen and I do a lot...we just lie in the dark and listen to that album (Welding Burns).  Sometimes Owen makes me play a song over if it sounds particularly great (his favorites are 410 and Sheetrock Hanger). 

Honest to God I don't think there is a single album I have listened to as often in the last decade as I have Rod Picott's Welding Burns. I can't even totally articulate why.  There are other songwriters with great writing out there that I adore.....there is some kind of truth in his songs and singing though that creates a visceral reaction for me....and makes me keep playing his songs...sometimes during the day but mostly at night in the dark as I process the day and let myself relax and feel.

Sometimes as I lie there in the dark I am reminded of being a teenager.  I don't quite know why.  Is it just that I used to lie in the dark and listen to albums over and over then? I would put the arm on the record player over so that it would repeat.  Sometimes my sister Judi would come in and turn it off as I was dozing off.

Friday, May 18 at our house....I'll get to listen to Rod in person. 

You know the drill:  potluck at 6:00...music to follow....and Rod has promised to play Sheetrock Hanger for Owen and me....

 

Post Audrey Auld Glowing Laziness

Wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL night last night.  Audrey Auld was truly great....beautiful songs, with some sadness and joy balanced perfectly by the witticisms sprinkled in between and in the midst of them. Gorgeous voice, charming husband (hope your eye is o.k. Mez) AND she brought me eggs from her chickens.

I know.

Could it be better?

Oh, why yes it could....because our beloved Carolyn Muller (State Champion of Poetry Outloud and on her way to the national competition) performed her readings for us.  She was truly amazing and then Naomi Jakobsson was able to announce that Carolyn had won the scholarship she presents to outstanding high school students (and mind you...this isn't a state funded scholarship but one that Naomi does herself).  Carolyn hadn't received the letter yet so it was a complete surprise. It made me so happy on a bunch of different levels.

Old friends, new friends, great food (loved the pickled shrimp and the deviled eggs and the cake and little chocolate chip squares and the salads and and and....). Thank you all.

I didn't take a single damn picture so anyone with some to share please send along....

I'm going to continue now with my Saturday post-house concert glowing laziness....

Oh, and I think Owen and Mez had a meeting of the minds....those two may have quite a bit in common....shoulda gotten a picture of them together....

Audrey Auld Tonight!

Today is the day.  Audrey Auld!

It's not too late to plan to come----just email me or leave a comment. We'd love to have you....really.

We started cooking last night...here are the edamame ready to roast with green olives, garlic and fresh oregano.

and here is the beautiful poster by our beloved Mark Gerking:

And on top of all that....it's Friday...which couldn't come soon enough this week....