Jane..."Get Me Off This Crazy Thing!!!"

I guess it's time to get back on this thing. Sometimes I feel like George Jetson when he screams..."Jane, get me off this crazy thing"! Anyway, I've been busy making ginger bread cakes for Tiger Woods to help cheer him up and maybe get a free golf lesson...yes just golf, I'm not into the other stuff he's good at. I haven't read any comments yet but I'm sure there's some goodies. Maybe Mary Jo and Ronnie picked up the slack again. Thanks to Sean for getting me back on this crazy thing......Jane, Astro.....help me!! !! !!

Homesick Yet? ...you snowbirds

Just another ugly day here at 8369'. This photo was taken by Peggy Lanahan and posted on facebook tonight. I saw it too and tried to get a picture...but this one is way better than mine!

Here are some shots Dicky Stew took at the 'Never Trust A Party Over 30' Barky Lew birthday bash. And a quote from Stew...

To whom it may concern,

That was BIG FUN Wed. night. I continue to be amazed that a bunch of AARP aged people like us can still have that much fun after 30 years. Who knows how many years of this we have left, but I know I'm not done yet.

Sean, thanks for everything you do to make it happen and great job on the buttons.

Ray great job on the CD and thanks again.

Alan, Cormey, Joe, Lewis, Rob, Sean, Steve and the rest that kicked ass musically all night, you all ROCK. Thanks for all of the enjoyment you've given me and the rest of us all of these years. I'd appreciate it if someone would forward this to those whose e-mail addresses I don't have.

Thanksgiving - 2009

This is what Adams Falls looks like right now. It's almost frozen over for the long winter ahead but is still a beautiful sight to behold. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my friends and family and for the fortune to live here at 8369' surrounded by God's beauty and wonder! Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Five More Shopping Days!

At McCabes again, be there or just stay home like the rest of people our age!

Veterans Day

If you know a vet (and we all do), be sure and shake their hand, give 'em a hug, but 'em a drink or all three. In any case, be sure and thank them for their service and their sacrifice!

Halloween 2009

Halloween at Mac & Rene's with Sylvester. Here's a picture of "Sly" with a a basket of hair balls for the kids. Mac said for some reason there were less 'trick or treaters' this year. I wonder why that was? I figured if one group of kids runs away screaming from a house, then the others would think it was cool and want to go see the giant cat. Maybe next year I should play the banjo!!

No, those are not (tee pees)...those are stacks of pine beetle kill trees on the hill across from what was once 'Crescent Camp', Cassandra's Cabins' and now 'Timberline Cabins'...whatever! Change is inevitable, but this sucks! And on this cold and snowy day here at 8369', I feel like a dead tree! If only the pine beetle who has taken up residence in my ever-growing trunk (OK, I think I might have opened up the "Comment Center" with that one) would just talk back and make a little conversation....this day would not seem so grey.

Once a Toe-Head...Always A Toe-Head

OK, the overalls don't fit anymore, I lost my little red wagon, the trees are about a thousand feet tall by now and I hope someone closed the garage door, so the raccoons don't invade my memories. But I still pose with my left arm on my hip and I think I must have given those sandals to Dal. The photo's a little bit faded, but I'm sure I was wearing a 'Aloha' shirt!!

Yesterday was still and clear here at 8369'. Today it's still snowing and clear up to my (well...you know). My snow blower is backed into the garage and ready to go and my snow shovel is next to the front door but unlike the snow blower, I'm not quite ready for all this 'white stuff' yet! But, I guess it's time to brave the elements, brush off the car and test out my new snow tires. Or I could stoke the fire ( or in my case, turn up the thermostat...it's a gas fireplace), write a song about a beach(oh, I've already done that). I guess I'll just go to town and have a margarita!

Wanna A Cold One?

E.G. was in the Lariat today for his usual 'Goldschlager' and when Lisa pulled it out of the ice....this is what it looked like! Is that cold enough for ya there Edward Gordon??? If only Sluggo's Budweiser's looked like that, he might not bitch so much...not! A hot coffee or tea might be appropriate for tomorrow. It was a beautiful morning here at 8369' but now it's snowing like it tends to do here and it might be a good one. Time to get out the skis!!!!

Don't tell my boss that I put him on the blog! We all had a great time in Las Vegas celebrating Gene's birthday. When Grand Lake invades Nevada....well? Needless to say, a good time was had by all and, somehow, we all survived. I haven't checked the news lately to find out if what happened in Vegas....stayed in Vegas, but I think we're OK!!! By the way...is that Santa Lew sitting next to the biggest margarita on planet earth???

It's Uncle Pie's fault that I haven't been blogging in sooooo long. Sorry about that! I will try and get back to Earth and create havoc on the the weak and feeble fools who dwell in the cosmos and Cyber-space. I've been up among the stars for awhile (nothing illegal) but my heart and soul have been dwelling by a mountain stream for quite sometime now. I will do my best to plant my footsies in the ground and get this thing going again. My sincere apologies to you all and I will do my best to let you know what's going on here at 8369'

TARP - Grand Lake Style

Needless to say....it was another rainy weekend here at 8369 (snow up high). We all handle it in our own small way. Carol Ann & Clive's wedding went off well despite the rain. My equipment survived for another rainy day (Sunday) at the Waconda but, once again, everyone just takes it all in stride. The aspen are turning and the next couple weeks should be beautiful! Jon Cook said, when he saw Larry and me covering up our gear...again, that this will be the closest thing Grand Lake will ever get to experience the TARP program. Always listen to a true cowboy!!!

Happy 'Never Summer' everyone....

9-11

Never Forget!

Here We Go Again

Ray said it's official! The "Never Trust A Party Over 30" is in full swing. Of course, it will be on the night before Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs at the same place as last year. If anyone has suggestions for songs, let Ray or Sean or Rob or me know. Also, I'm thinking of bringing some memorabilia like old posters and signs and T-shirts, etc. of the old bands. I also think we should set up and do a couple songs in the parking lot of the "Chick Fillet"(the old Hungry Farmer) at some point. Do you think they'd arrest a bunch of old grey haired musicians? Hell, we got away with a lot over the last 30 years....maybe we can get away with one more goofball idea!

Welcome Home Bro...

The boys are back in town! Jim and our friends are back from Iraq and we all look forward to seeing them here at 8369'. As Jimmy Buffett would say..."It's time to party!!"

Bald Bird In A Bald Tree

Carol Ann took this picture of a bald eagle at Columbine Bay the other day. And, in case you didn't know, Clive and Carol Ann got married! Congratulations!!!!!!!!

See Ya'll In November

Barky called yesterday and asked me to thank everyone for coming up for the Barky Lew Musical Mystery Tour. He said he'll see everyone in 'The Springs' in November for the "Never Trust A Party Over 30" bash!!!

What A Blast!!!

It was so good to see the old gang here in Grand Lake this weekend! Lots of music, stories, hugs and reminiscing. I look forward to the 'Barky Lew Party' in Colorado Springs in November. Thanks to all of you who made the journey to 8369' and made it such a special weekend!!!

Get 'em While They're Hot!

The T-shirts are here, Ray will have some CDs and I think Sean is designing some "Fun Tour" buttons. Looking forward to the weekend and playing music with 'the gang'! Waconda on Saturday and Sunday (with Peggy Mann) around 1:30 and Saturday and Sunday nights at the Lariat at 9:30....see ya there or be square.

The Captain And The Kid

This is a picture of our friends, Rob and Jennifer who I met in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico years ago. I don't want to make this blog into an obituary column, but I had to express my feelings about Jennifer who left us last week. She was one of the most incredible souls I have ever had the pleasure to know! She was always sooo helpful, gracious, fun and was the hostess to everything we did in the times I got to visit and vacation there. She was diagnosed a couple years ago with brain cancer but it never, ever got her down. Her spirits were always high and she still filled everyone with her joy and laughter even through her battle. I will miss her dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with "Captain Rob".

Bart's Back

Our friend, Bart "The Artist" is back in town for awhile. He made the trek out from Indiana OK and has already sat in on some music with the GL gang. You know summer is 'officially here' when Bart arrives. He's kind of like a big, boisterous robin who shares his music, stories, caricature drawings and paintings. Welcome back.....summer is finally here at 8369'!

Happy 4th of July!

To , Jim Reeman who's in Iraq instead of Grand Lake......stay safe and we'll see you in August. Happy 4th to you and all your fellow pilots and all the service men and women everywhere!

Another Cowboy Rides Away

Our friend, Johnny B. Nelson rode off into his sunset today. I will miss him. I remember the nights that I would be playing on the stage at the Lariat and he would be 'sound asleep' leaning on the rail at the front of the stage, standing straight up and I watched in amazement at how he could somehow maintain to not fall over and land 'face down' on the "Louie Heckert Dance Floor".... but he never did! How he managed that trick, I'll never know. He was a good soul and I know he loved his sons dearly and talked of them often. "Happy Trails", my friend

The Calm Before The Storm

Yesterday, Jean Cambell suggested that maybe a few of us old "lonesome pickers" should gather around the fire at the Waconda to play a few songs before the 'Forth of July' arrives and the (you know what)...hits the fan. We do this sort of thing at Daven Haven for the "RUDE AWAKENING" and it's always fun but also very busy with people reminiscing and talking. Most of the time the music gets lost in conversation. Tonight, it was pretty much just the pickers and singers. Jon Cook, John Brown, Mike Hanifen, Moby, Larry (back porch light) and myself ... just a pickin' and a grinnin' 'round the fire.

A great time and a good way to ease ourselves into the madness soon to follow!

Lazy Days

Mondays, for me are probably like a Saturday for most people. It's my day off after a weekend of music and sometimes a little madness. It's time to relax and reflect on the week that just passed by. I don't know if my 'four footed' friends here had as great a week as I did, but I'm kind of in the same mode myself today. Just lye in the green grass and enjoy the sunshine. I hope you all can be as lucky as these "happy campers" are!

A couple more of these days and it's the 'Forth of July' weekend and they'll have to take me back to the "funny farm"...where I'll be happy to see those nice men in their pretty white shirts...'cause their coming to take me away!!!...HA, HA..

Perfection...Rocky Mountain Style

I saw antlers rising above a sea of grass. the swift waters of the mighty Colorado River as they flow from their 'birthplace', raging over a thundering waterfall to calmly make their way through an open meadow filled with wildflowers as they gracefully pick up speed and tumble down to Adam's Falls below. ( It just doesn't get any better than this!)

I know that a word such as perfect, is a lot to say but Tuesday and Wednesday here at 8369' were definitely that for me! The weather was gorgeous, the company indescribable and the beauty of this place never ceases to amaze me. Two days of enjoying hikes in RMNP, a wonderful dining experience at Caroline's Cuisine, a great lunch at Max & T's and to top it all off....front row seats to see the Rocky Mountain Rep's presentation of "The Pirates Of Penzance" at the theatre in the 'Community House' here in GL. This may sound like a chamber of commerce advertisement but Grand Lake in the summertime is to me... the "Greatest Show on Earth"!!

Come on up and see us sometime!

Sunshine

Not much to say except that summer is finally here! It's a beautiful day here at 8369' and the four-legged critters are enjoying the sunshine along with the rest of us. I took this photo a few minutes ago on my way home from running errands in town. I'm going to go out and whack at the weeds in the yard and enjoy this beautiful day! Maybe a little golf later....who knows?

Father's Day And Classic Cars

There were a whole bunch of Model A's in town Friday. Sooo cool! I wish I could trade my Focus in for one. Summer does bring classic cars, motor cycles, boats etc. to 8369'. The drive over Trail Ridge Road is fun for them and it's good to see them stop and have lunch or whatever on their way back down to the 'flat lands'. I wonder what Barky Lew thinks when he sees them as he's mowing the grass in the park on his John Deer lawn mower. When I first met "The Lew", he had a '32 Model A Coupe with a 'rumble seat' and everything was 'cherried out'! I use to have a '36 Plymouth Coupe (hot rod) and I do miss it sometimes. I am willing to bet that those old cars look way better than Barky and I do now!
It is 'Father's Day' and I recall when my dad restored a 1926 'Star Four' by Durant Motors when we were kids. I remember when we went down to pick it up in Lyons and haul it back to our house in Holly Hills. It was pretty 'rustic' and even had bird nests in the vents. We all tried to help him out by sanding down the fenders and the old wood spoke wheels and such. Anyway, he made it golden and it looked just like it had just rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. He drove it in parades (St. Patrick's Day) and even up to Georgetown (if I remember correctly?) Honking the 'aryougaa horn' in the tunnel just before Idaho Springs. I miss my father and that beautiful old car!

Happy Birthday Aligator Al

WHAT A CROCK!

Patience Is A Virture....(and I want it right now!)

As always, the weather here at 8369' changes more than an old man like me has to change his underwear. Today at the Waconda, Larry and I played some music to a small crowd under darkening skies but the weather managed to hold off until the patio finally filled with folks to listen and enjoy the music. Then the wind picked up and the rain began to fall. I assured them that the storm was not going to last long. (in fact), Aron Rhone and I even placed a bet as to how long it would continue. I said ten minutes and he said eight. He won! The rain only lasted 7 minutes, but none the less, in that short time.... most of the audience had left.
Then the sun came out and my friend Jon Cook sat in and played some of his incredible songs. (I believe that he is one of the most incredible songwriters I have ever had the pleasure to listen to!)
The people who were afraid that they would melt in rain sure missed out on some wonderful music and stories.
I remember back to the days of the "Beer Garden" at Squeaky's. It always seemed that on Sundays, the weather seemed to clear up around 5:00 and I believe it still rings true.
Once the tourists head on back down to the "Big Smoke", God shines a little light on us local folk to reward us for our long winter and the crazy tourist season that lies opon the horizon..

Skip's Pool Table

The Lariat got a new pool table last week. Of course, nothing ever goes without a story up here at 8369'. Dustin and Patrick Barnes were bringing the new one in through back door to put in on the new carpet and accompany the new tables and chairs in the "back room". (pretty fancy for "The Rope"). Well, they dropped it and it broke, so they brought another one in but it had red felt instead of the usual green. We all were wondering what Skip's reaction would be to see that 'whore house' pool table in his pool room.
Mike Hanifan to the rescue!!! He re-covered it with green felt and the "world is once again spinning in greased grooves", as DW and that Steinbeck guy used to say.

Thanks Mike.....Skip will be smiling this Friday night. (unless Bobby A. beats him in a three out of five)!

Happy Trails

JENSEN, ROGER M. Roger M. Jensen was born in Ottawa, IL, on July 25, 1935 to Dorothy and Robert Jensen. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Miner, in November 1956. They had two daughters and relocated to Denver, CO, in the early 1960's. Roger was hired by the Denver Fire Dept. and began service in 1963, and retired in 1989 as a Captain. He was able to spend time with friends and family in Grand Lake, CO, for many summers. He enjoyed the outdoors, walking, hiking, golf, and taking pictures. He lost his wife "Little Bit" to breast cancer in 2001. He is survived by his daughters, Jill (Mike) Coleman and Julie (Roger) Smith; and brothers, Virgil Jensen and Donald (Shirley) Jensen. Roger would be honored if, in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory were made to the Denver Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, 2342 Broadway, Denver, CO 80205, or the Susan G. Komen for "The Cure".
Roger, all of us here at 8369' miss you and the smiles you gave to us...thanks and Happy Trails!

Pyscho Weather

Well, it took some time, but the squirrels are now in Belize and collecting coconuts instead of pine cones! Today was an adventure in the weather department, but we somehow convinced Peggy Mann to play at the Waconda despite the clouds, wind, rain and occasional sunshine. Probably not a great idea but we got to listen to her wonderful music for a little while before the s*#t hit the fan.

I hope the weather is good in Orlando!!!

Thanks to DJ (best bartender in the known free world)!!!

She and I reminisced about years gone by .... (the "Pub"... Stevie Ray, Fetch, Stanski, etc.) but the weather here at 8369' is still pyscho.

OK, I've lived here in my little cabin for almost 20 years. I always thought it was kind of cool that there was an old outhouse in the back and a year or so ago I even put some barn wood siding on it and cut a quarter moon in the door to spruce it up a little. I used to joke with my friend Mary Jo, that this was her guest room when she would come to visit, but it's really been a storage shed for tools and a place for the squirrels to stash a few pine cones. I always thought the squirrels and I had an agreement to kind of leave each other alone. Today, as I usually do every spring, I go out to take out the the summer tools and put back the snow shovel for the few short months of summer here at 8369'. But I think Rocky and his buddy Bullwinkle (remember the moose hang out there in the winter) have gone a bit too far!!! When I opened the door, there were so many pine cones in there that I couldn't even get the quarter moon door closed. Now I'm in a dilemma. Should I declare war on my grey furry neighbors and turn their little hides into paint brushes? or as Paul would say ... "Let It Be"

Such Is Life!

Sometimes it is difficult to express one's feelings on this stupid keyboard that goes out into hyper-space.

Tonight I am reminiscing about two wonderful souls who have passed on to their next journey.

Ella Mae Sutherland's ceremony was today and then I just heard tonight that my good friend Roger Jensen has left this time and place to be with his beloved Mary. I want to cry, but then again, I am so grateful to have known them both and I also want to laugh with the joy they both gave me and everyone they touched.

I guess all one can say is to thank them for making our lives a brighter place.

I will miss you both!

Horses On The Highway

Yesterday Elk, today horses. I tell ya, it doesn't suck to live up here at 8369'! Finally....a day without rain. Only problem is, I didn't have an excuse not to work and I had to get something done around here. I planted flowers, did some sign painting work, recycled old batteries, set up at Caroline's to play music there tonight and even started cleaning out the RV and getting it ready for a little camping this summer. My back is going to hate me tomorrow but it is nice to be a little productive for a change. Guess it's time to clean up and get ready to sing a few songs!

Just Another Day In The Neighborhood

I caught a photo of these guys on my way home last evening. It's always good to keep a camera in the car because sometimes you get the chance to see something like this, or a rainbow or maybe someday ... who knows?

Somewhere In Time

Excess within control

Old Joke

So.....this moose walks into a bar and the bartender says....hey buddy, why the long face?

Thanks to Craig (Homewrecker) Capps for the pic!

If you turn this picture counter - clockwise... 180 degrees....do you see a to tum pole or a horses face? I believe if I was in this picture, you would see a horse's ass but that is not what this questionnaire is all about. To tum Pole or Horses face???..... Please leave a comment!

And by the way...Happy Birthday to Jerry Warner, my mom(30th) and my big brother John(26th)!!!

It's A Beautiful Morning

Why get up at dawn?
'cause all I do is yawn
It may be "daylight in the swamp", Big Jim
But sunrise doesn't always fit right in

With all my busy do's and don'ts
Whatever sinks, whatever floats
My eyelids want to close instead
I guess I'll just go back to bed

The Incredible Journey

I'm off to Rainbow Mountain to see the Wiz of a Wiz...because, because, because, because....I can!
film at 11:00

It's Getting Better All The Time

I hope you all had as great a day as I did. I listened to Beatles and Poco music all day....thanks Ray and Sean. I'm just a very happy little camper!! It's a Good Feeling To Know.....

Jimmy And The Jets

Our good friend and brother, Jim Reeman, from Grand Lake is back in Iraq on another tour of duty with the Colorado Air National Guard. I'm not sure how many times this makes? but it's been a bundle. "Desert Storm", Bosnia, Afghanistan and this one, (probably three or four times now) I think. We all wish him and all the others well and know they will return safe and sound to 8369'. Jim is the one to blame for me doing this blog in the first place. He has his own blog (wisdom of the warrior-the fighter pilots view) and it's a good way to catch up on our Colorado pilots and learn how to do a push up or sit up. His blog is mostly on cross-fitness which doesn't exactly workout for old fat guys like me but I do several sit ups everyday when I get out of bed to pee. Today I was wondering...who's going to do the "fly-over" on Memorial Day and the 'Forth of July' if those guys are over there and aren't here to do the show in the F-16's? Well I think I've got the answer.... Mac, myself and Alligator Al should do a "flyover" in a hot air balloon! What do you think Jimmy? Is there enough hot air to lift us up over Grand Lake and do the Alligator dance if 'Homewrecker and Dayton Dave supply the 'hot air'?

Be safe, my brother, and we'll party at he 'East Inlet' when you get back!!

Barky Lew Reunion/Grand Lake

I had a nice talk with Cinda today and she will be here for the Grand Lake/Barky Lew Reunion July 18th & 19th. She said Mike and Barb will accompany her. It's the weekend that she usually makes it up to GL to run in the Buffalo Bar-B-Q race and sit in for a few songs. Good news, especially after learning about Radford. We are so lucky to have had the chance to play music with each other all of these years and the Barky Lew Birthday Bash in Colorado Springs has given us all the chance to get to get together once a year (or so) and catch up with each other! I'm really looking forward to this first Grand Lake reunion and hope that as many of the gang can make it up here for either or both days. It's a busy weekend, so make reservations for rooms ASAP and let me know if I can help in anyway. I think Rob, Ray, Hammer, Dicky Stew, Aligator Al and (of course Barky) will be here and hopefully Sean for Sunday. I'll try and get in touch with Foster, Al and Tom (Lewis and Joe might have to work but I'll let 'em know). If any of you can think of someone else...please let them know. The Hungry Farmer might be history...but I'm sure we can keep the spirit going!

I know many of you blog readers know me and also know that I don't fish in the 'main stream' most of the time. But I just saw something a few minutes ago that I've seen once before so I've got to share it. I had been at Caroline's Cuisine for a nice dinner and a glass of wine. Well, when I made it back home and parked the old Focus in the drive, I looked at the stars.(it's a beautiful night here at 8369' by the way) The "Big Dipper" was right above my house and, of course, I stood and looked up at that beautiful sky to look for Polaris and remembered the days when Ronnie's horse, BJ, used to be in the corral and I would visit with him after a night of music at the Lariat around 2:00 in the morning and look at the Milky Way and talk (he never talked back, by the way ...smart horse!!) but he'd put his head on my shoulder as I gazed at the stars.

Ok, to make a long story longer, one night I saw a UFO up there in the heavens and it was the coolest thing! Well, tonight as I was looking at the "Big Dripper" and thought I saw a satellite going kind of fast, just like the one I saw years before. It was going pretty fast for the space station or a shuttle(I've seen them before) and then it suddenly did 180 degree turn and disappeared. The one I'd seen before was more spectacular in the way it moved and went out of sight with a big flash of red light but the one I saw tonight was not from this neighborhood either.

And no, I'm not drunk....just lucky to live here with the aliens and hope to get abducted someday!