Crunchy On The Outside, Chewey On The Inside

It looks more like Styrofoam than ice, but it's the stuff inside that really matters. Beauty's only skin deep but I have discovered that so many of my friends are beautiful in both ways. Of course there are a few exceptions (you know who you are), including the man in the mirror. Last weekend was a very uplifting experience for me. To be able to sit in with Peggy Mann and the incredible musicians she put together for her concerts was a blast! Thanks Peggy.
Be sure and check out tomorrows blob!!!!!!!

Life In A Picture

Contrast is a key element in so many things. Art, music and life in general. The beauty of the sun just about to make it's final appearance of the day underneath a cloudy and forbidding sky. The silhouette of dying trees in the foreground. And lines of communication crossing through and screwing up the whole photo.

Kind of looks like life, doesn't it?

Sometime Next Week

I really don't have much to say

It's just a laid back, lazy Sunday.

Tomorrow, for most, it's their Monday.

But, as for me.....it's my Friday.

Under the covers where I sometimes sleep.

I can lift my head and take a peek

To see if the mountain has reached it's peak.

Then back to my bed I'll soon retreat.

And I'll talk to you all sometime next week.

Louie Heckert Night

Tonight is Louie Heckert Night at the Lariat. We always celebrate his birthday, March 28, by dressing up in polyester and clothes that don't match. It's hard to believe it's been 3 years since he was attacked and killed by a moose while walking to church. That was the morning after we celebrated his 92nd birthday. We all miss Louie and Gladys very much. This little mountain town is not the same without them. Happy 95th, Louie!

March the twenty-fifth

No one's hangin' stockin's up,
No one's bakin' pie,
No one's lookin' up to see,
A new star in the sky.
No one's talkin' brotherhood,
No one's givin' gifts,
And no one loves a Christmas tree
On March the twenty-fifth.

This is from Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends", a book of poems and drawings. He has always been a favorite of mine and, as most of you know, I have played his "Unicorn Song" and "The Three Legged Man" songs for many years. My good friend, Scott Munn quoted this poem the other night when he was in the Lariat to jam on his congas and visit on the breaks.
Since today is March the 25th, I thought it would be appropriate to put this poem on the blob to remind people of the great works of Shel Silverstein and to buy or check out one of his books at your local library. And by the way, if your Christmas tree is still up or out in the yard somewhere, it might be time discard the tree but please always keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts. Even if it is March the twenty-first!

Wanna Get Away?

This happened the other day down by the Grand Lake Marina. I'm not sure what was going on there but obviously, the ice is too thin, even for a small backhoe. I remember the time years ago when town trustee, Don Faulk told Bernie to go down by the Yacht Club and clear off the snow for an ice skating rink. I think Bernie argued to no avail and the giant town front loader was soon through the ice. It took the other front loader and a maintainer to pull it out and Bernie got the nickname, "Drivin' and Divin' Darrell". The picture of that episode is still on the ceiling of the Lariat.
I also remember a story that Louie Heckert told me of a guy in a small plane who was having engine problems and spotted this nice open meadow where he could land his plane. After he landed, he soon discovered that the meadow was in actuality, Grand Lake and the plane began to sink in the snow and that layer of slush above the ice. Luckily for him the ice underneath was still thick enough to keep the plane from being a submarine and all ended well.
I, myself, have fallen through the ice down by the East Inlet while ice fishing. I managed to save the six pack of beer I was carrying and myself but it quickly ended my day of fishing!
I guess the moral to all of this is......check to see how thick the ice is or you might end up swimming!

batan-naache

A legend of Grand Lake, based on a tale in Oliver Toll's account of the Arapahoe Indian trip in 1914, concerns the Arapahoe name for it, Holy Lake or Spirit Lake: batan-naache.
One year the lake began to freeze over in December. The nights were bitterly cold, and soon the ice was thick enough to hold up many buffalo. Snow fell and covered the ice, but one little patch in the center of the lake remained open. In the snow the Indians could see many tracks of many buffalo. The tracks of one seemingly enormous one seemed to come from the open patch of water and return to there. From this came the Indian's belief that some supernatural buffalo must live in this lake, and from this superstition came the name Spirit Lake.
This story is from Mary Lyons Cairns' book, "Grand Lake In The Olden Days". I know this is true because Dal Lord and I were there! And after much reflection(and a couple of 'adult beverages') we've decided to change the name of Grand Lake to batan-naache. Please write your local congressman and ask them to officially change the name. It will be good for the economy by putting cartographers to work.
By the way, the white buffalo pictured is by one of my favorite artists....Bill Rabbit

Grace Notes

My good friend, Peggy Mann, is releasing her 4th CD next weekend(March 28) at the Community House in Grand Lake. I was lucky enough to play on two of the tracks and will also be there to play with her and her band... live at the CD release presentation. Peggy is very excited about this new one and if you click on the picture, you can learn more about why she is so excited about it. There are so many good things happening, music-wise, these days at 8369' and I'm happy to be a part of it all. Peggy Mann is one of the best singer-songwriters I know and also a great friend and inspiration to all she touches. I know this newest will be the best!! All the best Peggster, we all love you mann!!!

The Seven Seasons

Most places get the usual four seasons. Here at 8369', we get about seven seasons. There's Summer, Fall, and Winter(mostly Winter) and of course what we call "Mud Season". But there can be many "Mud Seasons" and I believe we are in our second one this year. It will snow again over the next two or three months but now that the ground has warmed, the snow will last a few days and then the mud will return. It's always nice to see some warmer weather but there are consequences and mud is 'numero uno'. It's a great time of year to do some "Spring Skiing" or go to 'Somewhere with A Beach'!! I hope that may happen but if not, I'll just try and remember to leave my shoes outside. Well, as Kris Lapp said in the movie 'Jeremiah Johnson'..... "March maybe, don't believe April. March is a damp and muddy month down below, some people like it....farmers mostly!!

Erin Go Bragh

Happy St. Patrick's Day! On this day I always think of Sean's Dad, "Big Jim", the world's biggest leprechaun. He always had some kind of gag going on St. Paddy's Day and I got to witness a couple. Like the time we went to The Hilton in Colorado Springs for lunch and a drink or two and he let a pig go loose in the restaurant. I think it was painted green and he might have let a couple pigeons loose too. I'm sure Sean remembers better than I do. I hope everyone has a safe and 'Lucky' day! I might have to enjoy a Guinness and a shot of Jameson. Ireland Forever!!

Friday The 13th

I was curious about why Friday the 13th is supposed to be bad luck. Some say it dates back to 1307 when the King of France rounded up all the Knights of Templar and threw them in the pokey on a Friday that happened to be on the 13th. The Knights of "T" date back to the crusades and were a fierce fighting force. They were mentioned in the book and movie, "The Da Vinci Code". That's kind of a cool story but most say that 13 is just an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day. For me, it's never been a big deal and I'm not very superstitious unless I'm grooving with Stevie Wonder. So, as you can see, I really have nothing much to say about Friday the 13th. I just thought it was time to write a blog and it's a beautiful day in Grand Lake and there were three BIG moose in my backyard this morning and that's good luck, unless you get too close.

Anyway, I got into a basketball pool today and I'll let ya all know if it was a lucky day or not!

The Bat Phone

Mondays are always unpredictable. After a weekend of music and especially, this last weekend, Jimmy Buffett Night and all; I normally make my way into town and get a little business done which includes going to the Lariat and telling Bonnie(bookkeeper and writer of checks) who worked on stage over the weekend. There is a phone behind the bar that goes directly to the office upstairs and I usually call Gene and Bonnie on what we call THE BAT PHONE!
Today I did the usual routine and Leeper mentioned the Bat Phone and we started talking about the old TV series and some of the HOT women that were on the show. My favorite was Cat woman and Leeper's was Batgirl but we couldn't remember the actresses' names. Thanks to the Internet, I found them. Cat woman was played by Julie Newmar and Bat girl was played by Yvonne Craig. Of course Lyndsey Wagner and Linda Carter came up in the conversation also. Simple times for simple minds....

Buffett Night 2009

Don't forget that the annual "Jimmy Buffett Night" party at the Lariat is this Saturday at 9:30pm. It's always a fun night and good way to get over 'cabin fever'! Wear your Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and parrot head attire. We should have some guest musicians in the house, although, Jimmy has never made it yet. But who knows?

Oh, Vanna, Pick Me A Letter!

As most you, who have ever been to the Lariat Saloon know, it's a sort of museum. There are collections of photographs, stuffed animals, old signs, and way too many other things to mention here. Hell, you could write a book on everything that hangs on the walls and ceiling of 'The Rope'.

For some strange reason, every now and then, someone decides that they should have one of those pieces of Grand Lake history for themselves rather than leave it where it belongs! Most of the archives are screwed into place but that won't stop anybody with a cordless drill and no morals.

Over the years, a few things have disappeared that are not replaceable. For instance...my Washburn guitar, John Wayne's life-sized cardboard figure who adorned a "Chuck Schmuck for President" T-shirt, many tambourines, hundreds of Alligator Al "egg shakers", but this last month has really taken the cake! First of all, the "Hippies Use Back Door Only" sign decided to use the back door and never return and now the autographed picture of Vanna White that Keith Bird(The Doughboy/Doughnut Man) donated to the bar has gone to "Never, Never Land".

I can't replace any of that other stuff, but I've decided to replace Vanna. Here are two photos of the letter turning legend and I need you bloggers' to help in deciding which one to choose. I welcome your comments, as always, and if anyone has a better photo....please send it to the 'How Can We Live Without Vanna? fund' care of The Lariat Saloon, PO Box 1, Grand Lake CO 80447