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