February 28, 2006
It is only through
labor and painful effort, by grim energy and
resolute courage, that we move on to better
things. Theodore Roosevelt
So begins
a quiet evening at the home front. It was actually
snowing again today. Man, enough already with
the winter. I passed a thermometer after leaving
physical therapy and saw that it was 37 degrees.
Funky. I have what may be the determining appointment
tomorrow regarding my back. It is actually getting
better with exercise and all the PT. Still I
am in sad shape after any time in the car or
just doing day to day chores. Coughing is really
hard on your low back. That is what I was told
today so I hit the cough syrup but the damage
had already been done.
Chani acquired another virus on
her computer and spent much of the day on ours
looking for an apartment or a room in a house.
We said take it easy and focus on kick starting
your new job and get situated with that first.
Mish called today and talked to
Andie. She said she wanted to spend more time
but it hasn't turned out that way so far. Tell
me about it. I am still interested in the idea
of finding a large chuck of land we could all
share. Yes but where would that be. We like
it to the North but most opportunities seem
to be to the south. We keep searching and seeking
and watching. We need to start doing and soon:
the labor and effort and courage and all that.
Kayden 8 months
February 27, 2006
Man this month is over already. It is hard to
believe. I have a to do list a mile long that
does not have a single check mark on it. Wow
I need to get jumping to get some stuff done.
We have all been sick and it is still droopy
around here. We had a very nice visit with Noel,
Lois, Carry and Robin. Both kids, Missy and
Kayden were great. Kayden poured the smiles
and charm on everyone. He did burst out crying
when we first arrived and Noel took him into
the house. After hours at a funeral, a very
long drive and new faces and surroundings, Kayden
seemed to say "sensory over load."
I snatched him saying Papa is here, Papa is
here and he was fine. After that he was game
for anything and let himself be passed around
like a prize. That is one little one who knows
he is loved. Although there a lot of health
issues at this time, I have truly treasured
the days I have gotten to spend at home with
Andie and Kayden.
Chani arrived with her new puppy in tow
and it is smooth sailing so far. Missy did not
even bark at her baby. We got even more funny
and beautiful pictures of Saria taken by Josh.
He gets better and better with each batch. There
are some wonderful shots he has shared.
We were exhausted to point of collapse
last night when we finally got home. We went
to Vesper Service in Bellingham and I played
at the service with Pastor Paul and Kevin. What
a joy that is. I managed to stifle 90% of my
coughs but probably looked like I was wrestling
with unseen forces as I gritted my teeth and
held my breath. I wasn't able to really sing
but I could still play. And that is it at this
moment and it is off to more doctors over the
next three days and then on to the next phase.
Take care and peace.
February 24, 2006
The creeping crud has caught hold and won't
let go. I am ready for warm and happy and healthy.
Too bad for now I have to wait. We went to a
funeral for one of Andie's relatives. What a
great man given the testimonies of the people
we present at the celebration of his life. I
was grateful to have the chance to be there.
It was very inspiring. I met so many of Andie's
relatives and family on her mom's side and they
all said that her uncle made them want to be
better people. They wanted to be the way he
saw them and most did. He truly blessed many
lives.
I heard Chani has already landed a spot
to work at a tattoo shop that has only one other
artist. I am happy she has found a spot that
is new and will let her work at what she obviously
loves. She seems to be doing great on her own
and has adopted a new dog into her life, its
name is Chaos. Now she can say she already has
enough chaos in her life.
Our friends Bill and Cherie are getting
married in April and they honored me by asking
me to play at the reception. Bill has recorded
a lot at Silent T Studio and writes beautiful
and spiritual music. It is a pleasure to know
and work with him. Congratulations to them.
February 22, 2006
If all goes well Chani should
be arriving here tonight. She said she was camping
Oregon last night. She dropped Chris off in
Oakland and was on her way to see Josh, Christina
and Saria but changed her mind. She is still
having the trouble with her kidney stones I
guess. I hope she is doing okay and we look
forward to seeing her. I am not sure what her
plans are but she can figure that out here.
Josh gets better taking pictures
with every e-mail. He asked us not to share
them so until we make a trip to California there
won't be any new pictures of our 1st grand daughter.
I can tell you this, she is one very cute baby.
Andie called and said if
things stay slow at the shop she will be coming
home. There are no appointments on the book
today. I am still feeling like pooh. I went
to visit Mike Daily's studio 04 yesterday. He
has installed a "hear back" system
that allows each person to adjust the levels
of everything in playback to their pleasure.
It is an amazing time saver. Dawn Williams called
and wants to do a demo for church here at Silent
T. I am so packed with gear the studio has just
about become like one of those mini subs that
will fit one person only. I don't quite know
what to think of my next move regarding organization
of space. That is where project management skills
come into play. I don't like the idea of 21
steps to more abundance. Sell, give away or
throw away 1/3 of what you have. I will think
about it though.
February 20, 2006
Everyday life
confronts us with new problems to be solved
which force us to adjust our old programs accordingly.
Dr. Ann Faraday Thanks
Dale
Happy birthday Randy! I got a note from our
dear friend Terri and she said there is a Fickel
family dinner tonight to celebrate Randy's birthday.
God is great. Thanks to my father and his team
of prayer warriors
I am still fighting this cold. It is very unusual
for me to get sick but I have been doing this
detoxification plan for two months. I am feeling
better overall except for my back and one other
very irritating condition that has not been
diagnosed properly. It is referred pain from
a pinched nerve in my back. It does not refer
to fun I will tell you that.
February 19, 2006
Laid up in bed with the creeping crud today.
I am whipped. Chani called to tell me that she
is driving Chris to Oakland. Earlier she had
said she would traveling on her own. Changes.
Life is a roller coaster sometimes. I don't
think I am going to get up today. I have that
gargle with glass kind of feeling. I am not
feeling like one of the Three Amigos today.
It was a good evening last night with John,
Ron Dale and I. No bass player and half the
evening fighting funky sound. I got it dialed
in for the second half. It was good to see Mary
with Manolito. They are already planning their
next trip to Mexico. It sounds good to me. It
is good to plan escapes. I hear the little man
waking up from his nap. Gotta go.
February 18, 2006
It was a grand evening last night. I
am paying for it with back pain today but it
was fun. Aaron Ewing came and announced he won
the Golden Globe Award at work. I was so proud
of him. I wrote dozens of e-mails to managers
over the years about what a great worker he
is. It is nice to see it recognized.
It was Ron on guitar, John on percussion and
Jimmy on bass last night. It was packed out
in Provinces and that is good because Kenny
said business is off since the smoking ban took
effect. Jason, Blu and Chris were there supporting
the craziness as was Dale the Shaker Boy. He
made a strong solo showing last night. I guess
Kathy is still under the weather. Dee Roberson
strutted her stuff for a few numbers. The rest
of the evening is a blur. I did see Bill Shanks
and his fiancee. He wanted Murat tunes and we
had some other requests so I hope we didn't
disappoint him. I forgot one verse of Let Your
Merry Go Heart, a Doug Hamilton and Greg Murat
tune. I still play most of the songs we wrote
together. Anyhow, I have no speaking voice left
and I am not sure what it will lead to regarding
singing tonight. Miracles usually take place
when it comes to singing and if I do sing it
will definitely be a proclamation of the glory
of God. Jesus take the wheel, like the song
says. Here we go again. Tonight it will be John
Matthews, Manolito Fuentes and me. I think it
will be cool. Thank you all for being there
in body or in spirit.
February 16, 2006
Here it is the night before Friday
and another day has wound down. Mike got some
really cool headphone mixing gear today. It
gives 7 parameters of control over the mix to
each person listening on headphones. It is a
great tool but Mike set it aside to make me
copies of several songs off the new project
so Andie and I can practice harmonies. Sarah
Maria says she just pecks harmonies out on the
piano. It makes sense because I just don't hear
them naturally. I think I do until I listen
to the play back. I have to let go and let it
happen. I have decades of listening to harmony
parts. The information is there.
Liz's car broke down so I had to
head out to pick her up and didn't get to finish
copying all the songs. I will deal with having
someone check that out tomorrow. I should rest.
I am still sumo wrestling this flu, cold, virus
or whatever the heck it is. Andie gave some
incredible pictures of our boy. He is growing
so fast. He'll be moving out before we know
it.
February 15, 2006
Josh sent some family photos to Andie.
Saria is getting very big. They all look like
they are doing fine. Chani called and is in
Reno where they will be staying a week and doing
a guest spot or two. She said it was very cold,
as I told her it is here in Washington. I just
let the kitty in and she murmured that it was
freezing outside. Kayden was very fussy tonight
right up until I said we were going outside.
He stopped crying immediately. Andie and I zipped
him up inside my coat ( won't be able to do
that many more days.) And out we went. He studied
the night sky, the cedar tops, the stars, the
snow crunching under my feet, the creek, the
shed, the clouds. He snuggled in against my
chest and we just walked in silence until he
let out a really big sigh and I knew he was
ready to sleep. Andie fed him his bottle and
tucked him in and now she is sleeping too. I
am having a tough time sleeping at night. What's
new? Earlier I talked to Jimmy Culler on the
phone and he was doing a study on Columbia Crescent
and it sounded like the experiment was going
rather well. I am looking forward to playing
some music with him on Friday night. I guess
John Matthews may be in on Friday. It will be
great fun. Jimmy has really helped keep me writing
over the years and continues to remember more
of my songs than me. He is having a blast with
Mike and Jimmy in the Jimmy Wright Band too.
Well I am hoping the pipes don't freeze tonight.
We have a little dribble going in the bathroom
and kitchen. Hope we make it into another day
with water. I hope I don't get frozen out of
playing this weekend.
Happy Valentine's Day
February 14, 2006
Another low key day. PT and lawyer and
a little chow time for Andie, Kayden and I at
a little Mexican restaurant in downtown Everett.
Kayden was wound pretty tight this evening and
is finally asleep. Liz is out shopping. We chatted
a little bit tonight about the piggishness of
men, the fact that she needs someone to love
her for the special person she is. When someone
loves you they just do. You cannot make them
by saying, giving or doing things. They do or
they don't. It is really simple. However, it
is not simple when you are in the middle of
a relationship. We just hope it will all be
okay. It could be worse, she could be on American
Idol. God what a bunch of crap that is. It is
embarrassing to watch.
February 13, 2006 When
you blame others, you give up your power to
change. Dr. Robert Anthony
(thanks Dale)
Chani checked
in from Idaho and is still having fun. I talked
to Freedom and he has the first ultra sound
of the new baby. Josh and Christina had their
birthday and got an new computer. Josh says
Saria is still busy imitating the body sounds
that he makes. We talked to her on the phone
and she was giggling away into the phone. He
sounds very happy to be a dad. I haven't gotten
through to Sarah this week yet but I will keep
trying. Jason and Blu are expecting and we are
so happy. Liz is applying to colleges, going
to school and working a job. Mike and I are
continuing to move forward on the simple Essence
recording project and I at Provinces this weekend.
Jimmy will be in Friday and maybe even Mike
Daily and Manolito Fuentes will be in on Saturday
night. I am looking forward to that. More trips
to the doctors this week to see if I am going
to stay on the planet or head off to the next
adventure.
We had a nice
visit with the MacGougan family this weekend.
Their friends Preston and Cheryl were there
on Saturday night. Scott and I played and sang
in the kitchen while the girls were making an
incredible dinner. It was nice to play with
Scott and he was happy with my new tune All
The Time No More. At dinner he asked everyone
to tell there happiest moment of the week. I
was the only one who had a hard time doing that.
I guess I still have a long way to go in the
happy thought department.
We got great news from Jason and
Blu and we are hanging on to every second while
we see how Blu is fairing with the hope of new
life or lives. They have a cheering section
at our house. You would think it was Andie she
is so excited for them. Andie is informing me
as she finds out each new bit of news. I am
sorry I am remiss in writing. I am having a
tough time with pain and it doesn't leave me
with much left over for inspiration. It
will all get better soon. I really believe that.
.
February 9, 2006
I have really enjoyed spending
some time with Mike Daily at Studio 04. I have
played songs I haven't played in years and we
have 12 songs recorded for a new CD called Essence.
It has brand new songs and songs like Lady of
Dunsmuir that go all the was back the early
70's. I talked to Dee Roberson and she asked
me to record her and Hans at the end of the
month. It will be a simple matter of hitting
the record button on my mini disk recorder and
letting it run. The work is in the editing and
importing into software. The sound quality is
truly amazing though.
We had a meeting of the family mind
tonight and survived. I don't know that we are
any closer to anything but I am done for the
moment. The funny thing about talking as it
brings darkness into light and no amount of
darkness can over come light. By the way, Andie
shot some incredible shots of Kayden when he
was in his walker out on the porch. Pretty soon
I will be able to join him in my walker. Won't
that be fun. I am fiddling with ideas for a
web site for Jimmy Wright and the boys. It keeps
me from going crazy while I am going through
this physical therapy and now I find out that
one of the doctors wants to put me under the
knife. I don't like the knife. No, not one bit.
Help!
February 8, 2006
Chani sent us an e-mail and she
is in Montana. It seems like a crazy time of
year to go to Montana but she is a snow girl.
She runs around in shorts and tank tops in winter
so I suppose she can take it. I am more of a
beach person myself. Speaking of beaches our
friend Mish called from Florida. She is on holiday
there with her family and raveling without children
for the first time in twenty years. She said
is was a brisk 75 degrees and sunny. I miss
the ocean. There is always balance in the world
and in life so with the sunshine you get hurricanes
and forest fires and bugs and snakes. We have
the least amount of natural irritants in Washington
state. But we do have to deal with SAD from
the lack of sunshine and that is a big thing.
We are starting to think we will not ever leave
this state except for holidays. If that is what
we choose it will be okay. It is a beautiful
place with lots of friends.
Jimmy Culler stopped by for dinner and
a chat last night and we had a pleasant visit.
Andie made this lemon chicken pasta, another
dish she would like to serve at our bed and
breakfast cafe by the beach someday. It was
delicious. I also got a call from my old friend
Keith Larson. Just a month ago I was listening
to a cassette of Keith and I at Ricardo's back
in the late 1970's. It was actually pretty good.
I plan on transferring what cassettes have survived
the years to CD. I won't be bored because that
will take a long long time. Just about my oldest
friend, Darrel Harris's daughter Robyn sent
Andie a birthday card after checking out the
website. That was so sweet.
If you find yourself in the
Super Bowl watch out for black and yellow striped
ninja's. Thanks for the photo Dale.
February 7, 2006
Andie got a sweet e-mail
from Josh wishing her a happy birthday and he
also sent a picture of Saria. Thanks Josh.
I got a call
from my dad today and he and Judith are coming
out to see the Tulips and us of course. I will
good to see dad and meet Judith face to face.
He is firing up the prayer team for the Fickels
like he did for Chani's grandmother. It is always
a comfort to know there are people rooting for
you with God. He said when life is over he will
be able to say one thing for sure and that is
God id Good.
Kayden
just did a Kung Fu scissors kick and turned
himself over a pillow and onto tummy. It looked
like a little light went off in his head at
the possibilities that can come with motion.
Boy do we have our work cut out for us. He has
a little play center that plays sounds and music
and speaks in Spanish and English. We may need
a translator before too long.
Anyway time keeps rolling along and we are grateful
for the time when we are together as a family.
It is the best time. I am still amazed that
we were all able to gather for my birthday.
Thanks everyone who made the event.