go tele everybody

I've just started playing my old Telecaster during the past few weeks.  Ron Greer from Rainbow Jewelry and Loan was kind enough to work on it for me.  Brook had purchased it about 30 years ago from Laverty Music Company.  It was thought that the guitar was a '63 model, but Ron informed me a few weeks ago that my Tele is a '51 or '52.  The serial number has only four digits.

Though the guitar doesn't have the original finish, neck, or pick guard.  The body and hardware are all original.  It's got a great sound and I've found a new love in playing it.

I just composed a new worship song that's fun to play on it.  It's taken from Psalm 88 and 89.  I'm calling the new song 'King David Blues'.   Bruce Cornutt had asked me to join his team this Sunday and I'm taking my Telecaster with me.

It's a coincidence while I was finishing up my tune that Brook told me he has been working on a blues worship number too.

DePaul Motors

A little while ago I was running errands around town.  As I was exiting my bug, I noticed the name DePaul Motors from my driver-side door side pocket.  I don't know where it came from.  My only guess is that it was stuck to the inside of the pocket for many a year.  Perhaps to cold weather allowed it to come unglued from where it was affixed.

Do you see where the service adviser bravely and selflessly included her phone number?  How's that for service.  I hope the company paid her well for her dedication.

As you can see, DePaul Motors was located on East Meighan Blvd.  I don't know when the Volkswagen dealership left Gadsden - I think the early 1980's.  Mrs. Betty Hale (my mother in-law) bought her Superbeetle from DePaul Motors back in 1973.  I remember DePaul well because the Finlayson family owned quite a few VW's back in the day.   I used to have to drive them down when dad needed to get one fixed.  Brook on the other hand usually fixed his broken bug.  I personally don't know much about fixing VW's.  I hear they are pretty easy to work on - that all you have to do is replace the rubber band every now and then.

I've recently had an ongoing problem with my bug.  It's not a big problem - nor an expensive one.  If I keep loosing my tailpipes - it will start to be one.   Is there some secret to keeping them on?  I lost another one yesterday.  VW tailpipes are not that expensive (about $6.00) and can be purchased easily enough from Ed's Foreign Car Parts.  I clamp them on as tight as I can get them and yet they find a way to get free and roll away.  I wonder if there's some kind of adhesive.

When I need to get my bug fixed, I take it to Floyd VW on  US Hwy 431.  Eddie Floyd is a great guy and knows his stuff when it comes to fixing anything Volkwagen.  I'm glad I paid the money to get the heater going last year.  The little heater in my Superbeetle now warms me up better than any other car I own.  Mickey Boyd is also still in the neighborhood (down 77 in Rainbow City).  Mickey once told me that he even had an old VW 4-11 back there.  I used to drive a 4-12 years ago.  I would love to walk through Mickey's back-lot of old bugs.  It's nice to have folks close by who can fix old VW's. 

I do remember the day when I'd take broken bugs to DePaul.

hump day update

I've got to get a handle on my blood sugar.  I just haven't had the energy to finish a day this week. I went to bed after fixing diner last night.  I guess I slept 10 hours.  I still feel like I could have stayed in bed.

I know, I got off track during the holidays.  It's just not worth it.

I didn't see my girls much yesterday.  I helped Kelsey with her homework.  Daddy just wasn't much of a dad yesterday.  Gina put the girls to bed about two hours after I crashed.

I will say that my back is doing better.  The decompression therapy worked wonders.  I know that I'll be opting for it every time I go back.  Gina is urging me to walk more - to strengthen my back.  He advice is sound - but will I?  I haven't been riding my bike since the cold-cold weather.

Gina is feeling much better.  She had a terrible week last week.  Our patient load has been low - and there is only one up side.  I urged Gina to stay home Thursday and Friday.  Unlike me, she doesn't like stopping for nothing.  I am glad she stayed home.  She had a very restful weekend.  We seem to be playing tag with each others wellness.

My license didn't come through on Monday.  Gina remembered yesterday that the check that she sent wasn't to the Alabama State Board of Therapeutic Massage after all.  Okay.  I'm sure I'll be good to go by next month.  Maybe by then we'll be able to afford the massage table.

something Brit Hume said...

good stuff to hear

family string along

Christmas of 08, Kelsey got a little red guitar from Santa.  This year Katie got Yamaha Junior for Christmas.  Years ago I gave Gina my old Yamaha FG-180 acoustic under the condition that she learned to play it.  So now every one under our roof owns a guitar.

Last night after dinner, we all made our way downstairs for a family guitar lesson.  I taught them some basics along with introducing them to the chords they need to play the worship song 'Here I am to Worship' (Light of the World).  Katie has already been putting in a good bit of time practicing and her chords (D, A, Em, G) are sounding pretty clean already.  She's already working on smooth transitions between chords.

Gina had a good time, but still feeling a little sick.  Kelsey loved the lesson, learning her chord Em.  We are going to continue having family guitar time together.  We had a lot of fun and is encouraging to have my girls excited to learn to play guitar.

hang'm high

 

Just framed and hung my Gadsden State and my National Board certificate this morning.  I am hoping to have my state license approved by early next week.  Obtaining liability insurance became a hassle.  I think I've got it squared away before I left the office yesterday.  We'll see.  If not, I should be good to go by next month.

I have yet to purchase a massage table.  I am also going to purchase a massage chair and a hydrocollator in the near future.  Think I will also buy me some stones to heat up.   Now that I have the certification -  I need to start acquiring the tools of the trade.

Say, you look like you need a good massage.

snow day

Gina has been sick this week.  She's had little sleep through out her affliction and still going to work.  Today she finally decided to stay home.  It's actually a blessing that her case load this week has been next to nil.  She's got a little time to get well.  I'm glad she's home today.

I drove down to the office to mainly man the phone.  I just found out that the schools are closing today.  Katie and Kelsey will be riding home on the bus.  There are odd tasks at the office to do - not much really.  I'll answer the calls that come in and pick up some food for everyone at the house tonight.

My back is doing much better.  It's going on two months since the fall.  My last visit to the chiropractor made a big difference.  I'm going to opt for the decompression table therapy every time I go from now on.

Last night I built a nice fire and didn't want to leave it.  I guess I finally went to bed at 1:30 a.m..  I spent most of the evening watching movies and washing and folding clothes.  I put the girls to bed earlier in the evening.  It was a very quiet house last night.  It's a very quiet office today.  I'm getting my alone time in.

A bit of good news came in the mail yesterday.  I received my certificate from the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage.  I am afraid though that all of my official documentation will not reach the Alabama Board in time.  They are to meet next week.  I am still waiting on liability insurance to come through.

In the meantime I'll be trying to get some work at the house during the down time.  We've been needing a new floor in the kitchen.  Both Katie and Kelsey have cut their feet on the broken tile floor in the kitchen.  Gina's been concerned about my feet due to my diabetes.  I'm going to push to get some things done.

I will be nice to see and work with Jose' again.

The Alma Mater

The United Daughters of Confederacy offered a prize of five dollars to a high school student who submitted the  best song for adaptation as the school's official Alma Mater.  I don't know whether it was the honor or the money that appealed to me at the time, but with a great deal of midnight oil and mother's ability to write out the notes as I hummed them to he.  My entry was ready for submission near the end of my senior year.  Mine was the only song with both original words and music.  It went like this:

"With loyal hearts we praise thee,

the school we love so well

May every heart rejoice and sing,

and sound ore hill and dell,

The stately walls shall ever stand

a symbol strong and time;

Come, sons and daughters,

comrades all, here's Cheraw High to you!"

-Henry Westbrook Finlayson

I ran across this little piece written in dad's handwriting.  Westbrook wrote the winning Alma Mater entry which was used by Cheraw High School (Cheraw, South Carolina) for years.

our love isn't too picky

I just got this email today.  I needed the laugh.  Though our love has 'no educational back ground barriers' - it would be nice to have some grammar check barrier.

Hello Dear,
How are you today, I hope all is well with you .I am sorry to worry you with my Proposal for a relationship with you, but I know that you will grant my request in good faith and understanding, My name is Maureen and I just went Through your profile today and i have no options than letting you Know that I am interested in having a relationship with you, I will also like to Know you the more, you can send an email to my email address so that I can send you more details about my self Including my picture.

I believe we can move from here. But bear in mind that Love has no colors barrier,no educational back ground barrier, no socio-economic Barrier,religious, language, nationality or distance barrier, the only important Thing there is love. I am waiting for your mail to my email address above.

Yours Sincerely
Maureen