Below with my first ukulele at a club performance and the Arts and Crafts Fair in Sun City.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
The Ukulele
I think it was 2013 I took up the ukulele after finding out Sun City had a ukulele club. It sounded like the perfect thing for me to do as I was a guitar player for years but not so much lately as it was just getting too difficult in my advancing years. So I bought a Luna Tenor ukulele and off to the club I went. Loved it from day one and it was so easy to learn. It didn't sound like a toy. I found I could do more on it than I could on the guitar mainly because the size of it was much more manageable. 4 strings instead of 6. I do play my guitar from time to time but my hand starts to hurt pretty quick so a guitar session doesn't last too long.
Below with my first ukulele at a club performance and the Arts and Crafts Fair in Sun City.
Below with my first ukulele at a club performance and the Arts and Crafts Fair in Sun City.
A New Start
I almost forgot I had a blog. Looks like my last entry was in 2012. A good six years ago. Since then we had an addition to the family. David and Amber have a son , Graham. He is 5 already and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. He will be attending the Charter school David works for. David is the special ed teacher. Aiden will also be attending the same school.
Lisa and Shawn have had some changes in jobs. They now live in Mesa, AZ which on a good traffic day is only about 50 away. Grandson Aiden just turned 13 this month and Andrew in now 21. Aiden will be starting 8th grade at yet another school but this one is a Charter School with emphasis on performing arts. He has signed up for the keyboard, guitar class and audio visual. I am so happy for him as starting in the Mesa school district was a bit of a bummer for him as it is pretty overcrowded and he couldn't take the music classes he wanted.
Craig and Holly have some changes ahead. It will be fun to see how it all goes for them and hope to visit them in October if possible. Larry and I both turned 70 this year. It'a milestone of sorts. We both attended out 50th high school reunions in 2016. Larry in Connecticut and mine in Chula Vista, CA. It was wonderful to attend both together.
Lisa and Shawn have had some changes in jobs. They now live in Mesa, AZ which on a good traffic day is only about 50 away. Grandson Aiden just turned 13 this month and Andrew in now 21. Aiden will be starting 8th grade at yet another school but this one is a Charter School with emphasis on performing arts. He has signed up for the keyboard, guitar class and audio visual. I am so happy for him as starting in the Mesa school district was a bit of a bummer for him as it is pretty overcrowded and he couldn't take the music classes he wanted.
Craig and Holly have some changes ahead. It will be fun to see how it all goes for them and hope to visit them in October if possible. Larry and I both turned 70 this year. It'a milestone of sorts. We both attended out 50th high school reunions in 2016. Larry in Connecticut and mine in Chula Vista, CA. It was wonderful to attend both together.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Canada Log Day 3
Today is our third day living with the Canadiens, they are a happy people and have accepted us as one of them. After spending the morning going to church we had some lunch then made plans for the week. One of the plans was to go to Niagra Falls.Our main reason for going was to watch a tightrope walker go between two building 60 stories up. It was neat to see. He calls himself Price of the Air. (click link). Samuel wanted him to fall, not to die or anything, to somehow save himself. He just thought is sounded pretty cool. Bennett said he wasn't going to fall because nothing that cool ever happens when he's around.
Look close and you can see the wire coming off the top of this tower. Needless to say, he didn't fall.
The big feature is a more than daily visit to Tim Hortons, a Canadian born coffee and donut show that has almost a cult following here. I'm sipping a coffee right now as a write.
Until tomorrow.
Craig
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Canada Log Day 1 and 2
We are having a nice trip. We arrived yesterday, Friday night, about midnight. I did most of the driving, Holly did about an hour of our 15hr 50min drive. I'm writing you from our room in the boys dorm here at Great Lakes Christian College. I'm using an iPad at the exact location below.We don't have an Internet connection so I'm piggy backing on another guys cell phone wifi. Its sporadic. Anyway, we have been enjoying a nice visit with Holly's sisters, Laurie and Wendy and their families.
The drive was not bad, really, Lauren and Luke (Wendy's kids) wanted to stop at each state and take a picture, we we're only able to do Indiana and Michigan. The others were dangerous, no place to pull off for the photo op.
We are heading to an acap church of Christ in the morning, a great group of people.
Craig
Monday, May 28, 2012
Morning Jaunt Comes Full Circle
I didn't know what I was doing at the time.
This morning I woke up to a quiet house. It's Memorial day, the kids were up late and I was the only one awake. The St. Louis Cardinals scored more than six points so that means 50 cent coffee at Mobile and I needed a couple things at the hardware store. The stage was set for me to unwittingly step into my fathers footsteps.
After setting up the sprinkler to water the front lawn, I jumped in the car and went to the hardware store. It was just a regular morning doing a couple errands. I stopped by the gas station for some coffee and donuts for the family.
For full coverage and updates on Jaunting technology, vists LarryNet
This morning I woke up to a quiet house. It's Memorial day, the kids were up late and I was the only one awake. The St. Louis Cardinals scored more than six points so that means 50 cent coffee at Mobile and I needed a couple things at the hardware store. The stage was set for me to unwittingly step into my fathers footsteps.
After setting up the sprinkler to water the front lawn, I jumped in the car and went to the hardware store. It was just a regular morning doing a couple errands. I stopped by the gas station for some coffee and donuts for the family.
Did i mention I was wearing this shirt?
I pulled up the the house a deliver the goods. After I sat down with my coffee and read the news it hits me. It hits hard.
I just did a morning jaunt.
It wasn't my plan, it just happened. How...why...Is it in my DNA? I don't know.
- You must have access to slippers or sandals, there can be no laces involved. Put them on.
- It's best to have an old tee shirt of some kind, not a strict requirement.
- You must leave you residence before anyone else is awake.
- You must purchase coffee.
- The full jaunt requires a stop at a store, probably one open 24h because most jaunts occur pre-dawn.
- As a bonus, if you get back before people are awake in the house you qualify for the Super Full Jaunt.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pacific Coast Cruise-May3-13, 2011
My Dad took me, Larry and my sister on a 10 day cruise. It was very exciting. This was Larry's first cruise and my third. I knew Larry would love it and couldn't wait for him to see the Pacific Northwest for the first time. I lived in the Seattle area as a child and also the San Diego area for many years. Larry and I lived near Monterey while he was in the Army.
We used 3 camera's. I used my Canon point and shoot which is a fine camera and a Pentax DSLR which is the best of the bunch but kind of big but worth it for some extra beautiful pictures. Larry used our old Canon Power Shot camera. He was able to photograph several sunrises that I missed due to the fact I was sound asleep.
Ports of call after leaving San Diego were as follows:
We had 3 sea days.
Catalina Island-Beautiful day there around 80 degrees
San Francisco-Beautiful day but quite windy and chilly walking around. Meet up with some cousins there so that was very nice to have lunch with them at Fisherman's Wharf.
Astoria, Or-Also a bit chilly and windy. Small town on the Colombia River.
Seattle, WA.-Disappointed it was a very rainy day and could not see Mt. Rainier at all. We did go up the Space Needle and managed to make the most of the day. Many childhood memories there.
Victoria, BC- Great day and we could finally see some of the mountain ranges.
Vancouver, BC- Nice weather and beautiful sites and views of the mountains. Spent most of the day getting to the airport for the flight back to San Diego. We took the Sky Train which was fun once we figured out which train to take, etc. Larry figured it all out for us. Once at the airport we had a long wait before taking a small plane to Seattle. During the flight we did see Mt. Rainier and Larry was very impressed. I really wanted him to see it and he was glad he did.
San Diego, CA-Arrived from Seattle around 11pm. Took a shuttle back to my dad's house and arrived around Midnight. So a very long travel day.
Larry and I drove back to Sun City, AZ the next day which was Saturday the 14th. My sister stayed on an extra day and returned to Arizona on Sunday.
We used 3 camera's. I used my Canon point and shoot which is a fine camera and a Pentax DSLR which is the best of the bunch but kind of big but worth it for some extra beautiful pictures. Larry used our old Canon Power Shot camera. He was able to photograph several sunrises that I missed due to the fact I was sound asleep.
Ports of call after leaving San Diego were as follows:
We had 3 sea days.
Catalina Island-Beautiful day there around 80 degrees
San Francisco-Beautiful day but quite windy and chilly walking around. Meet up with some cousins there so that was very nice to have lunch with them at Fisherman's Wharf.
Astoria, Or-Also a bit chilly and windy. Small town on the Colombia River.
Seattle, WA.-Disappointed it was a very rainy day and could not see Mt. Rainier at all. We did go up the Space Needle and managed to make the most of the day. Many childhood memories there.
Victoria, BC- Great day and we could finally see some of the mountain ranges.
Vancouver, BC- Nice weather and beautiful sites and views of the mountains. Spent most of the day getting to the airport for the flight back to San Diego. We took the Sky Train which was fun once we figured out which train to take, etc. Larry figured it all out for us. Once at the airport we had a long wait before taking a small plane to Seattle. During the flight we did see Mt. Rainier and Larry was very impressed. I really wanted him to see it and he was glad he did.
San Diego, CA-Arrived from Seattle around 11pm. Took a shuttle back to my dad's house and arrived around Midnight. So a very long travel day.
Larry and I drove back to Sun City, AZ the next day which was Saturday the 14th. My sister stayed on an extra day and returned to Arizona on Sunday.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Oldest Grandson's 8th grade promotion
Andrew is 14 already. Lots of ups and downs getting to this point but we are proud of him. He is a sweet young man and wish him the best in High School.
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| 2011-05-19 Drewpromotion |
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Blogging again
You would think I would have plenty of time to write a blog being sorta retired. I think it was more of a writers block or just couldn't get in the mood so to speak. .
On the work front. Larry is completely retired from the Army, Medtronic and his last job as a school bus driver. He seems perfectly content doing the shopping, helping neighbors and helping with 2 of our grand kids that live nearby.
It is a completely different story for me. After a few months of no work coming in to my violin repair shop I was thinking for finding another line of work. Semi retired seems to agree with me. I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do really. Working at home seemed the only thing I could still do and be comfortable with. I made a total of 5 dulcimers during the slow times in the shop over the last year or so. I didn't make any money but sure learned a lot about making fretted instruments. I made 2 for my son and one for my sister. Plus one for myself and a mini one to display on the wall.
Now I am happily busy again in my shop with violins coming in every week. Also I decided it was time to learn how to rehair bows. Something I never had the chance to learn while training as an apprentice many years ago. Did a lot of research on the Internet and ordered a few things. Told the music store I do some work for what I was planning to do. They were all for it and gave me some tools, horse hair and bows to practice on. Wow. I made my own jig, and gathered other things I needed to start the project. I was going to give it my best shot. Finished my first bow on my dad's 92 birthday and also the day of the Japanese earthquake. So there is know way I will forget that day.
So far I have rehaired about 10 bows since that first one and it has only been about 6 weeks. I still have a ways to go to improve on this skill. I had a lot of early frustration but I didn't let that stop me. Being able to teach myself is what is amazing to me at my advancing age. But in a way I am not too surprised. My last rehair was a Bass bow that I delivered today and I will be the first one I was get paid for.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Dulcimer Project
The sides and end blocks are glued and ready for the top and back once they are ready.
My Dulcimer Kit arrived yesterday morning. I started gluing the sides to the top and end blocks. Pretty easy so far. Hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry to move on to the next step. Hopefully I won't break anything to hold up the project.
Monday, April 19, 2010
No more work?
Larry is offically retired and I haven't worked in over 2 months. Not by choice on my part. I didn't think I would miss working in my Violin repair shop but I do. So I have a new project in the works. I will call it the Dulcimer Project. I am expecting any day in the mail a kit to make my first Dulcimer. It is a stringed instrument and has a lot of possibilities for creativity. Although I fixed violins, cellos and basses for many years I never built one from scratch. It would be very difficult to make a nice one without further training so I did some research and picked the dulcimer to make from a kit first then give it a try to make one from scratch.
The one pictured is a 6 string but I will make a 4 string.
Will post updates as I go through the process.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Back to work
Working on a violin peg box.
Taking a closer look. I had to reset it which I did the day
before. Now adding some finishing touches.
Checking over a Cello after reseting the neck.
After a slow couple of months I am starting to get some work again. I did need a break but can now concentrate a bit better on the task at hand.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
In Loving Memory of a wonderful Mother
Ruth Marie Ferm Kiehl
July 25, 1920-November 25, 2009
Ruth was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Marquette. She was very active
in the Church. She was a gifted musician through out her life. She played the Viola and Flute in her early years. Also the piano and later the Organ she was also gifted with a beautiful singing voice.
Her working years involved banking, PBX operator at both Boeing and Rohr Aircraft. Her favorite job was as an Organ teacher for a music store in San Diego, Ca.
After many years in Michigan where she meet her 1st husband John T. Seaman of Houghton, Mi. they later moved to Muskegon , Mi then to Elkart, Indiana with their two daughters, Katherine and Jean. From there they moved to Seattle, Washington and they both worked at Boeing for 4 years. John was offered a job in Southern California at Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista. Ruth worked as a PBX operator there also.
John and Ruth parted ways in 1967. In 1969 Ruth married Joseph Keihl. Joseph also worked at Rohr. They enjoyed traveling in their RV for many years. After years in the San Diego area both Ruth and Joe moved to Sun City, Arizona to be close to Ruth's daughter's and grandchildren in Jan. 2006.
Joseph passed away in June of 2006.
Ruth continued to enjoy various activities in the Sun City area.
Concert's and her favorite just being with family. She had her own unique personality that we all loved and enjoyed.
Ruth's parents were Willard and Edith Ferm.
Her older brother Bill Ferm of Spring Lake, Mi passed in 1979, younger brother Martin Ferm of
Rock Island, Ill passed Sept.2008. Sister Shirley Bruining of Muskegon, Mi also passed in March, 2010 only 4 months after Ruth.
Ruth is survived by her daughter's Kathrine Ruth Perez of El Mirage, AZ, Jean Ann Anderson of Sun City, AZ . Also 7 grandchildren, Craig, David, Lisa, Tony Jr, Sandra, Jason and Luke. There are 5 Great Grandchildren - Andrew, Samuel, Bennett, Elinor and Aiden. Nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.
Ruth had one step daughter-Elizabeth Anderise Thomas and 4 step grandchildren.
Ruth was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Marquette. She was very active
in the Church. She was a gifted musician through out her life. She played the Viola and Flute in her early years. Also the piano and later the Organ she was also gifted with a beautiful singing voice.
Her working years involved banking, PBX operator at both Boeing and Rohr Aircraft. Her favorite job was as an Organ teacher for a music store in San Diego, Ca.
After many years in Michigan where she meet her 1st husband John T. Seaman of Houghton, Mi. they later moved to Muskegon , Mi then to Elkart, Indiana with their two daughters, Katherine and Jean. From there they moved to Seattle, Washington and they both worked at Boeing for 4 years. John was offered a job in Southern California at Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista. Ruth worked as a PBX operator there also.
John and Ruth parted ways in 1967. In 1969 Ruth married Joseph Keihl. Joseph also worked at Rohr. They enjoyed traveling in their RV for many years. After years in the San Diego area both Ruth and Joe moved to Sun City, Arizona to be close to Ruth's daughter's and grandchildren in Jan. 2006.
Joseph passed away in June of 2006.
Ruth continued to enjoy various activities in the Sun City area.
Concert's and her favorite just being with family. She had her own unique personality that we all loved and enjoyed.
Ruth's parents were Willard and Edith Ferm.
Her older brother Bill Ferm of Spring Lake, Mi passed in 1979, younger brother Martin Ferm of
Rock Island, Ill passed Sept.2008. Sister Shirley Bruining of Muskegon, Mi also passed in March, 2010 only 4 months after Ruth.
Ruth is survived by her daughter's Kathrine Ruth Perez of El Mirage, AZ, Jean Ann Anderson of Sun City, AZ . Also 7 grandchildren, Craig, David, Lisa, Tony Jr, Sandra, Jason and Luke. There are 5 Great Grandchildren - Andrew, Samuel, Bennett, Elinor and Aiden. Nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.
Ruth had one step daughter-Elizabeth Anderise Thomas and 4 step grandchildren.
Grandma's Day
In Honor of Mom
Thank you dad for being with us.
My sons are a blessing
and the whole family made a difficult day a lot easier.
Family Cat Lost for 103 Days – Found!
Our cat Daisy got out on September 3rd. The kids were crushed and after a 20 day search, hundreds of flyers and even a blog (lostcat.info) we gave up. Yesterday, 103 days later, a guy calls us and says he found our cat.
He was driving not far from our house and picked this frail white cat up while she was trying to get down a hole. She was skin and bones and very weak.
A week later he saw a tattered piece of paper taped to a street sign, flipped it over and it was one of our flyers. He called us up and we picked her up last night. Wow…
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
SERMON: Created for His Glory
I had the opportunity to speak at Lafayette Church in West St. Louis County last month. I discuss how awesome God is and how cool he thinks his creation is, especially you…
Love to hear what you think. I rarely get a chance to preach…
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Christmas Records
When Pinkerbelle first saw the record player she thought it would slide in a big slot in front. She said, “wow, those are big DVDs”.
My first born thought it was supposed to have a big horn on top so we could hear them.
During one of my wife’s many trips to the thrift store, she picked up a record player. We have a collection of Christmas music on records and now we can listen to them. It’s pretty cool.
See more at:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
My Advice For Turkey Day
With Thanksgiving hours away, it’s time to prepare your body for a massive inflow of calories. I’m not going to tell you to skip dessert or cut your portions. I say eat up and enjoy. Here’s how to make the most of the calorie fest we call -- Thanksgiving.
- Burn some calories in the morning. When you wake up tomorrow take a 30 minute brisk walk or join a Turkey Trot race. The benefits of moving your body first thing are two fold. First is the obvious – exercise will increase your metabolism and prepare your body to use the calories from the Turkey feast. Second, this will help with the guilt of eating a hefty meal…
- Eat a light snack 3 hours before the big one. Some people starve all day to prepare for the massive dose of food. This is a mistake. Keeping your body from this kind of starvation state will reduce the amount of calories converted to fat. I suggest eating a bowl of fresh fruit, maybe a light sandwich. Smaller than a regular lunch but enough to satisfy.
- Eat Slow. The faster you eat to more you can eat. Your body will turn off the hunger centers in your brain when your blood sugar goes up. If you eat fast enough it’s possible to eat tons of food before this hunger center turns off. This will lead to over eating. So take it slow and listen to your hunger.
- Have No Guilt. Be thankful for the food in front of you. We are so blessed both individually and as a nation. Be thankful for God’s blessings and enjoy. Enjoy the turkey, gravy, brownies, homemade bread, family and friends. Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to exercise after the new year…
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sibling Relationships: A Graphical Study
- Big Brother is 11.
- “Me” is Pinkerbelle, 7.
- “Lila” plays herself 2 year old Boston Terrier.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Apple Picking with the Family Today…
We had a great time getting a bag of apples and taking the Grafton Ferry on the way. Here’s a slide show of all the pics. You can see the album HERE.
Love,
C
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