Sprocket

When asked to help replace a sprocket, the trombone has to go somewhere...  The hoist seemed like a good place.  I am not a big fan of Alto Clef.  Well, maybe I like it OK for violas,  I just don't like reading trombone parts in it.  That's because I need to spend many hours practicing, and if I got good at it, I'd like it fine, I suppose.  But the sprocket worked out well.  I love when Himself lets me use tools. That doesn't happen very often.  Especially right now when a cute 350 Honda from the 80's is resisting all his efforts to make it run smoothly.  I got to help him, but had to use my hand to hold first a bolt, then a nut.  Success.  Himself has his own repair business now.

This weekend was the club picnic, and lots of bikes showed up.  There were so many people there, not everyone got a chance to talk to everyone, though there was a constant flow and no end of topics -- each bike being its own topic, and everyone wanting to know everything.  They let me sign up new members and take money.  This Triumph Bobber was so artfully done I couldn't help but like it.

July 4

We went to Monmouth for the 4th of July so we could catch Ben Rice and his Ben Rice Band with Paul Biondi on "horns".  That's Ben Rice with the green sunglasses and his brother Tommy climbing the bass.  They entertain!  Ben writes most of his songs, and they're GOOD!  To hear some of this music, here's the web site: http://www.benricelive.com/  

What am I Doing?

Just for the heck of it, right now I'm playing in 4 musical groups.  There is a serious problem for the groups counting on the local Parks and Recreation department for practice space funding, because everyone, nation, state, county, city, everyone is having a hard time making ends meet, so we'll all have to come up with our own funding.  The Symphony isn't dependent on Parks and Rec, so so far so good there, and the quintet is small and practices in members houses.  But the big band and the community band are too large not to need a space.  The big band just came under the wing of the community band so donations can be tax deductible, but one of us had to be on the Band Board of Directors, so I'm it.  I try not to disrupt the meetings too much.  That is harder than it sounds.

Himself has retired from fixing county vehicles and equipment, and started a motorcycle repair business, and to help with that, I'm taking a class at the local community college in Quick Books.  I'm am quite the slowest thinking person there.  Good thing I'm not competitive.  One of Himself's friends recommended the class, and he is taking it, too, so when I see him outside of school we can talk about it and discuss problems.  Great class, and great teacher.  I enjoy helping in the shop and picking up parts, too.  All I have to do is sign, and they have everything ready for me.  Fun!

Just last weekend his old motorcycle club had a ride and show, and I got to help put exhibitor ribbons on all the bikes and take pictures.  Himself was so busy talking to people he didn't get to see all the motorcycles there.  I didn't get to see all the interesting bikes in the parking lot, but I saw everything that was entered.  The Norton above was a recent customer, and though he didn't win a trophy, he got a ribbon at the show, and he went on the ride.  Below is the town where we stopped.  

Spring Snow

Moonlight Shadows

Last night the moon was full and round, and casting shadows from the newly pruned apple trees to the driveway where the BSAs are parked in the photo. The shadows looked very deformed. No one here is a champion arborist. Our new gravel is pale and may have helped the shadows show up. I don't know how to take pictures of moons or moonshadows.

Concert Sunday, and big write up in paper. Beautiful ballerinas will dance at the end to Ballet Egyptian.

Contrast

The little tucked up doggy is ours, or at least lives here because her mommy, my MIL, is in a nursing home and can't get out of bed on her own. It's raining this morning, so little Heidi was put off by the drizzle, and refused to potty. Her poor little legs aren't tall enough to keep her out of the puddles.
The lovely fearless girl reflected in the Allegheny River in the other photo lives with Himself's brother across the country. This photo was taken by our niece.

Lots of Motorcycles

The poor fellow is getting bored from having a broken leg, so to amuse himself, he buys motorcycles. I think we're up to 17. Just Tuesday we drove off to Stayton where he bought a CB900 with a dual speed differential, which you can read about here, http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/honda/honda_cb900c%2082.htm -I don't know how to be fancy about it. He bid on a scooter for me, but so far they're not impressed with the offer. He is hoping to be back at work before the month is out. I don't think there's room for more bikes. Maybe he'll go buy a barn next.

His mother is 90, and thanks to her ear doctor, she can hear again. He put tubes in her ears, but because he also had a motorcycle land on him after putting him in a ditch, she had to wait 6 weeks while he healed. He had so many more things broken than Himself, but is 30 years younger and heals faster. He and his assistant are quite excellent, and knew how I could help and how to communicate that to me. Just me holding her head and petting her made a huge difference, or so she said later. It was harrowing for her because she had to stay quite still and with a guy poking things in your ears, that's a hard thing to do. I was very proud of her.