All My Snow Is Turning To Water...

All my snow is turning to water
All the warnings have all gone
I can't forgive the way they forecast
Because they always get it wrong

Altered from Souvenirs - John Prine

Souvenirs

A few of my John Prine Souvenirs; yep took me years to acquire them.

On the left side, my ticket - if you look real close you can see it - John Prine!

Next a magnet from Crusher (Tom) - it reads: I don't need a radio...I've got a JOHN PRINE song playing in my head all the time!

Also, from Crusher - JOHN PRINE in black and white (no shadows).

The christmas card is from K47 - she makes them, they are a delight to receive. She made one for me with cows, it is very dear to my heart.

The card from K47, hanging from the dove is a John Prine Air Freshener from Florida John.

Hope the dove of love nevers falls off its' perch or out of the partridge tree!

Holy Spooksville!

Happy Spooks Day!

Isn't this a great pumpkin!

Pumpkin Created/Designed by:

edbson

Thanks very much - hope you all have a safe, happy halloween.

Boo!

Snow Warning/Wind Warning/Power Outage Warning

How many warnings can one get - we have a snow warning today - solid 8" out there. The power outage warning is still in place along with the wind warning. I was outside shovelling the white stuff and it just keeps on coming. I still think I am going to drown in it! I had to take a break from it all and plodded on back to the house. Something came very close to my head, it was a duck! It landed right at my feet, I sat down to speak with it. I told Mrs. Duck you better head south, this is no place for you - she quacked at me. She kept quacking, I kept yapping - then Mr. Duck comes forth. They are both at my feet quacking away; I keep telling them you have to fly south, I cannot give you any food - you have to go now - then I started singing to them...ah, baby we gotta go now. They did not budge, they seem to be enjoying my John Prine.

The snow was blowing, the ducks were quacking. I was paying more attention to all the activities than that of where I had my snow shovel, I took a step and boom down I went, my boot caught the blade of the snowshovel - I cursed. Mr. and Mrs. Duck flew away and left me laying in a bed of the white stuff. I gathered myself, my snowshovel and came into the house. I told noisemaker, I have had enough - let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (I sang that part).

On the brighter side, folks attending John Prine Nashville at the Ryman only have 148 more days to go!

POA - Power Outage Alert

We have been alerted that our lil bit of a thing we call home has been placed on a power outage alert. Generally, when this happens - all hell can and does break. Trees snap and can hit you on the head when you are walking. There is no water, no toilet, because everything runs on electricity. There are no eveready batteries to make the toilet work; only the radio. Apparently, the cause of this is because we are to receive a major wind storm they claim will last up to 72 hours. Sh*t if it does, I will be uplifted to some yet higher place. Lord - I can barely compete with the mountain side let alone being uplifted like some cross your heart bra.

I am only trying to make light of a bad situation, it is not fun when this happens. Although, noisemaker and I do have a generator, the situation is tough. We spring into action when the power goes out like some fast forwarding tulips. Noisemaker runs for the generator, I run for the electrical cords. I then telephone the electrical company before the telephone lines are no longer. You can be doing all this in -20 below. I call to the elder folks down the road, telling them we are here - ok are you - what do you need - are your prescriptions filled?

Then, in a blink of an eye - the fine neighbor - Chris will come stumbling down the roadway like he is a trampled tulip - explaining the power is out. duhding, duhding. Rawhide!

Away from preparing for this so called power outage, I continue to Prine. I have slapped the photo of John Prine and I on every message, every forum I belong to. It is much appreciated and also much appreciated to me - I did not dream in my life on the mountain side that anyone would even care ... seems they do.

Thank you!
Best Prine Wishes to you and yours!

T. C. Douglas

I do not know if it is because my Dad past away in October or what but for a few days now I have been thinking of Tommy Douglas. Tommy Douglas was my Dad's hero, he had a strong belief in him.

Tommy Clement Douglas was born in Falkirk, Scotland on October 20th, 1904 and left our world in 1986. His family came to Winnipeg in 1910. Mr. Douglas was a Member of Parliament from 1935-1940. Premier of Saskatchewan 1944-1961 and again a Member of Parliament 1962-1979.

One of his famous quotes:

"Man can now fly in the air like a bird, swim under the ocean like a fish, he can burrow into the ground like a mole. Now if only he could walk the earth like a man this would be paradise".

T.C. Douglas was instrumental in instituting medicare for Canada. He assisted in the formation of the CCF Party (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation), which later would become the New Democratic Party.

The photo you are viewing is courtesy of The Douglas/Caldwell Foundation. See more here:
http://www.dcf.ca/en/tommy_douglas.htm

Each time I go to visit my Mom and Dad's gravesite I like to take some small gift, a token. I was planning a trip up north and decided to contact the Foundation to see if they had a photo of TC Douglas. I explained why I wanted it and they sent me the photo you see. I took the photo and placed it on the small pine tree we planted for our Mom and Dad.

My Dad and Mom were very proud - had a few giggles too. Y

Side Note For Centre For The Performing Arts Vancouver, B.C.

What a beautiful building it was for John Prine, I had not ever seen so many mirrors - damn near made me dizzy. There were no posters of John Prine...there was nothing to say he was dawning the stage at the venue. Odd, I thought. I inquired to no avail.

Canada Is A Glow For John Prine

As the Canadian John Prine tour is coming to a close, the glow of John Prine does and will continue, never too fade.

...leaves were falling just like embers
in colors red and gold they set us on fire
burning just like a moonbeam ... in our eyes
Killing The Blues (Rolly Salley)

I will have a strong Prine glow in British Columbia for years; I blew some over to Alberta. I only gave a lil bit of a spark to Manitoba as SE is located there, her glow is strong - mighty strong.

The Prine glow is country wide and we are Prine proud of it!

Thanks for coming to Canada, John Prine - Jason Wilber - David Jacques.

John Prine - Winnipeg

This is for you, SE.

Tomorrow evening SE and Mr. SE will be attending the John Prine concert in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

To SE and Mr. SE
May your hours with Prine
Be Smucksville
May your hearts never be still
And may your hearts always have
SLUAPO! (So Let Us All Prine On)

John Prine - Vancouver - Incidentals

Before I slip away off to Winnipeg - Prine (that is just for you, Mr. & Mrs. Skunkeye) I wanted to give note to a few incidentals from Vancouver - Prine.

Sara Watkins - see more at
www.sarawatkins.com

She was pretty good. One of the songs Sara sang was Early Morning Rain by Gordon Lightfoot. I clapped hard at that song, she played it well and it was a good choice, Canadian material. Her instrumental playing is good/secure. She fumbles around a bit with the microphone and she does, like John Prine - have nice boots!

John Prine, his voice was on tap. I should sit and have a beer with that fellow, but geez my time does not permit. Jason Wilber, his guitar playing on Angel From Montgomery was outstanding. Jason's ability to catch every flicker, every nod from John Prine - he does well. The elusive, David Jacques - he knows where to travel. He must be beer parlor material, I am thankful I caught up with he and Jason in the early morning rain.

I sensed that John Prine was changing up the set list. I noticed two times; whereby John would walk to Jason, nod at David and then viola it is Illegal Smile. A most appropriate song for my Province of British Columbia. Our bud industry is secure - first and foremost - it outshines the forest/mining industry.

There were nice folks I met along the way into Prine. The couple Mr. & Mrs. FDE who thought I was part of the huge bus program. Nancy and Paul from Penticton, B.C. The fellow in the elevator who informed me it was Jayzee night to which I had not one iota of understanding. Geez, I replied to him Jay Zed - it's Canada we do not say zee - it is zed. It breezed along over his head. I recalled a song by Jesse Winchester - I think, It Ain't Nothin' But A Breeze.

I met a few folks in the elevator; one young lad thought I was Fiona. (okay, yep I am a stunning picture of Fiona) *giggle, giggle*

As with any trip, there are bumps along the road. To my amazement, I am so close to the ground and very flexible, I can pick them unwanted rocks - move them aside - and proceed.

Last but by no means least, in the early morning hours of Friday - I was down streetside with a coffee in hand and smoking my morning cigarette. I noticed this fine looking gentleman, strolling down the street kind of like a Lucky Larue. I checked my streets signs to be certain I am not on Lucky Road, I scan the night clerk (where are my 2 x 4's, my flingers, I need to hit myself in the head...)

I looked at him and he looked at me and that's they way that the world go round.

John Prine Hatch Print - Autograph - with Jason Wilber

Goodness me, it has taken me days to take this photo. This is the best I can do - well actually, I probably could have done better. Eh, I needed to put the best foot forward, mine happens to be left and it comes complete with an LL Bean slipper.

There in black and white you can clearly see

'Thank You John Prine'. The other autograph is from Jason Wilber - it reads - Best Wishes Jason Wilber.

Next time to travel to the city I shall try to purchase a frame so as I can treasure it.

Sharpie Pen - courtesy of SkunkeyeJan

John Prine Hatch Print - courtesy of CrabbyChar

Hours of doing amateur photography - yours truly

Ben

In August of 2005 I attended the John Prine concert in Vancouver. During the intermission, as I strolled outside I spotted this gentleman. Of course, I did not know who he was. Later that evening I spotted him again standing outside the venue waiting for John Prine.

Two months later on the mountain side I was out walking and noticed a van, the folks looking like they may need some aide. I stopped and chatted with them; there was an elderly couple and the fellow here in the picture. They were looking at properties, so I invited them down to the creek. We strolled on down and while we were viewing creekside, the elder gentleman says 'this is paradise'. I replied, yes it is just like the paradise written by one of my favorite singers. The younger gentleman looks at me and says, John Prine. He remembers me from the concert.

At the most recent Prine concert for me (October 2009) I stroll on out to the backalley. I look around and there is Ben. I yell over - Ben. A prine reunion is held, it is a prine moment, it is golden.

John Prine and Yours Truly

Holy Smucksville - this was a very exciting moment for me. I did not leap at him; I was quite collected and calm (hahaha).

The black sign reads -
Visitors Must Sign In

John is signing in. Right on my Hatch Print.

I will take a photo of my autographed John Prine Hatch Print and post at a later time.

I will be treasuring this picture until I go up yonder.

Jason Wilber, Yours Truly, and David Jacques

The start of a wonderful day - October 16th, 2009.

I finally was able to introduce myself to David Jacques, a gentleman he is.

As is Jason Wilber; so polite, considerate of other folks and geez, can he play guitar!

Back Alley Girls

Yep, if you ever want to me John Prine, Jason Wilber, or David Jacques - hang out in the back alley - works everytime.

Crusher - please note - Charlene had the idea to wear some pin that said, I'm with Crusher. That is the blue pin you see I'm wearing. I was loaded down with Prine, betcha I would have topped the scale at big 96!

Imagine if I would have had our Johnny sign my shirt with that fine silver sharpie from SkunkeyeJan, I most certainly would have reached 100!

John Prine - Set List - Vancouver

John Prine

October 16th, 2009

The Centre For The Performing Arts

Vancouver, B. C.



Spanish Pipedream

Picture Show

-The early part of this song, John touches his lip to the mike - ouch! He is wearing a red/white tie - as he should - it is Canada!

Six O'Clock News

Souveniers

Please Don't Bury Me

Storm Windows (one of my favorites)

Fish and Whistle

Glory Of True Love

Long Monday

Angel From Montgomery

-Jason was outstanding, I can still hear that fine guitar playing.



Solo

Donald and Lydia

-Lydia, my scarecrow thanked Johnny for doing her song - she told me this when I arrived home.

That's The Way That The World Goes Round

-They showed a series of blue circles (the world) for the light show.

Illegal Smile

-Nice to hear - everyone cheered - guess who has the best bud in the world - yep BC!

Sam Stone



Bear Creek

Crooked Piece of Time

Sweet Revenge

-Another favorite of mine

Hello In There

-Seemed like a piece of equipment was missing for David Jacques - his bow. It was quickly found. He did a lil bit of a toe tap to let them know - the bow, the bow.

Lake Marie

Paradise

-Favorite John Prine song - it will always be Paradise

Prine Time News

As mentioned previously in some post a week or so ago, I had received a parcel from SkunkeyeJan to which I was to take with me to Vancouver.

Charlene and I opened up our respective parcels to find an assortment of goodies, one of which was the Prine Time News - As Recorded By JP Paradise. Smucksville, it brought a tear to me eye.

In the parcel was also some baking, which I very much enjoyed on the bus trip back to the mountain side. A very nice single red rose made out of hersey kisses, a 2010 Safe Journey souvenir, a tiny prine super chick, and an angel pin. Skunkeye has got an imagination beyond. It was so very thoughtful of her to think of Charlene and I - our Prinein' in Vancouver. I only wish I could be as talented as her and send her a little something for her big Prine day in Winnipeg, Friday, October 23rd. Thank you SkunkeyeJan.

John Prine - Vancouver

I have returned to the mountain side
after some fairly high class Prineing. What a few days it was.

I met Charlene on Wednesday, as scheduled, in the hotel of the Westin Vancouver, I think she was waiting for me to arrive.

Here is a picture of her Prineing on the jpshrine website.

Notice below the brown chair you will see a white towel with black - that is my Prine Hatch Prine laying down so as I could have John Prine autograph it - you know when I meet him.

I think Charlene feels this may not happen, but I have Prine faith - I know it will. I had found a five cent piece and luck is on my side. Oh, I will not keep you folks in limbo - of course, I met him. Yes, he autographed the Prine Hatch Print and we had our photo taken together. I did not leap at him this time; I was calm, cool, and collected (hahaha).

I am trying to keep my photos and posts in order as they happen. This may or may not happen. I anticipated to received more photos tomorrow to which I shall be posting accordingly. I am having some difficulty in doing this because I have so much Prine to tell everyone.

HighPrineLights - well, let me tell ya - early afternoon I was scouting out our back alley because I knew that is where the road crew would be Prine loading. Charlene stayed up in the room as I scouted. Oh viola! There they are. I ran back up to the hotel - got the elevator - it could not go fast enough and we are on the 31st floor. I opened the door and tell Charlene - they're here! We gotta go, hurry - get your coat. We return to the back alley and I see this fine looking handsome fellow with his back turned to me...I said - Charlene - that is Jason. Then, David Jacques appear. Charlene ventured to speak with Andy, Faddy, and Eric. I ventured towards David Jacques - put out my hand and said, hello David - my name is Bev Traxler, it is a pleasure to meet you. With that, Jason turns and says oh, you email me from time to time (which I do). Charlene took our photo and as mentioned, I will be posting as soon as I receive - perhaps sometime tomorrow.

The back alley became a staple to our visit. Everyone prinein' needs that back alley and then you become a BAG - a back alley girl!

I'm Prinein'

It is official. I do not have to take the Greyhound and wander in the dark tomorrow. My neighborette's truck is fixed and we depart the mountain side at 10 a.m.

It is all so very exciting for me. I have packed my bags - I could not pack the baking nor the Old Prine Fans Never Die - They Just Go To Paradise hoodie. I cannot have everything, I must work with what I have. I had to way scale down the cds and still I have to find room for my vanity pack. Good lord, I may stuff it in my hand warmer John Prine hoodie.

In return for my fine neighborette delivering me to Vancouver I will tend to her cabin here. I am like an angel, I look over everything. My wings are not of white. My Mother always told me, you are an angel with black wings.

Luck is with me, today. I am Lucky La-roo-ette!

Skunkeye Jan's Prine Birthday Cake

Prinewonderful! Skunkeye Jan made a John Prine meatloaf cake. A double decker, filled and topped with whipped mashed potatoes. The Happy 63rd Birthday John Prine is written with ketchup. Served up with her Prine wine, geez this woman has got talent.

22 hours to until I leave for Vancouver, or less. My seasonal neighborette came over this morning and asked me if I would like to ride with them to Vancouver. They would take me right to the hotel. They reside in a suburb of Vancouver and were here on the mountain side for Thanksgiving. The truck they drive ran into some muffler problems so they had to stay a day later than anticipated. As I write this, I assume they are having it repaired and all is going well, as I have not heard from them. To ride into Vancouver with friends instead of the greyhound is Prinewonderful!

Everyone is so excited for Charlene and I. I have wishes coming in from everywhere, even my fine neighbor, Chris stopped by this morning to wish me a safe trip. He tells me 'try not to leap at John Prine, if you get to meet him.

My suitcase is overflowing, I have so much to take. All my prine gifts for my prine friends in the USA. Oh my goodness, it is very exciting. I opted out of the baking for the fellows and will go with the Tim Hortons' donuts. My baking will not last until concert day; however, I am taking a bag of chocolate chip cookies for Charlene and I.

My noisemaker is remembering everything. Smucksville, he appears to be happy and a bit excited for me. I am very pleased he is remembering about me going to see John Prine, meeting Charlene - I did not have to repeat anything this morning. That is two mornings in a row he remembered. I was telling him this morning how RS, Charlene, and perhaps Crusher will meet up in Nashville...noisemaker says to me - oh god, I hope you are not going to Nashville!

I have so much to be thankful for.

I gonna get on the old highway
And I gonna ride
Straight to Vancouver
to see Mr Prine Y

I Am Paradise Wavin'

Oh my, I am very excited today. I have been preparing - getting my evereadys ready. I am bringing six of them so as I do not run out. I will need a fresh batch for my digital so Charlene can snap some photos of our Johnny and I. Well, hopefully she will be snappin'. I need batteries for my cd player, I am bringing Prine, Springsteen, and Young. I also need batteries for my little transistor radio.

I have all my little gifts organized in a nice little pile. I have gifts to bring from Skunkeye - I have been eyeing those, and yes, I have touched them - but not as yet today. Laundry is near all done, one more load to do tomorrow. I must bake my unturtle bars tomorrow. Those will be for John, Jason, David, Eric, and Faddy. We will get them something truly Canadian, Tim Hortons' Donuts.

I got my John Prine pendants packed (please see under 'special sites - Charlene Stevenson). My sharpie pens I have tested out and I look two or three times a day at my bus ticket.

I had a fine surprise this morning, noisemaker actually remembered I was going to see John Prine. He remembered all on his own, I was so proud of him. He remembered Charlene from Madison; asked me to write notes to where I will be; when to pick me up, leave telephone numbers - just in case. I was very pleased. Since the surgery, his memory well he cannot buy it back.

Alas, my little noisemaker won't know what hit him while I am away on my Prine adventure. He will not find anything and it will be quiet for him. Not that I make a lot of noise, I don't. I am quite a quiet person ;) but I do tend to sing a tad and I dance. That drives my noisemaker insane especially when I do it in public. He pretends he does not know me and I have never been able to figure that one out - it has always been a head scratcher for me.

4 more days to Prine
2 more days to meet Charlene

Lord, I can hardly contain/maintain myself. This is truly a trip of a lifetime for me.

Sunday

Many folks here on the mountain side, today, are celebrating Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October to give thanks to the harvest, a tradition brought over from Europe. If we celebrated Thanksgiving in November like the folks in the USA our harvest would be frozen and so would we!

I am sitting peaceful today with a well maintained fire - it is cold here. I am not feeling up to par and I must get to par because I only have two more sleeps and one more wake up before I swoop on down the mountain side to the city of Vancouver - you know, to see John Prine.

I caught some sort of flu bug, I am weak. I have been taking vitamins and drinking a honey/lemon drink several times a day. I should be spiking it with whiskey but that would elevate the noisemakers' blood pressure.

We have several seasonal folks in for the long weekend. I went outside last night and looked at all the home lights on. It was most comforting to me. Usually, it is total darkness. I came back in and told the noisemaker - this is nice - I see lights. We have never had this many folk here at one time. Perhaps, their wheels are spinning in the city and they have come to the side of the mountain to relax their wheels ~ or maybe get real cold and go catch a few fish.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada
Happy Columbus Day USA

I Am Near The Raving Point

Good grief, I am near the point of raving - the other day I received a letter from my bank institution stating if I did not visit my account, it would be closed and the funds moved to the Provincial Government.

My blood pressure, at that moment near elevated to the noisemakers. I went to the credit union, I got everything cleared up. Yes, my bank accounts are in the millions, I have several but still struggle to get off the mountain side to see John Prine in Vancouver.

When I returned home, I thought to myself - this is not right. There are elderly folk out there with no damn chance to even get to a bank, a financial institution. There are children out there will pop bottle money, paper route money - saving up to buy whatever.

At that point, I contacted my provincial representative - the letter from the bank states clearly - Provincial Legislation. From there a reply is given and this fellow tells me - it is federal - not provincial. Lord help me. Hello - have we got wires mixed up. I then contacted the federal party, the government of the day and addressed my concerns. They give me a BC contact number for Enqiry BC which is far more than anything I received from the office of elected person. The young lady is pleasant, as I am. She truly understands my concerns and has taken my message. I relayed to her - young miss - it is thanksgiving weekend - go home and spend time with your family/friends and give thanks. Address my issue on Tuesday. Do not do it Wednesday because I have a prior engagement with John Prine! Happy Thanksgiving. I did not give her the opportunity to say 'John Who'.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Prine!

October 10, 2009

Dear John:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I am laughing like hell
Because I am younger than you

When the roses have faded
And we all become outdated
Your music will shine
As you will on your birthday
Mr. Prine

Happy Days
Cheers & Beers
7 more days until I see you in Vancouver

photo credit: rcorvin

My Brother, The PostMan

My brother, the postman retires tomorrow after 35+ years with Canada Post. He is very willing to leave. From the several years of pounding the pavement, he now needs to have hip replacement surgery. I wish him well in his somewhat early golden years. teehee, my parents worked fast, he is born in the same year I am, 1955. He was born in January, I booted out in December.

Some years ago, I purchased the John Prine Guitar Book, we both used it. At 21 I was diagnosed with a hearing loss; geez, I always wondered why the guitar did not sound right/left to me. I gave the guitar book to my brother. Now, I am asking for it back - I wrote him a note stating if he sent it back for me maybe I could have 'the other retired postman' (John Prine) sign it for him and then I would return it. I hope he does send it; but if not I will understand. (2x4 time).

Speaking of Canada Post, I received a delightful parcel in the mail today from skunkeyejan. Included in the SE parcel were five sharpie pens and an assortment of crosswords/newspaper clippings on that hunk Bruce and Winnipeg Neil. She sent this thing, I did not know what it was...it was a pointed stick with a cute little wooden jar on top. I thought it might a poker to poke noisemaker with. I emailed her, thank her for all the gifts and did question 'what is this thing'...good lord she replies and tells me mountain girl - it is a cake tester! *giggle, giggle* How could I have missed that, I do bake.

Also included in SE parcel were three parcels with instructions - Do Not Open Until Vancouver. There is one parcel for CC, one for me, and one with instructions we are to open together. I have them sitting next to me, but it is hard when it comes to me and gifts. I must move them to the pile labelled Vancouver. I think she may have sent fancy pantcee Depends. I have shook them, poked at them, but cannot figure anything out. I must let them rest until October 14th.

And, baking I must tend too, soon. Two batches of unturtle bars for the road crew of John Prine, Faddy and Eric; and of course, John/Jason/David.

My Aunty called today to wish CC and I a safe trip, to enjoy the Prine concert. She is 83 and found John Prine at 80 when I sent her a cd.

Everything is JPW - John Prine Wonderful Y

7 days - Vancouver

Yes, 7 days - all I have to do is survive - and I will. I am getting very excited. I swear I checked the bus ticket three times a day. I think Charlene will be impressed with the City of Vancouver.

It is going to be so much fun being off the side of the mountain, meeting Charlene, and of course seeing our Johnny. Going to presale, geez how many times have I mentioned that! I have the double paradise wave down pat. I find myself sometimes getting way ahead of myself causing me to move before thinking. I did that today and smacked my head twice in the same place. You think I would learn but no, no - that would be far too easy.

9 days until Prine.

Unbelievable!

I still suffer some difficulty to believe that I am actually going off the mountain side to camp out with Charlene and see John Prine! I never believed when I came here I would see John Prine again.

The 'camp out' with Charlene - well folks, it is not a camp out. Camp out is what I do here at home. Actually, noisemaker is out there burning in the aurora of his sweet treats from the big box store shopping yesterday.

Charlene has picked a Prine ritzy hotel, just around the corner from the Centre For The Performing Arts where John Prine will performed on Friday, October 16th.

The presale thing, oh lord, how exciting is that going to be. All the priners/prinettes flocking in - greeting each other. I have never participated in such a Prine event, I sure am looking forward to it.

October 16th, 2009 well, that is to Charlene and I, DPD -Dedicated Prine Day. We will have a great Canadian Breakfast; go to the venue and hopefully deliver some Tim Hortons donuts and my Unturtle Bars for the road crew/John/Jason/David. I hope to meet David Jacques this time. Last time, remember August 5th, 2005 well, David opted to the beer parlor, I missed him. I was not willing to walk up the street, alone - it was 1:00 a.m.

And, good lord - it crossed my weary mind today - what if I am walking down the street like Lucky Larue and because I am closer to the ground then most, I spot those 'boots'.

I will have the digital, I will take a photo of the John Prine footwear of the day. Then, I'll leap at him and we'll hug and handshake X2.

I must try to remain focused on the trip - the bus trip, meeting Charlene - touring Vancouver and the finale - John Prine.

Oh by the way, I am not excited, not one lil bit!

Long Monday

A Long Monday, indeed. We had to go down the mountain side today to visit the big box store, geez I so hate it. The city has a pulp mill, lord help me I can barely breathe. You never would guess I lived in a city which had three pulp mills and I actually was employed for years in one of them. Funny how it is when you have moved away to fresh air. Anyway, we stroll into that lovely big box store and the noisemaker well, let me tell you - he can find any treat, any sweet thing in that store except me! Go figure. We have more pastry things, candies, peanuts, anything resembling junk food. Furthermore, he cannot just buy one can of fancy coffee - oh hell no, he has to get six! Great mother of god!

I was so tired after one hour there, I went and sat down on some stacked up pallets. I had had enough. Then, we have to go to Walmart. I told noisemaker, I am not spending much time here, I want to go to McDonalds, eat and go home. I am not a shopper, I go get what I need at the best price, coupons in hand, and get the hell out of there. I actually did not mind Walmart because I purchase my baking stuff there, cake mixes, icing...holy crap I even got a baster today! I was so happy. I was really happy to climb back up the mountain side.

9 more days until I leave for the city of Vancouver.
11 more days until John Prine, oh Johnny.

Dad

Born - March 14th, 1920
Died - October 5th, 2003

My hero, My Dad.
With Love,Y
Your Daughter

12 Days Of John Prine

I cannot wait 12 days.

On the 12th day of John Prine
My priners and prinettes sent for me

12 Good Well Wishes
11 Crossword Puzzles
10 Herseys Kisses
9 Various CD's
8 Prine Related Photos
7 John Prine Parcels
6 Sprinkling Sugars
5 Sharpie Pens
4 Guitar Stickers
3 Stoned Angels
2 Prine T-Shirts
1 John Prine Concert Ticket

12 Days

The 12 days of John Prine will not work for me, do the math. I am on dial up.

On the 12th day of John Prine - Vancouver
My Priners and Prinettes sent to me
12 good well wishes. . . .

Several Prine Moments Today

A flurry of Prine activity is furnishing my brain today. I only have 11 more days and then I travel off the mountain side to the big city of Vancouver. I have much to do.

SkunkeyeJan is sending me some fine pens. She says the postal clerk told her they will be here in six days. These are very special pens - they write on clothing - can you believe it! I must test out the pens on something black. I have this idea...if there is a gold pen I maybe can get our Johnny to write - 'you got gold' on my Fair and Square t-shirt. Geez, when I came to that idea, well, it was a big Prine moment. SkunkeyeJan she follows me here. She will have her Prine moments soon. However, the woman is so damn busy. Half the time she is running on empty - tending to family/home territory, one quarter is spent Prineing, and one quarter spent at rest. Skunkeye, along with her fine husband, will be seeing John Prine - October 23rd, Winnipeg.

So, I have 11 days until I leave, 13 days to see John Prine. I am stuck in the middle at 12. Then, I thought of the 12 days of John Prine - like the 12 days of Christmas. So tomorrow I will start the 12 days to John Prine!

My John Prine Souvenirs

I was out walking this morning and I was thinking about folks who collect John Prine treasures. Naturally, I got stuck on the song Souvenirs (John Prine). However, the words got altered. . .

All the snow has turned to water
Christmas days have come and gone
....at this point I forgot the words and
I join in with...
I will never let them rob me
Of my John Prine Souvenirs

Oh John, memories of you they can't be boughten
Can't be won at a carnival for free
Johnny, it took me years
To get your souvenirs
And I will never
Let them slip away from me

Then, I have to stop in the middle of the dirt road, hold my stomach because I am laughing so hard (just as I am doing right this minute). I regain control, I walk a few steps and it starts in again. Regain, try to focus...(it is not working). I make it home, I write this out before it escapes my precious little brain. I laugh, I do a double paradise wave and say to myself, Johnny - Lucky 13! 13 more days until Prine - Vancouver. Oh my, shutter/flutter.

I Am The Queen Of Fire, I Bring You Fire

I believe I want my crown and banner returned, remember I won those for being the queen of fire making. Noisemaker has suffered a bit of a spell (hopefully, not anything too serious); so last night he slept on the sofa bed out in the living room where the woodstove is. I did not want to wake him but I knew a fire had to be started this morning. So the queen of fire making set to start a fire with no light - yep, 5:00 a.m. there I am starting fire in total darkness. Oh, I should not say that, I have a clock on the dvd that is giving me some sort of 'where the hell am I' direction.

The fire started - it when blazing. Noisemaker is still sleeping next to the fire, the queen started. I want my banner and crown returned, pronto!