John Prine - Vancouver - May 5th, 2012

This morning I was checking out the website of Ticketmaster Canada with hopes of finding John Prine.  No dice.  The mountain side does not locate on Ticketmaster, so I did a search for John Prine.  Oh low, and be Prine hold - a list comes up, I saw all the dates for Canada and the USA.  I thought to myself, is not this Prine wonderful!  There in Hershey, PA where Sue Umbrella will be (waiting to get her Peabody Train signed) - March 3rd.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 9th will be a flock of Prine fans and then I saw - Friday the 13th of April in Champaign where mega Priners will be in attendance.  Janis and Brett Ferguson and I will be attending the John Prine concert in Vancouver - May 5th - it is a full moon.  Oh joy. 

I will be fine, I can deal well with full moons.  I worry about my Noisemaker - he does not become hmm...level on the level with the moon changes.  He will have to deal with the May 5th full moon all on his own.  I will be Prineing.  Good lord, I do hope he does not end up in the clink or floating around Mars to find his ex wife, Linda.   Yikers, I need him to pick me up at the bus depot after I return from Prineing. 

My lips will be flappin' so much in such a short period of time.  I meet Janis and Brett for the first time, I have Prine Time, and then Noisemaker time.  Oh my word, how will I fit all into my agenda ;)

John Prine - May 5th, Vancouver, B.C.

Yesterday, I waddled up to the mailbox to get my mail - what a surprise I had. 

Yeppers, here I will be, along with Janis and Brett Ferguson.  The advertisement was placed in my mailbox by my postal delivery person, she knows how much I like John Prine.  When I took it out of the mailbox, I stood there and laughed; said Oh Johnny, giggled some more.  So exciting it is for me.  I just become all Prine flutter.  66 more wakes up and there we will be at The Centre in Vancouver For The Performing Arts - toe tappin', head noddin', john prinein'

John Prine~Prinebonafilled!

Today, I woke up feeling like I was going to be seeing John Prine in concert tomorrow.  I was very excited and the feeling has lingered in my head like I was visiting a fine, laced bra factory.  Not that I would visit a bra factory, but you know - all that pretty lace, all nice colors, a rainbow of activity.  Yep, I Prine and visit the bra factory all in one paragraph.  Smucksville.

I was wondering what John Prine might sing in Vancouver (oh did I tell ya - May 5th Vancouver), wondering what songs I would like to hear.  I thought of Humidity Built The Snowman...but I quickly went on to another Prine, giggled and thought to myself, I have enough snow during the year, I do not need be thinking of snow in May. 

I have always taken a shine to the song Paradise to which John Prine closes his concerts with - or at least in the mega concerts (hahaha), I have attended he did.  I also thought - oh maybe John would spring at new song in Vancouver as spring will have certainly sprung in that part of British Columbia. 

I think John Prine has a spring to his step.  I truly feel he is in tune with his fans, the people that enjoy his music.  I recall the 2005 concert when he brought out the big white.  Holy Smucksville, I thought - oh Johnny - this is good! 

I wondered today if John Prine is like Noisemaker - does he forget things?  I laughed.  Noisemaker is slightly older than John Prine - both born in 1946.  I came to the conclusion both forget 'things' - just different things.  Like John Prine can forget some words to a song he wrote.  Noisemaker can forget what he got up from the couch to do. 

As we all age, I hope I am on the side of grace in the age factor.   We all do forget things.  We all want to remember the people and circumstances that touched our minds, warmed our hearts, and made us sing.  To me, this is John Prine.

Let Is Snow - Let It Snow

NOT - CEASE AND DESIST - PLEASE.  I am near drowning in the white flakes.  What a blizzard we have had.  I went down to see the beaver activity and was near taken skyward by the wind, holy smucksville.  Sometimes, I do wish the wind would lift me skyward, perhaps, take me to Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi - only because those are some of the states I have not visited.

Only 69 more wake ups until John Prine in Vancouver.  Good grief.  You would think that I was seeing John Prine, March 5 to all that rambles up in my brain.  My greatest fear is that I will forget something - i.e. like a bus ticket.  Holy Smucksville that would not be a Martha Stewart thing (a good thing).  However, should that situation arise there is another bus I can take but that would knock some hours off of visiting and Prineing in the streets of Vancouver with Janis and Brett Ferguson.

Oh, I just never dreamed I would be able to meet up with the Fergusons'.  I was pleased to meet with Charlene Stevenson to Prine - Vancouver, 2009.  And, now 2012 - May 4th - the skunk.  It's holy smucksville mega.

We Have A New Addition

A new member has come to the mountain side.  Currently building a lodge - a very industrious animal, the beaver is.  I cannot figure out why it is building a lodge now; it is not the time to be building.  My word, it is to be minus twenty degrees tonight.  Beavers do work quickly and can have a lodge built in hours.  I hope this beaver is safe from the coyotes, cougars, and wolves.  It is a pleasure to watch.

I have been thinking about May 5th - you know, my date with John Prine in Vancouver.  Oh my, seems like we always meet there.  For the life of me, I cannot understand why he does not take a fancy to meet me here, on the mountain side. (major giggle).

I have been wondering who is going to open for John Prine.  I have been thinking about getting to meet Janis and Brett Ferguson - how much giggling we will do, and will my lips be able to flap that long?  It is all very exciting for me.  I am so thankful to be able to get off the mountain side for a few days, meet folks, lip flap, and of course, John Prine.

Do You See What I See?

I was out path walking this morning and came across a tree stump, shaped like a teddy bear.  I can see her eyes, nose, and a faint puckered lip.  She is holding her youngin'.  What do you see?

John Prine - Vancouver/ My Man Magnet Hat

Yours truly - with my man magnet hat!

Generally, when we go to the village to grocery shop, this is my ensemble.  The hat is made by Janis Ferguson (skunkeyejan).  I tell you, when I wear this hat - men gravitate towards me.  They nod, say good morning, hold the door open for me, call me Mame.  It is great fun - even the Noisemaker notices me receiving the attention of male helpers.  I love it.

The other day when we were in town to shop, I was having one heck of a time trying to get the Buttercream Icing Tubs from the top shelf.  This young fellow (with a hat much similar to mine) comes up to me and says - here, let me get that for you.  I said, thank you very much, I appreciate that.  Then, I told him I love your hat!  We chatted about hats for about five minutes. 

Today, I was not off to grocery shop, I was going to the ladies auxiliary meeting.  I actually walked and I survived!  Lots of events happening in our community.  Our Fire Hall is having its' 30th Anniversary next month.  We our having a community dinner in celebration.  Events like that are great fun for me, I enjoy them.  To get out for awhile, do the lip flappin', and of course spread Prine when the opportunity arises - it is a fun time.

As the economy is tight everywhere now, the auxiliary asked if anyone had any crafts they make - would they be able to donate any for a door prize.  I was sitting there thinking to myself - honey I'm the big door prize.  I did raise my hand and mention that I make Rodeo Candles, I explained what they were and viola - a door prize for the dinner, I will be donating.

72 more wake ups until John Prine - Vancouver.  Checked over my bus ticket to be certain everything is in order.  It is.  My word, I leave at quarter to four in the morning, holy smucksville - it is going to be a long day ~ but well worth it.  I get to Prine and finally me Najee and Brett.  If luck is on my side perhaps I can photo again with John Prine, Jason Wilber, and David Jacques.

John Prine - Vancouver - May 5th, 2012

I got my bus ticket today - YIPPEE.  I will be off the mountan side, May 4th and Prineing May 5th, can you believe it!  I never in my wildest mountain side dreams thought I would be seeing John Prine...again, in Vancouver with new Prine friends, Mr. & Mrs. Skunkeye (Janis and Brett Ferguson). 

Paradise awaits.  

John Prine - Icing Cheers!

Icing Cheers!

Photo Credit - The Ferguson Family

Celebration - Another Birthday For Janis

What a great picture doing icing cheers, I had never heard of icing cheers before this picture.  Only Prine Cheers!  The look on Noah's face (Janis's grandson), is priceless.  The cake looks delicious.  What a special birthday Janis had - she received Prine tickets to both Winnipeg and Vancouver.  In Winnipeg she will Prine with her fine husband, Brett; and her brother.  In Vancouver, they will be Prineing with me!  74 more days and we will be sitting in The Centre toe tappin', head noddin', John Prinein'. 

I will be scouting out the territory prior to the concert.  hmm...I know it well, I went to the Centre to see John Prine in October 2009 with Charlene Stevenson - another Prine friend.

Tomorrow, I purchase my bus ticket.  Holy Smucksville - what they fail to tell you on line...  I am thankful I telephoned the depot.  Fuel tax?  Not that I can purchase a ticket on line, but if you opt for that, there is a charge.  Every corporation/company out there has a charge for this, charge for that.

However, to this I must proceed.  I am not sure how many more Canadian concerts John Prine will - in a healthy way , be a toe tappin' (wear those find boots John) - able to do.  My word, he was born the same year as my Noisemaker - 1946.  I must say, Mr. Prine sings much better than my Noisemaker.  Maybe Mr. Prine should sing with me in Vancouver.  I could be wildly out on the street of Robson or Homer - viola - see John Prine.  Trust me, I do not run wild - but eh, I will be on Homer or Robson singing.  I will certainly be at the entrance of the concert hall when they are loading in the equipment.  I am hunting down a certain guitar player that rounds out the John Prine concert, and it is not Jason Wilber (he is the ones that plays everything else), it is David Jacques.  I need his autograph to complete my Hatch Prine Print.  I lost him last time. 

Counting the dots......74 more days :)

John Prine - Vancouver - May 5th

My luck must be turning.  Shortly after I posted the previous; I received email confirmation John Prine will be in Vancouver - May 5th.  Good grief, my heart was near still, I had to make a trip to the porch to calm myself.

Najee, over there in Winnipegland emails me (she was in a flutter as was I), telling me she and her husband, Brett can make it to Vancouver. 

I searched for my brother, Wesley - had the other brother call and call to no avail.  So no brother for this concert.  But eh, I got the Naj.  Her name is Janis Ferguson.  Because I errored one day and accidently sent Jason Wilber her email; I changed her name to Naj (backwards of Jan), then it went to Najee and in Vancouver Prine - it will me Najee, Brett, and me!  Holy smucksville, I cannot believe it.

Najee and Brett will be flying into Vancouver on Friday morning, May 4th.  I will be taking the Greyhound off the mountain side also on Friday.  Najee got the Prine tickets already, we spoke early this morning.  Thank god she got the tickets, because I tend to get far too excited and it blurs my mind, Prine.

Tomorrow is Janis's birthday - what a great early birthday present she has received. Happy Birthday Janis.  Cheers, Beers, and Prine!

My Noisemaker; he seems to be somewhat happy for me.  I held off in telling him anything until I was certain with Najee getting the tickets.  Noisemaker tells me I heard you on the telephone and that Prine talk; I did not really know, but knew something was in the wind.  It is not in the wind anymore, it is a given Najee, Brett, and I will the Prineing - Vancouver - May 5th.

It is truly a holy Prine smucksville day!  I love it. 

John Prine - West Coast

In reading on http://johnprine.freeforums.org/index.php it is rumoured that John Prine may concert the west coast sometime in May.  I do hope this is the west coast of Canada.  How exciting this would be.  I could read between the lines and think to myself - oh my, my Paradise is coming to the mountain side!  (major giggle).  Imagine if John Prine and family came to the mountain side.  Trust me, no one but the Noisemaker and I would know who he is. 

West Coast/Mountain Side - no matter.  I sent off a post card to the retired singing postman (my brother - Wesley) just as a heads up.  Last time we spoke, he mentioned if John was to come to Vancouver perhaps he could bus down - I would meet up with him and we could go together.  Just the thought causes me a major paradise wave. 

The first time I saw John Prine I went with my brother - it was in the 70's Vancouver - The Orpheum.  I must check on the date.  That was the time I met Billy Prine.  We sat in the next row.  John Prine was married to Anne back then.  This tall, skinny fellow was slipping into the row, I saw something on his knee.  Ask - what is that - it was a backstage pass.  Oh lordy, I was shy in my younger years.  Now, hell, I would just flick that fellow on the knee - and say - oh please.  ... and let me bring my brother too. 

I anticipate my brother will telephone me in a month or so; see if any developments are new.  I hope to have a firm date with John Prine and my brother - the retired singing mailman, Wesley.

I would take Wesley to the meet Jason and David - (good grief, I get myself in such a flutter).  I would picture take.  I would get David Jacques to sign my Hatch print.  Wesley and I could eat at McDonalds, I never get to eat at McDonalds, we do not have one near.  After the concert, Wesley could meet John, finally.  It would be so exciting. 

In the area of long range Prineville - maybe skunkeye and her Mr. could come to Vancouver.  Maybe some folks south could come to the mountain side (hahaha), Vancouver - it has an airport - we do not.  teehee

Oh my, I do find it all so exciting just to write about it.  But, I must remain on the side of calm.  Perhaps, I can go to the porch, sit a spell - watch the snow turn to water.

John Prine Hits the 400

Oh Boy, Oh Boy - John Prine Hits the 400!

I see on my stats today, my posts of John Prine turned, I believe with this post.  It is appropriate, I again post my autograph of - you know when I met John Prine.  He wrote Thank You - John Prine.  I am thanking him - I do not believe I would have this many followers nor traffic if it were not posts of John Prine.  Jason Wilber also autographed.  I could not find David Jacques, that will be high on the agenda for the next West Coast trip, I am going to corner that bass player, I need to complete my Hatch Print. 

Those followers come from all over the world, I am amazed.  I think my lil bit of a blog blossomed into global/international activity of the Prine kind.  oh teehee, John Prine Land - I got the JPL!

I thank you all.  It is a pleasure for me, I enjoy it - it gives me peace.  Moments away from Noisemaker, the porch, and the moose.

All The Best.

John Prine - Hershey, PA

Photo Credit - Sue Umbrella (in the plaid shirt)

Isn't this just the cutest picture.  Sue Umbrella will be seeing John Prine in Hershey, PA on Saturday, March 3rd.  The comment she made on this photo was 'I hope he plays this song' - this song being Blue Umbrella.  Sue Umbrella got her name from Blue Umbrella, I do hope John plays this song for her.  It will be one fine concert for Sue Umbrella, one fine John Prine concert, indeed.

Happy Hearts Day!

Woofing you all a very Happy Valentines Day!

Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup

Good heavenly days, I went to make lunch today - thought of Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup - looked at the box and found that I had purchased 25% low sodium - holy smucksville - I am always alarmed when I see any product proclaiming low sodium. 

I made the soup - it is total crap, I will never purchase again.  I had to add salt/pepper/spices to the soup just to eat it.  I ended up draining the liquid from the soup.  I will freeze the noodles for the birds. 

Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup (the original) has always been a staple in our home like flour and sugar. 

No more low sodium products for me, I like the original, I want the original products.  I do not need to have the Heart & Stroke stamp on any product. I think the food corporations actually pay a fee to receive that stamp of approval.

I do not want, nor need any stamp.  I want flavour.

A Day Of The Past. . .

Yesterday, I was recalling my days spent working at the pulp mill.  The mill was a pulp and paper mill located in northern British Columbia.  I had worked there for near 15 years - yeppers they stole my youth and beauty!

One of the gals I worked with - Gail, she was a gem.  Her and I lived near each other so we traded driving to the mill, one week her and her big El Camino, next week me and my small pick up truck.  When Gail drove she always had a six pack of beer located behind the seat.  We'd get off work, walk to the Big El, hop in, pop-she would pop a can of beer and off we would go, driving home. 

The pulp mill instituted a bus service, we opted for that.  One day when I went to pick up Gail to walk to the bus stop, she was not well.  I figured perhaps she had too much to drink the night before - ah, Gail liked the beer.  The bus arrived and Gail could not make it up the steps of the bus.  I told her let me go first and hang onto my shoulders.  We made it; when we got to the mill she stayed close to me to walk in.  I settled in her desk went and got her a coffee.  Went to tell another friend to come and babysit her as I could not be away from my desk for too long.  For about two hours my friend and I traded the babysitting duties.  Gail said she needed to use the washroom facilities, I thought to myself on my, we have to go down two flights of stairs, I take her - she stays very close to me - she cannot see anything she says.  We get to the washroom, she looks in the mirror and says to me - Bev, I have my left contact in my right eye and my right contact in my left eye.  We laughed so hard we both had to pee.

I have not any news of John Prine.  I do have news of the animal life on the mountain side.  No moose today, the porch was very peaceful.  I did stroll to do my path walking and came across an otter.  Oh, so cute they are.  He was fishing.

I must mentioned, too how thankful I am for the telephone.  Telephone not only gives me a chance to lip flap it also does the internet here.  I hate dial up but that is all I can afford/receive here.  Yesterday, I took the opportunity to call up some Prine friends of mine.  It was just so nice; to hear theirs voices, their giggling laughter and have great conversation.  A treasure they are.  I love my Prine friends.

Oh my, here I said I had nothing to write about John Prine - funny how that goes, I can always managed to write about John Prine. 

The Moon, The Moose, and A Peaceful Moment

Holy smucksville, it has been a stressful couple of days here on the mountain side.  I trust with the full moon over, things will get back to normal. 

Noisemaker near went to Mars on the full moon night.  Noisemaker may have been humming up the song...and oh my stars, my Linda goes to Mars - John Prine.

The animals on the mountain side went crazy too.  My word, the two moose came back - oh my lord - they nearly sent me skyward.  I was doing my path walk around 8:30 a.m. (really not paying much attention to my surroundings - bad, bad thing to do), smoking my cigarette, kicking snow, and humming a tune.  I turned to look up the roadway and low and behold there is this huge moose standing about 15' away from me.  I took off running back to the house.  Opened the door - yelled that big moose is back.  Noisemaker, came out to see and when we go out there - there are two of them.  Holy Smucksville.

I did not go far from the house that day.  In the evening I went outside to have my nightly cigarette.  I thought to myself - I will be safe from the moose if I just stay on the porch.  It is peaceful then, suddenly I hear all this noise - the moose is back only this time it is much closer to me.  Good grief, my heart is near skipping a beat just typing this.  I put my cigarette out as quickly as possible.  Went in and told Noisemaker - that big brute is back.  He went on his own to look at it.  When he came back in he said it is 700 - 800 lbs.  We went to watch him through the window.  The moose crossed over to near where the computer room is - I said to Noisemaker - oh my, he will not bash the house will he?  Noisemaker laughed; the moose moved on, and I returned to the porch to finally have a peaceful moment.

Luke Bryan

I kept hearing a song on the radio - catchy tune it is.  I managed to catch some of the words last night...did the search this morning.  Song is called I Don't Want This Night To End written by Luke Bryan (pictured), Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip.

What sticks in my mind when I hear this song is how I can relate. 

...you got you're hands up

you're riding in my truck

you got the radio on

you're singing every song...

See more at www.lukebryan.com

I have done this several times and not just in my younger years.  Primarily I now sing and porch dance.  Great fun!

Moose Resting Stage

In a previous post I wrote about the visiting moose.  Here is where she rested, the indentation you see below the saskatoon berry bushes.  The cow moose loves saskatoon berry twigs, she trims them up really nice for us.  Mable the moose had to have been 7' plus because the tips of the saskatoon bush to which she ate, are 7' plus. The tracks in the snow from Mable go down about 1 1/2 feet. 

Beautiful Sunshine

My neighbors' yard - looking off towards the creek.  Those tracks you see are from the squirrel.  Off to the creek are ski do tracks - 23 ski do (The Missing Years - John Prine)

I trek through my neighbors' yard five or six times a day.  I pounded him a path so when he arrives here, he will not have to shovel so much snow.  He appreciates it very much.

I Can See Grass!

Spring is here - I can see grass!  Yippee.  I know I am speaking/writing way too soon.  The temperatures can and do get to -35 C in February and March.  I am loving the moment - currently the temperature is +10C.  Feels like a heat wave.  Bring on the tulips!

Hospital Waiting Room

Today, I had to sit with Noisemaker while he awaited for tests.  It is so far, nothing serious - preventative, I hope.  We enter the waiting room, Noisemaker got his number and then we plunk, sit, and wait.

I sat beside a gentleman, who could be fighting in the UFC, he was a big man - he toppled me X10.  No problem,  His number is called.  We are waiting, I am loosing my patience.  Noisemaker is reading a magazine on fishing.  A woman walks in - searching.  I asked her are you looking for someone, she replies - the big guy.  I got it - tell her, he is in for testing now.  She takes to sit a spell, I know she is on the side of worry.  Noisemaker says to me - oh look - Bev and blah, blah, blah about some fishing thing.  I reply, Gary - I cannot read it.  I do not have my glasses.  The woman waiting for heavyweight starts to laugh.  I look at her - she goes on to tell me ....

I do not mean to laugh but last night my husband suffered an ear ache. I went to the medicine chest and thought I was retrieving the correct pill...I entered the bedroom, he turned on the light - looked at the medicine.  It was a suppository.  I did not have my glasses. 

We both laughed so hard - everyone was looking at us, we did not care.  It was a happy, happy, - release the stress moment - and that we had - and I never told her about John Prine!

This Blog

Holy Smucksville, I was checking out the category of stats today.  My word, I think my lil bit of a blog is international.  I have folks checking in from all over the world - oh but then again stats are not always correct.  I will simply hope for the best.  Canada ranks first - the the great USA -second - there is the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Australia, several countries.

I am very pleased and quite taken that folks read this blog.  I do not know if they come here for Paradise - or come to read about John Prine.  ah, it does not matter - it rings true to me. 

I want to thank each and every one of you - for visiting here.  teehee, I thank myself for being honest enough to make this blog - for you to see my life.  Yeppers and holy smucksville, this is my life.

Thank You.

Snow Heart

My Snow Heart

Yesterday when I was out sweeping the snow off the steps, I came across a snow heart.  I gently lifted it to the garbage lid and here is the photo.  I have never seen a snow heart before.  I have heard of Aimless Love, John Prine

Love has no mind

It can't spell unkind

It's never seen a heart shaped like a Valentine

For if love knew him

It'd walk up to him

And introduce him to an aimless love

Early morning, yesterday - we had a wood avalanche (translation - one side of the wall of wood in the woodshed went for a tumble).  Try to picture this - it is 4:30 a.m. - Noisemaker is outside getting wood from the wood rack to make the morning fire.  Suddenly boooom!  Holy smucksville, I thought we were having an earthquake.  When we realized what had happened, Noisemaker went in to make the fire, I sat on the porch and giggled.  All the time and effort spent in loading in all the wood to the wood shed and now this.  I giggle it up as I type this.  oh my. . .

Now let me see, what will happen today . . .