John Prine - Vancouver

All a Prine glow, we have.  I was so happy, my heart was warmed.  Everything was just so very special.  Naj is a human that is down to earth. She has the ability to light up a room and that she does.  It was such a special time to meet her and her husband Brett.  What a fine couple they are.  It is love and five stars. 

John Prine - Vancouver - 2012-05-05

A rare picture, I got the footwear!

Jason Wilber, Dustin Bentall, John Who, Kendel Carson, David Jacques.

Kendel Carson/Dustin Bentall were great, very talented people.

A very special couple sat in front of us.  Elderly folks ~ 75+.  You could sense, it was a very special day/evening especially for the Mrs.  She had her hair beauty parlored, they held hands, and did much head noddin'.  When John Prine played Sweet Revenge, oh my, the Mrs. was in her Prine.  I could have just hugged her - reminded me of my Mom.   

The songs Prine played were all special.  Some that fluttered me - One Red Rose.  Good grief, I had to get a tissue, I cried.  Sleepy Eyed Boy.  Oh my.  Sweet Revenge.  Lydia told me when I returned home, I hope you thanked John for singing my song - Donald and Lydia.

I did do the Paradise Wave, but not to the song Paradise.  I was so delighted and excitement filled me when John walked on stage, I waved Paradise right then.  I said Hello Johnny!    

Souveniers, John sang it for his brother - he said it was his favorite song.

I am not certain how many more years John will, in good health, be able to tour.  My word he is as old as my Noisemaker.  The spring he still has in his step and his backside - yeppers, I could have smacked it and said, cute buns - Johnny.   

For now, as the minutes with this day pass - I do sit and think - what a special weekend I have had.  hmm. I think I may lost for words, oh but wait....

It was golden 

John Prine - Vancouver - Sit Tight/Take Hold

My first photo - of the concert.  John Prine - Vancouver - 2012/05/05

Smucksville, when I looked at this I just sat here and laughed as I am doing right now.  See there are all these Priners flowing in.  I was having a difficult time (without my glasses) to hit the correct button.  I said to myself, just press, Bev - press and move on...something has to work.

I sit here and giggle and laugh, again. 

It looks like some poster some folks would have had hanging on the walls on their bedrooms in the 60's.

Again, it is just Priners floating in...right and giggle, giggle.

John Prine - Vancouver - Nicholas Faddy

I was walking down some street of Vancouver and came across two fellows trying to drive a Nomad into a back alley.  I stop and waved them on, the driver tried again to drive into the backalley, to no avail.  The seated passenger got out of the Nomad and hand signal how to drive it in.  It was Nicholas Faddy. 

I watched them, I hesitated to go and introduce myself because I know they have work to do.  I walked around, went to the Vancouver Library and returned to the backalley.  I tried, to get the attention of the man that you see in the photo - to no avail.  My head is all he can see, that is if he would look in my direction.  The loading deck is 5/6 feet off ground level.  Nicholas appears, I say Hello, Hello - he replies, can I help you with something and walks over.  There is a pause, he is looking puzzled.  I introduced myself - hello I am Beverlee Traxler.  He replies, you are my facebook friend. 

Oops, I have derailed - I knew this would happen.  This should have been prior to David Jacques post - but whatever.  You will all follow along, I'm sure.

I snapped this photo of the guitars at large.  teehee. 

David Jacques

Back in 2009, I received from Charlene Stevenson, a John Prine Hatch print.  I was able in October 2009 to have John Prine/Jason Wilber sign it; but I could not locate David Jacques to complete.

I am extremely happy to report, the Hatch Print is complete.  I was standing on a street corner and who do I see walking - David Jacques.  I called out, David - David - caught his attention.  I extended my hand and said - hello - my name is Beverlee Traxler and proceeded to tell him about my Hatch print.  We walked on over to the cement wall and he signed my Hatch print.  We chatted.  He has much love for his family, warmed my heart.  Such a gentleman he was.  Holy smucksville, I near forgot about the cookies I had baked prior to leaving the mountain side.  I reached to my bag and said, oh yes David I baked up some cookies for you folks, chocolate chunk cookies.  My word, his eyes sparkled, his heart was warmed.  I told him, that he would have to share with the fellows.  I hope they were good, I did not have any, I made three dozen and bagged them up for my Prine road trip.  Oh, right, I had a picture posted prior.

I, then, said to David that I had best let him get on with his day, I thanked him, and again extended my hand.  I depart and get about two blocks towards the Blue Umbrella and think to myself - you forgot to take a picture.  I could not believe I had done this and start talking to myself, cursing at myself.  I was taken in the moment, a special moment indeed - with David Jacques.

John Prine - Vancouver - The Morning

The day of Prine has arrived.  Photo taken off the balcony of the Blue Umbrella.

Such a special weekend, I will try/attempt to keep all posts in order.  I possibly could get derailed. 

I left the mountain side about 2:30 a.m. or so Friday.  Arrived in Vancouver at the Blue Umbrella around 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.  Who do I see around the corner glass, Greetings my friend - it is Naj (Janis).  My word, I could have cried. 

We went to Brett and Naj's room and just relaxed for about two hours.  Then we went for Happy Hour and Happy Laughing Faces - (Janis will send a photo - I, duh, forgot my camera). I will post upon receipt.

I had special little gifts, stuffola for Naj - the best was the 'birds of a feather' package.  We were gathering together.  They were mini turkeys - I make them out of pine cones and bird feathers.  So funny, she has a great laugh - a great sense of humor.  It was like christmas in May - Naj and Brett also had gifts for yours truly.  One being an apron she made for me, it is frilly with dots and stripes.  I tell you, when I returned to my room, I put the apron on and danced.  Those frills, the twirling, my giggling.  oh my . . .

All Prine

I am all packed up, I am ready to go off the mountain side, and meet Naj (Naj at the Naj Mahal).  All I have left to do is shower, braid my hair, and have the Noisemaker take me to catch the greyhound.  Oh yes, pack my lunch and pack the cookies for hmm...what are those fellows names again - teehee. 

I cannot help but think how sad this time is for John Prine/family.  Perhaps, the passing of Doug is a blessing, I would like to think of it that way.  I felt that way when my Mom and Dad left, especially Mom.  She is so very happy for me to be able to see John Prine again.  She Prined, but was never able to see him in concert. 

Yes, I have approximately 24 hours until I do some heavy lip flappin' with Naj and Brett.  And, then of course, Saturday we Prine.  I packed my favorite Prine t-shirts and will wear my Prine sweat shirt; it is old - but comfy and warm (it is still cool here).  I got my sharpie, I got my hatch print and I hope to get to the green door on Saturday.  You all wish me luck.

I will not be posting again until I return and then folks - be prepared - it'll be a book.  I'll be thinking of you all and wishing you could be there with Naj, Brett, and I.  You will be - I know, in spirit. 

Doug Prine ~ John's Brother

My deepest sympathy to the family of Doug Prine. 

~the diamonds will be shining - no longer in the rough~ John Prine

Aaron Pritchett

While I was listening to the radio last night, I came across this song...My Way - Aaron Pritchett.  He sings...strong as an oak, solid as a pine.  I enjoy the song very much, it is a great dance shuffle song. 

While I was searching around this morning for Aaron (see more at www.aaron-pritchett.com), I read the young lad grew up in northern British Columbia; not far from where I grew up.  He moves south to a burb of Vancouver, again not far from where I resided when I lived in the lower mainland. 

Now getting back to the song My Way (and do not take this wrong Mr. Pritchett)...but I got singing....strong as an oak, solid as Prine.

Holy snickerdoodle.  No wonder I have some difficulty in sleeping these days.  I have concerts in my head and I do toe tappin' up the drive.  In three days time I'll be toe tappin', head noddin', John Prinein'. . .

John Prine - oh my . . .

My brain is in overload this morning.  I have songs up there all muddling together.  It amazes how I can start singing one song then fly right on into another.  It makes life difficult to see. . .

Good smucksville, I only two more wake ups until I get off of this mountain.  Three more wake ups to see John Prine.  My mind is not conceiving this idea; it is not computing.  We must have a little talk today; see maybe if I can focus - stay focused.

My Noisemaker forgot I was going to see John Prine.  I was telling him about what was in the freezer that he could eat while I was away.  He replied, where are you going?  I said, John Prine/Janis/Brett...he quickly remembered it was this coming weekend.  I rather feel sorry for Noisemaker when his mind slips; but geez today my mind is doing a concert.  ah, we all have our moments.

I have dancing in that mind of mine.  It is pouring rain this morning, I put on my gum boots to go outside and fine myself dough-see-doughing and singing up the drive.  My good lord, it was quarter to five in the morning.  Smucksville, I thought of the bears and quickly got back down closer to the door of our abode.

In the night hours, I can receive fairly good radio stations.  I rarely hear any John Prine, but I keep hoping I will.  I hear some country songs; well - geez, I just lay there and snicker doodle to myself.  There are really good dancing country songs, I like to dance.  Maybe I was dreaming of music and dancing last night - yes, that must be why my brain is where it is this morning.

I do so giggle or perhaps (my new word) snicker doodle at my post of Vancouver - Here I Come (taken from the words of Milwaukee - Here I Come/John Prine).  I laugh because I actually do sing those words and then I start singing John's words and as with John - it is not going to be a number one single in Billboard.

For all my Prine friends/acquaintances - I am so thankful for you folks.  I am really thankful my brain got struck with the idea of this blog thingy.  I am so glad to be able to share with you my Prine, my music, and my mountain side life. 

John Prine - Vancouver - 4 Days To Go

4 more days to Prine (4 italian sausages and they are sizzling)!

Sizzling, like me.  I cannot wait to board that Greyhound, I think once I am on the bus - then  eh - Vancouver Here I Come.

I had some emails yesterday, folks wishing me a fine Prine time, so special.  It is going to be such a special time.  Geez, how many times do you think I am going to write that. . .

It is near porch time for me, I have to be very careful out there.  The bears have come out of hibernation - that only causes me to sing louder Prine ;)