New News About Table Hill in Lyonville!

Table Hill played earlier today at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia.  There was a full-house!  All ages included.  I always appreciate the chance to play music, and sometimes sing, with a mountain dulcimer.  I like it when people like the music of Table Hill, of course.  Although, at times, I am surprised by kind comments when the music critic in my head is giving me grief.  That happened today, as I had some internal conflict about what I wanted to play and what I was actually playing.  Nevertheless, people seemed to and said that they did enjoy the music.

I only recorded two tunes today.  My recording reflexes were not working well.  So I gave up and tried to enjoy the music of the moment without capturing it for my blog.  As I am writing this entry, I am uploading the two tunes to share.  The first is Midnight Special, and I did not get to the record button fast enough....so the recording sounds like it has a rushed start.  I guess this recording indicates the actual timing of when I realized what we were about to play and when  I decided that I might want to put the recorder on.  To tell the truth, sometimes I have a hard time keeping up with the moment-to-moment happenings during a gig.  This is my confession.  I am capable of reading music, but Table Hill is not about all that, and I think that's OK.  It's that internal music critic I mentioned earlier who has trouble with no notation.......or set list......or rehearsals.

Click here to hear Bob Dylan's song, "Tomorrow is a Long Time," performed by Table Hill in Lyonville.

In that recording, I hear myself hesitating as I listen to how I tried to decide on what to play, when not to play, when to play a full strum, when to flat-pick, when to play a bit of melody, when to just keep the beat.....not trying to play on top of anyone else's place in the performance.......or maybe try to play in unison with Adrian and/or Phil.  It was all decided on the spot, while we played.....and most-likely decided differently than the last time we played that tune together.  In today's performance I had moments when I was swept away with the playing and moments when I cringed and kept chording.....hoping that my cringe was not captured on a camera.

Click here to hear the traditional song, "Midnight Special," performed by Table Hill in Lyonville.

Same as above goes for this song.....I enjoyed the bits I got right and cringed and kept chording the parts I could figure out.

However the music is made, I consider that I am very blessed to have friends who let me keep coming back to make more of it.  And after all the music-making.....Adrian, Phil, and I were served delicious steaks with mushroom sauce. MMMMMmmmmmMMMMMmmmmmm!  So saucy and good.  With music, friends, and food.....Yes! I am blessed.

Here's a pic of what we looked like on the chalkboard today!

And here's a picture of the poster that was outside announcing the New Year's Eve party that includes the music of Table Hill.  This, of course, gave me a thrill.

For more about Table Hill, visit our website at www.TableHill.com.

For more about the Radio Springs Hotel, visit their website at www.RadioSpringsHotel.com.au.

To listen to more of my personal recordings of Table Hill in Lyonville, visit my other blog:  Carla Maxwell's Music Blog

New News About Table Hill in Lyonville!

Table Hill played earlier today at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia.  There was a full-house!  All ages included.  I always appreciate the chance to play music, and sometimes sing, with a mountain dulcimer.  I like it when people like the music of Table Hill, of course.  Although, at times, I am surprised by kind comments when the music critic in my head is giving me grief.  That happened today, as I had some internal conflict about what I wanted to play and what I was actually playing.  Nevertheless, people seemed to and said that they did enjoy the music.

I only recorded two tunes today.  My recording reflexes were not working well.  So I gave up and tried to enjoy the music of the moment without capturing it for my blog.  As I am writing this entry, I am uploading the two tunes to share.  The first is Midnight Special, and I did not get to the record button fast enough....so the recording sounds like it has a rushed start.  I guess this recording indicates the actual timing of when I realized what we were about to play and when  I decided that I might want to put the recorder on.  To tell the truth, sometimes I have a hard time keeping up with the moment-to-moment happenings during a gig.  This is my confession.  I am capable of reading music, but Table Hill is not about all that, and I think that's OK.  It's that internal music critic I mentioned earlier who has trouble with no notation.......or set list......or rehearsals.

Click here to hear Bob Dylan's song, "Tomorrow is a Long Time," performed by Table Hill in Lyonville.

In that recording, I hear myself hesitating as I listen to how I tried to decide on what to play, when not to play, when to play a full strum, when to flat-pick, when to play a bit of melody, when to just keep the beat.....not trying to play on top of anyone else's place in the performance.......or maybe try to play in unison with Adrian and/or Phil.  It was all decided on the spot, while we played.....and most-likely decided differently than the last time we played that tune together.  In today's performance I had moments when I was swept away with the playing and moments when I cringed and kept chording.....hoping that my cringe was not captured on a camera.

Click here to hear the traditional song, "Midnight Special," performed by Table Hill in Lyonville.

Same as above goes for this song.....I enjoyed the bits I got right and cringed and kept chording the parts I could figure out.

However the music is made, I consider that I am very blessed to have friends who let me keep coming back to make more of it.  And after all the music-making.....Adrian, Phil, and I were served delicious steaks with mushroom sauce. MMMMMmmmmmMMMMMmmmmmm!  So saucy and good.  With music, friends, and food.....Yes! I am blessed.

Here's a pic of what we looked like on the chalkboard today!

And here's a picture of the poster that was outside announcing the New Year's Eve party that includes the music of Table Hill.  This, of course, gave me a thrill.

For more about Table Hill, visit our website at www.TableHill.com.

For more about the Radio Springs Hotel, visit their website at www.RadioSpringsHotel.com.au.

To listen to more of my personal recordings of Table Hill in Lyonville, visit my other blog:  Carla Maxwell's Music Blog

Snapshots of My Day in Daylesford

There's no real reason to write about today or share pictures.....other than, "Because I can."

As usual.....I have taken LOTS of pictures today, randomly and unnecessarily, but also, as usual, I am happy for the chance to look at these pictures, remember the simple blessings I have received, and be thankful.

I watched Adrian work in the pond today.

I sat with my big little 1-year-old puppy today.  She was feeling sick yesterday, so I was happy to see her back to normal today.  

A couple of cockatoos followed me to the front garden of Tasma House today.  I marveled at their beauty enhanced by the wonder of the paulownia tree.  Here are three of the pictures I snapped. As always, I was thankful that the cockatoos did not seem threatened by me or my camera. 

I even took a picture of a spider sitting on the water in the pond today, but I am not sharing it here.....because I don't really want to see it again.  At the time I took the picture, I was simply amazed at the spider's ability to walk on water.  I hope it stays near the pond.

I took this picture of one of the bungalows today, because the sky behind it was so beautiful.  I wanted to remember it, and I enjoyed tweeting it on behalf of Tasma House.

Today I also enjoyed reviewing my pictures from yesterday and chose to share this duck picture along with the snapshot of the grapevine that is beginning to show life on the chook house in Tasma Gardens.  I appreciate these random bits of beauty and actually wonder about their randomness.

I enjoyed a roast lamb dinner, prepared by Adrian, and I focused on eating it, rather than taking pictures of it.....Therefore, I do not have a picture of that delicious meal, though it is still on my mind and feeling good in my tummy, as it was quite yummy.....and I am thankful to have had it.

The last part of my day has been spent deciding to blog about all these things and considering how blessed I am.  Sometimes, for me, blogging is like praying.  It is my time to reflect (which I have done) and to be thankful (which I am).

Snapshots of My Day in Daylesford

There's no real reason to write about today or share pictures.....other than, "Because I can."

As usual.....I have taken LOTS of pictures today, randomly and unnecessarily, but also, as usual, I am happy for the chance to look at these pictures, remember the simple blessings I have received, and be thankful.

I watched Adrian work in the pond today.

I sat with my big little 1-year-old puppy today.  She was feeling sick yesterday, so I was happy to see her back to normal today.  

A couple of cockatoos followed me to the front garden of Tasma House today.  I marveled at their beauty enhanced by the wonder of the paulownia tree.  Here are three of the pictures I snapped. As always, I was thankful that the cockatoos did not seem threatened by me or my camera. 

I even took a picture of a spider sitting on the water in the pond today, but I am not sharing it here.....because I don't really want to see it again.  At the time I took the picture, I was simply amazed at the spider's ability to walk on water.  I hope it stays near the pond.

I took this picture of one of the bungalows today, because the sky behind it was so beautiful.  I wanted to remember it, and I enjoyed tweeting it on behalf of Tasma House.

Today I also enjoyed reviewing my pictures from yesterday and chose to share this duck picture along with the snapshot of the grapevine that is beginning to show life on the chook house in Tasma Gardens.  I appreciate these random bits of beauty and actually wonder about their randomness.

I enjoyed a roast lamb dinner, prepared by Adrian, and I focused on eating it, rather than taking pictures of it.....Therefore, I do not have a picture of that delicious meal, though it is still on my mind and feeling good in my tummy, as it was quite yummy.....and I am thankful to have had it.

The last part of my day has been spent deciding to blog about all these things and considering how blessed I am.  Sometimes, for me, blogging is like praying.  It is my time to reflect (which I have done) and to be thankful (which I am).

Table Hill in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia, October 23, 2011

Last Sunday I enjoyed an afternoon of music with friends, great food, and fabulous beverages, at the Radio Springs Hotel in a little town called Lyonville in Victoria, Australia.  I took a few snapshots of my day, btw.....and here's one that I am particularly happy with:

That's the chalkboard on the hotel's verandah.  It might seem like a little thing to see "Table Hill" written up like that, but I didn't take this sight for granted.  I truly appreciate the gift/blessing of being allowed to make music in public.....in a pub, in fact!  I was happy to take note (pictures) of the proof, for sure.

During the music-making of Table Hill, the pub's publican played along.  The next picture is of Ken Parfrey, rockin' with us.  I was playing a mountain dulcimer and enjoying this moment (and the music) SO MUCH that I had to pull my camera out of my pocket and snap this picture quick enough to get back on the beat.  This was a moment in my history, and I wanted to be able to remember it.  

Here's Table Hill with Ken in Lyonville, playing Vigilante Man......complete with screen-door slams and the accompaniment of a little girl guest player with a tubular shaker, along with Ken taking a break to collect his take, and Phil switching from bowed-saw to harmonica, and with whatever else I captured in my recording.....Click here to listen to all that.

For more of Ken's electric guitar, more of Adrian's singing, stomping, guitar playing, more of Phil's hollerin' and harmonica squealin', all going on while I try to keep up with my mountain dulcimer, click here to hear a crazy version of Good Morning Blues.  And, just for fun, click here to hear a few more tunes from Table Hill's gig last Sunday.

Funny things happen during my gigs (I still get tickled when I use the phrase "my gigs"), and I love moments when I realize I am simultaneously a participant and an observer as these things occur.  While Table Hill was playing, a book fell off the shelf above the band and landed at the feet of Phil McNamara, the saw-playing poet, who had been making spooky-halloweeny sounds with his saw.  I am not making any proclamations about witches, or why this particular book fell into our set,.....I'm just sayin'.....while we were playin'.......this happened, and we enjoyed a moment with our imagination and a bit of contemplation and then continued with concentration.  This is a picture of the book.  

I haven't shared many pictures of the Radio Springs Hotel lately, but I'm happy to have a few new pics to show.  The verandah has had some work and now has heating and other weather protection. I snapped this picture of the poet, Dr. Phil McNamara, as we passed each other on our break.

I also snapped this picture of Big Ginge, a beloved Lyonville celebrity.  He is so beautiful.

I probably should not say that the best thing about having a gig is the food I get after a performance.....but.....I will say that I TOTALLY enjoy being cared for and looked after, after playing music at the Radio Springs Hotel.  The luxury of getting to order from the menu and having food prepared the way I like it and brought to me with appreciation for an afternoon of playing music is REALLY something special.  Food is such a beautiful thank you gift!  Here's Adrian looking relaxed and appreciative after our lovely meal.

Jackie Airey and Ken Parfrey, the owners of the Radio Springs Hotel, are wonderful hosts and generous people.  I admire the way they treat their guests, their staff, and the rest of us who have gigs in their pub.  

I especially like the special attention that Radio Springs' Kareena Hodgson gives Table Hill.  Here she is with Dr. Phil.....or "Whitney," as she likes to call him.  

It's always nice to see Chef, Dominic Tucci, when he can step away from the kitchen.  He greets us with kindness and presents really good food!!

For all of these things I am thankful.

Table Hill in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia, October 23, 2011

Last Sunday I enjoyed an afternoon of music with friends, great food, and fabulous beverages, at the Radio Springs Hotel in a little town called Lyonville in Victoria, Australia.  I took a few snapshots of my day, btw.....and here's one that I am particularly happy with:

That's the chalkboard on the hotel's verandah.  It might seem like a little thing to see "Table Hill" written up like that, but I didn't take this sight for granted.  I truly appreciate the gift/blessing of being allowed to make music in public.....in a pub, in fact!  I was happy to take note (pictures) of the proof, for sure.

During the music-making of Table Hill, the pub's publican played along.  The next picture is of Ken Parfrey, rockin' with us.  I was playing a mountain dulcimer and enjoying this moment (and the music) SO MUCH that I had to pull my camera out of my pocket and snap this picture quick enough to get back on the beat.  This was a moment in my history, and I wanted to be able to remember it.  

Here's Table Hill with Ken in Lyonville, playing Vigilante Man......complete with screen-door slams and the accompaniment of a little girl guest player with a tubular shaker, along with Ken taking a break to collect his take, and Phil switching from bowed-saw to harmonica, and with whatever else I captured in my recording.....Click here to listen to all that.

For more of Ken's electric guitar, more of Adrian's singing, stomping, guitar playing, more of Phil's hollerin' and harmonica squealin', all going on while I try to keep up with my mountain dulcimer, click here to hear a crazy version of Good Morning Blues.  And, just for fun, click here to hear a few more tunes from Table Hill's gig last Sunday.

Funny things happen during my gigs (I still get tickled when I use the phrase "my gigs"), and I love moments when I realize I am simultaneously a participant and an observer as these things occur.  While Table Hill was playing, a book fell off the shelf above the band and landed at the feet of Phil McNamara, the saw-playing poet, who had been making spooky-halloweeny sounds with his saw.  I am not making any proclamations about witches, or why this particular book fell into our set,.....I'm just sayin'.....while we were playin'.......this happened, and we enjoyed a moment with our imagination and a bit of contemplation and then continued with concentration.  This is a picture of the book.  

I haven't shared many pictures of the Radio Springs Hotel lately, but I'm happy to have a few new pics to show.  The verandah has had some work and now has heating and other weather protection. I snapped this picture of the poet, Dr. Phil McNamara, as we passed each other on our break.

I also snapped this picture of Big Ginge, a beloved Lyonville celebrity.  He is so beautiful.

I probably should not say that the best thing about having a gig is the food I get after a performance.....but.....I will say that I TOTALLY enjoy being cared for and looked after, after playing music at the Radio Springs Hotel.  The luxury of getting to order from the menu and having food prepared the way I like it and brought to me with appreciation for an afternoon of playing music is REALLY something special.  Food is such a beautiful thank you gift!  Here's Adrian looking relaxed and appreciative after our lovely meal.

Jackie Airey and Ken Parfrey, the owners of the Radio Springs Hotel, are wonderful hosts and generous people.  I admire the way they treat their guests, their staff, and the rest of us who have gigs in their pub.  

I especially like the special attention that Radio Springs' Kareena Hodgson gives Table Hill.  Here she is with Dr. Phil.....or "Whitney," as she likes to call him.  

It's always nice to see Chef, Dominic Tucci, when he can step away from the kitchen.  He greets us with kindness and presents really good food!!

For all of these things I am thankful.

Hoping for Many More Road Trips to Come

It has been five years since Adrian Kosky, with one of his sons, and I left Cullowhee, North Carolina, and headed for Memphis, Tennessee, on our first road trip together.  It's been quite a journey, so far, and I'm happy to continue wondering whilst wandering and planning more pondering......plandering.......with Adrian, as I believe the commencement of our friendship was an act of God.  I am thankful for blessings that come as answers to prayers.

2006 Mississippi River, Memphis, Tennessee

Old Pictures, New Places to Share

I'm enjoying the pictures shared by my friends -- old and new -- and my family via facebook.  

What a blessing it is to have a way to renew, continue, and make new friendships, whilst being so far away from where I started out in the world!  Here's a photo that was recently shared with me by a friend from my high school.

I'm holding my clarinet, third row, second on the left; and, although it has been over 30 years since this picture was made, I can remember enjoying this moment and being with my musical friends.  This picture brings back good memories!  

Drawing......Again.

It has been a while since I had a reason to draw.....I mean, as a teacher, I used to draw pictures as a teaching tool/method for primary students, but it has been about four years since I have had any students to teach.....and I have been without my usual reason for drawing.  

When I was a child I drew pictures just to be drawing pictures.  I think I am reverting to that reason for drawing, and I like that idea.

Because I watch birds so often, they are in my mind; and, lately, they have been landing on my sketchpad.  Here are a few of my attempts to create a caricature or two of the cockatoos that I have photographed in my backyard.

I try to imagine how I would draw these birds on a whiteboard in a classroom.....and how I might make them look like the characters that they are.  The real, live, cockies are sooooo silly-acting, sometimes.  I'm still trying to get their attitude to come out of my pencil or pen.  The next two sketchpad pages show drawings I did without looking at a picture of a cockatoo.....the way I would want to be able to draw them with a marker on a whiteboard.

And when they are just being beautiful birds, it's hard to get that on paper.  I can see where I went wrong, as I reflect while looking at pictures of my drawings.....but I'm okay with the process.....I'm usually just trying to draw a picture that someone could recognize as a cockatoo.  

The pictures above were drawn before I wanted to worry about bird feet.  I spent a bit of focused feet-observation time and took a few pictures of cockatoo feet and then decided to try adding bird bodies and feet to my sketches.

And, just because I wanted to have a go.....I drew a raven, not too long ago. 

Oh, and here's a drawing of a cat I saw in Daylesford.  

My drawing doesn't show the cat's eyes.  They were two different colors!  So here are two pictures, to tell the tale of the cat with different eyes.

It's really helpful to observe and photograph the critters that I want to draw.  It seems easier than it used to be to draw a likeness.  I used to look at pictures in teachers' manuals or colorful calendars to get ideas for drawing pictures on whiteboards during lessons.  

I don't know if I will ever be drawing on whiteboards for students again, but at least I am having fun with drawing for myself and enjoying the sharing here on my blog.