page contents Google

STARTING OUT vs FINISHING THE SHOW

July 28, 2023 by

Starting out is so slow, so hard, that sometimes the only thing you feel like doing is quitting. Whether it’s work, family, or friends, we get tired. Sooo tired. But it wasn’t always like that. Was it?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

ROAD TRIPS WITH THE BOYS, PART ONE

July 25, 2023 by

Road trips with kids sounds like a duty, a hassle, a task to do and be done with. It starts with a plan, then a phone call. How you answer gives the kids an idea on how to respond when their turn comes around: “Dad, can we borrow your car and drive to a concert […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEEDY PEOPLE NEED DANCE MUSIC

July 18, 2023 by

Needy people, and who isn’t one, have their favorite toe tappers. Some are sad, some defiant, some just lost in the shuffle. But we all remember the one song that hit at just the right time. Then another for another time, and another and another and another. Whew, it’s needy time.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

OREGON BLUES ON A FATHER / SON DAY

July 2, 2023 by

Oregon blues are a different blues. I blame the clouds. But no clouds on Waterfront Blues Festival Saturday, which is why I wore a rash-guard hoodie instead of layers of sunscreen. It was a no cloud Saturday awash in family time:

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PORTLAND BLUES SATURDAY

July 1, 2023 by

Portland blues come in more shades than one. Dark blue for the homeless. Darker blue for the park bench addicts. Blue green for the tax paying homeowners just living their lives and doing the best they can. But what about the rest of us?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FOUR FATHERS’ DAY FOR THE CYCLE

June 18, 2023 by

Four fathers in one family sounds like a lot? No, it’s just enough. This is the first time it’s happened and I can tell you it feels like a different Father’s Day.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

KAUAI MUSIC: KEKAI CHOCK AT SMITH’S GARDEN LUAU

March 23, 2023 by

Kauai music comes from the rhythm of the waves, the sudden rain squall, and Kekai Chock at Smith’s Garden Luau. I was there with Kauai Team Two after cruising the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto. They were looking around while I watched our seats once the crowd started filing in. From my part of […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TRAVEL MAGIC: RIGHT SONG, RIGHT TIME

March 21, 2023 by

Travel magic starts with the right song. Too often we hear it later and think how good it would have been. It’s the right song after the fact, the song you’d choose in a do-over of where you’ve been. But when it hits right, you know it.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SINGING ALONG, OR ALONE, BUT SING IT

February 22, 2023 by

When is the last time you were singing along with anyone outside of church? Chances are it’s been a while if you’re not churched, or not in a band. Is it because you don’t have a song to sing? We can fix that. But it’s more than lack of a song, isn’t it?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MUSICAL ENDURANCE CLASS FOR THE NON-MUSICAL

February 11, 2023 by

Musical endurance means hitting the same note over and over the rest of your life. Sounds easy, right? Because it is. If you were one of the gifted, the lucky, the special, you started early and have been doing it your whole life. However, if that’s not you, play the blues in E. That’s your […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,