Nobody loves ya when you're down and out

but I had a lot of fun getting that way. It was a busy weekend, right from stepping out the door Friday to landing back in my office chair Monday. I'm still tired.

I flew out of here and beat feet to the store, stocked up animal food and a few groceries, raced the truck home, unloaded, fed animals, grabbed a shower, changed, packed up for the next night and launched north.

There are a lot of fun stories about the first load, roll and set up but they're not mine to tell (darn it!) so let me just say it took all five of us to get them making music this weekend. The run for the gel covers on the lights almost made MoBluz and me late getting there the first night. Traffic was typical for a Friday - double nasty.

But I walked into the Westwood and was greeted by the ChairMan, a friend from the office, his wife, her sister and husband. That was fun! I helped a little hauling then sat with my friends and yacked while the guys got going.

Then the fun really started. I knew already I liked this bunch from hearing the pieces and parts from the benefit where I met the three piece and listening to Hotlicks and MoBluz practice. I had never heard the four altogether.

Just - wow! WOW!

There is polish and timing and fine tuning to do, as there is with any group adding a new member and new music, there is no doubt in me that they are gonna SHINE when they get this tightened up! The bass layed low and deep, the drums were steady and sharp and the two guitars were making me think of Flat and Scruggs only in a blues format.

The original tunes had people dancing, the standards kept them smiling and singing along. Both nights were good. The only lack was a bigger crowd and Tom Petty was playing across town. I can't feel badly that we didn't draw against a player like him. It's just the breaks!

You just have to feel good when you are winding up the night and the bar books you back for four more appearances. So, ya, WOW!

Saturday there was a call for MoB (now Mo bee cause I'm too lazy to keep typing it) to pull a solo for a friend that had to pass on it. Sunday MoB and I hit the road and he scared up two more gigs with one or two more interested.

Seven bookings in two days. I like it - a LOT!

There was life in between the music. Bitsy girl liked the activity book I found for her. I think MoB found the grill cleaner last night. I bet he liked it..sneaky me, I just shoved it under the grill lid - that was fun.

Got a call from the #1son checking in and had to fade on him again because I was on the road. I hate doing that. I need to get over and see him.

Grand#1 graduated this weekend. I had given him his gift to defray prom costs earlier. Best Girl sent the photos to me though. They were beauty!

Didn't get the boat in the lake yet but did get a major bike ride in and wore myself out. The dogs hate me for being gone so much but with gas priced so high I couldn't afford to run back and forth much so they got by outside with the food dispenser and two extra buckets for water.

I was beat when I got home from work last night. My buddy the Magic Man needed a hand with a website and I ran over to give him one. I got home later than I wanted to and got the laundry started.

Then MoB called to say his car finally made the decision for him on getting it fixed or junking it. The thing died yesterday. We're praying up a miracle vehicle for him, there's just not much to work with for finances yet.

Jeanette took a day off and went fishing yesterday. I didn't get to see her but she needed the break I think. I was glad she got to play with our friend in her boat. They had a good time.

KMA has been silent this week but I'll ring her up tomorrow night. Janet saw the Sis, as did I but we haven't had time for each other this week. Gloomy Guy was still trying to get the computer working for him. I hope he did. I should call him, too.

So we are all up and running on and I gotta go! Catch ya when I can!