[FROM PETER]

Hey to all- 

Susan and I have getting some wonderful cards and messages. Last week, Lisa Lackmann, with whom I worked at the OPC Area (Mental Health) Program for many years, dropped by a large box of notes, inspiring messages, photos, candy, toys, and mixed CD's from my old colleagues. Gathered by Angela Clark, the box displayed the talents and sentiments- smart, funny, compassionate, insightful, committed- of people who do a great job and were fun to be around.

I received a card from the members of Stella, a 7-women a cappella singing group. The women- Julie Woodmansee, Allison Jones, Julie Mooney, Liz Wing, Marya Mc Neish, Betsy Levitas, and Stacey Anderegg- have done two house concerts at the farm, the most recent one in October (to standing ovations and encores). They excel at anything they take on- old rock n' roll, gospel, foreign language songs, novelty numbers, anthemic tunes of peace and freedom, et. al., all performed with cool arrangements and strong harmonies. They have been the anchor group for the Murphey School Radio Show, a benefit musical/comedy/theater event in the manner of old-time radio shows. All that and they're terrific women. http://murpheyschoolradio.net/VIDEO.html.

 

And here's another good one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHrdLwa_y8. It's bass player Bootsie Collins and his band plus guests (David Sanborn on sax) playing "Stretchin' Out" on a TV show from 1990. What I like about it: Bootsie's good nature and fabulous playing; the energy of the guy to the right who doubles on guitar and keyboards; Hiram Bullock's crazy guitar solo and gyrations; how everyone is having a good time. The song stays in one chord and accents the first beat throughout. Makes me smile and wanna move. For those not used to funk music, thanks for hanging in there with me.

 

A final note. Gail Dauverd, a horse trainer who gives Susan riding lessons, came over the other day with her beautiful and very funny 8 year old daughter Helena. 

When Helena and her brother Oliver come over we go out to my music building to drink sodas and eat junk food while their mom is in the riding ring. When Helena seemed a little more quiet than usual, I asked her, "Helena, did your mom tell you that I'm sick?" She thought a minute and said, "No, but I'm not worried about catching it." It was the perfect reply (I'm not contagious)......Peter K