Happy Birthday, Jerry.
Still missed...
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Ronnie James Dio
This week rock and roll singer Ronnie James Dio died. Dio was a monster of rock in the mid 80's. But he really was doing great work well before that. His death brought back memories of a time for me 30 years ago.
I had just moved to Phoenix to start my Sophomore year in high school. Once classes started I met Ken, he would be my best friend for the short 2 years I would be there. Ken had previously lived in Japan where his Dad was stationed. While there he had gotten into a band that was very popular in Japan at the time. This was Rainbow.
That same year we also befriended another Air Force transplant. Dennis had moved to Phoenix for just his senior year. That is a tough situation to be in. But being Air Force brats ourselves we all fell in well together. Dennis had actually joined the Air Force. As soon as he graduated he was going straight to England. Ken and I envied that Dennis could 'get out'.
But for that year we spent many hours hanging out just listening to Rainbow blaring at ear shattering levels. We just could not understand how this band was not more popular. The lead singer was captivating and Ritchie Blackmore's guitar was well established from his days as a founder of Deep Purple.
As it turns out, the lead singer was Ronnie James Dio. Dio would go on to repace Ozzy as Black Sabbath's lead singer and then form his own band, Dio. His popularity soared in the 80s as everyone discovered what we had been listening to hanging out in Dennis' bedroom.
As with all things, Dennis, Ken and I all moved on. I hadn't thought of Dennis in 30 years. Ronnie's death triggered memories of that time. So on a whim I searched for Dennis on FB and sure enough, there he was. His response to me after accepting the friendship request was asking if I had heard about Ronnie James Dio's death. Like me, Dennis said that triggered those same memories of He, Ken and I.
This week rock and roll singer Ronnie James Dio died. Dio was a monster of rock in the mid 80's. But he really was doing great work well before that. His death brought back memories of a time for me 30 years ago.
I had just moved to Phoenix to start my Sophomore year in high school. Once classes started I met Ken, he would be my best friend for the short 2 years I would be there. Ken had previously lived in Japan where his Dad was stationed. While there he had gotten into a band that was very popular in Japan at the time. This was Rainbow.
That same year we also befriended another Air Force transplant. Dennis had moved to Phoenix for just his senior year. That is a tough situation to be in. But being Air Force brats ourselves we all fell in well together. Dennis had actually joined the Air Force. As soon as he graduated he was going straight to England. Ken and I envied that Dennis could 'get out'.
But for that year we spent many hours hanging out just listening to Rainbow blaring at ear shattering levels. We just could not understand how this band was not more popular. The lead singer was captivating and Ritchie Blackmore's guitar was well established from his days as a founder of Deep Purple.
As it turns out, the lead singer was Ronnie James Dio. Dio would go on to repace Ozzy as Black Sabbath's lead singer and then form his own band, Dio. His popularity soared in the 80s as everyone discovered what we had been listening to hanging out in Dennis' bedroom.
As with all things, Dennis, Ken and I all moved on. I hadn't thought of Dennis in 30 years. Ronnie's death triggered memories of that time. So on a whim I searched for Dennis on FB and sure enough, there he was. His response to me after accepting the friendship request was asking if I had heard about Ronnie James Dio's death. Like me, Dennis said that triggered those same memories of He, Ken and I.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Who is that in the mirror?
Strange that I look in the mirror and don't see me. Instead there is some old man staring back. It's also strange to think back on something and realize that was 20 years ago and at that time you weren't a kid! I can see why people have mid-life crisis now. I guess I'm at the mid-life point. In many ways its an in between time. Kids are in between being kids and self supporting adults. Career is between the ambition years and retirement. Ca la vie but I don't like getting old!
O to be young again....
Strange that I look in the mirror and don't see me. Instead there is some old man staring back. It's also strange to think back on something and realize that was 20 years ago and at that time you weren't a kid! I can see why people have mid-life crisis now. I guess I'm at the mid-life point. In many ways its an in between time. Kids are in between being kids and self supporting adults. Career is between the ambition years and retirement. Ca la vie but I don't like getting old!
O to be young again....
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Friday, January 08, 2010
Chicken Hawk
The great chicken experiment has taken another unexpected twist. So far we have let the chicken's free range in the backyard at will during the day. They love this and run around all day long. But with winter setting in a unforeseen consequence appeared. About 2 weeks ago we heard the birds squawking loudly. Joan went out to see what was happening and spotted a hawk sitting on top of the chimina. The chickens were below taking cover. The hawk was scared off by Joan's arrival.
For the next couple of days we kept the chickens couped up. But they don't like it. Eventually we started letting them out for an hour before sunset. Then finally went back to letting them free range all day. I spotted the hawk once more flying by. Strangely the hawk was accompanied by several loud crows.
I should have known better and kept them couped up. During the day the hawk came back and this time attacked. These chickens are big and strong so he must be desperate. I'm sure it is risky for him to attack. Amanda heard squawking again and went out and spotted the hawk. The hawk (and crows again) flew off but it was obvious a skirmish had taken place. The hawk took out Nugget's right eye. Otherwise she is fine. She did have a bloody beak so we are hoping she did damage back to the hawk during her struggle. It has been two days and she is pretty much acting normal.
For now they remain locked up in the coupe. Free range time will be limited to when they can be watched over. Nature plays out even in the suburban backyard...
The great chicken experiment has taken another unexpected twist. So far we have let the chicken's free range in the backyard at will during the day. They love this and run around all day long. But with winter setting in a unforeseen consequence appeared. About 2 weeks ago we heard the birds squawking loudly. Joan went out to see what was happening and spotted a hawk sitting on top of the chimina. The chickens were below taking cover. The hawk was scared off by Joan's arrival.
For the next couple of days we kept the chickens couped up. But they don't like it. Eventually we started letting them out for an hour before sunset. Then finally went back to letting them free range all day. I spotted the hawk once more flying by. Strangely the hawk was accompanied by several loud crows.
I should have known better and kept them couped up. During the day the hawk came back and this time attacked. These chickens are big and strong so he must be desperate. I'm sure it is risky for him to attack. Amanda heard squawking again and went out and spotted the hawk. The hawk (and crows again) flew off but it was obvious a skirmish had taken place. The hawk took out Nugget's right eye. Otherwise she is fine. She did have a bloody beak so we are hoping she did damage back to the hawk during her struggle. It has been two days and she is pretty much acting normal.
For now they remain locked up in the coupe. Free range time will be limited to when they can be watched over. Nature plays out even in the suburban backyard...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
