Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The sound of roaring creeks

2.93 inches of rain Dec. 22-24 recorded at the Sky Castle weather station, this Christmas eve.  

The sound of the roaring creeks here is tremendous.   It's like living by the sea, except it is doesn't ebb and flow, it's constant.   It's particularly awesome at night, even a little scary.  The weather change abruptly today with the cold front.   It was 55º last night, and I had a window open to hear the sound of rushing water to sleep to.    Now, it's 41º with rain and fog.  Was planning on going to the track to train, but I think I'll take 2 days off and enjoy my last few hours of the year here in Sewanee before I travel.

Unlike a lot of my nature and weather videos, this has sound.   Have a listen to the awesomeness of nature - there is no greater church.

I'm off to FL. Merry Xmas, 2014.





Friday, December 19, 2014

Panforte!

Panforte is a traditional Italian fruit and nut cake.  Literally meaning, 'strong bread', it is a very dense and chewy dessert that is actually low carb since it is flourless.

The version I made has hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, dried tart cherries, golden raisins, dried apricots, figs, and dates.  It's topped with a chocolate glaze.


This is so easy to make. Simply mix your favorite dried fruits and nuts with some spices and almond flour. Heat 2 tbsp butter with 3/4 c honey and 1/2 c sugar, mix thoroughly, put in spring-form pan lined with buttered parchment, bake at 300º for 55 min, cool overnight. That's it. Make a chocolate topping by melting chocolate chips with a halfcup of milk or cream and pour over.

Here's what I use. All nuts and fruits are roasted and coarsely chopped. Amounts are approximate.

1 c. - hazelnuts
1 c. - almonds
1 c. - pecans
1/2 c. - figs
1/2 c. - dates
1 c. - dried tart cherries
1/2 c. - gold raisins
1/2 c. - dried apricots
2/3 c. - almond flour (or 1/2 c all purpose flour)
cinnamon, cloves or allspice, nutmeg to taste
2 tsp finely ground coffee

mix thoroughly in large bowl

heat 2 tbsp butter (I use butter - canola blend), 3/4 c. honey, 1/2 c. raw sugar until sugar is dissolved and mixture bubbles.

Pour over fruits and nuts and mix thoroughly in large bowl.
Add a few squirts of chocolate syrup while mixing

Line spring-form pan with parchment paper and butter the paper

push mixture into pan, compress mixture with wet fingers or spatula

Bake at 300º for 55 min.

let cool over night

remove from pan and paper

make chocolate topping and coat:
boil 1/2 c milk or cream, reduce heat, add chocolate chips (semi sweet) until melted

coat and cool


Monday, December 15, 2014

Fall concerts...

My fall concert season went very well...

My program included the new Handel Suite, 4 Brazilian cafe pieces (including Brasileririnho, my new transcription), Mallorca by Albeniz, and some American fingersyle pieces including 2 Jerry Reed pieces... (Drive In, Jerry's Breakdown).   After hearing Yo-yo Ma and Paco D'Rivera play Brasileririnho, I had to find a way to play it, and I did!  The piece ended my first half.  I also played some old stuff ... my lute set, a flamenco piece, Delta, Bluetude, and Frevo.

In addition to my guest artist concerts at Mississippi State University and Wofford College, I also did a lot of public service events.   These included numerous classes at MTSU - including a 150 member intor to music class, a church service at Otey Chapel in Sewanee, a concert for Adams Place retirement community, and 2 school performances - Centennial High School in Franklin, and Evergreen Charter School in Asheville, NC.   I absolutely love playing for kids and answering their questions, and listening to their stories!

Both college trips were awesome, long drives in the University car.   First, down to Mississippi St. on the Natchez Trace, and then to Spartanburg, SC through the mountains and Asheville, NC.   Wofford College's Leonard Auditorium was quite a grand venue and a decent crowd.  Happy to receive a standing ovation.   The Evergreen Charter School was so cool, a funky young faculty, everyone wore jeans and was comfortable, laid back, and cool.  The kids were polite and smart.  They were very nice and appreciative.  Thanks to Karen and the staff.

A nice fall tour.  Here are some photos...

Wofford College - Troubadour Series 

Wofford College - Leonard Auditorium

On the road through Asheville


Evergreen Charter School - 6th grade
Mississippi State University - after concert 





Soaring

On the wings of ...

woodpeckers


Lucky shot from the Sky Castle web cam on Sunday morning, 12/14. A still from the cloud video.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Fall '14 color and toward winter

It's been a whirlwind of fall guitar concerts, travel, and now winter vacation.  Finally, I am on vacation and will update here with some photos....

It was a beautiful fall ... an unexpected early cold snap on Halloween with snow on the mountain, a great fall party, and goodbye to the leaves as we come upon the winter solstice within a fortnight from now.

Here's a chronological set of photos of the fall color season -  earth, sky, and home ....

Oct. 26, Moonset

Oct. 26 - leaves beginning to fall

Oct. 26 sunset



Oct. 28 - near peak color


October freeze - the plants come in


Snow on Nov. 1 morning




Nov. 11 - the last of the leaves



Tuesday, September 2, 2014

New cam

I really wish I had this new Dropcam - a high resolution streaming IP camera with web based recording - back during those epic August storms.

My Sewanee Dropcam has a few challenges as it is operating at the edge of my internet capabilities ... with only slow DSL available here and quite a distance to the router.   Nevertheless, it's seems to be working at about 98%, with only occasional screen freezes.

The Dropcam is in addition to the low resolution IP cam integrated with the weather station.  The feed is irregularly updated as it is controlled by the Weather Underground network of webcams, which really has some serious inconsistency issues.  You can view this at any time by clicking the link/photo on the sidebar of this blog.   The Dropcam has a much wider angle view than the Ambientcam weather camera.

I've decided to not make the Dropcam stream public because it has excellent audio and I would rather not have a possible public eavesdropper in my midst... but perhaps when I'm away for more than a week, I'll stream it publicly.    The great thing about Dropcam is the ability to generate timelapse recording... which I posted my first one to Youtube (below).   It was a rainy last day in August and the clouds/fog below in the cove was really beautiful.    Unfortuately, all Dropcam recordings display the Dropcam logo in the lower right of the image.

This is the beginning of sunset season where the orb of the setting sun will rotate south on the horizon and be in my full view.

Still not tired of the view.   This was the view from my deck on the last sunset of August. (Canon Powershot A2400SI)




Sunday, August 31, 2014

Cedarcrest log house history

She just drove up.   In a new Buick, she slowly opened the door as I curiously approached the car, putting a cane on the ground, she stood up, turned around and looked at me and said, "I grew up in this house!"

It was Evelyn Davidson, age 82, smiling... looking 'fit as a fiddle.'
UPDATE:  Evelyn has passed, 12/18/22:
https://www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com/obituary/evelyn-m-davidson  

When I moved into this house just before Christmas 1997, I was given a photo of this  house by the previous owners who said they got it from woman that lived here before it was moved.  I went and got the photo and sure enough... it was written by Evelyn when she last visited this house in 1988.   Hard to believe that was 26 years ago.  She flipped over the photo and said, "Yes, that's my handwriting."

This house was originally located in Deason, TN... a small crossroads several miles south of Murfreesboro on Rt. 231.   It was moved here by Charlie Farrer, of the well-known Murfreesboro construction and hardware companies.  It was moved to where it now stands ... log by log, each spray painted with a number, every cedar log had a unique dove-tail joint that fit together like a 3 dimensional puzzle.  When I bought the house, I pressure washed off the spray painted numbers and applied a fine oil based clear protectant.

I researched this house when I bought it almost 17 years ago.  I believe I actually called Evelyn, who has lived in the same house in Shelbyville for 61 yrs.  She referred me to the previous owner named Clyde Barber, now deceased, who was in his 80s when I talked with him in early '98.   He said when he moved into the house in 1927, it was "about 100 years old" at that time.   He said the house didn't have electricity until 5 yrs later in 1932.

The photo

This photo taken of the house in 1942, sided over with wood and with a different window and door configuration, shows Evelyn on the porch at age 10, standing third from the right, wearing a hat.



With the photo, a letter to the people I bought the house from, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Roose, said that Evelyn's parents were Jasper H. and Lula B. Hayes.   She said in the letter:
"you will notice this picture was taken before lawn mowers were used.   My dad would cut the yard with the mower used to cut hay, and not very often at that." 
Also in the letter, she diagrammed the layout of the original house.

I asked Evelyn the usual questions I ask people of her age.  How do you stay so active and healthy?  She said, "well, I've always worked.  Ate food that we grew."   She was also married for 60 yrs.  Married at age 23 to a man 15 yrs older.  He passed away last year at age 96.   I also asked her how long she wanted to live?  She said, "I had a doctor that said I wouldn't live past 81... so I got another doctor."

She also mentioned that when growing up, they heated with wood burning Franklin stoves and it sometimes got below freezing inside the house some mornings, freezing water basins.

I asked her if she had an email so we could stay in touch.   She said, "No, but I'll take your number."  She said she'd like to return with her daughter.

I hope she does.

Like my neighbor Hans, and Joe T. (who passed this yr), you can't have enough octogenarians as friends.  

My house as it is now.  All local cedar and probably pushing 190 yrs old.  I still find 19th c. square nails in some of the walls and beams.


Saturday, August 23, 2014

Another tornado?

It sure looks like one...

I kick myself for not being home for this storm.   With my high resolution camera out of order, I captured this image on my low resolution weather cam just after sunset as it was transitioning to night vision, so that's why the colors are a bit weird.

Yes, definitely some ground level rotation moving through Lost Cove.   Beautiful.
Note the radar minutes before the time of the photo ... certainly looks like tornado vortex signature poised at the top of Lost Cove moving south, although very short lived.  Goes to show that small tornados can whip up in a matter of seconds at anytime during a storm and they can completely escape detection from the National Weather Service, since they are so short lived.  This one lasted a few minutes at most.




Radar at 7:46 PM - Franklin / Marion Co. TN

Friday, August 22, 2014

Food

This post is inspired by my dad who today received a great report from a heart catheterization, an internal probe of his coronary arteries.  On the basis of an MRI, he was diagnosed with severe blockages in his heart, up to 80%.   Upon this more detailed exam, his heart arteries were not blocked 80%, but only 50% - not requiring a stent.  This was the best news possible!  My dad is making a new commitment on lifestyle and has lost 20+ lbs and taking on an exercise regime.  After 2+ decades of a terrible diet, and sedentary lifestyle, making this change at age 74 is better late than never.

People with disease, especially heart disease often have a 'life revelation' that causes a sudden change in lifestyle to increase their chances of survival - one of the many reasons why 'it's better to know.'  I predicted this would happen for my dad, and I'm optimistic that it's not too late, perhaps just in time.  I'm very thankful that my dad seeks regular physical evaluations because without it, he would never have assessed his risk or made the changes.  One of the healthiest people I knew, Roland - thin, fit, a long time vegan, farmed his own food, died earlier than he should have simply because he never went to a doctor.  His disease could have been treated if caught early enough and he should be alive today.

This subject of food is one that is so convoluted and controversial, it affects everyone and there is more dogmatism, information, misinformation, theories, science, and culture on this subject than just about any other topic that affects human daily life.

There are so many scientific studies regarding what is 'the best' diet, but so many conflicts and contradictions in the findings.  Also, the science keeps 'changing.'

People eat for different reasons, with different goals, and with different levels of importance.   I like the saying, "eat to live, don't live to eat."   Personally, I think that if food and drink takes a central preoccupation in one's daily life, you'll run the risk of abusing it ... (over eating/drinking).  If a person's first thought on waking is food/drink ... eating, shopping, cooking, restaurants ... i.e. when, what, where, how to eat, etc...  scheduling every aspect of life around meals... then I suggest such a person needs to get a more active lifestyle where food is incidental, and not central.   Of course, good choices and some thought need to be a part of daily food consumption.

I think most people will agree that it is desirable to eat a diet that will promote a long life with least susceptibility to disease.  However, that's not universal.  For some, eating is so important to the pleasure centers of the brain, that they willingly eat a diet that will shorten their life.  Like smoking, heavy drinking, drugs, or any other risky behavior - it's worth it for them.

Other reasons people eat certain diets are to enable a certain level of physical activity.   Whether a competitive athlete, or just an occasional hiker, diet can contribute to maintaining such abilities as we age.   However, diet alone won't do it.   There isn't any diet that will by itself help a person fight the natural effects of muscle and bone loss due to aging - sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

There are so many studies, so much dogma, and so many contradictions ... it's probably better not to open that can of worms.   There are so many skinny healthy meat eaters, and as many obese vegans, it's not worth trying to cite isolated examples of individuals.  Like the 100 yr old Greek who smokes a pack a day for 70 yrs and never sick a day in his life!  But suffice it to say, there is a lot of evidence that negates just about any dogma, especially the myth that meat eaters are inherently unhealthy and vegans are immune to disease.   Instead of citing a million studies... I'm curious about what the longest living people on earth eat.

There are 4 places on earth where people often live to be 90 - 100+ yrs old.  What's common with all these places is that they are all near the sea:  Okinawa - Japan, Sardinia - Italy, Ikaria - Greece, and Nicoya - Costa Rica.

What's common in all these diets?  Fish, locally grown vegetables, nuts and fruits, and a generally lower calorie diet.  None of these diets are vegetarian.  Another commonality is that these people generally are active and walk daily as a form of transportation in their villages or as a part of their livelihood.   In many of these coastal communities, there are lots of hills and stairs to climb.

There are regional differences.  In addition to fish -

  • Okinawans eat soy, pickled vegetables, rice, a little pork, and green tea.
  • Mediterraneans in Italy and Greece eat wild greens, tomatoes, garlic, cheese, olives, fava beans, and wine.
  • Nicoyans eat corn, beans, rice, chicken, and tropical fruits.

There are also undoubtedly links to other factors besides diet.   Genetics and physical activity play a role.  In most of these places, you'll find active people, locally produced food, and a lack of processed Americanized junk food.   Obesity is very low.   Stress levels and lifestyle are generally relaxed.

Interesting stuff.

Mid-week storm

I was surprised that the chances of rain weren't higher this week.   Tremendous humidity levels with dewpoints over 80º in some parts of middle TN with temps in the mid 90ºs.   I knew there had to be some instability in the atmosphere.   Sure enough, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued and the fireworks began.   It wasn't as nearly as oppressive on the mountain, with temps 'only' in the mid 80ºs with a nice breeze.

Here are photos of the rotating storm cell, a very brief tornado that came out of the wall cloud, the beautiful aftermath of the storm, and the foggy placid following morning.

No, the view isn't getting old.

Approaching super cell thunderstorm

Wall cloud with brief tornado

Aftermath of the storm at sunset

The next morning - dawn on 8-21



Monday, August 11, 2014

Boating, hiking ... Sewanee to Chattanooga to NC

It was a great week.   Brought the boat to my house in Sewanee for the first time en route to the TN River, Chattanooga, and Fontana Lake in the GSMNP.

I'd studied it for a long time and was confident I could get the boat up my driveway in Sewanee and turn it around.  No problem.

Roya and I enjoyed a Monday evening workout in Sewanee's Fowler Center then left Tuesday for the TN River Gorge.  Cruising the 30 miles from Marion Co. park to Chattanooga, the old boat performed flawlessly, cruising at 32 mph.   After an IMAX movie and a trip to the Aquarium, we had dinner and left for a night on the boat in the gorge.   There is one place, just up river from the Raccoon Mtn TVA facility, that is completely wild and undeveloped, with high mountains on both sides.   We floated at sunset down river a mile or 2 in this location, my favorite part of the river.  Just beautiful.  I swear, we did not see one other boat for 12 hrs, all night long.   Highly unusual for a commercially navigated waterway.

We pulled out on Wednesday and arrived at Fontana Lake late afternoon on Wed.  After dinner, swimming and watching the sunset, we took a night time walk on the dam.  Beautiful.

Thursday we did the 8 mile round trip to Shuckstack from Eagle Creek up the Lost Cove Trail to the Appalachian Trail.   The climb was difficult as usual.  2500' in 4 miles.  Great weather.  Glad to see all the wood on the tower has been replaced.   Looks like they'll keep it for a while.   Unfortunately, it is not possible to get on the roof of the lookout shack like we used to.  They put a solid piece of plywood on the roof.

Friday morning early, it rain and rained for 9 hrs.  Good time to watch  movies.  We got a brief respite early afternoon and took the opportunity to head back to Mufreesboro.   We encountered one brief intense storm approaching Monteagle.   The same storm seemed to spawn a tornado captured on my weather station webcam in Sewanee.

Great trip.

Here's the photos!

Fontana Lake sunset

Dawn on the TN River
Fontana Dam
Roya in the creek
Roya on the Shuckstack tower
Appalachian Trail
View from the Shuckstack tower

Friday's tornado in Sewanee - 8/8

The boat's first trip to Sewanee

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Perigee Full Moon

The moon is in perigee, closest orbit to the earth.  When full and near the horizon, it is large and golden.   I took this shot at dusk, about 5:30 am.   This photo - at 5x zoom, you can see the detailed features on the moon - even with this cheap pocket camera.  Of course the moon always looks bigger in real life, than in photos.

Moon over Lost Cove, Sewanee, TN - 7-12-14



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Photos from the tree house

Playing with my camera again....

Weather was nice enough to sit out on the deck all night and practice.  Rarely see a mosquito.  Sometimes it doesn't occur to me to put my clothes on.

Weather has been great... cool for July.   In the last week, the daily high temperature topped out below 80º for 5 of the last 7 days.   The week's temperature range was 57º -  83º.    I have yet to see a day over 90º the entire 21 months I've been here in Sewanee, TN ... remarkable since we're in far southern TN.   I guess you could say it's the 'Deep South'.... just a dozen or so miles from the Alabama state line.  I have yet to use my air conditioning, my electric bill was $37 last month.

Found some good GA peaches today in Tracy City and on the way back, I helped a turtle and large black snake to cross the road safely.


Sunset after rain - in fairy land

moon over fog in Lost Cove  - wee hours of the morning

Monday, July 7, 2014

A brief "non-history" of the guitar at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival

I rarely bitch about anything on this blog anymore, but.... I'm naming (some) names in this one.  I thought about writing this as an editorial in the local paper, but no... I'll just put it on my blog.  Now as a resident of Sewanee, and a guitar professor of 25 years, I have some interest, history, and perspective on this issue.

First, I need to make it clear that I have no interest in participating in the Sewanee Summer Music Festival as an employee, as it conflicts with my position as Director of Guitar Studies at the TN Governors School for the Arts.  At this point in my career, after 25 years as a Music Professor at MTSU, I enjoy time off in the summer to prepare for fall concerts.   So, my concern on this subject is really for the sake of my graduates, (many of whom are very qualified with Doctorates from prestigious Universities), and for the general standing of guitar in my community - because I love the guitar and I know others do as well.

But, there was a time when I was interested in guitar at the SSMF ... when I first came to TN, I made an inquiry to the Director and Founder, Martha McCrory ... thus, the story begins, approximately 1990 - '91.  

My conversation with McCory went something like this:  

Yelverton:  I'm interested in starting a guitar program at the SSMF.   
McCrory: Sorry but this is an orchestral and chamber music festival and there is no chamber music for guitar.   
Yelverton (stunned):  Well, maybe I should notify my chamber ensemble of that fact.
(conversation ends quickly)
McCrory also mentioned that she had been asked about this repeatedly in the past.

Yes, as a founding member of the MTSU Faculty Chamber ensemble, the Stones River Chamber Players, I was pretty stunned at this lack of perspective... saying it as kindly as I can - with all due respect to McCrory, whose musical contributions to this area are immense.  After 25 years of chamber performances, 2 European tours, commissions, and a few CDs, I can assure you, there is plenty of quality chamber music for guitar.  Everyone knows this.  

Fast forward 15 yrs to 2006.   I just happen to have a friend of a major donor to the SSMF, and was asked if I would like to attend the 50th anniversary concert - seats up front in the VIP section.  So, we attended.  There was an emotional speech by Mr. Savage, the Managing Director of SSMF, I think a plaque was dedicated to McCrory or a conductor's podium or something.  Guess who I happened to be sitting next to?  Martha McCrory.  I politely congratulated her upon her honor and mentioned I was an MTSU Music Faculty member.  She asked me what instrument I played and I said, 'classical guitar'.  She turned her away and never looked at me or said another word to me.  

Later I asked the donor if he knew Martha McCrory, he said, "yes ...  for a long time."  And  I said, "what's with her hostility toward the guitar?"  His reply was revealing.   It was suggested to her numerous times in the early years to have a guitar program and once she responded, (citing the popularity of the guitar  - paraphrasing), "If we had guitar, no one would want to play orchestral instruments."

After the concert, I went backstage and talked to both James Paul, and Mark Savage, the directors of the SSMF.   Both were enthusiastic about having a guitar program, they said they "loved the guitar" and asked me to submit materials with the idea that perhaps we could offer a guitar program in the future.  I did, and as expected, heard nothing.  

To be fair, Sewanee really doesn't have much of a Music Dept.  I think they have about 5 full time faculty, I think only 2 with Doctorates.  (MTSU by contrast - 34 full time faculty - nearly all have doctorates).  From people I know who teach adjunct at Sewanee, their impression is that it's rather lax in procedure, even lazy.   One person I talked to had to keep reminding a chair to submit paper work just to receive a hard earned adjunct paycheck.  A number of MTSU faculty have taught adjunct at Sewanee in the Music Dept., now we just send our grads to teach there, for experience, since you can't make a living as adjunct (or even for some who are called: "Visiting Professor").

There seems to be little accountability, transparency, and organization in the University.   There are people who have been teaching full time for more than a decade without ever being tenured.   University websites are poorly organized with outdated versions still up, and confusing to anyone looking for information. (The University once received an F rating for transparency in the College Sustainability Report Card, but they have improved a bit recently).   As an athlete who trains at the track, I noticed it took the University a month to put away all the lacrosse equipment, netting and goals left after the school year had ended.   This would never happen where I work, where people are held accountable, procedures are followed, and a professional way of doing things is the norm.

Case in point, I played a concert at St. Lukes in '09.  Very well attended, a professional presentation, all credit due to my colleague Don, a professor at the college (not in music) who helped organize it.  But ...when I played this last Feb., the Dept. never really followed up, or advertised the concert as they said they would.  An outside group (SLIM / WCDT radio) tried to organize it but put the wrong date in the local paper.  We even had to call campus police to open St. Luke's because the Music Dept. didn't even remember or care to unlock the door!  A bit insulting as I was donating my time and efforts to give this free concert.  We did it for a very small crowd and then the next day, people showed up to hear the concert on the wrong date.  I said screw it, and booked a concert at Otey, which was a nice experience and decently attended.  

In my experience, it's sort of a recurring theme: 'It's almost impossible to get anyone at Sewanee to lift a finger for someone else.   Kind of like that song, "I'm all right Jack, keep your hands off of my stack."   Complacency rules.  I feel really sorry for young guys trying to get a program of any kind started at this college.  It's a 'good ole boy network' of sorts.

When I say 'good ole boy network,' it was never more apparent than several years ago when they hired some guy to play the Aranjuez Guitar Concerto with the Sewanee Orchestra.  The guy got the gig because he knew a faculty member there, apparently not even in music.  This guitar soloist was so inept he couldn't play the entire concerto, so they eliminated the last movement.  Can you imagine?

Finally, one of my graduates was hired as a visiting professor of guitar at Sewanee.   I hoped he would become full time this fall, as he was led to believe would be possible, but no.  Doesn't look like that will happen.   He has worked his ass off this year for adjunct pay, even putting together a great guitar festival, playing a concerto, and doing a load of community work.   But still, no benefits and just adjunct pay.  He is extremely qualified.  Well, maybe it's at least it's a glimmer of hope for the future.  I hope it will develop into something.  

The undeniable fact is that guitar in popular.  The Sewanee Artist Series has twice presented the LA Guitar Quartet, and both times - it was one of the best attended concerts on the series.   (I was asked by the series director about advice on stage chairs, to which I responded ...  even offering to bring artist benches).   People LOVE the guitar.  At least the community does.  (The Artist Series seems always poorly attended by students - go figure).

It's funny, SSMF programed a "flamenco" piece for double bass and harp this season.   They are having Bela Fleck - banjoist perform a concerto and new work.   About as close as you come to having guitar... with no guitar.   Close, but no cigar.   

You would think that since more prestigious summer music festivals like Tanglewood, Aspen, Chautauqua, and Brevard have guitar, Sewanee might get a clue and follow suit.  But no.  Change happens slowly in "the south" ... especially at the University who carries that namesake.  


Sunday, June 8, 2014

6-8-14 dawn

Good Sunday morning.

Beautiful cool morning on the bluff after a rainy night.   Some nice fog in the cove.  Wish I had brought my camera but had to settle for a cell phone photo...
Time lapse video below...

Some fog in the center of Lost Cove came to a peak and caught the sunrise.   A fognado, or fog-volcano?




Monday, June 2, 2014

Tennessee Guitar Festival 2014

Tennessee International Guitar Competition Results:

FIRST PRIZE - Jesus Serrano (Mexico): $1200 + Glenn Perry, guitar
SECOND PRIZE - Jeremy Collins (USA): $750
THIRD PRIZE - Celil Kaya (Turkey): $500
FOURTH PRIZE - Stephen Lochbaum (Canada): $300

All prize winners received strings and accessories from D'Addario.

Thanks to the Tantalus Quartet of Stephen Mattingly, Lynn McGrath, Adam Foster and Kris Anderson who joined me in residence at my home for 5 nights... and to Stanley Yates, Silviu Ciulei and Chad Ibison.

And wow... the parties.   Not only did the Tantalus Quartet bring a wonderful judges panel to the festival, we also had a wine sommelier in residence with Adam Foster.

Friday night pasta...




Prize winners, judges, performers... friends






Saturday night paella...



Saturday, May 24, 2014

Tennessee Guitar Festival 2014, May 29-31








Another great festival shaping up for next week.   We're pleased to have the Tantalus Quartet in residence as well as Stanley Yates, Silviu Ciulei, and Chad Ibison.

In addition to the $1200 First Prize for the TN Guitar Competition, the winner will receive a Glen Perry concert guitar valued at $7000.

The event is open to the public.  The Thurs - Sat schedule of event is here.

There will be 3 rounds of competition, 3 evening concerts, 2 lectures on guitar education, 2 masterclasses, and 2 great dinner party receptions.

All single events are $10, or all  festival event are $30.   Registration is available in the lobby of MTSU's Wright Music Building at any festival event.

What keeps people coming back to this festival are the good times.   Join us!   Paella anyone?


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Moon view from the treehouse

The tree canopy is back!  And this time of year is great for porch sleeping.  A constant southern breeze and mild temperatures made the porch futon a slice of heaven.  No bugs or mosquitos, it was perfect.

The moon over Lost Cove was tremendous this early week.




Canon A2400 - pocket camera - 5" shutter speed

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sewanee arts and nature touring

A wonderful 5 nights in Sewanee enjoying the beautiful spring ... arts, athletic competition, training, hiking, and a party at Ellis's place.

After waking up to and watching the Boston Marathon on Monday, we went to visit Ed C. at the Iona Arts Gallery.   Ed gave us a lengthy and generous tour.   He's wonderful fellow with a very interesting spiritual and mystic connection to his art.  We'll be seeing him again soon I expect.  A super artist and interesting person.

We also visited the University Gallery, named after Ed.   Lastly, we visited the fine art of nature on the bluff.

Artist Ed C., explains his work at IONA art barn

Roya at the University Gallery
KA Point