Fun Stuff

Here are a trio of shots from the past couple of weeks. The swing Calvin is in was a gift from Faye when Eli was a baby. Thus it is on its third "generation" of Barker boys. All of them have loved it, even without the Pooh tie-in. We went hiking on the Trestle Trail in Montreat last Saturday. The culmination was a breather at this shelter; Briggs really didn't like being "hung out to dry," but it was too obvious a stunt for me to resist. Eli earned his Tenderfoot rank at Scouts last Monday.

Blurring the lines

An article on an up-and-coming choreographer who seems intent upon drawing a young generation to the art by blurring the lines.

I remember fondly a note I got after a bluegrass concert we sponsored in Richmond: the writer complained that one of the groups (Old School Freight Train) was most certainly not performing bluegrass music. OSFT, about whom it's been said,

"Shades of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper... even a kiss of Van Morrison. With "Not Like The Others," Old School Freight Train is off on a timeless new track, blending roots and rock to create a sound that's all their own."

Tim Dickinson, National Affairs Correspondent, Rolling Stone

It might not be "your father's bluegrass music," but OSFT's spin on the bluegrass sound and form has propelled them into new realms none of the other groups I was working with achieved.

There is most definitely a place for the preservation of the "pure" in all of the arts. But innovation is what will engage the next generation and steer them toward the whole spectrum of whatever art it is. I wonder which American dance company will be first to score Shecter to choreograph for them?

Enthusiastic Eaters

I've been waiting for just the right photo to finally blog this. With Eli it was spaghetti; with Briggs it was rice. With Calvin it's most anything we let him actually feed himself. I took the picture of Calvin today at lunch with spaghetti. That picture of Eli (at the top) is from years ago; same for Briggs (the middle picture) and the rice. They areally are peas in a pod. But man, what a sight!

Some Snow

The closest thing we've had to a respectable snow since we moved to the valley. About 3 inches in part of town. I cannot believe that Richmond had more than use; that really blows. It was enough for school and day care to close, so it was just us boys at home today. We finally went out when Calvin went down for his morning nap. The boys got to use a snow board Eli's had (thanks B&G) for two and a half years! After that it was spaghetti and meatballs for lunch. Here are some pics.