Sunday, February 17, 2008

February in the Great North


February, and it’s time for the Northern swing. Shows this month are in Michigan, where the van is plugged into the Veach’s house in Jackson. For a week, George and Kathy went to Florida and I “sat” their house, and kept their two cats company. Also Ohio and Illinois, but mostly Michigan and Indiana. First show was cancelled (Bremen, IN) because of the threat of a flood in the high school. Pain.
There was a big snow night on the Tuesday in Tecumseh; they informed me that last year the February show was practically snowed out, and that was me and Marsha. So, we bring snow to Michigan. Hah. Anyway, I never made it back to Jackson because the next night was in downtown Cincinnati at the Traveler’s. I just climbed into the bed in the camper and tried to keep warm. Eventually i had to put my clothes back on as well as the pointed hair hat that Marsha had knitted for Eric (see Lake Orion.) I drove part way back after the show, spent a few hours at a Flying J, and completed the journey about 7 a.m. Saturday, I’m off to Grand Rapids to do a show for the Hope Foundation. Lots of children in the audience, which is both positive and unusual.
After the show I drove to Jackie and Eric Whitesel’s in Lake Orion, north of Detroit. They have newish dog, Border Collie obviously, called Ruby. She is a great watch dog, threatened to tear me up at the door last night, but also very smart. Knows tricks like rolling over and balancing a bikky on her nose then flipping it up and catching it in mid-air. And here is Eric in his pointy hair hat talking to Marsha the creator of same on the telephone.
Sunday is a day off, so we all went to Wholefood, where the hair hats were appreciated and stroked, and we bought cheese and meat and Gluewein (glow wine, mulled wine in a bottle) and now we are lying around snoring.
Jim Whitesel is taking up a career in filmmaking, so we are alll discussing how he might do this. Do courses at college, or go of to Los Angeles and get into the business at entry level. He has some pretty good stuff on You Tube. (see clip below.)
There is snow on the ground, but it rained this morning and it definitely beginning to thaw. Next shows are up I-75: Frankenmuth and Midland. Then it’s off to Indianapolis and Chicago. The beat goes on.
In March we will do the Ontario tour, starting in North Bay. That will be a trip.