The Stick with two dogs! Including the new puppy Maybeline and Moonshine (who has already been to the beach this year).
Digging in the morning!
The sand and the ocean sans leash.
Dogs at Play: Ocean Isle
June 17, 2023
animals, dogs, ocean beach, dog, dogs, maybelline, moonshine, ocean, romey, the stick Leave a comment
Where’s Aubrey Recording in Wilmington
May 25, 2023
art, music, ocean charles, charles arthur, dogs, gem, music, ocean isle beach, original music, recording, rhine, studio, the stick, where's aubrey, wilmington Leave a comment
All work and no music makes gem a dull boy. So we fixed that. Music refactoring at the Stick followed by recording in Wilmington. Here are some highlights.
Where’s Aubrey was joined by the incredible Charles Arthur in the studio.
And yes, we started at the Stick (on Ocean Isle Beach) where we practiced. Our schedule was tight, and sleep is for the weak. But first things first. Since Rhine flew into ILM, we set up an impromptu rendezvous with Adrian and Julie. Dinner was excellent, and Moonshine made a fast friend of Ralph.
We ended up at the Symphony with those fine people come Saturday.
Practice on the porch.
Industry sour with the last bottle of Green Chartreuse in NC.
Moonshine got in some fine music time.
The Wilmington Symphony played Shostakovich 5.
Moonshine, meanwhile, destroyed the screen door.
Turns out I found a musical sibling (same teacher, Linda Case, as Suzuki kids).
The bassist from NY. Hella talent.
NC sippy cups for the concert. LOL.
The after party was a blast. But then it was time for even more work.
Each night before a recording session we crammed on the music.
There was also some beach time. Moonshine was a hit at doggie day care.
Studio day one.
Hope in time for sunset and breakfast for dinner.
More cramming. And more studio time.
Followed by more beach and more cramming. We were very efficient, but the work was intense.
Studio day three (the last).
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And then it was time to get into the Liberals.
All in all a great experience. We bonded as musicians and friends.
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Maybe the Puppy
May 9, 2023
animals, cute dogs, first day home, golden doodle, maybe, maybelline, moonshine, puppy 1 Comment
Her real name is Maybelline. But we call her Maybe. We picked her up from the breeder at 8 weeks. She is a second generation golden doodle and should top out around 30 pounds. Three weeks later, she is part of the family and all dogs are happy again.
Here is Maybe’s arrival at home.
Moonshine, the 110 pound golden meets his new sister and pack member.
Moonshine has been excellent with the puppy so far.
First visit to the salon! Maybe is destined to be a shop dog.
David the vet meets Maybe.
Roughhousing as set in.
Winter Solstice 2022: Warm Friends on a Cold Night
December 18, 2022
dogs, farm, fire, party, photography dogs, photography, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, video, winter solstice, winter solstice 2022 3 Comments
It all started at 3pm for me (with the perfunctory “lighting of the barrel”). Just making sure there was a heat source for people who arrived before the big bonfire lighting.
The sky was gorgeous.
And soon there were solstice attendees and tiki torches.
We lit the fire shortly after 5pm when it finally got dark enough. There were LOTS of people here for the lighting. It was a good one.
The fire had a huge core (that is still burning late the next day).
Meanwhile up at the barn there was terrible Christmas music, lots of food, and a great sense of camaraderie.
The homemade eggnog (recipe here) made things a little blurry. Delicious.
The space between the barn and the bonfire is always magical. This year, the lasers were particularly remarkable.
And the highlight of the evening for me. Music with Clark and Gina. Yes please. This is how we turn the sun.
We wrapped things up around midnight with the last of the hearty attendees, leaving a large pack of 20 somethings to deal with the skunk!
Moonshine loved it.
And he says, now that everything is cleaned up, lets do it again!
Thanks to all who came. Magical.
The Backyard (well, mountain) in Tyinkrysset
November 11, 2022
hiking, travel dogs, gøran, hiking, mountains, nature, Norway, nova, photography, romey, travel, video 2 Comments
Sometimes walking out the door and around back is the best way to hike. We bushwhacked up through juniper and blueberry towards a small lake where fish are rumored to live. Tyinkrysset, Norway is beautiful.
This little stream is just up the road a few hundred meters.
Here are some pictures of our walk in the mountains.
A view of the valley.
Chilly Romey.
Panorama
Our intrepid hosts at the top. Our fearless leader Nova was dressed for the weather.
We love being in Norway.
Coffee and brown cheese? Nova says yes.
Today, the light
January 2, 2020
dogs, farm, hiking, mountain, photography blue ridge, dogs, gem, hiking, nature, photography, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river Leave a comment
Three views from the corner.
Trio one
Trio two
Trio three
The walk.
Mogli blends
Shenandoah
Light
Tree fire
Winter Solstice Solo 2019
December 22, 2019
farm, fire, party, photography bonfire, dogs, gem, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, sophie, winter solstice, winter solstice 2019 Leave a comment
The solstice tradition continues in force. Thanks to all who came for the love, laughter, music, and joy.
Tiki lighting
Deck the bridge
Sophie prefers indoor parties, thanks.
The barn in party mode
Before
More before
Sundown on the solstice
The lighting was as spectacular as ever.
Turn sun turn!
Meanwhile in the barn…Sophie takes a party nap.
Do not party like Sophie.
Boilo
Solstice potluck disco center
Burn hot
Alec and the fiddle player
The solution to cold butts
2am coals
I know, lets do it again. See you at the summer solstice!
The Garden Winds Down
September 26, 2019
farm bounty, corn, dogs, fall, flower, garden, gem, gleaning, photography, sunflowers Leave a comment
The garden produced prolifically this year. It was a great year for watermellon and corn. Heck, even the squash lasted for several months before it was wiped out by the squash beetles.
Some of the last of the bounty is coming in now.
Pepper haul Sept
Cayenne
Jalapeño, habañero, hot banana, cayenne
Late September tomato
Pick a peck of peppers
The tomato plans and the peppers have lots more production to go before they peter out. Meanwhile, the corn and the sunflowers are done. So down they come.
Gleaned corn
Now you see it
Now you don’t
I will stand up the husks in a typical Fall display, probably tomorrow.
extra junk
Sunflowers down.
Beheadings galore
Now you see them
Now you don’t
Sunflower poles
Fall.
Winter is coming.
Shadow play
Art in the Corner
April 27, 2019
art, dogs, who knows art, art in the corner, blue ridge, dogs, farm implement, gem, stone slab, video 2 Comments
Art in the Corner
Ever since we moved to this property in 2002, I have wanted to use one of the old rusted farm implements as an art piece. 17 years later, here is the piece pretty much exactly how I imagined it. The rock slab is a 2500 pound bluestone slab from Pennsylvania. Getting that properly staged was a thing, but it all went surprisingly smoothly.
Mogli is suspicious of this art idea
Busting Ice and Bothering Geese!
January 11, 2018
animals, cute, dogs, humor, nature, photography, river, who knows animals, dogs, environment, golden retreiver, humor, ice, paddling, photography, shenandoah river, video Leave a comment
With age does not always wisdom come. But, fun it was! We had a crazy-cold week that froze the river, and now a crazy-warm day to test out the water. Nice.
Mogli leads the way.
The mic on my phone was broken, but just imaging the sound of crunching ice.
Time for a break.
Here, imagine geese honking their displeasure! and ice popping as it melts. Hit ‘play’ and it is not upside down.
Sweet Mogli has captured a hunk of ice to take home! (Video is correct when plays)
Dirty hand is happy hand.
Exactly how i feel! :)
