IT'S AUGUST & LIFE IS GOOD HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Yep, the weather has been cooperating this summer... mellow days, cool evenings ( 40 degrees here this A.M. )... lots of rainy evenings too... very few forest fires, ( knock on wood )..

I got a call from The Canon Rose Acoustic Society last night.. they want me to open for the first show of the fall season this year...Always a great audience.. they listen to every word... and they love the oldies ! I've been working on a slow version of Buddy Hollies "Every Day".. I like it.. kinda makes it more "folky".. and a faster verson of "Detroit City".. which suits my voice better.

Sharon & I are going to town today... supplies, etc... might catch a movie, might take a drive up towards Cripple Creek first... check out the views... I also need to get another mike & stand at Guitar Center, ( want to mike my amp, for the Washburn G-3 and put the sound through the P.A. system).. gives me more options for a mellow sound....

Gonna hit the shower... bye for now... oh, yes.. the photos first is another sunset from our deck the second is a shot from up near Cripple Creek earlier this year.

Love to all,

Ric

Just Something For July

Boy ! It's almost the end of July...Can you believe it ?

I'm playing at the "General Store", again, this Saturday in Canon City, CO. Had a great time there previously. Going to try out some new material..

Also going to do some add'l chinking & sealing on the logs this weekend... got a few "checks" that need addressing. We're used to it though... Sharon & I had a log home in Rhode Island as well.. it's quite a bit different, with regards to maintenance than conventional construction..Dah !!

Included a couple more shots from the ranch..

Hope all is well with everyone

God Bless

Ric

Didn't get the Hagstrom H.J.

Came across a better jazz guitar... ( A Washburn J-3 Jazz model with upgraded pickups from a 1957 Gibson E.S. 175 and a Tune-o-matic bridge that was installed and set-up by "Sweetwater" )...

It's a BIG SWEETIE.. and the sounds are, well "heavenly" comes to mind !!!

It's just the right guitar for Chris Issac's "I Wonder" & Blue Bayou ( Roy Orbison) and my version of "Summertime"... also been messin with " I wish I could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" ( a 1923 tune by Fats Waller ) & Gerry & The Pacemakers " Ferry Across the Mersey"(s.p.?)and maybe " Down Mexico Way" ( Chris Issac's verson).... I'm Excited...

Thought I'd throw in a couple more photos from around the ranch too..

Love All Who Venture Here...

Ric

I've been checking out a new guitar recently.. a Hagstrom HJ-600 ( Jazz model ).

Thinking of adding some mellow electric sounds to the show. I had a Hagstrom acoustic-electric 12-string "33" back in the early 70's and loved it. We'll see what develops.

Sharon & I are heading out to Canon City & Pueblo today to do some "catch-up" shopping. We don't go off mountain too often on the weekends.. but, need to get some supplies.

I've been working on a version of "If I Had a Hammer".... sounds pretty good so far; need to work on dinamics though... Also, Chris Issacs's " I Wonder" ( love that song )...

The photos are from PHANTOM CANYON... I was in Victor, CO last week and came down the back way through the canyon.. Pretty day & "The Phantom" was out !!!

God Bless All !

Ric

Hope all is well with everyone.

General Store Performance -6-20-09

I performed at the "General Store" in Westcliffe, Co. last night.. Had a great time, audience was very responsive and seemed to enjoy the show. Got standing ovation & encore... I can't tell you how great that feels..They were listening to every word... as a singer, this means everything to me. By the way.. "to anyone who took photos..."..please send me a copy @ rhslemery@gmail.com

Thank you to all how attended.. I appreciate it so very much..As usual, Jack & Audry's cooking was superb...Sharon & our dear friend Holly came to the show as well...I believe a good time was had by all... My next performance at the "Store" will be Aug. 1st ( Sat.).. Looking forward to it ... Other photo is recent sunset from thew ranch..

God Bless,

Ric

Spring time at the ranch..Still awaiting the flowers & vegitation though... we're about a month to a month and a half behind the low-lands.. But, started the clean-up around the place.. Sharon's Russian Sage is starting & the Pampas Grass is showing signs of life.. The Rose Bushes have actually survived this year.. What with a rather mild winter & the herds of deer traversing the property ( the Elk leave mostly alone ).. We researched a little this winter & are going to try and plant some annuals that the critters don'tr like to "munch" on.. Also going to plant some additional Juniper.. The ones we've got are really doing great.. Looking forward to the long week-end.. Hope you all have great times with your families.... ( Sounds like I get a lot of traffic on this site.... don't it.... "WRONG"

My buddy Tom is out there though... I did mention the blog on "Classmates" but, so far no one has visited I guess.. NO big deal... I enjoy the few minutes I put into this every once and awhile..

God Bless All..

Ric

Visitor to the ranch ( good sized bobcat - looks like a female ) wouldn't let me get too close, but I got close enough to get this shot of her..very pretty, love to have one for a pet !!!, but I don't think our Maine Coons would enjoy the company ... the other pic is a recent sunset. Sharon & I are heading out to Canon City today for the spring blossom festival. ( lots of entertainment & arts / crafts, etc.)

" RANT "

Joined Classmates.com recently... kinda fun... but, I notice that 90+ percent do not post recent photos of themselves... "whats with that ? " ..

The folks around "us" are like it was back in the fifties... God fearing, loyal, dedicated, have work, personal and professional ethics, believe in God, trust & have faith in their friends, watch out for them and their families & what their being exposed to, do not believe in abortions, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. and can be counted on when the going gets rough... and, Oh, yes, we "can" carry guns out here...I'm actually enjoying being 62 yr's old.... but I do fear for our children & grandchildren.... America's founders had a vision for us that is being trampled by the "left" ... God help us all.........I "do" thank God, every day for my life and the love of a wonderful women, as well as, for the talent I have been blessed with and hope it can make the lives of others more enjoyable, in some small way.. RANT OVER !!!!!

Meanwhile... back at the ranch... Life is good, love & charity abound and I love you all....

God Bless and keep you...

Ric