I had Bello out at the park the last couple of evenings...

...and I played righteous as the Sun was going low in the sky.

I'm starting to get a better feel for smaller and more fluid movements of the keys, and believe it or not, finer-yet control of the reed. I learned a new vocal effect that puts an emotional, trembling warble in my sax's voice.

It's getting pretty chilly out in the evenings now, though. It won't be long until I'm stuck indoors.

Being indoors presents serious challenges now. I'm living in a high-rise condo buildin; last winter I was in a house. There's a third person now too. On top of it all, my hours have changed at work.

Also, my pocket recorder died. I'll have to figure out how to record with my phone.

Anyway, it's bed-time.

Thank You for reading & listening.

Dan

High Summer On Herrick Lake...

The sky is a cloudless seventy five and sweet.

The breezes soft as a baby's kiss,
The grasses dance slow,
Slow and sultry and tall.

People are all around and reverent,
Walking dogs,
Rowing boats and canoes,
Fishing,
Throwing frisbees,
Lying in dappled shade holding hands.

The leather and wood I carry is essential,
Almost as old as I am,
Somewhat battered and serviceable,
Beauty inside waiting.

I find an old picnic table in the shade,
Down at the far end of the lake,
I can scent the green and mirror water,
Dragon flies dancing over sparkling rowboat wakes.

Everything is green and light,
Faint hints of Summer's yellow end barely showing.

I pull the golden brass from its case,
And through me Bello sings.

Clear as water and bright,
The notes drift out over the lake,
Easy and mellow,
The reed sings to all its cousins,
"I am alive!"

I bring the notes down low and rumbling,
A deference to Thunder that's left us all this grceful peace,
Then push for the ragged edge of harmonics,
As close to chords as a saxophone gets.

Young children stare in delighted surprise and wonder,
Parents smile and walk slower.

People smile in passing,
I play and play,
One of the last bright Sundays of Summer languidly passing by.

If this is not church and worship and thank-you to God,
I am lost and deaf and blind,
No more so than sources of dispute.

I roll gently through the deep and soft notes of my ending song,
Disassemble,
Close the case,
Walk back to the yellow truck.

A fine cigar and chair are waiting,
Coffee and the songs of frogs and cicadas.

September is sweet,
At peace,
A piece of forever.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 09/13/2009

Condo Living & Work Schedule Change...

...Are kicking my butt on sax practice. Once a week isn't cutting it, too much loss of facial muscle tone. I'm going to have to work on this.

The guitar practice is going much easier, almost every day. It's easy not to disturb anyone with an electric and an amp sporting a headphone jack. I had to get an extension cable for the walkman headpones and a 1/8th to 1/4" jack adapter, but it works.

I guess you have to call that "postus interruptus." I was inspired to write all of you a note after reading Premier Guitar for an hour, but Honey was suddenly done with the bookstore.

At any rate, I'm going to go give Rosie a ring and practice that mofo F-chord. Tomorrow, I'm taking Bello outside. It's supposed to be beautiful all weekend.

Speaking of which, have a lovely weekend yourselves, and thank you for reading and listening.

Dan

Yeah, I bought a guitar...

I seem to keep finding myself getting in a rut with the sax after a week or two, and having a few days' break from it seems to help me break through.

So here's the deal - I play Bello for awhile, then give Rosie a ring, and back & forth it goes. I've always loved sax and guitar, so these two will fill me up and fill me out as a musician. At least that's what I believe.

Thanks for reading and listening.

Dan

Gonna Give Rosie A Ring...

Gonna Give Rosie A Ring...		[-]
Posts: 3047 (08/29/09 07:40:25) Moderator Reply Quote Edit Del More My Recent Posts Show/Hide User's Posts Hide	Gonna Give Rosie A Ring... Ah, Sweet mornin' glowing bright and true, Gonna give Rosie a ring, Sweet-playing thang, Gonna give Rosie a ring. If the day comes when I'm feelin' down n' blue, Gonna give Rosie a ring, All six strings, Give Rosie a ring. Playin' true in the morning, Strummin' happy by evenin', Even if I can barely sing, Just gonna give Rosie a ring. Someday I'll play so fine, Happy up on cloud nine, All because I gave Rosie a ring, Sweet-playin' thang, Just gonna give Rosie a ring. And when Heaven calls, Won't need no harp in the Angel halls, No, Just gonna give - give Rosie a ring, Lord, let me give Rosie a ring. Aahaaaa, Yeah, Give Rosie a ring. AquarianM By: Daniel A. Stafford (C) 08/29/2009 Words are the mind's bridge - it's connection to all the universe. Love is the heart's bridge - it's connection to all other souls. Loving words can work miracles. All of my currently available poetry Chapbooks are for sale at: www.lulu.com/Daniel-Stafford

Candy Apple Strat...

Candy Apple Strat...		[-]
Posts: 3041 (08/27/09 22:13:58) Moderator Reply Quote Edit Del More My Recent Posts Show/Hide User's Posts Hide	Candy Apple Strat... Twang! I can feel a little heat off the amp, It's like a Christmas bulb in my eyes, Pretty and hot. I've waited for years and later finally came, I can hear it screaming sweet in my head, Waiting for release. Slow steady work finally located Rome, Now for the years to build it, Not starting a day too late. I can feel all my legends buzzing under my skin, If I can play anything they invented I'll be thrilled, Finding joy in a burst of song. Glory days don't have to pass you by. AquarianM By: Daniel A. Stafford (C) 08/28/2009 Author's Note: I bought a Mexican-made used Fender Stratocaster on eBay, the guitar you see pictured here. She's in mint condition and plays like a dream. Candy Apple Red with a rosewood fretboard. I'm thinking to call her Rosie. I have a lot of learning to do - I'm also wanting to learn to repair guitars on the side. No, I have not given up the sax - but at times I get in a rut with it and have to put it down for a few days. I've wanted one of these for 20 years - so now I can alternate between the two. Words are the mind's bridge - it's connection to all the universe. Love is the heart's bridge - it's connection to all other souls. Loving words can work miracles. All of my currently available poetry Chapbooks are for sale at: www.lulu.com/Daniel-Stafford Blessings, peace, and prosperity to All.