2018 Review

 

So nice to be retired!

 

Ron spends a lot of his time on the ham radio circuit, and loves to take care of our 4 cats. Ron's health could be better.... leg pain that no one can seem to figure out. My health is good, they finally figured out my chronic cough was allergies to trees, weeds and grass 

 

TRAVEL

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We had some great trips this year. We have to travel separately because we have no cat-sitter!

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--Ron met his friend Chris at the big Auto Show in Detroit.

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--I started in January at my friend Mindy's condo on DelRay beach, Florida.

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--May visited my mother in New Jersey and saw the Downton Abbey exhibit in Manhattan.

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--June, the Kruger Brothers Academy in Wilkesboro North Carolina for banjo, guitar and bass. Fun to host Robbie Stevens from Dunedin, New Zealand, who we originally met at Kaufmann Kamp in Tennessee. Such a treat to hear a New Zealander sing "Eight More Miles to Louisville!"

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--August, drove to Cincinnati to visit friends... so strange to drive past the vineyard (which was ripped out) and replanted in corn.

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--September, I travelled with my two friends Norma and Inge to Paris, and we rented a car and drove to Normandy where we spent 11 days. Norma's “penpal” of 50 years still had one of our 2006 Kinkead Ridge Viognier'Roussanne that I sent them years ago. And it was stunning. Absolutely awesome food, cathedrals, Omaha Beach. Even overnight at a real chateau.

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--A one day trip to Bruges, Belgium.

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--Then flew back to Holmdel New Jersey and stayed with my mother for her 97th birthday! She still lives at home, and has a contract with Visiting Angels.

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--October. 4 days at my friend Lauren's cabin on a high ridge overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee. Sleeps 15! 3 hot tubs! Two kitchens! With other friends from Alaska, Florida and New Zealand, a banjo extravaganza! Minutes from Pigeon Forge.

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COMPANY

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--My friend Linda from Ripley. Visited the mountains nearby.

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--Hal Meyers, a professional magician (internationally known as Dameon) and musician, who stayed with us while he was moving south from Maine. He had his 13 doves with him! Last time we had an “animal” adventure was years ago when Wallowa Llamas stayed overnight in Portland and we had a llama in the backyard overnight.

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--Ron's friend Chris Holmes.

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--My friend best banjo buddy Lauren, whose son now goes to college in Winston-Salem, half an hour away.

 

OTHER

I play every other week with a group of musicians, the Crossroads Strummers, most of whom play dulcimer. There is also a guitar, fiddle and bow psalter. I was surprised to learn that Cyndi Lauper plays the dulcimer! Of course, the banjo being so loud, I would drown everyone out, so I bought “Mike's Banjo Mute” which softens the tone.

 

Of course, the best banjo joke ever is “What's the best way to tune a banjo?” “With wire clippers”. Still taking lessons from Billy Cockman, a National Banjo Champion.