Our good friend Jerry didn't play a musical instrument--in fact, I never even heard him hum a tune; but he totally loved bluegrass music and the people who make up the bluegrass music community. He spent the better part of his life, along with his wife Mae, promoting the art and traveling around the country attending concerts and festivals. On the weekend of the second Sunday in every December, Mae and Jerry's cozy home in Leeds was the scene of 48 hours of intense picking, singing, eating, and visiting with old friends. Vann and I attended many of those Hinton Christmas Pickin's.
Jerry passed from this life last week. Yesterday morning, a church full of his friends gathered to celebrate our friend's life. I have never attended a memorial service like it. Many of Jerry's friends--some famous, some not so--brought their musical instruments. A couple of them played and sang solos. There were dozens of testimonies in Jerry's memory. At the end of the service, everyone who had a banjo, guitar, mandolin, or any kind of musical instrument, came to the front of the church and played and led the congregation in singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." If ever a funeral service ended on a upbeat, that one did. If was a fittingly happy send-off for a man who shared happiness and friendship with countless people.
FOUND A TREE!
I found a white tree on Ebay for my Cardinal Totem Tree. I bid $10, and so far I have it. Bidding ends tomorrow. It's 24" tall and brand new. I think it'll work fine for the totem.
UNRAVELING MEDICARE
I hate to admit it, but I'm just a few weeks away from becoming a happy Medicare recipient, and I still don't have it all worked out. That's my goal this afternoon: to decide what I need and make arrangements to get it. I told Vann a while ago that, apart from the metric system, Medicare is the most confusing thing I've ever been involved in. If I happen to get it figured out in the next little while, I hope to do a little sewing today too.
Happy Sunday afternoon to all my blog buddies.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
--Proverbs 3:5
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On 02/08/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Bless your hearts and those of Jerry's friends and family, too. What a blessing he was to those who knew him and what a gift he had to spread happiness. You cannot be down when you're hearing or playing that type music. Perhaps that's why the words "pickin'" and "grinnin'" seem to go hand in hand.
Good luck to you on the eBay tree. I confess to being a last minute bidder since my humble theory is that if there's one bid, people will look to see what's worth bidding on and some of them end up bidding against you!
Good luck on the labyrinth of governmentese and legalese that those confounded Medicare forms are full of. They could also be full of something else!! Ya think?!
I'm sewing final borders on a UFO that has lingered unattended in my sewing room for perhaps 10 years. It's called Tree of Life, for the panel sent me by my Aussie quiltie sister that is in the center of this quilt top. Please pray for those endangered by the Australian wild fires. Their daytime temps have been 117*F and they're in a drought of many years. How about stepping out into the territory of miracles and join me in praying for rain? No lightening, please!
Hope Vann is feeling good!
Hugs!
On 02/08/2009, Patti Koosed said ...
Sorry to hear about your friend but what a nice thing to show tribute to him and his love for the fiddle.
Nice tree Susan.
Medicare? I am not looking forward to filling out all that stuff. My husband has gone through that but I still have a year and 5 months. Good Luck with that.
You partner awaits you over on my blog for my ATC swap
Have a great Sunday
Hugs
Bless You
Patti
On 02/08/2009, Beverly said ...
I'm saddened to read about the loss of your friend. But, what an appropriate song - because the circle truly is unbroken.
Now, you get Medicare all figured out so you can explain it to me when I get there.
On 02/08/2009, valerie said ...
I am so sorry about your friend. He sounds like an awesome guy. I have helped my mother in law with that medicare thing and I agree it is totally too confusing.
On 02/08/2009, Deena Warner said ...
Oh honey..what a tribute to your friend..
I'm sure he will be missed .
What do you do..a Cardinal Totem Pole...??? At first I thought
Red Cardinal ornies on the tree.
but I think I'm wrong.
Medicare..I feel like I'm 25 but..it's a lot closer to being
something I have to figure out than I'd like
but ..we are still young..if 60 in the new 40
LOL
Deena
On 02/08/2009, Diana said ...
What a wonderful story about your friend!
On 02/09/2009, Clare said ...
What a wonderful tribute to your friend Jerry. I am so sorry for your loss.
On 02/09/2009, Kai said ...
What better way to send a friend on his journey to the other side than to play him across? BEAUTIFUL! I'm betting he smiled the entire way! He must have been such a joyful person & I know you and ALL his friends & family will MISS him, but will feel him in the music you listen to! As for the Medicare - ARRRRGGGHH! Boy, do I EVER relate! And the tree is glorious! How pretty it will be covered in red birds! Don't forget - you & Vann give each other hugs from me today (and EVERY day) okay? LOVE YOU!
On 02/09/2009, Joyce said ...
Thank you so much Susan for praying for my nephew Aaron. He's having some problems today. They are putting a shunt into his head. UGH!
I liked your book list.
I am a major reader as well..
I want to read "Pillars Of The Earth"..and then "World Without End" I've been meaning to and your little book list reminded me. I forget sometimes which ones I want to read. HA! Then I get to the library and get other things instead.
I may call them today and reserve them now that I am thinking on it. HA!
I will come back and visit somemore aother time.
Thanks again for your sweet note....
Be blessed,
Joyce
On 02/09/2009, Carrie and Phillip said ...
Hey Susan, Have a good day. Love-Carrie and Phil
On 02/10/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Hi Susan,
Did you win the white tree auction?? I hope so! eBay is such a convenient place to find odd items at odd times of year that you want or need.
Adding prayers for Aaron to my other prayers.
Blessings!
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