Show #254

Hello Friends of the Garden!

This is after 4 hours! It was
just now 8 AM!

Welcome to the evening edition of my blog! My routine has been disrupted by hosting the cast party for our Flower Tome Companion show! So, I'm not writing in the early morning this time.

I believe I am experiencing "brisket burn out"! No, I'm not talking about eating too much brisket. You can't eat too much brisket! No, I mean from cooking that dang thing! I was up at 4:00 AM to start the giant hunk of meat! As far as I knew there is only one four o'clock a day and it comes in the late afternoon!

Like I said I started at four in the morning and took it off at that other four o'clock! Twelve hours of waiting to get to the magic temperature of 170 degrees! People were wandering in around 5:30 so I was busy! And just like this year's show the time and effort of preparing was disproportionately long and the party itself was over just like that! My last guest "ubered" away at 1:30. I was a few hours away from being up 24!

My garden hose and
wheelbarrow up-cycling! Fun
party conversation starter, as in
why? 

I had a great time at the party. I got to do some people watching. I love watching people interact with each other! Especially when you know almost all of them! Even more fun when alcohol relaxes their guard a little! On top of that when your buddies bring their spouses the dynamics change a lot too! Thank goodness the brisket was good and it didn't give them a topic to unify on!

I was afraid to cut the brisket at first. Guests were arriving and could smell it. I knew I had to go ahead and start slicing! I had allowed it to "rest" (sit a minimum of 30 minutes) before so, I just went ahead. I was so worried it would be bad! I had visions of Thanksgiving and poorly cooked turkeys. I was imagining polite compliments that were more out of kindness that reality! I was happy to cook it and afraid to eat it! My fear had temporarily paralyzed me!  What a strange dichotomy!

That crazy AMC Dealership from
American Pickers that is returning
to the Earth!

I guess I've been stuck seeing this Yin/Yang thing, like there's two sides to everything (usually more)! When things happen repeatedly, right in front of you, you start to wonder, "What the heck is going on?" Lately I've seen a lot of this balance thing that's going on! I'm even beginning to understand "enantiodromia", the phenomenon of returning to homeostasis or things eventually turning in to their opposites! Been fun watching and learning, well,  kind of learning!

Oh, by the way, the brisket was really good! There was none left this morning! I need to learn to have more faith in myself!

On to Show #254! This show is influenced by Eddie! I met Eddie at the grocery store. We were going back and forth down the aisles opposite of each other. About the third aisle I noticed Eddie had a Leftover Salmon hoodie on. On the fourth aisle I spoke to him and he noticed that I had a Widespread Panic shirt on. I told Eddie about my radio show and I asked what Salmon song he wanted to hear. Well, here you go Eddie! So, I go "jammy" for a little and return to Garden Party homeostasis! It's all good!

Thanks as always Jerry and Robin, I do appreciate you guys!

Thanks to you listeners too! Please consider giving what you can to support our station! I know we are in need! Your modest contribution would be so very welcome!

Peace and love to you all!

Mike

Show #253

Hello Friends of the Garden,

"I'm havin' pie for breakfast "

Well it's back to the fortress of solitude (translation: I'm back at the coast, on the deck, listening to KPIG). It is gray, misty morning and perfect for pie and coffee for breakfast (a wonderful, funny memory for me and Jerry, thanks man!). I love the way my day starts here at the coast! Set your clocks for "Island Standard Time" (i.e. I'll get to it when I get to it!) cause I'm slowing down!

The Brothers Comatose at HSB. Somewhere,
way back on the right, Jerry and the rest
of the posse are up and dancing in the
midday sun!

Well, we pulled off another Rogue Festival show! Now the memories are quickly becoming a fading image in rear view mirrors of our lives! It's always a melancholy feeling that follows an event that you truly enjoy and anticipate. I had so much fun performing with my friends but, it's nice to take your foot off the pedal and relax. Unfortunately, there's usually an emptiness after that makes you reflect. I'm learning how and what to fill that empty feeling with.

"How long have you been able to shine?"

It's not just the passing of the good times that leave a void in your feelings or soul or heart or mind; the bad times can leave an empty feeling too! Of course it's human nature to want to push away the painful times. I can't help but think of the movie, "The Shining", and how Mr. Halloran (Scatman Crothers) explains to Danny/Doc ( Danny Lloyd) about how things can linger, like the smell of burnt toast. The bad times can leave those hard smells like, feeling helpless, or feeling left behind, or without a way to ease the pain.

Insidious ancient Chinese secret!

The Chinese understood how things have natural opposition. I'm sure other people had noticed it before, but the Chinese took it to the next level with their notion of Yin and Yang. It seems that one can't exist without the other! Acknowledging and preparing for life's perpetual Yin and Yang softens out the road with all its' highs and lows.

I wish I had known Russell better!

It's been a year since my good buddy Jerry lost his son, Russell. My friend Jennifer just lost her husband Tyson. The close knit group of family friends of my wife are slowly falling by the wayside, most recently Tom. Anytime I think about the pain and sorrow each of these dear friends are experiencing I hurt vicariously and only get a smell of what it's like. It can be a sobering sensation!

I wish I had known Ty better!
He was so cool!

This is when the Yin gives way to the Yang, if you can be sensitive and perceptive enough. Even though it's been weeks since Jerry and I have sat down to a beer, I know we have created a bond that knows no time limit. Jennifer and I have reconnected in way that truly been the essence of mutual support, love and respect (Thanks Jen). And while I've had my own personal struggles, I've had a host, a veritable army, of friends rally to me.

I can't say it now but, I hate that whole, "it builds character" thing whenever you're faced with a challenging issue. If there was anything that we have a surplus of here on our planet Earth, it would be character! The assumption that that character would be for personal use only seems only natural. I realize now that it's not possessing "character", it's doing something with it!

Perfect time and place to
find perspective. Now it's
 time to find sea glass!

Try this! Next time you're hanging out with your buddies, just shut up for a little and see the Yin and Yang in your friends. Call it whatever you want. Take it down to a level beyond philosophy so you don't have to trip on nomenclature or origin. I believe you'll find out more about yourself by better knowing the people that influence your life. 

Ok, here's Show #253! First let me apologize in advance! Sometimes things get stuck in my head and they tumble and tumble around until I can put them away! I kept thinking about what direction I wanted to go with for Show #253. Direction is what I came up with, literally! In a full "Gardenerism" show (ask Jerry), I go from "North", to "South", to "East" and "West" in the first hour. The second hour I go "Up", "Down"," Left", "Right" and "All Around"! In and amongst all that there's some cool tunes in there! Like I said, sorry, simpleminded people do simpleminded things. It's still fun!

Thanks as always Jerry and Robin! The other day I was talking with some people at the bar. We were talking about a person that would advertise themselves as a life coach! We decided that the idea that someone that would claim to be able to fix your life regardless of circumstance was preposterous! You guys are good "life coaches"!

For all of you listeners and readers I have a challenge for you! Fundraising time is coming and we have done miserably the last few times! We could really use a shot in the arm! The smallest amount you can afford will make a difference, especially you streaming listeners! Imagine being able to say, "Yeah, I support this crazy guy in Fresno. I know weird huh? But this guy is different and I didn't give that much. He seemed happy so, really no big deal for me! I just felt good helping out!" Let that thought ruminate a while!

Peace and love to you all!

Mike

Show #252

Hello Friends of the Garden,

Obsessed with size!

What a wonderful morning it is! Saturday is here again and I'm at my spot in the garage with my coffee and the paper. This is an exercise in "utility" that has enormous therapeutic quality. I definitely use my Saturday mornings to reflect, slow down, take a breath and remind myself of all the things I've been blessed with!

Me and my good friend John
Alden! Working things out for
the Rogue Festival.

When I first started drinking coffee I used to have the impression that this is what many people use to wake up and get their day started. Later, I learned that some people use coffee to recover from having too much fun the night before! Now, I feel like coffee means setting aside some time to think and reflect. I wish I had spent more time thinking and processing my feelings when I was younger. I'm certain I would have avoided at least some of the self inflicted wounds I've given myself over the years.

Too much, way too much stuff!

The only trouble with all that reflection and thinking is if you don't follow up on it without doing anything with it, then why do it at all? I have been "thinking" about cleaning up my garage for a couple of years now. I have made myself keenly aware of the benefits of having a clean garage. Aside from the obvious, like being able to find things, I have discovered the residual affect it has on my wife. 

Ok, here's the formula, get "ringers"
like Max Debbas and Debi Ruud and
your chances for success are way
better!

Although my wife only spends a minuscule amount of time in the garage, I have found that it pleases her greatly to have a clutter free walk from her car to inside the house. Of course this divides a whole group of people who's car is not presently inside their garages for a host of reasons. I have one friend that has a three car garage and there is no space for any of his cars! 

Another "ringer" and new companion
Debbie Dailey didn't know she would
have to act too! She was great!

I won't deny that I do really want to have a tidy garage for my own satisfaction but, even better is how it pleases my wife! Don't be surprised if Dr. Oz has a show about improving your sex life by having a clean garage! Seems like all the things that you need to do for your own good requires some kind of sacrifice and effort! Seriously, how bad would you like to improve your sex life? Bad enough to clean the garage? Imagine the possible responses!

Larry Lindberg and Steve
Ono 2/5ths of the "Flat
Growlers"

While cleaning my garage I've had time to contemplate my latest focus, our Rogue Festival show! Our group/troupe has one last show tonight and I have to admit to feeling a little bittersweet about it. It came to an end so quickly! There has been a lot of work and effort put in by so many along the way! Each successive show has been better and better and more and more satisfying! 

Don Priest and Mike Smith 2 more
fifths of the "Flat Growlers"

The transition from rehearsing to performing has been a lot like waiting in line at Magic Mountain for "X-2". The wait in line seems like forever, then the ride is over in seconds! The tedious work involved in getting to the performance seems so worth it now that our group has experienced the thrill of bringing our production to the public. There are a lot more smiles, compliments, laughter and just pure love among many of us as we collectively witness the finished product. 

The 5th Growler and
mandolin madman
John Fowler!

When you are as dumb as I am, everyday is an opportunity to learn something! I like to think of myself as being very average. So, it should make you feel confident that even the average are capable of realizing the room for greater understanding. This Rogue Festival show has come with it's own lessons.

Valerie Priest and scene
stealing Mike Smith!

Here's my big lesson learned! In 1993 when Chris Farley interviewed Paul McCartney on SNL, he asked him about the meaning of the song "The End". Farley asked, "Is that true? The love you take is equal to the love you make." My greatest joy is to slip off away and observe all the joy and laughter of my friends. I can't help but feel a sense of pride at being a part of bringing some happiness to the world.

Joey Arriola in a moment of clarity!

So, yes it is true, the love you take is equal to the love you make! In the end it's not about things, it's about the memories. When my Dad passed away I took some of his clothes, his hat and his boots! I cherish those things but not nearly as much as the memories I have locked away! The memories of that one time a bunch of my friends put on a show and made a town laugh is worth much, much more than any gift or thing! It took a lifetime to learn this one!

Mike Golding all purpose, all
powerful!

On to Show #252! This week I can't think of any great entertainment competition so, no excuses everybody! This show starts normal and ends jamming! The first hour has an Americana feel to it and ends a little nostalgically. The second hour is an onslaught of "Jam Bands"! First timers on the show this week are Sarah Jarosz, Bloodkin, Bishop Black and Raq. I'm excited to play the Umphrey McGee tune, try not to miss it! It made me think of our buddy Tyson and some of the stories I had heard! You'll like it!

Glen Westersund looks better in
my Dad's hat than I do!

Thank you Jerry and Robin as always! Jerry congratulations on the birth of another grandchild! Robin, thank you for your patience with my zealousness regarding my play! It feels so good feeling good again (thanks REK)!

Mr. Silky voice, Don Weaver 

Hey, if you want off this list just send a note to us and you won't have to be bothered with this message any more! It won't hurt my feelings! I can tell you I'll keep writing because this is more about learning than earning your respect or agreement. Most of you who know me know this about me; I'm not trying to persuade anyone about anything. I would never presume to have a greater knowledge of anything, just the desire to understand myself more! So many of you are so very supportive and you have contributed to my own growth! I'm so thankful!

Jennifer Kanzler and me!

My Dad's boots. I can wear 'em
but, I'll never fill them!

Peace and love to you all!

Mike

Show #251

Hello Friends of the Garden,

Not the group my wife went to. 

Well, it's another wonderful Saturday morning! I didn't have too much fun on Friday night so, I feel good. I was a bachelor on Friday night because my wife had a night out with her friends. They had planned to engage in a "Wine and Painting" party. The irony of their choice made my evening all the more humorous to think about. 

What? Must have been really good
wine or at least a lot of it!

I have been using this blog to see if I enjoyed writing. I'm finding that I never really got a chance to discover what my passion is. I had reckoned that I could practice by writing every week in this blog. If I didn't like it, it would die a natural death from ambivalence.That eventually led to something more. With a lot of help, a few of my good friends and I wrote a play and performed it to great success. 

Conscientious objector

My buddies, and a couple new additions to the group, have joined to put another show/play together. While discussing a certain scene, I proposed including "Wine and Painting" as an excuse for guys to go out and drink while their wives are busy. All of my friends looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. None of them were aware of "Wine and Painting" parties. 

Jackson Pollock on pastels!

Yesterday, the night before our opening performance, I get a night out from "Wine and Painting". It came completely naturally! This was an idea of one of my wife's friends. My wife has never shown any interest in it. I had never discussed anything about our play/show beforehand with any of them. I didn't really even talk to my wife much about the writing either. 

Thursday my wife and few others saw our final dress rehearsal. It was also filmed by CMAC, a local public access program. Friday morning, my wife laughed as she told me that she would be busy with her friends that evening attending a "Wine and Painting" party. The irony was too much to be real! Talk about "Life imitating art" or "Art imitating life" or which ever it is!

My wonderful wife's "Wine
and Painting" treasure!
 Life is strange!

Real life is so filled with these little moments. You can't make this stuff up! You just have to count yourself lucky when you catch it, like seeing a shooting star! It's so cool when you're there to witness it! It seems to happen to me a lot, I'll bet it does to you too!

Hey thanks Jerry and Robin for attending the dress rehearsal. You guys are so supportive of me! It never goes unnoticed! Your opinions are always respected by me! I can't say thanks enough!

Thank you too, kind listeners and supporters of my show and KFSR! We are approaching another fund raising time and our last effort was not as productive as hoped. I hope you will consider helping out the station in whatever way you can! We thrive on small contributions, your modest support will be greatly appreciated!

Peace and love to you all!

Mike