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Topic: Thinking About All Of You As We Face This Pandemic.. |
Mark Helm
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 12:08 am |
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I know this is a non-pedal posting forum--and I'm a non-pedal guy... But I wanted to share and figured this was the place.
In the past several days, I've been especially worried about our members who are most vulnerable to the virus, and I pray for them every day, multiple times. Most of all, I've been thinking about C.E. Jackson, who got me started on this path. I'm sure you all know him. What a guy!
I'm hoping C.E. will post something soon to let us know he's sheltering in place and doing OK. These are tough times.
Many of you have seen a lot of activity from me the past several years, but not much of late. TO be honest, the past few months have been really rough. We just had tornadoes in Nashville, my car died twice and, well, when it was all said and done, I had to sell my last steel... a sweet Remington D-8/10. That was pretty painful. And now this. Work's disappearing, and there's no end in sight... BUT, I'm confident we'll get through this!
And, as we shelter in place, I encourage you to reach out to a pioneer like C.E. Jackson, or a member who's inspired you. Please check in to let them know how much you appreciate them, and suggest they post a note to let us know they're alright, or a new tune if they can..
I love ALL you guys. You're in my thoughts and prayers in these difficult times.
Aloha,
Mark Helm
_________________
Remington Steelmaster S8 w/ custom Steeltronics pickup. Vox MV-50 amplifier + an 1940's Oahu cab w/ 8" American Vintage speaker. J. Mascis Fender Squire Jazzmaster, Hofner Club bass, Ibanez AVN4-VMS Artwood Vintage Series Concert Size Acoustic Guitar. 1920s/30s Supertone Hawaiian-themed parlor guitar. Silvertone parlor guitar.
Last edited by Mark Helm on 21 Mar 2020 4:45 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 4:16 am
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Mark I was thinking the same thing about CE. Have seen a post from him in a while. I know he is up in years as many of you guys are, me included. I am debating whether to go in to work on Monday.....I work in Montgomery Co. the hot spot in PA. There are over 150 employees in the plant. I'm 70.....maybe I'll take some vacation time? Maybe I need to make this post a poll?
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 5:35 am
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
| Bill, your plant is still open? Are you in a life-critical industry? |
SO THEY say! We make all kinds of plastic cards. Insurance, credit, DOD, Passports......any kind of plastic card you can think of we make it. I am taking next week off and will see how things are progressing by next Friday. I have 6 weeks vacation saved up.......
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 5:40 am
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I think you'd be wise to stay home starting immediately. Even if it uses up your 6 weeks vacation. Chances are they'll close the plant before that's up anyway and then you'll just be on furlough like everyone else and still have some vacation time left when it's over. But you are among the fortunate ones who can get paid to stay home right now, so do! Be safe.
p.s. I live in Montco too.
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www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 5:51 am
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Jim I emailed my boss after my first post and told him I won'at be in next week and will continue to monitor the spread. I know you are a Philly boy. Many of my co workers live in Philly as well. Thanks for the advice. Steel players are a dying breed, no sense hurrying up the process.
(Not that I consider myself a player!) 
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Mark Helm
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 4:42 pm
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| Bill Groner wrote: |
J I know you are a Philly boy. Many of my co workers live in Philly as well. Thanks for the advice. Steel players are a dying breed, no sense hurrying up the process.
(Not that I consider myself a player!) |
As an almost Philly boy myself (Margate, NJ, born and bred), my heart goes out to you and the guys at your plant. My heart goes out to everyone...
And, yes--steel players are a dying breed--especially the non-pedal guys. I'm relatively young (57), but most of my buddies here are in their mid 60s to early 90s.
I live in Nashville and we JUST go over a tornadoes. And now another kind of storm.
STAY HEALTHY - MUCH LOVE TO ALL!!!
_________________
Remington Steelmaster S8 w/ custom Steeltronics pickup. Vox MV-50 amplifier + an 1940's Oahu cab w/ 8" American Vintage speaker. J. Mascis Fender Squire Jazzmaster, Hofner Club bass, Ibanez AVN4-VMS Artwood Vintage Series Concert Size Acoustic Guitar. 1920s/30s Supertone Hawaiian-themed parlor guitar. Silvertone parlor guitar. |
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Joe Elk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 5:48 pm
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Me Thinks you made the appropriate course of action
Joe Elk Central Ohio |
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 5:56 pm
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| Mark, I'm in Overton County. Missed the Cookeville tornado by 20 miles. So far no reported cases of the virus in this county but it doesn't mean we can dismiss it. This county might not have the capability to test for it. Difficult decisions on when to close the retail store part of the business. I'm sure it's coming. All of the students have already quit. |
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Rick Abbott
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 6:32 pm
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I just spent 30 hours in a recording studio with a local musical legend in my area. We recorded most of a new record in that time. Had computer issues and had to stop short of tracking the last couple songs. When I left I had to consider I might not see him again as he's not a young man. It makes me so uncomfortable to think about all the great people I know who are in "the age group" most susceptible to this virus. Good news is all of them are taking this seriously, but I worry about folks who don't believe its real or that can't understand how important the rules of the game are, and move in and out of their homes. Please remember that your exposure is their exposure to this.
Blessings and peace to all y'all. Time will come that we can go about a normal day...this ain't it!
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 21 Mar 2020 6:34 pm
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Thanks for posting this topic, Mark. We currently have 525 cases here in Mass. 112 new ones today. I'll be 70 in a couple of months and I've been staying home for about two weeks now. I go out every third day or so to do errands. I wear latex gloves when I go out, I stay away from people, and I wash my hands a lot.
My only commitments nowadays are two days of teaching at a local music store and about five gigs a month. Two weeks ago I quit teaching at the store. It’s too dangerous for someone of my age to be teaching in a small room with the door closed, one student after another. Since then the store (and nearly every other business downtown) is closed to walk-in customers. It's by appointment only. No more lessons TFN.
Last week the governor put restrictions on crowd size, no more than 25 people. All of my gigs are cancelled for now and that's fine with me. This virus hasn't even peaked yet. And after it does it will still be with us until a vaccine is available. That's 12 to 18 months away.
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My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 2:23 am
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We're lucky to live in a time where technology allows such thing as a "virtual life." If we can't see people face to face, we at least have a place where we can gather. I can't imagine what it must have been like in 1918. I hope that our improved communication helps knock this thing down quicker, but that we don't allow all of this information to overwhelm us.
I've been locked down now for a couple of weeks--order groceries on line and have them delivered to the curb (nice to have that available even here in a rural part of the country). I'm lucky in that I can still see people outside, at a distance, and maintain some level of interaction that I couldn't if I lived in an urban area....
Everybody stay well and keep the faith.
Dave |
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 2:47 am
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| David Ball wrote: |
I've been locked down now for a couple of weeks--order groceries on line and have them delivered to the curb (nice to have that available even here in a rural part of the country). Dave |
You are light years ahead of rural Tennessee. The only delivery here is pizza. I can order food online and have it shipped in but lately it's taking more than 3 weeks to get anything. So I have to risk going out. The local stores have been out of many items. Sometimes can't even get beans and cornbread. I saw a recipe online for breaded squirrel. It may come to that. |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 3:26 am
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| Robert Allen wrote: |
| David Ball wrote: |
I've been locked down now for a couple of weeks--order groceries on line and have them delivered to the curb (nice to have that available even here in a rural part of the country). Dave |
You are light years ahead of rural Tennessee. The only delivery here is pizza. I can order food online and have it shipped in but lately it's taking more than 3 weeks to get anything. So I have to risk going out. The local stores have been out of many items. Sometimes can't even get beans and cornbread. I saw a recipe online for breaded squirrel. It may come to that. |
A meat pie made with squirrel is the best
(they eat nothing but good stuff, corn and nuts)......we have had it many times back in the day........if you can get over looking at them in the pot you got it made. Wife made the crust, I did the rest. She said they looked like rats in the pot. I might live near Philly, but I like grits!
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 3:45 am
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| Robert Allen wrote: |
| David Ball wrote: |
I've been locked down now for a couple of weeks--order groceries on line and have them delivered to the curb (nice to have that available even here in a rural part of the country). Dave |
You are light years ahead of rural Tennessee. The only delivery here is pizza. I can order food online and have it shipped in but lately it's taking more than 3 weeks to get anything. So I have to risk going out. The local stores have been out of many items. Sometimes can't even get beans and cornbread. I saw a recipe online for breaded squirrel. It may come to that. |
The shelves are apparently pretty bare up here too, but at least I can pick up the parts of my order they're able to fill outside, so I count myself lucky. Fortunately, we have a good stock of staples on hand. We had beans and cornbread for supper last night, and it was quite delicious. I'm not quite down to squirrels yet...
Dave |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 4:32 am
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Before the Virus,there I was, with a "to-do" list so long I wondered if I would live long enough to get it all done. Now ... well, I'm wondering if I'll live long enough to get it all done.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 4:44 am
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Squirrels aren't bad at all...chicken of the trees, as it were. Haven't gotten the small game license in a few years...the wife hated the little tiny hairs that were almost impossible to get completely off the meat, and its a lot of work for a small amount of meat...but done right, like stewing the meat and then deboning, it's quite nice!
Can't say the same for acorns (maybe my leaching methods are off, tried some acorn pancakes yesterday  ). But, any old port in a storm I suppose...
Stay safe everybody!
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 4:52 am
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| Nic Neufeld wrote: |
Squirrels aren't bad at all...chicken of the trees, as it were. Haven't gotten the small game license in a few years...the wife hated the little tiny hairs that were almost impossible to get completely off the meat, and its a lot of work for a small amount of meat...but done right, like stewing the meat and then deboning, it's quite nice!
Can't say the same for acorns (maybe my leaching methods are off, tried some acorn pancakes yesterday ). But, any old port in a storm I suppose...
Stay safe everybody! |
Now listen up all you city boyz. Here is a guy that knows what he's talking about! Don't knock it till you tried it. https://www.ediblecommunities.com/recipes/squirrel-pot-pie/
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 6:10 am
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Back in my deer hunting days in 1960s and early 1970s our self-appointed camp cook made lots of fried squirrel, along with the occasional pot of squirrel and dumplings.
Good stuff.
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Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 7:36 am
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My uncle used to cook up squirrel brains and gravy for breakfast. I just never could go there....
Dave |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 7:46 am
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Dudes, this is what caused this in the first place! Stop eating varmints. Lol
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 7:48 am
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I think I would leave the brains alone personally...if not for general squeamishness, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (prion based, like mad cow or chronic wasting disease) is no joke, and people have gotten it and died from eating squirrel brains, I think in Kentucky...
Fun steel guitar related anecdote from our family's adventure in self-quarantine...yesterday I was cold-smoking cheese, and my cold smoking contraption uses a tea light candle to get a track of sawdust to start smoldering. By the time it was going properly, the tea light candle was completely liquid and actively burning, not just from the wick. I stupidly used whatever little clamp thing I could grab to grip the edge of the candle and extract it without dumping flaming wax everywhere...and managed to flip flaming wax onto the top of my right hand fingers. Wooowee. I've got layers of skin off in a couple spots, pain is manageable, but my middle finger is out of commission for metal finger picks until that heals. Which is unfortunate as I was hoping to use quarantine to get some solid practice in! Ah well, could've been worse. I'd feel extremely embarrassed if I hurt myself sufficiently doing something stupid and unnecessary that would force me to go to a hospital and take away time and resources from them...
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 22 Mar 2020 7:52 am
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| Nic Neufeld wrote: |
| I think I would leave the brains alone personally...if not for general squeamishness, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (prion based, like mad cow or chronic wasting disease) is no joke, and people have gotten it and died from eating squirrel brains, I think in Kentucky... |
Yep, my uncle is from Kentucky...
Dave |
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