Tuesday, November 25, '08

Slept well in Redding. We were up with the chickens (8:00 is early for us!) to re-torque exhaust parts and get through Sacremento before rush hour. It's almost fun to go hunting for gasoline again! the prices are all substantially under $2.00 everywhere you turn!

The trip was practically balmy compared to the weather we'd left behind. Mid 60's are a lot like much of the summer in western Washington this year!

We arrived in Tracy around 3:00 and made a bee-line to the weekly Tracy afternoon jam session. What fun to walk in on my dear ol' brother unannounced.

Many of the usual suspects were there and in fine fettle. Additionally a few newbies have joined in and broadened the musical menu.

As always the first set is gospel, the second set is mostly C&W. I'd have loved to dive in and take a second part, or 8 bars of an instrumental break, but without preparations I let my caution rule my bravado. Enjoying old acquaintances' performances hearing some new folks too made a most enjoyable afternoon.

Dinner is always an event after the jam. What a fine group of folk. The warmth and caring that the group holds for each other is a joy to see and feel. Souls are nourished as well as bodies, and all are fulfilled by the fellowship.

More music after dinner. What fun! Ted and I are working up music involving his easy skills on vocals and guitar, with me scrambling along on the upright bass. Lots of stumbles, often some good sounding stuff too. That's the fun in learning -- you can see yourself getting better by bounds!