Johnny Appleseed and Me

     John Chapman, or Johnny Appleseed was born September 26th 1774,  the second child of Nathaniel Chapman and his wife, the former Elizabeth Symonds. of Leominster, Massachusetts. His father started young John upon a career as an Orchardist by apprenticing him to a Mr. Crawford, who had an apple orchard.

       There are so many legends and myths surrounding the guy, you might be tempted to blow him off as just a story. I (DM) got it in my head a couple of years ago to see if it were still possible to get a tree for our apple orchard that had some connection to Johnny Appleseed. I got on line and discovered Historic Trees where you can purchase direct offspring started from cuttings taken from the last known surviving tree he planted.  If you  like that sort of thing, I noticed this morning you can still get yourself  one of these young trees.

     We purchased (3) of them and planted them by our old barn. Here is a photo of one of them I took this morning.    The white tail deer are thick in our neck of the woods, so I had to put a fence around the young trees:

 

 Here is the certificate of authenticity  we got with the tree:

 

Here is a photo of the original tree from a magazine article before it died:

     There are over 7500 varieties of apple trees world wide!!!!

     This variety is called a Winter Rambo. It is a tart, red- striped apple. These flavorful heirloom apples,are great for pies and dumplings, and make good applesauce. My thought is, when this tree gets a little bigger, have an outdoor sign made w/ this certificate placed next to the tree. I love incorporating whimsy in my life, this tree, does that for me.

How about you? What sort of ways do you add whimsy to your life?

      Getting back to Johnny Appleseed for just a second. The guy was a real person. If you get on line, you can find him on the genealogy websites. If you know someone whose last name is Chapman it might be fun to see if there is a connection.

       Twice I have dressed up like Mr John Chapman (pot on my head, fake beard, bare foot) and given a presentation in our local library My wife has accompanied me dressed in period costume. I have a couple of pictures around somewhere…if I can lay my hands on them I will post them. I think there may be a little of Johnny in me.

Margin

      To live with margin  means …”to live in a rhythm that includes periods of productivity and periods of restoration and refreshment.  Not to live with margin means you’re denying your God-given design to get regular rest.” 

                       Discipleship Journal May/June 2009

     I framed houses in the early 1990′s with  Tom.  Tom would work 7 days a week, week after week.  I got a phone call on a Monday morning :   “Doug, could you come over and talk with Tom.”  It was his wife.

      When I got there,  Tom was sitting on the couch in a dark mood.     I found out later, this was not the first time this had happened.    They told me, he just needed a break.   Tom didn’t know how to pace himself,   his mind and body would   overheat like the circuit breaker on an electrical panel.   He’d take a week off,  recover and start the craziness all over again.     

      I (DM)  grew up on  120  acre dairy farm, milked 18 Holstein dairy cows, twice a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.   I am also a  first born.     I got married, had two daughters, went  back to school in 1985.  Had two more kids.   Working part time, going to school part time.     My boss was also the high  school youth group leader of our church.  

      “Doug, I think you would make a great  high school leader.“   It was a 2 evening a week commitment- minimum. I joined.

     Our  church was also helping us with housing. They had regular Saturday work days. I felt obligated to do that too.

     Did I mention, I was also a hard core people pleas-er?     I had such a strong craving for people’s approval, I rarely said “NO” except  to my wife.  

        In 1988   I hit the wall emotionally.  Here’ the very  picture  I posted in front of my desk .  It was to remind me business is not the same as progress.   You can be busy going nowhere….fast

 

     I  longed for a more balanced life.  A life with margin, some down time.   I stepped out of every commitment, everything- I was forced to  look  my boss in the eye and say , “I have to drop out of the youth group, and  Saturday work days…and…etc. etc. “   it was either do that or  watch my family unravel.

     As I attempted  to find margin and balance in my life,  I felt like the captain of a large oil tanker, trying to point my ship in a new direction.  

Flash forward 20 years…

       I’m still busy-  there is still a “people pleasing bent in my life, but it does not control me.  My life has margin.  I have to think long and hard before I  add another “good thing”  to  my life. 

       If I were a young mom, (I’m thinking of my daughter Angie @ this point) I think it would  be  100 times  harder to carve out this thing called “margin” so I’m interested in hearing from those of you that are mothers…what would you say to  tired  young mothers ?   What are some practical ways young mom’s can build  margin into their lives… is it possible?

Can You See Me As Your Teacher?

     “Teachers plant the seeds that grow forever.”

         (from a  paper weight  I have on my desk)

      There is a new community college  opening its  doors this August on the  South edge of  our town.    Last Summer I submitted my resume for a teaching position in their construction trades department, hoping that it would be a full time position.   Yesterday I sat down with three staff members to talk .  At one point,  I casually mentioned this was the first time in my life I’d ever interviewed for a job

    “Well how does it feel?”  one of them asked, “Were  you nervous?”

“Nope” I replied,  I already have a job.”

     One of the things that caught their attention was the fact I have a woman  currently working for me in my construction business (my daughter Rebekah)- see photo below.  In this photo we  have some of our PPE (personal protective Equipment) on, we just finished working on a commercial job site.

    In the interview   I   told them about  another young lady  who  had worked for me, you can read her story here.  There is a part of me that would love this teaching position-  the problem, is it’s only part time, (afternoons from 12 till 2) which would make it  challenging to run a business only working mornings.  I recently wrote about how my business is set up,   if you’re interested you can read more about that here

     One of the principles I live my life  by, is  a verse from the book of Proverbs :  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, do not rely on just your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct (or make straight) your path.”

    For me, there is a spiritual component to everything I do. When I wake up in the morning, I usually dedicate my day to the Lord.   I’m convinced he loves to be involved in my  days  and that includes making decisions. 

     At this point, I’ve been offered the position, they will be getting back to me this week with the financial details….I’m guessing I am going to have to pass on the opportunity..but you never know.

     On a completely unrelated note, I received an e-mail last week from this same college to see if I was still interested in teaching a 2 hr condensed version of “Writing Your Own Bucket List” to staff @ their main campus.   When this class was originally advertised, a local business called the college to see if I would consider going into their business and teaching this material to their people…I told them maybe…before I did that, I would prefer to teach it to  the staff @ the school, have them give me constructive feedback, and then decide whether or not, I could go out into the community.

     Well, that’s what’s new in  your life?    Yes you

Bear River Concerts- In The Chute and Ready to Ride

  In case you’re wondering what it feels like behind the scenes with the  Bear River concert series, let me give you a word picture.

     I feel like I am sitting on the back of a big black  bull in the chute at the rodeo, something which I have never done before.    I have no idea what I’m in for when the gate opens….I may be in for the ride of my life:

Friday (today) or Monday, a public service announcement about the concert series goes  out to 500 news organizations (Newspapers, radio, and TV)    Once that happens,  there is no turning back.  We have no idea how many people might come to concerts…50 or 500  Because of that, we got a second phone line and are encouraging reservations if you think you might be coming.    

         Here’s a peak at who will be perfoming  May 30th at 7 PM in the Sill Barn on the Camp Couragous property:

Biography for the Dalziels
KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL’S, NEWFOLK FINALISTS 2004 and 2007!!!

CD, Thinking Out Loud, #12 on International Folk Charts

Folk Alley’s artist of the month in 2008
The fresh and soulful sounds of Scott andMichelle’s voices, combined with their high energy performance, memorable and meaningful songwriting, and instrumental finness, put them in a category all their own. Said to have more sound than two people should be allowed, acoustic Rock or Folk genres could very well hold them but not completely. They dip down into R&B, Jazz, roots, and Blues showing the versatility of this duo. Since their Kerrville Folk Festival and South West Regional Folk Alliance Debut’s in 2004, they are gaining recognition and respect from not only audiences, but from venue owners and established artists alike:

“Scott and Michelle have a super tight duo sound with great harmonies, great guitar playing and some of the most soulful drumming and singing anywhere. I Love these guys!” – Chris Rosser, Singer Songwriter, Producer, Engineer

These guys have the full package, tight harmonies, solid songs, and a groove that won�t stop. All dished out with loads of fun, great energy, and big open hearts.- Johnsmith,

“Scott and Michelle opened for me and I was knocked out by their great songs, singing, andplaying. They were great!” – Michael Smith,

A beautiful natural blend of voices and musicianship with some intriguing writing. It’s obvious they enjoy performing together because they’re very connected on stage They opened for Michael Smith at the Village Square. Our audience loved them and has asked us to bring them back!
…. – Chris McNamara, Village Square Concert Series

“Michelle andScott – What a breathof fresh air, passionate, intelligent lyrics with just enough mystery making their music unique and appealing. This is a duo going places.” Rachel Bissex

“Great songs, great playing, great people–what else do you need?” Small Potatoes

 

Instrumentation
Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, djembe, hand percussion.

Discography
Waitng for the Revolution
Greater than I
Diary
Thinking Out Loud

___________________________________________________________

There must be something in the waterThat’s the inevitable phrase BethWood hears any time she talks about growing up in Lubbock, a high plains Texas town with a uniquely rich musical heritage that includes Buddy Holly, Natalie and Lloyd Maines, Mac Davis, and Joe Ely to name a few. Beth doesn’t remember the water tasting particularly funny, so all she can do is nod her head in agreement and say…”indeed!”

It was in Lubbock that this fiercely talented singer-songwriter began her musical journey. Beth’s family demonstrated extreme patience as they supported her classical studies in piano, violin, harp, andvoice. With grandiose dreams of becoming a musician, a baker, or a cowgirl, Beth left west Texas to study voice and piano at Brevard College in North Carolina. She then moved on to another musically-blessed town, Austin, where she earned her degree in literature and picked up her first guitar. Living in Austin awakened Beth’s creativity, and it was there that she began writing songs and performing them in clubs and coffeehouses.

Inspired by an electric moment at a Rickie Lee Jones concert, Beth threw caution and her day-job to the wind to become a full-time musician. Twelve years, thousands of shows, seven albums, three cars, and numerous awards later, she has never looked back. Beth’s exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and warm stage presence have been winning over audiences from coast to coast. “It’s really hard to not fall in love with Beth and her music,” writes one Texas music journalist. Thanks to a healthy obsession with words, an ability to drive long distances, an innate musical sense, and keen observational skills, Beth finds herself perfectly suited for the job of modern-day troubadour. This job has brought Beth many diverse opportunities beyond stage performance. She has taught creativity workshops to students young and old, shared her poetry at literary events, contributed to a literary journal, provided music for weddings, and done extensive vocal studio work. Beth also loves combining her love of sports and classical singing to perform our National Anthem for teams such as the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Fort Worth Cats, and many others.

In February of 2008, Beth released her seventh independent CD, BEACHCOMBER’S DAUGHTER aboard Cayamo, a seven-day Caribbean songwriters’ cruise featuring Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, and many more. Bethcollaborates with Dallas’s finest studio musicians on her self-produced BEACHCOMBER’S DAUGHTER, a mature work that elegantly captures Beth’s soulful and versatile voice, her thoughtful and thought-provoking songwriting, her knack for arrangement and song interpretation, and her musical versatility.

If you ask Beth to describe her music, she might just shrug. Some have called it folk, pop, folk-pop, country-folk, Americana, etc. Beth prefers to say it is soulful, organic, free-range, barefoot music delivered through a high energy communicator of joy. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram calls Beth “a superb singer-songwriter whose versatility discourages labeling. So, call it what you will, but listen with mind and heart wide open, and you may just find yourself transformed.

Beth and her husband and their good puppy dog live in beautiful Lyons, Colorado. When Beth is not writing and touring around the country playing clubs, festivals, and house concerts, she still occasionally finds the time to bake and ride horses.

 

AWARDS… 

Winner -		2006 Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest
Winner -		2005 Kerrville New Folk Contest
Winner -		2nd Place – 2005 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriters Contest
Winner -		2004 Wildflower Festival Songwriters Contest
Finalist -		2007 Telluride Troubadour Contest
Winner -		2006 Top 20 Acoustic/Folk Category – Unisong International Songwriting��Contest
Honorable Mention -		2006 Mountain Stage Newsong Contest
Honorable Mention -		2005 Billboard World Song Contest
Winner -		2000 Campus Activities Magazine Coffeehouse Entertainer of the Year
Winner -		1999 Campus Activities Magazine Club Performer of the Year
Finalist -		2000, 2001, and 2002 Campus Activities Magazine Contemporary Music Artist of the Year

FESTIVALS…
Music Midtown (Atlanta, GA)
Bele Chere Festival (Asheville, NC)
SXSW (Austin, TX)
Mandarin Folk Festival (Jacksonville, FL)
North Texas New Music Festival (Dallas, TX)
Kerrville Folk Festival (Kerrville, TX)
Sisters Folk Festival (Sisters, OR)
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Tucson Folk Festival
Riverbend Festival (Chattanooga, TN)
Wildflower Festival (Richardson, TX)
Buddy Holly Music Festival and Symposium (Lubbock, TX)

INSTRUMENTATION…
Beth plays many of her gigs with acoustic guitar and vocals. She often uses two guitars for alternate tunings when travel permits. She also incorporates piano into her set when one is available. Beth is occasionally joined by a combination of assorted players (drums, bass, guitar/mandolin).

Pictorial highlights of my week

  “In the best of times, our days are numbered anyway.  So it would be a crime against nature for any generation to take the world crisis so solemnly, that it put off enjoying those things for which we were designed in the first place:  the opportunity to do good work, to enjoy friends, to fall in love, to hit a ball and bounce a baby.”    Alistair Cook

    Photo of Grandson and I.  He and his sister were feeling under the weather this week. His mama (my eldest) came for a week to visit her mama  (my wife) as she celebrated her 50th birthday.  It was great having them around.

       Tuesday morning I met w/ Matt to firm up details for the Bear River Concert series we are putting together this Summer.  Here’s the logo for the series.  Some of you have already seen it on face book:

       Eldest daughter showed me this  Pixar  clip .  It  is right @ the top of my list for this weeks highlights.  I’ve watched it at least a dozen times.  Don’t let the fact that it is an animation fool you.  There is a profound life changing principle woven into its  4 minutes and 42 seconds:

 

 

      The orchard is stirring with new life.  If the buds on the trees are any indication, it looks to be a bumper crop.  Here is a photo of  a Liberty apple tree.  Keep in mind, every flower is potentially an apple:

 

 

     Wednesday night, I was invited to watch Master Gardener Laura L. demonstrate some basic grafting techniques.  As our orchard gets established, I would like to start doing some of this for fun:

Daughter number 3 and I worked around the property this week .  Here is a photo of us just after we finished assembling her shiny new wheel barrow:

     Saturday was weather perfect.  I had staked out a new area for a garden, discovered the topsoil was gone,  even though the location is perfect, so I went to plan B, build and fill some raised garden beds.    We have acres of black topsoil behind the  barn, so I grabbed daughter #3′s shiny new wheelbarrow, mixed topsoil, sheep dung, and some of that white stuff you see in potting soil together to create (4)  4 ft by 4 ft square foot raised  garden beds.  My long  term goal is to add  4 inches each year, until the beds are 2 to 3 ft high.  That way, when I’m old and feeble, I won’t have to bend down so far.  What do you think?  BTW, the wood is non-toxic 2 by 4′s which will eventually rot but as Michael  cautioned me on face book, the green wood can be toxic and leach into the soil. Here’s a picture of my handiwork from Saturday:

   Here’s a recent photo of Winston the pig .   Last night I went to check on her, and after a couple of minutes scratching her head, she laid on her side and wanted me to rub her belly.  I’ve never had a 300 pound pet pig before. A farmer told me this week, she may reach  800- 900 pounds.  I cut back on the grain now that she’s in the pasture :

  So what were some of your highlights from the past week?