International traveling is humbling at best… sort of like life sometimes. I drove from Laconia to Logan in Boston, flew to NY. Changed terminals, flew to Heathrow, changes terminals and planes and arrive in Helsinki with a suitcase and no guitar. I had faith though, and the guitar showed up early the next morning. Anyway, my cousin Tuula drove from Porvoo to Helsinki and took me back to her family farm for the afternoon. ‘I thought you had sheep,’ I said. ‘They’re in the freezer,’ was her rejoinder. ‘Let’s eat!’ Which we did… lamb burgers.

This is where my roots lie... on streets likes this

I am an American… not a Finnish/American… but my roots are here in this ancient land… and they run deep.

The old buildings... old streets

It is Fall here… and the days are getting darker and the sky is grey… but the people are bright, and it’s always good to see family!

Kyrka

Then ancient architecture reminds me so much of my grandparents… although they were not at all sentimental about leaving to seek a new life in America!

More antiquity

cobblestones

The view from the window at the family farm

Well… that was yesterday.. today was the show at the Helsinki Hall Of Culture for Hot Tuna and Canned Heat and a fine show was had by all. Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 41, 2013
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
Helsinki Hall Of Culture
Helsinki, Finland
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Goodbye To The Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Come Back Baby
7. Vicksburg Stomp
8. How long Blues
9. Good Shepherd
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. I Know You Rider

Well that’s about it for now. Tomorrow we’re off to Tampere to play the Tampere Concert Hall.

For me… it’s bed time now.

Kiitos!

Lake Winnipesaukee in the morning

The graveyard next to the hotel

My Father served the U.S. Government in one way or the other all of his adult life. From 1956 to 1962 he was First Secretary of the American Embassy in Manila in what was then called the Philippine Islands. (Now it’s the Republic Of The Philippines) I went to the American School my junior year of high school. When I would return in 1961 after three quarters at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio I would attend the Ateneo De Manila, but that is another story for another time.

My connection with the Philippines would have a resounding effect on my life in many ways. My uncle fought in the Pacific Theater in WWII. He landed in the Philippines. My dad was there on his way to Tokyo in 1945. In a distant but real way, my blood lives there. I spent two days with newly minted ‘old’ friends and we talked about the very old days and much was shared by the children of people who’s parents fled Nazi Germany so they could be born in China, wind up in the Philippines and become Americans. Again, as a second generation American, the successful tale of immigration is important to me. I recommend the movies, Rescue In The Philippines… Escape From The Holocaust… The Secret War In The Pacific, and Victims Of Circumstance about the internments in Sta. Thomas.

You know, I could and do complain about a lot of things. Obamacare is not treating my family well. Does it make me mad? Sure. But you know what, I am not going to find myself herded into a gulag tomorrow… no one is going to behead me or my wife and my children are not going to be bayoneted. We are not going to starve and even though I have had amoebic dysentery, malaria and dengue fever, I’m probably not going to get them again. My little problems are an embarrassment of riches, and I am grateful for that.

On our time off, I chose to go to Wolfeboro, NH to the Wright Museum, a museum dedicated to the years of WWII. My father and my two uncles served. My Uncle Tarmo’s flag resides with honor in our music room. I mentioned this to the docent when we went in. She was my age… 72 or so. She had her father’s flag, her uncles flag and her husband’s flag from Vietnam. I thanked her and her family for their ultimate service. It brought tears to my eyes for sure. Anyway… here are some picture I took at the museum.

See... I remember these things

I remember this too...

The Big One

Pearl Harbor

Bring'em home today too!

Well, suffice it to say… it’s been a couple of days to remember. Nothing like old friends and nothing like new either. It’s also good to be able to put your like into perspective from time to time. And I must also pay tribute to our current ‘Greatest Generation,’ who serve our country world wide. Thanks y’all. there’s an old guitar picker down in Southeast Ohio who thanks and honors you.

Already then. I’m at Logan airport heading for JFK and then on to London and Finland.

I’m off folks. More from across the pond. Onward!

Heading to the Ranch on a beautiful fall day

As I was driving to ‘work’ at the Fur Peace Ranch on Friday I was really looking forward to spending the weekend with my dear friends and colleagues, Rory Block, Roy Book Binder, and Marjorie Thompson.

It is always good to get together with old friends and share some music.

Dan Erlewine with the two short scale Jorma M-30's

Before getting to the Ranch, I had to stop by Dan Erlewine’s guitar shop so he could put some Fishman Electronics in the two Jorma Kaukonen M-30 Martins which I had made at the Martin Custom Shop… both with short scale necks, one for Jack Casady and one for me. Chanukah came early!

Jorma with two beauties

fire in the woods

The woods are filled with such wonderful vignettes.

The hits just keep on coming

Yeah, the classes were going great… the campers were happy… the teachers were happy. Get it, got it, good!

Back home outside my garage and shop... the fall colors wrapped us serenely

Back at the Ranch... we waited for concertgoers to show up... sold out show for Rory

We all looked forward to Rory’s show… it had been sold out for months!

Jorma, Myron and Roy

Back in Brett’s office… the control room for Rusty Smith and the WOUB guys, while we waited for Rory to begin, watched Tony Rice get the IBMA Lifetime Achievement Award.

We laughed along with Sam Bush and Peter Rowan as they presented Tony with his award. As Tony spoke in a clear voice for the first time in years… I teared up, and the I cheered! What a guy Tony is.

We put away the I phone as Rory hit the stage… what a great show!

Rory... what a gal!

After the show, it was back to Hillside Farm. This morning as I looked into my morning cappuccino… I saw our dog Maverick. Coincidence?

Hmmm…

Gotta go… more anon… Good times at the Fur Peace Station!

Maverick with a caffeine motif...

Me, Izze and my nephew at Homecoming

Last Saturday was the Homecoming Parade in Athens, Ohio and The Psylodelic Gallery was represented in the persons of Vanessa, Treva, Ally and Hannah… we’ll get to that.

Giant puppets from Honey For The Heart

We look forward to the wonderful art and community involvement that the folks at Honey For The Heart bring. It is a wonderful involvement for folks of all ages.

Here come the gals from the Psylodelic Gallery

I got to Court Street nice and early so I could get some nice shots of our ‘family.’

Nessa... my flower child takes to the street

One great float after another came by.

The Sherrif's very own Humvee

Yeah… we’ve got everything here.

wicked... very wicked

The supernatural creatures from the Wicked Forest make their appearance.

Saturday night at Hillside Farm

After the Parade I drove up to the Columbus Airport to pick up my son Zach who spent the rest of the Columbus Day Weekend with us. Here we are around the portable fire… brothers, sisters, cousins and in laws. Smors and more. Good times!

Good ride... shiny side up

It’s been raining here since Monday, but Sunday Zach and I got in a 150 mile ride through the hills, hollers and evolving foliage of beautiful Southeast Ohio. Couldn’t get too much better. Monday, Zach drove the two of us in my Abarth back to the East Coast and all I can say is, ‘What a weekend!’

Morning sings...

It’s been almost a week since Chris Snither and Patty Larkin graced the Fur Peace Ranch and I just haven’t found the time to sit down and finish this post until now. It’s 0603 and Vanessa and I are having coffee together while I write this.

The morning sun bounces off the barn roof

Fall is gently starting to wrap us in the fire of Autumn… It is still early foliage for us, but if wind and rain don’t strip the trees, it looks like it’s going to be a good one.

Morning in the country... gotta love it

In any case, last weekend Chris and Patty came to town to teach at the Ranch and play a concert on Saturday night. To spend the weekend with these more than talented friends was Fall Foliage of the mind. Good stuff indeed. I look forward to our next intersection.

Jorma, Paty and Chris in the Beatrice Love Kitchen at the Ranch

Lastly I would like to take this moment to say goodbye to my dear friend Bill Kennard who passed away last week in Athens. He was eighty but that sure doesn’t seem so old any more. Fair wind and following seas brother… It’s been an honor being your friend.

…and indeed, we shall move onward just for today…