The Chinese Lantern Festival at Columbus Expo

The Chinese Lantern Festival at Columbus Expo

In the waning days of 2016, Vanessa and Izze and I joined some friends on a snowy cold night at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Columbus. Well worth it!

An amazing show...

An amazing show...

It was Freeze Ass Cold… but only the strong survive!

The mighty Dragon... I'm Year Of The Dragon...

The mighty Dragon... I'm Year Of The Dragon...

This is really good stuff!

This is really good stuff!

That was on Thursday… then on New Year’s Eve we joined Kevin Morgan and his wonderful family for a New Year’s Get Together. We’ve been doing this with the Morgans for a decade and a half. Back home at the Fur Peace Ranch in time to watch the ball drop in the comfort of our own home, and today a New Year’s adventure in Vinton County.

Sy's place... Truly remarkable!

Sy's place... Truly remarkable!

The Union Ridge Wildlife Center is an amazing place in Vinton County, Ohio where wild animals that have been mistreated or otherwise out lived their usefulness in previous surroundings find a home for life!

Here there be tygers...

Here there be tygers...

These animals are so beautiful!

Oh my...

Oh my...

Sy and his friends are doing awesome work, giving these beautiful animals a place to live out their lives in peace!

Proud as a peacock

Proud as a peacock

What a great facility!

What a great facility!

After an hour or so at the preserve, we returned home and Izze helped me fly my drone.

The path to the Fur Peace Station

The path to the Fur Peace Station

I love taking aerials of the Ranch!

Some afternoon...

Some afternoon...

And last but not least…

Izze and Dad contemplating the controller...

Izze and Dad contemplating the controller...

2016 was one of those years when we lost a lot of colleagues and friends. It’s quite a list and it’s easy to find so I don’t need to enumerate it again here. I’m getting to that age when the sound of the phone ringing could be good… could be bad. I know none of us will live forever but friends are departing for the other side at an alarming rate. The guard is changing… eras are beginning and ending and the only constant is change.

Here’s to us and those like us! Damn few left. May 2017 bring serenity and enlightenment to my family… and all of yours.

Be well, and keep smiling!


Comments

  1. Comment made on January 8, 2017 by Carey Georgas

    They couldn’t drag you away?@jim hitchcock

  2. Comment made on January 7, 2017 by johno

    Getting walloped by a winter snowstorm here in eastern Long Island. Should get 10″-12″ before its done tonite. Good day to watch football and golf in Hawaii.

  3. Comment made on January 7, 2017 by jim hitchcock

    Coolest thing,for a former city boy like me, last bend on the way to work yesterday morning, here’s three of the local herd of wild horses standing in the r/h lane of Arrowhead Dr, licking up the brine. Me and the following cars stopped, and it became clear that they weren’t going anywhere, so all of us gave ’em a smile while passing in the opposite lane.

  4. Comment made on January 6, 2017 by Dead Head

    Tomorrow? What are you doing waiting until then?

    @johno

  5. Comment made on January 6, 2017 by johno

    @Joe from VA
    Are you kidding me? If I could find some good stuff – I’d do it tomorrow. Gotta set the scene though – lots of Tuna, Hendrix, Airplane, Cars etc. Can you imagine what it would be like. Probably a little freaky but I betcha it would be cool.

  6. Comment made on January 6, 2017 by Mitch Spector

    Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family Jorma .It was great to see your solo tour stops here on Long Island and the City Winery .Like a fine wine you are getting better with age .Peace always

  7. Comment made on January 6, 2017 by carey georgas

    First freezin’ ass cold day of the winter down here in southeast Texas. Supposed to get down to 24 tonight, coldest night in 2 years. I ain’t complainin’.

  8. Comment made on January 4, 2017 by Joe from VA

    To John M. Berg: after reading your 3rd paragraph, if it was 35 years ago, I’d be asking for some of what you’re on, but then it created a flashback on its’ own. Rock-on John. . . . (; < ))

  9. Comment made on January 4, 2017 by Brian Doyle

    It’s a wild time
    I see people all around me changing faces
    It’s a wild time
    I’m doing things that haven’t got a name yet;
    I see love all the time
    I need love, your love
    I’m here for you an old time stay here, play here
    It don’t matter if it’s rain or shine
    I want to be with you, no matter what I do
    What doesn’t change is the way
    I feel for you today
    And it’s new, so new
    Make a place for yourself here
    I see changes, changes all around me are changes
    Times just seem so good
    I do know that I should be here with you this way

  10. Comment made on January 4, 2017 by Jim Bacon

    Hey Jorma, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday and hope 2017 is a good one. That was an extremely touching tribute to Walt who I never got to meet. There are many times we’d all like to stop the clock and say ok this is good, this is it, let’s stay here for awhile. But those times are always within us like you said and with the ones we love – Last Friday I got to see friends from high school some of which I’d not seen for 30 years, lots of fun stories but a reminder that time is fleeting and to cherish the moments you have with friends and family. All the best to you, the family and FPR, see you in October!

  11. Comment made on January 3, 2017 by Mark K

    Life is Change
    How it differs from the rocks
    I’ve seen their ways too often for my liking
    New worlds to gain
    My life is to survive
    and be alive
    for you.

  12. Comment made on January 3, 2017 by John M Berg

    Thank You,

    Jorma;

    Your music and watching you perform over the years keeps me happy. Continue your work, we will meet up again soon, I hope. I trust you may well recall the fine lo-cal in Berlington, Vt on many occasion, mid 80’s.

    I had many tapes I played over and over for myself and to bring my friends to a good sound. I lost some of the best of your music from my collection. Thankfully pandora is on the mark, hope you agree. Copies of sound and feeling that affect me happily.

    Would you consider gathering a collective of individuals to bring on board for interest, fun and a whole lot more? Not hanger on’s. Friends to stand, attend, hang out, walk around; and have next to you and to stand up with, mingle and those who can just groove on, you while you perform. While we, the public just say; Whaa.

    I’ve some ideas on the subject, if your interested.

    Well, hope to accompany you here in Southeastern CT soon.

    Thanks,

    For listening.

    John Berg
    33 Hillcrest Rd.
    South Lyme, CT 06376
    860-271-9741

  13. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by Dan

    Keep doing what you’re doing Jorma, it’s working.

  14. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by Sweetbac Jr.

    By this post, I’m guessing a huge 45 minute “Invitation>Eye of The Tiger>Feel So Good” combo will be a welcome addition to the Electric Tuna encore slot in 2017?
    Nice.

  15. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by eaglesteve

    We’re still standing…………
    Let’s all take a toast

  16. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by Carey Georgas

    Hell right, brother! Peace, and a happy new year to all ya’ll.

  17. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by Joey Hudoklin

    The strong survive.
    Jorma, you made it.

  18. Comment made on January 2, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    Amen brother
    Peace
    Love All Ways

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