Sunset by drone

Sunset by drone

Done shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Life is always lived against the fall of night. Born into light we start our journey chasing the end of day. If we’re lucky, we will enjoy many years between that first and last light. I have been lucky… very lucky. I find myself saying, ‘At my age,’ thus and so might or might not be in the cards and I have earned the right to wax philosophic in the way of old men.

But always though. I am surrounded by youth with a 20 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. They have plenty of time before they need to either hear this nonsense or spout it themselves and that’s more than alright. Both my kids made it through their first week of school and though it’s early in the game, they’re both looking good. We caught the detritus of Hurricane Harvey in the form of two days of rain and there wasn’t even much of that. Again, lucky. I did get a chance to do a lot of drone flying though.

I see things no one else can see...

I see things no one else can see...

Drone selfie by Jorma Kaukonen. Goggles by DJI.

There were some fabulous sunsets and I got a chance to experiment with the drone camera.

Nice light for nine PM!

Nice light for nine PM!

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Idyllic from on high!

Idyllic from on high!

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Yesterday I worked around the Ranch but today after I let Izze practice volleyball by firing serves at me I took a hundred mile ride on the bike. This has been a fine Labor Day Weekend indeed! Indeed, another step on the journey, but the end is not yet in sight!

Good times…


Comments

  1. Comment made on September 14, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    This thread of comments is all anyone needs to read, in order to separate the intelligent, educated comment posters — from the nitwits.
    Unable to join in an intelligent discussion about books — they post lame insults.

  2. Comment made on September 12, 2017 by Hogan

    Nice Pictures, your really getting good with the drone.
    Hope your finding some time while your home to get some writing in.

    Take Care
    🙂

  3. Comment made on September 11, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    Lest we forget
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPheJw_O1OU
    surfs up at Bell’s Beach
    Johnny Heffernan Presente
    Peace
    Love All Ways

  4. Comment made on September 11, 2017 by johno

    I just heard from my friend that went to Florida. He is screwed. No electric and no phones for 4-10 weeks. He moved to the west shore near Naples last month. Always be grateful for what you have – it can always be worse.

  5. Comment made on September 11, 2017 by Ed

    Nice thoughts on the journey, Jorma.
    I haven’t traveled quite as far, being 63. But any time I might feel not so thrilled about being 63 I remember two things:
    1)A whole lot of people on this planet would love to be 63 and healthy once again and 2)A whole lot of people never made it to 63.
    Not to mention, I have a roof over my head and a dry home, unlike so many of our brothers and sisters.
    I am very, very grateful.

  6. Comment made on September 10, 2017 by Joey Hudoklin

    @johno
    Indeed

  7. Comment made on September 10, 2017 by Dead Head

    This blog always makes my day.

  8. Comment made on September 10, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    thanks Carey and Rich I for those books… now if only i could find the time to read them.( along with the others on my list.
    prayers and thoughts to all in Irma’s way.
    Peace
    Love All Ways

  9. Comment made on September 10, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    you voted for him and those swamps do come in handy during hurricanes.
    Peace
    Love All Ways
    @johno

  10. Comment made on September 10, 2017 by johno

    What a pompous ass

  11. Comment made on September 9, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    @rich l
    Yet another good book, for those of us who are not ignorant.

  12. Comment made on September 9, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    @carey georgas
    Another good book, for those of us who are educated readers.

  13. Comment made on September 9, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    @Ham n Eggs
    A good, educational book.
    For those of us who care about learning.

  14. Comment made on September 8, 2017 by Joey Hudoklin

    @mark
    It doesn’t look like it…does it?

  15. Comment made on September 8, 2017 by mark

    @Joey Hudoklin
    dont think there will be other shows around HSB thi year

  16. Comment made on September 8, 2017 by johno

    A good friend of mine just moved to Florida
    last month
    Now he has to evacuate
    Welcome to sunny Florida!

  17. Comment made on September 8, 2017 by rich l

    The Children’s Blizzard, by David Laskin, told the story of the mother of all blizzards in the northern plain states. Very captivating, and heart wrenching at the same time. A semi-accurate weather forecast would have prevented 235 kids from perishing.

    It was in 1888 and the day before in North Dakota the temps were -6. The morning of the day of the blizzard, temps shot up into the 30’s. When that happens, you almost don’t need a jacket – and indeed, most of the kids went to school ill prepared for what was about to hit them

    To your point Carey, one mom noticed a weird color in the sky – I think it was a greenish tint. If only she would have went with her gut feeling! At noon the storm hit like a freight train. The ferocity of the storm was such that you couldn’t see five feet in front of you, and the snow was like a million razor blades. Farmers would get lost trying to walk from their barn to the house. Temperatures plummeted to -20 F.

    The storm pushed temperatures as far south as Texas into the 20’s – destroying the citrus crops.

    The next morning, the wind and snow abated – and witnesses described a surreal aura of stillness and beauty. They went out and gathered the dead – and then what was really weird to me- they all gathered for a church service – I guess, where else can you turn to at a time like that.

    sort of a Habbakuk 3:17-18 moment

    “Though the fig tree does not bud
    and ther are no grapes on the vine,
    though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
    though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
    yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

  18. Comment made on September 8, 2017 by carey georgas

    You got me to thinking, Greg. The Native Americans observed their world at least as closely as we do ours, just with different tools. They could tell by the way the wind blew, the birds flew, the animals, the clouds, the surf that bad weather was approaching. They just couldn’t pinpoint the location or the ferocity. We are fortunate today to have the tools to provide more accuracy.

    What I find exciting is a firm belief that knowledge exists in the future that will make today’s forecasting techniques look like, if not as primitive as the Ancients, at least as primitive as 19th century science.

    “At my age”, I may not see it come to pass, but I do believe that it exists and will become known someday.

    Another good hurricane read is “Isaac’s Storm” by Eric Larson. It is about the Galveston storm and the man who was the resident meteorologist for the U.S Weather Bureau and his erroneous forecasting that contributed to the human catastrophe that took place there in 1900.@Greg Martelli

  19. Comment made on September 7, 2017 by Ham n Eggs

    You should read Their Eyeyes Were Watching God by Zola Neale Hurston. A hurricane near Jacksonville is described
    Peace
    Love All Ways
    Fingers crossed and prayers and thoughts to those in Irma’s path
    @Greg Martelli

  20. Comment made on September 7, 2017 by Greg Martelli

    We are fortunate today to have these storms projected paths suggested by meteorologists based on satellite tracking.
    Imagine being early colonials/or seminoles.
    I’m sure they were frequently caught off guard and dodging falling trees.

  21. Comment made on September 7, 2017 by carey georgas

    Not many times you bet the under on the power company and win, but they got my lights on at 1800 yesterday, 4 hrs. ahead of predicted time. People here are finally getting a handle on things. Houston eastward was affected only by a tropical storm (though the rains were biblical in proportion). I rode out a category 3 once, and can’t even begin to fathom what a 5 could bring. Pray for the people of Florida.

  22. Comment made on September 7, 2017 by rich l

    Now the day’s are gettin’ longer
    And the nights are gettin’ colder
    I just want to come back home
    Lay my head down on your shoulder
    Guess I knew it all along
    I’d have to come back home
    ‘Cause this living on the road
    Only makes me tired and sore
    Like a bird without a nest
    Like a stranger in the night
    And my soul cries out for rest
    And the end is not in sight

    I love that song by the Amazing Rhythm Aces (on a side note, isn’t rhythm an amazing words – I guess the y is the vowel in the word.)

    Jorma – if Izze is serving the ball overhand – and at age 11 that’s questionable – tell her to hit it with an open hand. Aim at the hole where you stick the needle to inflate the ball with the bottom of the palm. If you hit it right, the ball will move like a bumble bee!

    I’m guessing Fall’s annual explosion of color is pretty awesome arounf Fur Peace Ranch.

  23. Comment made on September 6, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    @Steven Levenson ( and Jorma):
    Exactly!

  24. Comment made on September 6, 2017 by Barbara Jacobs

    @carey georgas
    I like how the power company gives you a time: “by 10:00 tonight”.
    Let’s just say, when the morning comes… you will have electricity.

    Meanwhile, the Atlantic hurricane has hit the V.I. and it’s big and bad.
    My friends in Florida are hunkering down and some have left for N.Y.
    Sending them all up to Woodstock.
    Barbara O’Brien, Levon’s manager at The Barn, is there to help them if they need it.
    Here in NYC.,high winds and rain.

    Take good care, Carey.

  25. Comment made on September 6, 2017 by carey georgas

    Detritus…a fine noun not seen every day. This is a good place for vocabulary expansion. Power company telling me should have lights back by 10:00 tonight. Hoping the best for folks in Florida.

  26. Comment made on September 6, 2017 by Steven Levenson

    Lovely post. Thank you.
    And yes, it’s great hanging out with youngsters. The adult world (mine anyway) is awfully short on whimsy…….

  27. Comment made on September 5, 2017 by Dead Head

    Better is more. 10-4

  28. Comment made on September 5, 2017 by Joey Hudoklin

    @Dead Head
    Yes indeed.
    But what I’m referring to is that the past couple years have yealded a couple of acoustic shows in the area as well.
    That’s what I’m hoping for.
    Ya know…more is better.

  29. Comment made on September 5, 2017 by johno

    Great sunset! I don’t know if you get up early for sunrises. But I find them so darn spiritual. There is something about a sunrise that rejuvenates the soul. Glad to hear you and the family are doing well. I see you’re really digging your drone. Keep them photos coming. I really enjoy them. Can’t wait for the show at the Paramount in Huntington, LI in December with Steve Kimock. Should be a great show.

  30. Comment made on September 5, 2017 by Dead Head

    @Joey Hudoklin
    10/8 Golden Gate Park ///ELECTRIC/// according to the tour schedule…..

  31. Comment made on September 5, 2017 by John R.

    We lost yet another one this weekend with Walter Becker (whatever one thought of the Dan). Jorma, we are so fortunate that you and Jack have managed not only to hang in there but also to continue to make great music and, in your own way, to make the world a better place. Thank you.

  32. Comment made on September 4, 2017 by Joey Hudoklin

    Hi jorma.
    I’m hoping there will be another show or two in SF or nearby in Oct.
    Hopeful

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