Dave loves making guitars out of boxes. especially cigar boxes. He explained that these boxes have the right wood for a good sound off the strings. Also they are often relegated to the junk pile. He saves them and the early graphics they are embossed with for posterity, and as repurposed for music.Some of the many guitars made of various boxes saved by Dale for repurposing to usable, fun music makers.
American Press Travel News-April 3rd, Bob and Barb On The Road Again-this time in FT. Pierce, FL.- putting a spotlight on a craftsman, and his Company: D-Art Homemade Guitar Co.
We love homegrown, creative craftsmen, especially when they are committed and excited about their craft and the vibes are catching. Dale Arthur is one of these craftsmen, and he exudes what American Craftsmen all have in common; strong enthusiasm! Dale welcomes custom orders and will make a guitar from any box you’d like. He lives in Sebastion, FL. and can be called at 772-205-9290 or email: dagrar12@msn.com
A great way to exercise your butt and casting arm!!
American Press Travel News-July 15th,-Bob and Barb at Goose Holler’ Farm and Ranch–Well, we are self-quarantined, or sequestered, or hunkered-down. Never in our life, have we ever thought, that we would be in-hiding from something we cannot see with the naked eye! So here we are, waiting for what we think we know, what the future could hold for us, and everyone else in America, and the world, are waiting for. We hope its a real vaccine that is easily available for everyone, quickly! In the mean time, what we all have to do is keep our “cool”, not let our cheese slip off the sandwich! There are several ways to keep the bulb in the socket, for light at the end of the tunnel: Number 1– Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends. Reaching out for sociality now is vital for the human psyche. 2-Stay away from the constant TV news channels that pump info on statistics and fear. 3-Pickup on an existing hobby, or acquire one. Go hobbies.com for ideas, and also do a home improvement project or two. 4-Eat and drink well! And if married, or sharing your hideout with a friend, still find alone-time, too!
If you have a pet, feel blessed! Why? Getting out of yourself, and caring for a pet is a therapy, all on its own. If you don’t have one, get one! Dogs are best, cats are great too! A dog is empathetic, and note; spelled backwards, dog spells G-D! With a dog you have to bend to feed, and pickup after it. Smile, and look into the eyes of an entity that will not judge you, love is always real. A dog is always faithful to the love it is shown! And remember; Exercise is a key component in staying healthy. Everything is connected from head to toes. Not seeing to thewhole body by forgetting to care for any part of it, will effect the whole body!
Just finished clipping thorny brush away from the fence that blocked my view of feeding bass. Got my juices flowing, as I just sat back down to my monster, flip-top, laptop. No it just has a 17-screen, but I feel like I’ve got to feed the monster every few hours-I’m a writer, eh? A few thoughts: Great exercise, a full-set of clothes, after a towel-bath, and here I am again!
I love to do exercise that allows me to look back and see exactly what I accomplished with my sweat-equity. I used to actually go to a health club. I lifted weights, pulled cables with iron attached, and rode a bike to nowhere. Yes, I got sweat equity, but always felt that I was beingtotally self-serving-just stretching muscles, pumping heart, etc. I guess, before my farm, that’s what I needed to do as a food and travel writer. Got to burn those amazing home-made desserts off somehow! Oh, and while I was out there along the fence-line, the blackberries were black. So, I stuffed my mouth with mostly sweet, vitamin C.
Our Terry as a pup. Gone now, I still mourn his loss!!
The take-away from all of the above is: Keep moving, don’t despair, stay healthy, drink, drink, drink–water, mostly and try and keep more smiles on your face than frowns.
Lunch and music at the Commodore Music Café was a treat. Few restaurants offer live music with lunch.
American Press Travel News-June 19, Linden, TN.–Bob and Barb “On The Road Again.” When we arrived in the small town of Linden, Tennessee we almost immediately felt at home. We had been invited to stay at the newly remodeled, and upgraded Commodore Hotel. We met Kathy and later Michael Dumont, and realized they were on a mission. However, they were incredibly friendly and accommodating. Michael took us on a delightful trip through the county, and also showed us his remodeled B&B outside of town, and close to the Tennessee River (we’ll be back) that has more species of fish in its depth than any other American river (according to Mr. Benson of the Chattanooga Aquarium) and I plan to get close and personal with some of them as soon as possible. The Commodore held 22-rooms at the hotel and next door annex, and all done-up first rate, but with very reasonable cost. www.commodorehotellinden.com (931) 589-3224–114 East Main St. Linden TN. 37096
We were invited to fish with the Mayor, Wess Ward, and Perry Counties Sherriff, Nick Weems, who also brought his boat, and fished with us on the Buffalo River for smallmouth and largemouth bass (more on fishing in part-2 of our Linden experience later). Travel writers do travel on their stomachs, and we knew we would be in for a treat with the live music, as we chowed on terrific fare at the corner Music Café in the hotel.
While I fished, Barb went next door on main St., and just after I arrived back at the hotel, we availed ourselves of the opportunity to do “Wave- Painting” at the Buffalo River Co-Op Craft Immersion project. Lots of fun, met great folks doing their crafts “thing” in wood and textiles. We were sent our little paintings to our home after they finally dried. We walked main street and met proprietors of Sparky and Ringos, Dimples Shop & Restaurant, Custom Creations Jewelry and also ate at Tims Video Corner Café our second evening in town. We also met Allyson Hinson Dickey, the new Chamber Director who offered us the Keys to the town (so-to-speak) for us to visit and experience. The Dumont’s invited us to have dinner with them, even though their restaurant was closed that evening. Before I forget; we also visited Mouse tail Landing State Park with Michael Dumont ,and everyone that enjoys camping would love the facilities and hiking ops.
When Michael and Kathy Dumont decided to change their life from Rhode Island to a little town between Nashville and Memphis, TN., they moved to Linden, a town that had seen better days before the Interstate way-laid most of its business and tourist traffic, as new interstates have done so, all over America (remember route 66) they chose the gorgeous rural area between Memphis and Nashville, and purchased land for their home, and acquired several building in the town of Linden. Linden has a backyard of the Buffalo River and the Tennessee River, rife with fabulous landscapes and wildlife.* Stay tuned for part-2 our visit to Perry County, fishing, The Buffalo River Resort, and an unusual museum on the Tennessee River.
We were strolling the neat little town of Linden!!Larger than life, Minnie Pearl statue. A well known figure from Linden. She is in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel.Barb heading for the hotel. The red car is a 1949 perfect condition, Dodge that belongs to the Dumont’s.
One of the small mouth bass while fishing with the Mayor and Sheriff of Linden and Perry County,Newspaper article reminiscent of how folks in a small town (Similar to Mayberry RFD) takes time out for just having fun! Article was on the wall of the hotel lobby.Sheriff of Perry County took a time-out to take me fishing!!Mayor of Linden also took me fishing!!!Sheriff and mayor were a “hoot” to fish with and get to know!!While I went fishing, Barb took a class in art at the Buffalo River Artisans Cooperative, next door to the Commodore Hotel.
American Press Travel News–April 29th-Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” stopping to listen to the music at the Stone Memorial High School in Crossville, TN. The event was sponsored by Bed and Biscuit Kennel, State Farm Insurance and David Bell. When Dwight Wages, the groups Artistic Director invited us to the event called “Across The Pond”, that featured pieces from Scotland, Ireland, even an ode to Elton Johns prolific music pieces, we were delighted, and the audience of over 150-attenders showed their applause with gusto.
The program presentations such as Valdres March, Rondo-Allegretto from Weber’s, Clarinet Concerto, Dam Busters march, Neath the Dublin Skies, The Celt of Glencoe and the Essential Elton John and Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring were exaltingly enjoyable.
Some of the other musical events in future presentations are: Big Band to Broadway at the Cumberland County Playhouse Sat. May 25th, and the Cumberland County Community Band on May 27th in Downtown Crossville. For more cultural shows and plays give a call to the Cumberland Playhouse at: 931-484-5000.
On your computer, check out Southern Star Symphonic Brass and view all their images and information! If you can’t make a concert you can purchase CD’s and video tapes. Contacty Dwight Wages for further information at 931-484-6939. They really need donations to keep their 501–c3 in a tax-deductible manner. Go to dwight.wages@gmail.com.
