Adjusting to this new reality

[JKL]

Note: This is an edited post—same info and video, but I’m getting a better handle on transferring video to YouTube with improved quality, so I figured I’d use this post as a test. Now the “groupie” moths show up if you look closely. But there’s really nothing new here. Thanks.

Doug Hendrix (@cocinar14) and I (@JKL) have figured out how to resume our get togethers with our wives.

Everything we play is a work in progress—it’s a no judgement zone. It was a real rejuvenating thing to figure out how to provide some adjusted form of normalcy into our lives. We would normally play in a room or on our back deck, but both of those result in too close a quarters. The driveway between my house and the detached garage (seen in the background) proved to be a perfect and safe setting. It’s probably too grainy to see on the YouTube video, but we actually had a couple white moths flying around us while we played. So we’re claiming we officially have groupies.

Here’s the link to a YouTube sample from the evening:

I’d like to hear how others are adjusting to a new norm.

Take care,
Jeff

[Stixx3969]

Looks like a good time. One of my favorite tunes! Sounded good!

[Simone]

Nice picking @JKL and @cocinar14 ! That’s great you guys are still able to play, “distance style!” I love that song! My sons and I are planning on a little picking time when the eldest gets home from work this evening. Other than the occasional picking with them, it’s usually just me - sometimes trying to pick with other recordings, sometimes going thru material I’ve been working on or stuff I’ve already got down (so I don’t forget how to play it !) And reading about what yall have been up to on here Thanx for posting that!

[JKL]

Thanks, @Simone This was the first time in over a month that we were able to get together. My wife and I were quarantined at the start of this due to a coworker of mine with a confirmed case, then two weeks later Doug Hendrix found out that a coworker of his had the virus. We surely missed the interaction—playing with Ben’s tracks is helpful, but nothing compares to the fun of playing live with someone (even with all the missed notes ).

Enjoy your time with your sons. I’ve seen one of y’all’s videos—very impressive!

[Simone]

nothing compares to the fun of playing live with someone (even with all the missed notes ).

That’s true ! Glad to hear you guys/family are remaining well after possible co worker exposure. And Thank You for the kind comment on our video , unfortunately our picking tonight is postponed till ?? , my son had to work late and he wasnt sure when he’d get home… (hes still working now!) So we’ll be looking fwd to it all the more!!

[JKL]

Thanks Keith (@Stixx3969)! Someday I hope to learn the harder version that Ben posted. For now we’re just trying to get by with what we can do.

[JohnM]

Nice!

[Trader_Todd]

Nicely done!

[JKL]

After a very rough month, Doug Hendrix (@cocinar14) and I had a chance to get back together for a much needed music session. Sitting on my driveway with our wives, we picked through several of Ben’s arrangements—thanks so much for those, Ben (@BanjoBen). This one is just us working on some backup practice following the chords in Cherokee Shuffle. We don’t pretend to be good, but the sessions sure are good for our souls.

For those interested, the rough month involved my mom nearly passing due to acute kidney failure a few weeks ago. They allowed me to be with her in the ER as the toxins in her blood were destroying her ability to think straight. The doctors told me they didn’t have much hope, and then they took her to ICU and escorted me out of the hospital—no visitors allowed due to COVID-19. Fortunately, the skill of the medical staff and God’s Grace allowed my mom to come home a week later. Dialysis cleared her blood and her kidneys then began functioning on their own. Also, my folks now live just minutes away in a small senior friendly home we found for them.

God bless.

[WillCoop]

@JKL,

Praise God for this Testimony of blessed Thanksgiving. It could not be shared at a better time. Thanks Jeff for sharing and posting!

I am so happy that you came out the other side of that dark time to a new dawn… and finally gor to celebrate in your driveway with your friends.

Just how good the simple things are in life… and how much we took things for granted since… say… The New Year.

It reminds me of the dramatic ways life changed after 9/11… our lives never the same.
.
I am joyful at the appreciate and sincere acts of kindness - as well as the awareness this has brought to us all… for all those who face this fight with bravery each day.

All due respect to those who may shy away from spiritual topics… but that said… I hope this has a profound impact for all of us to be more appreciative of the lives we have, the fragile nature of our health and the fact that this might ever remind us that we need not face adversity alone but rely on each other in that we are share this together… a common thread woven into the lives of us all…

My joy is with @jkl this evening… and a greater joy and praise for God and all his blessings…

[JKL]

Thanks Will (@WillCoop) much appreciate the kind words.

[Archie]

Good to hear your mom pulled through. My thoughts and prayers are with y’all

[JKL]

Thanks, @Archie

[Stuart.Gamble]

Sounds great! I’m sure you slowed down a few people walking and biking in the neighborhood to hear some live music.

I’m sorry you had to go through the rough time that you did (I couldn’t imagine being escorted out at that time) but I’m glad your mom is doing better.

[JKL]

Thanks @Stuart.Gamble. It was a tough several days. And yes, we had some folks drop by—it was fun!

[BanjoBen]

So thankful to hear about your mom, @JKL. What a time it is. I’ve been recently talking with my friends about the invisible effects this is having on so many–I know it has affected me quite a bit. Thank you for your kind words!

[JKL]

Thanks, Ben (@BanjoBen). Yes, this impact is certainly far reaching. I know I speak for nearly everyone here that your site is a true blessing during these times. So keep the faith and thanks for helping us keep ours.

[Simone]

Nice Street Music picking session 2!! I wish I had started off learning mando by doing backup & rhythm picking first before learning melodies. What you guys did (without a lead break in the background to follow along with) was great! I doubt I could do it. Keep pickin! Enjoying these videos!
On another note, I can imagine what you have been thru with your Mom. My heart goes out to yall! I was very happy to hear she’s pulled thru and well enough to leave the hospital. Thats great they now live just minutes away!! We’ve been dealing w a similar situation w my Dad. He went into hospital mid April (kidney failure, pneumonia, sepsis, & lost his ability to walk) and hes still in there, mostly recovered, & learning to be mobile again so he can be released. The Covid protocol sure makes things tuff, on medical staff & families alike!! God Bless yall!

[JKL]

So sorry to hear about your, Dad, @Simone. Will keep him and y’all in our prayers. Thanks for the encouragement as well. Take care.

[WillCoop]

Prayin’ for your dad, @Simone