Early Spring along the Roadsides

Mother Nature is handing us spring in a variety of doses.  

She gave us a beauty yesterday. So far, today the promised snow hasn't arrived nor has the sun.

Maybe her motive has something to do with the fact that we have to work our bodies up to working outside on all those early spring projects. 

I know that I put in several hours yesterday morning and early afternoon, grooming horses and cleaning out the asparagus/oregano/raspberry bed in the west yard. 

Each horse left the muddy barnyard, walked to the fence to be tied and received a good rubdown before walking back to the water tank where they sorta stood while I hosed off their muddy lower legs and hooves.

CB didn't know if he really liked that part of his personal outdoor spa attention, but, happily, he settled down and eventually walked down the lane to the much dryer round pen, looking somewhat flashy with his pretty white stockings. 

The horses seemed happy to have their personal attention and to leave the mud, and I was happy to be able to look at them without grimacing. 

After raking up some layers of dead winter hair, I headed to the bed with the rake and cart. 

During the time I spent cleaning out the bed, the ground around the bed transformed from frozen to soggy.

The bed looks a lot better today. 

So, it was a day of satisfaction, cleaning critters and garden spots. 

Later, I took off for my afternoon drive around our general neighborhood.  My route included Center Valley, Samuels, Grouse Creek, back to North Center Valley and then home. 

For the most part, our country roads are not bad for driving, which is somewhat unusual in late March. Shady areas still had some mud, but the rest of these routes have benefitted from some good maintenance and less deep freeze over the winter.

We'll take it. 

Although the true beauty and rich color of spring is yet to come, fields with water and fast-flowing streams are creating some nice images. 

While driving the Center Valley complex of roads on the evening of St. Patrick's Day, I saw an unfamiliar face walking down his lane to get his mail. 

After turning the corner to Center Valley Road, I stopped to say hello. 

My new friend and neighbor's name is Chris Paradis.

 Soon after learning that this engaging Massachusetts native teaches music, I asked, "D'ya teach banjo?"

"Yes," he said. 

I told him I had a banjo and that after a few lessons, it had been leaning against the wall in its case for a while. 

Chris, who has been teaching music lessons online for the past year or so, said he'd be happy to give me a lesson.  He had just received his first vaccination. 

Yesterday, we talked again via email and we've agreed that later in the spring, we may start out sitting on my deck while he shows me some banjo basics. 

Could be a fun spring and summer, especially with a music teacher right here in the neighborhood. 

I also told Chris that I would be happy to spread the news about him and his lessons, so he provided me some details about his varied music background, which you'll see below. 

I've been a musician for 30 years, starting on piano at age 6 and then moving on to the guitar and other stringed fretted instruments at age 11.  

I'm originally from the Boston area which is also where my teaching career began in 2009.  

I lived and taught in Sandpoint from 2015-18 before returning to Massachusetts for a couple years and arriving back in Sandpoint this past September.  

I teach guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass and ukulele and have played each (as well as drums) in various bands and recordings over the years.  

I've taught students ranging in age from single digits to 80+, beginners all the way to those who have played longer than I have.  

The styles I play and teach are eclectic, ranging from various American folk styles to blues, jazz, funk, rock, bluegrass and music from other parts of the globe.  

My lessons focus on topics such as: sound technique and fundamentals, learning and playing songs with the teacher, understanding music theory, improvisation, ear training, songwriting, sight reading and how to jam with other musicians.  

I try to gear lessons toward each individual student's interests as my main goal is to inspire them towards daily practice.  

I teach in-person and via skype or zoom.  I usually teach individuals but have also worked with groups from time to time.

I have also done work with music therapy for individuals and in collaboration with Hospice care.

I've included one of Chris's You Tube videos, which are found under the title of Waterhouse Music lessons. 

If you are musically inclined or would like to become so, you can connect with Chris via email at waterhousemusiclessons@gmail.com.  

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the day when I can pluck on my banjo and not drive the audience away, be they birds or peeps. 

Happy Wednesday. 

 

Below photo:  From "Ireland from the Roadside" in County Louth.

  Photo by Fergel Gleason