Nothing Says "Rock 'n Roll"...

 

Like a morning gig.

A morning gig?  Yes, just like I wrote in that line above.  I think it was last spring when we did one of these Memory Cafe morning gigs.  We've done this one several times before.  This is for a group that meets once a month for care-givers for Alzheimer's patients.  The VIPs (those who have the disease) and their caregivers attend.

These are moving situations: looking out at the audience and seeing people with memory issues singing along.  To put a more poignant point on it: they may not remember family members' names, but they can sing along with songs from the 60s and 70s.  It also allows their care-givers time to interact with other care-givers.

I doubt I'll have any images on this one - Joan is not going along.  She has come to these before, but it is mostly sitting and waiting while I unload, set up gear, then after playing, tear down gear and load out.

So, an early morning for me - I'll be heading out around 8:15 to get there for a 9:00 load in.  

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So, I didn't think I'd have any photos to share, but Cindy (Mark's wife) was there and took these...

 The place was full and the crowd was very receptive.  Cindy included this photo to remind us why we do this gig a couple times a year...

 The gentleman on the right has Alzheimer's - that is his daughter in the middle.  Mark and Cindy occasionally see them in their neighborhood - the daughter is pushing her father in a wheelchair.  Today, he got up and danced with his daughter; she was amazed.  The lady on the left is Janice, the one who arranges all this.

I was home and had gear loaded in, and gave the neighbor kitties a treat, before 1:15.  That may be a bit early to rock 'n roll, but I might get a nap in this afternoon.  ;-) 

 

Last Night's Gig...

 

Well, to be fair, it was an afternoon gig: happy hour, 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  We got there at 1:30, loaded in gear, set up, and ran a sound check.  Then, 20 minutes to chill before our start time.  Mark anticipated a smaller crowd due to Sunday NFL games - the Arizona Cardinals were hosting the Denver Broncos at the same time we were playing.

The crowd was smaller, but enthusiastic.  Joan and Steph were there, so I had support.  Steph took a couple photos...

 We have a day off, then another gig on Tuesday, Oct 27th in Surprise, AZ.

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The Fall Hunter's Moon...

We were treated to a full moon coming up on the eastern horizon as we drove home after the gig.  Joan rode with Steph to get there, then drove home with me,s while I had some pizza on the ride.

The October Full Moon will be at 9:12 pm tonight, so it will appear full the evening before and after.

"When the moon hit your eye like a big pizza pie..." 

If you said, "The song title is That's Amore, sung by Dean Martin, 1953, written by Harry Warren (music) and Jack Brooks (lyrics)," you get 30 bonus points.  Partial credit for partial answers.

And the moon...

 That is the Fall Hunter's Moon, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.  It is called the Hunter's Moon because it historically signaled the time to hunt and store meat for the long winter.  With fields recently cleared under the previous Harvest Moon, animals were easier to spot.   Also known as the Sanguine Moon, Blood Moon, Migrating Moon, or Falling Leaves Moon.

Also, according to the Old Farmers Almanac: The best time to photograph the moon is Sunday evening, October 25, 2026, around moonrise near sunset.  Thus, the above photo.

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A New Addition...

Loading the RV at this house in Arizona has been problematic: apparently, we have "sensitive" GFCI circuits in the garage, and plugging in the Aspect or the RoadTrek causes the GFCI outlets to pop.  It hasn't been as much of a problem with the van, since it can function off-grid... for a while.  But, when it is 115º, you have to run the coach air and there is a limit to how long the lithium system can provide air conditioning in that heat.  So, we need to have a 30 RV outlet - and now, we do...

 In the words of the philosophers CSN&Y in the song Ohio: shoulda been done long ago.  But, now we can load up anytime we want, and take as long as we want.

 

 

The Morning Routine...

 

I've talked about it, but the most important part is the Murphy and Pops time outside.  Well, that would be the case if you asked Murphy.  Or, it might be that treat time when we come back inside.  The vote could go either way.

It was cool this morning: 56º; I put on a jacket and stocking cap...

 The rest of this post is about Murphy.  Really.

The boy has a good, confident walk...

 There is generally some "observation time," where he will sit to take in his domain...

 Then, always, more walking about...

 We do not do a harness and leash on these walk-abouts since they are always in our yards, and there is a 6' wall around the perimeter.  Can he jump that wall?  Yes, with very little effort.  He did that a few times when he was a youngster; even went over the wall on several occasions.  And, discovered the "other side" isn't nearly as good as his own yard.  He has no interest in that these days.

He lets me know when he's ready to go back inside...

 Then, once back inside, Murphy and Stella know it is treat time.  Now, we can take on the rest of our day.

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Another gig at Pizzicata today, so one last promo image...

 

 

Almost there...

 

Sitting in the hot tub last night, the yard was pretty well lit up thanks to that bright moon - almost full.  The full moon will happen here in Phoenix at 9:12 pm on Sunday evening (Oct 26th).  I'll post more on that on Sunday.  Probably. 

Joan and the cats...

 Everybody looks pretty content there.

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Run, Forrest, Run...

If you said, "A line from the movie Forrest Gump," you get 3 bonus points.  Only 3?  Come on, it's right there in the line.  ;-)

 Out for a bicycle ride this morning.  A pleasantly cool start to the day.  It was 60º when I got up, 64º when I took Murphy out.  67º when I rolled the e-bike out of the garage.  The tires needed to be topped off...

 So, what about that "running" stuff?  Thanks for asking.  As I got close to the park, there were a lot of vehicles parked alongside the road.  Quite a few people out in the grassy area...

 A high school cross country meet was about to start.  I stayed away from the crowd and enjoyed my ride...

Ducks and geese in that photo above.

 A really nice morning for a ride - I did put on a wind shirt for an additional layer over my t-shirt.

 

 

I can't say "No" to that face...

 

Well, those faces. 

I have mentioned my "morning routine" from time to time here.  Much of it revolves around taking care of the cats.  First thing, they get fed.  After that, I set out meds and suppliments for the humans.  Take my pills and blood pressure.  Have a hot chocolate and a small pastry.  When that is done, I take Murphy outside.

This morning, I put out patio umbrellas, the flag, and furniture cushions - they were all put away before the storms hit.  I sat for a minute, then Joan came out to help me with the big patio umbrella.

Then back to the routine: when I come in, the kitties are thinking it is treat time...

 I can't say "No" to those faces.

 

Coming Up...

 

I mentioned rehearsal yesterday... our bass player Podge is out of town until Saturday, so it was Mark, Ron, and me.  Even though we know the songs on the set list for the upcoming gigs on Sunday and Tuesday, it is good to run through them, practice harmonies, and get tight on openings and endings.

This Sunday is another gig at Pizzicata in Glendale.  We've played this place twice before, so we're comfortable with the room and set up.  We've had good crowds the previous times, but Mark is thinking it might be a lighter crowd with a couple of the local professional sports teams having home games.  Joan and Steph are planning to be there, so I will have some familiar support.

Podge has encouraged us to help promote to let people know we're there again.  Here's my part...

 I have said I have one or two gigs in me for any given month.  This month, they are a day apart, with this Sunday and Tuesday (this one is at a Memory Cafe in Surprise).  Next month, it is two consecutive - an outdoor gig for Banner Health downtown on Saturday, November 14th and then another Sunday gig at Pizzicata the next day.

That's enough.  Well, I'm guessing we'll still do a once a week jam at Mark's place with the MIM guys.  After 4 hours of rehearsal yesterday, my vocal cords were feeling it.

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And the weather?

Thanks for asking.  A decreasing chance for severe weather today, but still in the area...

 A risk for the Los Angeles area?  This El Niño advisory for the fall and winter in the southwest is unusual.

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And this...

 Interesting statistic.  So much for "the dry ol' desert."  I hesitate to say this (type it out), but this last round of severe weather has pretty much bypassed our part of the Valley of the Sun.

Tornado Warnings??

 

I got up this morning and turned on the TV while getting the cats fed... tornado warnings for areas just north of Phoenix!

 Areas around Prescott (where we were in the van a couple weeks ago) are getting wind, rain, hail, and lightning, with tornado warnings.  In Arizona.  Mother Nature is obviously pissed about something.  We have a Weather Watch for high winds, rain, and thunderstorms in the Phoenix area; we put away all the cushions and loose stuff on the patio last night.  There was substantial damage done in the Mesa area (east part of the Phoenix Valley) overnight.

Looking to the east when I took Murph out for his morning walk-about...

 Yeah, that sky looks pretty ominous.  But, to the west...

 That's the Estrella Mountains to our west; almost friendly-looking in that direction.  It sprinkled briefly, but that didn't stop Murph was walking around.  A short visitation through the patio door with Steph and Dan's boys...

 We are scheduled for a rehearsal today with the Hip Replacements, at Ron's house.  He texted early this morning, asking if we still want to get together due to the anticipated weather.

Looks like the worst of the weather has moved north, but more on the way...

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Around 3:00 while we were rehearsing, a strong straight line wind blew right down the street at Ron's house, in downtown Phoenix.  Pounding rain for a short time.  Glad to not be out in it.  A tornado did touch down and do damage in a community about 2 1/2 hours northeast of Phoenix... first time a tornado hit in Arizona since 2010.