Here at Hangman Hill

It is still cold and dark at Hangman Hill Road, but soon the sun will be up and the wood-stove will be keeping us warm.  We will be thinking of you all wherever you are – in the city, on the road, or out in the mountains.  Have a wonderful holiday!

We kicked off the weekend with an evening in Old Saybrook at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center, also referred to as “The Kate” locally.  The theater opened two years ago and we have been looking for an opportunity to visit the theater.  We noticed the Sweetback Sisters were playing on Friday night and we couldn’t resist.  We have been enjoying the Sweetback Sisters and their eclectic mix of old-time country and rockabilly but have wanted to see them perform live for sometime.  We were suitably impressed with “The Kate” as a venue, and the Sweetback Sisters for their talent and showmanship.  The music included many original tunes and covers of songs by Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Josh Ritter and a favorite by Roger Miller, “My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died”.  The talent of the six band members was impressive as they moved through a variety of musical styles, passing instruments back and forth and achieving harmonies that were stunning.  You can see highlights of the performance The Kate at this link; and their version of Patsy Cline’s “Love Me Honey Do” from a previous performance here.

By comparison the rest of the weekend was fairy quiet and included typical household chores, and a FEW preparations for the Christmas holiday.  Our holiday preparedness seem to be hampered by the unseasonably warm temperatures.  Let it snow, let is snow, let it snow.

Bruno tagging our Christmas tree with a ribbon AND a GPS location (so we can find it later).

On Thursday we traveled north to the town of Storrs, CT to see Jake Shimabukuro perform at the Jorgensen Theater.  We first came to know about Jake, like many others, when his version of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral on YouTube.  Seeing him perform live was amazing.  It is hard to grasp what he can do with a ukulele, a very simple instrument with only four strings.  We loved the stories he told before each and every song.  In addition to being awed by his musical ability, we were enamored with his sense of humor, passion, compassion and humility.  He played many of his own original songs, a favorite being “Five Gallons Unleaded” He also performed a few covers including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, Queen’s “Bohemian Raphsody”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison.  His finale included another George Harrison song “In My Life”, which he performed with Bettle Midler for the Queen of England.   You can see a few highlights from the show.

Sheri joined her sister Kerry in Texas to pay a visit to their grandmother “Mimi” for a long weekend.  They enjoyed mild temperatures and sunny skies. Their visit included lunch with cousin Chris, a short visit with Mimi at Kruse village, brunch with cousin Sara and a few days in New Ulm with Aunt Cindy and Uncle John.  It was a relaxing few days and they really enjoyed their time with everyone.  The extended draught in Texas is taking a toll on the flora, and also to the morale of those living there.  While landing in Providence it was nice to return to the lush state of the East Coast.

We are back from the land of the living dead, and wanted to share a few pumpkin pictures.
Click here to see the most amazing carvings ever!

Tonight we went to the great pumpkin festival at the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI. A very scary and enjoyable evening out!

A bright and sunny day here, with a little more than frost on the pumpkin the day before Halloween. Trick or Treat?