Fiddlin' Around with Hil

We had a heavy thunderstorm here today. Since a portion of my work is outside (and I don't like getting wet) and a portion of my work is on the computer (which I turn off during storms), I took the downtime to go visit my friend, Hilton Lytle. Mr. Lytle is 85 years old and is a retired school counselor. But he is most famous for building and repairing fiddles here in north Louisiana and central Arkansas. In fact, he helped start the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas. Hil has "graduated" (his term for “built”) over 240 high quality fiddles in his life.

Back during the summer, my oldest son, John, started to graduate a fiddle with Hil. But, similar to others his age, John got too busy with school and work. So I've decided I'd finish the fiddle with Hil's guidance. We glued the top back on it today during the storm. What a great blessing it is to have someone of such wisdom and character to talk to and work alongside. Hil is one of this region's greatest treasures. Since, I lost both my father and mother within the past five years, Hil is the closest thing I have to a living parent now. And I couldn't have asked God for a better role model.

After we glued the top on, he picked up another fiddle and started sawing away...playing, that is. "Ooooo boy," he said as he played and tapped his feet. We also started making plans to build a cigar box mandolin today. We're just in the beginning stages on that one, though. We fancy ourselves to be mad scientists. Hil recently built my wife, Angie, a cigar box fiddle. It plays and sounds great. So, my wish for you today is one of Hil's favorite lines, "Happy Playing!"

Why do we do what we do?

I took my morning walk today with the thoughts of several of my friends heavy on my heart and mind. I learned yesterday about some issues these friends were having and I didn't even see it coming.

While I walked, I prayed for them. I tried to collect my thoughts, so as to give them insightful advice, should they ever ask for it. But I kept coming back to the same thing....when we put our desires and needs in front of what's right, then we're setting ourselves up for the fall. Ever since the origin of sin, our selfish desires has gotten us in trouble. Will we ever learn? It made me appreciate the blessings in my life...my wife...my children...my faith in God. I'm no saint...in fact, it's only by the grace of God that this isn't happening to me. So I pray, continuously.

While I walked, I listened to "The Duke Meets the Earl." One song in particular really struck me. It's called "A Soul That's Been Abused"...slow blues at its best...and a perfect song for expressing my thoughts this morning.

Mardi Gras Pet Parade

Angie, Daniel, and I took Scooter, one of our Jack Russell terriers, to the Mardi Gras Pet Parade on Saturday. If you've never been, take my advice, you need to be a spectator at least one time in your lifetime. So if you missed it this year, put it on your "to-do" list for next year. If you have pets that are willing to "dress up," then you need to enter your pets in the parade next year. It's fun to see all of the various pet costumes and mini-floats. Plus, it benefits a good cause, namely PAWS of NE Louisiana (Pet Assistance Welfare Society). Check out Scooter and some others in my photos. And, yes, Scooter was working it....he always does.

Oscar & Felix

Well, yesterday was the last showing of "Oscar & Felix, a New Look at the Odd Couple." I can't express how much fun I had working with the all-star cast. On at least two nights, I literally cried because I was laughing so hard backstage. Oh, the stories I heard...and told. I've made some really good friends and I look forward to working with them again...soon, hopefully.

So I turn the page on "Vinnie" and wait for what's next. At any rate, I'm posting some of my fave pics from the show. Click on the thumbnail and it will get big. (That's what she said.)