Fine Pickins

This weekend, we had some fine "pickins".

Last night, we attended our first 3rd-Friday-at-New-Union-Fire-Hall, hosted by the Flatts, who live in New Union. They've been hosting this since soon after the Pickin' Parlor closed a year or so ago, but this is the first time we've gone. (This is not because we've not wanted to go; quite the contrary. We've either had other commitments, or, a couple of times when we could have actually gone, we completely forgot by the time Friday evening arrived. And once, I think, we intended to go, but were so wiped out from the day's work that we decided not to.) The kids were excited to get to pick and jam some again, and it was great to see some of the folks we used to see regularly at the Pickin' Parlor.

Pickin'...

and grinnin'??

(You can't tell from their faces when they're picking, but they say they truly enjoy it, and are always excited when we're going somewhere that will have some picking and a chance to jam!)

As a matter of fact, playing the mandolin hurts 17yo, but given the opportunity to do a little jamming, she chooses to suffer a bit in order to enjoy the music and the camaraderie.

Some of the former Pickin' Parlor regulars don't let us leave a place until 15yo has sung "Blue Moon of Kentucky."

And tonight, 15yo's fiddle teacher, Tom, hosted "Pickin' at the Grove" at the church he now pastors, Beech Grove First Baptist. This was a fund-raiser for the church, where they sold hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, and--stroke of genius (Why has no one done this before--at least as far as I know??)--Cracker-Barrel-country-ham sandwiches! Mmmmm, good! (Let's see...hot dog or country ham? Is there really a decision to be made here??) They also auctioned desserts--cakes, pies, and cookies went for anywhere from $30 to $100 or so before we left, which was quite early. We did leave early, but Tom made sure the girls had a chance to play a couple of songs first.

Tom and the girls playing with members of The Creek.

The opening act tonight was the Rigney family, out of nearby Normandy. They were good; the boys are 14yo and 11yo. One song the family performed was written by the 14yo son. And the 11yo could tear up the fiddle and the mandolin!

The Rigney Family

Mary Susan