Difficult to believe that January is almost done. Groundhog Day is coming soon, and maybe it will mean only 6 more weeks of winter?
This FFF will have pics taken in January but not shared yet. Maybe some music. Maybe a poem. Let’s start with pics.
Every year I buy 2 pumpkins, and every year they feed critters in winter. 
witch hazel flower buds 
witch hazel flower buds opening 
remodeled conference room at fmg 
flower arrangement on table at fmg 
“healthy” juice for sale = sugar is the main ingredient and 4% fruit juice 
lunch this month at El Tapatio, that used to be Redwood Bar 
El Tapatio, best Mexican food in town
I bought the 5-disc set of “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” at a good price from ebay. However, when a price is too good to be true, there is often a reason. In this case it is because the first disc froze during the first episode, with Elton John. I tried it in another DVD player. I tried cleaning it. No luck on Elton or the other two on that disc. Had to send it back for a refund. I noticed that all of the discs for sale are OLD, and maybe they’ve disintegrated over time. Powrs that be in the remastering world, please remaster and publish a new set of these discs. What I saw of the first one was really good!
Tedeschi Trucks Band has a new album coming out! Also, they will be on tour this summer. They’re even coming to Grand Rapids in August. Please Lord, make it happen that I can see them live. It isn’t going to be at the Van Andel Arena thank goodness, we have a new music venue by the river.
Writing poetry is but one ingredient of the cake of it.
(American Sentence)
Tao Talk 
Great song! I don’ mind if the groundhog sees or not sees his shadow…just no more freezing rain or sleet please…just snow!
Too bad about your discs…how old are they?
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Yes it is. I was scanning ticket availability this morning and still deciding if I want to spend that much.
I need this snow to be gone. That said, with the sun shining on it today, it looks very pretty ;)
I think they were made in 2008? If you ever find a streaming way of watching them, let me know.
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I sure will tell you if I find them! I wouldn’t mind seeing them either.
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Thanks, Max!
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It’s nice that you can get out to the gardens in winter… we haven’t been to our local nature preserve since the snow flew. Suddenly became very cold, especially this last while (like all of North America, apparently).
Too bad about the DVDs… hopefully you get a refund and can find another set.
That was a great toe-tapper to get the energy moving on a lazy Friday! You’ve shared that band before… hope you get to see them on tour!
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Steve, the fmg pics were at the beginning of the month. Haven’t been to GR in some weeks now and I miss it (it being spending time with my loved ones.) We’ve done a few zoom calls but it isn’t the same :(
I hesitate to buy another set because this was a brand new set, wrapped in cellophane. Maybe a defective initial printing or they were stored in extreme temps? I didn’t try the other discs, but I will get a refund.
Yes, this band is AMAZINGLY talented. All of the pieces fall together nicely with them. So much talent in one place.
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It’s tough when we can’t be with those we care for. Zoom is a substitute, but nowhere near as good as the real thing, though I’m grateful for it.
I get what you say about the DVD set… it’s too bad there’s the uncertainty.
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Love that TTB song, would not mind seeing them myself one day. Didn’t get to Toronto to see them last September. I know you were looking forward to that EC series. One of the parts I remember most is he and Elton having a wee chat. Hope you get to see it soon. Great pics Lisa.
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Randy, I do also, and I love the video that shows all of the band members. Such a talented ensemble! Yes, I took some notes for Elton as I was planning on writing a series of posts on them. Can’t find them now, c’est la vie of A.D.D. ! I do remember Alain Toussaint was on piano and they played one of his songs. Hoping I can find a streaming channel that has it. Thanks much, Randy.
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You just made me think of a Toussaint clip I saw of him playing piano and singing “The Weight” . I know he was close to The Band and I think helped with The Last Waltz.
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Randy, no I didn’t! What surprised me was he was playing keyboards but not identified until Elton did and pointed at him. He smiled but didn’t make a big deal of it. That’s what I call class.
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This month just flew by.
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Maybe Feb will too?
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Oh for sure, it’s the shortest one after all.
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Yes! :) <3
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🙏🏼♥️🙏🏼
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So happy to see your pumpkins feeding the critters!
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Melissa, it’s an annual tradition :)
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I always think about how many pumpkins are wasted in autumn. Between general decorations and Halloween.🎃
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I had never heard of that band, but I’m not listening to music all the time like my kids are. But I enjoyed that video.
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Cheryl, my understanding is that wife (Tedeschi) and huband (Trucks) each had separate bands, but at some point (2010?) combined them. They have multiple songwriters and multiple singers, which makes the alchemy that much more magical. Glad you enjoyed the video :)
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I can’t believe it’s February already either, Li! Yikes, this year is flying and I’m not even out of my pajamas.. lol. Oh that’s sweet to feed the critters. I would think you’d get so volunteers with the seeds popping pumpkins.
Bummer on the discs but they live in your heart.
LOVE this song vdeo!!!!
xxxx
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Cindy, the squirrels (and maybe chipmunks? even though the chipmunks have been in deep slumber for the past month) tunnel into the pumpkins. I’ll try to remember to take pics of how they start next year. Glad you enjoyed that song. As for PJs, I live in them! lol xxoo
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oh for sure they have been and that would be great to see. I sure did, fun interplay for sure. oh good, it’s all good until to door knocks.. lol.. xx
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Always enjoy your doodads, Lisa. And, Y.E.S. to Tedeschi Trucks Band – thanks for the heads-up on their new album. “I Got You” sounds great!
March 20 is right when I get back from what is going to be a 3-week blogging hiatus. My dad is celebrating his 90th birthday on March 1 in Germany. We’re going there as a family and combine it with a 2.5-week vacation in Spain thereafter.
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NICE on the vacay. Your dad gets a nice visit and then you and your fam get a nice visit in Spain. Will you be anywhere near Barcelona?
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Thanks!😀 Nope, we’re mostly focusing on Andalusia, particularly the Sevilla and Malaga areas.
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They should reissue those discs! Elvis did a lot of good work with other artists.
I saw Tedeschi Trucks are coming to NYC but I’m still crowd-avoidant after having Covid twice last year. I don’t know how to get past it. I just can’t deal with another round of it. But I hope you get to see them!
Nice to see buds. (K)
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Totally agree, K. These are solid gold.
I’m more than a little anxious to go to a mega concert venue after the VanAndel experience when I saw Billy Strings. I understand your anxiety and am still in contemplation stage. I bought tickets to see Cake this past summer at fmg and never went :(
It’s so strange how witch hazel blooms in winter and yes it is. I need to get back to fmg. They always have something in bloom inside.
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