RIP, Bernard Overton 1930-2008

Over the weekend, the whistle world lost one of the great geniuses of all time - Bernard Overton.

Called the Father of the Low Whistle, it was Bernard who really began the production of low whistles, and the whistles he made (as well as Colin Goldie, who learned from Bernard and earned the right to use the Overton name) are regarded as some of the best low whistles in the world.

In my own collection, there is one Bass Bb whistle that Bernard made, as well as a few made by Colin, and they are my "never leave home without them" instruments.

Thank you, Bernard - your work gave people like me a voice to sing with. You will be missed.

"I read the news today, Oh boy..."

I make it a habit to glance through the headlines on FoxNews.com daily to have at least a glimpse of what's going on in the world. Today is one of those days I wish I hadn't...

Robert Mugabe Militia Hacks, Burns Alive Opposition Leader's Wife

Obscenity Trial Suspended After Judge Posts Sex Images Online

Woman Unaware Of Pregnancy Gives Birth At Party

Polygamist convicted of torturing 19 kids

Teen Pleads Guilty To Plotting Massive School Massacre

Police Rescue Baby Amid Fatal Shooting In La. Home

The Marine Corps is expelling one Marine and disciplining another for their roles in a video showing a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

So, I'm thinking that I'll change my habit from reading the headlines each day to reading another source of news and information...

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
He will watch over your life;

The LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

It may not keep me up to date on world events, but it keeps me in touch with things that are much more important...

Yikes... where does the time go?...

Yesterday it was May, spring was barely here, my birthday was just past, and summer loomed brightly just ahead.

Turn around, blink, and it's June. Might hit the 90's this weekend, I'm playing at Festival Friday night, and folks are already talking about how the summer is going to fly by and it'll be winter before you know it.

Feels like we are just starting season 10 of Down Gilead Lane, but I'm actually finishing episode 12, the final episode of this season.

Couldn't somebody PLEASE throw out the anchor and slow this boat down? Guess that's not possible - it's up to me, and I lost my anchor years ago. So, grab the sides of the pink candy boat, watch the Oompa Loompas row, and fly down the chocolate river.

Here's hoping we all find some ways to slow down the summer and enjoy it. Go to the drive-in; walk the Meijer Gardens; take a bike ride to Rockford; go to Chicago and enjoy the lakeshore; sit in the backyard, in the screen house, with the rope lights, and read a book on a summer evening; go to Grand Haven and watch the sunset...

Whatever it takes, enjoy the summer. It'll snow before too long. :-D

The last 40-something year...

The countdown has begun. 364 days until I'm not a Forty-Something anymore.

Wednesday was the Captain's birthday, celebrated with joy and moderation. (and wheeling... and some yummy food... and some games...) Thanks to all who passed along greetings in various forms, and huge thanks to my sweetie for a lovely time.

But now, the numbers 5-0 lurk above my head. Each day bringing it closer. And when May 21st, 2009 rolls around, it'll hit.

Am I dreading it? Nah. Folks who know me know that I never act my age anyway. I may be 49, but mentally I'm still 13. :-D Any doubt about that - see the previous post with me wearing a Wingnut Fez.

God is good. Happy birthday to me. :-D

The proud Uncle...

Normally when I make a custom piece of jewelry, We either mail it or the client is someone here in town and we just meet up to deliver.

When the client in question is your oldest niece, and it's her Junior prom, well... :-D

So, Uncle Cal made a necklace and earrings for Kassandra, and we took a road trip to da UP (eh?) to deliver it. 'Cause there was no way we were going to miss seeing the new piece of Prom Bling in its natural habitat. So, first up is a picture of a very proud Uncle and his lovely Niecelet...














I didn't want the two younger Niecelets to feel left out, so the Weird Uncle made them each some earrings, featuring their birthstones. So here's Paige with her new earrings.

(apologies to Kara, who I didn't get a picture with. She's a cutie also)





Can you tell that a certain Uncle is really proud and delighted with these young ladies who he has the honor of calling Niece? Yeah - I thought you'd figure that out.

And, yes - that is a Fez on my head. And, yes - that is a wingnut on the Fez. Just making sure there's no doubt why the kiddos call me Weird Uncle Cal. After all, I told them to. :-D