Reading My Way Around the World

Thursday 9 June 2022

Updates from here


Things have been a bit manic here and I'm a bit the worse for wear at this stage, but the end is in sight.   

summer colour in spite of the cold


My brother arrived home from Australia on Sunday for a month long visit to stay with Mum, which has freed our time a bit for a few weeks to let the end of term run out, get choir performances done and get the album finished.   Unfortunately new medicine I've been on has not agreed with me and I'm struggling putting one foot in front of the other at the minute - isn't that always the way - never feel poorly when you've loads of time to be sick in ... humph.   Anyway, this too shall pass as some wise person once said.  

Break out the champagne ... We had a successful crowdfunding project on Kickstarter - hit our target a few days ago and the time isn't up until tonight at midnight so we're delighted with that.   A couple of very generous friends asked us to do special concerts which we are only to happy to do and they lifted the total well up between them.   

Terrible photo but drum set up in the living room
Now we're finishing up our bits of recording.   I have to say this has been a most enjoyable experience.  Every room in the house has been used and as if by magic it all disappears in the evening.  


guitar studio in the bedroom













 Yesterday and today I've been engineering for Tom to add his percussion parts and I'm getting to grips with all the technical terms - I am now someone who knows that a bus is not only a means of transport!!  Mind you I can't explain it much beyond that but it's something to do with sound recording lol. 

For the next few days now we'll do backing vocals and final vocals while other musicians are adding parts to songs remotely.   On previous recordings we brought a musician in for a day to add their instrument to several tracks, but now most musicians have the facility to record in their own studio and send the parts back.    So there's bass, fiddle and keyboards going on to some songs and we've a few minor things to add then - perhaps an harmonica on one or two songs and we're looking for a nice wooden flute player.   I've never gotten around to buying my wooden flute but I will do that over the winter - mind you my wish list of instruments never seems to get smaller - let me see: I need another guitar, a ukulele (even though I'm not a fan of the instrument, but it may have uses in recording ), a wooden flute and a shruti box.   I think I'll have to keep doing the lottery.  As you can see my annoyance with music has diminished - the rest over covid has really done me good - that and constant playing with paints and papers.   Now to get the medicines sorted, get a wee break and hope that my mum keeps improving.   She'll be 95 next month so we'll look forward to that.      

And of course, I can't go without the squirrel updates :)  Our morning entertainment ... 

Count the tails!!!







there was another one on the ground

... if the sun is shining they are really red but if it's dull they seem much browner.  I really must learn to take better photos but the wee brats won't sit still long enough for a good pose - they need training :)

Til the next time, stay well and safe.  

6 comments:

  1. You're so lucky to have the red squirrels! We've only got the greys here, although I do enjoy all their antics! Arilx

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  2. Well done on all that hard work & I'm sure the rewards will be great. How many instruments can you play? Exceptionally multi-talented by the sound of it. Lucky brother being away from this horrendous weather we are having. Love, love the squirrel photos. Take care & hugs.

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  3. Hi Fil - congratulations on the fundraising ... and so pleased your brother's been able to get over and spend a bit of time with your (and his) mother, I hope you have some good times together too. All the best with all the projects ... enjoy the roses, as too those delightful squirrels .. and I hope you can throw off the early 2022 blues - all the best - cheers Hilary

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  4. So glad to hear that your fundraiser has been successful, I hope all your hard work pays off. I also hope that your are feeling ok now, and the medication issues are resolved soon. Love the red squirrel photos, how wonderful to be able to sit and watch them from your windows.

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  5. Squirrels!!
    How lovely that your fundraiser has been good and superseded the target! Well done x

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  6. Hi Fil - good to see you ... hope all well - busy over here ... lots of groups etc ... catch you soon - cheers Hilary

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