Dreaming about summer

This week we recieved our first big snow storm of the season. On one hand I am not enthused a bit about the prospect of driving to work everyday in foul weather, or riding in a van in foul weather. On the other hand Kylee is very excited about the snow! So I have to be involved in making snowmen, throwing snowballs, and making snow forts. But if you need to beat the winter blahs here are some ideas!

If you can beat 'em join 'em! It's only snow! Besides you will build memories, or fall and break a hip!

You could go camping with a buddy. I would suggest making a fort in your living room and camping out for the night.

You could have an awesome kazoo jam. Playing to kazoo takes no musical talent, so anybody can play. Have a fun family kazoo jam at your house tonight. You can find a kazoo at your local music store. They are about a dollar a piece.

You can get your teeth cleaned.

Go see a live music show! No matter what kind of music you are into your city is probably hosting a musical event. Check out your local community website.

By some fireworks and celebrated the forth of July all over again. Even though your city may have laws barring this I don't think that they would mind if there is snow on the ground. Remember this county was founded on one act of rebellion! Besides we need to remember our heritage and preserve our oral family heritage through story telling and celebration.

Try some archery! I would buy nerf toys and practice in your house.

Go to a local gym and go swimming. Or, dress up in your bathing suits and give your cousins nuggies!

Go bowling!

Spend time with good friends and family!


I hope this helps you out!

Everything I learned from inmates

So your getting a two for one deal. Basically I thought I should explain a thought in my last blog. Everything I learned in corrections I learned from inmates. It's true to a point, especially in corrections, but I did learn a lot from great experienced staff members. But I also learned a lot of great life lessons from offenders.
In corrections that are a lot of processes and policies that a correctional professional such as myself is governed by. There are proecesses for everything from getting a new pair of underware to how to address an envelop. One of the first processes I learned from an offender was how to process, and document legal mail. The offender was kind enough to tell me where the log book was kept, what key to use to unlock the filing cabinet that the logbook was kept in and exactly how to document the event. Another valuable tip that I learned from inmates was that cooking methamphetamines in your house with your children and your wife is apparently bad for you and could get you thrown in prison. Apparently, a lot of them are coming to this realization. I also learned that you can defraud that welfare system by divorcing your wife, but still live with her. Suprisingly your don't have to pay child support, but still have more rights then I do to see your children.
I learned a lot of house cleaning tips too. For instance, your need to take a shower everyday because your get smelly. If you get smelly enough your cellmate, or celly, does not like you very much and eventually people may beat you up. Accordingly if you stick towels in your toilet and flush it a lot of times it will flood your cell. You flood your cell the emergency response team will come. If the emergency response team comes one of two things are going to happen. Your are either going to be sprayed with pepper spray until you come to the cuff port and are put in hand cuffs, or the emergency response team will come in and place you in cuffs.
Needless to say I am being sarcastic. But, writing this blog makes me feel better about my career and lets me know that I have the best job in the world. Everyday is a new adventure with simple life lessons. I am just happy that so many idiots are in one place.

Joe Gunter

"Every good and nobel idea will be preverted by special interest until it no longer resembles the original idea nor accomplishes the intended goal." Boucher's law of cenceptual retrograde.

A wrinkle in time

OK...I have an assignment for all of you bloggers out there!

Are you ready? Here goes.......

If you had the chance...Taking all of the wisdom you gained as an adult...What moment in your life would you re-live?

For me it would probably be high school. I think I would go back with an entirely different attitude. I know I would probably talk to more girls. But then again, I haven't figured women out yet so why would that be different. I would stand up for myself when I got in trouble for my part in writing and distributing "The probing pinky preview", the legendary underground newspaper at my high school. All in all it was a good creative writing project. Besides Mr. Plotts look at me now. I"M A BLOGGER! I HAVE MY OWN BLOG WHERE I CAN SAY ANYTHING THAT I WANT.
I would definitely tell my friends to straighten up their act. But thinking about that I don't think it would make a difference. I would have tried harder with my academics, and spent more time studying. But really everything I needed to know about my career and life I either learned from my parents or inmates. Relationships and friendships I probably would not change because they are what made me the mentally functioning person I am today.
Looking back on it I there are some things that I would have changed. But the bottom line is I would have listened to my parent more, and made better decisions. But with the decisions I've made fate has brought me to the this moment in time. John Bytheway once said that life is like a football game. John may be right in his analogy. But I think life is like those choose your own adventure books we used to read in school. With every decision there is a path. It maybe good, it may be bad. But at least we are on the path.


Joe Gunter

"In relationships if each of you were the same, one of you would be unnecessary." Dave Ramsey.

Six quirks

My mother challenged me to write about my six quirks. I like being the guy who silently laughs when something funny is said, and others have a cranial rectal inversion. I don't really like turning the finger and examining myself. Funny thing is I often do. I am my own critic. So here goes. I will try to be as brutally honest as I can, and try not to rant!

Quirk #6- I hate sanctioned incompetence! Ok...This is probably a little to serious and ranty like. But I was always taught that if you work hard and are dedicated to your job that good things will happen to you. What I should have been taught was..."Hey, work hard millions on welfare are depending on you!". Or..."Work hard, your co-workers need a 30 minute smoke break and then want to come in an complain about how they never have enough time in the day to get their work done." Ok it is a little ranty. But it is a quirk. Heaven help me when I start supervising staff come January 1st.

Quirk #5 - I think what is called "country music" is a crock! The bottom line is this crap is pop music. It is designed by lawyers and corperations to make money. Although Garth Brooks first album was awesome I personally feel that he ruined country music for me. Then to sound like he is more "country" he mentions Chris Ledoux in one of his songs. Then that makes him bona fided country. But what do I know. I was sporting a mullet back then.

Quirk # 4 - I rant. I just do it personally, and internally. Sometimes it is out loud and often to the wrong people. But I rant. I admit it.

Quirk #3 - I like music. I am an avid collector of rare songs and sometimes instruments (thanks for the banjo mom and dad!). I think I always have music on somewhere. If I am in a situation where I can not have music on I have a constant song going in my head. Most often it is an annoying song and I want it to leave, but it is a song just the same. I call it the sound track of my life.

Quirk #2 - Really my only true friends are my siblings and my wife. Although I like to think of myself as a social person I don't have buddies that I hang around with and call on the phone. Some may find this odd, but I am OK with it. I am a father and a husband. I don't have time for hommies. This annoys my wife sometimes. She always tells me to go out a do something with my friends. But, I would rather do stuff with her. She is a riot. If you have ever met her you'd swear she would change your life.

Quirk #1 - Because I work in a prison and have in my own right become institutionalized I have a lot of annoying habits. For instance, I count everything. When we go to Wal-Mart my wife would ask me how many people are in the store. With in twenty minutes I would have a some what accurate count. On any given day we have exactly twelve forks, ten table knives, and ten spoons in our drawer. Another annoying habit is I always know where the exits are. When I am in public I am always thinking about "what-if" scenarios. What if a gun man comes in here and starts shooting? OK Joe you are going to make sure your family has exited the door on the right and are safely in the car. Then you are going to go back in the store and make sure everybody else is safe. Another annoying quirk...I hate to have my back to large groups of people, doors, or windows when I am in public.
Call it OCD, call it weird. I seem so normal. But over the years I have learned to control it when I am around my family and friends. I think it is because I know that I am in a safe zone.

OK...Quirk #1 - I'm a quirky dude! Aren't we all. That make us individuals. If we were all the same a lot of us would be unnecessary.

As the last month of summer is rapidly coming to a close I realize that my vacation time this year was not very relaxing. Or rather, it was relaxing but it went by so quick I can not remember if I did relax.
Towards the end of July I started to have allergy attacks. After several rounds of medication to combat the problem I was finally relieved of my elements. Only to be shipped off for training at McNeil Island Corrections Center (MICC) (Pictured above) in lovely Stellicom Washington.

The Island

MICC started off as a federal prison in the early 1920's. It is the only existing prison to located on an island left in the united states. One other interesting fact about MICC, when it was still a federal prison, housed Charles Manson, and Machine Gun Kelly. The state took over the prison in the eighties. Now it the island has a medium security prison, the special offenders unit, and is a national game refuge. The island also supports approximately 30 DOC staff, referred to as "islander", who live on the island. The island also has a K-4Th grade school, a recreation building which houses a 3 lane bowling alley, and a fire station.
I was involved in a work study group developing the curriculum for DOC's Crisis Negotiations Academy. We stayed in what was referred to as "The Mansion". The mansion is the old superintendents house that was built in the 20's. It is a four level house with bats occupying the fourth floor. Other then the hour plus barge ride out to the island it is a beautiful place.

Workshop

I was home for a short weekend then was off to the Washington Old-Time Fiddle workshop in Kittitas Washington. This year Kat and Kylee were not able to spend the week so I was solo. I had a lot of fun playing music with my friend and listening to other fiddlers. I was especially impressed with a fiddler by the name of Jeff Anderson. Jeff is a Minnesotan and plays Scandinavian music. He is an interesting guy with a lot of great tunes. I also enjoyed my class. I had the wonderful opportunity of studying with Kimber Ludiker from Spokane Washington, most recently from Boston Mass. She has won many fiddle competitions and is currently making a run at being a professional old-time musician. She currently is playing with a Celtic group who is touring the country. Be sure to check out her band any chance you get. They are going to be in Spokane on New years eve. She will be performing this Monday at Stateline with her brothers band the South Austin Jug Band. Definitely have to go see them.
About mid-way through workshop week I found myself at Boogie Man Music in Ellensburg buying a box full of kazoo's for a mini-workshop. On Thursday I was surprised by a visit from Kat and Kylee. The Kazoo mini-workshop which ironically was a good lesson in improvising was great. Kylee loved it and has not put her kazoo down. My world in now flooded with kazoo music. If only I had stayed at the workshop rather then buy kazoo's. What was I thinking.

The first of my problems

I was finally home had to do some wrenching on the truck. The seal in the rear differential was out and needed to be fixed. I could not justify taking it to a mechanic because the seal was only $11. So I decided to fix it myself. A couple of days later one of our washer hose broke flooding out laundry room. With a lot of work from our steam vacuum and a run to home depot that problem was resolved.

Ensign

We left for the Gunter family camp out at Ensign Ranch in Roslyn Washington, We had a great time catching up with our brothers and sisters. Kylee loved the water slide and painting her bird house. We missed Jenny and Ty's family but were glad to see Dylan and Steven. We were sad to leave, but anxious to get home and get cleaned up!

Finally home...

Monday night I came home to yet another leak in the house. Apparently, our refrigerator has a filter for the drinking water system. I thought it did, but Kat kept insisting that it did. So like any good husband I kept my mouth shut and never thought about it again. Surprisingly the frig does have a filter (surprise, surprise). Stunningly they get clogged and you have to replace them every six months or they will leak. More mop up efforts and yet another run to home depot. Lesson learned: Even though I was right about the frig having a filter. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Working from home

As the expansion project at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center lingers on accidents are bound to happen. For example, yesterday an electrician tested the amphage on a panel box. The panel box shorted out and a 2000 amph arc destroyed the panel box leaving the expansion site without power for a couple days. This has been a blessing in disguise because I am now working on my Crisis Negotiations scenario from home.

Once again...Don't sweat the small stuff!

Parting shot...Throughout our lives will will often miss our childhood home. We eventually realize that it is not our childhome home we miss...It is our childhood.

Forever young, but with a touch of grey!

Joe Gunter

Catching up after a wild weekend in Wenatchee

As I look back on the events that have unfolded over the last several weeks I am coming to the realization that summer does not last as long as it does when you are young. Remember those lazy school days in June when you counted down the days and hours until you were free to roam! It is almost the middle of July and my summer is almost over!

I could say a lot has happened since my last blog, but that would be a lie. On the one hand a lot has happened, but on the other hand the Joe Gunter family has rolled on in our own style. But here is what I know:

Wenatchee:

My last blog left off with me on vacation anticipating a trip to Wenatchee. Shaun and I took a long hot drive in the old Toyota truck. We checked in at the festival and suprisingly not a whole lot was going on. So we headed to our friend Earl's house in East Wenatchee. We spend the afternoon chatting with Earl and his cousin Chucky from Moses Lake. We played "Rock Band" on the playstation most of the afternoon. I can tell you that I faired better siging then I did on the drums and guitar. Finally Phil arrived and we played a few fiddle tunes until Earls with Becky came home. We went out to eat at a fine mexican resteraunt in Cashmere (were the festival was). After that we came home and had a great Texas Style jam. Shaun and Phil debated throughout the night on weither they should enter into the flat-picking contest at the festival the next morning. Check in for the contest was at 10:00 am and Shaun and Phil are notorious for sleeping late. We all went to bed sometime in the wee hours of the morning. I woke up at 6:00 am to a spectacular view of Mission Ridge. I waited until the crack of 9:30 when Phil and Shaun woke up. At 9:45 Phil and Shaun decided that they wanted to enter the flat-picking contest. We covered a quick ten miles to Cashmere in what seemed like minutes. Fortunately we arrived safely. At first Phil and Shaun had a little resistance in checking in but I think the judge was won over by Phils shirt. Phil was wearing a T-shirt that said "Anorexia Survivor". The reason why this is funny is because Phil is a big boy! We though Phil and Shaun were going to do ok and at least one of them would make the finals. There was some amazing pickers! Now mind you Shaun and Phil are no slouches when it comes to flat-picking. But they were smoked by some of the best pickers I have seen in a while. We retreated to a BBQ resteraunt to try and gain some dignity from the incident. We ventured back to Earls house to find Earl working on his pool. He also has a massive renovation going on at his house so he did not want to go back to the festival with Shaun and I. Phil had to leave so after we said our goodbyes Shaun and I headed back to the festival. We were able to jam for a while with some of our other musical friends and a met a lot of nice people. Then we went to the show.

Now I have to tell you that there are some great musicians in the Bluegrass world. But folks...Washington has a great Bluegrass tradition! When ever there is a Bluegrass festival in your area go! Don't question it! Just go! Shaun and I witnessed two of the best Bluegrass bands every!

Cadilac Sky and the Infamous String Dusters are lighting up the Bluegrass world this year. Both bands won several IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards! I am still awe struck by the talent that these bands have! We had a great time!

Train Train never stop hard as nails tough as rocks!

When I came back to work after a Bluegrassers dream vacation I imediately went to a training class for work. I am a member of the emergency response team, and am the assistant team leader for the Hostage Negotiation Team. I attended a traing called "Virginia Tech Terror" which delved into the deviant mind of the Korean guy who went nuts and went on a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech College. It was a great class and I feel that every educator and emergency response personal should go to this. Like Bluegrass festivals this is one thing that you should not question and just do!

I also encourage every educator out there to train with local law enforcement and allow them into your schools. You need to train in the harsh reality of school shootings. Don't sit there and say that it will never happen at your school. I am sure that Frontier Jr. High School in Moses Lake Washington can sign you a different tune. Because if it could happen there it could happen anywhere.

Ok...off the soap box. I am also going to a week long training at McNeil Island Corrections Center. Now although this sounds interesting in really isn't. We have to stay on the island in the old superintendants house called the mansion. Which from what I hear is just short of being condemed, but because it is on a state site we can do what every we want with it. But the training should be fun.

I am also reading a great book called "Living the Green Beret Life Style: Total Committment to family, Sport, and Career" by John Giduck. The best way to describe this book is to steal a quote from one of the books critics. It reads..."If John Wayne were to leave a manual on how to be a man. This would be it!

I love one of the statements under a section entitled "Ask not what you can do for America!" Basically the author was sitting with a group of German soldiers particpating in a NATO war game when a German soldier pointed out that Americans alway identify themselves as Americans. They always identify themselves by nationality first and ethic origin last. In European countries the opposite is true.

The author hit the nail on the head in another short paragraph where he talked about how America was founded by imigrants. He said that our forefathers came to America and immersed themselves in American culture. They forced their children to get into anything America and to come home and teach them. They still kept their cultures and traditions, but their loyality lied with America. He said that in this day and age we have a lot of imigrants that we cater to. We are forced to teach, and entertain them in their native language. He drove the point home by saying that Americans need their immigrants! But there can be no question as to were their loyalties lie.

If this last paragraph offends anybody I am not sorry. To say I was sorry would be a lie. But to think that I am a racist would also be judgemental. I am not a racist and neither is the author. He does have a point. Look at your grandparents, and great grandparents. Learn your family history and do not forget the oral history of your families. Tell their story! Live their deam! Remember it is because of their hard work and sacrifice that you are able to read this blog today, and live the life you do!

So...Enough of that. Point is I am passionate about my family, music, and my country. I am also passionate about humanity! I am tired and will write more soon! Happy blogging!

Bluegrass, flags, dutch ovens, and tractors!

The third week in June is always a fun week for me. Normally, I leave on father's day for the National Old-Time Fiddle Contest in Weiser Idaho. This year Shaun (My fiddle travel buddy), and I decided that we would stay home. It was a last minute decision and I can honestly say that I am a little bummed. But since the gas prices are outragous I am sticking to my guns and committing to the sacrifice.

This year we have a lot of great events closer to home. So we are going to take advantage of them. Last weekend I volunteered to help out with the Sacajawea Bluegrass, and Dutch oven festival. I volunteered to help out so I could get in free. Last year volunteering meant that I sat at a camping gate as far away from the festival as possible. This year I managed to be in charge of the camping gate. Which meant that I only had to check on the poor folks who sat out there all week. Which was great for me because I was basically free to roam! I was able to listen to a lot of great bluegrass bands from Oregon, Colorado, Seattle, and Spokane. The best part of the festival was that I was able to jam with these bands in the camp ground! I really enjoyed playing gypse jazz music with Obedia DeWebber (Pasco), and Andrew Wilson (Spokane). it reminded me of Wesier, and I learned a lot from sitting in with these brilliant musicians! So now I don't feel so bad.

I also took a break from the festival to play at a fiddle "play date" at Flat Top park in West Richland. We were invited to play for a group that is into restoring old trucks and tractors. I especially loved the old GMC semi with the 8020 John Deer on the bed (See the picture). It was a very patriotic rig dedicated to the passangers who went down in Pennsylvania on 9/11.

I am going to culminate this vacation time with a trip to the Cashmere bluegrass festival. Shaun and I are going to stay with a couple of friends of ours who live in Wenatchee. They are both fiddle players who enjoy playing music into the wee hours of the morning. I feel sorry for my friends wife though. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have four rowdy boys living at your house for a week. Two of my favorite bluegrass bands are going to be playing, and I can't wait to see them.

Although I do enjoy spending the third week of June at the fiddle contest I would enjoy it more if Kathleen and Kylee were there. I truely miss them when I am gone and can't wait for Kylee to get into fiddling. So far this week has been great! I have enjoyed spending time with my family, and friends. I also enjoy the common thread that has reamined universal in my life and has brought me closer to ach and every one of you. Music!

Sleepless nights

I've had a very busy week which culminated is a long-sleepless night worrying about my daughter. This week started like any other week. I fretted and worried about work and my responsibilities at home. But this week was different. I had to teach a corrections class at Columbia Basin College. So after work each night I would drive to the college and teach until 8:30 pm. This did not leave a lot of time with Kat and Kylee at night and as this week wore on I was starting to get depressed.

Last night was my last class for the week and I was able to get off early. Excited to be able to see my wife and daughter and glad to be finished with the class I hurried home. Kat called me while I was on the road and told me that Kylee was throwing up in the car. As we both pulled into the driveway I could see that Kylee was not feeling well. When we got her into the house she immediately wanted to go to the bathroom. She had the back door trots and sat on the toilet for a long time. Kat went to the store to buy 7up and pedialite. At the time we thought she just had the stomach flue. She started to throw up and continued throwing up about every half-hour. Kathleen was in tears and I was on the verge of breaking down myself, but I tried to remain supportive and helpful. After Kat called Kylee's doctor we decided that we should take Kylee to the hospital.

We rushed Kylee to the hospital to find that there would be a 2 hour wait. Kylee continued to vomit, but fortunately did not have the runs any more. She was miserable, Kat was emotional, and I just wanted both of them to get better. After two and a half hours we were finally able to meet with a doctor. He gave Kylee a nausea medication that has recently been released to the general public. Apparently then used to use the medicine for cancer patients. Kylee was supposed to keep the medicine down for 20 minutes. Ten minutes after taking the medication she threw it up. So they tried once more. Kylee kept the medicine down and after she ate a Popsicle we were released from the hospital.

We finally made it home this morning around 3 am. Shortly there after Kylee threw up again. She was feeling a little better. Kat had to be to work by 7 am so we all slept in the front room. I rocked Kylee in the recliner while Kat slept on the couch.

Kylee has been tired today, but is getting back to her old self. If she is feeling up to par tomorrow we hope to join Grandpa Daryl, Uncle Jeremy, Ashlee, Devi, DJ, and Ethan tomorrow to go fishing and camping at Scootney reservoir. So far so good.

It's moment like these that makes me question why I do the things I do. Although Kylee is doing fine now I do not know what I would do if something happened to her, Kat, or anyone of you. Right now I feel really selfish for teaching class...all in the hopes to make a few extra bucks. But...it is also moments like this that make me realize that I have come a long way in my life. I am proud to have the compassion and examples of my father and grandfathers. I love each and everyone of you!

Forever in my heart,

Joe

I am currently building a fence in my backyard. Kylee is getting older and we live on a busy street so it is the right time to build the fence. I have learned a few things in the process and so far things are turning out.

One of the big thing that I learned is that I have become soft from working a desk job. I have been working hard on the fence. For the most part, I have been doing all of the work. I do want to give create to my father and father-in-law. In the begining stages of the project they offered their assistance, vehicles, time, and equipment. Without them I don't think that I would be as near as far as long as I am. But I am extremely tired. It's a lot of work and I definately need to get in shape. Ironically it has been a good diet and exercise program. I've lot ten pounds so far.

The other thing that I have learned so far is that I am definately not a concrete mason. I don't mind concrete and so far the concrete that I've poured has turned out. But my hat is off to the union concrete masons.

The last thing that I have learned so far is that building stuff is fun. Working on your house is fun. And...creating things is fun. But hard work!

The music of my soul

My parents are getting interesting now that they have retired. They are really getting into their hobbies that they didn't have a whole lot of time for when we were growing up. I never really knew that my mother was a music fan. But recently in her blog she wrote about one of her music favorites...George Strait. She is also getting into fiddling, namely irish fiddling.

Being a fiddler I have a lot of musical influences. Of which is the man in this picture. He is Benny Thomasson of Seattle Washington by way of Texas. He is the father of Texas, or contest fiddling. His albums are some of the most charished CD's in my collection. He taught many young aspiring fiddlers in his generation and loved carring on the tradition of old-time fiddling. In his day he was a great dance fiddler! Now when you go to the National Old-time Fiddle Contest in Weiser idaho you hear many fiddle tunes that are being played just that way Benny played them!

For generations music has brought many families together. In the old days fiddlers were the entertainment of the town. It was not uncommon to have a Cailie, or house hooly on the weekends at your neighbors house. Fiddlers would play into the wee hours of the morning or until there were no dancers left.

Sometimes I feel like I was born a couple of generations to late. Not to dismiss my generation because I am happy to carry on Benny's tradition for great dance/contest fiddle music.

The Washington Old-Time Fiddle Contest

It seems that I am finally home after vacations, and recruiting details. Although I like to travel I do like home. For the last couple of weeks my travels have taken me to Troutdale Oregon, Moses Lake, Redmond, and Wenatchee Washington. I was able to see a lot of people and reunit with a couple of friends. But there is no place like home.

Last weekend Kat, Kylee, Gina, Ashlee, Daryl, Bonni, and I all traveled to Wenatchee Washington for the Old-Time Fiddle Contest. We had a wonderful time reuniting with all of our friends from the fiddlers. We even ran into two characters from Othello, and Royal City that we haven't seen in a while. Chuck Porter is from Othello. He is one of those guys that when you meet him he will leave a lasting impression on you. Once he leaves you are his friend for life and he will (most of the time) always remember your name. He is the original gut bucket washtub base player and was always full of encouragement when I first started hanging around the fiddlers. Warren Hanson is a great plectrum banjo player from Royal City. Quite and reserved he has strong opinions that are easily shared and an overall pleasent disposition. It was good to catch up with the duo!

Some of my favorite highlight of the contest was from a friend of ours named Phillip Cress. Phillip is a big guy with a big heart and a sense of humor to match! I'm pretty sure he was at the contest to socialize more then compete. This year he competed in the young adult division with me. Phil is a good fiddler, but this year he was playing for the fans. He played a hoedown named Ragtime Annie that kept going, and going, and going. Just when you thought it would end he came up with another part that he could throw into the tune. Just when the crowd thought that they could not smile enough, or laugh harder he played Dixie for his waltz. Typically Dixie is considered a hoedown, but Phill worked into 3/4 time. I thought it was brilliant! He actually made it into a beautiful waltz. He then played Peacock Rag for his tune of choice. Because Phil has no time constraints he a 4 minute 30 second round and was disqualified from a second round. It was brilliant and wonderful. People are still talking about it. At that moment Phill brought creativity and entertainment back to contest fiddling.

Before the final trophies were awarded Kat, Gina, Daryl, me, and a couple of our friends performed. Kylee brought out her little fiddle and joined us on stage. She upstaged all of us and was singing and talking on the microphone. When it was time to leave the stage Kylee cried and cried. She was very distraught because she wanted to play twinkle twinkle little star!

The contest was a lot of fun. If there is one thing that I think people should put on their bucket list, it is to go to a fiddle contest! So find one near you and go see what it is all about. You will be happy you did!

Until next time!

Joe Gunter

Oh the joys of Spring!

Ariel View of the new medium security expansion at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. We are currently expanding from a 600 bed minimum security facility to a 2014 bed medium facility. In the end we will have a total of 2600 offenders give or take a few. We will be the largest medium security facility in the state!

Some friendly elephants at the Woodinville zoo.

Spring is a wonderful time of year for Eastern Washingtonians! Farming is getting underway after a long sleepy winter. Gardeners are abundant in their neighborhood taking care of their carefully manicured lawns. We start having the spectacular thunder storms were I can sit on my porch and watch the lightning dance across the sky. But the best thing about spring...The one thing that I enjoy the most...Is SPRING VACATION!

This year Kat family broke out of the norm and decided to spend spring vacation separately. Normally we all take a trip to the Oregon coast. Kat and I decided that we would take Kylee to the zoo. We headed out Thursday morning down the Columbia River Gorge for Troutdale. Last year Kathleen found a great sale on children's clothes at OshKosh Bagosh. This year the sale was still on and Kylee now has an extensive summer wardrobe! She is at the height of fashion this year!

We also decided to spend the weekend with Jeff and Steve. They have a great house in Redmond/Woodinville. We enjoyed spending Friday evening with their friend Tom and three lovely dogs which Kylee really enjoyed. She was fond of their cat until it scratched her. She tried to mend the tift between her and the cat, but I don't think the cat was having anything to do with Kylee. Tess loved Kylee! For the most part Kylee loved Tess! Until he became too friendly and licked her a lot. Kylee would follow the gentle advise from Uncle Jeff and would say "Tess...Tess". After some coaxing from Jeff Tess would comply.

Saturday was a beautiful day in Seattle. The problem was everybody in Seattle thought so to. There was a lot of traffic, and a lot of people. At that point I was ready to get home to our minimal traffic issues. We eventually made it to the Woodinville zoo. Kylee loved the animals! Especially the elephants and the orangutan. All in all it was a good weekend and were are truly grateful to uncle Jeff and Uncle Steve for being our taxi service and such gracious hosts!

frailing banjo and the joys of fiddling on a nice Eastern Washington Saturday afternoon

Have you ever had one of those windy Eastern Washington Saturday afternoons where you don't feel like doing anything? I have lost momentum in trying to get "things" done today. Kylee and Kat are both taking in their usual Saturday pass time of napping. Me on the other hand, I should be getting our music room/guest room cleaned up. What am I really doing besides typing this blog? Playing fiddle and practicing my frailing banjo! The Washington Old Time State fiddle contest is coming up. I am trying to put together two "rounds" in order to feel comfortable competing. In a fiddle contest a "round" is three song: a hoedown, a waltz, and a tune of choice. Each round can not take longer then four minutes to play. If you play over four minutes then points are deducted. It is a little stressful and I am debating weather I really want to play in the contest. I am seriously considering it though because I am now in the adult division. I decided that my fiddle was a little loud to be playing when the girls we sleeping so I packed it up for a while.
I then decided to practice the banjo. I have wanted to learn a style of banjo playing that dates back to the earliest stages of bluegrass, and old time music. It's considered more of a mountain style of playing. It's called "frailling", or clawhammer style. I think I am getting it down. It's a lot of fun to play. Mom keeps telling me that Grandpa Whitby was into bluegrass music. I knew he played harmonica (I think I still have one of his harmonicas laying around. I had better get the music room cleaned up and maybe I will find when I stored it.) She recently told me that he played banjo. As I sit here and write this blog I miss all of my grandparents. I especially miss my Grandpa's! For years my Grandpa Whitby lived next to us in a double wide trailer. When I was younger I often went over to see him. We shared a lot of laughs, and he was always interested I my boyhood adventures. I bet he is up there is heaven picking out a banjo song with me. He would have really enjoyed the old time fiddle group I'm in.
The few times that Grandpa Arlo came to see the fiddlers he truly enjoyed it. I know if he and Grandma we in better health they would have been up and dancing! Before Grandma passed she told me that he dad was played the fiddle. I tried to get her to let me know what song he played. There were two that she could think of, but a failing memory was not on her side. She could remember that he dad play a tune called Cherokee Maiden which is a Bob Wills and the Texas playboys song. It's kind of a western swing tune. She also told me that he played a tune called the Heel Toe Polka. The Heel Toe Polka is a fun little tune to play. I learned it a year ago and still enjoy playing that song. I am trying to figure out how I can get ahold of some old time fiddlers in Idaho to see if they remember my great grandpa. I want to find out it they know what songs he played. I want to carry on the fiddle tradition that is in our family by learning these songs and passing them along to my children and grand children.
Well the time for reminiscing is over. I have a half hour before I have to wake up the girls. I had better get some more frailling in. Until next time....

A good hard look at my health

Last year I was having what I thought were pretty serious health problems. This may sound a little disgusting, but after I would eat I would have to go to the bathroom. I would get serious cramping and would be in the bathroom for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Then the problem started getting worst. There were times when I would not eat anything and would still have digestion problems. I consulted my physician. We came to the conclusion that I had irritable Bowl Syndrome, or IBS. This caused problems in my life. I stopped riding in a vanpool that I would ride to work everyday because I did not want to have a problem, or have to tell them to pull over so I could run to a bush somewhere on the side of the road. Since the gas prices were, and are still rising this costs me a great deal of money. Traveling with people was an issue.



One of the triggers of IBS is stress. But the main issue is my diet. At the time I was 35 years old and I did not know how much I weighed. I entered a "Biggest Loser" contest at work. On the initial weigh-in I weighed in at a whopping 298 lbs. It was time to make a change. I was fortunate enough to have a good team comprised of three of my co-workers. Throughout the twelve weeks one of my teammates encouraged all of us to keep at it. I did not win the competition, but I lost 30 lbs. and was a slim trim 260.

Since then old habits crept back into my life and the exercise plan is now non-existent. I am back up to 292 lbs. and the clothes that fit at 260 rest in my closet. It's time to get back on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon! So from here on out I am going to use my blog as a motivational tool! I am going to make entries regarding my fight to get down to a svelte 230-220 lbs. All the statistics say that in order to be in the "normal" healthy range for my height, and age I should be 190-180 lbs. I am going to shoot for 220 and see how I feel when I get there. Besides what is normal any way. I am asking for you help though. You are going to be my accountability partners! Feel free to make comments positive or negative about my progress or lack there of!

Here is the plan:

1. I am going to start eating like I did when I was in the Biggest loser. A lot of salads, and healthy foods. I have cut out a lot of soda already because caffeine is a trigger for IBS. But I am also going to cut out any and all fast food!
2. I am the cook in the family so even thought I am tired and burned out after a long days work I am going to make sure I exercise for 30-minutes a night, and cook a healthy meal for dinner.
3. I am going to include my wife and daughter. Meaning that I am going to make them eat the same food that I do and engage in healthy activity with me in the evenings.
4. The big key that I found when I was doing the biggest loser is that it is a lifestyle change. So...I am not going to call this a diet. I refuse! I should be eating healthy anyway! My mother did not take us to fast food establishments everynight, or when it was convienient.

So...The saga is starting today...right now!

Above: Kat and Kylee at the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Distrcit 12 christmas party jam.

Middle: Daryl and I playing music at the Kinghts of Columbus Hall

<--One of my favorite pictures of Kylee playing he fiddle. She's a little over a year old at the time of this picture! Is this picture she looks a lot like Janeen!

More info

Ok...I am a beginer with this blogging thing! Forgive my grammer and spelling mistakes. Here are a couple of pictures

Keeping in touch

Greetings family and friends!

After a long hiatis from the internet world I have returned! My family for the most part communicates via email, instant messanging, and blogging. Is it the modern age or what! I will definately date myself when I say that I can remember a time when you had to actually use a rotary phone to keep in touch with your neighbors and family! When I was growing up we only had four channels. One was PBS. If the presidential debate was on your night was shot. Oh well...enough ranting for now.

I work in a prison in Eastern Washington State. Now most people don't grow up thinking that they would like to go to prison or even work in a prison. Personally, I love it! It started out as a " in between" job for me. Meaning that I went to work there to try and figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Eight years, three kids, and one divorce into it I now have a career! The perks are that it is a stable job. I know there are always going to be criminals, and there are always going to be people who just can live a normal life. I know that I am not going anywhere! I started out as a correctional officer. I then decided to give counseling a try. I like counseling. Especially when a guy who has made some bad choices in his life decides that he has had enough. He starts making changes to better himself, and suddenly he gets it! Right now I am working as a recruiter for our new expansion! We are expanding from a 600 bed minimum facility to a 2,200 bed medium facility! When it is all said an done we will be the biggest correctional facility in the state! Check out a few of the pictures!

Passions

My first passion is my wife and family! My wife is a truly my soul. If you've every met her you would swear that she could change your life. She has that effect on people. She has a thread bear gypsy soul. I have four children...Elsie, Gavin, Darby, and Kylee. The three oldest live in Georgia with my first wife who has found herself in the Muslim religion. I write the as much as I can, but have not been able to see them for the past five years. I know it's sad. IT bums me out too. but they are my passion. I think about them everyday.

My youngest, Kylee, truly has her mothers heart! She is two and has become rather independant over the last couple of months. She loves her fiddle, and perfoming at the KC hall. Everytime I look at her I am reminded of the person that I need to be. I have the wonderful oppurtunity to watch her and her cousin (how is also two!) on Fridays. They keep me running! We are in the middle of potty training. One day I was cleaning the kitchen and heard the sound of my daughters little feet pounding acrossed the kitchen floor. I watched as her and her cousin we on their way to the next event that has captured their little minds for the moment. They took a turn into the bathroom. I didn't hear any water running so I figured I had better go check things out. When I got tot he bathroom. Kylee was on the potty. Her cousin Ashlee had the biggest wad of toilet paper I had ever seen. When I asked what they were doing Kylee looked at me and said "Potty Daddy!" Potty Daddy has become a Friday theme. It reminds me to stop and take time for the little things in my life. When I am having a stressful day at the office my mind repeats "potty daddy". I am able to stop and refocus.

One of my other passions is old time fiddling! My introduction to old time fiddle was from a dear old neighbor back in Royal Camp. I can remember several occasions where John and Ellen Kuske would entertain our ward with their fiddle tunes. Sad to report I did not get into old time fiddling until I was in my thirties. I had taught myself how to play guitar, and considered myself an amature. Now I have learned to play back-up guitar for fiddlers and occasionally sing. That's right baby! Who knew Joe could sing! I also taught myself how to play the mandolin, and the fiddle. I still consider myself an amature, and give my wife (who is also a fiddler) all the credit. She is the talent in the family! I'm just the background player. Growing up I can remember always wanting a guitar, I remember asking my dad if I could have one. Being the wise man that he is he never bought me one. At the time I probably would have never learned how to play it and like many boyhood things it would be sitting in the actic collecting dust. But, one of my prized possessions in the world is a six string banjo that my parents bought me for my birthday! I am learning how to play it and hope to have a good banjo tune ready for our family reunion at Ensign this year. I am currently in the process of starting a small fiddle contest this year. It has turned out to be a lot of work. But I think that it is going to be fun and rewarding. I could go on and on...But the story of my life has yet to be written. Stay tuned...

Love, Joe