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