Grateful Dead

thanks for the memories rich. peace

Weary and need a rest from the planning and ticket drama that is GD50. Signing off until the first shows. patch those sails.

enjoyed your commentary, references, beer comments, and all. keep your eyes on the road. hope to see you at FTW...miracles DO hapen

Can't you hear? Can't you hear them falling... You were the first one here (on main GD50 thread) that really befriended me and for that I am eternally grateful. It was you that helped me fight, keep the faith and make this dream of a trip possible through your delightful insight, genuine wit and kind-heartedness. You truly embrace what we are supposed to be all about. Thank you and fare you well. I hope our paths will cross someday...

Gonna miss morning coffee with you! You've spread so much joy here!

Good morning all. Rgrggrrr is taking a much needed break, the engine needs to cool, and the twins in back are getting restless. Before Rgrggrrr stepped off, he said I could tell you guys a story...well, he didn't say no, and matter of fact I didn't ask, but if I did, and he said yes, I could, but since i didn't and he didn't, he didn't actually say no, so that gives me a green light tell one anyway...This is entitled "The Bugs", so grab one of those croissants and the Java Joe and let's enjoy a bit of time together. Back in the Day as they say, in Northern Alabama, we had a grand time being newly minted hippies in a wild underground scene, running around trying to be cool and hip and bohemian all at the same time. It was the late 60's and early 70's, rock and roll was here to stay, Everything was happening allatonce. Long hair cropped up, tie-dye was being worn, and in the South, George Wallace and Lester Maddox were at odds with the new wave of more progressive thought. There were fabled stories of happenings out west and up north, little head-shops sprouting up here and there, it was scandalous and downright frightening to think about lighting up a dube in public. We were one false step away from a wrong turn and the law.Conservative society clashed with liberal youth, and the waning years of an unpopular war was still very real and present in everyone's mind. This Alabama boy was trying to sort it all out and hop on board the right bus...which way to turn, what to see, where to land; it was a time of turmoil, experimentation, joy and wonder for all of us who were coming of age at that time. In 1970 or so that bus took the shape of a brand spanking new Volkswagen camper bus, complete with a cool pop-up which belonged to my long haired red-head friend Brad. Just the vehicle we needed at the perfect time and place. In my family's driveway in Huntsville, in a nice middle class American subdivision, our story begins. I was 18 or 19 at the time, and Brad and I had a plan....

feels like a freaking funeral around here... It's just dead space thank you all from my heart for all the well wishes...you are all family... Grab some coffee...it's like this place goes to pot without a briver... If we don't get this jalopy movin soon, you all will be late for the shows! Sarge crank up the old juke box to 11...Puppers choice.... Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove. Oh, oh, child, way you shake that thing, gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting. Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way, watch your honey drip, can't keep away. ....you are such a dog! Lazarus out....

Turn down the music you over there...hi Rgrrrgrrr...may I continue? Great to see you here...this little snack has your name on it. Extra whipped cream on top and don't ask for a cherry cause we gave them to the squirrels cause they're cute. My story continues... "Let's paint da Bus!" he said...cool, i said..Rok Bagget was an artist, we could do a wrap around montage all running together, what will be the display. My Brother Steve pitched in to pencil out a design and away we went: "Let's be Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" Cool. With the Sun rising in front, large as life band members on one side, the big long glove chasing Blue Meanies on the other side, and rainbows and butterflies on the back. We'll use the bright acrylics and do it up right. It'll be perfect for going back and forth to the University of Alabama down in Tuscaloosa. Better put a Jesus Saves bumper sticker on the back, just for insurance from being stopped by The Man. So we spent a creative weekend painting up Da Bus and had many an adventure traveling through the south in it. The story continues one spring weekend as we were making yet another journey from home to college in the righteously cool bus...

It was about sunset just before twilight but after the hot sun had made it's trip across the southern sky, and we were rounding a curve not unlike that one rjrrrjrjrrr took at 80 plus where we all held on and sang Ripple together... Brad and I suddenly found ourselves in the swarm of a cloud of bugs, and they hit our windshield like so many spattering raindrops. Were we high? Hah! What do you think...two college kids in a cool vdub bus racing through the countryside on summer's eve? We slowed a bit and hit the windshield wipers a bit and that made a real mess of things. The bugs were blue. Blue Bugs..."They looked like little Baby Bugs", he said; I said Baby Blue Bugs" and that's what started it all: "Look at all the Baby Blue Bug Blotches" "Look, we're covered with Blended Baby Blue Bug Blotches" It started to rain, the windshield wipers were swishing back and forth, soon we had a windshield covered with what we termed forever and ever: "Blended Baby Blue Bugs Blood Blotches" Did we ever get a kick out of that. We sang that phrase every chance we got, as more bugs and rain and sloppy blue who-knows-what covered things, and a cloud of some type of smoke enveloped the bus. Singing, laughing and cutting up....all over a bunch of bugs...and that is the moral to this story friends...

but smile, Smile, SMILE !!!

As it rained, the windshield wipers made a merry mess of our late friends, the Blue Bugs, and we rolled down the highways with the Blue Meanies on one side and Sargent Peppers on the other...tunes blasting out and we are all singing along...guess what? The rain washed off the bugs, the windshield cleared, the rain stopped, the skies parted and a rainbow appeared on the horizon. We had made it safely through yet another moment in time, magical as it was... The Moral my friends? If you are traveling down life's highways and something starts bugging you, and it gets thick, and you can't see through the haze, much like our Blended Baby Blue Bugs Blood Blotches did to us, just slow down, let it rain, continue on the journey and embrace it with song. Let the spirit of the adventure be greater than the blending of the blotches. Let the rain wash down and clear you thoughts as it cleared our windshield... Let that rain represent the love of friends and family; the raining down of good thoughts, prayers, chants and best wishes. Let the music wrap you like the arms of a lost friend or lover, and be soothed. For soon you will be through the swarm, you will see clearly once again with a rainbow in front, a majestic sunset painting the sky and peaceful breezes of a pleasant evening around you. Peace, best wishes to all...look! A Butterfly! g

...never did get busted in that bus, and Brad and I haven't seen each other in decades...perhaps you have a like story, a happenstance you might relate too...perhaps you've driven the bus, ridden the bus, built the bus, or maybe almost got hit by da bus, This Dus has a cool and creative Briver, and He never seems to be concerned if you take the wheel. What brives us actually is you, and you, and me, and thou, and we are all in this together. The Blue Meanies may be TM, the bugs may be the flurry of emotions. We all have our ups and downs, and we all need a break once in awhile or a hug or a good word. You deserve a break as much as our friend smiling right over there with the whipped cream on his chin. Have another, Rich... And have a good day...

Great story NEOGEO. You are a great storyteller! Happy Friday peeps! It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright, bright Sunshiney Day... Expecting 105 degrees today here in paradise. Shine those sails and patch those rails, the circus is coming to town...

I though the moral of the story was going to be avoid the bugs if you can, and if you can't, make sure you have extra windshield wiper fluid on the dus. You don't have Love Bugs where you live do you? lol! Watch out for those unicorns in the road! Put down the coffee and pass me one those Genny Screamers.....Vroooom.

Unicorns and Dolphins! Don't worry about how long it is to the shows, we'll get there eventually if we just stop and just smell the cow patties. Peace and Love and Harmony and My Little Ponies. (actually the new My Little Ponies rocks! I watch it with my 4-year old everyday). P.S. The above is just a box of satirical humor. Believe it if you need it, if you don't just pass on sending a PM. P.S.S. Love will see you through, but laughter will get you here! P.S.S.S What would Jerry say?

well now, after all the rain, and the sky and our direction become clear, remember, there is nothing wrong with "going to pot" and as you bend down in the glistening grass to smell that cow pattie, keep your eyes wide, wide open, for sometimes ( especially down 'Bama way) there springs forth a little miracle, and that WILL open your eye...........

well, well....the Poobah is quite the wordsmith, felt like story time at the library, sitting on the librarians lap....Did I ever tell you I like libraries and librarians, but I digress... a word of caution there....bees are bugs with a buzz...be very cautious when flying about the bus, I'd never forgive myself if one of you gets sucked out the window and goes.... Sarge, play B3..... There's something solid forming in the air, The wall of death is lowered in Times Square. No-one seems to care, They carry on as if nothing was there. The wind is blowing harder now, Blowing dust into my eyes. The dust settles on my skin, Making a crust I cannot move in And I'm hovering like a fly, waiting for the windshield on the freeway. ....every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in!......

LOL. That is so true! But I would still breathe through my mouth and I definitely might not make to the shows in time! :)

Greg, how do you know about GLBC Alberta Clipper Porter? thought it was a secret....

Don't think that we didn't notice your reference to the magic which springs up, putting a twinkle in our eye...the little white dotted red ones were always the best... geoaimeanitlookedlikeanamanitamuscaria,honest!meister

Grandma's tearoom Negril, Jamaica....sunsets never looked the same again..... order up a cup of that magical brew.... Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers That grow so incredibly high Who's bringing the tea to the fountain....hear it goes great with Reese's Oreos......

So that got me thinking. Maybe a big Buzz on a pole is more practical than a flag. A big buzz is definitely something I can bring on. hehehe All geo's story telling has my inspired with ideas now. Stop and smell the pollen. ;p

Choo! I don't know, Totes? maybe it was the roses....

I am not and never have been a hippie. People just call me that because I miss Jerry. Imagine. A-AAAA---AAAAA false alarm

I know....

Hey dus briver, I saw the bus slow down for the curve, and would like a ride for myself and my old man. We're along for the ride be it smooth or bumpy. We'll pay our fare and be good passengers and play nice with our fellow riders we promise! Our names are Holly and Matt. Nice to be along for the ride!!!

In a coffee shop in a city Which is every coffee shop in every city On a day which is every day Cowboy Neal is back at the wheel and one of Buffalo's finest, Ani DiFranco, is on my mind. A splendid brewed secret shared by da briver, but I'm gonna opt for the boo-tea. I'm a filthy hippy at heart, but it's...OK. Cuz I'm good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like me. Let's have a good show, people. Ticket to Levi Saturday arrived in today's mail. Ready to explore the little plastic castle at dawn.

But holy cow! I couldn't take my cat nap in the back without first expressing my gratitude for hearing the name Ani DiFranco from another head besides mine for once in the past... lot of years. She got a lot of air time in my dorm room and then in my walkman when I moved to Canada the first time - along with Jerry and the boys... Sigh.... Got to see her once in Hollywood and again in Massachusetts when she opened for Dylan. Although I think I missed her set - it was out in Great Woods or something such thingzzzz. Sun's rising in the East!

Oh a Buffalo gal she is. Lived in the city music scene for many of my college years.

How are you, say don't you know me I'm your native son..... Saturday, 2 weeks til SC, a bit more for Chitown.... Welcome Holly and Matt and so glad you made it....the fare is simply kindness, and I'm sure you two will pay in full with enough to spill over...can never have enough of it... Coffee is on, it's real and it's spectacular.... And now on K DED going out by very special request....in honor of Ani DiFranco..... Sarge, play N7....... Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight, Come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon. As I was walking down the street, Down the street, down the street, A pretty little gal I chanced to meet, Oh, she was fair to see. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight, Come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon. I stopped her and we had a talk, Had a talk, had a talk, Her feet took up the whole sidewalk And left no room for me. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight, Come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon. I asked her if she'd have a dance, Have a dance, have a dance, I thought that I might have a chance To shake a foot with her. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight, Come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon. I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin', And her heel kept a-knockin', and her toes kept a-rockin' I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin' And we danced by the light of the moon. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight, Come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon. what did you say Sarge?.....them Buffalo fillies sure look fine?..... Yes, they do....what a dog.... ......Im going down to Minglewood for the weekend....

Check your PM please. Thanks !!

And good morning to you all...Ani from the Buff? Got a bit of listening to do, I think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc4eYOhNnU8 Thanks for being who you are, when you are, and how you are friends...let's polish up our voices and sing along with Mitch, I mean Rich...keep you eye on the bouncing red ball... No worries if you can't carry a tune, as they are light by nature, and can float effortlessly about you before soaring off like an eagle. Jerry always smiled when hearing your voice, you know, and is smiling now. Enjoy those danishes, they're calorie free today, and piping hot out of the solar oven... geogimmieabucket,i'llcarrythattunemeister

.

...and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to sing, dance, twirl and play with your friends and family as much as you can. Puppies and kittens count too. And unlike the Secretary of the IM Force, if you are caught or captured, we will most certainly slow da dus and support you in your endeavors to get free. Good Luck Mr. Phelps....this message will self destruct in 1,203,915 years, as it is now on the internet. g

Thanks geo..... makes me want to listen to the music sing sweet songs to rock my soul.... Ani is a best kept alt/folk secret, ...she regularly plays at Babeville, an old church she purchased, renovated and turned into a recording studio concert hall....gives back to the community, civil rights and advocate for equality for women...speaks her mind....and is one righteous babe....meant in only the best of ways... why is it that all we are remembered for is wide right.. Speaking of that..... Hey #88, hope you are back safely...let me know...got some tunes all ready to go.... keep my Buffalo boy Patty Kane off the hootch and away from the strumpets.... At least until he brings home the trophy.... Ho Gawks....

Mitch is our mailman. Mitch showed up early today and with SC tickets. Mitch is hard working and righteous. Rich is my friend. Kind and generous with words and tunes. Denver was everything you'd expect from a town that works hard and plays hard. Kane's an artist who paints with a stick. We need his virtuosity tonight. Ho Gawks.

Congrats Adam.... Left high and dry here in da Buff... btw I'm ok with the high part.... check email tomorrow.... there'll be a mighty wind a blowin' Ok...who's eating kale on ba dus? Nanuk? You again???? Time for a quiz .... Question...what's the difference between a duck? Can I have an answer please?

..other than the obvious real answer, i would say, "42." Don't forget your towel. g

I admit to nothing. Check your email later tonight around 7pm est. I will be sending out the link for the "they love each other" journal. I will be adding any "late" submissions and giving you all alerts if any new entries come in. Waiting for Chandra's sister, jon Damon's lovey, and anyone else please be free.

We have a winner! 42 it is ...I forgot to multiply by 12 and carry the 9... New math confuzzles me..... Warp speed Mr. Sulu.... Sarge hit D7..... By special request on K DED...a little Purple to help make your brown eyes blue...and you know who you are.... Nobody gonna take my girl I'm gonna keep her to the end Nobody gonna have my girl She stays close on every bend Oooh she's a killing machine She's got everything Like a moving mouth body control and everything I love her I need her I seed her Yeah She turns me on Alright hold on tight I'm a highway star What was that? Sarge you didn't...those little blue pills weren't for you....all of them? What a dog! Surfs up!

Now on K DED ....this special request goes out to A Carolina head.... Pupper hit JT #1 Now with a holy host of others standing round me, still I'm on the dark side of the moon. And it seems like it goes on like this forever, you must forgive me if I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind. Congratulations Cassaundra!!!!!

Hey sarge play me a little Weird Al please. Son #2 and I sitting on the lawn at Pier 6 pavilion waiting for the show. Beautiful evening. Lots of folks sporting tinfoil hats in the crowd. Looks like my kind of people.

The answer to "What's the difference between a duck?"Is that One of its feet are both alike. Kind of like Me and Rich went to different schools together, only he took the bus and I brougt my lunch

to raise me better but her feelings I denied... not such a little feat.... now on K DED by special request for an angry duck and his duckling.... Weird Al! Your table manners are a crying shame You're playing with your food, this ain't some kind of game Now, if you starve to death You'll just have yourself to blame So eat it. Just eat it. Finally on K DED....just cuz I can..... I went down to the mountain, I was drinking some wine, Looked up in the heavens Lord I saw a mighty sign, Writt'n fire across the heaven, plain as black and white; Get prepared, there's gonna be a party tonight. Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night! Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night, Hey Saturday night! Everybody's dancin' down the local armory With a basement full of dynamite and live artillery. The temperature keeps risin', everybody gittin' high; Come the rockin' stroke of midnite, the whole place gonna fly. Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night! Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night, Hey Saturday night! Turn on channel six, the President comes on the news, Says, "I get no satisfaction, that's why I sing the blues." His wife say "Don't get crazy, Lord, you know just what to do, Crank up that old Victrola, put on them rockin' shoes." Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night! Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night, Hey Saturday night! Then God way up in heaven, for whatever it was worth, Thought He'd have a big old party, thought He'd call it planet Earth. Don't worry about tomorrow, Lord, you'll know it when it comes, When the rock and roll music meets the risin' sun. thank you....

Likin' me some Country Road... Yo DJ! (the man we love the most) Can you hear us in the back calling out for some country road on this country road your drivin us on? Maybe top it off with some Deep Elem...(blues, that is)

In 1913, 58,000 veterans of the Battle of Gettysburg (from both sides) traveled back to Pennsylvania and camped on the battlefield to mark the 50th anniversary of that struggle (as well as the national holiday). In 1938, 1,800 veterans (of all the Civil War battles) again gathered to mark 75th anniversary. (Reports from the time suggest that some of the fellas at the second event were still not happy with their tent location.)

Bells are ringing everywhere..... Happy Flag Day! Coffee is on....grab some.... Sorry Mr. Mayor.....was asleep at the wheel there....and yes folks this is the fabled Route 66..... Hey look over yonder it's Ray Benson...hop on....meet the dreamers.... what was that Sarge....you wanna play the harmonica? Ok.....no, no....too early for Whammer Jammer...hey Ray I beg you call the tune... And now by special request a tribute to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.... Hit E4 Sarge... Working on the railroad, sleeping on the ground, Eating saltine crackers ten cents a pound. Big ball's in cowtown - we'll all go down. Big ball's in cowtown - we'll dance around. (Ehhhh, come in momma, the hog's done got me). I'll go to cowtown, I'll dance around. Board up your windows - big ball's in town. Put on your new shoes, put on you gown. Shake off them sad blues - big ball's in town. Everybody's smiling, you can't find a frown. Girls are all happy 'cause big ball's in town. Big ball's in cowtown - we'll all go down. Big ball's in cowtown, big ball's in town. Hey Sweet Virginia....better scrape that off your shoes before you get back on board....

Yes 'tis Rgrrgrrr ol dubby a wonberful bay. And a granb bay for baybreamers of the sunshine variety. rggrrr,detween your tunes, Uncle John and his danb cutting up in the dack, and the dlonb Monroe sisters in the jump seats harmonizing in the high register, we got ourselves a rollicking dus ribe here. I'b like to see Al Gore, Weirb Al, Al Pacino and Al Jolson all get together and form a danb...called the Always...Al Capone coulb be their manager... Keep the rubber/rudder side bown, folks, and keep those smiles a-coming, get 'em up, move 'em out, Rawhibe To you and yours, from me and mine, you all have an awesome bay... geoproublyd/b-byslexicsincethegoobolbbaysmeister

...thanks for that inspirational message, Betty.... Ok it's joke time here on KDED... So, a duck walks into a bar and asks, Got any flies? Bartender says, We don't serve flies. Next day, the duck walks back into the bar and asks, Got any flies? Bartender says, We don't serve flies. Next day duck walks back into the bar and asks, Got any flies? Bartender getting irritated says, We don't serve flies. Next day the duck walks back into the bar and asks, Got any flies? The bartender says you ask me one more time if we have any flies, I'll nail your bill to the bar. Next day, duck walks into the bar and asks? Got any nails? Bartender says no. Duck asks, Got any flies? time to kick out the jams....home stretch here...22 days from now....this will be a dream we dreamed one afternoon....long ago... Pupper, hit me two times... Hey, hey, hey, hey Beat is gettin' stronger The beat is gettin' longer too Music's soundin' good to me But I wanna, said I wanna I wanna take you higher Yeah, let me take you higher Baby, baby, let me light your fire Ooh yeah, little bit higher Boom shacka lacka lacka Boom shacka la boonka boo and Betty when you call me, you can call me Al!

LMAO rrrrrgrrrrr !!! Happy Sunday all :-)