3/18/19
Greetings to all of you from Helena (I've included a few links to brighten your day),
First of all, I apologize for not having written an e-news for quite some time. And yet I trust that many of you have probably been in a similar state as I - almost at a loss for words about the state of the nation and planet. Is there a reprieve in sight? The change in Congress due to the 2018 election has brought a fresh breath of air and some much-needed hope. Very specifically - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Katie Porter. We are always grateful at our house for Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell and friends at MSNBC. Even though they certainly have not been able to report much "good news" in the past couple of years, it is good to feel informed and "not alone." There are actually so many fine people in Congress and the Senate. I certainly hope that the 2020 election continues America's return to sanity and democracy.
And we have had QUITE a winter here in Montana lately. I don't think either Katie or I has ever shoveled so much snow! Now we are concerned about ice dams, floods, and the fact that our water pipes have frozen (along with hundreds of others here in Helena). We know that spring will come and are glad that so far it is not warming up too quickly.
Yesterday in Great Falls we birded along the Missouri at Giant Springs and spied a mix of winter birds and migrating birds. Highlights were hooded mergansers and an American wigeon in the water along with both kinds of goldeneyes and buffleheads. As we drove away we also saw a small flock of snow geese on the frozen snow-covered part of the river behind one of the dams. We've heard rumors that the bluebirds are back in Montana and the snow geese are coming through to Freezeout Lake!
We traveled to Great Falls to hear my brother Brin play with his gospel-bluegrass group at the St. John's Lutheran worship service. It was all great (I especially loved his singing) except for one thing. We couldn't actually hear Brin's banjo! Pastor Steve even made a joke about the banjo, but it honestly wasn't loud enough. I tried to figure out how to turn it up but couldn't. I was reminded of this wonderful old clip from SNL. Some of you may not be aware of this brilliant skit, so here's a good laugh for you for today. https://youtu.be/cVsQLlk-T0s
I also enjoyed the musical humor couched in the Guardian article commemorating drummer Hal Blaine, who died at age 90 last week. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/12/hal-blaine-drummer-who-dominated-mid-century-pop-dies-aged-90? The main quote I chuckle is that he was described as "a loving father and grandfather, and inspiration to countless friends, fans and musicians ... May he rest forever on 2 and 4."
And, let's take heart and humor from Molly Ivins! I'm looking forward to the new documentary about her - Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins directed by Janice Engel. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/18/molly-ivins-raise-hell-documentary?
So . . .coming up on my light spring musical schedule is:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Sunday, March 24, 2 PM
I am heading to Baltimore soon to sing a concert for my friend Doodle and her beloved nuns (and anyone else who shows up) next Sunday at 2 PM at Villa Assumpta. My dear friend and bass player Tami Pallingston will be joining me (sorry she's not on the flyer, it was a last minute decision based on the fact that we LOVE to play music together and Tami LOVES Doodle and me. Baltimore concert Sunday March 24.
Also present at the concert will be longtime friends Dee and Don Marvine, formerly of Big Timber, Montana. Dee is the author of The Lady Rode Bucking Horses about Fannie Sperry Steele. Her manuscript inspired the song I wrote about Fannie.
HELENA, MONTANA - Sunday, April 21, 11:30 AM
I will be leading a musical worship service at Big Sky UU to celebrate Earth Day. It's quite a day as Passover begins on Saturday and Sunday is actually Easter.
BOULDER HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA - SUMMERSING CAMP June 17-23 (Mon-Sun)
June will bring SummerSing campers together once again at Boulder Hot Springs from June 17-23 (Monday afternoon-Sunday morning). I am pleased that registration is once again quite full. We love our days of playing and singing together, soaking in the hot waters and beginning our days with bird walks and the Om Tare meditative dance. If you are interested in attending, check out the information about camp on my website judyfjell.com. If you have questions, contact me directly at (406)930-1650 (text or call) or email me at judyfjell@mac.com
Many of you may be interested in what is going on at our beautiful and beloved Camp Mimanagish these days. Last summer Lisa Kynvi attended a creative arts camp there and Tricia Decker is a regular at the Drum Brothers camp in June. Their website campmimanagish.org has a bounty of information, including their camp brochure. Please visit it if you are longing to return to Mimanagish. Registration deadlines for retreats are coming up on April 1, so check it out.
Some of you may have noticed that I have not come your way on many tours in the past year. I definitely have been winding down from traveling, singing concerts, directing camps, etc. I miss it of course, and miss seeing all of you! As you can imagine, I have also managed to fill my days quite happily here in Helena with a booming practice of private ukulele, guitar and voice students.
My "Good Dog" music studio is alive four days a week. Check out the Good Dog link on my website for videos and more info. I have been quite busy in this past year writing a followup publication (or two) to the Good Dog Beginners Ukulele Book. My students continue to teach me so much that it is quite a project!
To say that I love my students here in Helena, is an understatement. I have been blessed with a variety of family combinations in my studio, lots of siblings, moms, dads, grandparents, stepsisters and brothers, best friends and blended families come through my door. Witnessing how two-year-olds develop language skills has been a particularly enjoyable and enlightening experience! I am now teaching a variety of skills to young students that I wouldn't have imagined doing when i first released the Good Dog Book I. Children even as young as three are playing notes as well as chords. My older ones are flat picking melodies, improvising blues and accompanying themselves on the Gershwin classic "I Got Rhythm." WOW! On Saturday, May 4 I will be hosting a recital party for us at the Music Makers Conservatory here in Helena. Between the music and the ice cream and cookies, it should be a great event!
Thank you again, all of you, for support over the years for my musical endeavors, whether it be as audience members, students, performing buddies, and/or longtime friends.
I hope that music continues to be an inspiration and comfort for you as it is for me. Keep singing!
Love, Judy