Category Archives: Musings

But what of tomorrow?

So what’s going on then. Various band rehearsals with 2 and a bit acts. Recording and writing music. Backaches, neck aches’ and headaches. Existential angst. The usual suspects.
Keep calm and carry on. Splice the main brace and set sail in in a rusty bucket with broom for a mast and a dishcloth aloft to catch the zephyrs fair, Me hartys. Arhhh.
But it’s not so great actually. i am struggling to keep my spirits up. Many of my friends are
having problems right now. There’s a lot of it about. Hope is a dangerous thing as is living for a tomorrow that may well never come as big disappointments often come that way I have found.
So having parked hope for the present what about loyalty. Perhaps that is the one thing that really matters if you are lucky enough to have people you can depend on. I have been lucky to have had a few people like that pass through my life. But often the ones who do become staunch friends and compatriots are the ones you least expect to. Odd people, spiky ones that at first encounter may not seem that “nice”. People who maybe on first encounter you don’t even like or whos motivation and maybe life style is alien to you. Weird indeed.



Here is a little tune that might be alien to you. maybe you will like it later.
Can you help me get it right.

Can you help me get it right? A plaintive cry in the night.

Friendship is a valuable and enriching aspect of human relationships. It involves a strong bond between individuals who share mutual trust, care, understanding, and support. Here are some thoughts on friendship:

Friendship is a two-way street. Both parties contribute to the relationship by offering companionship, empathy, and assistance. A balanced give-and-take dynamic is essential for a healthy friendship. Friends can have a significant influence on each other’s lives. Positive friendships can encourage personal growth, self-improvement, and the pursuit of shared goals. True friends accept each other for who they are, flaws and all. There’s no need to pretend or put on a facade; authenticity is valued in genuine friendships. Open and honest communication is key to resolving conflicts, addressing misunderstandings, and maintaining a strong connection. Friends should feel comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns. People can have friends from various backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. Diversity in friendships can lead to a broader perspective and a richer understanding of the world.

Quality Over Quantity: The number of friends isn’t as important as the quality of those friendships. A few genuine, loyal friends can provide more fulfillment than a large circle of acquaintances.

Can You Help Me Get It Right?


Can You Help Me Get It Right? Indeed that is the question. Where tis nobler in the mind, cetera, cetera. Sometimes we want to hang on to the faded flower, the yellowed photograph. Things do have a time and a season and then that’s all folks. Some move on to pastures new and some retire to day time TV and funeral ads. I have found for me that in the last couple of years what would have been very obvious easy decisions seem to have become complicated and rather more nuanced. Must be brain rot. Well I am just a wandering fool stumbling around in the dark, but whilst I do that I come across fellow travelers who are often just as lost trying to get to their own personal destination and sometimes a connection is made.

Today just keeping on is hard.

So …..

  1. Engage in Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Even a short walk or some gentle stretching can make a difference.
  2. Practice Gratitude: Reflect on the things you’re thankful for. Writing down a few positive aspects of your life can help shift your focus away from negativity.
  3. Connect with Loved Ones: Reach out to friends, family, or someone you trust for a chat or hangout. Social interactions can provide comfort and support.
  4. Listen to Uplifting Music: Music has the power to influence emotions. Listen to songs that make you feel happy and energized.
  5. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation: Take a few minutes to focus on your breath or engage in a guided meditation. Mindfulness can help you become more present and reduce rumination.
  6. Engage in a Hobby: Doing something you enjoy, whether it’s painting, reading, cooking, or any other hobby, can provide a sense of accomplishment and pleasure.
  7. Get Some Sunlight: Sunlight helps regulate mood and sleep patterns. Spend some time outdoors, even if it’s just sitting by a window.
  8. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer to a friend. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk.
  9. Laugh: Watch a funny movie, read a humorous book, or spend time with people who make you laugh. Laughter has a positive impact on mood.
  10. Set Small Goals: Accomplishing even small tasks can provide a sense of achievement and boost your mood.
  11. Limit Social Media: Excessive use of social media can contribute to negative feelings. Consider taking a break or reducing your usage.
  12. Volunteer or Help Others: Acts of kindness and helping others can create a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
  13. Practice Deep Breathing: Take slow, deep breaths to help calm your nervous system and reduce stress.
  14. Create a Positive Environment: Surround yourself with things that bring you joy, like photographs, artwork, or comforting scents.
  15. Seek Professional Help: If your low mood persists or becomes overwhelming, consider talking to a mental health professional for guidance and support.

Remember that everyone is different, so not every suggestion might work equally well for you. It’s important to explore and find the strategies that resonate most with your personality and circumstances. If your low mood persists or worsens, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.

Wandering Over Hill And Dale

We plod on through the days.

I put my Ben Franklin Violin pictures on a facebook violin/valuation and identification page. I wonder if anyone will know what it is? I have also sent off pics for a proper appraisal.
https://www.beares.com/ Used to be in Soho. Very well known. they buy and sell and fix. Internationally famous. They sell the famous fiddles Strads and so forth at the top end. They allow you to upload photos and a little info. So I will try them. Not with the expectation of making money, but rather to see if they can shed any light into what it is and why it was made. One other enigmatic thing about that fiddle. It has been repaired a few times over its lifetime and it makes me wonder why, rather than hung on the wall in a barn and forgotten? Turns out though I have been playing it for many years, i had never bothered to check the angle of the neck and its construction. Turns out it is Baroque violin. All these years and I never knew.

Odd thing. The latest track I put on Soundcloud 5 days ago has had 1,266 plays which way more than I would normally get in that amount of time. My last few tracks this year have been played more in general though. I expect it will suddenly drop and be back to business as usual soon enough. A younger demographic in terms of listeners. I have a track I am working on at present but I am a bit stuck with it. I don’t want to ruin it but being a bit sloppy.

A gig in St Neots/Little Paxton. A first run out for the extended “Band” version of Orchard now to be called “Sonic Boomers. Not a bad crowd actually ages 50 to 70+ no kids. Rain stayed off for most of it. Not a bad performance. Joined by a random bloke guesting on Pedal Steel Guitar on a few numbers. It’s not a bad band to be honest. I remembered all the stuff I kept forgetting in rehearsal(because real for real Lol). So I didn’t have to look at anything on the music stand. Audience loved it. About 50 people sitting on their golf /picnic chairs. Random Pedal Steel Guy it turns out is John Davis who played on our original version of the Delta ladies Refugie Album on one of my songs. Small world. He is a friend of Allen our new bass player.