Don't know if I've posted this before or not. If so, just consider that an old hillbilly has a short memory! The man's front name was "Ralph". He played the guitar, an archtop Kay. Years earlier he'd broken his left arm in an oilfield accident and the doctors just couldn't get it set straight. His wrist was stiff and couldn't be "bent" or "flexed". This wrist thing kinda made it difficult to note the guitar. Solution? Set the instrument on it's tailpiece with the neck stickin straight up. He could note the "music box" with that bad arm. Played it kinda like a cello [sp] in the upright position. He couldn't play lead or "pick" --only play back up or "chord" as it was just impossible to pick the strings. He kinda played "down" with the strummin hand. Didn't make any difference, tho. He just could't be beat as a back up player. Seems he knew every song! He lived with his wife Clarabelle and two daughters on a farm south of our homeplace and a little east. He was always at our music party's and was greatly appreciated. After the accident he started farmin full time and done quite well at it too. I can't remember just how many acres he farmed but they raised turkeys, chickens and always had a huge garden. They put up enough garden to run'm through the winter. I can't even remember when they died but Clarabelle died first and then Ralph a few short years later. The farm was sold and I don't recall of see'n any buildin's left standin. My interest in radios came from those long ago days. I traded labor [fixed Clarabelle's radio]for a young hen turkey. At that point I started the business of turkey rais'n and a keen interest in ham radio. Many moons have passed since those days. I enjoyed those days back then but most certainly do not want to repeat'm again! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), November 26, 2000