On The Fly

Podcast - Coordination . . . When was the last time you experienced a remarkable Ah-Ha moment? A split second realization, “Finally I did it.” Complete satisfaction when at long last you burst into song, “ Incredible! That’s how it’s supposed to feel.” It’s when everything finally synchronizes. Left hand, right hand, fingers, muscle control, touch, motion, emotion, harmony, and ecstasy. Caught ya . . . I know what you're thinking. You’re not even close! However, this morning, during my daily guitar practice I finally achieved the proper touch and combination of physical movement and emotional equanimity that allows a musician to “tickle the frets and achieve nirvana.” “What?” Well, it’s a long story. I’ve tried to explain it many times since I’ve started playing guitar. Like most amateurs, I concentrate so hard to achieve a clear, clean sound by squeezing the frets that my fingers hurt. As a result, it's tough to consistently coordinate my alternate picking synchronized with f...

Today a New Era dawns for the Ball family. Not because it’s a new decade but today, January 31, 2020, we closed the back door for the last time at 531 North 6th Street, Cuba, IL. 61427, my childhood home for over 50 years, since March 1966. That address (P.O. Box 606) has been emblazoned in the minds of my brothers and me for so many years we will never forget it. So many cherished memories, lessons learned, family meals, gatherings, special pets, hospital visits, holidays celebrated and friendships nurtured. In short - our Home. Funny, we always called it Mom’s house. Dad lived there to of course. They were married for over 55 years. It was always home - where Mom lovingly raised her family.  “Make sure you’re home in time for dinner.”   Where Dad taught us to play ball. Fix old cars. The skills of an outdoorsman. Where my siblings and I practiced archery, raised flying squirrels, summer fish fries in the yard, watch the leaves blossom in spring, raking...