So, About that Guitar Thing......

 Yes, I really am serious about learning guitar. I've been following the beginner courses from JustinGuitar.com which has been an awesome way to learn as I can do it when I want, for as long as I want or have time for. Except for the last few days while I've been out of town (though I did bring my guitar with me), I haven't had a lot of time to practice. But when I'm home I've been averaging 1 to 2 hours per day. I started with about 20 minutes back when I was still developing finger callouses. Those are quite well formed now except for my pinkie as it's currently only involved with the D minor chord for which I have not found any songs I want to practice with yet.

As for songs, the first one I learned was Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and the Wailers. I haven't played it in a while as I've been working on other songs I prefer. In no particular order:

For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield.  This one I know pretty well now as I'm practicing it every day. I barely look at the App now when I do play it.

Stand by Me - Bill Withers. This one is fast, faster than I expected it to be. I cannot play it at full speed yet though I am dabbling at 90% now with chord changes that are often bad with a few that are good. 

What's Up - 4 Non Blondes.  One of my few more modern songs in that it was released in 1993 and all the others are 60s and 70s songs. I'm doing better on this than Stand by Me simply because it's a much slower song.

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd. This is also slow and easier than I expected, but remember, I am only playing rhythm guitar, someday, if I get much better, after learning the harder chords like F major and B, maybe I'll start working on learning lead guitar. I have no aspirations of ever even approaching David Gilmore's ability with the instrument.

Cortez the Killer - Neil Young. I'd love to play this on acoustic, but don't have one yet, still sounds okay on electric guitar.

Wild Thing -The Troggs. One of the first songs I attempted, before having the App. It's not easy, it's fast (for me) and has an odd syncopation, if that's the right word. I should probably slow it down a little more to work on it till I've perfected the strumming and timing.

Hey Joe - The Jimi Hendrix Experience. I'm actually not that fond of the song, at least not for playing, mostly I chose it because it has 5 of the chords I have learned. I much prefer it when Jimi plays.

Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. This one I've only tried once but I really enjoyed it so I may move it up the list to practice more than Hey Joe.

I have other songs in my favorites list that I'd like to learn eventually but for now these are the ones I have tried at least once, the top 3 several times and the first one I pretty much know by heart. I've been practicing with the Justin Guitar App which I purchased as a yearlong subscription because it has lots and lots of songs, you can filter them by the chords you know, of which I know the 8 open chords now plus it is a karaoke style program that can slow the song down to as low as 50% speed. But trying to practice at the faster speeds is definitely pushing me to get my chord changes faster. 

Hopefully, in another couple of months I will be playing much better and I can move on to the 2nd set of beginner lessons.

D minor

Bob Jo's Custard

 Hal's sister and I went out to visit a Wyandotte, MI tradition tonight for a soft serve custard. I asked for a vanilla/chocolate swirl with sprinkles. A medium. This is it. Bob Jo's since 

Obviously, it was huge. But I ate it all.

First Flower of 2023

 

it's yellow

Yes, one of the bubs I planted last fall has bloomed. This is in the crappy dirt in front of the bedroom wing. Looking forward to seeing more which will probably happen soon as our 40-50 degree days are about to turn into 60-70 degree days next week. Yes, yet again, late winter is turning into early summer. Whatever happened to spring?

Speaking of weather, we had a hell of a lot of rain the other day, thunderstorms, too. We have had trail washouts and a mini river flowing through the backyard. Mud is everywhere!

Sun came out today, things are a little drier.

Mini Greenhouse

 Last month I ordered a mini greenhouse from Home Depot, it was on sale for $35. It has 5 tiers, will easily fit a couple 20-inch-long trays on each shelf. It also has a reasonably nice (one back corner had an open seam for about 8 inches, I just used tape rather than take it off to try and sew it together), zippered plastic cover to keep the wind out and seedlings reasonably warm though it's definitely not going outside till the temperatures no longer drop below 30F at a minimum. It came in a flat box and all I had to do was fit all the pieces together, posts into holes, no screws or tools required.

The box with a wire shelf

some of the parts

took about 30 minutes

Here is the greenhouse with some inexpensive, $22  grow lights I bought from Amazon. I placed it in front of the unused front door till it can be moved outside. Already have 2 year old lupines sprouting, as well as monarda and asters. I'll plant more seeds this coming weekend. Trying not to plant too early, depending on the variety so I don't have my usual leggy seedling problem.

The open seam