During much of our drive into Ithaca proper, Ann and I had our car radio tuned into National Public Radio (NPR). One of the things I appreciate most about NPR is that it offers a stage for musicians and sounds that I otherwise would never have the opportuniy to hear. On this particluar Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of experiencing a unique sound I had not heard before. More than the sound, the vibe given off by the music (to me anyway) was very light, positive and extremely joyful. Like all good music, it tapped into and enhanced the overall the feeling I hoped to capture right now, with this roadie.
The music was the sounds of Tilly and the Wall, a quartet out of Omaha, Nebraska. Unique to this band is the use of an interesting assortment of instruments I've not previously associated with "rock" before: the flute, glockenspiel, cello, bells and tap shoes (for percussion).
I strongly recommend taking a taste of Tilly, especially "Fell Down the Stairs" by following this link:
Click to purchase the visit the on-line NPR artcile and link to Tilly and the Wall songs!
Enjoy! Now its back to the road...
Showing posts with label Ithaca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ithaca. Show all posts
Monday, August 22, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Summer Roadie Notes 2: Ithaca Farmers Market
Upon arriving in Ithaca, we followed the road signs to the east end of the small inlet on Cayuga Lake, where the Ithaca Farmers Market was located. Situated beneath a well constructed wooden pavilion were about thirty booths wherein folks sold products ranging from notebooks and paper products made from ecological papers to produce (fruits and vegetables), as well as a variety of foods, including Tibeten coleslaw and a sampling of Sri Lankan cuisine.
Music was being played by musicians positioned at each end of the market. At the East end was a young lad of about twelve playing the fiddle behind his open case that passers-by could drop in dollar bills and spare change. On the West end was a quartet of middle aged women who played traditional folk songs on a guitar, bass, tambourine and fiddle.
At the entrance of the Market was a sign posted which forbade dogs to come inside, but this was clearly ignored by many as Ann and I met an old bulldog, a shar pei puppy, and other mutts, all happily wagging their ways up and down the thoroughfare. It was at this time that I began to miss our dog (who usually comes with us to take part in the hiking and resting) but who this time stayed behind, as we would be doing little hiking during this short respite… (I also doubted she would be as quiet and calm as the local pups!)
While at the Ithaca Farmers Market, Ann and I made a few purchases:
1. Three tomatoes of unknown variety—they were very dark colored (we bought a very deep red, almost maroon colored one for sampling later, and two larger unripened ones for use at home). I had never seen tomatoes like these, so we bought them immediately. All the farmers had this available, so we settled on one organic farmer who was offering them at $2.50 a pound.
2. Although we knew we would be visiting some wineries later in the day, we taste and purchase two bottles of wine (1 Pinot Noir and 1 Chardonnay) from a local vintner.
3. A small journal with an illustration of a white-breasted nuthatch. The notebook was produced by Acorn Designs, a company who "hopes to earn a living in an ethical way" by giving "ecologically minded artists and outlet for their work." The nuthatch illustration was the work of an artist named Susan Bull Riley and this particular cover drawing was selected due to both Ann's and my mutual apprecation for thee stocky, little forest bird it depicted. The journal contained paper whihc was made eqaul parts post and pre-use recycled paper and tree-free kenaf fiber. According to the information that came with the journal, Kenaf "offers an ecollogically sustainable source of plant fiber which addresses the fundemental source of paper" and its use could help tp preserve forest land by providing an alternative to wood based paper.
I would be willing to bet that many communities sponsor similiar opportunties to support ecologically minded growers and merchants. If there are any in your community you would like to recommend for visitors to this blog, please do so by posting a comment.
Now on to our next stop!
Music was being played by musicians positioned at each end of the market. At the East end was a young lad of about twelve playing the fiddle behind his open case that passers-by could drop in dollar bills and spare change. On the West end was a quartet of middle aged women who played traditional folk songs on a guitar, bass, tambourine and fiddle.
At the entrance of the Market was a sign posted which forbade dogs to come inside, but this was clearly ignored by many as Ann and I met an old bulldog, a shar pei puppy, and other mutts, all happily wagging their ways up and down the thoroughfare. It was at this time that I began to miss our dog (who usually comes with us to take part in the hiking and resting) but who this time stayed behind, as we would be doing little hiking during this short respite… (I also doubted she would be as quiet and calm as the local pups!)
While at the Ithaca Farmers Market, Ann and I made a few purchases:
1. Three tomatoes of unknown variety—they were very dark colored (we bought a very deep red, almost maroon colored one for sampling later, and two larger unripened ones for use at home). I had never seen tomatoes like these, so we bought them immediately. All the farmers had this available, so we settled on one organic farmer who was offering them at $2.50 a pound.
2. Although we knew we would be visiting some wineries later in the day, we taste and purchase two bottles of wine (1 Pinot Noir and 1 Chardonnay) from a local vintner.
3. A small journal with an illustration of a white-breasted nuthatch. The notebook was produced by Acorn Designs, a company who "hopes to earn a living in an ethical way" by giving "ecologically minded artists and outlet for their work." The nuthatch illustration was the work of an artist named Susan Bull Riley and this particular cover drawing was selected due to both Ann's and my mutual apprecation for thee stocky, little forest bird it depicted. The journal contained paper whihc was made eqaul parts post and pre-use recycled paper and tree-free kenaf fiber. According to the information that came with the journal, Kenaf "offers an ecollogically sustainable source of plant fiber which addresses the fundemental source of paper" and its use could help tp preserve forest land by providing an alternative to wood based paper.
I would be willing to bet that many communities sponsor similiar opportunties to support ecologically minded growers and merchants. If there are any in your community you would like to recommend for visitors to this blog, please do so by posting a comment.
Now on to our next stop!
Summer Roadie Notes 1: On the Road to Ithaca, NY
Not to worry friends, you have not bookmarked a tourist site by mistake! This is still Earth House Hold, but over the next day or two my wife and I will be on a late summer roadie, and because some of the sites we will visit have been informed by the spirit of this blog, I thought I'd bring you along.
After a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes, orange juice, and coffee, Ann and I set out for Ithaca, New York. For those who don't know, the town of Ithaca is in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York state and is widely recognized for its gorges, hiking, arts and wines. Cornell University and Ithaca College are both located within the city limits.
So, despite the cost of gas having risen to $2.69 a gallon, we filled up the tank (to the tune of $27.46) and started out on the New York State Thruway with visions of vineyards, views, and vegetables in our heads…
After traveling down Route 96, we exited the thruway and drove past trailer parks, farm silos, and little league baseball fields. Our estimated time arrival had been coordinated so that we would arrive in town early enough to visit the Ithaca Farmers Market where local artists, crafts people and organic farmers deal their wares. Recommended as a possible destination of interest by a colleague of mine, I thought this might be a good opportunity to sample and support our regional organic farmers.
After a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes, orange juice, and coffee, Ann and I set out for Ithaca, New York. For those who don't know, the town of Ithaca is in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York state and is widely recognized for its gorges, hiking, arts and wines. Cornell University and Ithaca College are both located within the city limits.
So, despite the cost of gas having risen to $2.69 a gallon, we filled up the tank (to the tune of $27.46) and started out on the New York State Thruway with visions of vineyards, views, and vegetables in our heads…
After traveling down Route 96, we exited the thruway and drove past trailer parks, farm silos, and little league baseball fields. Our estimated time arrival had been coordinated so that we would arrive in town early enough to visit the Ithaca Farmers Market where local artists, crafts people and organic farmers deal their wares. Recommended as a possible destination of interest by a colleague of mine, I thought this might be a good opportunity to sample and support our regional organic farmers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)