Last month, a February polar vortex gripped the Heartland for most of a week. Arctic temperatures and multiple snowstorms clamped a lockdown on citizens who were already stuck-at-home because of the pandemic. One evening, the overnight temperature fell to -8 degrees. The frigid weather slowly began to turn, and a week later, the thermometer unexpectedly soared up to 67 degrees melting the snow. Neighbors came outdoors again to stroll the streets and greet each other. Children bounced on a nearby backyard trampoline like frisky colts. Bluegrass musicians gathered on the sunny front patio of the BRC domicile, and passersby paused to listen to the music while their kids danced to it.
In a matter of 7 days, the thermometer had spanned an interval of 75 degrees. Taking advantage of this spell of moderating weather, the pickers eagerly reconvened the next weekend reminding the BRC founder of his Latin dictum: Feliciteus conditunae, feliciteus musikernae. This translates as “Happy conditions, happy musicians.” Although the First Day of Spring is March 20th, glimpses of it are visiting the Heartland.
Concomitantly, last month the BRC founder and his spouse shared a 50th wedding anniversary. Over the past half century, his wife has often experienced living with more than a dozen banjos in her house at one time or another. Their kids sent the couple celebratory chocolate cakes: one sporting a banjo and the other adorned with a palette for the award-winning artist wife. How many 5-stringers under one roof simultaneously is too many banjos? It’s all a matter of degrees…..
From the BRC couple: be safe, be well, be vaccinated.
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