Field and Life Recordings
Each year, when spring springs, Sarah and I rekindle conversation about the song of the black-capped chickadee. I once referred this particular species as a “minor-third bird,” since it’s call, as I heard it, consisted of a descending minor third. Sarah scoffed and said that I should be embarrassed. “It is clearly a descending major […]
Potsdam, it seems, has a “Fall Festival” now. I don’t know much about its provenance, but I assume it’s just the latest in a series of half-assed events organized by the chamber of commerce as an opportunity for stores to sell their shit outside instead of inside and for local “craftspeople” to re-sell some shit […]
Live accompaniment or not, Otis was VERY excited about his winter concert. He was singing all of the songs for months leading up to the concert and continued to sing them for quite some time after (as evidenced by this session in the shower before bed).
I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure we didn’t just sing along with recordings when I was an elementary school kid in a concert. But that’s what they seem to do exclusively at Otis’s school. Whatever. It’s fine. But it does lead to situations where the voices and recording are wildly out of sync with […]
When in Ottawa, we almost always stop for lunch at the Shawarma Palace. The bathroom is in the dungeon downstairs. Here’s what it sounds like when one returns to civilization after taking care of one’s business.
On one of our many trips down to Western Mass., we made a stop at Fort Crown Pt. to stretch our legs. The weather was perfect, so we spent some time walking around the old ruins. At one point, Otis and I decided to hop over one of the stone walls and explore under the […]
At the local Tractor Supply Hardware, they sell baby chicks in the spring time. They set up several little corrals in the middle of the store and have what look like Dunkin Donuts munchkin boxes that you can fill up with little birds. We watched and hummed and listened to top 40 country radio.
I think the seed was planted when we read something in a book. I changed a dinner plan to use some canned beans and cleaned the receptacles when we were done. I poked holes in the bottom and used a long length of brown hemp twine to connect the cans. We took them outside for […]
When it’s nice out, we go hiking. Our go-to spot is nearby Stone Valley in Colton. It’s got everything: miles of trails, waterfalls, swimming spots, rocks for climbing, everything! Here’s a recent Dad and Kids day out.
I took a long nap. Juniper did the same. I’m a light sleeper and woke up when I heard her talking to herself in her crib. I figured I’d record the conversation for posterity, but she got a little shy when I came in.