Ralph Blizard update

[Kerry Blech]

We spoke with Ralph on the phone last night for some time.
He was sounding tired but in high spirits. He said
he is improving but still moving slowly and has not
touched a fiddle (to play; he still checks them out
and does a little bit of work on some fiddles) since
his angioplasty procedure (in late July? I think so).
He was toying with the idea of trying to fiddle some
after we hung up. He has lots of musical ideas in
his head and wants to try them out. He's also trying
to recall a lot of the old songs and tunes he
sang and played back in the '30s to determine if they are
worthwhile resurrecting. It was a good conversation. I
think he's on-track and will be out playing again
when he regains his strength. Mildred sounded upbeat,
too, but Ralph said she was pretty much wiped out
from taking care of him. Sheila talked to her briefly
before I got on the phone, but she shouted out various
pithy comments during the course of the conversation.
It was great to hear both of them. I think Ralph is
champing at the bit to fiddle. He said it's "easier
when there's a guitarist around," so there's hint,
folks.

Best regards,
Kerry