Oprah Winfrey, one of the richest Americans, with an entertainment empire to run, has nevertheless decided to put her civic duty first by serving in the jury of a murder trial (although somewhat reluctantly, it seems).

In a time when top celebrities are used to being coddled, it’s great to see Oprah’s keepin’ it real.

Last week, I read an interesting article in USA Today about working musicians called Summer Tours Help Bands Pay Bills. It focuses on banjo-guru Bela Fleck to show how much money bands earn by touring.

Fleck says concerts reflect 70% of the band’s income, records 20% and merchandising 10%.

Fleck will realize 40% of his yearly touring income crisscrossing the country to perform with his jazz/bluegrass/world music band at amphitheaters, auditoriums, amusement parks — even a farmer’s market in Kansas City.

Good info on the economics of the touring band.
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I know the furniture industry has been hit hard by the new economic landscape, but I’ve gotta wonder about some places. For instance, on Old Wake Forest Road, the High Point Furniture Connection has hit on tough times. While some stores meet their maker with merciful speed, the High Point Furniture Connection has managed to drag its demise out seemingly forever. Why, I can remember three years ago when it began its “final days,” and it has yet to give up the ghost.

I admire its tenacity. And yet, I feel for the poor employees who are left wondering just when the doors will close for good.
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The U.S. Mens basketball team got spanked by Puerto Rico this weekend, 92-73. While I’m not surprised we lost – I’ve been saying we were in trouble all along – I am amazed at the margin of defeat. Incredible.

Somewhere along the line, the “team” in “basketball team” got replaced by “individual.” The pro game has all the seriousness of professional wrestling, only without the flair.

With any luck, this will help change the league. I have my doubts.

Picking up the guitar today reminded me that I need to do it much more often. I love to play. The guitar is definitely going on vacation with me next week!

When I get back, it will be time for a picking party. Inivited is anyone with an acoustic instrument. I’ll find some beer, space in my backyard (or garage), and a Saturday, and y’all are invited to come make some music. Let’s jam!

Yesterday, we made two big changes to the house. A contractor who’s a friend of our friends the Spinaks brought his brother over and together they worked through the rain to build us a totally kick-ass set of shelves for our sitting room. They brought a tent to work under and a slew of tools. They got soaked a bit but kept on working. The result is a fantastic set of shelves.

I was impressed at their work ethic, especially how they insisted on doing things right. It took them most of the day, but the results speak for themselves. We now have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves: a place to store the hundreds of books Kelly and I have both collected.

If you need any contracting work done, you’d be an idiot not to hire these guys. Seriously. They love their work and it shows! Give Ken Johnson a call at 844-7703 and find a weekend that he and his brother Lorne aren’t booked up. You can see I can’t say enough good things about them, huh?

The other change was our first coat of paint in the house, this one going in our son’s room. Its a deeper shade of yellow than Hallie’s room in our last house, but it looks great. We’ve been itching to do something to these bare walls in this house and now we’re on our way. I hope to finish the room today and begin painting the new bookshelves, too.

One thing you can say about the rainy aftermath of Hurricane Charley is that it makes good weather for getting things done indoors.

A dreaming Sunday morning
Sleeping late (until 8:30!)
A happy, smiling daughter
A full, leisurely breakfast
Steady, gentle rain
Sitting on the front porch, strumming my guitar while Kelly and Hallie laugh together in the swing.

It doesn’t get any better than this.