Author Archives: Gandalfe

About Gandalfe

Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, and enjoy time with family and friends.

Snowmagadden 2021

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Gandalfe

It started snowing in the Seattle area, all of the PNW actually, yesterday and much to our surprise we got almost 9 inches overnight! Here the obligatory photographic proof. The chickens are not quite sure how to take the white … Continue reading →

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Painting the Homestead 2020

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Gandalfe

We downsized into this lovely home in 2011. It was a short sale and the home was built in the last depression (2007). After 13 years since it was first painted, and with a number of touch ups and repainting … Continue reading →

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Meet Shelby II, Our New Puppy

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Gandalfe

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~ Bernard Williams Our new puppy is a Von Waldberg German Shepherd named Shelby. She was born on September 24, 2018. We expect to take her home … Continue reading →

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1915 Catalogue Band Instruments

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Gandalfe

What a lovely discovery from the Woodwind Forum. The actual PDF is located at https://memory.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2012/20121120001ca/20121120001ca.pdf

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My Instagram

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Gandalfe
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Community Garden

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Gandalfe

Garden as though you will live forever. ~ William Kent I was watering our community garden this year and wondering at the lush green happiness that the three plots have provided. This is our first year for the garden and … Continue reading →

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Saxophone Lamp

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Gandalfe

“It’s hard to throw away history. It was like you were throwing away a part of yourself.”  ~ Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty It happened during a theater pit job, I was schlepping 4 instruments and we had precious … Continue reading →

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Selmer Reference 54 Limited Edition Hummingbird

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Gandalfe

From a recent for sale ad: A rare alto from 2005, … this limited edition saxophone commemorates the 50th anniversary of the passing of Charlie “Bird” Parker and features an iconic hummingbird engraving on the bell. The Reference 54 series … Continue reading →

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I found one of my fav band teachers, Mr. Robert Lake

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Gandalfe

Originally posted on The Bis Key Chronicles:
There are at least two of my favorite stories to tell about growing up in the mid-west and being a sax player. One is when the Urbandale, IA middle school teacher picked a jazzy…

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Swing Dance, this is why …

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Gandalfe

There are many kinds of dances, but all those requiring the participation of the two sexes have two characteristics in common: they are conspicuously innocent, and warmly loved by the vicious. ~ Ambrose Bierce We, and my we I mean … Continue reading →

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