That old Yamaha Red Label has seen better days. Note the rough blemish where the pick guard - a gaudy c&w design -- is missing. Like most of them on this model, it literally curled up and died: curled up to an extent that the instrument was unplayable until I very carefully ripped it off, taking a bit of wood with it. The glue on these guitars was so "good" that it couldn't be melted without incinerating the guitar. For that reason, I keep it tuned a full step below standard -- to keep the bridge from collapsing through the top, another design flaw not helped by unmeltable glue. But, damn it all, it sounds some kinda good! It was made in Japan by some people who were trying to reproduce Martin Guitars back in 1969-70 or so. They're considered collectors' items now. This one sounds better than at least one Martin I've heard. Imagine how it would sound played by a real guitar player.

Wife Margie took these pictures. Indeed, most of the pictures you'll see on this blog are hers.

Or, for that matter, innocence . . .
First post, first typo.
Good start.

OK
Ahem.
Clean slate. Blank sheet.
Invitation to creativity.
New beginnings.
Empty as far as the eye can see.
Endless snow field . . . no;
Vast desert.
And me with no canteen.
And now not even the last shred
Of the little innocense I had.