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Welcome back! I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer activities. Here in Florida we have a great summer exercise program. We get our heart rate up by running between air conditioned safe zones. From the house into the car, from the car into work or the store. Some really brave souls try to participate in outdoor activities, check with your local hospital to find out when you can visit them. 
   I've been in a bit of a writers slump lately. There are scraps of paper with half finished lyrics decorating every flat surface of the studio right now. Maybe if I mix them all together I can create some kind of stream of consciousness masterpiece. Probably a bad idea. I'll keep working on them, they'll either come together or end up in the lyrical dumpster. 
    The Ashley Gang has been on a bit of a summer break. We will be reactivating August 4, at the Osteen Diner in beautiful downtown Osteen, Florida. The Diner is a great place to eat, drink, and be merry. And who doesn't want to be merry?
     My musical pet peeve for this month is weird contraptions that change the sound of an acoustic guitar.  I've recently seen a small tambourine like device that fits in the sound hole of the guitar. Then there are some electrical devices you can strap to the guitar to alter the sound. I just don't like it!  The acoustic guitar is a beautiful combination of wood and steel that can't really be improved upon with cheesy contraptions. Granted, I love the sound of an acoustic run through an amp with a bit of tasty distortion, the middle ground between electric and acoustic guitar. But I'm certain, in time, these other devices will end up on the scrap heap of failed gimmickry. Anyone want to buy a pet rock? As a wise man once said, "Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should."  
  One last thing. Primary elections are on the horizon. Don't sit it out. This country is going down the tubes under the current fascist regime, voting is our only weapon against these creeps. My thinking is that old white guys have ruled the roost for far to long. I'm steering my votes to progressive female candidates, should I feel they are otherwise qualified. If you think that this is a crazy idea, just think back to when you were a kid. Your Mother likely played the good cop, while Dad usually got to play bad cop. Well, we've got a lot of bad cops in office and not enough good cops to balance it out. Just wait until your Father gets home!
  
    Okay, with that I'll be on my way.