Why whiskey before breakast? Because I have strep throat, and this weekend, it seemed as logical a treatment as any, and more fun than gargling saltwater. It burns, and in my imagination, I can envision the insufferable little strep germs shriveling under the onslaught of cheap Kentucky Sour Mash. Death to unfriendly microbes!
Does it work? I don't know! I have no time for such trivial speculation. I expect it works about as well as Granny Clampett's cold remedy... or any other. It does seem to help. If I weren't teaching in an elementary school, I'd have had the same sort of treatment this morning... but I have to behave myself. It's not like I'm a university professor.
The music video is by Brad Davis, Robert Bowlin and Wil Maring. A neat version, but my favorite sound recording of the tune is one I picked up back in the eighties, by a hammered dulcimer player named John Corbin. His interpretation was driven and spirited. A real treat. I had it on a cassette tape, which went the way of all flesh, and I can't find it, now.
I was ill once and about to turn in early when a friend of mine stopped over with a bottle of Yukon Jack. I thought I'd have a nip to kill the germs, and then maybe another nip for a good sleep. Needless to say, we got through the entire bottle of Yukon Jack and what is more, some other people came over and we had ourselves a party and a few additional beers. I didn't get to bed until 5:15 AM.
The next day, I felt a lot better - my sickness was simply gone, albeit replaced by a slight headache which went away after breakfast. So that "100 proof candy" really does kill the germs, I guess.
Posted by: Patrick | 04/12/2010 at 06:29 PM
Actually, hot salt water is the best solution. The temperatures above 110F and salt will kill most bacteria that thrives in your body, so gargle with it for a little while. Hot coffee and tea are very helpful for this reason too. I am not knocking your solution, I think that it is the more enjoyable, but probably is most effective in helping you get the rest your body needs.
Posted by: Shmikey | 04/13/2010 at 10:03 AM
I have gargled saltwater, and probably will again, but it makes me gag.
Posted by: Tim J. | 04/13/2010 at 10:18 AM
Just by way of an update, I'm doing better. It got bad enough that I went to the after-hours clinic and got some heavy duty antibiotic. I also downed a big bowl of homemade chicken soup as hot as I could stand it and have been taking some pain pills for the throat.
Whiskey is good for a lot of things, but unlike duct tape, it can't do *everything*.
Posted by: Tim J. | 04/14/2010 at 05:44 AM
I picked up some 1980's John Corbin after seeing him play at Silver Dollar City. I listened to his album REGINA hundreds of times through college and early adulthood.
Posted by: Del | 04/18/2010 at 03:29 PM
That's where I first heard him, Del. He and his wife Jan were there for years, and I always looked forward to hearing him play his hammered dulcimer in the open air. Corny jokes, but terrific music.
Posted by: Tim J. | 04/19/2010 at 08:59 AM
I just found my old Regina tape and converted it into MP3s so I can continue listening to it.
Posted by: Shawn Cornelius | 01/05/2011 at 12:05 PM
Is the hammered duciemer number "Regina" available on CD? I played the tape of this song until it wore out. I heard John Corbin play this at Silver Dollar City years ago. Please sen a catelog if it is available.
Posted by: Fred Robberts | 02/10/2011 at 10:39 PM
I've chased "Regina" myself for years. It hasn't been put to CD, in part due to that being published by a previous record company. John and Jan have a website at www.witheandstone.com where they have other, more recent CD's for sale. I encourage John to consider remaking Regina, or at least several of the songs in the album. I enjoy his folk music, and the hammered dulcimer (it was amazing watching him play and sing in the days of SDC).
Posted by: Kieth Swaney | 03/25/2011 at 01:16 PM
Almost a year and this post is still getting comments. Let's keep 'em coming!
Posted by: The Pachyderminator | 03/28/2011 at 10:28 AM
I have a more general post coming with some news and updates. Very sorry for the long delay. If I posted more often, I'm sure there would be more comments! :-D
Posted by: Tim J. | 03/28/2011 at 11:11 AM
I just met John in a dulcimer shop in Branson this last weekend. I could not find any of his old music but as that if anyone have the old Minstrel Tales tape or any tracks from it, please send them to me @ e_van22@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Posted by: Ian | 04/24/2011 at 06:23 PM
That's fantastic, Ian. Is he still recording?
Posted by: Tim J. | 04/25/2011 at 11:40 AM
Not that I know of. I was trying to see if he himself could locate any of his old tapes. He let me know that if I found any of those old tapes, that none of them were ever converted to CD due to publishing rights and what not. If you have copies of any old music, I would greatly appreciate them!
Posted by: Ian | 04/26/2011 at 10:34 PM
I broke down and bought the LP of the Regina album! Worth EVERY PENNY!!
Posted by: Ian | 05/30/2011 at 09:09 PM
I had Minstrel Tales on tape, back in the day. Listened to it all the time and would love to find it again. I first heard him back at SDC, our family went there almost every year, and I always made a point of looking for him. Miss his sound.
Posted by: Radar Riley | 09/07/2011 at 06:22 PM
A long time ago John Played and entertained the masses at Rawhide an 1880's theme park in Az. I worked with him and a bunch of other SDC entertainers and enjoyed his music. He had a tape that i wore out from the mid eighties and cant remeber the name but would love to hear it again. If you could steer me in the right direction to his music I would apprecite it. Bonni susaaz@yahoo.com
Thanks
Posted by: Bonni | 09/16/2011 at 10:56 AM