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Link to Books, CDs & Cassettes
by " The Hobo Minstrels "

Use this link for information about "The Hobo Minstrel's" (Fran's) book,
"The American Hoboes".

Use this one for information about "The Hobo Minstrel's" (Fran's) CDs and cassettes.

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"New Cds"
(2/3/2005)

  Yes, I now have my recordings of Hobo songs, poetry and history on CDs.  The price for the two CD set is $15.00, including postage, in the continental U.S.  Click here on, Hobo Song CDs, to get full details about this and my other available CDs. Thank you for your attention.  I am

    I get so many requests for the words to old songs and poems I thought I'd add one, or two, at a time to the site.  As some are quite lengthy they're a bit much for the Grapevine page so I've added another page to present them.  These, mostly, old pieces will be replaced periodically, by our Senior Culture and Arts Editor, using a scientific method to determine the length of time each should be displayed.  To enjoy the current "Artistic Selection" click on the title, below.  Anyone having specific requests may ask for them by emailing our "Senior Culture and Arts Editor" at;      cultural arts
 
 

Hi Fran,

    Would you please post this update on the Grapevine for me?

So, here we are... Nearly two and a half months post-surgery... The trip to the Doctor's in Boston, for a 15 minute office visit rewarded us with the following Doctor's assessment...

The surgical site is looking good. The doctor also said that if the aneurysm had not ruptured and was just clipped, he would be able to return to work by now, but because of the rupture and the large area affected by the
hemorrhage, and the length of time that lapsed before he received help, there is no way to know how long it will take for Phil to reach his 'new' base line,  but don't get discouraged, because it is a long process...

We thank God for everyone who has helped us,  I honestly don't know what how we would be getting by at this time, but for the help of family and friends, as we still have not received any general assistance.  So once again, A
GREAT BIG THANK YOU to each of you! ... If you only knew how much we appreciate your concern for our welfare.  Honestly, words can not express...
 
 

    I also want to thank all of you who have given Debi and Phil support and encouragement during this tough time they're going through.  Having gone through a few rough spots myself in the last few years I know how wonderful it is to hear from our Hobo friends and others even, if it's just with an email or card, to let us know you care and are thinking of us.

    It's a great feeling to know that as, long as we have the Hobo Family, we are never alone.

My Dear Friends,

    All so much has been going on in my life I've really not had time to get a thing done that I've wanted to but this morning I got a call from My Hobo Queen Minneapolis Jewels asking me to get this info posted on the Hobo sites ASAP.   Charmin Harmon is in the Hospital once again.  This time We almost got Harmon on Board the Westbound but he's starting to improve a little and is expected to return home by Thursday of this week.  Harmon also lost a lot of weight and Jewels thinks this time he may return home under Hospice Care.  We were cut short as her phone was ringing as we spoke. She did ask that people keep Harmon in their thoughts and Prayers and if possible could they send him Get well cards to her.

    Hope all is well your way and that the crazy weather this nation has faced this winter has not affected you in any disastrous ways  Many Thanks and Much Love to each and every one of you .... I remain,
 
 

    Yup, Raymond Tylicki Alias': Ray Tylicki, Rapid T, Transit Train, Railroad Postoffice is still around making a fool of himself only now he's doing it on various internet blogs, too.  Notice; This guy has more aliases than Carter has "Little Liver Pills" and what comes out of him is the same as what those liver pills, or X-Lax produces.  If you have any dealings at all with this guy watch your back and protect yourself.  Wow, talk about being soft as a sneaker full of oysters ! ! !!

    Guys like this can give all Hoboes a bad name.

    Got a note from Mama Jo saying that Dennis, Hobo Santa, just had surgery to remove bone spurs from his shoulder.  He's home, doing fine, lazing in his recliner and receiving lots of TLC from Mama Jo.

    Get well fast, Dennis, so you can get back out on the beaches and enjoy the wonderful sights.  Hmmm.  Question.  Do they have topless beaches in Florida?  If they do that might give me the incentive to leave this snow country one of these days.

Hi, Fran.

    I just wanted to send a quick note to let everyone know that I'm home safe and sound. I have some pics to share--what's the best way to do that?

    Anybody have a good idea for the pics?

    You may or may not be aware that I am in Thailand on vacation. It's pretty far from New Hampshire, but it's quite a place to be sure. Last night as we were riding home in our taxi, we saw an elephant walking right down the side of the road in the city! It was crazy. Once we passed it, I turned around to look again and you'll never guess what I saw--a FRED. The elephant had a flashing rear end device on its tail! I've seen a lot of things, but that was pretty unique.

Today, I saw my first train. They don't have many freight trains around but they do have passenger rail. We leave tomorrow for Bangkok on the express train overnight. We'll spend a few days there and then return on a day train. I'm so excited. I've heard it's quite a trip.

Next week, I'll be giving either one or two hobo presentations to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders at Grace International School. Try explaining what a hobo is to kids who never see trains. Should be interesting.

       It has been brought to my attention that my Hobo Gatherings page is woefully out of date.  I depend on all you folk to let me know What, When and Where so I can let everyone else know "SO" how abut if Y'all get on the ball and send me the information so I can post it.

    Hey, I'm not as young as I used to was so I need help.

    I would like to let the Hobo community that has had the good fortune of meeting my mom know that she has suffered from a stroke. She is doing fairly well but it has affected her speach and for those of you who know her know how she loves to chat. I ask that you keep her in your prayers.

    I spoke with BoMiller, in Amory, last night anf he assured me that the Amory Railroad Festival will be taking place on April 15th through the 18th and Hoboes are welcome as they have been in the past.  I don't have details but you can contact Bo through their web site at:   http://amoryrailroadfestival.com/
 
 

    Phantom 13 is looking for a recording, of Liberty Justice performing,or the music to, The Hobo Shuffle.  Stan does a bit of street playing and would like to include the "Shuffle" but hasn't been able to pin down the tune.

    If anyone can help him he can be contacted at;

    Ok, for, those of you that didn't know, I had a bit of a stroke two days after Christmas and was in the hospital until two days ago.  People have said, for years, that the good Lord looks out for drunks and sinners and, I guess, it must be true because I ended up with no ill affects except for a four inch scar  where the doctors "cut my throat"  I worried, for years, that something like this would happen but I thought it would be done by a jealous husband or boy friend.

    Seems that, despite the moral, sin free, saintly life I've always strived for, my carotid artery go a bit clogged up with grunts and garbage.  Liquid plumber, or Draino, wouldn't clear it so the docs cut my throat and reamed it out with a snake. (at least, they claim that's why they cut my throat)

    Anyway, I'm home again and am doing fine except, that I'm behinder as hell with everything, so, if I owe anyone an email or phone call please remind me.  My memory isn't as good as it used to was.  Of course it never was much good, except for remembering beautiful women, so any lapse can't be blamed on the stroke, "Or Old Age".

Many in the Hobo Family already know from the Grapevine that Trucker Phil, husband of Lady Nightingale (Debi) our 2002 National Hobo Queen, was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital for emergency surgery due to a brain aneurysm.

 Phil is slowly improving, as is expected from such a serious procedure, and I will continue to post progress reports on the Grapevine as I receive them.

 The purpose of this letter is to inform all that family and friends are raising funds to help Debi and Phil get through this crisis. They are wonderful people (although I have to admit she’s much prettier than he is) and I don’t think, that on their own, they’d ever ask their friends for help. That’s why I’m asking on their behalf.

Doctor’s charges, hospital fees and regular living expenses are mounting up fast. Phil’s inability to work for some time could create a financial calamity that they’ll be living with for years. In addition, Debi is staying in Boston so she can be close to Phil, creating more on-going expenses. They have no insurance and, for now, no income at all.

 My mailing list is only so large so I’m asking everyone who receives this letter to forward it on to, at least, the Hoboes that are on your own mailing lists. If some get the same letter from more than one of us, I’m sure they’ll be forgiving. For your friends who don’t use computers, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to call them on the telephone or notify them in some other way. I would also appreciate it if those who have a web site please add this letter to your site.

 Please do not send donations to Debi at her present Beacon House address as she may have a difficult time cashing checks at a Boston bank. For this reason, please send all donations to the address below. Their children will handle all donations and forward funds on to Debi and Phil.

 Any amount you feel you can comfortably send will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.

 Let’s get together and make this one hell of a Frisco Circle.

Hi Fran,

    You may or may not be aware that I am in Thailand on vacation. It's pretty far from New Hampshire, but it's quite a place to be sure. Last night as we were riding home in our taxi, we saw an elephant walking right down the side of the road in the city! It was crazy. Once we passed it, I turned around to look again and you'll never guess what I saw--a FRED. The elephant had a flashing rear end device on its tail! I've seen a lot of things, but that was pretty unique.

Today, I saw my first train. They don't have many freight trains around but they do have passenger rail. We leave tomorrow for Bangkok on the express train overnight. We'll spend a few days there and then return on a day train. I'm so excited. I've heard it's quite a trip.

Next week, I'll be giving either one or two hobo presentations to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders at Grace International School. Try explaining what a hobo is to kids who never see trains. Should be interesting.

        Hope you're having a great trip, Sunrise.  After I read your note I was out on my porch watching the chickadees, and other birds swarming around my feeders, eating and doing what birds do best, and I got to thinking about your elephant.  That got me to thinking about that old bromide, "Thank God Elephants don't fly"

Happy new year and good health to you and everyone. I visited the Combat Railfans in Gila Bend on Jan 2nd and saw Trainman, Stretch ,and Jet Set John among others. Thank you for your updates and hope to see more of everyone this year -

    Have a good year and good travelling, Joe, and give my best to everyone you meet on the road.

hey fran,

me and stupid are hitting the road again on saturday, headed east over to new orleans for new years then up the coast hopefully. its been fun here in austin for the last 2 months but its time to move on.

Dear Folks,

Rik's video of Singing Through the Hard Times is now up on the web!   You'll notice the video begins with some footage of Utah talking about what it means to be a pacifist.

Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested in Utah, the CD, folk music, peace, or what have you.  It's a song for our times!

    I talked with Queen M.A.D. Mary and King Grandpa on the phone last night and was happy to hear that things are going good for them.  He didn't have to stay at the veterinarians too long and came home with no ill effects at all.  I guess the doctors judge his condition by how cantankerous he gets.  Mama Witt, May She Rest In Peace, always said Bob was the most trouble of all us kids and started an arguement two minutes after he was born.  Took him that long to catch his breath..  I don't complain about my brother "Nitt Witt" though.  Who knows?  When I get to be "HIS AGE" I may be a bit testy and less saintly, too.

The Original Tourist Union 63 Organization started in 1897 and since that time has never been disbanded.  At this time, it is my desire to reactivate the Tourist Union 63 Organization.  I am starting a membership drive to Help Our Brothers Overcome (H.O.B.O).  Members of the Tourist Union 63 Organization will receive:

                         A  Tourist Union 63 membership card, good for one year.  Renewable each August.
 

           A History of Tourist Union 63 written by an original member of Tourist Union No. 63.

The funds from memberships will be used to aid needy Hobos when appropriate.

No funds will be given to anyone without the approval of a Tourist Union 63 Committee's vote.  H.O.B.O. was an organization started by the 1996 Hobo King Liberty Justice who Caught the Westbound in 2008.   Helping Our Brothers (and sisters) Overcome ties nicely to the goals of the original Tourist Union 63 Organization in 1897 as well as today.

Please join by sending your $5.00 membership fee plus name and address and phone number to:

                                                TUCK 2007/2008 Hobo King
                                            Tourist Union 63
                                            P.O. Box 18495
                                            Minneapolis, MN 55418

                              Make checks payable to: Tourist Union 63

            HELP KEEP TOURIST UNION 63 ALIVE

                                  Thanks,
                                                     TUCK

    I'm sure that King Tuck won't object if Y'all want to send dues for more than one year at a time.  I don't believe any of us have paid any dues for a couple of years, at least, so the bankroll must be a little short.  We all owe Tuck many thanks for keeping this historic union going.

    Just got off the phone with Road Hog, out there in Reno, and he's sounding pretty chipper.  He has a few medical problems but he assures me that he's not doing bad and is getting pretty good care staying there with his friend. He regrets that his traveling days may be over and he doesn't expect he'll be able to make Britt, or other gatherings, any more.  Being on oxygen twenty four seven has put a crimp in his harmonica playing but he says he can still belt out tunes on his concertina.  Between that and his smokes he still has a lot to be thankful for but he does miss being able to get out and visit with friends.  Hey, Road Hog, we takes what we gets and do the best we can with it.

    Congratulations to our new King Inkman and Queen Stray Cat.  In case some of you may have eye problems, because of age, Stray Cat is the pretty one with the beautiful braids and Inkman is "the other one".  I wish I could have been there to congratulate you both in person.  I hope your year of reign will be full of good times and great travel.

    This may be a good time to tell folk that if you send a picture to me, or anyone else, it should be reduced in size before you email it.  A photo as it comes from your digital camera can be as much as 2 megabytes and a thirty six inch picture.  A photo this large takes a hell of a long time to down load with a phone connection.  The picture of the mayor and Happy Hobo, above was two megabytes, 38 inches,  had a resolution of 350 and took me fifteen minutes to just copy it to my computer.  The photo now has been reduced to 3" X 4" with a resolution of 72 and is only 10 kilobytes.  A photo reduced like this can be brought back to any size and resolution in your own computer so, please, have mercy on me and anyone else you send pictures to and learn to reduce them before you email them.  Anybody can do it even my great grand daughter can do this and she ain't no  brighter than her father or her grandfather.

Hi Fran,

    Here's a link to the Hobo section of my web site.http://www.ratpackstlouis.com/hobo-u63.htm  Click on the BRITT 2007 picture to see all the gang and the goings on. I also have added pictures on Baloney Kid & Lady Bug's wedding ceremony.  Best wishes to all.

Fran:

    Here on the Grapevine, and on other pages of this site, there are, and will continue to be, links to other internet sites.   I try to check these sites out before posting the links but, occasionally, there could be links, from these other sites, to unwanted materials.  If you should find yourself linked to sites that contain objectionable matter let me know, so I can look into it.

    I'm always looking for more pictures of Hobo art to add to the Hobo Arts page.  Let's show folk what we, and the old Hoboes have for talent.  To you folk that aren't Hobos, I'd appreciate it if you'd send pictures of any Hobo art that you find, also.   Help us preserve as much Hobo history as possible.  For too many years Hobo art and the history of the American Hoboes has been neglected and, at times, what is believed and saved is misinterpreted giving many of today's people  false impressions of the true Hobo.