Photo by Jorma Kaukonen
The forsythia has come… and almost gone. Redbud is here in all its glory. Before you know it, these beautiful lavender branches will have turned to green and unless you are tuned into such local beauties you will wonder, ‘What happened to the redbud?’
It’s like, ‘What happened to life?’
I was thinking about the Tom Waits character in Rumblefish. The ‘I’ve got thirty five summers left,’ soliloquy. Great scene, but it made me think… it’s been a long time since I’ve had thirty five summers left. When I was young I just took the endless stream of summers for granted as we all seem to. There’s always next year… there will always be another time to do this or that.
One day you realize how quickly you are running out of that time and that there never was such a thing as an ‘endless stream of summers.’ The pandemic has robbed us all of so much, most notably time. The time to have lived, the time have proceeded on the course you laid. Time that you will never get back no matter what happens in the future.
Staying alive gives you another shot at another endeavor… perhaps another season of redbud, perhaps another cardinal on the back porch railing. Perhaps seeing your daughter grow into womanhood, you son moving deeper on the trail into manhood.
Perhaps…
Indeed…
In the meantime, here’s the link for this weekend’s Quarantine Concert Series #45.
As for today… I’ll take it as it comes.
Stay well!
The Chelsea: too much real estate business in this story, but scroll down for the picture of Janis.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/nyregion/chelsea-hotel-nyc.html
Thanks for the reminder to not forget the “Wild Pitch” Many years ago I had talked to my youngest son Paul about the wild pitches that life occasionally flings our way and I told him all we can do is pick ourselves up and get back in the race . When I got knocked for a loop and had a tough time getting back up Paul reminded me of our conversation all those years ago . Isn’t life Grand ……… @carey georgas
@Dale Radeleff
You must not live in Texas.
@carey georgas Yep, but we don’t need to do that anymore, if that’s what I want I only need order it online and wait until it’s delivered 😉
@Dale Radeleff
Well, the treetop flyer’s need was to stay below the radar as he came across the Rio Grande, know what I mean?
@carey georgas I could be if I had a need too, I generally liked to stay at a safe altitude where I had plenty of time to find a safe place to set down in an Emergency. Redlands just has a whole bunch of Red Forsythia and the city just explodes with the color.
@Dale Radeleff
Were you a tree top flyer? (Stephen Stills) That plane looks like a candidate.
If you were to google N1656V I’ sure you will see all sorts of pictures of my airplane and those of “Rattle Can Ray”, the guy that bought it from me. I never used a spray can on her so any colors that you see were probably put there by RR…except the very early ones when it had red powder coating on the struts.
Jorma,
Up until I had to quit flying, let my medical go because of pain meds, and sell my little airplane, a 1947 Cessna 120, I can tell you that Redlands has those trees all over the place and when they are in bloom the whole city looks like its on fire in Red Forsythia for several weeks, it is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the pep talk guys, I will relearn guitar again, it’s amazing how much is starting to come back to me, now if I can only get my fingers to do what my brain wants 😉
I got a story to tell and I’m kinda like Mayo in Officer and a Gentleman – “I got no place else to go!” My wife at one time had 31 aunts and uncles on both sides of her family. It’s down to two. Her always favorite aunt has been battling pancreatic cancer for two years, and her end is swinging into sight. So, her spry 94 year old husband and caretaker, and favorite uncle fell last week and broke his leg. Linda and I seem to have a gift at being able to handle the transition phase of terminal illness. We’ve been through four. So, our time is at hand and we’re soldiering up. I’ve spent the last two days sitting with the uncle in the hospital. You know how that shit goes if you’ve been in there. He’s ready to transport to a skilled care facility. When I got involved yesterday, the hospital said “we’re waiting on insurance”. Okay. I call insurance, “we’re waiting on hospital”. I stayed courteous, and was able to get everyone who is involved connected, so I’m hoping he’ll get back to Silsbee today. I guess my point is, you gotta always be looking for the curveball, but don’t let that make you forget the wild pitch. When it comes, don’t get pissed at the pitcher. Get up, shake off the dirt, and get back in the box. Thank you for your indulgences. Oh, and I brought my guitar along and have managed to get in quite a bit of practice the last couple of days.
@carey georgas
Holy Joe Walsh reference! Good one! The funny thing is, when that album came out, that title made absolute sense to me! 😂
Hey Dale. Did not notice the typo. But that was another day…
Never to late to learn. I’ve seen it many times. As to having the wife join, I would highly recommend. My wife showed an interest roughly 15 years ago. By now, we share 18 guitars and 5 amps. As we head into retirement, we have become a pretty solid duet. Very nice! 🎸🎸🎸👍👍
Lemme tell ya, Dale, I quit work at 65 and turned 67 myself last month. I looked around for something new to learn. This blog played a big part in my decision. I bought me a guitar, took lessons for 8 months ‘til the Rona hit. I been playing every day since and I’m ready for the entrance ramp class coming in June. I can’t tell you what all this has opened up for me. I can look forward to getting better at it every day. With golf, as you age your challenge is to keep from getting worse. I like to fish, but the weather dictates whether they bite or I want to be out in it. The guitar is always ready to be played, and the smoker you play, the drinker you get, or something to that effect. Go for it with complete confidence. If you practice, it will come.
@Dale Radeleff
You can do it Dale ! Best of luck and never give up….@Dale Radeleff
@Dale Radeleff Maybe I should learn to spell Play first
Well, at 67 I am having to regroup my life and learn something new (again?) to replace something I just can’t do anymore. I’m just not ready to lay down and quit yet, I’m gonna learn how to paly guitar again, something my wife looks to join in this endeavor. I’m looking up to you as an example, along with Vanessa, John and everybody else down at the Fur Peace Station. Rock on Brother
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@Johnbarker
Yup….
” To everything Turn Turn Turn there is a season Turn Turn Turn …..” Ecclesiastes.@carey georgas
45 Special on the Quarantine train…
Vaccinated and traipsing to D Day in Del Ray Pod
Masked but not a Marauder ( leave that to C J and the Fish) ( or Daredevil)
Patiently expecting Turn My Life Down by 50 and dreaming of the Mountain Song and Comin Back to Me.
Stay well,side step the rat lickers
There is still time for that pedal powered Fire Engine 🚒 to arrive by next Christmas or maybe the 100 foot Christmas tree 🎄 in Del Ray lol
Peace✌🏻️❤️Love All Ways🔥🚲🌹🙏🏻🖖🏼
I grew up with Bob Hope, Johnny Cash and Steve Jobs
Now there’s no Jobs, No Cash and no Hope
Please don’t let anything happen to Kevin Bacon
m
Perception is nine tenths of reality, eh? The reality we perceived in our youth was as real as the reality we perceive now, only different. There is a time to rip and snort, and a time to savor. It’s people like you what gives those who will receive these pearls of wisdom over which to ruminate. Your perspectives are priceless, Jorma. Thank you.
” Man is like unto a breath; His days are like a shadow that passes away.” Tanakh 1917 (3)