V O T E
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore is education.” Franklin Roosevelt
“Bad officials are elected by good people who do not vote.” Andrew Lack
The above message is brought to you by the “DIDI” , the Duluth Institute Of Democratic Ideals.
Onward: If you have to have blood drawn it would be a good idea NOT to go to DR. ACULA.
And then Some. My good friend Ali told me he had finally got hired at the Bay Area Fire Hydrant Facility in Warm Springs. I asked him how he liked his job. He told me he was quite happy with it but he was still having a rough time finding a legal place to park.
I have tried to connect voting with our CBA Family without sounding partisan. I think it is safe to say that we do love our blue grass music and we relish our time spent together making music. Well voting will make it possible for this slice of our life to continue. Believe me.
I have had the good fortune of performing at the Good Old Fashioned Blue Grass Festival more than once, twice, three, even four times. Not on my own merits but by being part of good blue grass groups and with the help of a certain well known left handed fiddle player. It is a wonderful venue put together by caring dedicated individuals . I loved playing there and enjoyed breathing in all the music and sounds of merriment.
The Tell Tale Cookie: Memories of eating a small average cookie at the Good Old Fashioned Blue Grass Festival.
Several years ago I was schedule to play Sunday morning with yet another configuration of The Fog Valley Drifters. Once again Rick would be singing and playing fiddle along with some other close bluegrass friends.
I made my way to Hollister early Saturday with hopes of seeing friends and catching up with Rick to go over our set list with the group. After touching base with Rick and the group we decided that we would hold a practice at 9 p.m. that night. We split up and left in separate directions to either play or watch the bands perform.
It was about 6 or so when I saw an old dear friend sitting on a huge quilt on the berm looking down on the stage. I stopped , sat down and we had a nice friendly chat. On this nice quilt were little piles of assorted finger foods, chips, fruit, cookies , etc. I got up to leave and I was offered to “take what I wanted.” Being the kind and respectful sort I grabbed one of the smallest cookies and bid my farewell.
My treat was gone in about three bites but that was OK. I was lazily walking through the audience when I spotted the young teen age son of one of our band members. He invited me over. I sat down and we began to chat. A group was introduced and we both directed our attention to the stage.
I have heard LONG songs before but not extended twenty minute versions of any blue grass song. This group was going to eat through their 45 minute set with one song. I looked around at the audience to see if other folks were as confused as me. All I saw were caricatures of people who twenty minutes before were real people. I was a bit confused.
I asked my young friend how long this opening number has been going on. He looked at his watch and said, “Brooks they came on at seven and it is about tow minutes past seven right now.” I let that sink in for a moment and then I realized what had happened. It was the cookie. It was dosed with some form of greenery, the kind that I was a bit familiar with back in the 60’s. What to do? Being dosed by accident is not funny unless your mind is wired like that. I know it would wear off in an hour or so but I had a practice to go to and I was not good at PWH (playing while high).
9 P.M. S L O W L Y crept up, appeared and loomed large as I tried to figure out why there were 4 strings on my bass and not six. We had the practice,I muddled through though my shire was drenched with nervous sweat and I was sure my band mates were all staring at me trying to figure out why I had that deer in the headlights look. I was too embarrassed to tell them. But I did tell Rick what had happened. He just smiled and shrugged and asked my I just didn’t tell him. I realized I should have confided in him.
To this day I do not know if my friend knew the cookies had an extra element in them. I don’t think my friend was the sort of person that would have done that.I should have gone back and asked my friend but I didn’t. i will never know because my friend moved out of state. All in all it made for an interesting evening..
Finally:
I said T-Knee for Texas
T-Knee for Tennessee
T-Knee for Texas,
T- Knee for Tennessee
I got a great big scar
Where my old knee used to be
Yes it has been two months and things are finally getting better. The wise ones have said that “pain is relative.” I would not for a second compare my pain to someone with heart, cancer, etc. issues but like the man said pain is relative. And you know if your relatives are causing you this much pain maybe it is time to seek new kin.
I have been taking a walk around the block the past few weeks say about a mile or so. Every time I walk out the door, Zoey gives me a “Where in the name of ALPO do you think YOU are going look.”You see the two of us enjoyed our 3 to 4 mile daily walk and Zoey has been stuck on the couch for the past two months. (along with me) Today was the day that we would once again become a team.
Zoey ran and retrieved her leash and collar, picked them up and placed them next to my well worn Sketchers. She watch patiently as I gingerly laced up the shoes.. I grabbed my cane and off we went. What a walk! Enjoyable, fun, and the fog of inactivity and despair was slowly lifted with each step. Zoey pranced about looking around at all the old familiar haunts.
After our first mile or so Zoey turned around and actually grinned at me. That is true.
Until Friday December 7:
Read a book, hug a child, pet a dog, stroke a cat, eat a bar of chocolate, and V O T E
Brooks