Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Keep Me In Your Heart For a While

I just heard "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon.  I've always loved that song.  It reminded me of a very special friend of mine from high school.

Tim Brown was from upstate New York not far from Buffalo and moved to our tiny Ohio town during my sophomore year.  We all called him New York.

At first annoying, Tim became one of my very best friends.  I loved him dearly.  He was one of the very few I kept in contact with over the years.  But even that was sporadic.  It would come and go in spurts.  Years of nothing interrupted occasionally by a month or so of letters, phone calls, and emails.

During our last splash of emails a couple of years ago, Tim turned me on to another incredible song by Warren Zevon.  I'd never heard it, though I had loved most of the stuff I'd heard on the radio decades earlier.  You know, "Werewolves of  London", "Lawyers, Guns, and Money", and "Excitable Boy".

All good stuff, but nothing as hauntingly beautiful as "Keep Me In Your Heart for a While".

Turns out it was an incredibly gifted dying man's farewell song.

My friend hanged himself not long after our "last splash of emails".  I found out through another high school friend whose wife happened to work with Tim's younger sister.

What a tragedy !!!!

You are in my heart, Tim.  I will keep you there for more than a while ...

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ugh! I Am So Sick !!!!

I felt it coming on yesterday morning: scratchy throat, head ache, sniffles, cough, and an overall tired feeling. 

I would have gone home from work early.  But I had too much to do.  I would have stayed home from work today.  But I had too much to do.

I wish I could go home right now.  But I have too much to do.  And after work I have to umpire a couple of baseball games.

Ugh !!!

Oh, and my knees hurt, too.

Where do I make reservations for my pity party ????

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Negative Assumptions

How is it that people who should know better of you are so quick to assume the worst about your motivations?

How is it that you pour your heart out - your whole life out - to and for others, then their first thought when you hit a bump in the road is that you wish them harm?

How Can That Be ???

How can it be that someone for whom you have faught tirelessly instantly assumes you've never been there for them?

How Can That Be ???

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Patty Griffin

Patty Griffin is an incredible artist. I can't begin to express how much I appreciate her amazing talents.

The emotion and soul of her sound alone haunts me. Then a lyric here or a line there piques my heart. I listen more closely. Then I find the full lyrics and read while I listen.

And I'm blown away !!!

Do that with these songs.
Just listen.
Then listen a little more closely.
Then find the lyrics and read while you listen.

See if you don't become a fan, too!

Forgiveness
When It Don't Come Easy
Every Little Bit
Let Him Fly
Long Ride Home
Be Careful
No Bad News
Tony
Stay on the Ride

There are so many more...

Check out Patty Griffin. I promise you won't be sorry.

:-)