By Diane Sawdon
You are going to have to humor me. I have embarked on a serious stroll down Memory Lane this past month via music. It all started when we were on one of our many “clean and dump” days at my Mother’s home. She had one of those stereo systems dating from the early 1960s which was housed in a piece of furniture that was the size of a freight car. Did it work?? Of course not. It has not worked for years, but it filled up a large expanse of wall space. Besides, it was a gift to me for Christmas in 1960 or 1961. The year escapes me now, but it is what I found inside of it that was the real treasure~~~LPs~~~anyone out there remember those black, vinyl beauties?? Naively, we thought we could sell them on eBay, but a thorough search brought us face to face with the reality that each one was worth maybe two dollars. We ended up donating them to the local Hospice Gift and Thrift Store. Now comes the best part! My sweet husband knew I loved that old music and he searched cyberspace and found the music of Glen Yarbrough, The First Edition and The New Christy Minstrels. For my recent birthday, he present me with six CDs of this glorious (my opinion) music!
So began my walk of pleasure on a musical journey. One of my first impressions when listening to these old favorites of mine, was the clarity of the voices and the natural and unaffected lyrics. Many were songs of innocence and joy. These were almost sweet songs compared to the popular music of today. I am not making a value judgment on today’s pop music, but I will state that so much violence and ugliness is portrayed in what I hear when I dial around the air waves. I guess I am just getting old! At my age, innocence and joy are good things. The music offers me a respite from the stark reality of the news that is endlessly slapped in our faces on a daily basis by the media. I will continue to hum, “When The Honey Wind Blows.” Look it up, if you do not know what it is.
I have to share this because it was such a treat for me. As you know, if you read this now and then, I work at Prospector’s Nursery. We have many Senior Citizens as customers and one such lady came in this week to purchase some plants. By the lanyard she was wearing, we could tell she had been skiing. We asked her where she went skiing and she told us Boreal Ridge. Then she proceeded to tell us that she has not missed a skiing season in 75 years! Oh yes, she is 83 years old. What a pleasure to chat with such a vital woman. I hope she can go skiing for another ten years, at least.
One last ramble here and then I have to go get the mail. Today, the two Senior Citizens here at this house decided to move a Tricolor European Beech Tree. Take into consideration that this tree has been in the ground for over three years. Never underestimate the power of tenacious grey panthers!! The tree looks beautiful in the new location.
Enjoy the year’s shortest month.............
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