Blip

All week I struggled to keep track of what day it was. As I sit here this evening, I’m still wrestling with it. Is tomorrow Saturday? Or Thursday? It almost feels like it was just Tuesday a moment ago and then – blip – here we are. Friday night. Part of my struggle, I know, stems from indulging my inner sloth.

I feel constrained to admit that, no, we did not take a walk today. Both of us were engaged in our usual responsibilities throughout the day as bright sunshine tried vainly but valiantly to persuade us that it wasn’t so bad out. Once the sun went down, though, the die was cast for sure. Neither Karl nor I even tried to muster the necessary ‘evening oomph’ we needed to goad, cajole, or otherwise entice the other to ‘strap up the hound’ and walk.

In fact, when I checked my weather app and saw that the wind chill was 9 degrees that sealed the deal. I knew one thing for sure: Wolf Moon or not, I was going to take a hard pass on walking under that cold-hearted orb that rules the night. (Ht to The Moody Blues; wink wink.)

Ah Yes

Of course, in searching for a link to give you to the above-referenced Days of Future Passed album, I started playing it in the background. Now I’m transported to my days as a 17 year old exchange student in Sweden. I remember one evening in particular. It was winter – probably a January night far colder than tonight – and I had the unique chance to listen to a friend’s album collection. They were away at college and I was able to just be by myself and listen deeply, feeling the feelings.

For whatever reason, I played this one over and over again. Perhaps it reminded me of a certain person I’d left back in the States, but maybe it also was a balm to my soul just listen to English and the poetry of the lyrics that spoke to my young heart.

The Moody Blues and Super Tramp. Those two groups made an indelible impression on me that year. They still do. I’m transported, just listening right now…

“Just what you want to be, you’ll be in the end.”

(T-301)