It was a long hard day, kids.
It started when I banged my head on an open cabinet and it went downhill from there. There’s been nothing but sad news and heated words in this part of the world today – a day that I normally would have spent thinking of Memorial Day weekends past. As a kid, this meant cookouts in the backyard, of course, with beer-soaked brats on the grill. In my twenties, it meant trips to places like Assateague Island on the Eastern shore to feed apples to the wild horses and coolers overflowing with Woodchuck cider.
Now, of course, I live in a land far, far away that doesn’t celebrate this holiday, so it’s business as usual… Except it wasn’t today.
When life beats me blue like this, I need to cuddle up with some music. And Mr.Prine here has seen me through some mighty bad storms, as I’m sure has been the case with many others. After all, Johnny Cash is quoted as saying that he rarely listened to music on his farm unless he wanted some inspiration for song-writing, and he often chose John for that purpose. Bob Dylan thinks Prine writes “pure Proustian existentialism†– I don’t know about all that, but I know he’s one of those voices that can rock me like a baby. His songs make me feel like it’s alright to hurt sometimes because the next smile you have, the next hug you get, the next time you punch out a laugh, will feel that much sweeter.
It’s been a long Monday.
John Prine – Long Monday [Live]
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just now finding out about Tara Noble? shame on you. volumes one-thru-ten are here. you’ll be better for it.
T-i’m sorry to read about the state of your adopted nation and the heaviness of such unnecessary loss. There is too much sadness, unnecessary loss felt world round….I’ve been finding myself teary eyed. Turning on the radio for solace and finding very little to soothe these tender places. And so I thank you.Â
Prine was the cool breeze, the lemonade, the soft shaded spot and like you said ‘a lullabye’ on many a days and nights summer road tripping. From show to show taking the roads destination driven to make ends meet, cramped in vans too hot to move or talk, and sightseeing from the dashboard. I would fumble for the tape and stop for a listen going 85miles an hour. Listening to him live was always a pleasure time, but it was always the cassettes that soothed my weathered soul. I long lost those tapes and here you are reminding me to add some tracks to my listening device, while I’m at it I think I pull on some Jim Croce, too. Hugs to you, I hope only for the best. ~A Â Â
A Higs, thank you for your kind words. They are much appreciated. I bled like a Turk yesterday, believe you me. But John helped pull me through, like he always has. Thank you for sharing your JP memories with me. What a special somebody: he and you;) Hugs from far away. Sure wish I could see your smiley beautiful face. xo