The old years are tied to the new years. They carry forward pictures, memories and, most of all, music. The albums from which these songs came were with me in Ghana. They are bright in my memory drawers. They are deserted island music, heart music. They were cassettes which didn’t handle humidity well. I’d have to bang them against a table or rewind by hand with my Bic pen, but they lasted. I listened just about every night. I never tire of these albums, of these songs.
Leaving on a Jet Plane: Peter, Paul and Mary
Posted December 30, 2024 by katryCategories: Uncategorized
When I went back to Ghana after 40 years, my students, on my last night visiting where I had lived and taught, sang this song for me. They called it Miss Ryan’s song and said they had been singing it all these years when they get together for events like weddings and reunions. They had learned it from my playing it so often.
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
Posted December 30, 2024 by katryCategories: Musings
The rain started last night. It was loud on the roof, a sound I love. This morning the rain was light, almost misty at times, but had since gotten a bit heavier. It will be around most of the day. I was surprised when I let the dogs out at how warm it is, 50°. I do need dry dog food and dog biscuits, but I haven’t decided whether to go today or tomorrow.
When I was a kid, the tree was lit every night after Christmas through New Year’s. The smell of pine filled all of downstairs, but I knew, after New Year’s Day, the tree was doomed, destined for the trash heap. My mother thoughtfully waited until we were back in school before she undressed the tree, before she took down the ornaments and lights. It was a shock to come home to an unlit, undecorated tree standing against the wall. I remember how dark the living room looked and how naked the corner was after my father unceremoniously dumped the tree in the trash outside. I have a picture in my head of the first trash day of the new year. Trees leaned on trash cans up and down the street. Icicles blew in the wind. I felt sad.
Growing up, I never understood the hype around the new year. For me, it was the last day of vacation, not a day to celebrated. Once back in school, I had to remember to put the new year’s date on my papers. It took a few days to shake off the old year.
I don’t celebrate the new year now. I sort of just let it happen. I’ll turn a year older. My head won’t notice but my body will. I used to haul in 50 pounds of cat litter. Now I drag in 20 pounds. I always think I can do what I used to do but I can’t, but that’s okay. I get another year of trying.
Let it Snow! Let It Snow!: Connie Boswell. Russ Morgan
Posted December 29, 2024 by katryCategories: Video
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