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| Last photo of Johnny Cash, age 71, taken by Marty Stuart. |
Welcome back to our final session for the month, today being
Monday, September 30, 2019. We watched most of, if not all, the episodes of the recently concluded 16 hour documentary on Country Music, by the famous historian Ken Burns, on PBS. I'm sure this series will end up being recognized with all kinds of awards. It was well done. The production values were amazing. The history itself was gritty and gripping. We would probably put Gospel music at the top of our list and it is a mainstay in the named country Gospel genre. We are fans of Bluegrass. We like some country music as well. That photo taken of Johnny Cash was captured on September 8, 2003. Four days later Cash passed away at age 71. As depicted in the documentary, he earned that hard-edged image through the many ups and downs in his music career. At the end of his life, he lamented the time lost with his children and he wrote them letters asking for their forgiveness. Sadly, his story of what it takes to 'make it' in the music business continues today. While there are a few notable exceptions, becoming famous takes its toll. An interesting side note: Many, if not most, of those in this genre, came up learning to sing in Church where they and their families worshipped and served the Lord. I would highly recommend this documentary to anyone, even those who may not care for country music. It is, after all, American inspired music, our music, and it collects and contains the history of our people.
The other day I dutifully carried my pickup truck to the place that changes the oil and checks everything out. It has a carwash connected to the oil change center and the service comes with a free carwash. (I know, my wife reminded me there are no free carwashes.) Let me restate it, the service includes a carwash. Once the oil change was completed they passed the truck over to the folks who prep it and then send it through the automated washing process. Once it comes out, it is taken to an individual who wipes it down and takes care of the minor amount of detailing they do. On that particular day, my truck was passed to a little old lady, maybe 4 feet tall. She had to have been in her mid-60's, Hispanic, and what a worker! She had a little step ladder and she was all over my truck, busy as a bee, and she wiped down and cleaned places I've never seen them do before. She was something to behold! When she waved her little towel to signal my truck was ready I went out to get it. I gave her a tip and one of my Santa souvenir cards, and then I stuck out my hand to shake her hand and told her, "Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful job!" Her eyes lit up and she painted a huge smile which included a few missing teeth. Maybe she was new and had not gotten the message about doing the minimum. Don't you appreciate folks who go the second mile? I do.
I suppose there are bridges we eventually all have to cross over. We crossed one last Thursday when we attended our Bible study class game time at a local pizza joint. I don't know what the average age is in our class of about 40 regular attendees, but, we are some of the youngest in there. They have been pushing us to show up for the past couple of years and we finally made it. I am not a game player. The wife would be more of one than I am. I used to play games like Gin Rummy and Chess, but, that was a long time ago. I suppose this game day affair is the Baptist equivalent of the Catholic Bingo games for old people. We love the fellowship of being with these folks. I'm still working through my understanding of what this transition might mean in terms of me becoming stereotypical. We had a wonderful time and it's good to hear so much laughter and joy being expressed. I have been practicing hiking my trousers even higher up since I think that is part of the dress code as I continue my journey. You do know I am kidding. What? You noticed? Wait just a cotton-picking minute! I see. You are making a little funny at my expense. Go ahead. I've become an easy target these days. Have a good rest of the day and may God bless each one.
Amen. .....More later.
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