Friday 55 & Da Count-Music

Friday 55

Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso

People pass by me on the street, never daring eye contact. Occasionally, young lovers stop to twirl momentarily before they run along giggling. I close my eyes, gently hold the neck, and tenderly strum. I lean into the familiar curve as my fingers softly pluck the passionate song that reminds me of you, my love.

Da Count:

This week I am counting music. It soothes me when I am stressed and enlivens me when I am tired. It gives clarity where words fail. Before I was married I went through this 'get rid of worldy possessions' phase. Though there was merit in the exercise I figured out too late that it was exceedingly stupid of me to get rid of my records and cassettes. I needed them. When we were robbed the possession I nearly went bonkers without was the stereo.

I have a singing voice that could peel paint but I always sang to my kids when they were small. For Calypso, singing to her and holding her firmly were literally the only things I could do to get her to sleep as a baby. Just last week Diana, who is not generally given to expresions of tenderness, told me that when she was little and didn't know better she thought I had the most beautiful voice, now that she knows better it's beautiful because of the memories it gave her. I cried. I have wonderful memories of my grandfather and mother playing and singing to me when I was a child.

Isaac has started learning trombone so we have some very interesting noises around here, but his excitement makes those odd honks a joy. Diana and Calypso are full swing into marching band and loving it. I'll go to football games and ignore every second of the game but nobody better interupt me for the 6 minutes they march during halftime tonite.

One way or another, Janita and I are going to play my guitar again. Maybe not well, but well enough for me because I'd go crazy in a world without music.

Want to count along? Check the big green button in the side bar and see what other people are counting.

Update (11:45am): I just got back from a therapy re-evaluation and I have made progres in everything except wrist rotation (no suprise there since we backed off on that after last visit). The big gains were in strength which is a really good feeling...good enough to make me do my happy dance and sing 'Woohoo!' I find out on Tuesday if the hardware has to come out or not.

Update (9:45pm): Go check Insane Asylime for a very brief entry on the musical 'talent' my son displayed this evening.

Have a great weekend, everyone!