On Sunday, Terri Webster Schrandt (Second Wind Leisure) asked if the last few weeks of staying at home have awakened us to either an interest in something new or revitalized an old one. I had to think about that one because I have managed to avoid boredom by doing more of the same things I do regularly.
I exercise every day now instead of just a few days a week and have pulled out the bicycle after more than a year of letting it sit idle. I’ve had the opportunity to spend more time with my camera and learning to use some of the editing software I purchased years ago. Cooking has always been an interest of mine, but I’m doing more of it now that I have discovered some excellent one-skillet meals. I go to Sunday School on Zoom. There’s nothing new about any of the above, just more of most items on the list.
However, there is one rekindled interest that I can add to the list…listening to music. I find that before bedtime and after Helen and I have binge-watched another season of Bosch on Amazon Prime Video, I can’t bear to turn on the late newscast for another session of all-COVID, all-the-time. So, I turn to the music listings on my Dish Network service and search for Lucille, the Blues channel and use the music to accompany the remnants of a good Cabernet in the bottom of my wineglass and a square of dark chocolate in my hand. I love Blues and Blues musicians. Something in the music speaks to the soul, and especially so in the times we’re facing.
I don’t have any current pictures to illustrate the art. Still, a few years back, Helen and I attended the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a Blues celebration held every year, which honors the late W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues” composer who lived there. I have a picture (top of page) that I love from one session we attended in a smoke-filled Juke Joint. I think of this place in my late-night listening sessions.
A few years later, I attended a Sunday afternoon Blues concert and wrote a post about it. I have a link to the post here and have shared a few of the pictures from that post. There is a link to the Easin’ Along YouTube page in that post that will give readers a feel for the flavor of this fun-filled afternoon.
I won’t linger on this short post, but in response to Terri’s question, this is one awakening that I hope to continue when the COVID cloud lifts. Maybe I’ll learn to play the harmonica while I’m Easin’ Along.
My wife and I are members of the SMBS. We are also the treasure. If you have never gone on one of our Sunday Blues Cruise adventures on the Star of Knoxville you should. They are postponed at least through May. We hope to be back in June but who knows at this point. Check who we might be having @ http://www.smokymountainblues.org We also put on several shows at Blueticks in Maryville the old Barleys.
Howell,
I have not gone on one of the cruises, but I will. I really love the blues and should attend more of the events. Dale Akins is a friend of mine and I know he is involved in some way. Thanks for sending the link, I’ll check it out! Joe
Good luck with that harmonica, I fiddled with one for awhile. Between my lack of patience and a sore mouth, I threw in the towel.
Blues is dynamite, your blog, as usual is spot on.
Good afternoon, Mike,
I have almost no patience, but I love harmonica music. Maybe I should just listen and leave the instrument alone. Thanks for checking in. Joe
Sounds like you are beating the blues with the Blues, Joe! Music does so much for our souls and unites us in times of need. A few years ago, another blogger introduced me to Spotify, an app for music (free of paid). You can create your own playlists and stream, or with the premium version, download to a device and play without using data. We love this for our road trips. I had satellite radio for a few years but they kept raising prices and deleting the good stations! I left that service for Spotify. I can’t stand all the commercials on the radio. Glad you found a new interest and are choosing your own joy!
Terri,
Thanks again for asking! I don’t have one shred of musical talent, therefore, I can appreciate it when it is done well. What I love most about the Blues is that it is music that I can “feel”. I also love bluegrass and Bluegrass gospel. On Sunday mornings I drive to early church with the Bluegrass channel on Sirius blaring out the old hymns and I miss that right now. Have a great week. Looking forward to the next challenge.
What a wonderful awakening! I hope that this continues once we go on to our ‘new normal’. I’ll be following to find out!
Good morning, Donna,
Isn’t it wonderful when an unexpected pleasure comes from something so overwhelming as this challenge we’re in right now. The Blues have been my lagniappe during all of this. We love having you along with us, Donna. Stay safe. Joe
Joe, I’ve been enjoying music again also. I use the Pandora app with a pair of ear buds during my morning run to get going. Heart, Stevi Nicks, Pat Benatar, all the good rocker chicks! Late afternoon is for chillin’ with Yanni. It’s funny you mentioned that things are the same as usual, just more. That is exactly how it is for us. I never realized how much time is taken up with running errands and such and how little time we devoted to the good stuff.
Good afternoon, Suzanne,
I envy the fact that you can still run. A new hip and a new knee put an end to my morning runs. I walk now and, like you, listen to music. Hope your beaches are open and you are able to stroll them with your camera. Stay in touch and stay safe out there. Joe