I had the opportunity tonight to chat with an dear old friend with whom I haven’t spoken in probably two years. He and I have diverged considerable in how we view the world, particular with regards the Covid phenomenon. But all that notwithstanding, there’s still that bond of a shared history that transcends political and social differences. The ideological chasm wasn’t his fault, but entirely my own… I zigged off on my own path whilst he zagged with the majority. It happens… probably more so for me than most people, as I have an increasingly difficult time keeping in step with the world. We pick up the conversation just as my friend was saying that while we may disagree on some things, we’ll always be buddies, and asking how wifey and I were dealing with the lockdown:
It’s OK, I find that most people don’t see things the way I do. I’m also highly skeptical of virtually everything I hear, so when it comes to the general response to the virus, I find myself the contrarian everywhere I turn. That’s fine by me.,.. someone has to do it.
Yeah, we’re weathering the storm — the lockdown pretty much destroyed my business, but Rhonda’s work survived just fine, though she has been challenged by all the changes. As for me, I’ve barely touched a guitar since March 13 (my last gig), and to be honest I don’t miss it. Even though it’s the one thing I’m truly good at, I’ve grown tired of all the drama dealing with bands, venues and the general insanity of the biz. Fifty years is enough, and it could well be that my days as a live performer are over.
If I return to music at all, it will likely be strictly solo in my studio, recording and making videos, and that really just to leave behind some documentation that my music once resounded in this world at all… a sort of aural breadcrumb trail. We’ll see… I’m waiting to feel some inspiration, but the longer I refuse to play (and it is a quite conscious, intentional refusal on my part), the less likely I’ll ever pick it up again. I feel oddly okay with the prospect of retirement.
In the meantime, I’ve been responsibly socially distancing myself up on Taterbug Hill, spending my days gardening (including building a small orchard of fruit trees), landscaping, carpentering, and taking care of my duties as president of the Greenbriar Lake Owners Association. I’ve been working harder physically than I have in many years, and happily dropped probably 20 lbs. After my yard work is done, I sit down at the Mac to face a browser peppered with YouTube tabs as I teach myself the ins and outs of growing things. Had no idea there were so many things to learn about tomatoes. lol
So yeah, it’s definitely a new chapter in life, one I probably would not have entered were it not for the deranged hysteria of the world around me. I worry some about the downward spiral of the America I knew and loved, but then, these days were foretold, and I’ve been expecting them for decades. I just had no idea what a perfect storm it would be.
Historically, every great empire developed, flourished, declined, spoiled and died in roughly two centuries. America has lasted longer than most, by the grace of God, befitting the great country it is. But I still hold out hope that we can yet right our ship, and regain much of what we have lost in this mad march toward “progressivism”. To me there is nothing progressive about it, rather a precipitous regression into the same old bankrupt political theories which have destroyed lesser nations time and time again.
While I suppose I’m a natural hermit, I still miss the good camaraderie of old friends such as yourself. So I will raise my glass and toast you, my friend, and the day when we can put this insanity behind us and carry on as God intended. 🍷😎👍🏼
