New Music

I love music. No, that doesn’t include every genre. Hip-hop is one that I don’t understand; neither am I a fan of opera. Otherwise, I’ll lend an ear to music, at least for a song or two. My life can be traced through the songs that were playing at any point in time. When television offers nothing on the hundreds of channels and streaming services, a visit to You Tube to listen to “one hit wonders” from several years ago is just the right activity.  

My iPhone contains a partial library of songs I enjoy. Many of them played on the radio during my teen years. Others were popular when I attended college, met Amy, and fell head-over-heels in love. Yes, some remind me of the times when Lacey and Dallas were young and as we tried to figure out how to be everywhere at the same time.  

A simple song can light up my face with the playing the first couple of notes. The song “39-21-40 Shape” is humorous simply because of the numbers, but I smile as that song takes me back to being a high school freshman who sat in a garage and listened to the neighborhood kids work on their set lists. By my senior year, Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears became my favorites. Sprinkled in were other such classics as “Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “My Girl.”  

Instead of “my life being measured out in coffee,” it’s been set in motion with 4/4 or 3/4 times. I never was a listener to only one genre of music. I liked the early Beatles stuff, but I also stayed true to Elvis. At some point, rock music strayed into the “strange   phase” just a bit too much for me, and I became a country fan. To this day, I like artists who have that unique sound that mixes twang with lyrics about broken hearts or muddy water and bar rooms. 

I celebrated another birthday not long ago, and since then, I’ve been feeling old. Many people would quickly agree that I am a senior citizen, and that’s all right. The benefits of being freed from conventions and appropriate behavior works just fine for me. The problem with getting old is that I don’t seem to be able to find any new music. Of course, I’m speaking metaphorically. All I hear are the same things from a lifetime of good and bad times.  

We of the Baby Boom generation still take up plenty of space on this planet, but in so many ways were “stuck in the mud” of what used to be. Our only hope is to find new things to try. My woodworking hobby has been a blessing, although I’ve managed to cut off one finger, and still struggle to saw a straight line or align pieces of projects.  

My golf game has progressed slightly. Being unable to swing hard has actually improved my game as shots tend to go in the general direction I am aiming. Golf is a young man’s sport. I watched brother Jim’s grandson crush balls that resembled homeruns in ballparks. I like the game of golf; however, I know the day after I’ll be reaching for the Ben Gay and swallowing a handful of Tylenol. 

Many people would suggest I just sit back and enjoy my golden years. That’s not something I can do. The old adage is that when an old man sits down, he is marking time until the end comes. Besides, I am too easily bored to sit around all day. Amy swears I am always piddling to keep from spending time with her, but that’s not true. I want to keep moving as long as my old body allows me.  

For several years, I’ve visited a workout facilty at least a couple of times each week. Even though I hate weight-training, I hate being sedentary more. Last week, I managed to in some way pull, strain, rupture, or break something. My gym days are on hold as my body tries to fix what is out of whack. I’m hoping that comes sooner than later because an old guy like me can put on the pounds quickly.  

I’ve always enjoyed new music. As the years pass, my ear turns more toward religious songs. Old hymns are wonderful, and new some new songs also bring comfort and enjoyment. Heck, I’ve even sung a couple of solos at church. They aren’t spectacular, but I made it through them without anyone running for the doors or God sending an angry bolt of lightning at me to shut me up. Maybe I am finding a couple of new types of music in this remaining time on earth.  

I hope all are able to enjoy the music that fills their stories on this earth. I also hope folks will find new music that excites them and gives them the energy to push on through. Live hard now! Hear new melodies in the waning years of life.  We will have plenty of time to rest before long.  

Three Keys for Survival

Well, another birthday has come and gone, and life is back to normal. The rain has made the month of May a soppy time, and most of us are doing our best to stay ahead of the growing grass. For the most part, I’ve had plenty of time to sit on the screened porch or in the basement where I watch You Tube or take risks to make things without cutting off another finger.  

If a person were to visit our country for the first time, he would be struck by how plentiful things are. He’d also detect and uneasiness among the population. For the last few years, the greatest country in the world has struggled to find its footing and determine its mission. Factions argue and battle others; most of the time the disagreements occur in dialogue. Only a small fraction of folks have resorted to the use of weapons to settle arguments. For that we can be thankful. 

Sometimes, actually, most of the time, I’m slow to pick up things. My studying of modern American society had uncovered several truths. While they aren’t earthshaking revelations, these things have cleared many points for me.  

We are a divided nation. The divisions include breaks between political parties, religious sects, and races. Other chasms exist, but they are for another day’s discussion. Right here are enough to ponder for days.  

The most obvious divide is the one between political parties. For years, elected representatives were able to hold different points of view. They battled for their sides of arguments, but when the day was over, members of both parties became friends once again. They were able to break bread and share amenable conversations.  

These days, speaking to a member of the other party leads to questions about loyalty to party and its agenda. The line can’t be crossed; the other side is the enemy. Compromise is out of the question.  

For years, religion has fueled a steady distrust. Conservatives don’t associate with more liberal groups. One side declares that the other is bound for hell because its beliefs are so much against God. The fact is that those beliefs are against the group itself, not against the good lord. Most religious sects are intent on worshipping God, the entity that guides, guards, and directs us. We have different interpretations of what God’s words say, but that should never cause us to break the very commandments that God has given. The heart is the place where a person’s true connection with a Creator exists. We have no right to judge whether an individual’s beliefs are right or wrong. Fighting among all faiths is the antithesis of God’s plan.  

As for race, it’s become clear to me that our quarrels aren’t about skin color. Instead, our battles arise over disputes about cultures. We expect others to act like us, hold in esteem the same things, and to abide by the same rules. When folks from other countries or races don’t accept our rules for acceptable behavior, at are riled up. “How dare those people refuse to follow our lead,” we complain.  

I’m not sure if our great country can survive the changes that are coming in these areas. Yes, it is true that for the U.S.A. to remain a great country those who come to our land learn the language and accept the rules of the culture. They can stir in bits of their former culture to make the life blood of this nation richer.  

 We must set aside the hateful thoughts and actions that exist today. Only through give and take can we possibly survive in this world. Loving and accepting hearts will give us the ingredients for continued success. Otherwise, we will be another great country that lies buried in the dust of history. 

Fifty Year Reunion

In 1970, I graduated from Karns High School. Four years later, I received a B.S. degree from my favorite university, Tennessee Tech. Those who are trained in the simple mathematical operations can quickly see that both of these graduations occurred over 50 years ago.  

My teaching career began in 1974 when Mildred Doyle saved me an offered me a job at Doyle High School for the coming year. This job materialized only a few days before the school year was to begin, and I’ve always been thankful for the ways things turned out.  

A few years into my career, I realized that living on a teacher’s salary would put a financial strain on my family, so I left the teaching ranks in February and began a job as a fund raiser who recruited schools to use subscriptions to raise cash. The idea seemed to be a solid one that helped both schools and me. As it turned out, I felt guilty sending small children out to sell items to their families, friends, and neighbors. I spent small fortunes on rewards for sales by students until I just couldn’t take it anymore.  

I left the company and found a new position as an engineering recruiter (“head hunter”) and part time job director for Dunhill. My skills of persuasion were weak, so convincing engineers to pick up their lives and move to another state or city only happened a couple of times. Heading the light industrial division of part time jobs drove me nuts. Too often, people failed to show up at jobs, and that left me hustling to find a replacement before shifts started.   

This week, I was scrolling through Facebook and came across an interesting post. Pam Ketron Greer posted a list of names of former Doyle classmates. As it turns out, this class is having a special reunion. The class of 1975 will gather to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Congratulations to you. 

This bunch is the first graduating class from my teaching career. They broke me in as a teacher and yanked my chain as a rookie in the classroom. In those days, paddling was still allowed, and I applied a board to a few behinds.  

Most of all, I remember how special those students were. The oldest one was the same age as my wife. Others had personalities so large that I couldn’t help but love them. A few didn’t like me one bit, and I don’t blame them. They were looking for ways to graduate and get on with life, and I was still “wet behind the ears” as I choked them with writing compositions while using correct grammar. One boy did nothing for the entire second semester, and his parents brought a lawyer to school with the threat of suing me if I didn’t pass him. Their plan failed. 

So, I’ve invited myself to this big event if and when it happens. Thank you, Pam, for saying it would be all right if I attended. I want to see what’s become of the first graduating class of my career. My one mistake was not buying a yearbook because I don’t remember names as well as I used to. Those of you whom I see, be kind and patient if I don’t recognize you. I can’t wait to meet again and catch up on the last 50 years. Just understand that I might not recognize you, nor might you recognize me. By the way, thank you for the best first year of teaching that anyone ever could have had. Go Doyle High Pioneers! 

Old People Advice for Graduates

It’s that time of year again: graduation. Knoxville businesses look forward to this event each year because grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and close friends invade the area to watch special young people walk across the stage to receive high school or college diplomas.  

The graduates are astir with the excitement that comes with completing an education or moving to the next level. Parties are thrown, plenty of alcohol is shared, and tears are shed. Most realize that the end of high school or college marks the ends of many relationships that have existed for years, However, time marches on, and individuals heed the calls to begin careers or earn high degrees. Those new adventures take young folks to different settings where they will make new friends; few of the people with whom they shared education-filled years will become close friends. In fact, most of those classmates will never be seen again. 

For those graduates, I want to share some truths. Many might have heard them before, but if I can shed light on the coming years for just one person, I will have succeeded. First, forget the thoughts you had about making “big bucks” in your first new job. As a “newbie,” you are at the bottom of the ladder. You’ll receive a salary commiserate with your experience. Usually, the number is far less than the one of which you dreamed.  

You won’t be the CEO or manager at work on the first day. You will have and entry level position that is filled with hours of training and seemingly-insignificant tasks.  Here’s a hint; all these things are what new workers must do until they can prove themselves worthy of more responsibilities. Work is a means to an end: you give your time and efforts and receive payment. No, it’s not necessarily fun. That’s why folks call it work. 

Because you didn’t start out making hundreds of thousands of dollars, your life will need a budget. Bills will come in each month, and you must pay them. If you don’t, your utilities will be turned off, your Internet will stop working, and your belongings will be removed from your residence and placed on the sidewalk. No longer can you blow through money because you just don’t have enough to do so. 

Don’t trick yourself into thinking that a credit card will cure financial problems. Those companies love for you to add stuff to that total for which they bill you each month and on which they pile a huge interest payment. At this point in life, let life be guided by the thought, “If I can’t pay cash for it, I won’t buy it.” Yes, denying yourself of a treat is nice, but it’s not what responsible adults do if they want to stay solvent.  

Responsibility becomes a reality, and it sucks. You have them in your financial life; they are with you at work each day. Friends and family also become part of your grown-up lives. Plenty of days you’ll find yourself wishing for just a little bit of free time with no one or nothing to satisfy.  

Sometimes you might have to work overtime. Don’t refuse to do so because it’s another test. The money from it might also help out your cash-strapped predicament. Realize that staying home and working or just sitting is sometimes the best choice to make.  

From your graduation day onward, you’re now an adult. Your success in life sits squarely in your hands. You can’t blame anyone else for the mistakes or incorrect decisions you make. Own up to them. Put on your big person panties and dive into adulthood. Learn to enjoy what is in front of you. Be thankful that you live in the greatest country in the world and work your hardest to make it an even better place. We old folks have the benefit of hindsight, which is always 20-20. However, we give you advice about life because we’ve lived it and made the poor choice and mistakes already. Our goal is not to tell you what to do but to guide you around those things as much as possible. We are incredibly proud of your achievements, and we leave you a world of good and bad. Let’s see how you handle it.