I thought that Chalkhead Nation needed to start Saturday with a little John Prine.
Today’s quote comes from one of his more popular songs, “Illegal Smile.” I don’t remember how I was introduced to the mailman from Maywood, Illinois, but after hearing that first song and listening to those lyrics, I was hooked.
I think chasing a rainbow can be easily summarized by watching a dog chase its tail. All that is accomplished is exhaustion and a losing proposition.
I’m going to bet most of the people that read the Chalkboard are familiar with John Prine. The rest of you will have a new favorite songwriter before supper.
Today is National Ghost Hunting Day. I have gone ghost hunting twice in my life.
The first time was with my Oldman during one of the first weekends he had visitation after my parents split up. So, what does he do with his sad faced son? He grabbed a sack of sliders from White Castle and drove us to Bachelor’s Grove cemetery. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in the fall. We walked around; I was scared shitless. We didn't see any specters, but I did leave with soggy socks.
The second time I went looking for ghosts was with my fiancé at the time, Terri. We got in the car and drove down Archer Avenue looking for Resurrection Mary. Again, it was a rainy Saturday afternoon in autumn just before dusk. We didn’t find the famous ghost, but we found a great pub that poured Guinness and Harp pints like liquid gold.
So, whether you are chasing rainbows or hunting ghosts today, do yourself a favor... put on some John Prine.
The last Saturday of September is going to feel like the first Saturday in July. The only difference, today has a longer shadow, you still might want to GoldBond those thighs.
Take that shadow for a walk because in just over a month, we set back the clocks and fall into the winter doldrums.
Go get that vitamin D, find some gusto and be astonished.
