Maybe I'd a done some good in the world...

A coworker recently said something along the lines of "I just want to do good things for people & get paid well for it". I think there's both an oxymoron & some truth to that statement. The oxymoron comes from the fact that I half believe that a good deed is one that doesn't get rewarded. The truth comes from the fact that I believe it's what just about everybody in the world is looking for. Selling paint isn't the most rewarding of occupations at the moment, if it ever was. I have a job, though, so I shouldn't complain. But I do, 'cause I can.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

The Pick-Up-Sufjan Stevens, The Avalanche

Ring Them Bells-Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs

This song has been in constant rotation lately. On the way home from Detroit the other day, I posed the question to Christie, what is the difference between two people's brains that makes one of them think this is brilliant & the other to think it's crap?

"they're breaking down the difference between right & wrong"



Stop Breaking Down-Robert Johnson

"this stuff I got's gonna bust your brains out, gonna make you lose your mind"





Frankie & Albert-Mississippi John Hurt



We Call Upon the Auther-Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Dig! Lazarus Dig!

Happy Wednesday, friends...

andrew

The sun gets passed from tree to tree...

Happy birthday, old man! I'm not sure if you read these things or not. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. It's better to talk to people in person. I don't think it was a coincidence that they had a John Deere tractor at the church pumpkin sale yesterday. One of the really nice couples at church were giving hayrides through Duncan's Woods (not that Duncan). The man restored a 1947 John Deere he got from his in-laws & now he gives rides to people buying pumpkins every Saturday & Sunday & to senior citizens. I can't help but think that you two would make good friends, his name is Bill, & he was the janitor at St John's for a long time before he retired a couple of years ago. It was a great unexpected ride through the woods, even though Christie was a little embarrassed to be riding on a hay ride with a bunch of little kids.

You gave us alot of memories in the fall. I especially remember that cart that you made out of those big old iron wheels that we used to take the leaves from the yard out to the woods. Every year you'd tell me stories about how big a deal it was when pheasant season came around & it sounded like the most wonderful thing. I sure am glad you used to take me out to the farm on Saturday's to work. I'm not sure I appreciated it then, but I sure do now. Anyway, we'll miss you today & we love you.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Muzzle of Bees-Wilco, A Ghost is Born

Freight Train Blues-Elizabeth Cotten



Mama, Your Papa Loves You-Elizabeth Cotten



Screen Door-Uncle Tupelo, No Depression

When I Get Home-Elizabeth Cotten

Happy Sunday, friends...

andrew

Sittin' on Top of the World

Well, Winston, it's just you & me. Christie has class & is hanging out with a friend tonight so I'm left to fend for myself. Winston & I decided to take a drive to see Mike's new roof, I just realized that I should've taken a picture of it, but since I don't have before & after pictures it probably wouldn't do it justice. He did a good job, it almost looks like a brand new place.

I don't know what it is about the fall that turns me into a big sissy, but I get all giddy about seeing the town & my neighborhood in a whole new spectrum of colors. The colder weather makes me want to get outside that much more, believe it or not. Everything seems more, I don't know, well preserved. Winston is an excellent riding companion. He sits contentedly, not leaving his seat except to put his paws on the side of the door to look out the window. Tonight, we rode like kings.

So, greetings from our little corner of Grand Haven on a beautiful fall evening.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Sitting on Top of the World-Bob Dylan, Good as I Been to You

Sunset Soon Forgotten-Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days

Each Coming Night-Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days

Love & Some Verses-Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days

Flightless Bird, American Mouth-Iron & Wine, The Shepherd's Dog

Happy Thursday, friends...

andrew

Something's Burning Baby

Christie & I had a wedding to go to on Saturday in my old neighborhood in Grand Rapids. On my way there I saw a house on fire on Lake Michigan Drive, it was fully engulfed in flames. The fire trucks were there & about 15 cars sat by & watched. I wish I could've stopped to take a picture but I would've been late for the wedding.

On my way home (Christie was in the wedding so I was by myself), I stopped by the old house on Valley. It looks to be vacant & there's a for sale sign in the big front window. I always regret not having the time or the money to fix the place up proper. I always thought that if I had $10,000 & a couple more years I could've turned it into a great little house. If if's & buts were candy & nuts we'd all have a wonderful Christmas. The place looked to be in poor shape. Not that it was great when I left it but the yard was in good condition.

On the way back to Grand Haven, I stopped by to see what the burning house looked like. All that was left was the chimney, everything else had burned to the ground.



I don't know what these things have to do with each other, but it got me to thinking. Our culture is very obsessed with newer, bigger & better things. Perhaps one good thing that could come out of this economic mess we're in is that people will start to appreciate the things they have rather than always wanting something new. I'm a hypocrite, however, because after I realized I didn't have the time, money or skills to fix up an old place, I bought a brand new condo that requires absolutely no maintenance.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Red River Shore-Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs

32-20 Blues-Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs

Keep an Eye on Other's Gain-Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen

This Heart's on Fire-Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary

Happy Sunday, friends...

andrew