On the way…

Envisioning comes more easily to me with a musical accompaniment. Here’s an ever-changing playlist built in anticipation of the climb. It’s music for beforehand, as we’re working our way up to working our way up. Later, our steps will lead us to the top and back again.

Why these songs?

Most of them came from the suggestions Spotify offers. Okay, well actually, most of the songs on this playlist come from rejecting those offerings.

Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush

Not quite running, even though it might feel like it.

I Like To Move It – will.i.am

Although some say they climb a mountain “because it’s there”, I think of this as continued motion that happens to include a lot of vertical movement.

Every Day I’m Shuffling – DJ Veyron

We will hear “pole pole” more than once before we get to the top. Might as well practice now.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens

We mave mixed feelings about seeing wildlife at the lower altitudes. I think we can agree that we hope to see them before they see us.

Everybody’s Got a Mountain to Climb – Allman Brothers Band

No, we didn’t choose every song with the word “mountain” in the title. This is an inspiring song. We can all use some inspiration. Listen to it.

It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll) – AC/DC

Another song about vertical displacement. Or something.

Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder

There are higher aspirations than reaching a certain elevation. Truly noble ones!

I Want To Take You Higher – Sly and The Family Stone

Because it’s the first 19,000 feet that are the toughest, and why set limits?

Celebration – Kool & The Gang

Are you surprised to see this here?

Haiku for COVID times

A neighbor invited many to offer some haiku for the times of the COVID-19 virus.

Here are some of mine.

Infectious laugh.
A lovely gliding boat ride.
One cough. Birds scatter!

Shining summertime.
Boats glide across the water.
But first, healthy masks.

Boat parties sound fun!
One bad, sudden cough erupts!
Long swim to dry shore.

Springtime flowers bloom.
The birds are happy this year.
Don’t they watch the news?

I choose healthy food,
Solid news sources, good friends.
Why carry ill will?

Extra time at home.
Time for those resolutions?
Maybe tomorrow.

Quarantine Haiku?
Westerners as Asian bards?
Let’s write limericks!

New word for the year
Epidemiologist.
Look ma! I can spell.

Cheap seats on airplanes?
Cruise ship discounts? Low rent inns?
Don’t pay in advance.

Eager shoppers beg.
Long-haired, long-nailed patrons plea.
Now? Are we there yet?

Fast reopening.
The early bird gets the bug.
I’m no canary.

Point right, left, East, West.
Blaming fingers miss the mark.
Focus on the bug.

Five, seven, five beats.
Are Haiku our heart’s rhythm?
Or just stutter poems?

Think outside the box.
Boundaries separate us.
We’re in the same boat.

Free ride on the lake?
Best to take a solo ride.
Not for me. No thanks.

 

History

Old enough to have used a typewriter, to know what a Magic Margin was and how to use it, and that’s about all you need to know.

typewriter magic margin courtesy Theen Moy under a Creative Commons License