Volume 16 , Issue 5

NW Okie's Journey

February is upon us! Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and we are all experiencing a bit of chilly weather this New Year. But ... As the Power of Song reminds us, We Shall Overcome! AND ... "in no time will there be a longing for the cool days of Winter as Spring and Summer slowly approach.

I just completed week one of my post-masectomy physical therapy for my shoulder issues. I am slowly getting the right arm, shoulder back on track. Besides doing my arm, shoulder exercises, I have been Learning, practicing and strumming keys on my mandolin. No recognizable songs, though. Not yet, anyway. Now . . . laughing out loud . . . can I teach this old white girl rhythm and blues? I only hope there is enough hope to achieve that challenging venture?

The mandolin fingering is slow for this old girl who knows nothing about music or even rhythm for that matter. But the arm, shoulder exercises are advancing nicely. I can now reach behind my right side and touch my right hind cheek to some extent.

I am determined that I shall overcome all things new, challenging, and move forward.

With the passing of a great activist, musician and a person who got us involved with the Power of Song, I only hope that I can live as long and be active as Pete Seeger. Seeger was unjustly crucified during the 1950's with the McCarthyism movement that swept across America back then. Seeger, Woody Guthrie and the Almanac Singers influenced many of our songwriters and folk singers that followed afterwards. I am particularly remembering the Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul & Mary; Joan Biaz; Bob Dylan; The Weavers; and the Almanac Singers. Remember the Hootenanny days?

Perhaps I can learn enough about music, the mandolin and the banjo to keep the music of Seeger, Guthrie, Almanac Singers and others alive throughout the present into the future. This is a tough challenge for this NW Okie.

Good Night, Good Luck & We Shall Overcome!   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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