Archives for December 2019

AULD LANG SYNE

December 31, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

AULD LANG SYNE

What will you be doing at twelve o’clock on this New Year’s Eve 2019?

“I mean should old acquaintances be forgotten? Does it mean that we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot?”

(Billy Crystal, “When Harry Met Sally”)

Image result for picture of billy crstand and meg ryan

The song we have come to associate with the ending of a year and the beginning of a new year is “Auld Lang Syne.” It had its beginnings from a poem written in 1788 by a Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It is one of the most often sung songs by English speaking people throughout the world for years. This song was first played in 1929 at the Roosevelt Hotel and later at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. I’m just old enough to remember hearing that song on New Year’s Eve on our family radio. No, not television, radio.

Image result for picture of the poet robert burns and auld lang syne

“Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind”

Should old acquaintance be forget

,and days of o’lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

for days of o’lang syne.”

Billy Crystal is one of my favorite comedians, actors and writers. To Billy and everyone else, let me answer your question. No, old acquaintance, old friends, old happenings, old times and old places they should never be forgotten.

Yesterday I made it a point to leave my coffee place and drive to the grave site of an old friend. I don’t know if people know when you visit their grave (I’d like to believe so) but I just want those folks and to also always remind myself, they are not forgotten.

So on this December 31st, 2019, before the New Year has broken I can assure you, you are not forgotten, as well as others from my past. I wish you the best in 2020. Can you believe we are saying that “2020.?”

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Always and not just at New Year’s Eve may old acquaintance always be remembered and often brought to mind.

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December 31st, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE?

December 30, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE?

2020 happy new year glowing gold background - vector illustration .image

There are many songs that reference Christmas but not as many that reference New Year’s Eve.

The first time I heard the song was New Year’s Eve 1958 riding in the back seat of my good friend’s 1956 Chevy Convertible. It was just a few minutes before midnight and the disc-jockey on WBOW (Terre Haute, Indiana) came on “Now here’s a song by Sonny Till and the Orioles asking the question that is very appropriate this evening: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve. This song goes out for all you guys and gals out there listen’ tonight.” Something straight out of Wolfman Jack radio. By the way AM radio as no FM at this time.

Image result for picture of sonny til and the orioles

Image result for picture of henri's drive in in terre haute indiana

Image result for picture of life in the 1950s in terre haute indiana

The song was written in 1947 and first recorded by Margaret Whiting. Since it has been recorded by many others and is a standard around this time of year each year.

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”

When the bells are ringing and the horns all blow

And the couples we know are fondly kissing

Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Maybe it’s much too early in the game

Ooh, but I thought I’d ask you just the same

What are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight

When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night

Welcoming in the New Year, New Year’s Eve Maybe I’m crazy to suppose

I’d ever be the one you chose

Out of the thousands invitations you receive

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance

Here comes the jackpot question in advance

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve

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Some of the best times I ever had came on New Year’s Eve. In some ways it seems like only yesterday, Cohort and I, along with our dates and it was New Year’s Eve.

What will you be doing this New Year’s Eve?

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December 30, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

GREATLY IMPRESSED

December 29, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

GREATLY IMPRESSED

Recently someone ask me, “Larry, what’ the most impressive thing you have ever seen or witnessed?”

That question took me back a bit. “I’d have to think about that one for a while,” I answered. The most impressed thing I ever saw or witnessed. Later I got to thinking seriously about that question. Hum. Fair question isn’t it.

I have been fortunate to be in the presences of a number of well known, or famous sports people. I once was in the presences of one who would later become president, another vice-president. (Very briefly in presences I must say) Been in the presences of some Hall of Fame sports people, both baseball, basketball and golf.

I must say witnessing, being in the delivery room with Dr.Beardsley for the birth of our third child was something very special. Something I have never forgotten. I think I even later told my wife, “I will see that you never get in that situation again” ??.

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But one of the most impressive things I ever saw, a witness to was something completely unplanned and came on me quite quickly. Shortly after I retired from the United States Golf Association our son and I took a trip we had planned for sometime. We took a trip to Europe met up with a group of about twenty others and for the next twelve days we recreated the journey, the route of the American solider in WW II. A D-Day journey. From the beaches of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and all the way to the city of Berlin. An amazing trip

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Our son and I were in the airport in Atlanta,GA waiting on our flight from Atlanta to Paris, France where we would begin our planned trip. He and I were sitting in the waiting area to board the flight a bit later. I walked from the waiting area to get a cup of coffee, planning to get the coffee and come back and sit. At first I heard a noise, very slight, but attention getting. As I walked the hall the noise began to rise. I began to hear a smattering of applause. I even heard some small cheers and a whistle. Now the noise was increasing in volume. And then I saw it. Rounding the corner now walking toward me in the hall way of the airport was a group of army soldiers, Sixty possibly seventy in number. (Later my son would tell me they were from Ft.Benning, GA and were now being deployed over seas. Ft.Benning is where he took his basic training. An experience he has never forgotten.)

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They were not in any particular marching order just walking as a group, two or three abreast. They were all neatly dressed in uniform, cleanly shaved, boots shinned, short haircuts. Seeing something like that I understood the expression, “The best and the brightest.”

As they made their way down the hall the noise, the applause rose to a loud crescendo, you would hear shouts. Everyone’s attention was now diverted on these young men, people stopped. I saw a man, who had been sitting at a bar adjacent to the hallway get up, walk to the side of the hall, raise one hand in the air, then put two fingers to his mouth and do a loud whistle. I saw a grandma lookin’ lady walk up beside one of the young men then hug and pat him on the shoulder. I saw more than one of these young men be given a fist pump as they walked down the hallway. The applause lasted until the young men turned a corner and walked another hallway to their destination.

We all knew that destination would be boarding a plane for places where things happened that none of us would want to see and experience.

And think my son and I were waiting to board a plane taking a trip that many years before young people as these had also gone to places unknown and given a sacrifice so we could have the privileges and choices we do today.

Yes, oh yes I do know what was one of the most impressive things I ever saw. It happened in an Atlanta airport. Wasn’t I lucky.

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December 29, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

MEMORIES

December 27, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts”

MEMORIES

Recently my wife ask me, “How many of them, “Just some thoughts” do you have, how many you think you have you written?”

I told her I guess all told probably something like two or more like three thousands over the past few years. Her reaction: “What?”

MEMORIES”

I like something Mr. Rogers once said:

“I find out more and more every day how

important it is for people to share their memories.”

I’m with Fred.

Just Some Thoughts by Larry Adamson Back Cover

If you don’t write it down or tell the story there may be no record that it ever happened. I believe in the lives of everyone there are some things worthy of recording, writing and telling.

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As 2019 is coming to a close we all might give some thought in this new year to “writing it down” or “telling someone.” How else will the younger ones know what has come before them.

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December 28, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

TOO MUCH

December 26, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts::

TOO MUCH

There are some things in the coming year of 2020 I would like to see less of.

There are a lot of things I think there is too much of in life. “Too much of this and not enough of that.”

One of the things I think there is too much of is:

SPECULATION.

Speculation–The forming of a theory or conjecture without evidence, or firm evidence.

How many times do we hear each day speculation? Way too much. Turn on your television, radio, pick up news print and it is everywhere. The media is full from political speculation, financial and sports speculation. And seems we see it more and more as “if I know what really happened.” “I know what he or she really meant.” “I know why he or she did what she did.” Judging ones actions possibly but saying another knows the mind or another or their motives. I’m uncomfortable with that. Do you want someone coming along saying they know why you did such and such?

no speculations stop speculating making a gamble on the stock market speculative transaction is a financial risk

I recently read a book that the author was telling the readers that there was great turmoil in the family of Christ. Especially his brother James did not like that he, Christ, had left the family when he was around thirty years old. That caused a split in the family and Christ brothers and sisters were resentful of him. In reading the only written records I can find is that Christ had brothers and sisters and one of them was a fella named James. Or read about the Biblical character Mary Magdalena. Some writers would tell readers she was everything from a prostitute to Jesus’s girlfriend or wife.

Speculation. I think is dangerous. I don’t think you or I want anyone going around saying they know why we did or do what we do or they know what we are going to do. They know why such and such about our lives. Speculation breeds more speculation and often results in untruth.

Image result for mark twain a lie can get

Mark Twain is credited with saying: “A lie can travel halfway around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.” One might say, “well speculation is not lying.” To which I would say, “it is not fact either.”

I buy into Sergeant Friday’s take: “Just the facts ma’am.”

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Personally I take with a grain of salt a lot of what I read or see when I know nothing like that is on record. Evidence is what is important, not speculation.

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December 27, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY

December 26, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY

If you are my age or older you recognize the name of the famed newscaster Paul Harvey. An often used line by Harvey to close his shows was “And now you know the rest of the story.”

Earlier this week I made note of Dan Fogelberg’s song “Same Old Lang Syne.” Curiosity got the best of me and I did some digging to see what I could find about the song. You may have been more familiar with the history than I.

Image result for picture of woodruff high school in peoria illinois

Image result for PICTURE OF DAN FOGELBERG AND AULD AND SYNE

The song Fogelberg always acknowledged it was autobiographical. If you are familiar with the song you know it was around 1975 or 76 and he was back home in Peoria, Illinois for Christmas with his family. He was sent out by his mother to get something needed for Christmas dinner and he has a chance meeting with his high school ex-girlfriend.

After Fogelberg’s death in 2007 the woman in the song, Jill Anderson Greulich, came forward with her story. She said she and Fogelberg dated in high school, Woodruff High School class of 1969. After high school they both went their separate ways as those kind of relationships often do. But often not forgotten. She off to college and he to Colorado pursuing a music career.

On Christmas Eve they crossed paths after all those years in all places, a convenience store. From that encounter Fogelberg penned the song. Greulich said five years later she was driving alone in her car and heard the song for the first time. Can you imagine.

“I said the years had been a friend to her.”

Greulich said she kept quiet about the song, refusing to disclose her identity. She stated that her reason for remaining quiet about her involvement in the song’s narrative was that she thought doing such might have had negative impact on Fogelbert’s marriage.

Greulich said Fogelberg had taken a bit of artistic license with two details of the story. Oh the two. Well her eyes she said are green not blue as the song describes and her husband was not an architect but a physical education teacher.

Regarding the line “She would have liked to say she loved the man, but she didn’t like to lie.” Greulich has never talked about that line but by time of the song’s release in 1980, she and her husband had divorced.

Makes one wonder about the line : “He kept her warm safe and dry.”

Just for a moment I was back in school

And felt that old pain

And, as I turned to make my way back home

The snow turned to rain

“It’s a memory that I will always cherish–Dan was a special person”

Jill Greulich

In fact the song can make the listener wonder about a lot of things, not just in the song but even in their own lives.

Ok…now you know the rest of the story.

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December 26, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

WARM SAFE AND DRY

December 24, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

WARM SAFE AND DRY

Below is something I wrote near the end of December a few years back.“Return back home for the holidays” can be interesting. I think of this song every year around this season.

“He kept her warm, safe and dry.” Evidently something was still missing.

Just some thoughts:

WARM SAFE AND DRY

I once asked a very successful songwriter friend of mine here in Nashville about a hit song he had written some years ago. The song has been recorded by over eight hundred different artists and has received over two million air plays. Elvis recorded it on his last album, “Moody Blue.” Just that one recording alone should keep one in groceries for a good while. My friend gave me an interesting answer. First he smiled and then looking at me said, “Aren’t all songs true for someone?”

As another year is coming to a close I am reminded of another certain song. In the mid 70s’ he came home for a short visit to his hometown of Peoria, Illinois. It was Christmas Eve. He ran into an old girlfriend at a convenience store. They had gone together throughout high school. They graduated in 1969 with both of them going to different colleges. Later she married and he moved to Colorado to pursue his music career. On this Christmas Eve they both were back home visiting family when she went out for egg nog and he was sent to the store to find some whipping cream. The only place open was a convenience store and by chance they ran into one another in the store. From that encounter came the following.

“Met my old lover in the grocery store, the snow was falling Christmas Eve. I strolled behind her in the frozen foods and I touched her on the sleeve. She didn’t recognize the face at first, but then her eyes flew open wide. She went to hug me and she spilled her purse and we laughed until we cried. We took her groceries to the checkout stand; the food was totaled up and bagged. We stood there lost in our embarrassment as the conversation dragged. We went to have ourselves a drink or two, but couldn’t find an open bar. We bought a six-pack at the liquor store and we drank it in her car.

We drank a toast to innocence; we drank a toast to now. And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how. She said she’d married her an architect who kept her warm and safe and dry. She would have liked to say she loved the man, but she didn’t like to lie. I said the years had been a friend to her and that her eyes were still as blue, but in those eyes I wasn’t sure if I saw doubt or gratitude. She said she saw me in the record stores and that I must be doing well. I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell.

We drank a toast to innocence we drank a toast to now. And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how.We drank a toast to innocence; we drank a toast to time. Reliving in our eloquence another ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ the beer was empty and our tongues were tired and we were running out of things to say. She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away. Just for the moment I was back at school and felt that old familiar pain. And as I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain…”

The writer and singer of the song, “Same Old Lang Syne,” was Dan Fogelberg. Sadly in 2007, twelve years ago, he passed away at age fifty-six to prostate cancer.

Interestingly, the street where the convenience store was located, Abingdon Street in Peoria, IL has been changed to “Fogelberg Parkway” in his memory.

The end of an old year and the beginning of a new year can bring back memories from old years that are past.

Are songs true? “Well, aren’t all songs true… for someone?”

“He kept her warm, dry and safe.”

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December 24, 2019
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

GRAINS OF SAND

December 23, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

GRAINS OF SAND

(Our great-grandson–Simon)

“I don’t know that I’ll be alive when my grandsons have children, and so they just may be the last Rogerses that I’m acquainted with on this earth. I know they will have lots inside of them to give to their children or nieces or nephews. But still, it is really fun for me to see them doing things that I know Rogerses have done for a long long time. There is a continuity that goes through the generations. My friend and teacher, Dr. Margaret McFarland, used to say, “I love being part of the beach of life–I like being one of the grains of sand.”

The World According to Mister Rogers–

Fred Rogers

My wife and I have been fortunate to have lived to see one of our grand kids have children. Our oldest grandchild, Seth. The above picture is of Seth and Natalia’s little boy, Simon. I can assure you without question that one of the pleasures of my wife and my life is to have lived to see our six grandchildren and now this first great grandchild. If you have grandchildren or great grandchildren, you get it, don’t you.

To me Christmas is about children. Just watching them. It’s pretty special when one gets to be one of the grains of sand on the beach.

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December 23, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

‘WHITE CHRISTMAS”

December 22, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

WHITE CHRISTMAS

“White Christmas” has to be one of the most all time popular Christmas songs.

Songs have a way of evoking emotions and for me “White Christmas” has always done that. A song can paint about whatever emotion, whatever picture one wants. For me there has always been a touch of sadness in that song.

The song was written by legendary songwriter Irving Berlin, 1888–1989. Interesting he lived to be 101 years old at the time of his death.

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It is said Berlin wrote over 1500 songs. Many our American classics. “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “There’s no Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” and the Katie Smith classic “God Bless America.” All written by Berlin.

“White Christmas” was first sung in 1941 by Bing Crosby on his radio show. No telling how many times that song has been played or how many recordings it has sold. The song appeared in the 1942 movie “Holiday Inn” and sung by Crosby. The song later gained even more popularity in the 1954 movie “White Christmas.” Featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. I remember in 1954 as a young boy seeing this movie with my parents on a Saturday night at a theater on the square in Sullivan, Indiana.

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That touch of sadness, most folks don’t know the Berlin’s had a Christmas sadness. In 1928 their three week old son, Irving Berlin, Jr. died. He died on Christmas day. I wonder what all Berlin might have been thinking about when he wrote those words,

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,

just like the ones I used to know”

“Where children listen to hear”

“And may all your Christmas’s be white”

At Christmas there are a lot of things that one can remember and dream about…and also there can be great sadness. Christmas isn’t always about snow, jingle bells and happiness.

Image result for picture of a white christmas in terre haute indiana

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December 23, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

EYES CLOSED HANDS FOLDED

December 21, 2019 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts”

EYES CLOSED HANDS FOLDED

This week I went with my wife to the Tennessee Oncology office for an update with her cancer doctor. We now go every three months as they check her numbers.

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An observation.

As I sat in the waiting room I noticed across the room a lady sitting very quietly. As I watched her she seemed to have her eyes closed and her hands folded in her lap.

Image result for picture of an old woman hands folded eyes closed and praying

The moment I wake up/ Before I put on my makeup

I say a little prayer for you/ While combing my hair, now

And wondering what dress to wear, now

I say a little prayer for you

(Burt Bacharach)

As I watched her I thought to myself, “Wonder is there anything I might do?” Then I realized Larry, you might do for this lady and all in this room…what you think this lady might be doing at this time.

“Congregations, synods, gatherings…so enjoyable

Time to take care of the hurting, then ourselves.”

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December 21, 2019

Keep on,

Larry Adamson