Archives for March 2020

“HE MADE ME CRY”

March 31, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

“HE MADE ME CRY”

Vince Gill, well Vince Gill is not just one of my favorite artist, he happens to be one of my favorite people.

I would not mislead you, Vince and I are not the best of buddies,etc. Although on more than one occasion I have been on the receiving end of Vince’s thoughtfulness and kindness. Vince has shared some special things with me and has done some personal things for me that I will never forget.

Grand Ole Opry Stock Photos & Grand Ole Opry Stock Images - Alamy

Vince Gill Autographed Professional Photo AFTAL UACC RD RACC TS

Now the crying bit. With this virus stuff the Grand Ole Opry show for the past two weeks has changed their format. The past two weeks there has been no audience at the Opry house.The show has consisted of Vince and this past Saturday night his wife Amy and two daughters Ginny and Corinna. Just the four of them on stage.

Often I am not able to listen to the show live so I tape the show. That I did this past week. This morning, as my usual routine, I headed to my coffee place to get my bagel and coffee, get it and go. It was early and as I drove there was almost no sign of life. I think I saw one car as I drove. It was eerie, not seeing any life. Took me back to the night I sat in the balcony of the Indiana theater and saw the movie, “On The Beach.”

I got my coffee/ bagel and then sat in the car and listened to the show I had taped. “When Ever You Come Around” is one of my favorite songs that Vince wrote and recorded. It is a song written about how he felt when he first met his now wife, Amy Grant. I sat with my coffee and listened as he sang that song. I have my own thoughts over the lyrics of that song.

Near the end of the show he said,”I wanna do a song I think is the first song I ever heard. I was a little boy and my grandma used to sit at the piano and sing this song.” With that he and his family sang the old gospel song, “How Great Thou Art.” Whew. I remembered the first time I every heard that song, I was a teenager sitting with my best friend Mike in a church in Nashville.

As I started my car and prepared to head home he said “Let’s do one more song, let’s do this old country standard.” So they closed their show with the old Jimmie Davis song, “You Are My Sunshine.” (Interesting this song was recorded eighty years ago this very week, recorded in 1940 in Dallas,Texas by Davis.)

Image result for picture of jimmie davis singing you are my sunshine

That song, “You Are My Sunshine” has special meaning for me and my family. The first family gathering I attended when dating my wife (1964) was a Sunday afternoon affair (all day singing dinner on the grounds) at a park in Effingham, Illinois. That day they closed and I learned they closed all their gatherings with everyone standing and singing that song. From the youngest to the oldest, sang. From there, there was never a family gathering I attended of her aunts, uncles, cousins etc that song was not sung.

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A few years back when my wife’s ninety-four year old mother died I along with her grandchildren, we did her funeral. I did her eulogy and closed the gathering on that day. I did so by asking the audience, “Will you stand with me and let’s all together sing………… “You Are My Sunshine.”

As I pulled from my coffee place parking lot this is the song that Vince and his family chose to close their show. You put “How Great Thou Art and “You Are My Sunshine” back to back…..well that’s when I pulled into a vacant parking lot…. “Vince you made me cry.”

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March 31, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

THEY SPLIT THE SHEETS OR DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN

March 30, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

“THEY SPLIT THE SHEETS” or

“DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN”

Recently as I sat in the parking lot at my coffee place (get it and go) I was listening to Kenny Rogers. Rogers passed away just a little over a week ago.

Kenny Rogers Mel Tillis Pictures, Photos & Images - Zimbio

A song was playing that brought back an early family memory. The song was written by Mel Tillis entitled, “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town.” Songs make me think of people. People and happenings in my life.

Kenny Rogers - Ruby (don't take your love to town) + LYRICS - YouTube

My dad had quite a family. In this family was his youngest sister. Her name was Beulah. Beulah May. Most often she was called “Boots.” Even as a very young boy I knew Aunt Boots was establishing herself with quite a track record. One of her husbands, I’m not sure what number, was a man named Harold. Uncle Harold. He was a fascinating character to me, a young ten or eleven year old boy. Uncle Harold had one leg. He had lost part of one of his legs in WW II. Lots of stories of how that happened but I was never given privy to actually know.

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Harold, with one hand could take a tin of Prince Albert tobacco pour just the right amount into a thin piece of paper, roll his own and never lose a drop of tobacco. All with one hand. If there ever was a “one hand roll your own cigarette contest,” my money was on Uncle Harold. Harold had the first car where I saw a radio. Often on a hot summer nights he would go outside, “hey you wanna listen to the radio” and let me sit in the car with him. He would roll his own, flick that lighter and we would listen to the Cardinal baseball game out of St.Louis. The first time I heard Hank Williams was from that car radio.

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But as a kid I was always in question about that leg. Also it seemed he and Aunt Boots often had a stormy relationship. I often wondered if “maybe someone wasn’t takin’ their love to town.” Today as I sat in my car my mind wandered back to “Uncle Harold and Aunt Boots.”

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Saturday night as we often did we (Dad, Mom and I) stopped by my grandfather’s house on our way home from out Saturday evening ritual of going to town, Sullivan. He lived a couple miles off Highway 41 a bit west of Shelburn. You turned at Bert and Finn’s truck stop and went west about two miles down a dusty gravel road to his house. On that evening Ole Uncle Harold, he was no where to be seen. Later that evening as my dad and some of the men stood in the front yard having their smoke, me playing with my newly Saturday night Western Auto acquired .50 cent pocket knife, someone asked: Where’s Harold?” The answer was said in an expression I have never forgotten,

“Well they, they’ve split the sheets.” (Uncle Harold/ Aunt Boots)

On the way home I came to realize that meant they had separated, Harold and Boots, they were no more. “The had split the sheets.” Maybe someone had take their love and gone to town.

By the way I think that would be a good line for a country music song.

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March 30, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE

March 29, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE

Song I think came out around 1994.

Yesterday morning as I sat alone at my coffee place parking lot, drinking my coffee a party I know, walked to my car. I rolled my window down and they asked….. “If….I could?”

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Somebody’s down to their last dime

Somebody’s running out of time

Not too far from here

Somebody’s got nowhere else to go/Somebody needs a little hope

Not too far from here

And I may not know their name/ But I’m praying just the same

That you’ll use me, Lord/ to wipe away the tears

Cause somebody’s crying

Not too far from here/ Somebody’s troubled and confused

Somebody’s got nothing left to lose

Not too far from here

Somebody’s forgotten how to trust

And somebody’s dying for love

Not too far from here

It may be a stranger’s face/ But I’m praying for Your grace

To move in me/ And take away the fear

“Cause somebody’s hurting/Not too far from here

Help me, Lord

Not to turn away from pain/ Help me not to rest

While those around me weep

Give me Your strength and compassion

When somebody finds/ The road of life too steep

Now I’m letting down my guard/ And I’m opening my heart

Help me speak Your love/ To ever needful ear

Someone is waiting/ Not too far from here

31 Bible Verses about Encouragement - DailyVerses.net

Rest assured that if we are paying attention that someone is in need……….. not too far from where are….everyday.

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March 29, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

A BARGAIN

March 28, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

A BARGAIN

Bargain–An agreement between two or more parties as to what each will do for the other.

You ever made such an agreement?

John Barnes was a soldier in Company A of the 116th Infantry in WW II. He has just learned that he, his company will be the first to go ashore on Normandy Beach on June 6th.

Image result for picture of john barnes soldier in company a 116th infantry ww II

He had been brought up by a devout Catholic mother whose had prayed that he would become a priest. When he graduated high school he had told his mother, “I’m not cut out for this religious stuff.”

Learning what his fate might be with the up coming day’s invasion (June 6th, 1944) he decided he would go to Mass. Before going he also decided he would make a bargain with God. At Mass his pray was “God if my life is sparred I promise you I will become a priest.”

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John then thought again. He said to himself, “No, no, that’s a bad bargain. That’s would be a bad bargain for all parties involved. For me and God.” He decided he would take his chances.

Image result for picture of a catholic priest

You ever made a bargain? Maybe it’s best to always give careful consideration when it comes to doing such. You know It can be a bad deal, bad deal for all parties involved.

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March 29, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

I NEVER GO AROUND

March 27, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

I NEVER GO AROUND OR RATHER

I DON’T LIKE TO GO AROUND

Often late at night I will go into my bank of music and pull out someone from the past. Seems as I age I’m doing that more and more. Pullin’ from the past.

Image result for picture of lefty frizzell

The other night I pulled out some Lefty Frizzell music. Lefty’s been gone now almost forty-five years, as he passed in 1975 at the age of forty-seven. In the early to mid 1950s,’ as the Merle Haggard song says, “Hank and Lefty crowded every jukebox,” and they did. I remember a few years back walking into a “meat and three” in Archer City, Texas (home of Larry McMurtry) walking to the jukebox and seeing the names of Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Lefty on the play list. Which after ordering the breakfast special I dropped a quarter in the jukebox and played songs from all three. Great jukebox, six plays for a quarter. A bargain.

Image result for picture of man standing in front of a mirror

Frizzell had a song that was a hit called “I Never Go Around Mirrors.” Frizzell and Whitey Shafer wrote the song. The drift of the song is this fella gets himself in such pitiful shape that he doesn’t even want to look at himself. So he never goes around mirrors.

I can’t stand to see a good man go to waste

One who never combs his hair or shaves his face

That’s why I never go around mirrors

Well I have something similar in a feeling. There’s a certain building I don’t like to pass by, or be around. During our kids growing up days we had a dog, dog’s name was Shadow. Possibly the best dog that ever lived. But that dog had a thing. About once a year we would take the dog to the vet. Shadow loved to ride in the car. Roll the window down, she’s stick her head out and she would dog smile. Off we would go but I swear that dog had a sixth sense. When I’d turn the corner, pull into the parking lot of this one building, Shadow’s personality would changed. I got a look from her like she would seldom give. As I would turn off the motor of the car she would start to shake. She knew she was now at a place where nothing good ever happened to her. We were at the vet’s. And she didn’t like that building.

Image result for picture of building housing cancer doctors office in franklin tn

In recent times I have some similar feelings our dog once had. There is a building I don’t even like to go in the direction of. I don’t like pulling into the parking lot of that building. I have been in that building already more times that I like. Every few weeks I go with my wife to that that building, and I don’t like it. Today on my routine I had to drive by that building, didn’t have to stop but even driving by gave me bad feelings.

It’s the office of my wife’s cancer doctor. “I never like going around”

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March 28, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

GREAT RESPECT

March 26, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

GREAT RESPECT

I have great respect, appreciation for those who through no fault of their own find themselves in difficult situations.

Image result for picture of king george vi

In recent time I have been doing some reading about the British Crown. Having been fortunate enough to visit England a few times I find their history, people, traditions interesting. One such person I have found most interesting is the former King, King George VI. Albert Frederick Arthur George–December 1895-February 1952.

Image result for picture of queen elizabeth

Albert found himself in a very difficult situation. A situation not of his own doing. Upon the death of Edward VIII George’s older brother Edward was in line to become king. Problem, seems Edward had taken up with a former divorced woman, an American, Walls Simpson. Edward had to make choice between a woman and the crown. Edward chose the woman and thus “Bertie” was now the new king. A “job” he had not ask for or wanted. A responsibility he felt grossly inadequate at performing. But he accepted and history I think bears out he did a good job and was a popular King. Then upon his death his oldest daughter would be placed in a similar situation. If the older brother, the one who was actual in line to be king, Edward had accepted the crown, Elizabeth would not have found herself in this situation. But as her father she accepted and I think history would find her well in that role.

$Image result for picture of mrs roosevelt and harry truman$

Again people are placed in situations not of their asking or even liking. I think of Vice-President Harry Truman upon the sudden death of President Roosevelt. As Mrs. Roosevelt said to Truman, “No, Mr. President what can I do for you.”

Image result for picture of a single parent family

But you know this happens often just not on the level of a king or a president. How about the party who lives down your street, maybe goes to your church, or works with you. Suddenly there can be changes. Divorce, death of their spouse, they now are left to raise the young children. Be both mom or dad. They certainly did not chose this lot.

I remember when I taught school one night at a parent review a man sitting across from my desk, ” breaking crying and asking what am I gonna do, I need help.” His wife had just passed and he was left with the responsibility of raising a fourteen, twelve and seven year old. I was amazed at how he accepted that misfortune that came his way. Over time I would have the good fortune to keep track of him and his three. Years later I would be passing through that community stopping for lunch at a restaurant I got to see him and learn how he had done well. How his three children had moved from those difficult years into well and happy adulthood.

You know everyday there are folks who are thrust into situations in which they did not ask for or deserve. As we observe the question might be something similar to Mrs.Roosevelt’s words to the new president: “What can we do to help?”

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March 27, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

NO CREDIT

March 26, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

NO CREDIT

Just some at random thoughts that ran through my mind early this morning as I sat with my coffee. (By the way in the coffee place parking lot–get and go.) Maybe I should be reminded of what Goober once said:

“Thinking too much can make a man nervous”

I know of people that if either of these two men personally discovered, were totally responsible for a cure for cancer, perfected the cure themselves after years in a lab, they would not give one minute of credit or positive affirmation.

Image result for picture of president obama

Image result for picture of president trump

(It’s very possibly right now someone is having a hard time just seeing these two pictures on the same page)

After my adopted parents died I found my birth mother. For the next nearly thirty plus years I had personal contact with her. She lived to be ninety-four. I liked to sit and talk with her, for a lot of reasons. She was strange in many ways. She was very political. Seldom would there be a visit that she would see that it was inserted into the conversation. She had been born and raised in my home area ,Terre Haute, Indiana, She had been and told me she would always be a Democrat. She could be more than vocal about politics. Once I ask her, “In your lifetime have you ever found anyone from a party at any level other than the one you associate yourself with, that you could give any credit?” She thought a moment, turned her head looked at me and said, “No.”

My adopted parents were not political animals. My parents probably voted more “for the man than the party” type of voting. But many of my extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Oh yes, the were strong Democrats. Often I was in the presences of political discussions. (Had one uncle that JFK and he both campaigned together when in 1960 JFK came to Indiana–that was quite a day–for the family)

I remember one of my uncles and my dad (standing outside leaning against an old Plymouth smoking Lucky Strikes) overhearing this uncle (who was a Democrat) say regarding an upcoming election. “I don’t care if the devil was runnin’ I’d vote for him before I’d vote for that guy.” He was speaking of a person of the other party.

My uncle’s man got elected. I also remember about a year later hearing my dad tell my mom, “the fella your brother voted for, well he just got indicted for bribery.” My uncle worked road construction. His man had paid off various ones in getting road contracts. Yes bribery can go both directions.

Image result for picture of the democrat donkey and republican elephant

Man often has a hard time giving any credit to anyone and anything they don’t like. I heard an old coach once say after a game where he was being called a genius: “Coaches often get too much credit and too much blame.”

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March 26, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

KNOW YOUR SOURCES

March 25, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

KNOW YOUR SOURCES

Just very shortly before the D-Day invasion (June 1944) Prime Minister Winston Churchill goes to Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower and tells Ike, “I’m going in with the troops on D-Day. I will be with them at the landing on the beaches.” Ike told him no go, he could not do that.

Image result for picture of dwight eisenhower

Image result for pictue of winson churchill

Churchill then says to Ike, “You have operational command of all forces, but you are not responsible administratively for the makeup of the crews.” To which Ike had to agree. Eisenhower had no authority who was selected to be a part of the British troops, and Churchill was going to appoint himself a member of the troops. “I can sign on as a member of the crew of one of His Majesty’s ship.” Churchill one up and nothing Ike can do about it. Ike did tell Churchill, “you will only make my burden a lot heavier.” Churchill, “I’m goin’ anyway.”

Eisenhower round two. Ike then has his chief of staff (Gerald Smith) make a personal call to the King of England, King George VI. Smith explains the issue at hand.

“You boys leave Winston to me,” was King George’s reply. King George then called Winston to meet with him. The conversation was short and to the point. “Winston as long as you feel that it is desirable to go along, I think it is my duty to go along with you.” No Prime Minister was ever going to see that a King was placed in such harm. Churchill withdrew his request. Some might say that the King had the last word.

Sometimes to get the desired outcome one wants, they have to go to a higher source. There is wisdom in knowing who that source might be.

You might think a bit longer on that last line.

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March 25, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

VIRUS/PLAGUES

March 24, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

VIRUS/PLAGUES

Currently with all this virus stuff going on it has caused me to go back and do a bit of old testament Bible reading. (Ok..to an acquaintance I know “its–that book– is all a bunch of fairy tales)

Image result for picture of the pyramids

Having once visited Egypt ( a place I have no desire to ever visit again most miserable people I think I have ever been around) I cannot imagine what it must have been like for them during the ten plaques talked about in the book of Exodus.

Ten plagues that involved blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock, bugs, hail, locust, darkness and death of the first born. Can you imagine had CNN, Fox or oh my MSNBC had they been in existence at that time.

All this reminds me of something Mark Twain once said:

“Possibly history doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.

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March 24, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

I WISH I WAS

March 23, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

“I WISH I WAS”

Early this morning as I pulled from my drive I slipped in a Ray Price cd. It was the last recordings he did shortly before his passing.

This week is my birthday. The first song to come on could not have been more appropriate for the week. The song, “I Wish I Was Eighteen Again.” I had to smile and yet a touch of sadness came to mind. Some truth in that song. Some of my fondness years would have been around that time, when I was seventeen/ eighteen. As I drove on I got to thinking how fortunate I have been.

“The length of our days is seventy years–or eighty,

if we have the strength.”

Psalms 90:19

Image may contain: house, sky, tree and outdoor

(Florence Crittenton Home–Terre Haute, Indiana)

To think how I came into the world and now I am just two years shy of that eighty–if we have the strength. That arrival came by way of an unwed pregnant teenage mother giving birth at a home for unwed mothers, later to be placed in the care of human services for four years before adoption. From that would come seven half brothers, four of whom I have never met. In the words of my friend Marcellas, “No, Larry, you weren’t lucky, you were blessed.”

“I WISH I WAS EIGHTEEN AGAIN”

At a bar down in Dallas an old man chimed in

And they thought he was out of his head

And all being a young man they just laughed it off

When they heard what this old man he said

He said I’ll never again turn the young ladies heads

Or go running off in the wind

I’m three quarters home from the start to the end

And I wish I was eighteen again

Oh I wish I was eighteen again and going

where I’ve never been

Now old folks and old oaks standing tall just pretend

I wish I was eighteen again

Time turns to the pages and life goes so fast

The years turn the black hair all grey

I talk to some young folks but they don’t understand

The words this old man got to say

Oh I wish I was eighteen again…

Oh I wish I was eighteen again

Writer: Sonny Throckmorton

The only worthy goal is to make a meaningful life out of an ordinary one.

Peter Drucker

“I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.”

(Thanks Toby Keith for that line)

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March 23, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson