My Champion, My Dad

The middle of June has crept up on us and I find myself thinking about what gift I should get my dad for Father’s Day. Mother’s Day this year was an absolutely gorgeous, picture perfect day whereas Father’s Day alludes to storms. Usually Mother’s Day, cemented in May, comes cloudy, cold, or rainy and my dad jokingly says, “God is mad at you mothers (if he only realized what it sounds like when he says “you mothers”). Well this year our Creator smiled upon us mothers and just may rail violently at you fathers; so there.

When I buy my dad something he “scolds” me and tells me he doesn’t need anything, which he doesn’t. So after grave consideration I decide to bake him pumpkin white chocolate muffins and a batch of cranberry oatmeal cookies. I have one day to do this for I worked all week and work the weekend, leaving me only Friday off. However Friday finds us embroiled in July-like heat and humidity (I think we are a month ahead of schedule weather- wise so I’m hoping come August Mother Nature will gift us with fall); on the other hand we may be in the grips of global warming (very mild winter this year). Whatever the reason it is hot and humid and I live on the second floor, kitchen not airconditioned. No sweat, I say. Ha, during this endeavor I am mopping copious amounts off my entire body. I tell myself I am getting the toxins out of my system. I put my meat thermometer on the counter and it registers exactly 100 degrees. As for the dew point, well never mind, I would rather not know. But I endure it cause it’s for my dad. Every now and then I go out on the little porch outside my kitchen and catch a breeze along with a birds’ eye view of a game of basketball being played at our little hilltop park (hence called Hilltop Park). Man, all these young men of color out there showing off their moves with their shirts off. I think, “where are my binoculars when I really need them?” This game, I think, almost equals the Championship game played last night; “my” team isn’t in the running this year, they won last year (worth it just to hear Dirk sing We Are the Champions). I usually root for the underdog, which is Oklahoma City but these days anything having to do with that state I detest so I find myself cheering on Lebron and the Heat. But as my loser ex-husband use to say, I digress.

My dad. Man, the memories come flooding back. I recall sledding down the hills across the street at Allison Henderson Park. One winter wonderland day my dad, my little brother Al and I (age six) were coasting down on our Flexible Flyers. We took turns going down with dad; Al was way too young to handle these babies on his own so having to show my little bro that I was up to the challenge I decided to give it a go solo. I started zooming down the hill, tether ball pole right dab middle in my path, glimpsing my dad and brother going full speed ahead of me and hearing my dad yell, yabba dabba doo; well that’s all I remember cause I hit that pole pretty damn hard. Knocked me out. I remember coming to momentarily, my dad holding me as we crossed Grandview Avenue, blood spouting from my nose on to his shoulder. He must have had Little Al (yes, that’s what he was called) by the hand and left the sleds at the park. I don’t know; I blacked out again. At home I remember sitting in the big red rocker on the back porch and my Uncle Gordy sitting in front of me with this weird look on his face as he studied my face. I don’t recall what they did for me, probably just wiped the blood off and iced the swelling and bruising. Years later as an adult I went to the ENT doctor for sinus problems and he said, “Did you know you have a broken nose?” No, I did not know that however I have a pretty good idea when and where it occurred.

I remember as a child my dad reading to us (my little brother Al and I, we were good buds) many books. We would climb upon Dad’s lap and that man would never get tired of reading to us. Such literary gems as The House That Jack Built (which I could recite by memory) and other favorites. I remember one winter evening my dad was varnishing something in the upper back porch. I adored him so I sat there with him and read and reread a book I had chosen, Corporal Crow. He listened to that damn thing over and over; and never once told me to go away. Talk about patience of a saint.

Then there were the many nights at the Drive-in movies. He would pack all us kids in the GMC, along with a cooler of pop and beer and grocery bags of popcorn that my mom popped for us (she stayed home, a night of peace and quiet) and we would watch many a Disney flick in our big metal theatre. There was plenty of room for horseplay; and I don’t remember my dad ever telling us to be quiet. Most of these time we had half the neighborhood kids along with us and he was still patient and never raised his voice (when we went to see James Bond movies with him the other kids didn’t come because, heaven forbid, their parents would not allow their kids to go to those kinds of movies that were always on the list at the back of the church rated B or C).

My mother, as many women of her generation, did not drive (her life revolved around house, hearth, and family so where would she possibly need to go without her husband)? But she loved to go for rides. She would say to me, “Ask your dad to take us for a ride,” and I would comply and off we would go in the convertible down country lanes and usually to an ice cream joint before heading back home. I remember when my kids were young and I did not have a car; therefore my dad would take us grocery shopping. One time he had just gotten a brand new car, picked us up (this was an adventure for my kids; grandpa would whiz them around the store as they hanged onto the cart shrieking with pleasure). Well five minutes into our journey my daughter, Samantha, who was probably around two at the time pukes up enough stuff to fill a couple gallon jugs. And what does my dad do? Patiently and quietly takes us home. As I clean up Samantha my dad takes his car home and cleans it up (goodbye new car smell) and comes back and takes my son and I to the store while grandma babysits Samantha. He never said a word other than something like, “well, that’s what little kids do.”

He and my mom never hesitated to take my kids when I had an appointment or when I was working. My kids, especially my son, spent many an afternoon with my dad. And it shows; my son is very much like his grandpa and I am very proud of him-- he even walks like him. I remember when my dad was in his 70’s and my kids would brag to their friends what an awesome roller blader their grandpa was; which reminded me of all the ice skating capades we kids shared with my dad over at Allison Henderson ice rink. He could glide across the rink like butter, leaving us kids in his “crystals”.

I could go on and on ad infinitum regarding my dad, but instead I will end this with one simple phrase:  I would sweat buckets for my dad any day. Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad.

The Facts of Life

My son Luke has been going through a rough time. I don't want to spill all the unpleasant details however I will say that his anguish has been caused by a romantic entanglement that has run its course, one of those "beating a dead horse" situations. Albeit being Luke he blames himself and rather than beating a dead horse beats himself up mentally. His nature, like his grandfather's (who has had a big influence on his life from the get go), encompasses compassion. However, unlike his grandfather , who is more cool and detached, he is  emotional and at times wears his heart on his sleeve.

Luke stopped over at my place last night to share the latest chapter in this sad saga. My heart bleeds for him but I didn't want him to know that. I possess a hardness that comes with life so I told him that life is full of grief and what we all have to find ways to navigate thru the hard times cause life sure is chalk full of them. He knows my passion for the blues so I brought up music which along with writing glides me over the bumps scattered amid the avenues of life. This reminded me of something Marie Dixon (Willie Dixon's widow) said when asked, behind the scenes at Crossroads Festival 2007 in Bridgeview, IL, why is the blues so important to America? Mama Dixon answered, "Because blues is the facts of life. In everybody's life there is the blues. Ah, it is the root of all American music. They named it the blues but its really the facts of life." Wisdom of the ages. This one's for you Luke (Sonny Landreth). Check out the lyrics:

Her daddy's doorbell was a ringin'
When I called on the telephone                      
He was the one to answer me
So I told him what was goin' on

Sir I love your daughter
But we don't get along
Now sir I love your daughter
But we don't get along
In fact it's true to tell
She's been givin' me hell at home            
No sir she ain't ailin'
'fact she's still goin' strong
No sir she ain't ailin'
'fact she's still goin' strong
Now she's alive and well
And just givin' me hell at home
I said your moody little angel
Done packed her bags and gone
I said your moody little angel
Done packed her bags and gone
Now she's a ringin' your bell
And gonna be givin' you hell at home

One of a Kinds

Last winter I had the not very pleasant experience of dating a man who like me grew up here in Dubuque. As a child he lived on West Eighth, one of our many steep peaks in town.  During one of our conversations I brought up James Kinds, a local blues musician, and he said, hey, James moved into his old family home. I kept this information stored in my frontal lobe for future reference. A few months ago I moved, just a few blocks from James’ abode. And then I thought of James. I drove past the house and was baffled to see a couple of young  white woman on the cluttered porch; young children aplenty. I thought, no, this must be the wrong address. I rechecked and even went online to search for James and that was the correct address. However when I called the number listed as his current number on the site a woman answered and when I asked for James she didn’t sound too pleased and said, Jim? I said no, I was looking for James Kinds and this was the last phone number listed for him. She said no one lived there by that name and “don’t call this number again.” Okay. About ten minutes later I was waiting in the Wendy’s Drive Thru and my cell rings and it’s “Jim” asking if I was looking for him. Again I explained I had found this number listed for James Kinds online and evidently it no longer was his. Than wifey got back on the line and told me in no uncertain terms not to call Jim again and being peeved cause some dumb shit was taking way too long ordering I let her have it. I do feel sorry for Jim, probably some poor hick with a big fat wife who obviously has no trust in her man. She hung up; she must have figured she was no match for my mouth when I get going. I still have the number in the phone and one of these nights I’m going to have me some fun.

But back to James. Years ago, in the early 2000’s I worked for one of our local hospitals in the homecare department. James’ wife Marilyn suffered from several debilitating illnesses and hence was a client. I spent a lot of time at Marilyn’s and James’ apartment, then on West Locust. And it was always my pleasure. Marilyn was a sweetheart, however addicted to many prescription drugs. Usually when I would visit she would be feeling no pain, and god bless her, I don’t blame her. She suffered greatly and thank god she had a man like James because he cared for her solicitously. Many times I would visit and Marilyn would say just take my vitals but skip the bath; you work too hard and you need to rest. We’ll just say you did. So I would sit and visit. James was usually present and I had the enjoyable opportunity to converse with him. James too was usually feeling no pain, and perceiving a rough life I made no judgments; as if I had room to judge on in that department! James told me he and Marilyn were from Chicago via Mississippi. I really blew James’ mind when I started talking Chicago blues versus Memphis blues; he was surprised this white woman here to take care of his wife knew so much of this genre.  You know, I don’t know if they were ever legally married; Marilyn claimed they were and proudly wore the beautiful rings James had given her among many other jewels. But I knew she and James had an “arrangement”, Marilyn being so ill was unable to make love with her man therefore James was free to pursue whoever. And James didn’t hide this from her or anyone else; typical musician.  Poor Marilyn, when her scripts didn’t provide enough relief she was compelled to pawn her valuables thus not always having her full regalia on display. She maintained her ebony skin beautifully and her bone structure, especially her long fingers, could put a hand model to shame and when she had possession of all her rings, necklaces, and bracelets she was a sight to behold. The household also sustained various youngsters, progeny of Marilyn’s children who would come and go, leaving the young ones with Grandma. One of her daughters had recently been released from prison and at first she intimidated me. One day I just verbally gave it back to her and she started talking to me in a more amicable manner. I would see her downtown towing her brood and she would always ask me for a cigarette and I would pull out my pack and give it to her (very small token from one who comes from opportunity and privilege to one who had virtually nothing from the get go). She would say, go visit mom, she would love to see you (this was after I left the nursing service). I remember her giving me Marilyn and James’ new address and recall West Eighth Street. I never did go over and I have sorely regretted it since; Marilyn passed away a few years back and I miss her. I stopped visiting her because she made me angry one day. On a day off I offered to take her shopping and out to lunch which she happily agreed to. She asked me to drive across the bridge to East Dubuque, IL so she could pick up some cash from a friend who owed her. I obliged but once over there realized good old Marilyn was selling her Oxycontin and being an “accessory” albeit unknown (try telling that to the judge) I just might have been sent up the river for a few years (my kids were still small at the time; a nightmare I did not want to live) shit, possession with intent to deliver across state lines. So I decided I was through with Marilyn for the time being.

I continued to see James at various venues in Dubuque. His band, The All Night Riders, was popular on our local music circuit for a few years. And man, could James deliver. And then all of a sudden he was gone. Well today my search ended for I know now where James Kinds resides. I inadvertently found this info out today when I visited our local “head shop” and saw James’ last CD on the shelf. I exclaimed, “I’ve been looking for James.” One of the clerks told me he moved back to Chicago to live with his son and use to visit Dubuque and stay at the motel he works at every now and then but not recently. I asked him if James was still playing and he said, probably not, he was in no shape; “under the influence,  if ya know what I mean.” Yeah, I know what you mean, pal. I purchased the CD http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/review-james-kinds-love-you (along with two Johnny Winter bootleg cd’s) and couldn’t wait to get in my car and give James a “spin.” Yep, James Kinds, alright. His voice (and guitar playing) brought him back full force. Track four, Mason Dixon Line Blues, kindles my soul, followed by Crack Headed Woman which is pure jive. Track 8, Take A Look At Yourself throws me back to Soul Train. This CD showcases Jame's versatility; by far my favorite of all of his CD's. I can still see him playing behind the Mississippi Mud on balmy summer nights. One night he was playing in a bar and of course being Dubuque the clientele was mostly white. James would get to feeling good while up on stage and come down and sing to the ladies. One night a table consisting of two white men and what must have been there fat middle aged wives left in a huff. How dare a black man woo white women like that-- What a couple of assholes. One of the men was my insurance man, but no more. James liked to have fun and not only was he able to play and sing the blues superbly he also was a genteel man who liked to kid around and have fun. So James, wherever you are I send you good thoughts and pray some day we meet again.

July 2, 2012 - I received an email from a person who who wishes to remain anonymous. When one comments anonymously then the author of the blog has the choice to publish the comment or not. I choses to publilsh this and then "explain" my statement regarding James having "been under the influence" This information regarding James' state of health saddens me tremendously; I think European audiences would love James and give him more of the recognition he deserves. I pray that he recovers his health. To me James is not only a fantastic musician and singer (been playing his most recent CD every time I get in my car and his voice cuts right thru my soul) but more importantly a generous and wonderful human being. When I would "visit" he always took time to talk with me and would always, always, be most gracious. I apologize if my blog was taken "wrong"; what I wrote is something that happened along my journey in this world; its my blog and thats what I do. What I wrote was a testimony to how I felt about James and Marilyn; I had much affection for the both of them and feel I have put that across in what I wrote. As for the "under the influence" statement I heard via a clerk at Moondog; well, I'm sorry that comment is all his young mind could perceive of James. I personally did not witness James visiting Dubuque in recent years "under the influence" and in the blog I sarcastically reply to the clerk's statement (I know what ya mean, pal) was meant with sarcasm, for I personally know what under the influence means; unfortunately written prose via the internet can be easily misinterpreted. It was certainly not meant to be a "subtle" reference to James state of mind but rather what was told to me (and I'm sure to others as well) and hence, my SARCASTIC answer. But thats not important; whats important is that we all keep James in our hearts and prayers cause he gave so much of himself to everyone he came in contact with--Amy

Fifty Shades of Shit

I just finished reading Ethan Frome, a romantic novel set in New England circa early 1900’s. It blew me away; the heart wrenching tale along with the author’s superb down to earth prose advocates why the author, Edith Wharton, was awarded the  Pulitzer prize. Today I looked at the New York Best Seller's List and see  Fifty Shades of Grey ranks numero uno; and furthermore, the leftovers of this “trilogy are number two and number three, not respectfully (I’m sitting at the library writing this post cause I can’t get a connection at home and what do I overhear, a young woman asking the librarian if this particular book is stocked and the librarian says, yes but it’s out and there’s a waiting list of 60+ for it. Christ, go online and you can probably find a used one cheap cause after one reads this trite tale they most likely will try to collect a bit of their money back before trashing it (hey, that’s a good idea, just go through peoples’ garbage, just might find one there).  E. L. James sure is racking in the bucks. But can you blame her?

Oscar Wilde

I guess I live in the wrong era. Put me in a time machine--please. I’ll put up with long skirts and petticoats, and even a corset, sweltering in the heat and humidity; no wait, I’ll live in England and put up with cold and dampness--anything, please, just to be alive when the Romantics thrived. Yes, there was eroticism, and plenty of it, naughty and nice, but it was enshrouded in modes and manners long forgotten, brazenly tossed to the wayside and replaced by today’ self- indulgence and instant gratification. Reading reviews of certain literary works written in the last decade you would think “soft porn” was something recently “invented”. Good god, none of these works have anything over Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Jane Austin, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathanial Hawthorne, William Wordsworth (love that surname), Mary Shelly and John Keats (recently saw Bright Star, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810784/ These authors are indeed able to set my jaded imagination on fire. And good ole Oscar Wilde, he can still raise an eyebrow or two. With that said I will leave y’all with a tiny piece of a whopping poem by poor tragic Oscar: 

Yet each man kills the thing he loves

By each let this be heard.

Some do it with a bitter look,         

Some with a flattering word.

The coward does it with a kiss,

The brave man with a sword!

Dear Dad,

Another Memorial Day has come and gone and I thank the Creator that you are still with us and able to enjoy life at eighty-seven years young unhindered by many of the physical and mental maladies that afflict your peers. I know that the reason for this is part discipline instilled by the Marine Corp many years back; you yourself have said that if it wasn't for the Corp you would most likely would have led a different life. Also you have kept your mind active all these years thru your voracious reading (I and my other sibs are forever indebted to you and mom for passing this trait on to us inherently) and games such as Scrabble which you still reign over us "youngsters" as Supreme Champion Unsurpassed.
Memorial Day 2012 found me home, a holiday off. The day was cool, sunny, and pleasant; a perfect day to stand on the sidelines of Main Street with fellow citizens and honor our veterans as they rode in open vehicles sandwiched between local school bands boogying to John Philip Sousa. My heart use to swell with pride when your motorcade would pass by; "There's my dad everybody, there's my dad!" But this year, dad, I could not go and I think no matter what I say, well, you won't understand. So when I saw you at supper that night I mumbled something about "convalescencing" after a hard week at work. And I was tired, but never too tired to see my dad. Especially being offiially escorted down Main Street. But my heart grieves for what this country did to the native people who inhabited this land millinieums before our European ancestors used up all their timber and sought to find a land that would allow them to practice their beliefs as they chose. And tragically and in heinous fashion they did not grant these same freedoms to those who honored and respected this land first. And then even after these European "christians" wrote up a declaration of independence they smelled profit; however attainable only thru the backbreaking toil of African people they kidnapped and transported brutally across the ocean. They whipped and beat these human beings into submission; they raped the women and took children from their weeping mothers. I cannot come to terms with this, dad. Yes, it was in the past and you tell me all land everywhere was "taken" by someone else but that does not ease the shame in my soul for these despiable deeds. And dad, these deeds aren't buried just in the past but these very deeds still reverberate today within the hearts and lives of the descendents of all these tribes. They suffer, dad, not only by not having the opportunities us whites have, but by pain in their very core which haunts them night and day. This pain erupts into anger; then turns into depression and isolation which tragically spirals so many into drugs and alcohol for escape. And then so many of our race who grow up with unbounded opportunity look at them and shake our heads and call them "lazy" and "weak" and looking for "handouts."

Years ago you and mom spent three weeks driving west with five unruly kids. I remember the black hills. I did not know at the time that this is sacred ground to the Lakotah: Paha Sapa.http://www.republicoflakotah.com/2009/k%c8%9fe-sapa-and-paha-sapa-russell-means-response-to-david-swallow/ I remember staying overnight in a camp site deep in this land. We could see the profile of George Washington lit up thru the hills. Before leaving this land we went and saw the imposing work on the sculpture of Crazy Horse. I never forgot this, dad, and have an inkling now as a parent what a sacrafice and job this was to show your children so much of this country in this manner. I'm sure I never told you and mom back then how much this trip meant to  me, probably moreso now than then, so I belatedly thank you and mom now.

I won't be down at the river this year either for fireworks. Last year I knew I wouldn't return. I could not join in with the other revelers, drunk or sober, because dad, you instilled such a love for history in me that I have sought out the truths regarding the beginnings of this land. Today I am ashamed to be an "american" but I am proud of you for all you have given to your family and your people thru the years. And this has nothing to do with Uncle Sam, dad. We could have been born and raised in Siberia, but with you as our father, well, us kids still would have had the dad that was voted yearly as "The Neighborhood's Best Dad." I love you, Marine Corp and all. Amy

The List

This morning I was watching/listening to Crossroads 2007. This dvd features THE guitar festival that Eric Clapton has staged three times (2004, 2007, and 2010) to present some of the finest guitar players alive. All proceeds for these events go to Crossroads Center, a drug treatment center founded by Clapton. To paraphrase Sir Clapton, “cause is a simple one....people who use to drink like me....alot of my heroes didn’t have that option….maybe they wouldn’t have….” Watch the YouTube video and hear his statement in its entirety (along with his take on Robert Johnson’s If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day).

This got me thinking about The List, the Greatest Guitarist List put out by Rolling Stone Magazine, or I should say compiled by some pretty impressive musicians gathered for this task by Rolling Stone Magazine. And I thought, why does this society feel the need to rate everything under the sun? You cannot say one guitarist is “better” than the next--can’t be done. I look at the list as just that; a list. Just because one is rated number 12; well, that doesn’t mean he is any better or any worse than number 13 or number 11. When I make out my grocery list just because I may have listed apples first and bananas second; okay let me do that over—I may list Milky Ways first and Doritoes fifth but that doesn’t mean Milky Ways are better. It’s just a list and next week Milky Ways may be replaced by Snickers, depending on my mood.

Maybe that’s just what it is, a list. But being the competitive race we are we automatically assume those listed towards one end are better or worse than those in between. Well, I say bullcrap. They are all awesome and have interjected pieces of their souls through their instrument. And god only knows, there may be some unknown guitar genius somewhere in rural China right now as I write who could outplay them all and we will never know about it; and therefore never make the list. “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Blues Power

My introduction to the pop music scene of the early 60’s was thru my older sister, Dawn. The Beatles, Petula Clark, Dave Clarke Five, Roy Orbinson, Simon and Garfunkle and even that rockin’ mama, The Singing Nun, are just a few of the flood of artists, talented and not so talented, that serenaded me thru childhood. My cousin and next door neighbor Ann Marie and I dug up Jerry Lee Lewis’ Great Balls of Fire out of an attic trunk (remnant of my dad’s youngest brother, Roger) which we played over and over again on my sister’s little blue record player. Man, we rocked.

As I matured so did my tastes; Jim Morrison, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Steppenwolf, Cream, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Bob Dylan (electric), et cetera. , I consider The Stones, Exile on Main Street, my favorite album, especially the double CD put out a few years ago. Within each track you can feel, even smell the wasted decadent strung out condition of the band and their entourage. If you have ever seen the dvd Exile on Main Street you will not only hear but see what I mean. Yet they record a magnificent LP; the instrumentals alone can blow your mind--the horns are amazing! Musicians who are willing and able to bare their souls to their listeners reveal pure genius in my book. Enough of this intro; I will attempt to convey what the blues mean to me.

In eighth grade I received for Christmas the greatest gift ever, a Magnavox hi fi stereo furnished with an AM/FM radio. At this time FM stations were beginning to generate a following for they could play the long versions of songs and entire albums without commercial interruption. While playing with the dial one night I hit upon KUNI out of Cedar Falls, IA. The most haunting, gut wrenching sounds flooded my room, raw guitar licks and harmonica solos that stroked my even then old soul, vocals that reverberated with a pain centuries old. I did not know that I was listening to authentic blues at the time--not the white boy British version, but the real deal. Through Bob Door I was initiated into the Blues Only Program and introduced to such raw genius as Lightnin Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Willy Dixon, Big Mama Thorton, T-Bone Walker, Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King, BB King, Freddie King, and on and on and praise gawd on and on. Every week night at 9pm Bob would further my education for a half hour and on Saturday nights for a whole magnificent hour and a half. Nothing, not even god almighty and his chorus of angels, ever touched me like this “race” music born of spirituals sung by slaves down in the cotton fields of Dixie. Even to this day I get goosebumps listening to the haunting primitive sounds of Robert Johnson. Koko Taylor can rev me up like no other and Muddy Waters will titillate my soul till the day I die.

I have lived thru my share of shitty times; the last two weeks have been a rough go. But when I feel overwhelmed I put in my earphones and sail away to a state of mind that no drug can imitate. There is a power, to me as powerful as another’s “holy spirit” that can lift me out of the ruts of this life and imbue in me the strength to go on. And if there is anything I am able to understand regarding the plight of the black man and woman in this country, well I know it was their ability to express their pain along with their pleasure thru the music that they were compelled to create to ease their troubled minds, bodies and souls. Long live Blues Power.