A New Year - A New Opportunity to get it right.

I am Lost. I’ve gone to look for myself, If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.

A short time ago these words would have fit me quite well.

But a week’s vacation in a lovely resort on the coast has sent me home in a different mind state. I spent the New Year’s holiday quietly reading and walking in the mild weather, eating fresh caught seafood with two of my dearest friends, my sister Gay and my BIL, Stu. Holidays bring back memories of those who have gone on, and this was no different. We talked about Barry and how he would have enjoyed the New Year's party by the north pool where wine was free. He and Stu would have overdosed on football, and they would have soaked in the outdoor hot tub even though the temperatures were cool. Stu missed his old friend, and so did I.

But life goes on and we enjoyed going to the movies – saw Les Miserables – WOW – what a great job was done putting this story on film. Terrific actors and as usual I cried. The music alone brings me to tears. 

When I see a musical motion picture I am reminded of a story my brother Max tells about one of our farm workers years ago. When  Clarence was asked how he liked a new movie, I think it was Oklahoma, the fellow said he thought it would have been good, but about the time things were getting serious between the hero and the girl, “they busted out singing.” 

I hope Les Miserable will be well attended. I’d like to see more great movies of this type on the screen. If you haven’t seen it, please go to a theater and enjoy it. If we support good movies, perhaps we can convince movie-makers to give us more. 

While on the coast we visited Savannah. Gay and Stu have long been fans of a delightful Irish Folksinger and storyteller who often appears at Kevin Barry’s Pub down on the waterfront of the Savannah River. I don’t know when I have been entertained so well as the hour I spent listening to Harry O’Donoghue. 

 He was born in Ireland but came to the United States when he was twenty with a group he had put together back home. When the group disbanded Harry struck out on his own and became a highly successful solo artist. His music ranges from songs I listened to in the sixties and seventies to his lovely original ballads. He includes a few songs that have a country flavor, but he is Irish to the bone. He is so funny he had us howling with laughter. But just as quickly he brought tears to my eyes with Rod McKuen’s “Love’s Been Good To Me.” If you have the chance to see Harry O'Donoghue in person, you will love him. 

Back home now I am ready to get back on schedule – get my plans in place for spring, which will be here before we know it. I will be writing an article for my high school online newsletter this month on the subject of blogging. I am planning a couple of new classes including Marketing Your Self-Published book. So much to do – so little time. 

http://www.harryodonoghue.com/

http://www.mckuen.com/biography.htm