READING NEIL

AN ARTISTIC SPIRIT

     I have my late brother Jim to thank for turning me on to Neil Young.

Neil Young Photo Courtesy of Graeme Mitchell  New York Times

     Jim was a devoted fan and his enthusiastic playing and gifting of the Harvest album led me into fandom all those years ago.  

     Jim, who was also a writer and player at music thought Young possessed a perspective that put him into a league of his own.

     Now, Young is opening up and talking a bit about his eccentric, creative and unique life.

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic

     In advance of his book Waging Peace, Young has spent time with journalists, itself an unusual act for the private troubadour. 

      The New York Times' David Carr, a unique and fascinating story in his own right, provides a personal look at Young at home on his Santa Cruz mountain ranch retreat here.

        This Rolling Stone post also links to a kind of Neil Young Archive.

    It's not too early to be thinking about a Christmas gift of

a book for the music or Neil Young fan in your life.

    Here is a vintage Young performance from the time my younger brother pointed me in the right direction.  This is dedicated to Jim.  

See you down the trail.

MEMORIAL DAY-DECORATION DAY

REMEMBERING

and

WE BRING YOU A SMILE

A RE-POST FROM THE ARCHIVE

     My grandmother and her sisters used to call it "decoration day," the day you took flowers to decorate the graves.  It was always a Memorial Day tradition, to take flowers to the cemetery and to listen to the Indianapolis 500, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," on the radio.

     It is a weekend to remember, not only those who were lost in the service to our nation, or those who served, but to remember all of our family and loved ones.

      My father and Mother, pictured above were diligent about remembering. That is probably why, whenever I am in Indiana, I visit the cemetery and place flowers.

     This weekend I'm across the country, but I remember those trips over the decades. I also remember generations who now rest in peace, especially brothers John and Jim, taken in their prime.

John David

James D

      

If you wish, here is a beautiful moment of reflection.

NOW ABOUT SMILES

HERE'S SOMETHING TO PUT A SMILE INTO YOUR WEEKEND.  BE SURE TO WATCH THIS.

SEE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL.