Things

Thinkin' 'bout things - Like a walk in the park,
Things - like a kiss in the dark...

Etc.

Yep, another song lyric. Actually written by Bobby Darin. Recorded by Dino in 1962. And yes, I remember it well… (extra points for those who recognize and know the hidden reference).

Thinking about my youth, and thinking about things I remember. Some things I remember through tangible items, some things will always exist solely in my memory. The latter, unfortunately, later generations will never be able to fully appreciate. Maybe sometimes I remember too much. I don’t know. MA! can keep me straight on perception vs. reality.

For example, Lucas (or insert your name here), you will never know the laughter of my father and mother, and your now aunts and uncles as my dad stopped a 1968 Dodge van full of two families in the middle of Mule Creek in southwest New Mexico – with Jack Arnett pulling off his shoes, jumping barefoot into the water and shouting "OBSIDIAN!!!” Mule Creek was known for the volcanic rock. Well, we all were bare foot in Mule Creek that day, and went home with a coffee can full of the black glass rock. Which sat in Dad & Ma’s garage for a long time.

I remember Grandma Meyer’s pies, because I have her rolling pin that rolled out so many pie crusts. A very tangible thing. Especially when I first used it – the lard of the pie crusts she made was pressed so deeply into that bird’s eye maple. I had to wash it once before I used it and it still came out non-stick to anything.

Watching Mac watch me use his tools in his shop while I worked on a car. He smiled.

Laughing with Dad in his or my shop. Dancing to “Tulsa Time” by Don Williams in my garage. Damn. We had fun.

Thinkin’ ‘bout things.