The Hardest Part

a few years ago

I don't know if any of you know (or care for that matter) that I am the father of two adopted boys, one of whom is somewhere within the autism spectrum realm as they say. I am also the foster dad to two more boys, which leads to nary a dull moment around our house.

I wrote something recently for my two sons that I would like to share, I don't know how many people feel as I about their children, maybe it has to do with adoption, maybe with autism, maybe I've just completely gone around the bend. Anyhow it is a sentiment and an affirmation to them and myself that they indeed are loved and always will be. It goes something like this:

The hardest part for me

Hasn't been the loving

It hasn't been the showing

The true meaning of life
It hasn't been the sharing

Or the caring

Or the daring to be true

It hasn't been the difference

Between all of me and you

It hasn't been those nights we've lost

It hasn't been the extravagant cost

It hasn't been those things between the lines

It hasn't been all those times

Where it all got miss-communicated

It wasn't those words you said

How you really hated

Me and us, how we should be dead

It’s never been about the past

It wont ever be about your loss

Or what you should have gained

It’s only a fear you’ll lose

This life’s love and joy

Truly the hardest part has always been

One day knowing you will no longer be mine.

Leave it all behind

Shaking off my jack boots

Itching for a ride
Thinking off down the canyon
Maybe find some place to hide.
Mind runnin on memory
Dusty old beaten track
Makes a man think he understand
Why someone invented crack.
Gonna ride until the sun pass me by
Just leave it all behind
Check out a new world
One don't run on a dime
Buzzards over head are callin
Waitin on a friend
I think I'll give em company
Right on down to no end.
Ain't worried about tomorrow
Maybe what Christmas'll bring
Yesterday done caught me again
Same old rusted thing
It don't much matter I guess
How far you ride the trail
Thinkin about how it was suposed to be
You'll find it's much like reading brail

Caffeine Break!!!

I am having trouble focusing on my other writings (too much caffeine!) so I thought I would write about an album that is new to me although probably not newly produced. As you know, if you’ve read any of my earlier posts, I went to Italy in 1992 sort of to play music and to think about things. I stayed with a good friend of mine, who was also the guitarist I played in a band with, Leonardo Boni. He is truly a fabulous guitar player. We met, I don’t remember the year, back in Putney School in Vermont and established a decent rapport down through the years. I am introducing you to him here because not only was he a big part of my life for a while (in both Boston and Florence. He resides in Florence now.), but he has created a new album of music both original and cover songs which is now available (I think you can go to www.leoboni.com to order it). I spent an evening with Leo our last trip to Tuscany and was able to get my hands on a copy.

When we talk about guilty pleasures we talk about something that is so deeply satisfying that it must be, has to be, bad for you and therefore burdensome in a guilty way. The pleasure comes right from your toes up your spine and makes your scalp ache (at least it does to me!). That is how I feel about what he has created here, Leo has hit a guilty chord within me and if you would take a listen, I am sure you will feel the same way. The childlike innocence and joy with which he plays each song treating it as a wake up call for happiness, even those tunes that are wrapped in a sad sounding package. From Louis Armstrong, to Tom Waits, his vocals run through texture and timbre resonating well with the Mediterranean/swing/gypsy sounds that he has developed. Leo has been playing many genres of music for many years and here I think he has hit his stride with a happy traipse through the landscape of his (and mine) beloved Tuscany otherwise known as Toscana. If you are looking for a guilty pleasure that is non fattening nor fatal if swallowed, give a listen to Sogno Toscano, it will be, I’m sure, habit forming.

 Sogno Toscano is a window into the heart of a musician who is truly smitten by the history, vitality and beauty of the land he calls home. I would recommend to all; give him a shout and ask him for a copy! I have tried to set up links to his site and to youtube for a sample. I hope they work!

Anyhow, I am having trouble sitting still so until next time I get jumpy…enjoy!