A Life Lived
It is Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. My mind is in a fog, and I have no desire to catch up on the morning’s news. The sun streams from the east over the Fox River and it stands to be another warm day. It is not yet astronomical Fall, the season of summer lingers. I want to settle into the rhythm of a fading summer, to answer several emails that are important to me, and proceed with some reading. Never mind, human-caused climate warming, war in Ukraine, the inevitable fracturing of globally extended supply chains, etc., etc.. Clearly being informed day to day about those conditions bestows no agency in those matters. And in my heart of hearts I know that no one is in charge.
Jimmy Buffett is still on my mind. He passed on September 2nd and the world is a better place for one life that was lived. I make that judgment not as a parrot-head fan, but as a casual music lover who has been transported time and time again to paradise by tune and lyric of Buffett’s songs. (After all, paradise exists as a state of mind and heart) For our contemplation and enjoyment I offer a Crosby, Stills, and Nash tune, Southern Cross covered by Jimmy Buffett.
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you might be runnin’ from is so small
But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a comin’ day
So I’m sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a dyin’
And my love is an anchor tied to you tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a’ flyin’
She is all that I have left and music is her name
