Recently, some work on the big air conditioning units was performed behind brick walls near the building where I go to work. Cranes blocked the driveway and parking spaces and various other inconveniences occurred. But the work was completed. The result cannot be seen, but there is a new phenomenon.  A hum, it is, at a certain pitch and quality to remind one of something specific.

Hummmmmmmmmmmm it goes constantly, as I walk by. Then it hit me. It was the first haunting note in the Steve Miller Band song, “Jet Airliner!” The air conditioning was kicking off the classic rock song. So, of course, I had to continue and break into the song: “Leavin’ home out on the road…thinkin’ about my home…big ol jet air liner, don’t carry me too far away…”

This feeling did not go away, nor did the song, so I found it on youtube to listen. A quick pass through FaceBook found my high school and great musician friend Keith Reynolds to be logged in. Sending him a quick message about listening to the classic rock and needing to tell someone about the weird phenomenon, we got the inspiration to rhyme, and traded writing verses off the proverbial cuff:

Elaine: Thanks go to youtube, they got the greatest hits,
           Whether you like that weirdo Ice Cube, or even a Ballroom Blitz.

Keith:  Steve Miller was the sound I liked, no matter how hard I tried,
           The sounds just kept flowin' by, takin' me to way up to the skies.

Elaine: When the ac unit started hummin,
            I found myself a drummin,
            Fought the urge to break into “Jet Airliner,”
            People would a thunk I'd hit the Shiner.

Keith:  Shiner is a beer, tequila puts you into gear,
           Everclear just makes you queer,
           And bourbon if mixed with all three will bring you where????
           I certainly don't know....

Elaine: And I don't really wanna know,
            Just wanna go out to the show.
            Grandpa's pickin,
            The chicken's finger lickin',
            Let's just dance, let’s GO GO GO!

(Note the song playing during the last verse, “Dance, Dance, Dance,” begins “My grandpa, he’s ninety-five, and he keeps on dancin’, he’s still alive.” So grandpa made an appearance…)

Ain’t it great when the music touches your soul, lightens your mood, brightens your day, and inspires you to be completely goofy? Most times people don’t see me be goofy, but it does happen… here’s a link to the song on youtube and the hummmmmmmmm… Jet Airliner

Isn’t it funny how a song can define your mood, or create a feeling of emotion within which reflects some inner conflict? On the way into the workplace today a CD with some songs played in the car. Through some friends a while back I heard a song, “The Richest One,” and had to know what it was. A quick Internet search turned up the recording artist, Toni Price, and Amazon happily filled my order.  The music filled the car...and me.

Chill bumps rise, my eyes close, breathing in the music I feel…well I just feel. The sounds and the words are sad, defiant, yet joyful. The song touches me. That’s a powerful thing. While walking toward the building, a line from the song rolled through my mind—“a good man’s touch in the mornin’ when I rise, baby, I’d give up every single dime,” and the memory of the kiss before I left home, the
miracle of my husband’s strength, tenderness, love and support washed over me.

There was something almost electrical in the air, an energy my soul couldn’t just leave. So walking past the door, those feet kept going. My free hand moved outward, gathering the energy, as smooth steps were taken. With a purse and a book occupying my other hand, the two free fingers extended to grab what they could. There, under the trees was a peace and power so much needed. Walking
through the bird droppings on the sidewalk, there was no fear of anything dropping on me from above—indeed I looked up through the leaves to see the sparkle of the morning sun. My deep breaths allowed it to soak in.

Suddenly a cool breeze wafted through the area. Currently, it is July in Texas and a high temperature of 102 is expected, so a cool breeze was a pleasant and surprising sensation.  My feet halted, eyelids closed and the power surrounded me. I did not want to move. In truth, leaving was optional. But duty and responsibility called and the powerful peace released me. Not completely, however. It is still there, hovering in the background, triggering my mind and fingers to create these words.

Perhaps such feelings should not be experienced very often else they might become commonplace. But taking a few moments to feel the breeze and the sun through the trees is something we should do more often.  

Link to the song on youtube: http://youtu.be/Lo0oRiEooog