Music to My Ears

It's funny what we remember.

I just recently reconnected with an old friend from the 4th grade. Thanks to Facebook. I mentioned that he was the first person I met in my new school. We had just moved to NJ from St. Croix. It was fairly cold, but no snow or rain that day. We were living in a Holiday Inn while our house was being built. So we didn't ride the bus yet and we were too far away to walk. But my Mom made me wear my snow boots! I complained, but was "overruled." I arrived to class late and was taking off my boots and a kid nicknamed Tweety leaned over and whispered, "Do you play kickball?" I had no idea what that was, but I replied yes anyway and joined the group for my first game during lunch. Today he goes by the name, "Tweed," and he is a kickball/PE teacher to autistic kids. And he plays in a band.

Music has always been important to me. One of my earliest memories of living in Peru (before St. Croix), was of my parents playing Guantanamera on the record player. To this day, I love to hear that song. As many of you know, it is always a request in any Gringo Mexican restaurant. Apparently we only know that song, Feliz Navidad and La Cucaracha.

Carson loves that song. He and the Princess always sing, One Ton Tomato, da da da, One Ton Tomato.

Another memory I have is my Mom driving us around St. Croix playing the radio and we would always hear Simon and Garfunkel playing one of their hits from The Graduate.

It's funny, I don't remember anything my dad listened to when we were young. We always complained about country, so he put on news radio.

I like all genre's, except most rap I can do without. And Carson really is learning to appreciate all kinds as well. The Princess used to only listen to country. I may have lived in Texas and Louisiana for 30 years, but the only country I ever heard came from Urban Cowboy. My Dad used to love country, even listened to it in New Jersey. Today you can't find a country station in Connecticut. Which I find amazing considering how popular it is overall. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and others are burning up the charts.

So Carson loves country. And he loves music that I like. Pink Floyd was one of his first favorites since he could giggle. The sound of the chimes from Time and the cash register from Money always made him laugh. Once he began talking, he always asked for those. In addition, he loves the Eagles, Pink, the American Idols (which was his first concert), and of course, Bruce. One day I will introduce him to Yes and Genesis. He already knows all about the Pussy Cat Dolls. Don't Cha. When I was his age I liked Josie and the Pussycats. I have to admit, I like his choice a little better. Don't you?

One day, he will pass on to his kids a love of music. I am sure One ton tomato, the chiming bells and the Boss will be in the mix. And some music that his generation creates that we aren't ready for.

I doubt he will pass on a gift of playing an instrument. I tried the guitar, but the 70 Percenter that I am, just hated to practice. So air guitar and banging on bongos like a chimpanzee will have to do. Funny, I only found out 3 months ago my Dad played drums in a band long ago. But that's another story.