Son Jon sent these pictures that were taken this morning back in Vienna, Virginia. It is apparent that Jon is enjoying himself playing his Mandolin and talking to people. We had no idea when he got his first little ukelele that music would become such a continuing source of pleasure in his life. But music is like that. Music has a “magic” way of communicating. Our Kitone group sings at care facilities occasionally. Recently at an Alzheimer's unit while one of our group whistled and sang an old love song, a patient whom I was near and hadn't spoken any words for some time, sang along with every word. Though Jon sang with us in the Kitones when they lived in Seward some years ago, our best times singing together was when he was a Senior in HS, the other kids were off to college and Country Music was popular. I wish I could have been there to sing with him this morning but I doubt I would have known the words.
Some songs endure for a long time. And it would have been a pleasure to have Dad singing them with me. I played, more than sang, songs typical to the 1860s, and well liked by the soldiers of the time, including "Grandfather's Clock," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Dixie," "Goober Pies," and an Irish Jig (not sure its name, but it's a catchy little tune.)
ReplyDeleteWill be playing music again at next weekend's Secession Vote. May also play the concertina, an instrument originally owned by my Grandfather, but very period-appropriate for the Civil War days. Music brought lots of calm and peace to their otherwise stressful days of hurry up and wait or get shot at.
By the way, the average Civil War soldier spent most of their time, not in battle, but in either camp or marching back and forth. Avg. time in battle - 7 days for the entire way. The rest of the time - hurry up and wait.