Grateful Dead and deer on a summer morning
MONDAY 6 JULY 2020
“We will get by; We will survive.”
This morning I'm a deer, strolling in saltwater-soaked grass along a Freeman Highway tidal ditch, looking for tender new green to eat. On the other side of me is the thick pine woods of Cape Henlopen State Park where I live.
The flies are relentless. I flick my tail constantly to discourage them but that just seems to attract more. Shaking my head to get them away from my eyes while I graze doesn’t help much either. Tolerating them is tough but turning up the volume on the Grateful Dead’s ‘Touch of Gray’ provides a pleasant distraction. “I know the rent is in arrears, the dog has not been fed in years; it’s not as bad as it appears. It’s alright. Sorry that it feels this way. The only thing I have to say is, every silver lining has a touch of gray, but it’s alright.”
Of course it is, because this is the way it is.
We will get by.
Spread some love around. Appreciate music and art and nature. As my friend Mike says, stay away from the nonsense.
RICK’S PICKS
Rick’s been occasionally sending out duets of live music. Here’s one he sent recently. It features amazing musicians Sara Bareilles and John Legend. Beautiful and positive. He wrote a little intro which I’ve included here before the youtube link. Thanks to Rick for this and thanks too to the Grateful Dead for distracting me from the flies.
Rick wrote: “As we celebrate the 4thof July birthday of our grand and fragile republic, I was drawn to this duet featuring two amazing artists. Sara Bareilles reportedly wrote ‘A Safe Place to Land’ influenced by the recent chaos of our immigration policies. The words of the refrain remind me of the need to participate in our ‘noble experiment.’”
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger
A little scared but you're strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
'Til the sun comes up
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Dennis Forney has been a journalist on the Delmarva Peninsula since 1972 and has been writing his Barefootin’ column for The Whale and then the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years. Like his Barefootin' Facebook page to get notified of blog updates.
