After a long and very wet, muddy winter spring is at last making an occasional appearance. Just odd and well-scattered days, but very welcome interludes.
Also much appreciated are the friendly, encouraging words that appeared in the comments of the last post. As you may have guessed I've not been feeling too great so far this year and have recently had a spell in hospital to try and sort things out.
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When not investigating the local countryside I'm often to be found prowling YouTube and Spotify for music that catches my ear. Recently I encountered the work of Jerron Paxton, or "Blind Boy" Paxton as he sometimes styles himself, in the manner of 1930s blues singers. But he explores a much wider range of music than that, even embracing the songs of black minstrels - that is music they sang for white audiences - dangerous ground in such sensitive times as these. But as he explains in the intro to another song:
"We are dealing with history
History's tough - so we deals with it
Getting over it is tough, but it's necessary
Making up for it is tough, but it's necessary"
Listen as he weaves his web of history, humanity and humour in the introduction to the song. I'm sure you'll be as spellbound as those sitting behind him.
I wondered about the amount of money sent by the Choctaw nation to Ireland and discovered that, though widely different sums are quoted, the total was probably about $5,000 (at modern values). Even so I'm sure it was much appreciated as a symbol of solidarity. There's even a modern sculpture in County Cork in remembrance of the event
We can end with Jerron Paxton singing a song on a lighter note:
Good to hear from you John - I had begun to worry and have so missed your walks. Hope things improve for you. I tried to find an e mail address for you but no luck. Best wishes - I have missed your posts.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that like many other bloggers I am delighted to see you blooming forth once again John. But how strange that both of us (I have been absent too) should be mentioning the subject of black issues.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to read your blog. Wishing you many more days on which you feel able to venture forth. Charmaine
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see a new post here, John. I'm glad you are able to get out and see the beauty of spring blooming there, and then sharing that beauty with us. I hope that all goes well for you in every way. Music is a beautiful balance for these times. Take care there. (NewRobin13)
ReplyDeleteGood to see a post and hear that you have been out and about a little .
ReplyDeleteKeep on Keeping on!
What a great post! Interesting information and beautiful spring photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is always lovely to hear from you.
Best Wishes,
Kay
I was moved to tears when I learned the story of the Choctaw tribe in Oklahoma feeling the misery and despair of the Irish victims of the famine, while still suffering from the Trail of Tears march. Then many years later the Irish reciprocating in kind when they learned of the hardships encountered on the reservations in Oklahoma because of the Covid epidemic. That all spoke to me as to what the human race can achieve when mercy and love is in the hearts and souls.
ReplyDeleteIt is becoming redundant, but no less heartfelt, John, to say how pleased I am to see you return to blogging. You have not lost your penchant for exquisite photography, and I hope that we will be treated to more of it. With my very best wishes - David
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your post, John. Wishing you good health and lovely walks! Thanks for the blooms! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you back with your beautiful photos. All the best for the future and keep writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are well enough to make an appearance here and to get out with your camera. The photos are as lovely as ever. Music on you-tube can captivate one for hours.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear you are feeling well enough now to be out and about. I hope you feel better every day! It is also good to see you blogging again. Best wishes, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to see your post pop up this morning, John. Lovely shots as normal. I hope that you will be able to get out and about with your brother as the weather improves.
ReplyDeleteI have appreciated your occasional comments.
It is truly lovely to see a post from you. Love your photographs, and the information you share. Thank you - and I hope that you and your blog do bloom again.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you around with your beautiful photos John. Hope you will be blogging soon and talking those walks we all love to see.
ReplyDeleteDon't talk too loud about signs of Spring John, you will frighten it away.
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to see this post. Hugs, Cousin.
ReplyDeletehi hope all is well you both and looking forward to the pictures and the writings of your adventures this coming yr colin
ReplyDeleteCheered to see your post today, and as always, enjoyed your photos and thoughts you shared.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see floral portraits and nice surroundings
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear from you, and I love your words that begin "if all goes well". We are all praying for that.
ReplyDeleteMy echo of what others have said...be well. I'll be here waiting.
ReplyDeleteSo good to see you back walking, taking photos as blogging again. Loved Jerron Paxton. Sending wishes for more improvements in your health.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the music and I hope good health returns.
ReplyDeleteit's nice of you to have taken the step to inform us and add beautiful images of the nature et good music
ReplyDeleteget well and thank you
Nice to see you writing again..Spring is trying very hard, but another storm... Kathleen this time..is getting to us...snow already in the Highlands and gales tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt does raise the spirits though, like yesterday, to see blue sky and sun and plants growing
Hi John - so good to see your post ... and I do wish you continued improvement and look forward to more posts. I'm coming back to listen to Jerron Paxton's music and lyrics ... obviously a very thoughtful and interested in life man ... thanks for the introduction to him - all the best and enjoy our sunnier (I hope!) weather as those April showers recede - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always, John. I have been praying for you to have better days. Sending lots of love and hugs to you and Les.
ReplyDeleteSo good to see you posting John. Always appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteLove the banjo! I enjoyed his insights too. I never knew about him and plan on learning more. Very interesting and just a phenomenal picker. Good days and better days for you is my prayer, John. Your cousins across the pond send you love. Maggie
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back here. Wonderful photos of Spring just around the corner:)
ReplyDeleteEchoing the comments of other bloggers, John, I too was happy to read your post and especially to see your photos again and look forward to more as you are able to get out and about again. You have been missed in blog land, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the introduction to Jerron Paxton, a talented musician who was a new listen to myself. I will be searching him out online. Admittedly, I am envious of your blooms as here in New England we had a snowstorm this week. Thanks too for the comment on my recent post.
Once again it's lovely to see the return of Spring, greenery is quite similar down here in the deep South. I spent 4 years of my youth in the fens; I was at school up there.
ReplyDeleteSo good to know you are out and about again enjoying the slightly dubious spring weather. Perhaps Spring will now sharsenal up her game. No matter, your photos are as beautiful as ever and thank you for the introduction too new music. Good to have you back at my breakfast table.
ReplyDeleteRead your recent comments on my blog but was unable to read your blog until this morning. Glad to hear your rallying and treatments helping. Your spring is much further along than ours.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see this post and know you able to venture out a bit. Your photos are beautiful, as they always are.
ReplyDeleteA great post with splendid images! Wishing you well John.
ReplyDeleteHoping the good days come more frequently in the coming months, both for you and our weather! Having said that, the grey days do make me appreciate the sunny ones more.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you back here again! In the images with nice bokeh effect, I can feel the energy of early spring. Hope your occasional appearance on this blog for the time being and then blossoming again like before. I I keep my fingers crossed. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see you back John, and getting out and about. Thank you for introducing me to Jerron Paxton, I particularly enjoyed the first video. Sending you very best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you back here and recovering. The statue of the feathers is a beauty and appropriate as a thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see your post. Blind Boy is quite a joyful charactor isn't he? I just read a book from the 1920s, and the racism is really just so inherent. They were completely unselfconscious about it. The whole jist of it was that a man put himself in blackface in an escape plan, but then could not remove the blackface because he needed butter, so he spent the night hiding from the police. He couldn't catch his train because a black man could not ride the train. It was meant to be a funny story, and in its time it was, but viewed through these eyes, it is not nearly as funny as people found it then. Although they used the word 'mental negligence' which strikes me as a useful phrase.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear from you. I keep my fingers crossed for your full recovery!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
I hope beautiful sunny spring days are now beckoning you outside, John. The buds unfolding are filled with hope.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like spring here today, and I admired the flowers and the new leaves and I thought of you and wished you well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, John. It is truly spring here now. Warmer with lots of rain. Today, I thought of you. I hope that your day is a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to read your comments on other blogs, even if you don't add posts here at the moment. Sending a virtual hug ((0))
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