Greetings friend. For the moment, I will put it all out of my head. Not in the mood to worry today. The sun is coming up just now and I can tell it’s going to be a good one. (Knock, knock on wood.)
I’m content knowing that Double Decker is just around the corner, and rain or shine, the mood will be top shelf, the food belly-fine; old friends will visit familiar haunts, and the music – man, the music! – will take us all to high heaven if we let it.
Today I’m forgetting the machine of money, the pretend of politics.
Today I’m concentrating on why I love this place. No matter who agrees (or disagrees) with whom, no matter old scores or new ones, let us pause and take look at each other square in the eyes as friends. It saddens me to think that we sometimes allow our political and intellectual battles to find their way into personal settings — but I’ve seen it happening too often lately. Perhaps Double Decker will inspire us to slow down a bit, forget the kneejerks for a second, and reflect on why we picked this town (of all towns) to plant roots, or nurture existing ones. Let us not forget how good we have it in our town.
I love Double Decker because it brings old friends home. They fly in from nowhere like birds in April, and the sound and movement makes everything a little more better.
You might know, I own and operate a place where old friends congregate. To me, it’s a real cool thing. Old friends aren’t so concerned with this ordinance or that, who’s building what or where. Old friends are here to remember the good times, and perhaps we should all take a lesson or two.
Sadly, we all have friends or family overseas right now. I had the chance to visit last week with a few who made it home. Their joy to be back reminded me of simple things, good things. As we celebrate a weekend of art, food, and music, let us remember our friends who are fighting, who dream nightly of coming home to simple things — like Sunday dinners with a warm family, a hard day’s work on the job of your dreams, and a cold beer in the afternoon with close friends. These are simple things, these are American things. It may sound silly, but it’s what I think we are fighting for, abroad (and at home). If it’s not, it should be.
The gears in the machine seem to be sticking lately. Perhaps we should all loosen up a bit, drive a little slower. For my part, I intend to settle down, take a step back, and appreciate the things that make me smile. I hope you can do the same…
We in Oxford have it better than anyone else in any other place in the world! -That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Have a great Double Decker, friend; and please remember to thank those who have worked so hard (all year long) to make it happen.
Thanks for reading.
To my friends in uniform who spent the week with me celebrating the simple things, it was great to see you all!! —Good luck Tull, Dickie, Mark, Maruca, and the rest… Miss you, Kurka!
