This is a continuation of a previous music diary. At any rate, I wanted to add something to the thesis I set out in the first diary, which was that the popular music of today has important origins in the Sixties and Seventies given the convergence of technologies, drugs, politics, and the zeitgeist of those times.

Inspiration is a fickled thing, many times elusive, often low keyed, sometimes soaring, always subjective. The inspiration for this piece is of the soaring variety, as imaginative as the large kettle of vultures circling high in the sky as I watch out the window. Something about their graceful flight triggered the flow of a Thursday afternoon muse meandering.

The vultures are circling. That's an age worn trope generally thought to mean that they are about to descend on some unfortunate terra firma bound, deceased meal. When in reality they're circling because they have found a favorable thermal that allows them to effortlessly stay aloft without much wing flapping. All the while searching for something dead to eat.

There are various types of vultures, the real ones which are abundant here in Texas, and then there are the metaphorical human examples, also abundant here in Texas as well as the other states. This vulture analogy is nothing new under the sun, which coincidentally creates the thermals, so I suppose one could say that was a double entendre, as are both types of vultures as they feed upon the carrion, both real and analogous.

Have you ever noticed a wake of vultures gathered around a fetid lump that was once a living creature? Have you noticed when you approach them while they're enjoying their meal in the middle of the road, that they know exactly when to fly off to avoid being hit by your vehicle? That takes depth perception and timing to avoid themselves becoming the next carrion meal. How do vultures acquire that knowledge? Are they born with it or is it developed over time by experience, or is it political instinct?

As I sit at my desk and watch the kettle floating on the warm updraft, I wonder much the same about the carcass craving human detritus that walk among us. Those that gain nourishment from the unfortunate souls that catch their interest. Vultures have keen eyesight, some of the best in the animal kingdom. Their eyesight helps them home in on a meal from far above, and on a dollar hanging out of a wallet.

Oh, by the way, you may be considered a tasty meal, by both types. My advice is to keep moving, don't look dead.

It's a New Year! Ohh Boy!!

I have to admit, I'm not that excited about a new year, at least, not yet. Maybe the excitement will ramp up after the smell of gunpowder from the fireworks goes away .

But, Spring will soon be on the way and that's exciting to me, things are growing even now. We've had one of the least rainy seasons here in the PacNW since records started. Despite what some people (Hi, Mom!) are saying, it really is not as rainy as normal here. Maybe that means I'll have to mow the fields earlier :). Or that could change, we've got most of the winter to get through still. It's muddy and wet out there now, for sure.

Fireworks at the Seattle Space Needle to ring in 2025. Photo is on the Komo News website and is from Jess White via #SoNorthwest Facebook group.

Happy new year 2025, everyone.

Good morning everyone.
The new year is upon us. I've made a resolution to lose some weight.
It's been creeping up on me for a few years now, since I retired in 2004. I really need to get back out on the road.
So, E2 and I have decided to commit to one last adventure, driving the Alcan Hiway in our little Toyota mini-motorhome.