Michael
Evans, you’re a lot smarter than me. That kind of goes without
saying. Let me explain this statement. Michael was one of my
classmates at DCHS, Class of 1992. One day, while we were in the
midst of those days, he referred to me as “Puddleglum.” For a lot
of reasons, I’ve had that term on my mind today. Michael had a very
interesting way of looking at things, so I always assumed that
“puddleglum” was a word that he came up with. To my surprise, I
found out that it refers to a character in the book The Silver
Chair-
part of the Chronicles of Narnia series. The character is described
as “rather gloomy,” and by some of the characters as a “wet
blanket.” LOL, That describes my ever-positive outlook on life!
I
guess “Puddleglum” fits me this weekend. As I posted on Facebook,
I am going to have some outpatient surgery on Monday – sort of
related to my hospitalization in May. But, also, sort of not. It has
to do with a spot on my foot that was barely even there when I went
in. It’s actually for the best to get this taken care of, and it’s
a lot better scenario than it could have been. But, it’s still not
the way one would like to start their week. The idea of slowing down
– even for a day or two – is not something I like to even
entertain. Some might not like that, but it behooves (don’t I have
the wide vocabulary tonight?) me to stay busy....Otherwise, I think.
Again,
let me explain. Today, I had a great start to the day. I drove into
Nashville for a meeting with some good friends of mine who are have
started a new trio. I may not be the smartest person in the world,
and there are others who have made a lot better choices – but
talking with people about their love of the music business and the
adrenaline shot one gets by being on 16th
or 17th
Avenue in Nashville – I love it. I simply do. There are people who
do what I do better than me – but nobody enjoys their career more
than me. But, I’ve written that, haven’t I?
As
the afternoon progressed, and I returned home to the trusty old
laptop I am typing on right now, “Puddleglum” set in. Today was a
beautiful day in Middle Tennessee, with gorgeous conditions and
pleasant temperatures. It was the kind of day that was made for a
drive somewhere with someone in the passenger seat. But, not just
anyone....you know that “one.” Only thing is, she’s not
there...right now.
My
reaction to this fact is something that has changed a lot since 1990,
when I earned that nickname...or 2005, for that matter. That’s
encouraging. Being alone makes you realize some things about
yourself, why you do things, and for whom you do things. I still want
to find a relationship....but it’s got to be right. I don’t want
to be forced into it, or feel that I’ve got to have someone to
prove to people I can be in one – and that’s not a knock on
anyone in my past. It’s just me stating a fact about how I
approached things before. I was always so worried about making things
work – even when they weren’t – because I didn’t want to look
“less than.” Being alone is not how I want to spend my next
twenty years – but there are worse things. Wow, that’s kind of
prophetic. Plus, there aren’t many available women who have Porter
Wagoner in their record collection. (Seriously, that’s not a
pre-resquite, but I did see an attractive woman at McKay’s today
who bought a John Conlee vinyl album....Note to self...there is
hope!)
Anyway,
I’m not sure what the point of any of this is, other than to say
that five months shy of 40, “puddleglum” might have grown up a
little bit. That’s not to say that drive through Montgomery Bell
Park today wouldn’t have been more fun had I not been alone, but
it’s going to happen. And, unlike the “good old days,” the next
time, I’m going to enjoy it rather than worry about losing it –
like I should have done once upon a time!
So,
on assignment from Burns, TN, this is “Puddleglum” Dauphin
signing out....and if you know a woman with a complete Kenny Rogers
collection...
