It was a beautiful day

Kenny Hall and me

Yesterday was spectacular with the sun shinning and the birds singing.  With the governor's edict for social distancing, we are still allowed to walk in the park and in the neighborhoods.  Aside from buying food, that's about all we are doing.  So in our latest trek to nature, I saw this guy crouching down taking pictures of the sprouting springtime foliage at the nature center in Troy.  Mostly with still brown leaves from the winter, some greenery is peaking out.  He was shooting that new growth.  This guy turns out to be my old friend from Wayne State, Kenny Hall.  We had not laid eyes on each other since we left there in the early 70's.  We both friended each other in facebook so our mutual aging was no surprise when we recognized each other in this pleasant setting.  Judy took this shot from her iPhone.  Seeing him reminded me of the past.  Hi path and mine did not cross too often but we both had a mutual collection of friends that we both shared.  We and others sat on "the ledge" a seating spot and gathering place that was in the Art building at Wayne. Lots of conversation always ensued between classes.  All of this was a magical time in my life when I grew to be happy with myself and my worth to others.  All of us dear readers must have spots like this in our memories.

Songwriter and singer John Prine died recently from the virus.  He was one of those hidden treasures in American culture.  Probably better known for his writing than his singing, he composed one of my favorite songs, Angel from Montgomery.  Bonnie Raitt sang it on one of her early albums (remember albums?) Later, she recorded it as part of one her live sessions "Road Tested".  This is one of my all time favorite albums, with lots of collaborators on board.  If you get the chance, give it a listen.

As all of us are watching more TV these days, we are doing the same.  I am in the middle of a documentary on Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool.  I have been a fan of his music for some time.  My introduction was to the Electric Miles of later years prompted by my friend Dann Flora (lost track of).
He and I were both tired of the guitar bands of era and he showed me Bitches Brew.  It was multilayered, brash and subtle at the same time.  Anyway, did not really know of Miles music prior.  this documentary really delves into that. His earlier music portrays his vulnerability.  I really never thought of it.  One of the commentators said that be-bop was the least white music of the time.  That could be true.  Anyway, if you like this kind of music, you might find this interesting.

Unorthodox is a 4 part limited series of programs on a Hasidic girl leaving her culture and moving to Berlin.  Women are the writers, directors, set and wardrobe designers of this show.  Its not presented with a women's point of view specifically but with the sensitivity and attention to detail that most men would miss.  You cannot help but empathize with this waif like girl as she is put in an arranged marriage and all that is involved and her rebirth when she moves on.  On Netflix and worth look.

Another try at chicken soup today
all for now