Public Radio

Radio has been an intimate part of my life. Since the first grade, living near Montgomery, Alabama, music was present in my life. My father was in a quartet that sang in area Baptist church congregations. My mother sang in church with a clear soprano voice. It was obvious she liked to sing. She was still pretty young at the end of the sixties and had diverse tastes in music. Whille riding in the car she would sing. I discovered I could sing along too. Music became fun. I tried to make up songs in my head. When there was a piano in the house I tried to compose my own songs and play from songs on the radio. My favorites were popular rock and roll and country rock. Yes, Chicago, Beach Boys, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and of course the Eagles.

It was in an art class in college that an art professor made a remark, strongly suggesting that students might have more knowlege of what was going on in the world if they would listen to more than hard rock on the local radio station. Where was that? Public radio. As an older student with a daughter in grade school, it was easy to tune out inclusive remarks made about students' habits, but I listened to the very station he had sneered at. This particular professor was not one I respected, but this time his tone made me feel insulted. What was so wrong with my radio choice? On the ride home I tuned in a public radio station that didn't play primarily classical music or head banging rock. It was KRCC out of Colorado College in Colorado Springs. I did it for no real reason but to reinforce my feelings that this was just an egotistical professor, an over educated, slightly better than average, elitest artist. He was all that but he was also correct.

Public radio was an acquired taste for me. Quickly I realized how the news was some how more fresh and current. The music was unfamiliar. Violence in Bosnia and Kosevo was escalating at the time. The news was stunning. Before switching the radio dial, I had no idea how bad life conditions were in a war torn country, now present in my lifetime. The news articles were gripping and insightful. The music could be strange, KRCC from Colorado Springs was dedicated to playing obsure music not played elsewhere. There also was a good dose of guitar and blues. I learned be patient and listen through the other stuff. Instead of using the radio as an instrument to forget the day, I was becoming more informed. My music sense was expanding. How grown up of me.

So now what?

I was just talking to Bill, my partner here on the Edge, about what this blog is for. Bill mentions how he believes it has to be a marketing and money making tool. Of course, he is right but I get anxious when I think about it like that and the pressure about what I don't know becomes a stifling problem. So instead of concentrating on the money possiblities that might be, I focus on what I like about sharingon a blog. I get more excited about connecting to my family and letting them know something about me in one central spot. The people we love are so spread out across the country and the globe.
Living out in the country is the way for me. Having big sweeping prairies and magnificent views with the Rockies in the background sounds lovely doesn't it? Let me mention the night sky, unobstructed! No one around for miles. It's not for everyone. Lonliness and isolation can be a problem. Yet it is what I have always wanted. It is very soothing after so many years of the needs of others, frantic feelings, numerous addresses, and, dysfuntional dramas. So the challenge is to make a life that satisfies. Out here I feel it is easier for Bill and me to focus on what that means. It is a good thing that Bill feels the same way.
What is the real balance of what one does to make a life? Well that can be for another post.
Until next time, Cheers!

Greetings from the Edge of Livermore

Greetings!

Welcome to the first blog of my life. It is one of my New Year's resolutions realized. Already I have a feeling accomplishment. Even if I fail to make this a habit just making this step means there is one resolution I can mark off the list. The hope is that the effort works out to more than that. I am looking to technology to aid in staying connected, share and learn about the world from the office chair in my little kitchen. Occasionally I muse and write as well as make photos about what is curious.

So this is an exploration of a tool, honestly, I am not clear as to a blog's uses in my life as it is today but open to considering possibilities. Here's a hearty Happy New Year to all. Cheers!