Comment from pome lover

Excellent

just listened to Randy sing your song. That's a good one, for sure. So sad that he died so young. Do you know the cause - just curious because of his age.
Had to chuckle over "whatever is playing at the time becomes my favorite song." One of my favorites is Here's that Rainy Day. Bought the sheet music ansd tried to play it on my key board my sweet husband bought me right before he died, and it changes keys so many times, it's a hard one to play. I took piano years ago but haven't kept up with it. wish I had.

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023

Hello Katharine,
I love that song. I'm not familiar with Here's that Rainy Day, I guess I'll have to look it up. That's cool that you know how to play an instrument. I never learned. Randy had leukemia. So tragic. I didn't realize that your husband had passed away. I'm sorry to hear that. He couldn't have been very old. How tragic. Thanks for the great review gal. Have a blessed day.
Tom

reply by pome lover on 21-Feb-2023

He was 54. Had cancer - brain tumors. We were in Crested Butte, CO when he had a seizure and we went to Denver and found out. Brought him home to San Antonio where his grown kids from his first marriage got to be with him.
Anyway, thanks, Tom.

reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023

Hi Katharine,
I'm so sorry to hear that. He passed way too soon. Thanks for sharing that with me, I imagine it was difficult. I didn't mean to pry, I guess I had just assumed that the two of you had divorced. I don't know honestly which is worse. Blessings
Tom

reply by pome lover on 22-Feb-2023

first husband was a divorce. The good doctor was not faithful. I married again 9 years later and moved to CO. Husband got cancer. I've been widowed 25 yrs. But enough of that.
Changing the subject, yesterday we were 85 degrees! can you believe that? So, naturally, I went out and got some plants - a beginning to replacing everything that died in the freeze. I love planting,but digging out the roots of large dead plants is a lot of work - hard on the bacck, but rewarding to get a start on it. I understand a big cold front is covering the northern states. Hope it stays up there. How are yall doing?

reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023

Hi Katharine,
I hope I didn't open an old wound, that wasn't my intention.
85! Holy cats, I'd melt on the spot! Isn't it too early to be getting bedding plants and things or not? Do you have to worry about an early spring freeze? What are you going to be planting? I love all kinds of flowers. This year, along with the usual bedding plants, I'd like to buy a Mountain Ash tree. They have beautiful orange berries in the fall. Back in Hoonah, the crows would wait until they were fermented and then eat them. I don't know if it made them drunk or not.
We're doing OK. Jan's having some issue with her stomach that she's going to check out on Friday. Hopefully it won't amount to much. It's been bothering her for a week or so, so she wants to know what's going on. I'm doing as well as I can expect I suppose. My main issue is boredom. I do have things to do, but making myself do them is another story all together. The days are getting longer though, so like an old Oak tree, I'm starting to feel the sap running, and I'll be getting more energy and desire to get out soon.
Watch you back gal, don't hurt yourself.

reply by pome lover on 23-Feb-2023

we could possibly have another freeze, BUT I bought some of those round stands on wheels (can't remember the right name) to go under the biggest heavy pots, so I can move them together to put the tents over - all I have in the back is deck - no grass, so everything is in pots.
Hope you get out and enjoy pretty weather soon!!(Tonight I had to turn on the AC!)

reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023

Oh my word, I can't imagine turning on the AC. It's snowing here again. We've had above average snowfall here this year- over 90 inches. It's colder here than in Hoonah, so when it snows, it stays on the ground and doesn't melt very fast. One year in Hoonah we had 23 feet of snow. Every day you had to clear off 6 or more inches of snow off the car and shovel the driveway before you could leave. The problem was - no place to put the snow. Oh the joys of living in the north.

reply by pome lover on 23-Feb-2023

90 inches. I cannot imagine that much. When I moved to Crested Butte Colorado, we had accululated snow that went up to 2nd story windows, but not all in one fell swoop.
No wonder you want to get outside. Not to rub it in :) but today was gorgeous. It's our summers that do me in - humid and in the 100s. Yesterday I planted some yellow daises, a gardenia plant, two oleanders, and one bush I can't remember the name, with little white flowers. Some say it's too early to plant, that we could have another freeze, but it's hard to imagine when it's almost 90 degrees. However, we do have crazy weather.
Did you tall me where you were born? Have you always lived in a cold clime?

reply by the author on 24-Feb-2023

I was born in Ohio. We used to have cold winters, but they didn't last as long as here in Alaska. When I joined the navy, I spent six months at Great Lakes Illinois going to boot camp and radarman A school. Then a year and a half in Key West before being transferred to Charleston S C. I liked it there, but it got real hot, and had lots of snakes and fire ants. Good fishing though.

reply by pome lover on 24-Feb-2023

Yes, Ohio. I remember now.
Charleston is a lovely place, but it IS hot and humid in summer, as are we. So you moved to 90 inches of snow, months of darkness and COLD! It seems to me it would take a strong constitution to live there. I do think people's blood adjusts to cold or heat through the years, and you tolerate it better after awhile.

Comment from MissMerri

Exceptional

This is such a beautiful and well written essay. I know that song well and as I came to the part where you listed the words... thank you for doing that, I sang them out loud. I did not know, either, that this artist had died and was sorry to hear that. I hope you know how much I look forward to your posts because I know there will be another enjoyable and interesting story or poem for me to read. You are a good editor as well. I almost never see anything to correct... just good expression. Thank you.

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Feb-2023

Hello Adonna,
thanks so much for the generous review and very kind words. I was so sorry to see that he had passed on. I love that song. I don't gravitate to sad songs, but they nonetheless fill a spot in our hearts, as we all have experienced loss of one sort or another. The melody is beautiful too. It's nice to hear that you still sing gal, good for you. Have a blessed day. Thanks again, it's always nice to hear from you.
Tom

Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear

Excellent

So hearty is this non-fiction, as the music can tell the mood; truly the author says remembering Randy, paying this tribute, and tells the mood of his sudden death particularly when the author needed him much, his lyric sings the same; Review, write for, dedicate post to your God, use time more today; ALCREATOR LITT DEAR (DR)

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2023

Hello ALT,
thank you for the fine review. I appreciate your time taken to read it.

Comment from LisaMay

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your story because that is one of my favourite songs too. I played it again just now because you mentioned it, and now I have damp eyes. The lyrics are so very touching.
Your story combines music, memory, friendship, nostalgia, and mortality in an engagingly readable manner.

 Comment Written 12-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2023

Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm glad that you listened to the song. It's a great song and is one of my favorites. It's tragic that such talent is taken from us so soon.

reply by LisaMay on 12-Feb-2023

I'm sure he would've written many more memorable songs if he'd been given the gift of a long life.

reply by the author on 12-Feb-2023

I believe you're right.

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

This is a wonderful tribute to Randy Fan Wormer, full of sentiment and a sincere heart. You are so right about music having a great influence in our lives, even when we don't consciously realize it.
Great job. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2023

Thank you for the wonderful review. I need to see what other songs he may have sung. I read that he wrote some country and western songs for top artists that did really well. I thought at one time that he was with the group Chicago, but it didn't say anything about that in his biography, so I guess not.

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I remember the song well, but I like most of us, never knew that Randy Van Wormer died so young and isn't here to celebrate your story with us. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2023

Thank you for the fine review. It came as a shock to me. He joins the list of many musicians who passed too early, Ricky Nelson, John Denver, Roy Orbison to name a few. Sometimes musicians just seem to fade into the background and we don't pay any attention. Leonard Cohen passed a year or so ago, but he was still working and putting out music, although he had to because his manager ripped him off.

Comment from Malcolm Rothery

Excellent

Well written story with 'winner' written all over it. And, yes, you are so right. Music, like the simple smell of a flower, can bring back memories - usually sad ones. I am glad that I am not the only one who finds themselves smashing the speed limit when listening to a favourite tune. Have a great day.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2023

Thank you for the great review. I don't know what I'd do without music in my life. I've wondered at times if I were given a choice is I'd give up my hearing or sight. Hopefully I'll never have to choose. I know what you mean about flowers too. My dad loved them and smelling a certain flower can transport me to my childhood.

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

I remember this song as well, and you are right about people applying to their own lives. It is definitely one that covers us if we're walked out on.......

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2023

Thank you for the wonderful review. Isn't it funny that a thousand people can listen to the same song and think that it was written just for them?

Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

Dolly Pardon also sang the song, Just When I Needed You the Most. Many of the famous singers have passed on. Just recently Elvis's daughter passed.

Out of many popular soundtracks comes the hottest movie around, Titanic. A movie of a lifetime; several of the songs become soundtracks for movies. Celine Dion has several. Like your story.

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2023

Thank you for the fine review. I've never heard Dolly's version of this song. I guess I'll have to look it up. You're right, a lot of very talented singers/song writers have passed on, way too early. I've got sever songs by Celine. She's got a powerful voice.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Interesting and well written story about the importance of music in your life. You are so right about the power of music to trigger memories and emotions. Best wishes for your entry in the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 10-Feb-2023

Thank you for the wonderful review and good wishes. Yes, music has such power, it's amazing.