I guess it became quite evident to my classmates that I loved to sing. In third grade when our teacher asked our class to choose a favorite song to start the music class, I would always be the first to volunteer. Waving my hand and shouting out, “Blow the Man Down” !
Looking back on those times I’m sure every classmate and the teacher rolled their eyes and shook their heads, muttering, “If we hear that song one more time, g-r-r-r!”
I loved that song so much I think I sang it as a solo in the classroom a couple of times.
If we had a class reunion this summer, it would be our sixty-fourth class reunion and if I volunteered to be a part of the entertainment I could sing them Blow the Man Down one more time.
The result would be a mad dash for the exit doors by all the reunion attendees!
Well, a mad dash might be an exaggeration. None of us are capable of that kind of movement anymore.
An unsteady shuffle would more accurately describe the exit. 🙂
My love for music has been a part of my life since I heard the first lullaby sung by my mother.
Over the years Peter, Paul and Mary, John Denver, Elvis, Bill and Gloria Gaither, and others too numerous to mention have entertained me. Yes, even to a greater degree than that old favorite, Blow the Man Down.
Over the last few months, a T.V. commercial has caught my attention. A movie has just been released titled Song Sung Blue.
It is a true story about a Neil Diamond impersonator.
The more I viewed that commercial the more I was determined to attend that movie.
Wheaton has a movie theater; however, there is no guarantee that Song Sung Blue will have a showing there. The theater is kept operating by volunteers from the community and thanks to them we are able to enjoy the latest movies.
Sixty miles to the east of Wheaton is the town of Alexandria and they have a large, multiple screened venue.
So, my job was to keep tabs on those two theaters and not miss a showing of Song Sung Blue.
The days dragged by but no movie announcement.
But then, it happened!!
Online I discovered the Alexandria Theater would be showing Song Sung Blue at 1:10 on a Saturday.
We have been having a tough winter, so I was excited to have the opportunity to get out of town and the next Saturday was going to be my opportunity.
Saturday arrived, I filled the car with gas and off I headed to Alexandria.
The first twenty miles were perfect driving conditions.
And suddenly the driving conditions plummeted. There was more snow in that area, and strong northwest winds were blowing and coating the road with a layer of ice.
Not being very adventurous I did the ‘old person’ thing, I made a U-turn and headed back to Wheaton.
No popcorn today! 🙁
In the middle of the next week, the weather was much improved, so I headed out again and was determined to finally hear some music of Neil Diamond.
As one approaches Alexandria from the west there are two round-a-bouts. Care must be taken when navigating them or an incorrect turn will end up sending you on the freeway heading to Minneapolis.
However, luck was with me, and the next stop was the Alexandria Theater.
As I approached the theater’s parking lot, I stared at an empty lot.
I had arrived for the 1:10 pm show. It was 1:00 pm so there should have been many more vehicles.
As I cruised by the windows displaying the movies that were being shown I came across the Song Sung Blue flyer. The show time was displayed as 4:10!
That meant I would be driving back to Wheaton in the dark. My old eyes don’t function as well as they used to in the dark.
So, I did a little shopping and made a daylight trip back to Wheaton.
Would I ever get to see that movie?
It seemed everyone I talked to had seen Song Sung Blue.
I was feeling disappointed that I may never get a chance to see that movie.
I did hear that the neighboring town of Milbank was showing the movie and I was contemplating driving the sixty miles to finally see it.
I was driving down Wheaton’s main street and as I drove by the theater I looked up at the marquee and guess what the new movie is in Wheaton?
Song Sung Blue!!
Hallelujah!
Until next time. 🙂
