Music… I grew up deep, deep in the heart of Texas. Until I was 14 the only music I heard was gospel music and country. Not modern country but old country Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash, Tammy and George and Loretta.

There was no other music and rock and roll was the devils music. When I got married and left home and eventually Texas a whole new world opened up but I never strayed far. The first song I remember that wasn’t country was “Love Grows Where my Rosemary Goes,” by Edison Lighthouse. Funny because I heard it just the other day and I instantly flashed back to 1970 in Houston, Texas riding in a 1962 red Ford Thunderbird, windows down and radio blaring. I was free, pregnant and the world was my oyster.

In the 70’s, I treasured a lot of early 70’s pop rock and maybe I got into a little old time rock and roll from the 60’s but never got into anything much crazier. A lot of those songs take me back to Florida, sunshine and palm trees. It was a great life.

After Florida I moved to Alaska, had another child and now at 18, I was discovering more about myself. A neighbor gave me the John Denver album, Windsong, and she told me the song “Looking for Space,” reminded her of me and where I was in life. I loved it and it is still a song about me. That album was the beginning of a love for John and his music.

I migrated from there to other folk artists, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Eddie Rabbit, Elvis, James Taylor, Kris Kristofferson, Simon and Garfunkel and Willie Nelson. I still like old country and some newer stuff but ballads and folk are still my style. I am pretty simple and boring. On my phone I have favorites from almost all of these artist mixed in with a little Fleetwood Mac, John Lennon, 60’s rock and roll, folk music and lots of worship music.

My favorite rotates depending on my mood. Last week when I was mowing the lawn, I replayed Joni Mitchell’s, “The Circle Game” by Tom Rush over and over again. Listening to it made me think of Josh and how he was so full of life and filled with inspiring dreams and about how quickly time passes. It was a melancholy afternoon.

So back to my first favorite, the song that I still relate to, “Looking for Space“…

On the road of experience
I’m trying to find my own way
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
When I think that I’m moving
Suddenly things stand still
I’m afraid ‘cause I think they always will

And I’m looking for space
And to find out who I am
And I’m looking to know and understand
It’s a sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I’m almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I’m deep in despair

All alone in the universe
Sometimes that’s how it seems
I get lost in the sadness and the screams
Then I look in the center
Suddenly everything’s clear
I find myself in the sunshine and my dreams

And I’m looking for space
And to find out who I am
And I’m looking to know and understand
It’s a sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I’m almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I’m deep in despair

On the road of experience
Join in the living day
If there’s an answer
It’s just that it’s just that way
When you’re looking for space
And to find out who you are
When you’re looking to try and reach the stars

It’s a sweet, sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I’m almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I’m deep in despair
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
Like an eagle
I go flying… High

Trish B, July 02, 2023