I just got off the phone with my Dad.  He had hip replacement surgery today #2. The first one was last September.

I am dumb-founded that I did not get to see him today.  Very very frustrated.  Problem is I was at the doctor yesterday myself and a hospital is not where I need to be close to today.  Gads.  I was at home today.  It was a long day, I can tell you.  Fortunately I too am gaining ground.  I plan on being at school tomorrow.

Earlier this afternoon I had a phone call about some school business.  I told the person I talked to, as I chuckled, that it was the first time I had thought about laughing in over 24 hours.  If that is the case, I know I am ripe.

Dad sounded great.  He is already talking about getting home and getting back to the YMCA to work out now that he doesn’t sound and feel like a bowl of Rice Krispies getting hit with milk.  Snap.  Crackle. And Pop.  I hope he doesn’t hear that when I get off the couch.  Cos I can hear it.  Oh well.

Hearty thanks to all out there who said a prayer for my Dad.  I know they came from far and wide.  I was in touch with a few of those folks today.  I could not be more thankful and fortunate.

I have not mentioned it, but I did get the Alabama win over Georgia correct.  I picked this game with the rest of the bowl games before they started on December 16th.  It went something like this…

Rose Bowl Playoff Semifinal: Georgia beats Oklahoma…not a Big Ten or Pac 12 team in sight.  Tragedy.

Sugar Bowl Playoff Semifinal:  Alabama beats Clemson…Tide Rolls.

CFP Champs:  Alabama beats UGA.  The Master outlasts the pupil.

First time I have ever been right!  Well, maybe not…but that was exactly what happened, wasn’t it?

This past week I was asked if I would get around to seeing The Moody Blues again.  So many will laugh when I say no.  But, uh, the answer is no.  What if they show up at The Louisville Palace?  Call me crazy.  I won’t go.  (I hear laughter).

It’s like this…  Last July I took my sister, her first Moodies concert in Dayton (her kids have seen them), and my dear wife, Carrie, and I went to see them three weeks later at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.  Both nights they played the album Days of Future Passed in its entirety.  Carrie and I walked out of the iconic Ryman on cloud 9 and a half.  It was an awesome show and we have seen a few clunkers…but they have been rare.  We just saw the 50th anniversary performance of Days of Future Passed at The Ryman.  There is now a Hatch Show Print in our living room to remind us.  What better way to end it?

The Moody Blues are heading for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April and that is that.  I have been asked if I am going.  My Dad figured it was a done deal when he found out.  No.  I found Days of Future Passed by providence in 1983 the day I turned 15.  I will be 50 in March.  Is that a temptation?  To see the Moodies in my teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s?  You would think it would be.  But you probably weren’t at The Ryman on July 22, 2017.

The Moodies don’t have any concerts publicized past this month.  They usually advertise months ahead of time.

Now, if Justin Hayward, the lead singer, goes on tour, I would go see him again in a solo show in heart beat.  That is a different animal all together.

So be it.

Thanks again to all who have kept my Dad in your heart today.  He is one of the good guys.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson