Listening to a remastered version of The Moody Blues’ 1986 The Other Side of Life.  That was the one that is credited to bringing the last great wave of fans to the band.  I can tell you that not many from that generation showed up in great numbers in the last years of the band’s touring life.  Not to say they won’t tour again, but, they won’t tour again.  And that is okay.  In July of 2017 I walked out of The Ryman holding Carrie’s hand having just heard the band play Days of Future Passed in its entirety.  I’m done! That is what I told myself when I walked out and that is what I meant.  A solo show to be had by Justin or John is always a possibility I suppose.

We had to put Holiday Pete away.  But every year he finds his way to be affixed to a kitchen cabinet.  This picture was taken long before I knew Mick Rutherford or had stepped foot onto the North Harrison campus.  But, I did.  And it has been a good thing.  I only wish I had been his classmate when he was sporting this getup.  I would have probably hit him in head with that broom instead of the silver metal lunch box I clocked him with one day in Mrs. Lambert’s room in the back of the room by the coat pegs.  He forgave me.

After Christmas my dear wife, Carrie, and my sister, Lynn, and I went to Mississippi for a few days to look around and visit kin.  It was a marvelous time.  The last time I was on the Ole Miss campus for a football game was Eli Manning’s senior year.  I have made it to Nashville and Lexington, and even Winston-Salem to watch the Rebs play since.  The campus at Oxford has grown up a bit.  Somebody added water and money and the place really grew.

The stadium has grown.  Carrie and I were there in 1996 for a record crowd of 44,000-plus. Both end-zones have since been filled and the last record crowd was in 2016 against Alabama with over 66,000 in the house.

You know, I would give anything if this guy would sign with the Indianapolis Colts for a year or two.  That would be fun.

The square in Oxford was a beautiful sight.  The place has a true charm that doesn’t work you over. This charm takes you in.  That is a compliment I don’t dole out lightly.

It was a good time.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson