GOODBYE, WILLIE

The other night, Mari and I watched the ESPN program about Willie Nelson and Farm Aid. It was touching yet a bit sad, as Willie struggled to sing some of his old favorites in a quiet voice. Nonetheless, he was clearly pleased to be there, and his makeshift “family” of music friends backed him up with real gusto, especially his guitarist son and Mickey Rafael on harmonica. Only his now-departed sister, Bobbie, was missing. Neil Young was there, too.              

I first “met” Willie in the fall of 19, when he released his album “Redheaded Stranger.” We have been special “friends” ever since, even though we never met. Over the decades, I collected as many of Willie’s albums as I could, but I never made it to a live concert. “On the Road Again” remained both my favorite Willie film and song.

As fate would have it, Willie and I are almost the same age, with me just a couple of months older than he is. So it was not really surprising to see him looking as we both do now at 93. What was a bit surprising, however, was that Willie looked more tired and worn out than I think I do, though I suppose I’m naïve about how I look. In any case, I am afraid that Willie will not appear live on television again.

No matter how things turn out, Willie Nelson has become an American icon, both for his music and for his efforts to help American farmers through difficult times. A long and rich musical career, indeed. More than that, he has been a major source of inspiration in my life, through his music and his love of life. All the best, Willie, in whatever lies ahead. Thank you!   

Getting Straight About Donald “Non-President” Trump

I have changed my mind about the basic problem with Trump – it is not simply that he is a sick, selfish, and stupid person. I no longer think he is suffering from a heart problem. He is far too robust and sometimes alert to have that, even though he has bad moments. And he is not just stupid and/or greedy for attention, etc. We must not let his minor, though vast, personality shortcomings cloud our vision.

My current guess, and that’s all it is, is that he has some sort of growth on his brain that is slowly eroding his mental powers. I think this explanation better accounts for his irregular yet sporadic behavior. At times, he seems pretty much “normal,” but his “lapses” are less about physical strength, though that’s evident, and more about mental issues (including “napping” in meetings, etc.).

Thus, in my humble and very unprofessional opinion, Trump’s problem is essentially mental, not just physical, caused by some sort of growth in his brain. Unfortunately, this malady may take longer to reveal itself than his now more “normal” behavior. So we are not just waiting for him to have a heart attack, but we are waiting for some sort of aneurysm in his brain. Sometimes it feels imminent, yet it hasn’t happened.

Unfortunately, we cannot hold Trump responsible for this sort of illness. Perhaps all the stupid and self-aggrandizing behavior can be laid at his doorstep, but brain tumors are not like that. In any case, since the Republican leadership refuses to step in on behalf of the U.S. people and the “greater good,” all we can do is wait. And even pray that Trump’s end will come sooner rather than later. Amen!!!