The Analog Dogs played the Rennerdale Duck Pond on Saturday — a flatbed trailer parked in front of the volunteer fire department, a fantastic roof overhead keeping most of us out of the sun except for our legs. Cool fall day, bright sunshine, western PA doing what it does best.
The kids were fishing. Five and under, some of them holding actual sticks — not toy rods, real sticks with a fishing line, a hook, and a bobber. There were hot dogs, chili nachos, and an apple pie boat with whipped cream that looked absolutely amazing. Homemade. I didn't get one and I'm still thinking about it.
There's a moment I keep coming back to. We're playing "Pink Houses" in front of a big, happy crowd while the world turns and churns and does what it does. People want to have a nice time. They want family activities and sunshine and music. Thankfully for us, music is a big part of that.
I love being up there. Playing and singing for people who enjoy music — whether it's background noise while they eat nachos, or something they sing along to, or something that gets them up and moving. It's a big part of their lives and it's a big part of mine. I try not to judge music as good or bad. It just is. If people like it, it's good.
And it's not trying to hurt anyone, blame anyone, or make you mad or jealous or sad. Sure, there are views and opinions and calls to action in plenty of songs — from "Fortunate Son" to "For What It's Worth" — and that's part of our DNA at this point. A protest song, any song, can be a statement or a point of view. Good for the writer, and good for us to have them to listen to, think about, and believe in.
As Monday comes and thoughts turn to work — AI, education, and all the things I'm focused on in this not-very-serious retirement — I'll reflect on Saturday a lot. I'll see the faces of kids, parents, and old folks fishing in a duck pond in front of a volunteer fire department in the bright sunshine on a cool fall day in Rennerdale, PA. And I'll smile. And I'll wish I had gotten the apple pie boat.
It was homemade. And it looked delicious.
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