So, it's been a while. I thought long and hard about making an entry when Ted Kennedy died, end of an era, and some comments on my own political coming of age in the 60's, but then decided, no, not enough substance (although certainly a 'moment in life' where i looked at things again).

No what drove me to the keyboard today was the death of Mary Travers. Reminded me of one of those 'out of the blue' moments ........

Several years ago, I was waiting to meet with a client at a Theological Seminary. The waiting area outside her office was also outside the Chapel, and a service was underway. The sermon wound down and a muted trumpet started playing an oddly familiar melody in clear, but soft tones. Soon a guitar joined in, and then in purest, most lyrical and touching tones I'd ever heard, a fine male voice started into a full, all stanza, rendition of 'I shall be released.' I savoured the sound, the words, the guitar and trumpet, the whole nine yards, and was disappointed when the music ended, in the way we sometimes are disappointed when we reach the last page of a fine novel.

As my colleague left the chapel and came over to fetch me for our meeting, I told her how touched I was by the beautiful final 'number.'

Paul Stookey was spending that semester as musician in residence at the seminary....Time passes, music is a gift always......