Whistle A Happy Tune

Good Morning!

I have been having fun today. Dad's old harmonica and I have been getting acquainted. I am trying to learn how to play it. Yes, I went online to learn. I played Mary Had A Little Lamb for the first time. My apologies to Mary. And the lamb. Let's not forget the residents of Centennial Towers. I think I will be ready for my first concert in about 10 years.

The sales receipt for the harmonica was still in the box. This happy little music machine was purchased on August 29th, 1966 from Mission Music Shop. That was the year I graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School. Has it really been 42 years since I raced from class to class down those dark halls? The price of the harmonica was $2.50. The tax on it was eight cents. Today that harmonica, a Hohner Marine Band model, costs between $27.00 and $37.00. We do live in an inflated world.

I do not know if Dad ever played the harmonica. I was a freshman at Emporia State Teacher's College when Dad purchased it. Money was tight for me and I only went home for the holidays. I rode the train to Kansas City and someone picked me up there. Once, I had to take a taxi home, because I arrived in KC late at night. The taxi ride inspired a lot of internal guilt. Who had money for a taxi? I hope Dad did play it occasionally. Sadly, the box looked like it had not been opened very often. Does anyone remember if Dad let down his hair and played? Dad loved music. Some of his favorite songs were: Paper Doll, Stormy Weather, Harvest Moon, Yellow Rose of Texas, and Lazy Bones. He used to sing those songs when we went for car rides. There were others but I can't remember them now. Dad was always a happy camper when he sang or whistled a happy tune.

Playing the harmonica is kind of an earthy thing to do. And this is Earth Day. Happy Earth Day Everyone! Breathe deep. And SING.