Robin and Linda Williams: Memorial Musings 2019
It's been a fine day in the Shenandoah Valley as all followers of the University of Virginia men's basketball program know. The team advanced last night to the NCAA Final Four next week in Minneapolis. And since we've spent forty years living and dying with the hundreds of eighteen to twenty three-year old young men that have passed through the program, and this is just the third time the team has made it this far, the two of us are elated. Our obsession with UVA basketball has made us wonder from time to time if this is healthy, to always block out our daily and weekly schedules according to when theyÕre playing, and then setting our DVR to record each and every game. But we run into other, what we consider normal, well adjusted, productive and busy people and find out they do the same thing with their favorite team. For years Garrison Keillor found it hard to understand this consuming passion of ours, and then one year his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, made a run to the Final Four and he was talking about it on his radio show and setting up "watching parties" after Saturday broadcasts. So now we're comfortable with ourselves and acknowledge that, compared to most other addictions, ours is not a bad one. The success of the team has aided LindaÕs disposition as she spent February and half of March recovering from her third ankle surgery in a year. After the hardware failed in the first two she determined to give the ankle every possible chance to heal and, at her Duke Doc's insistence, spent six weeks with her "toes above her nose." Robin went and got a passport to allow himself access into the kitchen and he, along with many friends, made sure that Linda ate well and was cared for in the manner to which she deserves. Several lessons have been learned: 1) that you CAN wash darks and whites together in the washing machine, and 2) You should never use the smoke alarm as a kitchen timer. Last week, at her six-week post-operation appointment, the Duke Doc approved her to start putting weight on her ankle. Linda's convalescence has not kept us from being busy. After ten months on the market, the house in Middlebrook, where we spent 42 great years, was sold. And it went to some good friends who love the house and know what a special place it is, and they've invited us to come visit anytime we want. ItÕs a wonderful feeling knowing it is in good hands. Also, we replaced our 22-foot road vehicle with an SUV. Now that we've gone back to our roots and are playing as a duo, it made sense to streamline our traveling style somewhat. Bumper Sticker Of The Month: I ordered an egg and a chicken from Amazon. I'll let you know. (thanks to David Strip). California here we come. We'll leave the last of this month for a weekend there and then go to Texas for a couple of gigs and a visit with family. We're glad to be heading back out west and will be returning next year for a show in Portland, OR. ItÕs darn nice to be playing gigs even though weÕll be moving a little slower than usual as Linda will still have a walking boot on. We're working every day to get some new songs stage ready and, as well, we're making plans to start a new recording - perhaps very soon. We'll keep you posted. Keep on the sunny side. Go out and see some live music soon because, as we all know, music makes you smarter.
Your pals, |