Crazyfinger

"Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell"

Some days this song comes in on the radio around 5:30am in the morning, just when my alarm goes off and I am wide awake, transfixed, no, mesmerized by the magnetic power of this song.  Some days I feel everything that I am is rolled into this song and delivered in a most touching rendition.  And there is more than one version.  Can't say which one I like the best, they are all good.  Here is a list of them, so I can come back to them whenever I want.

1. Bing Crosby version
2. Al Jolson verson
3. Charlie Palloy & His Orchestra version
4. Judy Collins version
5. Tom Waits version

Here are the lyrics.  The Judy Collins version will melt you.  Makes you wonder why Greg Lake never recorded this song.  Push comes to shove, I think I'd pick Bing Crosby version. 

Dear Lalita, would you talk to her for just a bit...?

11th day today.  Soon it'll be 13th day.  Soon they will pick their bags quietly and leave without telling, as the custom requires.  Soon they will begin to pack her things and put them away.  Soon a body will rise from the living room chair with a sigh, see the computer turned off and turned away, go into kitchen for some more tea and experience an inexplicable tug of emotion.  You see, there is one way we can reconcile: that the pain and hurt no longer toils her.  The sadness of her passing belongs entirely to us but this sadness never touches her even a bit.  Isn't that a beautiful thing?  There is a William Maxwell's poignant story called "The half-crazy woman."  Dear Lalita, when you meet this woman, would you talk to her for a few minutes? 

P.S.  You can read William Maxwell's story here.