A couple of hours ago it finally dawned upon me what the date was today; Feb. 8, 2010.  Sixty-one years ago today I was born. My God, what a trip it has been!

I was born in a time when televisions where a new gimmick which everyone was certain would never catch on; when men in outer space was merely a devise used by fantasy writers and computers filled up entire buildings and were only used by scientists.

I was raised a child of the Deep East Texas woodlands, on a poor dirt farm. I grew up hunting and fishing in the surrounding woods and streams and enjoying a total freedom few children can know today. From the age of twelve, I worked on a ranch doing all the sorts of jobs that cowboys for a hundred years before have done.

When I was eighteen I fought in a little war and learned everything I would ever need to know about trusting a government or about the inhuman beast that lives inside all men.

My twentieth birthday found me raising a family and beginning what would be forty-one years of working and struggling and putting aside for others the one dream I ever had; being a writer.

So here I am at the age of sixty-one, living a world that moves too fast, Where people are instantly and forever connected via computers and cell phones and where human compassion has been supplanted by rampant self-interest.  I find myself wondering; when do I get to step off the merry-go-round and pursue my own path....to be free.

There have been two musicians of the twentieth century whose songs have touched me deeply and many times told my story with their lyrics. One is Willie Nelson and the other one was Johnny Cash.

Here is the song of Johnny's that best fit my mood and my feelings on this sixty-first birthday.

Bird on a Wire

Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight in some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee

And if I, if I have been unkind
I just hope you will let it go by
And if I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you

Like a baby stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out to me

But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I'll make it all up to thee

I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch
He called out to me, "Don't ask for so much"
And a young woman leaning in her darkened door
She cried out to me, "Why not ask for more"

Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

Regarding my last post: I would like to thank everyone who left a comment for your kind words of love, support and encouragement for Mel and me.  We are in the process of making all the travel plans and getting someone to stay in our home and care for the animals. We are still in the midst of chaos and are trying to survive it all. I was really not sure when or if I would ever be able to write anything again but the love and support of all of you here on Open Salon has helped me to find a few words to write. You folks are the very best.....thank you all.