Many Americans are convinced that the COVID pandemic is over. Thinking this way would be a mistake. I know because my wife contracted the virus at some point recently and tested positive on Friday of last week. Despite being fully vaccinated, she’s feeling quite unwell.
As a result, I’ve moved into the front bedroom—the one with the television—leaving my wife to recuperate in our master.
I’ve been reading and watching a bit of television late into the evenings recently while my wife rests. Last night, at 11:30 p.m., I got on PBS to watch The Wallace Townsend Quintet, a jazz band, on Sound On Tap, a half-hour program that features emerging musical groups in Texas. I managed to find a copy of the full telecast on the internet and have embedded it here.
The fellows are good, but I want to begin by saying a bit about the venue, Flippers Tavern. I did a quick search and found that said drinking/gaming establishment can be found in Lubbock, Texas, out west, located a part of the state where the land flattens out and the sky gets large and melodramatic. Lubbock is a university town and known as a place where much musical talent resides and music history abounds. In fact, Buddy Holly (among many noteworthy others) was born there and all sorts of bands, of every type and flavor, pass through those parts as they move across the Southwest in search of audiences to entertain and mesmerize.
It just so happens, I lived in Lubbock during my late twenties. I taught at South Plains College, a little community college located there. Back in the day, the city had several really good spots where blues bands played some soulful stuff. I was there during a period of my life when I spent Friday and Saturday evenings out and about. I caroused a bit more than I should have. I certainly sowed some wild oats. I have good memories of those days.
Watching this quintet took me back. It also provided me with a wonderful example of creativity and “flow.” Watch the guys make music. Watch them feel it. Notice how each musician is egoistically occupied with his own instrument but then steps aside so that others can step in. Clearly, what we’re witnessing is something like the quiet ecstasy of creation—nothing less than a jazzy God-like Act.
Thanks for reading.
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I’ve got work, on the internet, in a variety of publications. Use the Google search terms “Troy Headrick writer” to find more example of my writing.
Thanks for guiding us to a great example of creative flow, Troy. I hope your wife is feeling better soon and that you stay well!
When I’m doing something creative and everything seems to be working out perfectly, I have that feeling of flow. Of course, creative things can also feel like chores if there’s a kind of struggle. I wonder why some days things go so well while other days they go so badly? This would be a cool thing to look into. I wonder what the research says?
Thanks for the kind wishes about my wife. She was quite sick for about 4 days and is 95% well now. This experience taught us something about COVID. Those who try to downplay it do so at their own peril. I am well too and just had my second negative test.
That would be a cool thing to look into, Troy. For me, it represents when I create from my heart or from my head. When I’m in my head too much, it feels like the end product is harder to come by and not as good as when I’m working from my heart.
Glad your wife is better and you’ve stayed well!
Nothing beats sitting in front of a jazz band with a cup of coffee and no place that I have to be other than where I’m at.
I totally agree. When I was younger, I would have preferred a beer. But now, a coffee would definitely suffice. Thanks for reading and commenting.
There’s a definition of an epidemic that says an epidemic is over when most people think its over. From that point on it becomes just an accepted part of life. Barring a new and more problematic variant, I think that is where we’re at now.
Hi, Fred. That’s an interesting perspective. It’s possible, though, depending on how things go, that people will decided that it’s not over, that, in fact, it has started again. I have an interesting anecdotal observation. On the day we took my wife to get her second test, the PCR, the more “serious” test–we tested at home first–I noted that there was a long line of cars that contained people who were waiting to get tested. And then we had to drop our results into a drop box which was crammed full of tests that needed to be process. I found this enlightening–and surprising. Nature is the greatest teacher, and I think it has a few lessons yet to share. Thanks, Fred, it’s always a pleasure.
Quick recovery to your wife🙏🏿🌹
Thanks, Jermena. I am happy to report that she is nearly back to normal. How are you?
That’s good to know.
Am ok, thank you😊
I love music, and I still go to bars where they play live music. It is so exciting. About COVID, it is not over yet, I had it recently but almost without symptoms. Wish a quick recovery to your wife.
Thanks. There are plenty of places around where I could hear some really great live music. Several months ago, I totally stopped drinking. I think I’d be sorely tempted to start again if I went to such a bar. Live music and alcohol go hand in hand, and the more I drink, the more I like the music, and the more I like the music, the more I drink. I’m sad to report that I’ve had periods in my life when I drank way too much and way too often. I was a huge “party boy” and even a bit of a barfly when I was younger. I’m past that now, thankfully.
I also used to be a barfly when I was younger. Last time when I went to a jazz bar, I drank green tea!
Maybe I’ll take my wife to listen to some live music and try something like tea or coffee. That would be a first for me. Thanks for giving me the idea that there are other ways to be part of an audience like that.
You know that getting older also means getting wiser…
I’m glad your wife is feeling better! Thanks for sharing this great jazz group- as a jazz trumpet player myself, I appreciate people who appreciate jazz. 😎
I’m glad you liked it, Todd. Do you really think they’re good? (I like to listen but can’t really judge talent the way you can; I know much more about the visual arts.) My musical tastes are very eclectic. I like it all–well, not everything–especially if I can see that the musicians are trying to push boundaries. I thoughts these young dudes had talent and swagger and collaborated well. I often feel like trashing Texas–there’s plenty about the state that I find embarrassing–but Texas is great for musical and other types of artistic talent.
Yes- I really did enjoy this group- especially the trumpet players phrasing (I’m admittedly biased towards trumpet players). I agree with your Texas comments- they have a governor I think is a fool, they also house the Dallas Cowboys (the hated rival of my Philadelphia Eagles), but on the good side they also have Austin, yoga teacher Adrienne Mishler (Yoga With Adrienne) and lots of great music 😎
The word I would use to describe Gov. Abbott would be much more harsh than “fool.” I would go more for something like “asshole,” but hey, that’s just me. (I currently find that I’m often embarrassed to have to admit that I live in Texas which is sad.) I also dislike the Dallas Cowboys. When I was a child, I took a liking to the Minnesota Vikings and I’ve been a fan ever since. By the way, I probably don’t have to tell you this, but Vikings fans are required to be longsuffering people. I have to say that one of the most exciting politicians out there today is from Pennsylvania. I really like John Fetterman. I like his ideas and his style. It’s too bad that he didn’t take better care of himself. In Texas, I really like Beto. I’m glad you liked the music. It’s true that Texas is loaded with musical talent and it’s not just in Austin either.
Haha yes- I was underplaying my true feelings on Abbot to avoid the expletives I had in mind 😳.
Two of my co-workers have COVID, and both are quite sick. I don’t know if it’ll ever be really over, but we do still need to be careful. I hope your wife is feeling better.
Thank you. She is. Before she came down with it, I would have guessed she’d be one of those asymptomatic types if she ever contracted it, especially since she’s had so many vaccinations. She is literally never sick, but she was sick this time. I figured I’d get it first and get it bad. My expectations were totally unmet. Just goes to show you how odd the disease it. Thanks and I hope your coworkers recover.
Glad your wife is feeling better, Troy. Thank you for sharing the message that covid is not over. I have been fully vaccinated and have had two boosters, but I will wear my mask in the grocery store today. 🙂
Hi, Cheryl. I think that’s wise. I had gotten a bit lax with masking, but after seeing how bad it hit my wife (even with her being vaccinated), I am going back to my mask. I learned a lesson. Covid is no joke!