It’s been awhile since we went Ramblin’ here at Bird’s Banter. Seven years, in fact. Ramblin’ is just off the cuff or stream of consciousness musings. And so! With a nod to Led Zeppelin. Ramble On!

I can smell college football comin’ round the corner! For better or worse, the game has changed dramatically. Like it or not, that’s the given now. Let us now give Pink Floyd the floor.

“New car, caviar, four star, daydream
Think I’ll buy me a football team. Money
Get back
I’m alright, Jack, keep your hands off of my stack
Money
It’s a hit
Don’t give me that do goody good bullshit…”

Speaking of sports (Remember the old radio program, ‘This is Howard Cosell speaking of sports’)? Our Atlanta Braves have the best record in the National League and the second best record in baseball. They lead the Miami Marlins by six games,

The games people play. Pretty good song and written by Joe South. Covered by Freddie Weller. I liked both versions. As a matter-of-fact, Dan Baird and Homemade Sin do a mean take on it. Danny was the front man for the Georgia Satellites a few decades back. Love his live shows.

I haven’t written much of anything about our recent trip to Ireland. Will do soon I hope. No bright ideas on that. But I will speak to the subject of Irish whiskey briefly. I sampled a goodly many of them due to the graciousness of a couple of great bartenders. Powers, Redbreast 12 year (A bit pricey), Bushmill Black Bush, and Writer’s Tears would be my go to Emerald Isle spirits as we speak. Jameson is ok but you need to go to the 12 or 18 year olds for a fine one in that line of whiskeys. Kilkenny, brewed by the fine folks at Guinness, was my favorite beer. Hard to find in the States.

Doing something, right now, I haven’t done in a couple of years. Watching Finebaum. I am getting football fever and I need some input. The magazines are out and they all have Auburn sixth or seventh in the West. That will not happen. I’ll get my preseason picks out after SEC Media Days when I have a much idea of what’s what in the SEC.

What am I reading now? Roddy Doyle’s ‘A Star Called Henry’. A slow go. Been picking at it for weeks. Heavy stuff. Ireland in the early 20th century. I’m two books into Michael McGarrity’s Kevin Kerney series. He’s a New Mexico guy. Page turning crime mystery novels. Most enjoyable.

Music? I listen to more jazz than anything else these days. By far. Real Jazz on SiriusXM is great. Apple Music is my other primary source of tuneage. John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie “Bird” Parker, and Thelonius Monk are my favorites. Yet I do listen to a wide array of jazz musicians. I also continue to listen to my traditional country, classic rock, and pop oldies.

Me and Paul have watched some good streaming TV series recently. Perry Mason, Succession, and Barry on HBO Max. Waco: The Aftermath on Prime Video. George and Tammy was not good IMHO. We finished Redemption, Britbox, last night. Loved it! INTENSE. And it’s based in Dublin, where we spent four nights. That was neat. Apple TV has Ted Lasso The Crowded Room, and Platonic. Yes!

And so, boys and girls… M. O. U.S. E. 🎶 Bye bye!

Leo