I’m currently working on a Dum Dum. The sucker! Some call these tasty treats lollipops. We did not refer to them as such in Lower Alabama when I was growing up, We called them suckers. That’s what they shall remain in my frame of reference.

We did not call our tasty carbonated beverages soda or, God forbid, pop, either. They were “Co-Colas.” It didn’t matter if the drink was a Pepsi, RC, Dr. Pepper, or “Big” Orange. It was a “Co-Cola.” I will have to admit that I picked up on the term soda while we were residing in the beautiful Hudson Valley area of Upstate New York. My fellow Southerners can penalize me for that.

Speaking of colloquialisms, as some of you know, I have immersed myself in the crime mystery novels of the incomparable James Lee Burke. And I will continue to lavish praise on his brilliant prose and stunning imagery every chance I get. “Hit” don’t get no better.

Anyway, the Louisiana and Cajun colloquialisms I’ve learned in his Dave Robicheaux series are just wonderful. “Podna,” “Cher,” “Making groceries,” “Dat,” “Dem,”  “Neutral ground,” and “Fais do do” among them. (Look, ’em up, you!)

The omission of the letter “H” in Cajun speech is something I love. Thing becomes “t’ing” and mouth becomes “mout’,” for instance.

And now we have Canned Heat’s “Goin’ Up the Country” playing on this setlist composed by Apple Music.

It takes me back to an early scene in the Woodstock movie. When that song comes on  my mind immediately see’s  thousands of hippies descending on Max Yasgur’s farm in New Bethel/White Lake, New York. Volkswagen vans, peace signs, tie dyes, head bands, joints, and nuns flashing peace signs.

The power of association.

By the way, BTW in today’s texting/desrtuction of the King’s English world, the setlist is entitled “What are Earth’s Favorite Songs?” Some of its features… “Mother Nature’s Son,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Green River,” “After the Gold Rush,” and “Paradise.”

The one that really struck me, thus far, is one by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. It is a medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” with “When You Wish Upon a Star” and some other stuff thrown in there. He plays the ukulele. And it brought tears to my eyes.

The power of association. Words. Tunes. Sounds. Smells.

Let’s play some “first word(s) that come to your mind.”

Okay! I’ll provide the words and you make the association.

Music… Love… Hate… Sucker… Rain… Work… Bun… Peace… God.

How’d you do wid dat, you?

Is it summer at your locale yet? It is here at 116 Sundown Way in beautiful Acworth, Gawja. The high is expected to hit around 86 today and 89 tomorrow. 80% chance of rain Thursday, though.

And last weekend? The most miserable night I’ve ever attempted to spend outdoors at an event. And it wasn’t Legion Field in December. It was Hotlanta in MAY!

A dear friend came up from Alabammy, got the four of us a driver for the evening, an Escalade SUV, and took us to see Chris Stapleton. It was 40 something degrees (don’t know what it was with wind chill) with swirling winds and rain that cut us down to the bone!

We got there at the end of the second opening act’s last couple of songs and could only make it through one song by Chris and his band. “Might As Well Get Stoned.” Tell me about it.

But, we wound up at Wild Wing Cafe, in Alpharetta, and then back to 116. A good time was had by all in spite of the brutal “cold and damp” ($1 to Simon and Garfunkel).

Wow! There’s a song I wouldn’t have necessarily thought I would like. It was will. i. am’s “S.O.S.”

And now here’s one by the Friends of Distinction! For all of you out there in radioland. “Grazing in the Grass!” Can you dig it?

That’s my last one for you good folks!

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Peace out.