A good portion of my free time over the years has been spent doing a job that most men and little boys are so familiar with: mowing and yard work. I’ve always been one to pay close attention to detail concerning my yardwork. However, over the past twenty-some years, I was remiss in taking care of some business, that is of keeping a fenceline on my property clean.

The fence wasn’t always there, and I didn’t put it up. Still, once in place, it began to present problems. It was hard to keep the area in front of it mowed and there was always the issue of clinging vines, especially poison oak, climbing up the fence, totally covering it. Initially, I kept it clean but it eventually got away from me and I ended up letting it go. And even on my retirement, having more time to devote to my duties, I still ignored it. Until the other day, that is. I was sick and tired of looking at it and finally sucked it up and determined that it was time to do my duty and make the effort to give my property that well-cared look again.

I’ve shared here before my love of music, especially oldie goldies, and how I use my lawn mower as a time travel machine, listening to my oldie music while working in the yard. And, of course, the two days I spent on the fence line, I took the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with some old friends of mine, the Allman Brothers Band. They were one of the first of the Southern Rock bands, founded in 1969. They also incorporated elements of jazz, blues and country music into their répertoire. Other such groups recording under that genre were Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws, Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Doobie Brothers, Molly Hatchet and ZZ Top, all of which I have albums and CDs of in my collection. But the Allman Brothers had all my attention during this work cycle.

One of my most favorite songs ever is their “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” which has an interesting genesis. There’s also the classic “Whipping Post” which metaphorically speaks of such a punishment post, linking it with an evil woman and futile existential sorrow. They’re also well known for the songs “Ramblin’ Man” and “Midnight Rider.” Also, their instrumental “Jessica” was featured in Field of Dreams.

Another group I mentioned, Atlanta Rhythm Section, had a unique beginning. Some of its members were originally in the soft pop group the Classics IV which had those well known pop standards “Spooky”, “Stormy” and “Traces”. I was fortunate to have seen both the Classics IV and Atlanta Rhythm Section perform in person, a few years apart.

Being a Southern boy, I have a great love of this era of music and the groups who gave me so many wonderful moments of musical diversion while slaving away. Thanks guys.