I wanted my 400th blog on Keloland.com to be something special and, as it turns out, that’s just what it is…even without me writing a word. I received a call from Executive Producer and my long-time colleague, Jaine Andrews, last week informing me that they were changing some things around on our web page and that I would be the only regular blogger from now on. Well, I didn’t ask a lot of questions so I don’t have a lot of answers about the decision except to be glad I made the cut and hope to show my appreciation by being even more prolific with my entries in the future. Look for “Lund at Large” in the left red column on the Keloland web page.
Linda and I have been trying to maintain some kind of exercise regimen while were down here in Arizona. Our favorite place to walk is the 1.2 mile stretch of sidewalk that circles Fountain Lake..a man-made body of water with the big fountain in the middle for which this community of Fountain Hills is names. It shoots a stream of water several hundred feet into the air for 15 minutes ever hour. I..and lots of other old guys just like me..are jealous every time we see it.
The walk is enjoyable enough except I now have a real appreciation for the many benches placed along the path so I can plop down and catch my breath at least once a trip. The other day, after we made the circle, Linda and I must have sat on a bench for the better part of an hour watching other gray hairs with their spouses or their dogs or both chugging past. So this is what it has come to, I thought to myself, I’m actually enjoying sitting on a park bench and letting the world pass by. Just to snap out of it, we got dressed up that night and went with out daughter Christy to a local club for a couple adult beverages. It was Karaoke night which meant Christy was putting the pressure on me to sing. She has fond memories of tagging along with us to dances when I was playing in bands and, for some reason, liked the songs I sang. Well, after a couple more adult beverages, I gave her the green light to go ahead and write down a few tunes to give to the DJ and, before long I was up front of the crowd hoping I could keep pace with the recording. Before the night was over I’d managed to eek out renditions of September Morn by Neal Diamond, New York, New York by Sinatra and Can’t help falling in love with you by Elvis. The audience, who had also been consuming their share of adult beverages, was surprisingly pleased by my efforts and asked if I was coming back next week. I guess that depends on whether or not I’m motivated by a lazy day in the park and a few squirts of vodka.