I Hearted Roger

This is a picture of one of my favorite albums from when I was a teenager. I had quite an eclectic collection of albums - from Roger Williams to Three Dog Night to Chicago to Julie Andrews. I would also go to my grandmother's house so I could listen to her multi-record set from the Reader's Digest collection. I'm pretty sure I was the only teenager who even knew what the Reader's Digest record collection was.

This record was in my regular record rotation. I thought Roger was the absolute best. He played piano like I knew I never would, and he played songs that were popular (to me anyway) and not from the classical era (which was one of the issues I was having with my piano teacher - her love of the classical and my preference for playing anything else). And yes, my sister seems to remember that whenever Roger came on the television (I think maybe on the Jackie Gleason Show), I would kiss the television. I probably did - I really liked him.

Anyhow, the point of all this is that during this time of year, as I watch the leaves turn colors and fall to the ground, the first thing that comes to my mind is the song "Autumn Leaves." I'll hear it in my head and hum it and sing (in my head) the lyrics (or at least what I think and remember are the lyrics). Even sitting in absolute quiet, I can hear Roger play this song and the tinkling sounds as he touched the piano keys to make it sound just like falling leaves. Hearing that song is just a part of the fall season for me. It's a reminder of a simpler time when a guy played the piano and made me smile. It's fall and it feels like home.

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Today was a gift because: taking KB to the airport in the dark; Cracker Barrel breakfast with Steve and Phil; Steve's burgers on the grill for dinner; pictures from MB at Legoland and the MK