I’m Still on the Job…

My output on ltRRtl is slowing a bit, but I have many more articles and essays in the hopper. I want to do what I can in these times of trouble, and lately I see signs of new growth ahead. Some essays have been percolating for weeks and may end up morphing into shorter pieces. I’m currently spending a lot of my daily writing hours on the next piece, a rumination on ChatGPT4 from which I’ve learned a lot. It’s a few days away from blastoff.

Also, now that it’s summer in the Sacramento region, farmers markets are in full swing. I have a side gig playing music at the markets, and I have to make hay while the sun shines. My wife is a fine bass player who plays live with me and fills out the backing tracks I record on GarageBand, drums, harmonies, rhythm guitar, percussion, all homemade tracks, nothing downloaded nor purchased—Classic American and British hits from the days of AM and FM radio. If I don’t love a song I don’t cover it.

Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. Your number keeps growing. I can see that you’re reading by the indicators Substack provides, which motivates me to keep writing. I have two public selves: retired teacher/writer and active musician. Here’s a photo of one self taken this morning at a nearby market. Moms, dads, grandparents and kids were laughing and dancing this morning on the parking lot asphalt. People spoke to me about tunes they love but hadn’t heard for years. I do a lot of Beatles, America, Dylan, Eagles, Buddy Holly, etc. Tips were great today, and tip jars don’t lie:) Every dime, quarter, or dollar is proof that someone enjoyed a song. Even better, the dancing, the questions about songs and chords, the memories evoked, the kids… That’s what I’m talking about.

More to come!