April 1, 2008
It is a fine day.
I woke up this morning and checked out my Beatle mop-top in the mirror. There’s nary a gray hair in my head. Ms. Marfar’s dark eyes dance. I know everyone says we ain’t old enough to be married, and I have to admit she is just a young’un. We’ll show ’em- the two of us can conquer the world.
My Miss Marie toddles at my side, and I am still the man in her life for years to come. Tommy Jr. is just a kid, but can bust a golf ball 275 yards. The Golf Channel is new, and we watch over supper and try to pick out the future stars. (Golf is still the elusive game not conquered but this kid named Tiger shows a lot of promise.) Tommy watches a Nike tour boy rope hook his drive into the hazard. “Shoot Dad, you can take him. I’ve never seen you hit one like that.” His youthful confidence is unwarranted, but appreciated.
I pick up my mandolin and rip through some difficult tunes without effort. I sound somewhere in between Darrell and Ben, my mando gurus. Perfect tone and timing, and all the exactly correct embellishments. Man, what a player.
The Moose says we have big gig this weekend. Someone was gonna have one of those BBQ, hay bale, and checkered table cloth parties, and they thought of that crazy doctor who plays the ukulele. They are gonna pay us a grand to play, and with gas at 85 cents a gallon, that is a heck of a lot of money.
Alison called today, and wondered if I could hit the road with Union Station. She wanted a mando player/doc/road nanny combo for her young’un, and being the big kid I am she thought I was the perfect match. As it turns out, there is a new vaccine that is gonna end all childhood illness, so I don’t think she’ll need me. I recommended a young man named Dan Tyminski. I can’t bring myself to say I can sing as good as him. This might be a fiction forum, but outright bold faced ones aren’t allowed, even on April 1.
My Board scores came in the mail today. Instead of reading my ^** off to make the 94th percentile, it was an effortless 99th like my old friend, Tom “Brilliancy” Bailey back in med school.
I’ll sleep well tonight, but April 2nd I will awake for a moment at 12:01. Not only is childhood disease going to be a thing of the past, but the Good Lord says in Heaven there will be no illness of any kind, and I can retire to play mandolin in Heaven’s bluegrass band for all eternity. I wasn’t perfect, but I was the best I could be, and sorry for any mistakes or misjudgments I have made. Being human is good enough for the Good Lord. I am forgiven for the errors I have made; He knows I didn’t make ’em on purpose.
He promises Ms. Marfar and those kids will reside there with me in a perpetual youthful state. Once home, there will be no sickness or suffering, and I can finally lay down my stethoscope once and for all. And that folks, ain’t no April Fools, but the real thing.
I’ll drift back to peaceful sleep. Come morning, I’ll have the strength to carry on, and to be a Doc for another day.
Dr. B
Explore posts in the same categories: mini-posts
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
April 1, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I think that being human IS good enough – if you do it mindfully and carefully.
I also believe that we’ll be together on the other side. Before Dith Pran died this week, he was visited by one of his oldest friends. They promised to send each other their dreams. I wept when I heard that, for it feels like truth to me.
Love, Doc. Much and joyful love.
April 1, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I agree mrschili- being human is all we’ve got, huh? Just have to do the best we can.
We sing one sometimes and the chorus goes, “I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan…. I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand… And when I see you coming I’ll rise up with a shout… And come running thru the shallow water reaching for your hand.” It is an old Carter Family tune.
Dr. B
April 2, 2008 at 2:30 am
I like your style, Tom, and particularly enjoyed this piece – even if some of the bluegrass allusions are lost on me. I wish I could hear you play . . .
John
April 2, 2008 at 4:15 am
Thanks John. You are forgiving man, because I know my English isn’t perfect.
When I was young I loved to read books, but I have to admit I did not study the way I should have until I got a little older. I made it all the way to college English by just trying to talk like mama. (She was an English teacher.)
One day I realized I’d better wake up and study- it was a bigger world than the little country town I’d grown up in. Once I got started I never quit, but I still have some of my old habits. (They say being able to play bluegrass music and golf are signs of a mis-spent youth.)
We did two CDs, but they are now out of print. I am working on a book, and have considered a short music sampler to go along with it.
I have an e-mail pen pal in Scotland who I promised to visit if I ever get that way; maybe you could point me in the right direction in England too. I had some Brit friends I ran into in a jam session when they were here in the States. (I recounted the story in an old Bomb Shelter post.) They were good players and much fun. I had their e-mail and stayed in touch for years, but finally lost track of them.
Dr. B
April 2, 2008 at 7:06 pm
You have quite the perfect life. I’m envious!
April 2, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Oh, it has been good but not all perfect Ms. Pande- In my series of books I am going to tell all, at least if I find a publisher.
If I don’t I’ll self publish. I am compelled to write it down before I’m outta here.
Dr. B
April 3, 2008 at 11:54 am
Tom, if you make it to the UK you’d be very welcome – though we are a long way south of Scotland. Look on the map for Sherborne in Dorset – what we call the Mid-West in England. Funnily enough, we are off to Scotland (Loch Lomond) for a holiday next week.
I have only been to the States once, in 1999 – a photographic tour to the Grand Canyon, Arches N P and Monument Valley. I made a movie of the trip.
I can recommend self-publishing – that’s what I did with my book. I also did all the design and typesetting, which kept the costs down. Give it a go!
April 3, 2008 at 12:15 pm
John,
I’ll sure keep you on my blogroll, ’cause one day I’m gonna get to travel.
And one way or another somehow I’ll get the book done too. It is one of things I have to do.
Dr. B