Sweet 70's State of Mind

In Memoriam

THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK to ever have an in memoriam section and before we truly get started I feel obligated to mention the following people who without them some of these stories would have never been made.

Anita Lassiter—-I was done writing this book when I found out you had passed. It was a punch in the gut. But I am glad I got to see you one last time and I am also happy that my son got to meet you. You will forever be my mother and I will forever miss you. This book was originally going to be dedicated to you before you left us. Which makes this even harder. Rest easy mom, I love you.

James Hoop—-Thank you for all that you taught me grandpa, I regret not being there to say goodbye but you being the man you were I think you know that I miss you.

Faye Hoop-—Grandma I know you tried your best, and I never blamed you for anything that happened when I was a kid. I love you and I hope you have found peace

Dorrie Lemieux——Granny I miss you, I regret losing touch but I know you have found peace.

Raymond Lemiux Sr.-—Pap you were a stern man yet fair. I will always respect and miss you sir.

Jenny Densmore—-You were always my favorite cousin. The things you taught,the support you gave, I will never forget you.

Ken Densmore-—Hey you were a good man. A little rough but I know you tried your best. Rest easy soldier.

Joseph Campbell—-Buddy that day I got the call that you died was the worst day of my teenage years. You were taken too soon. I know right now you are cheering for me from the beyond.  Thanks for that bro.

Noelle Petty—-You treated me like one of your own even though I was an awkward white kid hanging out in a black neighborhood. Thank you for your love and kindness, and always feeding me. Rest easy Nana

Gary Densmore—-Okay dad, I will never forget the hell you put me through. But for better or worse it made me who I am today. While I am not sad you are gone, nor will I ever miss you I will be the bigger man here and say, I forgive you, may you finally have a semblance of peace, even though those that were your blood never found any until you died.

Alright now that that is over let's move forward....

A Sweet Little Introduction

WELL HELLO THERE FRIENDS, how have you guys been.I am so glad you guys could join me here for this groovy little trip down a musical memory lane. So here’s the skinny, my state of mind books have always been just that. A trip down memory lane, as I revisited songs and maybe a few memories that led to me writing the stories I write. And while I kept that vibe intact this volume of my state of mind series is indeed my most personal one. Because every story here, while not only being inspired by an old 70’s classic, are stories of my past. They are also ways of me letting go of some deep rooted emotional issues. Also, instead of these stories being all horror stories, which seems to be my wheelhouse, I decided to keep the overall feel of this book mostly positive. Yes I did write a couple of horror stories. But I think I succeeded in writing a few tearjerkers and feel good moments as well.

Like always at the end of the book I reveal what songs inspired each story but this time I will also talk about what parts of my past brought these stories to life. But I still want you guys to see if you can guess the songs. I mean that is still part of this little game of mine. And to help you guys out, this time there are characters in each story that are named after a member of the band, or the artist who performed the song. That was no easy task let me tell you.

Ok well let's get this show on the road. Pop in that 8 track, roll the window down on your old chevy van with the cheesy mural on the side, and let's go on a trip. I do hope though that you guys enjoy this side of me that I kept hidden for too long. Alright, everyone in, ass, gas, cash, or grass, no one rides for free. So let’s blow this taco stand, ya dig what I’m saying. Well what are you waiting for? The lowdown is just a page away...

Walking Life

BARRY WAS CONFUSED by what he had just done. Sure people have the gift of bringing dead plants back to life with proper care and skillful gardening techniques. But when Barry touched the seemingly dead fern in his apartment lobby, it sprang back to life right in front of his eyes. The fern had been sitting in it’s little hanging planter, with dead brown wilted leaves hanging over the side. But when he touched one of the  brown leaves, the thing just sprang back to life pretty much instantaneously. The leaves perked up and quickly one by one, turned green and all at once there was now a beautiful lush fern inhabiting the hanging planter, instead of a limp dead one that occupied that space seconds earlier.As soon as it happened Barry looked around to see if anyone had seen what he had just done. When he saw that his miraculous touch went unnoticed he beat a hasty retreat out of his front door and walked away from his building like it was on fire, the whole time staring down at his hands with wide eyes, and then he remembered the rabbit. Suddenly a rush of repressed memories came flooding back and he remembered that this was not the first time he brought something back by just touching it. Because almost fifteen years ago during a harsh winter, Barry had found a dead rabbit on his grandfather’s farm.

Illinois winters were known for having two temperaments. Gentle with a manageable chill, or a brutal hell of wind and ice. One winter’s break, three days after his tenth birthday, Barry traveled down state to spend  a week with his grandparents. He was of course over the moon. He loved his Nana and Paw-paw, and every moment he spent with them, on their farm, was always eventful, and exciting.While the first half of the week was the gentle side of winter, the second half of the week was indeed the brutal hellish side, that led to the long since misplaced memory of the rabbit.

Barry first saw the rabbit when his grandfather pulled into his driveway. Barry spent most of the time looking out his window on the way there sharing silly stories with his grandpa. While he tried his best to focus on his grandfather's clever yet sometimes out of date anecdotes, Barry was always mesmerized by watching the world change drastically from the back seat of his grandfather’s car. Going from the city of Aurora into the deep countryside of Little Rock was indeed a magical experience to a child. He watched as the concrete buildings and bright city lights gave way to a lush tree line and wide open spaces of farmland. Animals never seen in the city also caught his eyes, whether it was a lone hawk flying across a field or a pair of squirrels chasing each other around the base of a tree, everything changed drastically in only a couple of dozen miles. To the average adult it was just a way of life, but to a child it was indeed magic. Nothing went unnoticed to Barry, so naturally he saw the rather large rabbit sitting just a little to the left of his grandfather's porch and he could not help but to blurt out, Oh my God Grandpa, that rabbit is huge!

His grandfather slowly brought his old station wagon to a full stop and said, Well of course they won’t stay out of your Nana’s garden, but between me and you sport I don’t think she minds.

Barry smiled as he got out of the car,but the smile quickly turned to a frown when he realized that the noise the door made as he opened it sent the rabbit scurrying off. Of course Barry’s grandfather being the kind of man he was, detected the brief sadness welling up inside of Barry and walked over and placed his calloused hand on Barry’s shoulder. Don’t worry sport, He said as he gave Barry’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, that guy has it too good here I am sure you’ll see him again, now what do you say we go in and see what your Nana is up to.

Some of Barry’s most cherished memories always began with him standing in his grandmother’s kitchen, and this one was no different. Even now as he stood there on that sidewalk looking down at his hands, he could remember in perfect detail everything about his beloved Nana’s kitchen. The smell of cookies lingered in the air, as she beamed a bright smile at him when he walked into the kitchen.  Her warm embrace as she wrapped her arms around him. He even remembered the way his grandmother smelled. Lavender and lemon. His winter break had officially begun.

Oh how is my little Barry doing? She asked as she released him from her tight hug, before playfully pinched his nose.

I’m fine Nana Barry laughed while blushing.

Nana Barry started, Where did the big rabbit run off too?

Barry’s grandmother let out a little snicker, Oh you saw him did you? Well my guess is he ran around back and hid in the barn, don’t worry though I am quite sure you’ll see him again before your week with us is done, She then turned around and went back to the stove where she was cooking something that Barry remembered smelled divine. Why don’t you go get washed up and get ready for supper.

Barry of course did what he was told and in a matter of minutes his hands were cleaned, his bag was in the spare bedroom,and he was back at his grandparents table eating supper, as his grandmother had called it. His parents had gotten in the habit of saying dinner, but to Barry supper sounded more distinguished. The rest of the night Barry talked about school, his grandparents talked about their farm, and some new crops his grandfather was excited to try to grow. After dinner they sat in the living room and watched some television until it was time for bed. Barry though did not go to bed right away. Instead he sat up in the spare bedroom,on a small footstool by the window that faced the backyard, watching for the rabbit. After about an hour of looking out that window and wiping away the condensation his breath was leaving behind the rabbit finally made a brief appearance. Barry smiled as he watched it hop around for a bit, stopping for a moment to sniff the air, before running off in the direction of a small field to the left of his grandparents backyard. Barry watched as the rabbit disappeared into the overgrowth that seemed to be able to only grow during the winter when his grandfather didn’t tend to his fields. A little yawn escaped from Barry and confident that he would not see the rabbit for the rest of the night Barry strolled off to bed.

Barry realized that he had been standing in the middle of the sidewalk, not moving, looking down at his hands for a good five minutes or so. People passing him were starting to give him annoyed, and worried looks. So he pushed his hands into his pocket and began to walk in the direction of the hospital where his grandfather was now staying. His grandfather had been there for almost two weeks now. And at a hundred and two years old Barry thought it was indeed a miracle that his grandfather had lasted this long on his own. A bad heart took his grandmother away three years ago. But even she lived to the nice old age of ninety-five.  Maybe his grandfather would have an answer for him. But for the time being Barry walked and continued, to remember that cold week at his grandparents farm.

The next day of that particular winter break was cold, but it was also manageable. There did not seem to be any sign of the brutal Illinois winter weather that was commonplace in December. And for that Barry was thankful. Because being at his grandparents house was not always fun and games because there were chores that needed to be done. He bundled up in his jacket and sweatpants and went outside with his grandfather