It was about a year ago that my wife and I traveled to Seattle to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Safeco Field. Even though it wasn’t an up-close-and-personal kind of concert, we were glad we made the trip because two months later he was dead from a drug overdose. It was during this trip that I posed with a sign marking Pier 66 on the waterfront, and used the picture to commemorate the beginning of my 66th year. October 2, 2017, the day his death was officially announced, we went to a Coldplay concert here in Portland where they opened the show by doing Free Fallin’ as a tribute. A week later we were in Santa Monica where another picture was taken in front of the sign marking the end/beginning of Route 66. (See Post #235) Both Route 66 and the song Free Fallin” have been reoccurring themes all year long. As another birthday approaches, I’m now curious what will be the focus of year 67?
Will it center around the year 1967, my Sophomore year of high school? Turkmenistan is country code #67. Should I go there? According to numerologists, “the number 67 is highly focused on creating or maintaining a secure foundation for the family.” Does this mean spending more time in Banister World? (See Post #422). Or should I just randomly go to Post #67 for answers? “Schnauzer of Steroids” is not exactly the deep insight I’m looking for. November 2nd will be the 67th day of my 67th year. Maybe that will be significant? Or, like last year, will it just happen?
Last night, Train did a version of Free Fallin’ and Patrick Monahan appealed to the crowd to “sing-along loud so Tom can hear us.” Last Saturday, we heard a Tom Petty cover band sing it live again. The Killers did a version for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Opening. There are a multitude of “Tributes” being held this year all over the world. I feel like I’m “Free Fallin” out of my 66th year.
.
“She’s a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She’s a good girl, crazy ’bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
It’s a long day, livin’ in Reseda
There’s a freeway, runnin’ through the yard
And I’m a bad boy, cause I don’t even miss her
I’m a bad boy for breakin’ her heart
.
[Chorus]
And I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
Yeah I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
.
[Verse 2]
All the vampires, walkin’ through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts
.
[Chorus]
And I’m free, I’m free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
Yeah I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
.
[Chorus]
And I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
Yeah I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
And I’m free, free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
Oh!
Free fallin’
(Free fallin’, I’m-a free fallin’)
And I’m free, oh! free fallin’
,
I did not get to the other end of Route 66, as planned last month. Although I was in Chicago, I did not get to the intersection of Lake Shore and Jackson where a sign is posted. I did stop in Litchfield, Illinois on way to St. Louis a few months ago for some pictures at their historic museum. (See Post #568). I’ve “gotten my kicks” in Amarillo, TX, Tulsa, OK, and have driven sections through Illinois, Oklahoma, and Missouri, but never end-to-end. There is a Route 67 that extends 1,560 miles from Presidio, TX to Sabula, Iowa, but not quite as famous. We’ve driven that road near Texarkana and Dallas, but no one has ever written a song about it.
As I leave my 66th year and start my 67th, I reflect back on a great year of music, sports, travel, and discovery. My newest grand daughter, Nora Grace, was born, I’ve created an extensive family tree encompassing newly-uncovered, suspected birth parents, celebrated 17 years of marriage, and continued my running streak. Good health prevails with an optimist outlook for another exciting year of “free-fallin’ freedom” – whatever 67 ultimately delivers?
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