“Take this message to my brother
You will find him everywhere
Wherever people live together
Tied in poverty’s despair”

“You, telling me the things you’re gonna do for me
I ain’t blind and I don’t like what I think I see”

“Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the streets
Takin’ it to the”

I was thinking of the Doobie Brothers this morning as I returned to the streets after five mornings of running underground. It was good to get back in the fresh air and not run in circles. However, it was a bit precarious with slippery spots, giant piles of snow, and slushy ruts. Tomorrow will be better as temperatures warm. 

There wasn’t much activity on the streets of New Orleans yesterday with record low temperatures affecting the Fat Tuesday celebrations. It was apparently hardly the street party that is typically associated with Mardi Gras. I was there in 1972 – 49 years ago! It was a memorable experience, as is every visit to New Orleans. We haven’t been there for nearly 11 years – Thanksgiving of 2010. Once we move to Florida we’ll be much closer to revisiting Bourbon Street.

Our new street will be Borrego when we get settled in a few months. There will be little chance of seeing snow plows or having to run on icy surfaces. My muscles are stiff and sore after this miserable string of cold Portland days. I’m ready for some warm sunshine to ease my aches and pains. New street – new retirement life. I’m soon takin’ it to the streets of Venice.