I have as many plans for the afterlife as the here and now.
And the Nifty really does exist!
As I age – Medicare! – and head for the on deck circle of death, virtually all my bucket list items have been fulfilled:
Got my kicks on Route 66, played miniature golf with a midget caddie, suffered kidney failure on the AT, had my head shaved by my congressman.
And had Beers at the Nifty.
But I’m also developing a bucket list for heaven: dinner with my in-laws at Fanny’s, a Cardinals game with Dan, beers with my Mom around our old kitchen table – renewing acquaintances with those who have gone before. So lots to do, and lots of Heavenly IPAs.
But here on earth, My Captor and I were in Omaha for a family wedding, and out for a drive when the Nifty appeared just ahead.
The Nifty was/is a tavern, and the great white whale of my childhood; featured in multiple tales of my Father’s and Grandfathers’ ‘exploits’ on Sunday afternoons, when they would play the son-in-law/father-in-law card – – as in, I didn’t want to spend all afternoon at the Nifty but my SIL/FIL made me.
The Nifty was just a block from my grandparent’s house, so weaving distance. And apparently, back in the 40’s you could send your children there, and they were able to bring home a pail of beer, along with any missing SIL/FILs. So it had a real aura.
I wasn’t lucky enough to meet PJ, my Mother’s father, but I’ve heard a whole stack of incriminating PJ stories – many of which I’ve reenacted with my own embarrassing twists.
So, one of my first Heavenly activities will be to meet him and my Dad at the Nifty. Then on to the big band ballroom, to have a champagne cocktail (they look refreshing in old movies) and listen to Glenn Miller.
But back here on earth, My Captor and I arrived at the Nifty!!!
The interior had been recently renovated and looked great. They retained the original bar, which was solid, and better yet, had a foot rail. We bellied up, ordered a beer (IPA on tap!), and began to gawk at our surroundings.
I made the bartender aware that he was now part of my bucket list and he was moved – I think he was hoping for a tip. Coincidentally, he remembered my Dad and had lived near him.
The waitress said she too remembered my Dad, and also lived near him. Everyone wanted a tip, I guess.
But the punch line came when their 2nd longest tenured patron (there were bar plaques for he and #1) arrived. He too remembered my Dad and was one of his tax customers.
That moment made me yearn for my father’s tax advice. When asked about any type of deduction he’d reply “Take it. Twice”.
I did wonder whether your name on a bar plaque was a good or a bad thing.
It was the best visit imaginable. We were sent out the door with Nifty napkins, coasters, and other paraphernalia, and best of all, a Nifty glass – which made me return the glass I intended to steal. So the Nifty really brought out the best in me.
But there’s a cautionary point to this tale – isn’t there always?
My parents were the most selfless people I’ve ever known, the ultimate personification of the “I’m going to do everything to make sure you have it better than I did” generation, and I’m left wondering if I ever properly expressed my gratitude.
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This weeks featured Irish band – though Mike Scott is from Scotland – is The Waterboys. Multiple albums (12+), but This Is the Sea, Fisherman’s Blues, and Room to Roam, are deserted island quality.
Perhaps my favorite of his many beautiful lyrics: “But I’m just a bunch of words in pants. And most of those are fiction!”
Long Way to the Light The Waterboys
I’m sitting in my bedroom, Overlooking Findhorn Bay
Cluny Hill inn the distance, Summer on the way
Blue skies and sailing boats, Like a picture in a book
I can’t believe I got here, Or how long it took
Living one step at a time
Putting one foot in front of the other
It sure feels right
Healing on my mind
Been a long way
Been a long way to the light
I’d made it to Manhattan, Built myself a nest
I meant to get right back to doing
Exactly what I do best, Pluggin’ in an electric guitar
Leading a band,
Well, if you want to give God a laugh, Tell him your plans!
Summer in the city, Wilting in the heat
Buzzing up and down to Bearsville
And back to Hudson Street, I learned meditation
And how to visualize
Just breathing, being still
Never felt more alive!
Living one step at a time…
I spent the fall in transit, Circling the moon
Like a cat on a hot tin roof, Like a fiddle without a tune
I found what I was searching for, In Mrs Caddy’s book
I had to go there straightaway
Have myself a look
I flew back to Scotland, Anticipation in my bones
The old country welcoming me
Like a prodigal coming home
I knelt and kissed the tarmac, In the wild Atlantic rain
Felt the fiery Gaelic blood, Rising in my veins
Living one step at a time…
I spent the night in Glasgow, Flew to Inverness
I found the place and at the first, I was not impressed
Nobody said hello, The faces left me cold
Back then how was I to know
All that would unfold?
I entered the Sanctuary, Heard the voice of a girl
Sending out a circle of light, Clear across the world
I shuddered in the Power, Like a seedling in a storm
I’ve been traveling to this place, Since the moment I was born
Flew back to New York City, Singing the big city blues
The sand of Findhorn Bay
Still clingin’ to my shoes
I tried to re-start my life
But the life I knew was gone
I had to let go everything
But that’s another song!
Living one step at a time…
So I’m sitting in my bedroom, Overlooking Findhorn Bay
Cluny Hill in the distance, Summer on the way
I’m watching sailing boats
Bobbing to and fro, Time to hit the road
The only way I know…
Living one step at a time…
Somebody Might Wave Back The Waterboys
Seven O’clock in the morning and I’m riding the overnight train
I’ve got ten tonnes of luggage but I left it behind when I came
I look at my watch, says September seventeen
We’re riding past some place where I’ve never been
And I’m waving through the window as we go
Somebody says “Well, hey, what are you waving at?”
Well what have I got to lose
Somebody might wave back
Seven O’clock in the morning and I’m carrying bags under my eyes
Been awake all night, counting the hours to sunrise
(Drawing patterns, beating rhythms) on the tabletop
I lift my gaze and my mouth just dropped
Someone waving in the window at me
And I say “Hey there, what are you waving at?”
When he says “What do I have to lose,
Somebody might wave back”
What do I have to lose,
Somebody might wave back
Fisherman’s Blues
I wish I was a fisherman, Tumblin’ on the seas
Far away from dry land, And it’s bitter memories
Castin’ out my sweet line, With abandonment and love
No ceiling bearin’ down on me, Save the starry sky above
With light in my head, With you in my arms
I wish I was the brakeman, On a hurtlin fevered train
Crashin head long into the heartland, Like a cannon in the rain
With the feelin of the sleepers, And the burnin of the coal
Countin the towns flashin by, And a night that’s full of soul
With light in my head, With you in my arms
And I know I will be loosened, From the bonds that hold me fast
And the chains all around me, fall away at last
And on that grand and fateful day, I will take thee in my hand
I will ride on a train, I will be the fisherman
With light in my head, You in my arms
Light in my head,You in my arms
And a Bang On the Ear The Waterboys
Lindsay was my first love, She was in my class
I would have loved to take her out, But I was too shy to ask
The fullness of my feeling, Was never made clear
But I send her my love, And a bang on the ear
Nora was my girl, When I first was in a group
I can still see her to this day, Stirring chicken soup
Now she’s living in Australia, Working for an auctioneer
But I send her my love, And a bang on the ear
Deborah broke my heart, And I the willing fool
I fell for her one summer, On the road to Liverpool
I thought it was forever, But it was over within the year (oh dear)
But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear
The home I made with Bella, Became a house of pain
We weathered it together, Bound by a ball and chain
It started up in Fife, It ended up in tears, But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear, Krista was a rover
From Canada she hailed, We crossed swords in San Francisco
We both lived to tell the tale
I don’t know now where she is
Oh, but if I had her here
I’d give her my love
And a bang on the ear
So my woman of the hearth fire, Harbor of my soul
I watch you lightly sleeping
I sense the dream that does unfold…like gold
You to me are treasure, You to me are dear
So I’ll give you my love
And a bang on the ear
The Whole of the Moon The Waterboys
I pictured a rainbow, You held it in your hands
I had flashes, But you saw the plan
I wandered out in the world for years, While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent, You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon
Hmm, you were there in the turnstiles, with the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars and you know how it feels to reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
I was grounded, While you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truth, You cut through lies
I saw the rain dirty valley, You saw Brigadoon
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
I spoke about wings, You just flew
I wondered, I guessed and I tried
You just knew, I sighed
But you swooned, I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon
with a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels to get too high
Too far, Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon, hey yeah!
Unicorns and cannonballs, palaces and piers
Trumpets, towers and tenements, Wide oceans full of tears
Flags, rags ferryboats, Scimitars and scarves
Every precious dream and vision
Underneath the stars, yes, you climbed on the ladder
With the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
Blazing your trail too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
How Long Will I love You? The Waterboys
How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I can
How long will I need you?
As long as the seasons need to
Follow their plan
How long will I be with you?
As long as the sea is bound to
Wash upon the sand
How long will I want you?
As long as you want me to
And longer by far
How long will I hold you?
As long as your father told you
As long as you can
How long will I give to you?
As long as I live through you
However long you say
How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I may
How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you
Great