I'm going through a lot of heartache and worry these days about a personal situation bigger way than I am.

A special old friend wrote me a comforting e-mail. He had read my blog item about hearing the song "Downtown" and the special meaning it had for me. While I put a negative spin on my feelings when I heard the song, he reminded me to make sure to see that the glass is always 3/4 full than being 3/4 empty in the most beautiful way possible.

He wrote, "I saw your blog mention of "Downtown" by Petula Clark. It is an upbeat song, full of promise and hope. Please hold onto both at all times."

Being a man of many, many words, all I can say is, "wow." Petula Clark rules! And my super wonderful friend S. in Portland, OR rules, too....along with those who are holding up this oak tree who is swaying in every direction in this storm.



Downtown

When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go-downtown
WHen you're got worries all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help I know-downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles forget all your cares
So go downtown
Things'll be great when your-downtown
No finer place for sure-downtown
Everything's waiting for you
Downtown

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows-downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go
To where they never close-downtown

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over
Happy again

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles forget all your cares

So go downtown
Where all the lights are bright-downtown
Waiting for you tonight-downtown
You're gonna be alright now
Downtown

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
SOmeone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to guide them along

So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles forget all our cares
So go downtown
Things'll be great when you're-downtown
Don't wait a minute more
Downtown-everything's waiting for you
Downtown (everything's waiting for you)
Downtown etc., etc.