When I was a kid, there were a handful of years we did not own a television. My parents did have a stereo and a turntable. So, almost every night was just listening to music. When we finally did get a tele, it was this tiny little used black and white p.o.s.

So even then, we still listened to music most of the time. What channels that little clunker could receive usually only played old shows. I remember wondering for a long time if people used to “see” in black and white. Part of this was attributed to an ancient hand-me-down A.M transistor  radio I had. Not understanding the difference between amplitude and frequency modulation (a.m/f.m), I thought that the little radio only picked up easy-listening and gospel because it was old. It made sense. It was old, and only picked up old people music. Ergo, black and white t.v was back when people’s vision was in black and white.

Our living room, as tiny as it was, was lined with a white wallpaper. White background with a green tinted paisly design. If I remember correctly, it was also on the ceiling as well.

Mom had plants all over the place. It was a cheap decoration for those on a tight budget. Plus it blended with the wallpaper.  This was before I had any brothers, so no worries of babies eating something that would end up hurting them.

When Mom and Dad were listening to albums they would rotate the choices. Mom was more into the pop-rock of the day (think mid/late 70’s) and Dad was pure “Southern Rock”.

One of the few bands they could both agree on was “The Marshall Tucker Band”.

Even from a young age, I could tell when they were at-odds and when they were fine. Some of the finest memories of my life, were as an only-child, sitting at night and listening to those albums.

Tonight some Marshall Tucker came up on my play list and I’m sitting here missing you both. Borderline in tears as I write this.

I miss you Mom and Dad.

#3ndtr@n$