96-years young
When recently I stopped by to visit with Charlie Johnson, I found out that he will celebrate his 96th birthday on January 14th. That gave me a chance to wish him an advanced Happy Birthday!
I was at Charlie's house because Marcia told Vickie that Charlie told her, that he wanted me to video tape another recitation. The "grapevine" is alive and well in our little town.
I phoned Charlie to schedule a time to drop by, but that was a mistake because he has a hard time dealing with phone voices because he is hard-of-hearing. Lucky for me, a friend was there and they relayed and amplified the message so a time to drop by that afternoon was scheduled.
Charlie had guests when I got to his house, but he and they assured me that too many visitors is never a problem.
After I assured the other people in the living room that I would not video tape them, Charlie got cranked up and I got behind the camera. The video is below. For me, it is a precious moment in time. I just wish more people would find their "Charlie" and capture that which someday will be gone forever.
Charlie does not understand the technology of digital cameras, email, or the World Wide Web; but he does understand the need to conserve the past, to teach this generation, and to leave a legacy for future generations. I am on board with that!
Charlie wanted to recite a few lines of a song about Casey Jones. I never ask why. I just hit the "record" button.
This song version is the original exactly as published in 1909.
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come all you rounders if you want to hear Casey Jones! mounted to the cabin Put in your water and shovel in your coal Casey Jones! going to reach Frisco Casey pulled up that Reno hill Casey Jones! two locomotives Casey said just before he died Casey Jones! got another papa |
After the song video, we sat and talked and Charlie decided to continue about another topic so I turned on the camera and went along.
No two visits with Charlie are identical, but they all begin and end on the couch in his living room.
- JYork's Stories
- Login or register to post comments








