Saturday, May 03, 2008

Up on the roof!


When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me

~
The Drifters

Being as how it's warming up in the desert Southwest, it's time to start thinking about air conditioning. Thursday I spent some time up on my mother-in-law's roof starting up her evaporative air cooler. (An annual ritual no longer missed at the Dada house since the advent of refrigerated air some years ago.)

While the disadvantages of the old swamp coolers are several, there's one huge advantage that's difficult to get around. And that would be, getting up on the roof. The view is so much better. It gives one a whole different perspective. It felt so nice to be - for a brief time - above the madding crowd. (The Bush gang, congress, the corruption - not my mother-in-law.)

When I was finished with the cooler, I announced I wasn't coming down, it had been so pleasant I didn't want it to end. But I was finally lured back to the abyss by Mrs. Dada, tempting me with an India Pale Ale. So okay, call me weak.

4 comments:

Billie Greenwood said...

Hi Dada, I'm weighing in from Raton, NM--after a lovely afternoon at their Cinco de Mayo festival weekend. I even convinced Mr. B.E. to dance with me in the park. Just wanted to comment that "Up on the Roof" is one of my all time favorite songs. Also love the photo. Give my best to Mrs. Dada and her mom. It's nice to know that now you'll be lending us your perspective from higher ground grounds.

Dada said...

Ah, B.E. - What a surprise to hear from you!

Raton, NM! We spend a month in Raton one night in August '06. After a weary day (having driven from somewhere in WY), we crashed in the local Holiday Inn Express and walked to the local fast food stand and back just before the thunder storm hit.

BTW, hope you make it over to eProf's where I posted a link to your NPR interview ("LIVE!" it's our own Border Explorer on the radio!!) in his comment section. (Don't remember which one...I think it was the one on the "Carrier" follow-up.

So very good to hear from you! THANKS!! Hi to Mr. B.E.!

(Oh, BTW, with this latest "up on the roof" photo... can you tell I've successfully restored my Painter program? It's sooo good to have it back.)

D.K. Raed said...

caption: Top o' tha world, Mah! (in your best cagney immitation)

hey now I'll have to check the link to B.E. on NPR ...

Dada said...

Oh, forgot to mention - Up On the Roof was a great place until I discovered Under the Boardwalk!

Hope you took a few pictures in Raton as I've always been curious but never "been there" proper.