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What A Wonderful World

    I've often heard the old expression, "the school of hard knocks". In fact, I've been a student at that robust academy. What I didn't know until recently was that Louis Armstrong attended a franchise of that huge school, down in New Orleans.
    Louis Armstrong's mother worked at a house of ill repute in New Orleans. In fact, Louis' first job was to use his bicycle to haul clean towels and linens to such establishments in that city.
   Our tough early lives certainly have a part in forming our character, personality and traits both good and bad. It is easy to see how the entertainer coped well with playing to rowdy crowds.
     One of my favorite songs to play on keyboard is What A Wonderful World.
         I see trees of green
         Red roses too
         I see them bloom
        For me and you
        And I think to myself
        What a wonderful world
    Sometimes as I play this great song, I'll sing along with it. I might think about the macabre use of the song in the soundtrack of the Robin Williams movie entitled Good Morning, Vietnam. But most times I think about a poor kid from New Orleans who grew up to travel the world and sing for Kings, Queens and Presidents. Then I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
If you have time tonight, listen to the old song by Louis Armstrong. Think about me as I sit here in my study and listen to the same song, here at the author's green retreat.
     I'm CE Wills.
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