Grunge and Mother Nature

(This appeared in my hometown paper, the Prospect-News, during a time of torrential rains and flash flooding.)

Nope, I am not a grunge fan. Were that so I would not need the urban dictionary to explain it to me. I’ve heard it, probably on David Letterman, and I like some of it, though not well enough to ever sing along as I do to CCR and John Denver.

Mother Nature performs grunge sometimes. Her Missouri studio was filled with sounds of dirty chords, strong riffs and heavy drumming last week during an unscheduled December recording session She opted to wear sloppy attire. Loose, layered, ripped – that’s how our Midwest earth looks after this latest grunge episode. Her bleak words stressed her destructive powers. Her music is not all sunshine and roses, lullabies and love songs. I am all for her staying in the Seattle area when she is in a grunge state of mind. Maybe the fans there are better prepared.

She should stick to classics. Nobody does it better than Mother Nature, with her majestic sunset measures, spring ballads, wonderland choruses and flowing tunes. She seems to be reverting to alternative rock more frequently these days, though. Her nihilistic themes can shake up our homes and our lives in drastic ways.

I did a bit more facebooking during this latest tirade. A friend posted a video of “Change” by Candlebox. I had to google the lyrics, which meant I was intrigued enough by the title to wonder what exactly was being sung. “A change is gonna come…you gotta keep on keepin’ on…” Complications, desperation, fabrications. “A change is gonna come.” Yep, affirming once again that change is the constant in our lives. Grunge artists know it.

I am ready for a bit of down home bluegrass. How about it, Mother Nature?

PS. A thanks to RA for the education I get from some of his music posts.

About Teresa Pearson Lee

Retired after 33 years of teaching English and French (one year in private school in Memphis, TN and the rest in public school in Doniphan, MO. Enjoying new adventures - all those things I put off for lack of time, energy, now I can try them! Pottery, writing, traveling, camping, kayaking, dancing, listening to some of the best live music ever, and making lively new friendships. All christened with an appreciation for great red wine! Created and operated KC's on the Current, then sold it and managed it for new owners. You might still find me at the reservation desk when spring rolls around. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO near The Hill. Though a transplant to Southeast Missouri, still a city gal at the core with a deep love of the natural resources in these Ozark foothills. Currently I am a content coordinator for Poplar Bluff Living Magazine and a columnist/stringer for the local weekly The Prospect News. My rescue Siamese helps with most of the proofreading; he has a great ear. I relish the solitude easily had in the Mark Twain Forest but thoroughly enjoy lively outings for music, wine, conversation close to home or in my beloved hometown. Technology is my greatest challenge but so worth the shared connections. There may be a need for solitude but there is little loneliness. The material in this blog written by Teresa Lee is her property and cannot be used without express written consent to do so.

View all posts by Teresa Pearson Lee →