Key Clutch Crucial

I'm crushing again

Is it Tuesday already?

Sheee-it.

I am writing from Duluth, Minnesota!

Thankfully, I remembered to put a song in my pocket and bring it along on my trip from California so I could add something to the “Mixed Up Files” record this week.

One can listen to the new song, “Key Clutch Crucial,” here:

This song was meant to be humorous, with lyrics about “butt cheeks” and “fatty sausages,” but it is also a heartfelt love song. (see last verse below.)

I found this recording while skimming the “Lacie backup” folder on a 2 TB drive where I’ve dumped a ton of song ideas.

I love coming across ideas that I’ve mostly forgotten about.

“Oh yeah, that thing.”

This is one like that.

Thanks for listening.

---

Travel Notes

I came back to my hometown of Duluth to visit my parents and my sister Gretchen, who still reside here in God’s Country.

It’s beautiful here, though winter is still making itself known.

Here is the last pile of snow in my parents’ backyard in Duluth, still melting on May 8, 2023:

Also, I didn’t think foraging for ramps was in the cards for me this year, but I came upon a wood that was resplendent with them near my folks. I dug my hands into the earth and brought a bucket home. Planning an onion-y breakfast.

Wild ramps blanket the woods. Dang they’re tasty.

Obligatory plane photo to give travel essay heft.

Obligatory ore boat photo from Duluth, Minn.

It is now after midnight as a write, and I’ve startled both my parents by having the lights on in the kitchen.

And so I close.

You know the feeling.

It’s a great feeling.

¹

OX&C,

Faux Jean

Here are the lyrics:

The First time that I seen ya
You were on the street, I was in my car
You looked good from afar
An object in my mirror*
Closer than you appeared
I hung a U-ie
And I pulled up to you
said "How do you do?
Baby do you need a ride?"
You got right in
I thought I smelled gin
and that's fine
O babe that's all right, all right

Your butt cheeks were bedazzled
With rhinestones on those jeans
It looked real nice
I had to look twice

And I was runnin' a little chunky
You were a fatty sausage
You said so yourself
We drank to your health
We drank from the top shelf
As a nod to our wealth

O loverdoll baby it's true
I can't be without you
I need you all in my life
Baby come down
Stop wearing a frown
uh-oh

(and this is true)

I was helpless, I was hopeless
You helped me to have hope in something again
Just by being my friend
O BABY yeah!
I love you so much
You're key yeah you're clutch
You're crucial to my happiness
Oh honey, my dear, whenever you're near
Oh me, I'm crushing again
and again
Oh yes,
I'm crushing again
and again
Oh yeah
I'm crushing again.

1. to be loved.