Hey ~ What Just Happened Here?

I have always mused that my Granny saw practically everything in the world change during her lifespan, December 7, 1899 through February 13, 1987. Cars and space travel, World Wars I and II, telephones and computers, television and medical miracles. Now I am nearly dumbstruck reflecting upon changes I've witnessed in only 57 years and what does the future hold that will amaze me?

All right, so I wrote a post that wasn't about Sam Cooke, per se, but no reader would doubt how much I appreciate Sam Cooke from reading my words.

When I wrote my next post, I was still rather introspective in mood, and while I wasn't writing about Otis Redding, specifically, anyone would be able to tell I revere Otis.

I must confess to feeling a little startled when I got a comment from a blogger called Sam's Neph, saying:

One of the most chilling conversations I've ever had was with Ben Cauley, the only surviving Bar-Kay from Otis' plane crash. He said just seconds before the crash, Otis was waxing poetic about how talented Sam Cooke was and how he left us too early. Eerie, to say the least.

Erik Greene
Author, "Our Uncle Sam: The Sam Cooke Story From His Family's Perspective"
http://www.ourunclesam.com/

What? Was Sam Cooke's nephew commenting on my blog? Was this real? I took a look at the blogger's profile, but there is not a lot of information (yet). I looked at the website. Oh. Sam Cooke's story as told by his family. This seemed real. Some of my commenters said something or asked about it. I got an e-mail asking, "Where and how did you pick up Sam Cooke's nephew?" I figured it must have been in the natural way. Organic, you know. Someone Googled something like "Sam Cooke's death" and my blog post came up high on the list of hits. That made sense. The post was only a couple of days old. It would place high.

Later in the day, blogging friend, Kirk, posted a little poke of fun at me along the lines of "be cautious about swinging celebrity names around on your blog as you never know what will hit you." All those who had been dishing and laughing on my blog rang in at Kirk's, and I think it's fair to say we all had a grand day laughing in the blogosphere.

I got home and went to take a serious look at the Sam Cooke website. I was impressed that his nephew, Erik Greene, had written a book based on input from many family members and professional associates and had published Sam's story from the family's perspective. I was moved to send Erik an e-mail saying I plan to buy the book and T-shirt today. I commented that I wish he sold smaller T-shirts, but I would tuck mine in. I asked how he found his way to my modest blog.

This morning, I receivede an e-mail:

Leslie,

It was my pleasure! I have a friend who scours the internet regularly and is a major Sam Cooke fan but much too shy to ever post on a blog. She regularly alerts me to Sam discussions and every now and then I add something, hence she posts vicariously through me! What's even more ironic, she alerted me to Kirk's blog this morning, and he seems to be giving you a tongue-in-cheek hard time!

While I thank you for your interest in my book, I unfortunately don't have any shirts smaller than a large currently. I only keep a small number of small and medium sizes because they aren't as popular, and was surprised to learn I was sold out of both. However, I'll keep you in mind when I order a new shipment.

Thanks for taking time to drop me a line,

Erik Greene
Author, Our Uncle Sam
www.OurUncleSam.com

Ha! He has, basically, a researcher who lets him know when Sam is being discussed on blogs. Not only had she found my blog, she found Kirk's little piece of sass aimed at me. After a couple more e-mail exchanges, Erik said, "I defended your honor on Kirk's blog." I zoomed over to Kirk's to take a look. Erik had, too! He's funny! And quick! These are qualities I like. He was immediately dishing in Kirk's comments and immediately felt like an old friend.

Anyone who has read my blog twice knows I am big on connecting with others. It's what makes me feel alive. I am reflecting upon this funny thing called blogging and the way we meet new friends. Some bloggers attract our attention not at all, and yet we feel magnetically drawn to others. I have some blogging friends I know I would hang out with all the time, if only we lived in the same hemisphere. With some of these good people, I felt an instant spark of connection over some small thing, but grew to understand that we shared other interests, too.

It amuses me that we now have an avenue by which to connect with others we would never otherwise encounter. I have a huge grin on my face today and I'm just shaking my head from side to side. David laughed at me! "You know there's everything in the world on the internet, including other fascinating people. You just didn't know how easily they'd find you or you'd find them." Erik, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance! I can't wait for Kirk to arrive at the public library today, log onto his blog and see what he hath wrought.

In my ears right now: What else, dear Reader?


Something that charmed me: Erik charms me. Blogging charms me. Good people charm me. Connecting with others in some human way charms me.

Some photos used with the kind permission of Erik Greene.