‘You know, sometimes it’s a good idea to stay at a thing’

If you know me at all, you know I enjoy music.

The first instruments I learned to play were ones you beat on with sticks, the drums.

One of the most famous jazz drummers of all times is Buddy Rich.

I heard a story once from Hollywood actor Al Pacino. He was attending a Frank Sinatra concert in the early 1980s and Rich, who was into his 60s at the time, was the opening act.

Pacino confessed he didn’t have all that high of expectations for this old drummer who was about to take the stage, but he was quickly found misguided when Rich sat down and pulled out of his drum set some of the most intricate sounds, rhythms and cadences he had ever heard.

Sinatra came out after Rich was finished, people still cheering, and all he could say was, “You see this guy drumming? You know, sometimes it’s a good idea to stay at a thing.”

I had that same idea Saturday. I was sitting at home and saw a Ford Model A come down the street, then another and another.

The Rusted Relics Car Club, whose members hail from far southern Iowa and are also in the Model A Club of America, were in town on a drive. They stayed the night at the historic, century-old Hotel Greenfield. As I looked at the cars, talking with the drivers, I couldn’t help but think of Sinatra saying, “It’s a good idea to stay at a thing.”

They’re tearing up my street this week in Greenfield. I had to move our car so we could ensure we could get out. Yes, it’s a mild inconvenience, but I know our city leaders are doing their best to get every bang for their buck on this street project.

Greenfield has two playground projects going — one at city park and one the school is doing at the elementary — and Fontanelle has a handicap playground going up soon. Orient is talking about a new community center.

In all of this, it’s important we “stay at a thing” to keep our communities thriving. There are many who say they would be more content in city life but many of us know better. But we all need to do our part to “stay at a thing.” That’s the only way it’ll happen. Will you join us?

The List

In honor of Father’s Day, which was Sunday, I thought I’d pass along three of my favorite newspaper-appropriate dad-isms from my dad, Steve Nelson. He’s a stubborn Dane with a dry sense of humor. Enjoy!

1. “You know how copper wire was invented, don’t you? Two Danes fighting over a penny.”

2. “You can tell a Dane but you can’t tell ‘em much.”

3. “If something don’t smell right, it prolly ain’t.”