Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace on his doghouse Sopwith Camel. (By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6406631)

It seems music pervades our existence more than ever. In fact, how could it saturate us any more than technology currently permits? Implants instead of ear buds?

Pandora (‘s) inventories permanently released inside your head?

It seems this started with me at the tender age of 13. Transistor radios were going by the wayside as component audio systems emerged, followed quickly by personal boom boxes.

It was Christmas 1977. My grandmother gave me a waterproof AM/FM radio with suction cups and a rope to install in the shower. Very cool.

After opening it, my grandfather asked what it was. I was quite excited and showed him the luxury I now owned of listening to music in the shower. He rolled his eyes and said, “I hope I never need to listen to music that desperately.” It was a total buzz kill but I moved on pretty quickly.

In reality, he was probably more concerned on my dad’s behalf what the impact would be to our water bill or whether he would have to give him a raise to offset the extra expense.

Over the years, we have become so bombarded with music in every venue it makes finding a place of solitude kinda special.

It is rare for me to turn the music on in the car but that’s usually because I’m on the phone, the other leading opponent of our solitude.

These days my music choices are soothing classical or jazz. Vivaldi and Vince Guaraldi are my two favorite Pandora channels. Guaraldi was the creator of all the music in the Charlie Brown cartoons of my childhood. If you hear the Peanuts theme it just makes you want to tap your toe right? And, of course, look around for a dancing Beagle?

His Peanuts Christmas album is a must for any household.

In fairness to my granddad, there is never an occasion, when I’m showering, when I reflect and think a little music would improve the experience.

Vince Guaraldi Trio – Linus And Lucy: