Our challenge for the meeting was to write in a genre, style or theme outside our comfort zone. So, I chose to write a poem (actually not a poem, but a lyric I stole from Johnny Cash).
It’s called Blue Goose Blues
By BobKaster
I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rolling ‘round the bend
I ain’t been to Montague since I don’t remember when
Now it’s just a memory, the real train ain’t around
Lot of bad things happened since they ran it to the ground
The Blue Goose was somethin’ special when it moved along the track
I still hear that whistle blowin’, but it’s never comin’ back
Old engine number 19 is now museum bound
Only in my memory will I hear that lonesome sound.
The summers were a blessing, the excursion train was run
Our kids were the conductors, and had a lot of fun
They liked watchin’ Larry Bacon on his big-wheel ride
It brought in lots of tourists who would not be denied
Larry kept it goin’ and when he was no more
That whistle just stopped blowin’ and the Blue Goose closed its door
But I still hear that train a comin’, rollin’ around the bend
And I ain’t been to Montague since I don’t remember when.
- Breaking news: California withdraws diesel truck ban, other clean-air rules as Trump prepares to take officeBy Lynn La – CalMatters Stay up-to-date with free briefings on topics that matter to all Californians. Subscribe to CalMatters today for nonprofit news in your inbox. In a striking setback to reduce California’s air pollution but a win for trucking companies, state regulators have walked away from their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a… Read more: Breaking news: California withdraws diesel truck ban, other clean-air rules as Trump prepares to take office
- Weed High School Alpine Race Team Announces Season SponsorsCommunity Support Propels Young Athletes Forward As Weed High School’s Alpine Race Team begins a new season, our thoughts and gratitude go out towards our past and former local business sponsors, families, as well as to Roseburg and the Tom and Nancy Driscoll Fund. Your support these past seasons has made a difference for these… Read more: Weed High School Alpine Race Team Announces Season Sponsors
- Hydroelectric Dams on Oregon’s Willamette River Kill Salmon. Congress Says It’s Time to Consider Shutting Them Down.by Tony Schick, Oregon Public Broadcasting ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Series: Broken Promises: Salmon Disappear From the Pacific Northwest More in this series The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it could make hydroelectric dams on… Read more: Hydroelectric Dams on Oregon’s Willamette River Kill Salmon. Congress Says It’s Time to Consider Shutting Them Down.
- Northwest Forest Plan Amendment – Critical Changes and How to CommentNorthwest Forest Plan Alternatives: What You Need to Know The Forest Service has released four alternatives in its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Northwest Forest Plan amendment. Here’s what each alternative proposes: Alternative A: No Action This alternative would maintain the current Northwest Forest Plan protections established in 1994, including: Alternative B: The Proposed… Read more: Northwest Forest Plan Amendment – Critical Changes and How to Comment
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest to host Northwest Forest Plan public meeting at Shasta College in ReddingForest Service Announces Redding Meeting and Comment Period for Forest Plan Changes REDDING, Calif. — The U.S. Forest Service is hosting a public meeting in Redding to discuss proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan, marking the first major update since 1994. The meeting will be held January 23, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Shasta… Read more: Shasta-Trinity National Forest to host Northwest Forest Plan public meeting at Shasta College in Redding
My dad “drove” the Blue Goose and loved every second. And was so sad to walk away from it. This really caught my attention.
My son was a conductor, oh so many years ago. This is a wonderful lyric of remembrance.