Labor Day, 2023

 

Jimmy Buffett passed away. He's been a major part of my life since I was 18 years old. I’m now 45.

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The beach songs appealed to me at first. Then the book “A Pirate Looks at 50“ and page 23 story started the dream.

Then I read “I hope to never have a real job“ quote from Jimmy…made me wonder if that’s possible.

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I don’t have any regrets over my life, but I do admire the guts he had to take chances early on. Now 45, I have realized life is short.

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Over the last few years, we’ve driven to New Orleans on a Tuesday night for a concert (twice) or by music festival tickets on a whim. Even packed our family up and went to Bonnaroo.  We all agree that experiences are important to us.

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Jimmy sang, “I see a flying boat, and I get a lump in my throat…and I say someday I will.” – Someday I will.

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At one point I owned all of his albums in my 20s. I’ve been to Key West with Heather five times. It’s time to go back!

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I got the Coconut Telegraph in the mail. Went to his concert in Atlanta back in 2000. Always loved the fact that he was born in Mississippi. We had a lot in common.

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Always thought I would learn to sail or fly. The desire has always been there. I’ve dreamed before about sailing from Key West around Miami to hop over to Bimini -- through the Bermuda Triangle!

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I’ve learned to plan for vacations and put it on the schedule or else you’re probably not gonna make it.

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I’ve always been inspired by JB. He was always very thoughtful with just about everyone. Didn’t brag and preferred delayed gratification. I like to think I do the same.

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I’ve never read his fiction even though I own all of them.  I listen to Radio Margaritaville every week. Spotify says I play JB songs more than 99.5% of the planet.

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It feels like I lost my best male friend.

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This business is named after my favorite song…“But there’s this One Particular Harbour, so far, but yet, so near, I see the day when my hair turns gray, and I finally disappear…” 

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Jimmy Buffett will never disappear to me. 

 

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Since you are wondering…my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs are:

Jimmy Dreams, Floridays, Havana Daydreamin’, One Particular Harbour, Little Miss Magic, Son of a Son of a Sailor, Banana Republics, Banana Wind, Barometer Soup, Lovely Cruise, Tin Cup Chalice, Oceans of Time, Last Mango in Paris, Fins, Cowboy in the Jungle, Take Another Road, Mañana, the Wino and I Know, Death of an Unpopular Poet, Breathe in, Delaney Talks to Statues, Breathe out, Breathe on, I Have Found Me a Home…there are many others…