theme song: life in a northern town

I took this photo of my back yard yesterday morning. Even today, some of the crunchy sleet is still there, although the forecast heavy snowfall didn't land here in Minneapolis.  Meanwhile, over in St. Paul, there's a beaver lazily strolling through town. It's not as memorable as the famous raccoon who scaled a building, but it's cool nevertheless.

In less uplifting news, word is out that fentanyl is being added to cocaine in Minneapolis.  That's a deadly switcheroo.  (But not nearly as bad as the hyperventilating police would have you believe.)  Last night, I heard more than the usual number of gunshots nearby.

All of this local news together brings us to today's theme song.

Watch on YouTube

Dream Academy is one of my favorite groups, and this is one of their more recognized songs.  While this one has a sad antidepressant overdose origin, I choose to hear it as an anthem to stoic defiance in tough times.  As the last lines say before the fade out:

Make it easy on yourself
Society's so
So hard to desert
So hard that you know
Make it easy on yourself

Life in a northern town
We'll get back up
Ah hey ma ma mommy doo-din-nie-ya
Ah hey ma ma ma hey-y-yah

Take care of yourself out there.  My work vacation officially ends, and I return to the unmasked office on Monday.  I'll deliver my resignation letter then.  I've submitted a few job applications during my time away.  We'll see what comes of it.