Something in the Clouds Reminds Me

I captured the above un-retouched image somewhere near Hesperia last year.  I was looking for something that demostrated heat. While this is indeed a hot desert scene, I came to fine myself distracted by the clouds.  I really love the whites and greys against the blue sky background contrasted against the browns of the desert floor with just a touch of green provided by the yucca trees.

As I drifted into a meditative state looking at that image above, Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell began to play in my head.  It was one of my favorites, still probably is, because of its folksy, world-weary look at love and life.   (I'm including the lyrics and a link to Youtube below should you be inclined to take a little trip down memory lane).  Those were the days.  And there's another song by a one-hit wonder, Mary Hopkin, which also was part of my teenage soundtrack as I navigated my way through raging hormones and growing pains.

Looking back now, I can see I could have been a real counter-culture kid or a hippie had I not been brought up to be such a "good boy".  LOL  Any way, that served me well I guess as I lived to tell these tales.
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Of course that's Mama Cass with Joni.  The other singer is Mary Travers I believe, of Peter, Paul and Mary.  But that answer, as they say, is blowing in the wind or perhaps it road off with Puff the Magic Dragon.

Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell
Rows and flows of angel hair 
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done 
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferries wheels 
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real 
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show 
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know 
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now 
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud, 
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds 
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends they're acting strange 
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained 
In living every day.
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now 
From up and down, and still somehow 
It's life's illusions I recall 
I really don't know life at all
Songwriters: Joni Mitchell
Both Sides Now lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing