27 Comments
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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Camino de real, once upon a time. Thanks for “Along the Hudson” tip for other writers road trips.

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James Ron's avatar

Were I to leave California, it would be scenes like this I would not forget. Very cool Nick Drake song!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Ron. Nick Drake. Such a wonderful talent. A life cut short by a drug overdose. Heartbreakiing

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Dirt roads become the heart's nostalgia when paved pathways become prevalent

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Isn't that the truth, Jill!

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

‘Gilding the landscape …’ - gorgeous.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Barrie.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I loved your story and where it led. The beautiful and the annoying as you walk along.

And I've never heard of Nick Drake. Thank you for the introduction. There are so many "obscure" performers out there making stunningly beautiful art and music. Thank goodness for YouTube for bringing their legacies into the light.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you Sue. Nick Drake died in 1974, age 26, by his own hand they say. A really sad thing.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

😞🥺 Alas, another member of the 26 Club: Janis, Jim, and Jimmy. And maybe James Dean, too.

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Justin Deming's avatar

I loved both versions, Sharron, but this one tugged at the heartstrings. Your descriptions paint the scene so perfectly. Thank you for sharing and for the mention!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I wrote the second version because I wanted it more aligned with the song I selected, which asked, "Who will you love the best?"

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Nathan Slake's avatar

"gilding the landscape"... What a lovely turn of phrase.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you.

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

I can still find a dirt road around where I live. It’s a suburb of a suburb., so that figures!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Where do you live, Yael?

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

In Israel.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Nicely done. It made me think of the Elvis song, True Love Travels On A Gravel Road.

Of course, he was rich and living in Graceland at the time he recorded it. 🤣

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yeh, but I think maybe he began his life's journey on a gravel road in Mississippi. Thanks for reading my stories, Mark.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Great story! There are different ways to interpret this. The road to love is often rocky and painful. But we persevere, for it is more painful to stop short of what we know is waiting there. You sure know how to make those 50 words count, Sharron! What a beautiful musical companion to your writing, too. I had not heard this artist before now.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Golly! You taught ME something about my story here, Sharon. I write, and often do not know what I am writing about until after the fact. You have given me some insights that were hidden to me. I only discovered Nick Drake about a year ago. I am not sure how I missed him in the early 70s. I was so into music in those younger days , as we all were. His voice makes me remember things and feel sad about things that may not have even happened.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Delightfully descriptive writing as always, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Ken. Much obliged!

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Switter’s World's avatar

Lovely. Oh so lovely. What a great way to end an evening

Thank you. Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for reading over here at Leaves. I like your Yusif story, as well.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

Nailed it, Sharron. So evocative of the season.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you John. The last minute revision made it a better match for the the lyrical question, “Who do you love the best?”

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