Zip Back 40 Years

When I woke up this morning
You were on my mind
And you were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind
So I went to the corner
Just to ease my pains
Yeah, just to ease my pains
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I came home again
When I woke up this morning
You were on my mi-i-i-ind and
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind
And I got a feelin'
Down in my sho-oo-oo-oes, said
Way down in my sho-oo-oes
Yeah, I got to ramble, whoa-oh
I got to move on, whoa-oh
I got to walk away my blues
When I woke up this morning
You were on my mind
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind

I was exercising at the gym the other night when this old song came over the loudspeaker. Suddenly I zipped 40 years back in time. The year was 1969. The setting was behind the wheel driving class. The person singing these lyrics was my driving teacher and he substituted "worries, woah-oh" with "student drive-ers." He did have troubles with me behind the wheel. Although I was extremely eager, I had no experience outside of the pasture. This was my first time with the tires on pavement. In my first 3 minutes of behind the wheel experience he had to use the passenger side brakes to save the life of a young boulevard tree trying to live it's peaceful life on the road beside Alexander Ramsey High School. But I improved. My teacher had to use his brake pedal only one more time - this time during my attempt to turn left off University Avenue going south on Dale. I didn't see that car coming in the far lane. But he was a good teacher. He had confidence that I could learn. He didn't like it that one time when I was backing up toward a brick wall. I thought I was close enough to stop backing up. He told me I had a lot more room. I didn't believe him so as I backed up, I watched and waited for his face to cringe instead of looking at the rear view mirror. He noticed where I was looking and scolded me. I knew he was paying close attention. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't think it was safe. I remember another moment when I didn't make him happy. I was driving up an entrance ramp at a speed that was comfortable for me but too slow for the impatient drivers behind me. My instructor lifted his foot and put it on mine forcing my foot down on the gas pedal and making the car accelerate. Cripes, that really scared me but I did realize I could comfortably go faster than I thought I could. He was a good and surprisingly relaxed instructor. I have taught people how to drive and I become as jittery as Barney Fife by the time the ride is over. So as I was exercising, I remembered how my driving instructor would say something every time he saw a mound left by a gopher in a yard. He would look at me and say, "Gopher! I could go for you." As I remember this it sounds pedophilic and icky but it wasn't. I recall it as corny and innocent. He said the same thing to the other student too. We always had two students in the car. I am guessing driving instructors would refrain from saying such things these days. It's funny how music can take you back.