Upon leaving the mainland south of Miami, and after one surmounts the inexpressible joy of sunshine and heat on Key Largo, the next focus of one’s attention is upon the sea, the wavering palm trees and gnarled grey hardwoods implanted on the rocky white coral. This first impression of Key Largo is a lasting one. Its singular beauty abounds. It is a provocation affecting the eye of the whimsical observer as well as the amateur and professional painter and photographer.  No doubt too it stimulates the musician to share his or her peculiar expression. Unsurprisingly a glorious milieu such as Key Largo enhances the creative marrow of almost anyone.

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Stimulated by the invitation from Mrs. C to visit the walkway down to the sea behind her place overlooking Florida Bay, I ventured to the site today after stationing my tricycle beside the marine inlet where the sign was posted that no golf carts were allowed beyond that point.

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In my memory the Beatles made the adage “Steady as she goes” popular with their composition “Let it be”. The lyrics (see below) are more complicated than might first be projected. Whether the tale surrounding the evolution of the song is true or not is immaterial. The fact remains that letting it be is an admonition more difficult of performance than one might suspect; but it is in my opinion an ambition worthy of pursuit. It helps for example overcome the confounding necessity of endless activity by reminding oneself that current affairs (especially if not harmful) are of limited duration and that the knowable grains of sand in the hour glass are more cogent than the unknown upcoming agenda.

I have entitled this entry with the nautical theme “Steady as she goes” for two reasons. First, I am driven by the primal ingredients of the sea; and second, it reflects the currency of my domain and accessible expression. I cannot speculate a more fruitful resource of stimulation and reflection than the sea and Key Largo. Yet succumbing to this nutrition requires an appetite not just an appeal. It is not mandatory to insist upon local details either present or historic; what is commanded is the convincing recognition that even this idyllic, indulgent and indolent resort is both ephemeral and beguiling. Setting one’s course on the steady ensures its prolongation and proper achievement.

Written and sung by McCartney, the iconic track was the last Beatles single to be unveiled before he announced his departure from the band.

Speaking to James Corden on the his segment of Carpool Karaoke in 2018, McCartney recalled how his late mother Mary – who died from cancer when he was 14 – inspired him to write the track. “In the sixties I had a dream where my mum who died came to me and was reassuring me, saying: It’s gonna be OK. Just let it be…”

Interestingly there is another hit recording entitled “Steady as she goes” by a group called the Raconteurs. The meaning behind that composition is by some analysis different from what provoked McCartney. Yet both appear to have a commonality. The absorption and acceptance of what is before one’s very eyes is a talent. While it is stimulating perhaps to imagine what uncharacteristic things one might accomplish, there is nonetheless the recognizable value in expanding upon the elemental attributes of one’s present situation. I am not even certain whether, in the end, the result is any different other than the focus or prospective view. It is possible too that the exhortations to “steady the course” or to “let is be” are one and the same. Adopting the entreaties does at least settle upon one’s life a degree of restfulness and sedentary resolve.

STEADY AS YOU GO
Means to steady the ship on the course it is heading at the time the order is given. If the ship is swinging at the time, heading must be noted and the lubber’s line brought back to and steadied on it as soon as possible. The order is also stated as “STEADY,” or “STEADY AS SHE GOES.”

The band is based in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the band’s official website, “The seed was sown in an attic in the middle of a hot summer when friends Jack White and Brendan Benson got together and wrote a song that truly inspired them. This song was ‘Steady, As She Goes’ and the inspiration led to the creation of a full band with the addition of Lawrence and Keeler.”

White said to Uncut in 2006, “It’s asking a question, which is, ‘Is doing that – getting married and settling down – starting a new life or is it giving up?” Speaking again to Uncut in 2006, he added, “I think the big notion in my head was we’re all getting older now and enough of goofing around. All our friends are musicians, so it was like, ‘How much of this world can we stay a part of and how much do we reject?’

Steady, As She Goes
by The Raconteurs

Find yourself a girl and settle down
Steady as she goes (steady as she goes)
Steady as she goes (steady as she goes)
So steady as she goes

Your friends have shown a kink in the single life
You’ve had too much to think, now you need a wife
Steady as she goes (steady as she goes)
So steady as she goes (steady as she goes)

Well, here we go again
You’ve found yourself a friend that knows you well
But no matter what you do
You’ll always feel as though you tripped and fell
So steady as she goes
When you have completed what you thought you had to do
And your blood’s depleted to the point of stable glue
Then you’ll get along
And then you’ll get along

Let it be

Should we do something else for a while, and come back in a bit
Or leave it, same as mine is, yeah
Oh, just let me get this, second clap
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom
Let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be

Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
When all the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree, there will be an answer
Let it be

Although they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be

Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be

And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be

I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
There will be no sorrow
Let it be

Yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

Songwriters: Lennon, John Winston / McCartney, Paul James

Not that I imagine the sun in our solar system distinguishes one month from another, it nonetheless seems serendipitous that the urgency of February (being the shortest month of the year) conveniently echoes the pressing awakening of springtime that is everywhere present. Even here on Key Largo (where the coolest daytime temperature for the past four months has been about 69°F) we are now treated to floral blooms throughout the island (including white, pink and yellow orchids magically growing from roots twirled like snakes about the robust trees that miraculously survive upon the predominantly coral soil and crushed seashells beneath).

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Several years ago – before March 11th, 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic first became a blunt and irreversible reality – we had hoped to winter on Key Largo. In fact we had negotiated a contract with our estate agent to do so. Now that we are at last here – after the 2020 contract for the upcoming year 2020 to 2021 was obstructed and eventually busted by a government Travel Advisory between Canada and USA, and after subsequently facing a year later inordinate prearrangement obstacles for 2021 to 2022 due to the delayed lifting of the Travel Advisory when we were as a result obliged to winter on Hilton Head Island at a unit which sorely displeased us but from which there was no escape in spite of the estate agent agreeing to cancel our contract (there simply was nothing else available along the eastern seaboard or on the Florida Keys that late in the season) – I feel it is incumbent upon me to delve into the tissue of Key Largo.

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It was by design today we frequented a local mom-and-pop restaurant for a celebratory luncheon. The allure was its world famous Cuban sandwich. Weeks ago after having first heard of the joint we curiously ventured on site late one blustery and yawning January afternoon for a personal assessment of the establishment.  We are I confess uncommonly evaluative of the exoteric list of beaneries. They now constitute our gastronomic vernacular. Take for example the Hideout Restaurant at 47 Shoreland Drive. It has been a favourite of ours since its discovery many years ago, an oasis of refreshment en route from Daytona Beach Shores or Longboat Key to Key West. The truth is, within our limited sphere restaurants have become akin to apparel; that is, only certain ones any longer fit. And specifically within this paradigm the limitation provokes that which is more casual than formal or fussy.

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When I reflect upon the time we’ve spent together over the past 27 years – most of which I am happy to say was for lengthy periods both at home, at play and at work – I easily recall what you have done for me, how you have tangibly and meaningfully amplified my life, how I am indebted to you for your generosity, how you are critical to me and how unimaginable life would be if we had not met. You have always been there when it counts.

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Early this morning, after breakfast and brushing my teeth, I removed the car from the parking lot in front of the townhouse to a spot adjacent a nearby tennis court. It’s only a hop and a skip to there from the townhouse where we’re anticipating that substantial roof work will commence either today or tomorrow. I wanted to make room for the trades. And it constituted but a small intrusion of my otherwise bromidic day. Nonetheless it marked for me a noticeable adjustment to my stringent routine, one which lately has been disturbed by other minor though acute complications. As a consequence I was ready to regain my balance and to dedicate myself to earnest and uninterrupted shiftlessness.

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Key Largo is an island in the Florida Keys, an archipelago off the south coast of the U.S. state. It’s a popular holiday destination where onshore and offshore state parks provide opportunities for wildlife encounters, fishing, kayaking and diving.

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The reflection of the morning light upon the water in the marine inlet projects itself onto the second storey windows of the townhouse opposite. The entirety of the building is ablaze in light, a startling rejection of obscurity. Beneath on the pathway adjacent the marine inlet I see the occasional walker fulfilling his or her constitutional duty, some are walking a dog.  A drop of avocado oil forms at the corner of my mouth as I manipulate my ham and cheese single slice combination, employing the smallest renditions of knife and fork available in the kitchen drawer. The knife has serrated edges for precision and limitation.

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