I’ll admit it – I always thought “Puff the Magic Dragon” was a dumb song.  Other than that one, their songs were played many a time in our house as we grew up.  My favorite was (and still is) “Leaving On A Jet Plane” – I suppose it could have had something to do with the fact that my Dad had to go jetting (or sailing) off for the Navy on many an occasion which made me identify with it.  Or I just liked the melody and the sentiment.  It could go either way.

I remember when we got our orders to Japan and on the way over there we stopped in Cali to basically “pickup” one of the LTs* and his wife who were also stationed to the squadron.  While we were having dinner “Leaving On A Jet Plane” came on the radio and I started singing along, cause I liked it and knew the words.  I was asked, “How do you know this song??!?”  I replied, “I don’t know, but my Mom and Dad like it.”  Despite my parents somewhat righter stance in life, they kept music out of it. :)  (This might have killed my Dad’s right credibility with the LT, but he was a good guy and didn’t hold his daughter’s statements against him.)

I don’t know why, but this really bummed me out.  I suppose it should be something I need to get used to given that I’m over 30, but I guess I’m just not ready for yet another person that I identified with as a child to be kicking off.  Damn.

*Mark Johnson, to whom I will forever be indebted for my knowledge of knowing that 12×12 = 144.