Fools Never Raise Their Thoughts So High
The Wisdom and Wit of a Window Washer
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" `Twas a balmy summer evening, and a goodly crowd was there,” is the first line of the poem by Hugh Antoine d'Arcy, “The Face Upon the (Barroom) Floor.” But, Daddy always began it with, “ `Twas a cold December evening and a goodly crowd was there.” He would continue with the rest of the poem word for word. He loved to recite poems, monologues, and dialogues. “The Face …” was one of his favorites. It became one of my favorites, too. He would always let out a shriek, punctuating the last line of the poem. “With a fearful shriek,” Daddy lets out a shriek and continues, “he leaped and fell across the picture - dead.” Reflecting on life with my father, as I grew from infancy into adulthood, is relaxing, amusing and stress relieving. There are times when I'm brought to tears, times when I laugh out loud, and other times when all I can say is, “Wow! He really had insight.” He had strong religious opinions, political opinions, and opinions about the social fabric of America and the world. As you read further I hope you can hear the music and feel the beat. Listen carefully. You'll hear the blues, jazz, pop, and some calypso. As you read, imagine Jimmy Rushing singing, “Good Morning Blues,” in the background. Or maybe it's Ivory Joe Hunter singing, “Since I Met You Baby.” I hope you feel the tap dancing of the Step Brothers or the tap and stomp of Peg Leg Bates. When you do, keep the rhythm and keep reading. I'll give you prompts here and there. But Daddy has a rhythm that's uniquely his. Daddy played a little boogie woogie on the piano and taught us kids to play boogie woogie too. Listen! Do you hear it? "Duma duma duma duma, Duma duma duma duma, Bomp bomp_ bomp bomp”
(From the very beginning of the book)
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About the Book
"Fools Never Raise Their Thoughts So High" is a humorous look at the life of my father, Robert Lloyd Johnson. He and my mother, his wife, born Lois Ethel Thompson, raised four children in Harlem (Manhattan) and the Bronx, NY from the 1940's through the 1960's. I always considered him a wise and witty person who had a strong sense of pride, and valued his role as a husband and father. He loved to laugh, he loved to listen to music, he loved to read, he loved to dance, he loved to entertain and be entertained. The title of the book comes from the fourth verse of the hymn by Isaac Watts, "Sweet Is the Work, My God, My King." Daddy repeated that line very often. He frequently quoted lines from poems, hymns, the Holy Bible, and other literary works. "Slick” from Sugar Hill was his nickname as he grew into manhood. His most often used words were, "fool, fools, and foolish." He used them when talking to us at home about others. When people talk about my father, there is always a smile on their face. I sincerely hope you can say that same about your Dad and the men who influenced your life. Enjoy! - The author, Lloyd R. Johnson
About the Author
Lloyd R. Johnson was born in Harlem Hospital in New York City. He is the oldest of Robert Lloyd and Lois Ethel Johnson's four children. He is married to his wife, Dora, and they have two children and six grandchildren. Lloyd has always enjoyed writing. He has written articles for business and financial services publications. He has contributed articles for the Christian publication, "THESE DAYS: Daily Devotions for Living" since 2007. In 2009 he started a blog called, "Kingdom Speaking" (http://kingdomspeaking.blogspot.com) which includes articles he has written articles on politics, religion, poverty, family history and other subjects. "Fools Never Raise Their Thoughts So High" is his first book.