The Gentle Rain

**Mark Kleinhaut** · 02-08-2026, 07:04 AM

Here’s the last thing I recorded in mid January before going in for spinal surgery on Jan 21. Now, two and a half weeks later the recovery is going well the surgical staples removed and X-rays confirming the titanium is all holding, and it’s comfortable to sleep and get around the house, though I haven’t ventured yet up to my 3rd floor home studio where I make these videos. There’s still 4 more weeks of no bending, lifting, twisting (no BLT’s they like to say).

Anyway: "The Gentle Rain" ("Chuva Delicada") is a 1965 bossa nova composition by Luiz Bonfá, with lyrics by Matt Dubey. Originally written in A minor, this song was first released as part of the motion picture soundtrack of the 1966 film The Gentle Rain by the American director Burt Balaban. The music of the film was a collaboration of Luiz Bonfá as a composer and Eumir Deodato as orchestra arranger and director.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-08-2026, 07:32 AM

Really beautiful, Mark! So sorry to hear about your illness, but pleased you are on the mend. Best wishes.

**Mark Kleinhaut** · 02-08-2026, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Really beautiful, Mark! So sorry to hear about your illness, but pleased you are on the mend. Best wishes.

Thanks for the support! I’m really pleased so far with how my lower back and legs feel, modern medicine is fantastic! I’ll be back to studio soon enough but in the meantime I’m playing guitar lots daily and my wife is taking care of everything else.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-08-2026, 07:41 AM

Where would we be without them!

**ccroft** · 02-08-2026, 03:09 PM

Lovely rendition! And I'm happy to hear the recovery is going well. This place wouldn't be the same without you!

**deacon Mark** · 02-08-2026, 03:43 PM

Heal up and do what they tell you. We are at the age where healing does not happen as fast, but it still does happen. I really believe the key is to stay on top of nutrition and proper eating. The body in repair mode is doing huge overtime work and needs calories mostly protein. The system can rev up to more than 30% faster than normal.

When I was recovering from my road bike crash in September with broken collarbone, pelvis, and ribs I did not do much moving, but I was hungry and eating. My daily calories were as much as when I was riding 50 miles a day on the bicycle and even then lost a few pounds. Bones like vitamin D and calcium. Are you allowed to play the guitar. Ok I missed that you are.

I found the only thing I could do for a month was play the guitar the broken collarbone did not affect things too much. With yours in the back you might have to stay off playing? Hope all goes well.

**Mark Kleinhaut** · 02-08-2026, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

Heal up and do what they tell you. We are at the age where healing does not happen as fast, but it still does happen. I really believe the key is to stay on top of nutrition and proper eating. The body in repair mode is doing huge overtime work and needs calories mostly protein. The system can rev up to more than 30% faster than normal.

When I was recovering from my road bike crash in September with broken collarbone, pelvis, and ribs I did not do much moving, but I was hungry and eating. My daily calories were as much as when I was riding 50 miles a day on the bicycle and even then lost a few pounds. Bones like vitamin D and calcium. Are you allowed to play the guitar. Ok I missed that you are.

I found the only thing I could do for a month was play the guitar the broken collarbone did not affect things too much. With yours in the back you might have to stay off playing? Hope all goes well.

I was playing the guitar the next day as it’s my lower back that had surgery. I’m also eating very well as you’ve described which is exactly what my doctor advised. You sound like you got really broken up in you bike crash. Are you all back to normal now?

**deacon Mark** · 02-08-2026, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Kleinhaut

I was playing the guitar the next day as it’s my lower back that had surgery. I’m also eating very well as you’ve described which is exactly what my doctor advised. You sound like you got really broken up in you bike crash. Are you all back to normal now?

Generally, yes all ok. They used a plate to screw pelvis back together was non weight bearing for 8 weeks on left leg except to touch and turn. It did heal very well. I had set back after surgery they misdiagnosed a pulmonary embolism (serious) and started a heparin drip but on a scan about 8 hours later showed nothing at all. My Doppler on legs were clear too. The immediately pulled the heparin but it did cause some bleeding at the surgery sight, so I was in intensive care a few days. Modern medicine is great but far from perfect. I found out the CT scans can overread these things in sometimes 40% of cases.

However, the good news I am back riding my bike inside only now for probably good. The power meter numbers are back to near pre crash. I am blessed but even more blessed that it did not cause guitar playing problems. It has made me reconsider how I see things because had I damaged a hand or arm I might not be playing at all. I take playing the guitar way too much for granted.

Lower backs are tricky to say the least. Some say to avoid any surgery until you absolutely have to because of pain or mobility. Hopefully you are out of pain and will move again good. One thing you have that is really a gift is your wonderful wife taking care of you! Play her a love song.