Blog Every Day in May -- Day 29

Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories.


1) All My Loving. The Beatles. "Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll miss you. Remember, I'll always be true." I was 6 when I heard this the first time and this song, and that man singing it, defined romantic love for me. I've had the honor of hearing Sir Paul sing it live and he still melts me. Here's a lovely clip of Paul looking back on Paul.



2) September. Earth, Wind and Fire. Because it always makes me happy. Always.



3) Stoney End. Barbra Streisand. For me, Stoney End is a place, where I go when I'm hurting.When she howls that "the fury and the broken thunder's come to match my raging soul," that's the sound my heart makes. Babs has been there.




4) Hang Fire. The Rolling Stones. This is the only Rolling Stones song I have any affection for, but I love it to bits. It's so snotty and subversive and efficient -- less than 2 1/2 minutes long!


5) Peaceful. Helen Reddy. Helen Reddy recorded a lot of crap in her career, but this is really very good. I love the idea of it, that somewhere there's a place where no one's bending over my shoulder, nobody breathing in my ear.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Hard Habit to Break

1. Do you have any habits or rituals at this time of year? My Christmas cards benefit The American Humane Society (this year's has the kitten with a gift on the front). I try to get them in the mail over the Thanksgiving weekend. This year I was more or less successful.

2. Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it... I like snow. One of the joys of living here is that we get four distinct seasons, and there's something neat about each one. We're supposed to get 6" over the next 24 hours. Better find my boots.

3. Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood. Behold Blaze. I was 4 years old the Christmas Santa left him under the tree for me. I knew Blaze and I were destined to be together. Familiar with him from the TV commercials, I would visit him whenever we went to Sears and tell him that soon he would be at my house. Naturally I made sure Santa knew he was available at Sears, too, in case the elves needed help. Of course Santa came through. (Thanks, Mom and Dad.)

4. If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be? Toilet paper, as I suspect everyone resents purchasing it as much as I do.

5. Do you live close to your immediate family members? If not, how far away are they? My mom, kid sister and bil, and niece and nephew are about 15 minutes away.

6. My mom ordered a turkey dinner from a local market. it was o.k., but not very good. how was your turkey (or last holiday meal) this year? I didn't have turkey. We were at a buffet of my nephew's choosing and I chose fried chicken instead.

7. In a one horse open sleigh: Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses? Or would you just rather travel by your own two feet? I've never been on a sleigh ride, but I'm very receptive to the idea.

8. What is your favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit 'repeat' on the player... "River" by James Taylor




9. What is your least favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to skip on the player... "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby. The arrangement is schmaltzy and his voice annoys me. I know, I know ... that's practically Un-American, but there you go.