one hundred word song

100 Word Song: Starting Over

MyBlogCanBeatUpYourBlog

Today I'm participating in a blogging meme called 100 Word Song found at My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog.  Basically, there's a song, you write 100 words inspired by said song, share it on your blog and you're done.  Sounds fun, right?  

The song:

My 100 words:

It wasn’t the smell of his breath that alerted her muscles to tighten in defense of what was to come.

She knew by the way his eyes darted around his greasy plate of eggs almost 12 hours ago. 

Being hyper alert ever since breakfast was taxing to her body and mind.

Images of police stations, paradise, and promises flew through her when he delivered the blow.

Her collapse to the couch was like a fall into the hands of God.

He said, “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

She fell asleep to the smell of eggs frying in the kitchen.

photo credit: matsuyuki via photopin cc

Intrepid Songhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/015125733429189586416

100 Word Song: Starting Over

MyBlogCanBeatUpYourBlog

Today I'm participating in a blogging meme called 100 Word Song found at My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog.  Basically, there's a song, you write 100 words inspired by said song, share it on your blog and you're done.  Sounds fun, right?  

The song:

My 100 words:

It wasn’t the smell of his breath that alerted her muscles to tighten in defense of what was to come.

She knew by the way his eyes darted around his greasy plate of eggs almost 12 hours ago. 

Being hyper alert ever since breakfast was taxing to her body and mind.

Images of police stations, paradise, and promises flew through her when he delivered the blow.

Her collapse to the couch was like a fall into the hands of God.

He said, “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

She fell asleep to the smell of eggs frying in the kitchen.

photo credit: matsuyuki via photopin cc

Wednesday's Woman: Katrell Christie, The Learning Tea

Sometimes helping others starts with something as simple as putting a jar on the counter at the neighborhood coffee shop.  How easy is that?  And yet, how many times have we had the opportunity to help, just a little, but felt it would be too difficult or require too much sacrifice?

I am always inspired by those who, despite their fears (imagined or real), are capable of defying the odds in a quest to make a difference in the lives of others.  I have read that something as simple as sharing a smile can have a significant impact on someone’s day.  And yet, how many times have I passed an opportunity to do so because I was too wrapped up in my own misery (imagined or real)?

As you read today’s Wednesday’s Woman, submitted by Anna Mahler (The Mommy Padawan), think about the little things you can do to help someone in need, the little things you can do to propel yourself out of your own muck.  In the case of today’s story, the simple act of placing a collection jar on the counter in her place of business, a tea shop, evolved into saving a few young women in India from living as victims of human trafficking.

Yes, sharing a smile is marathons away from helping women who are potential victims of human trafficking.  We have to start somewhere.

Thank you, Anna, for your continued support of and willingness to write for Wednesday’s Woman.  I’m smiling at you.  I hope you feel it.

Wednesday's Woman: Katrell Christie, The Learning Tea

Screencapture from The Learning Tea

I have been personally touched by some many of the amazing women I have found to write about for Wednesday's Woman as well as the ones I've read about from others but I have to admit, there is a special place in my heart for women helping women. Because of this, as soon as I read about Katrell Christie, I knew I wanted to share her story.

Katrell is the owner of a coffee and tea shop in Atlanta, Georgia called Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party.  In 2009, two years after opening her shop, while visiting Darjeeling, India to look at tea plantations, Katrell met three girls from a local orphanage.

She learned the girls would be forced to leave the orphanage within a year (when they turned 16) and without parents or other family to help, living on the streets or becoming victim to sex trafficking were real, possible futures for them.

“I made a bunch of promises,” Christie says. She told them she’d come back in six months and help. Then she had to figure out a way to make it happen. “I didn’t know what to do.”
-Source: The Christian Science Monitor 

She simply started with a jar on her counter, asking for donations as well as re-directing funds from her used book sales to help the young women she had met. Six months later, Katrell had enough money to return to India, secure an apartment for the girls, enroll them in college prep high school and supply school uniforms.

After returning home from her trip, Katrell started selling packets of tea from Darjeeling at her store with 100% of the proceeds going to support the girls as well as other female orphans in the same situation. She named her project, The Learning Tea  

During trips back to India every six months, Katrell continued to offer shelter and the opportunity to attend school to more young women who would soon be leaving the orphanage as well. Her work and reach has continued to grow and she now provides a free-standing building with dormitory-style bedrooms and a house mother for the girls full time.

She believes vocational training helps only one generation, she says. A college education allows a woman to pursue a career and, in turn, provide higher education her own children.

“It is the only way I see that you can stop the vicious cycle of intensive poverty in India,” Christie says.
-Source:  Christian Science Monitor 

For a young women, with no close family, to know someone cares about them is a gift in itself but to then provide a safe home and education is beautiful and generous as well.  And it started with a jar on her counter.

You can learn more about the amazing work Christie is doing at The Learning Tea as well as her tea store, Dr Bombay's.

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WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.

photo credit: Professor Bop via photopin cc

Mistakes, a Playlist

This week’s theme for Twisted Mixtape Tuesday is “Past Mistakes.”  It’s open for interpretation as long as one comes up with a playlist of five songs sticking to the theme.

Don’t we often come up with excuses, or justification, for our past mistakes? 

“I shouldn’t have, but it looked so good”
“I would have, but I just couldn’t get all my ducks in a row before hand.”
“It wasn’t my fault.  They made me do it.  Plus I was under the influence.”

I’m starting my Twisted Tuesday with just that—excuses:

*It’s already well into Wednesday so I have little time to think of a clever interpretation.
*Although it has warmed up to 17 degrees, my creative brain has yet to thaw.
*I’m late on this.  All the good songs are probably already taken by other bloggers in the link up.

And so on…

And so on…

Infinity.

However.

I am committed to blogging regularly in 2014.  Responding to a prompt in a blog link up makes it easy.  Plus, I love music. 

Wait.  

Were those justifications to write something for Twisted Mixtape Tuesday?

Yes.  I think they were.

Mistakes.  A Playlist.

1 - Paradise by the Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf

This song, the Bat Out of Hell album cover, and this story of that most universal mistake were all very provocative to me as a child.  As an adult, the make-out portion in this video is just as provocative for its qualities of silliness, not for its qualities of greatness.  Although, I do find the theatrics to be highly entertaining.

“Stop Right There!” – Female vocals – hands down, my favorite part of the song.  I’ve always wanted to sound like that.  Just know, on the inside, I do.

2 – Cocaine Blues – Johnny Cash

I love Johnny Cash.  It’s difficult for me to leave him off any playlist, even a short one like this.  He was the best at telling us about his mistakes, lamenting, asking for forgiveness, never ashamed to own up to being human.

I am pretty sure that Cocaine Blues is fiction—and a great work of fiction, in my humble opinion (sorry Tolkien fans).  It is morbid to think of it as biographical.  Maybe metaphorical? Let’s just hear the tune.

3 – Up Jump the Devil – The .357 String Band

The man sells his soul to the devil and then hangs himself.  Sounds like a bad day to me. Nevertheless, I do love the sound of this punk-grass, old-timey, gritty song.  Plus, I traversed the Midwest to quite a few .357 String Band shows in the mid 2000’s.  They hold a special little space in my heart.

4 – Cheers Darlin’ – Damien Rice

I chose this for its clarinet intro.  My daughter plays the clarinet.  She was and is definitely not a mistake.  (That little description has nothing to do with the theme. Cue song).

5 – Nobody's Perfect – Hannah Montana

My girls were of the perfect age to be huge Hannah Montana fans.  This is one of my favorite songs from that time period in our lives.  It’s uplifting and provides a positive message for tweens. 

My girls are now teenagers.

 

The transformation of Miley from Hannah Montana to Twerk Queen has been uncomfortable to watch.  But I’m here to tell you, it is eerily similar to how it feels to parent teens.

Be kind.  Remember, everybody makes mistakes.

Don't try this at home:

"Over Monday and Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times counted at least 50 people on social media who reported burning themselves or their friends after trying to turn boiling water into snow. There were also several reports of people going to the hospital to receive treatment for burns."

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-boiling-snow-20140107,0,6070776.story#ixzz2ppmxx4VV

10 Things New to Me in 2013

Happy Monday and Happy New Year!

I do hope you are staying warm.

I am getting things rolling for 2014 at Sperk* by participating in one of my favorite blogging linkups, Monday Listicles hosted by Stasha at The Good Life.

The theme today is 10 Things New and it is open for interpretation.  

At first, I struggled with this theme.  Are my creative brain cells frozen?  

Then I got a little bummed out. I do not have a lengthy list of new things I have acquired in recent months.  

I did get a coat for which I am very grateful.  Oh, and I bought some jeans for the first time since 2007.  

But I'd like other new things, like a new car, new roof, new windows.  Ho hum.

In a state of self-pity is not a good way to begin the year.

So, I scrolled through my go-to for inspiration, my Instagram gallery, and it reminded me that I experienced several new things things in 2013.

Small things.

No mountain climbing or body surfing.

But I wouldn't trade them for anything.  Really.  I wouldn't.

10 Things New to Me in 2013 

1 - Being a Nanny

In 2013 I finally put my new-to-me degree in early childhood education to work and took a job as a nanny. It has been challenging on so many levels and just as rewarding in ways I couldn't have imagined.  I haven't had a job outside the home since my 15 year old daughter was born.  That's a long time.

2 - Middle School Honors Band

This year my 13 year old daughter was selected to be in the Bowling Green State University Middle School Honors Band.  It was a one day event that started with our drive to the university at five in the morning. The students rehearsed through the morning and afternoon finishing the event with a performance in the evening.

Needless to say, I was very proud of her.

Her dad was also very proud of her.  In the evening, he drove up to meet us for the performance which included a spy-themed piece with the added touch of all of the musicians wearing sunglasses.  When it was time for the spy-themed piece to be played, I realized her dad, up to that point in the concert, had only been watching her, apparently not even glancing around at the rest of the band.

When she put the sunglasses on, he leaned over to me and said, "What the hell is she doing?"

I simply replied, "Look around. They're all wearing them."

3 - Crazy for You

My 15 year old daughter was in her first official high school musical, Crazy for You.  She worked so hard to learn tap dancing, something she had not done before auditioning for the show.  Brava!  That's all I can say. I couldn't find a clear photo of her dancing, but we get to admire her beautiful smile.

4 - Weekly Visits to The Ohio State University

My 15 year old began voice lessons which are located at Ohio State.  We go once a week.  She sings.  I take mobile photographs--not of her.  I walk swiftly (lessons are only 30 minutes long) and get as many captures around campus as I can.  When I first started engaging in this activity I felt silly.  I'm over that now and it is something I am grateful to be able to continue in 2014.

5- Selena Gomez

I took my younger daughter and two of her friends to see Selena Gomez in concert.  It was a first, not for concerts, but for seeing Selena.  Miss Gomez is quite a performer.  We all enjoyed the show.  More so, I enjoyed the time with my daughter and her friends.  These times spent together are fleeting.  I know this because my older daughter no longer allows me to accompany her to shows.

6 - Painting With Apples

Being a nanny has offered me opportunities to try art projects that I never got around to doing with my own children.  (Do not judge.  We did plenty of crafts.  Just not ALL of the ones I wanted to try).  My favorite in 2013 was painting using apples as stamps.

7 - Instagramming in the Rain

I became very committed to Instagram this year and sometimes spent time "gramming" with my significant other.  This is a wonderful "couples" activity.  It gets you out of the house and turns on some "super-explorer switch" in your brain.  During one of our outings, it began to rain.  In the past, I would have run for shelter.  I am glad the past is the past.

8 - Pulled Over for a Photo

Towards the end of 2013 I became a little less timid about getting the mobile photographs that I wanted.  Instead of driving by something picturesque and wishing I had a photo of it, I actually pulled over and attempted to capture what I saw.

9 - Noticed the Clouds

10 - Experienced 365 Brand New Days

Many more to come, I hope.

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Fool Me Once... (Cheating Songs)

This week’s theme for the now famous blog hop, Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday, is Cheating Songs.

From blues, R and B, country, and rock come so many songs about cheating I didn't know where to begin.  

Hollering?

Lamenting?

Filled with high-suspense and drama?

Then I realized that I usually listened to cheating songs after a painful breakup.  So, I took a short trip down memory lane and recalled some of these post-relationship-collapse songs that obviously or not so obviously are about cheating.

Five Songs about Cheating

1. Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana

I was thinking Lead Belly but then thought celebrating the recent anniversary of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance would be just so right.

2. Red Rain - The White Stripes

Although the lyrics do not specifically say that his woman was out cheating, these lines seal the deal for me:

You think not telling is the same as not lying, don't you?
Then I guess not feeling is the same as not crying to you.

and

If there is a lie, then there is a liar, too
And If there is a sin, then there is a sinner, too.



3. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco

Is he not returning her calls? Drinking too much? Maybe. Cheating? Could be. Or was she the one who cheated?  Not sure, but cheating was definitely involved in this very ambiguous love story.




4. If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) - Meshell Ndegeocello

I remember when I first heard this song back in the early '90's. I couldn't believe the boldness in the lyrics and I loved it. I still do.

This was probably not a breakup song for me.  More likely, it was a rebound song.



5. I'm a Fool to Want You - Billie Holiday

This is an obvious choice.  Thank you, Billie.

I'm a fool to want you
I'm a fool to want you
To want a love that can't be true
A love that's there for others too

photo credit: liquidnight via photopin cc

Halloween Twisted Mix-Tape

It’s the 31^st Twisted Mix-Tape blogging link up and it’s falling on Halloween week!

How apropos!

Technically Twisted Mix-Tape is a Tuesday thing and today is Thursday, but I have never been on time or apropos in my life.

This week’s theme is Scary Songs.  I enlisted the help of everyone in my house which resulted in quite a long list.  Then I checked the parameters of the link up over at Jen’s My Skewed View and realized I had way, way too many songs.  

This created another challenge—editing.  I am about as good at editing as I am at being on time (or apropos).

 

Here’s my five song playlist for Halloween and Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday (in no particular order, play it on shuffle):

1. God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash

I was going to go with Long Black Veil, then I remembered Cash's God’s Gonna Cut You Down and chose the latter.  I grew up Catholic with a grandmother who did not much appreciate Vatican II and a few nuns for teachers who did not seem to appreciate children.  I remember as I was preparing for my First Reconciliation in the second grade that I was freaked out by the fact that God could not only see everything I did, but God also knew my thoughts.  I lived in complete fear.  I’m older now and understand that as a child there is no way I was thinking about anything requiring God to strike me down.  But still, the song creeps me out.

2. Bugs – Pearl Jam

I love this song.  I especially love that when I played it for my daughters to get it approved for this list, they asked me to turn it off.  Apparently bugs creep them out as much as God did me in my youth.

3. Forty Six and 2 – Tool

Lyrics: 

My shadow's
Shedding skin and
I've been picking
Scabs again.

I'm down
Digging through
My old muscles
Looking for a clue.

It’s for dark moments only, obviously.

Forty Six and 2 got the thumbs up from everyone in the house, even my Chihuahuas who know a little something about shedding. . .fur.

4. The Stone – Dave Matthews

Another one for darker moods.  Another one that I like due to being raised Catholic and always feeling like I had done something wrong.  It’s a beautiful song, really.  Especially this version.

5. Secret – The Pierces

This is the theme song for the show my daughters are obsessed with, Pretty Little Liars.  I find it scary when my girls sing it in unison in their pretty little voices.

Be sure to check out Jen and the rest of the bloggers who participated in this week's Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday to see if your favorite scary song made it onto anyone's list!





Happy Halloween!

photo credit: ~Brenda-Starr~ via photopin cc

Dear Daughters: I Love You

I made a big announcement last month and last May that I would be blogging regularly.

No more big announcements.  But, I'm blogging.  And the blog, this space, is in the state of being overhauled--posts relabeled, tabs removed and added, I may even purchase a more simple url.  Nothing fancy.  No servers and me trying to program a site.  Simple.  But here and consistent.

So I was Instagramming all weekend and got minimal done here.  It's OK.  I love Instagramming.  It makes me feel good.  I like looking and seeing and trying to translate what I see to other people.  It's difficult to do so with an old Samsung Galaxy, but I manage.  And I love getting out of the house.  Love it.

I digress...and that's OK.

I am getting the blogging ball rolling with Monday Listicles.  One of my favorite memes.  The theme this week is love: 10 ways to say, "I love you."  Because it's midnight and I have to be up at 4:30 a.m. for work, I am going quick and easy.  Rattling off of the top of my head the things I do for my two adolescent daughters...the things I do because I love them so much that it hurts.  This stuff is the least I can do.

And here we go.

10 Ways I Show My Daughters I Love Them

Dear daughters,

The next time you are angry because I ask you about your grades or suggest you clean up your room try to remember that I love you.  How do you know that when I am scrunching up my face in disapproval?  Here's how:

I tell you.

I pack your lunch for school.

I tuck you in at night.

I sing for you.

I dance for you.

I wash your clothes (most of the time).

I do not require you to do many chores.

I  go to all performances (choir, plays, musicals, band)

I make you food to eat after school.

I cry when you do something wonderful.

There's more.  Much more.  But this is a nice list you can memorize and recite to yourself
the next time I embarrass you in public.

Love,

Mom

photo credit: profzucker via photopin cc

Wednesday's Woman Returns

I turned on comment moderation.  If this is inconvenient for you, I do apologize.  While I was on hiatus from blogging the spam took over my comment section.  Moderation will help me to regain control and give me time to clean it up.  Thanks for your patience.

My hope is that the clean-up becomes maintenance and the work in progress never ends. There’s beauty in the process, isn't there?

Speaking of process, I visited my old blogger friend The Mommy Padawan just a minute ago at her space on the Web.  I was grateful to see her and read her words.  She’s still here!  And she’s embraced her work in progress. She is embracing change and it is working out well for her.  She continues to be an inspiration to me.

Read about her journey here: Changes

Speaking of Mommy Padawan (Anna Mahler), she was significant in helping to keep my series Wednesday’s Woman going.  In fact, I felt as if it was more our series than solely mine.  As I resuscitate Sperk* I am also reviving Wednesday’s Woman.  Today.

What is Wednesday’s Woman?  Here’s a screen shot of how it currently stands:

It will stay the same.  I still want guest posts.  Your contributions, perspectives, and interpretations of what makes a Wednesday’s Woman have been invaluable.  The women that stand out to you, have impacted you…their stories can only come from you.  I need YOU!

The only change I am making is instead of it being weekly, it will now be bimonthly (occurring twice a month).  I think the first and third Wednesdays of each month will work well, don’t you? 

So, who wants to be my guest for next week?  Don’t be surprised if you get a solicitation for a guest post soon.  Or, you could make it easy and be the first to raise your hand.  Email me or leave a comment if you want to be featured here next week, or the next next week, or the week after that.  If you have contributed in the past, you again can contribute.   

To get the ball re-rolling, below is a re-post honoring Anna for all her contributions to Wednesday’s Woman.  Enjoy.

The Mommy Padawan screenshot 

Last week I mentioned that Wednesday’s Woman keeps me going.  This is true.  I am grateful for all of the bloggers who willingly take time out of their schedules to share with us stories of the women who inspire them. 

There is one woman, a regular contributor to Wednesday’s Woman, who is instrumental in the endurance of this series.  She is flexible and forgiving of my lack of scheduling skills.  She is always willing to read my rambling emails and regularly responds with compassion and empathy.  Her name is Anna Mahler.    

Anna's first submission was last March honoring Lisa Shannon.  For her intro I wrote: 

This week’s Wednesday's Woman was written and submitted by Anna Mahler, of The Mommy Padawan.  I am certain you get the “Mommy” part.  But are you familiar with the term “Padawan”?

A "padawan" is a term for “student” taken from the film Star Wars.  I think the title of Anna’s blog is fitting.  She is a careful observer of life and looks to her experiences for opportunities to grow as a woman, wife, and mother.  She sees her three year old son as her greatest teacher.    

Students learn most through their experiences teaching others.  Anna is no exception.  She shares the wisdom she has gained as a wife and mother in her ebook You are Loved - Caring for Our Children, Families, and Ourselves with Loving Kindness.  

Her philosophy of self-care allows her to create a harmonious home.  Self-care also allows her to recognize the importance of sharing her uplifting attitudes with the readers of her blog.  I encourage you to spend time at The Mommy Padawan where you will find a voice of authenticity, grace, warmth and courage. 

I’d like to honor Anna today by revisiting all of her contributions to Wednesday's Woman.  They are linked below.  Be sure to thank her.  And be sure to let her know she is quite deserving of being honored as this week’s Wednesday’s Woman.

Wednesday's Woman: 
Works of Mommy Padawan

Wednesday's Woman:  A Call to Action

Honoring Lisa Shannon, author and founder of Run for Congo Women, which is a volunteer effort to raise funds and awareness for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  She also spent months in eastern Congo exploring the link between mining and the world's worst sexual violence.


Wednesday's Woman: Impacting Families
Honoring Dr. Jane Aronson, founder of Worldwide Orphans Foundation.


Wednesday's Woman: A New Generation of Widows
Honoring Taryn Davis, founder of American Widow Project.


Wednesday's Woman: This is a Safe Place
Honoring Diane Latiker, founder of Kids Off the Block

Wednesday's Woman: Zainab Salbi
Honoring Zainab Salbi, an Iraqi American writer, activist and social entrepreneur who is co-founder and president of Washington-based Women for Women International.


Wednesday's Woman: Christy Turlington Burns
Honoring Christy Turlington Burns, American model and founder of Every Mother Counts, a campaign to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world.


Wednesday's Woman: Being of Service
Honoring Seane Corn, founder of Off the Mat and Into The World


Wednesday's Woman: Mildred Loving
Honoring Mildred Loving, civil rights activist. She and her husband successfully defeated Virginia's ban on interracial marriage.

WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.

photo credit: JD Hancock via photopin cc

Hello Again

Wow.  Where have I been?  I took the summer off from blogging in order to spend more time with the kiddos.  Summer turned into autumn.  Swimsuits and shorts into jeans and sweaters.  So much has transpired.  So much in my life has been fixed and much more is in need of fixing. I don’t know where to begin.  I’ll start with a welcome back to me!

It’s easy to stop blogging.  Especially if one has a gift for procrastination, which I do.

“Oh, I’ll do that link-up on Tuesday.”

Tuesday rolls around and I say, “Well, I don’t think anyone really wants to hear about that.  I mean really.  Next Tuesday.”

And so on.  And so on.

It’s difficult to start blogging after a long hiatus.  It’s very difficult.

I mean, what do I say?

“Sorry it's been a while, I’m a lazy bum?”

“I’m afraid you won’t like what you read?”

Dribble, dribble, droll.

Fear.  Fear.  Fear.

Plus, my story is not only my own, but also belongs to the people in my life—my partner, my daughters, the people in my community that may read Sperk*.  I feel a need to protect them, their privacy.  Plus, as far as my daughters, I don’t want to embarrass them.

I've missed having a voice, though, which is the most precious gift of blogging.  Not all in this world have a voice.  I do.  I should be using it.  Forget hiding in silence.  Forget fear of judgment.  Forget thoughts like, “I’m not where I should be at this point in my life.”

“If I really share my opinion, I may be ignored at the next school function.”

And so on.  And so on.

Furthermore as I was searching for stock photos to include with this post I came across this:

And to that I say, "whatever," because I then came across this:

My blog’s layout needs updated.  My bio needs to be rewritten.  The tabs need to be made relevant. 

So much to do.  So much to say.

I must proceed with patience.

I must acknowledge that the hard part is done—getting started.

Here it is.

Blog post number one, after a very long, lonesome hiatus.  I've missed my blogging connections.  I've missed you.

Hello, again.

 

"Hello again, its been too long, too long, too long, hello again" DMB



I have been consistently taking mobile photos and posting on Instagram.  In case you missed me there:

photo credit: mikkelz via photopin cc

photo credit: Will Lion via photopin cc

photo credit: Travelin' Librarian via photopin cc

Feed Your Head: A Mix Tape for Time Travel

It’s Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday and I’ve been transported back in time to 1969. My mission is to comprise a list of songs you must listen to in this year of my birth. My mission’s instructions include keeping in mind that I “. . .have no knowledge of the music to come, however [I am] fully aware of the music in [my] past and can make full use of it . . . .”

This is no easy mission.  So much great music, so many great artists emerged in the '60's.  Should I consider popularity?  Influence and impact?  I just don't know.  So, these are the songs I simply think you must hear.

Jackson – Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

The first concert I ever attended at the tender age of three or four (I don’t remember exactly) was that of Glen Campbell at Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia. Guess who Campbell’s special guests were? Johnny and June! I was absolutely mesmerized. That show was in the early ‘70’s and in keeping with my mission of not knowing what music will come post 1969 or of not knowing I would see Johnny and June in the flesh, I am safe with this choice. Jackson reached number 2 on the country charts in 1967.



Colours – Donovan

Donovan was considered an imitator of Bob Dylan. But as in all forms of art, when creating music there is no imitation, only inspiration. Colours came to me on a mix-tape-gift by someone I don’t remember. The song, though, is so sweet, it’s unforgettable. And although the mix tape was given to me in the 80’s, I’m safe in my mission. Colours, the single, was released in the UK in 1965.



Wishin’ and Hopin’ – Dusty Springfield

The anthem for the not yet liberated woman of the ‘60’s. Prayers don’t work.  However, a great voice and stellar musical performances will get you the guy. Thank you Dusty.



These Boots are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

The anthem for the liberated woman of the ‘60’s, 1966 to be exact. The skirt, the boots, the legs. Am I objectifying Nancy? Forgive me, but she had the moves. And the song? Try standing still while it’s streaming from your music device (being that it's 1969, 'device' means record player or 8-track).



Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills and Nash

Performed at Woodstock, this is Stephen Stills’ ode to his break-up from singer-songwriter Judy Collins. If you’re looking for a gateway song into the world of classical music, this is it. Why? It is divided into sections (very remedial reason, I know). That being said, the real reason you should listen to this song is, well, it’s beautiful.  The harmony slays my soul. (I promise to work on my ability to describe music. It’s a tough gig).



Light My Fire – The Doors

This one gets you right from Densmore’s opening crack on the drum. Then you have Manzarek’s trippy organ melody, Krieger's guitar, Morrison’s sultry voice. All very mysterious. The first time I heard it I remember stopping what I was doing (probably having a tea party with my imaginary friends) and thinking it was the strangest most wonderful thing I had ever heard.  Yes, that would have been the early ‘70’s, but, once again, I’m safe in my mission. Light My Fire was released in 1967.



White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane

Feed your head. Not with drugs.  With music.

"Canadian psychologists from McGill University have shown that the neurochemical benefits of music can boost the body’s immune system, reduce anxiety, and help regulate mood." [source]






OK. There is a ton of music you should listen to while visiting with me in the year of 1969: Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Monkees, The Kinks, Marvin Gaye. . . . For lack of time, I must close, and transport back to 2013.  My children there are hungry.

Our soundtrack as we travel?  Movie soundtracks, of course:

The Sound of Music
Thank you, Rodgers and Hammerstein


West Side Story
Thank you, Leonard Bernstein

Back to 2013 in 3…2…1....

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She Would Be a Freshman

I remember just about a year ago, it hit me:  A few months of summer and then she would be a freshman in high school.

That’s when I stopped breathing.

Would it be as awkward for her as it was for me?  Would the same things happen to her? 

Would she learn the important stuff, like how to be a friend, how to be safe, how to be happy?

Not all of her tests were marked as stellar.  Not all curfews met.  

There were disagreements with friends and flirtations with potential romantic interests.  She rode around in cars with teens who were her elders, yet her peers.  She made it home alive.

There were triumphs and disappointments, all accompanied by drama.  Her drama.  In her room.  In this house. 

Celebrations. 

Self-criticism.

Pep-talks.

Silence.

Loud music.

A beautiful face buried in an iPhone.

She became mysterious.  Inaccessible at times.   However, at times she needed me like when she was a toddler.  Her skills so much more developed, the challenges greater. 

The hugs were as easy to give as when she was two years old.

Her freshman year officially ended a few days ago and I allowed myself to breathe.

I missed it, the air, the oxygen, the freedom.

I will not miss the fear.

Her time in high school is not going to be like it was for me.

She is not me.

She isn't even mine.

Yes, I gave birth to her.  This is true.

However, she belongs to the world.

And she will be ready.

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10 Worst Band Names

I’ve been a big fan of music since childhood and, therefore, have become accustomed to the oddness of band names.  I remember looking at album covers of Jefferson Airplane and Abba and thinking their names were so strange and, yet, mysterious.  I liked them and still do.  However, today, I imagine at least one of them has made it onto a list of worst band names.

This evening, as I was attempting to compile a list of 10 Worst Band Names for Monday Listicles, I found there are a ton of such lists out there.  Looking through some of them I realized, yes, some band names are bad.  But really, what are the options for naming a band?

I mean, The Band already exists.  The most logical name for a band is taken.

It’s popular to name bands after their founders and/or lead singers, and, why not?  Even though it does come across as ego-maniacal, what are the options?

Hole? Rush? Styx? 

Kansas, Boston, Chicago?

So before I give you my own list of worst band names, let me say, I appreciate the attempts, the creative vigor, and the bravery of musicians who give themselves a collective “name” and put themselves out there.  I’m grateful for the music.  (Although I could do without Butthole Surfers).

10 Worst Band Names

Swans – Are they like feathered creatures from the Swan Lake ballet?  Do they sound like Tchaikovsky?  Maybe they should have taken a cue from E. B. White and gone with The Trumpet of the Swan.  At least that would evoke something musical.  What does a swan sound like?  Well, I found out.  You can listen here:  Swan Sounds

Yellow Ostrich – Another of the ornithological variety.  I actually love this band.  However, do yellow ostriches exist and if so, what do they sound like?  You can find out here (make sure to listen to the screaming ostrich selection):  Ostrich Sounds

Flogging Molly – I actually love this band, too.  And this name actually works.  It’s memorable and catchy.  But who’s Molly?  Why is she being flogged?  Wiki explains:

the band's name comes from the bar (Molly Malone's) thatfaithfully supported the band from the very beginning, "We used to playthere every Monday night and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so wecalled the band Flogging Molly.

I like that story.  I am now uncertain Flogging Molly even belongs on the list.  But it stays.  Onward we go….

Fun. – Whenever they come on the radio I always say to my girls, “Hey! It’s fun period!”  Yeah. 

Toad the Wet Sprocket – Creatively derived from a Monty Python sketch, the band meant it to be nonsensical. Whew. 

Bubble Puppy – The images this name conjures...I see my tiny Chihuahua dogs floating above me...each imprisoned in his own...bubble.

Pussy Riot – Great story, inspiring really.  Very brave young women.  But, you have to admit, their name is well chosen for a prison-stay.  And I just wish they could be vocal about feminist issues without naming themselves after female genitalia.

The The – You would think this name would be impossible to Google.  It's not.  Pops right up there followed by Mr. Mister.

Days of the New – I find this name highly annoying.  Why?  I have no clue.  Does it bug you, too?  Is it perpetually Easter in some parts of the world?

Dave Matthews Band – I’ve seen this on other lists.  And I love this band.  But even Tom Petty added “and the Heartbreakers” to his identity.  DMB simply lacks the creative spirit I expect from someone who has beguiled me for 25 shows and counting.

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