For the last few weeks I've had a big writer's block. I'm usually inspried by current events, pop culture or reminences of times gone by. Finally a couple of things caught my attention and probably caught yours too.
The President's Sercret Servie getting caught soliciting prositiutes in Columbia. Prostitution is not illegal in Columbia so they weren't breaking any federal laws there. What their wives think is a horse of another color, to quote the Wizard of Oz. Eleven men..... They only got "caught" because one lone guy refused to pay. Seriously? You are in a third world country. How much is the going rate for a hooker in Columbia? Morality and marraige vows aside... you know the other ten a mad as hell. This was just all kinds of stupid. I just saw on Jane Velez- Mitchell that the number could be 21 prostitutes for 19 men. 11 Secret Service and the rest military. Good Grief!
Also, on that trip, we saw photos of Hilary Clinton dancing and drinking beer. Ooooo... scandal. I will say I am not a Hilary fan, but good grief....the work day was over. After a hard day at work, I'd have a beer too. (actually, I'd have wine or a gin and tonic.) If this were Eric Holder or Leon Panetta, would they have been front page news over a beer? hmmmmm
On to my favorite topic today. I watched the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Special with Lionel Richie. Oh, my, my 1980's self loves his music. We have "Chick Movies" and I now proclaim Lionel the King of Chick Music. ( Although I did hear once that at the sound of a Johnny Mathis song, women's bras unclasped themselves!) I was a big fan of The Commadores back in the 70's when they did "Still", Easy, like a Sunday Morning..." and of course, "Brick House".
I saw an interivew with Lionel ( we are first name friends evidently) where he said that men come up to him and say "My wife/girlfriend just loves you. I don't understand it." Lionel told him to buy his album, go home and learn the lyrics to all the songs and then repeat them back to his significant other. He'll soon understand. So true. There is not a woman alive that does not want to hear her man tell her how much she means to him.... like this.
LADY
by Lionel Richie
Lady, I'm your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I'm yours
My love, there's so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
I'm so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won't you believe in my song?
Lady, for so many years I thought I'd never find you
You have come into my life and, made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
In my eyes I see no one else but you
There's no other love like our love
Oh yes, I'll always want you near me
I've waited for you for so long
Oh, Lady, your love's the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
'cause,'cos, my love, my love, there's somethin' I want you to know
You're the love of my life, of my life, you're my lady
You're my lady.
Lionel, during his Commadores days, wrote this song for Kenny Rogers and he does do it well, but, for me, Lionel does it better.
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
It Takes Me Back
I think the two most powerful things to instantly take us on our own time travel experience is smell and music. IF only for the spark of a nanosecond, I am transported to another time in another place.
I connect 3 foods with my mother. Liver & onions, fried chicken livers, and salmon patties, all cooked in a black cast iron skillet. I do not like any of them, but she did. If I even see them on a menu, I think, "Mom". The memory of my father is stirring his instant coffee in a green "Fire King" mug and then crumbling leftover cornbread (from that same cast iron skillet) into a glass and pouring milk over it, to eat with a spoon. I'm sure there was some fired Bologna in there somewhere too. The only thing I made for my family was the cornbread but we never poured milk on it.
The smell of a high school gym takes me back to gym classes in those awful one piece blue, bloomer things we had to wear. Every Monday morning I was practicing the acquired skill of ironing mine on a towel, on the floor,of my bedroom, because I had waited to the last minute and would get a demerit if it was wrinkled.
Remember, I'm the girly girl that didn't want to sweat. It just ruined your whole "ensemble" to have sweaty hair and smudged eyeliner if you had gym first or second hour. Needless to say, I was not a high achiever in gym class. The only thing I did at all well was tumbling because I had had dance lessons as a child so I could point my toes and had follow through in my arms and hands. (Think gymnasts and then don't think of anything that was difficult... only the " ta da" at the end". ) I could "Ta Da" with the best of them!!
That gym also held Pep Rallies every Friday afternoon before football and basketball games. How many cheerleaders did routines to this?
I know it is barely Spring but, with all of these high temps lately, my body clock is saying it's Summertime.
There is nothing that takes me to a summertime/vacation frame of mind faster than the smell of coconut oil and fruit. It's in Bath & Body spray mist colognes with summer names like Aruba Coconut, Exotic Coconut and Caribbean Escape . It smells like suntan and tanner lotion and the beach to me. The smell of chlorine, when I pour it in the washing machine, smells like swimming pools to me. Instant summer moment.
Back in my teen years, I tried that awful...awful... one more time...awful Coppertone instant tan lotion that turned your skin orange and between your fingers rust!
I've mentioned before that I wore "Ambush" as a young teen... I am curious as to how I would like it now. I'm not even sure I wore because I liked it or just because it was the "in " thing at the time. I have worn Estee Lauder's "Beautiful" for about 25 years. I still like it and my girls know that is their "Mom" thing. Daughter # 1 wore "Red" in high school. The other two didn't have a favorite.
The sound I like most, that is good for my stressed out soul, is the sound of steel drums from the Caribbean. They put me on a white sandy beach with pretty turquoise water immediately.
What transports you?
I connect 3 foods with my mother. Liver & onions, fried chicken livers, and salmon patties, all cooked in a black cast iron skillet. I do not like any of them, but she did. If I even see them on a menu, I think, "Mom". The memory of my father is stirring his instant coffee in a green "Fire King" mug and then crumbling leftover cornbread (from that same cast iron skillet) into a glass and pouring milk over it, to eat with a spoon. I'm sure there was some fired Bologna in there somewhere too. The only thing I made for my family was the cornbread but we never poured milk on it.
The smell of a high school gym takes me back to gym classes in those awful one piece blue, bloomer things we had to wear. Every Monday morning I was practicing the acquired skill of ironing mine on a towel, on the floor,of my bedroom, because I had waited to the last minute and would get a demerit if it was wrinkled.
Remember, I'm the girly girl that didn't want to sweat. It just ruined your whole "ensemble" to have sweaty hair and smudged eyeliner if you had gym first or second hour. Needless to say, I was not a high achiever in gym class. The only thing I did at all well was tumbling because I had had dance lessons as a child so I could point my toes and had follow through in my arms and hands. (Think gymnasts and then don't think of anything that was difficult... only the " ta da" at the end". ) I could "Ta Da" with the best of them!!
That gym also held Pep Rallies every Friday afternoon before football and basketball games. How many cheerleaders did routines to this?
I know it is barely Spring but, with all of these high temps lately, my body clock is saying it's Summertime.
There is nothing that takes me to a summertime/vacation frame of mind faster than the smell of coconut oil and fruit. It's in Bath & Body spray mist colognes with summer names like Aruba Coconut, Exotic Coconut and Caribbean Escape . It smells like suntan and tanner lotion and the beach to me. The smell of chlorine, when I pour it in the washing machine, smells like swimming pools to me. Instant summer moment.
Back in my teen years, I tried that awful...awful... one more time...awful Coppertone instant tan lotion that turned your skin orange and between your fingers rust!
I've mentioned before that I wore "Ambush" as a young teen... I am curious as to how I would like it now. I'm not even sure I wore because I liked it or just because it was the "in " thing at the time. I have worn Estee Lauder's "Beautiful" for about 25 years. I still like it and my girls know that is their "Mom" thing. Daughter # 1 wore "Red" in high school. The other two didn't have a favorite.
The sound I like most, that is good for my stressed out soul, is the sound of steel drums from the Caribbean. They put me on a white sandy beach with pretty turquoise water immediately.
What transports you?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Trip Home From Charlotte
The theater where we saw Jersey Boys is downtown Charlotte. Terry had told me to check out the events to see what else I wanted to do but I never did. I didn't have any idea where to begin, never having been there before. Now I wished I had just Googled the city for Events because, as we drove around looking for parking, we passed a museum that was having an exhibit of mummies from around the world. Anyone that knows or reads me here, knows I will watched the National Geographic Station or the History Channel dig up just about anything. Of course, that dear man had to remind me he had suggested I look. darn!! I hate when he's right.
After the play, we walked out to these street jazz musicians. I have seen street musicians in a lot of big cities, but never with the bass horns these guys had. They were awesome.
Terry and I are fans of The Food Network's "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives". This is the first time we've been on the road that had one of the eateries close to us. In Charlotte, there are 2 within one block. We chose " DISH" because Terry had read that the other one had changed hands, so we wanted to stick with an original. We are not adventurous eaters. We stick to the chains when we are traveling, like Ruby Tuesdays or Applebees. Something along that order. We are not ones to venture into the Mom and Pop restaurants like the program show cases.
Having said that, when I saw the DISH building, I was a little suspect. Walking in, I wondered if we should stay. I knew which part of the Triple D I had entered.
After the play, we walked out to these street jazz musicians. I have seen street musicians in a lot of big cities, but never with the bass horns these guys had. They were awesome.
Terry and I are fans of The Food Network's "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives". This is the first time we've been on the road that had one of the eateries close to us. In Charlotte, there are 2 within one block. We chose " DISH" because Terry had read that the other one had changed hands, so we wanted to stick with an original. We are not adventurous eaters. We stick to the chains when we are traveling, like Ruby Tuesdays or Applebees. Something along that order. We are not ones to venture into the Mom and Pop restaurants like the program show cases.
Having said that, when I saw the DISH building, I was a little suspect. Walking in, I wondered if we should stay. I knew which part of the Triple D I had entered.
From the photo it looks cute and homey. No....to me it was more worn out and I was a little worried about cleanliness. There is a second room behind where we sat, so it is bigger than it looks from this shot.
The program that aired 2years ago, showed host, Guy Fieri, watching the cook make their "famous" chicken and dumplings, so, that's what I ordered. I have to say here, though, having southern grandmothers that knew how to make that dish, and I make it like they did, this girl knows her dumplings. (Terry did have the meatloaf which I thought was good. It was pretty spicy hot, which I liked.)
So, here's my chicken and dumplings.
It is difficult to see from this photo, but there wasn't any broth or gravy. It had the consistency of mashed potatoes with some chicken mixed in along with a few small pieces of dumplings. I think I got the end of the batch or something. The other side dish was mashed potatoes with gravy. I ate about half of it. Plus, it wasn't hot, just warm. I was pretty disappointed, but if given the opportunity, I'd try another Diner, but I wouldn't try another Dive, that's for sure.
In all fairness to them, by the time we left, the place was packed, so I admit, it must be just me that was not impressed.
Charlotte is about a 6 hour drive from us so, while there is a lot to do, I wonder how often we will make that trip. It's not something I would do on a whim. It has to include an overnight stay so that's something to consider too. At any rate, this trip was a success.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Big Weekend
For Christmas, Terry gave me tickets to see Jersey Boys on stage in Charlotte. Last fall, 2 of my daughters had met 3 of my girlfriends to see it in Michigan. I was bumming that I was left out of this "Big Fun". ( Over the years/decades, I have used this phrase more times than I want to admit. It is my all time Cosby Show favorite when Cliff and Claire bring Vanessa home from having "Big Fun" when she and girlfriends went to a concert against their parents orders. There was a time or two that I had to interrupt my girls "Big Fun" too.
So this is the weekend for Jersey Boys and I am ready to have "Big Fun" too.
I was a huge Four Seasons fan. I know I will know the songs. I knew I had done my job as a boomer when my 26 and 28 year old daughters told me, they had too. They hadn't expected to, but my subtle brainwashing must have worked.
I have to really thank Terry for stepping up with these tickets because, while he enjoys theater, this is not the music he listened to like I did. He's a trooper for sure.
So this is the weekend for Jersey Boys and I am ready to have "Big Fun" too.
I was a huge Four Seasons fan. I know I will know the songs. I knew I had done my job as a boomer when my 26 and 28 year old daughters told me, they had too. They hadn't expected to, but my subtle brainwashing must have worked.
I have to really thank Terry for stepping up with these tickets because, while he enjoys theater, this is not the music he listened to like I did. He's a trooper for sure.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Love Those Raisins
A couple of weeks ago I reminisced about the movie "The Big Chill". I had DVR'd it and just watched it tonight. Ahhh.. What a great soundtrack for our life we had. . One of my all time favorite songs, of that era, is in that movie. Heard It Through the Grapevine by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Wikipedia says it came out in 1969 so I'll go with that because, being a girl, I can tell what I wore dancing to it, but not what year it was....exactly.
I remember what I wore because it was New Year's Eve and my boyfriend/would be ex-husband, had a party at his parents house, down in the finished basement. This was back in the day of HiFi's and 33 & 1/3 albums. If the stereo was your parents, you could stack 3 or 4 records to drop, but if it was the "sound system" of a music connoisseur, they owned a "turn table" and only one could be played at a time. We were at the parents so the record player was loaded. The thing with that CCR album was the long version of Heard It Through The Grapevine was 11 minutes long. That's a long time to be dancing to one song. Frankly, I am reminded more of the dress more than who I was dancing with. hmmmm. Guess I really liked this dress and the silver shoes. ( Remember my mentioning how my mother cut out the "bad parts"?
I remember what I wore because it was New Year's Eve and my boyfriend/would be ex-husband, had a party at his parents house, down in the finished basement. This was back in the day of HiFi's and 33 & 1/3 albums. If the stereo was your parents, you could stack 3 or 4 records to drop, but if it was the "sound system" of a music connoisseur, they owned a "turn table" and only one could be played at a time. We were at the parents so the record player was loaded. The thing with that CCR album was the long version of Heard It Through The Grapevine was 11 minutes long. That's a long time to be dancing to one song. Frankly, I am reminded more of the dress more than who I was dancing with. hmmmm. Guess I really liked this dress and the silver shoes. ( Remember my mentioning how my mother cut out the "bad parts"?
Having said all of that, when that song comes on an Oldies station, what pops into my mind, first thing?
These guys.
They still make me smile.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Voice That Was Whitney
Long before Christina was called "The Voice", I think, Whitney Houston was one of those voices that made me stop what I was doing just to listen. She was not one you would choose to do for a karaoke. No Way. When I heard this morning, that she had died, I really wasn't suprised. Like Amy Winehouse, we all knew she walked a very thin line. My heart was heavy though, with the loss of what might have been.
I can't be the music lover I am and not say what a fantastic talent she was. Who could watch Bodyguard and not be moved by that woman. I can't say she will be missed... She was all ready missed while she was still here on Earth! She ruled the airwaves in the 80 and 90s. Then, with her marriage to Bobby Brown, she lost it all. She fought her demons and lost. We are all the poorer for it.
I don't think there was ever an American Anthem sung at a football game that rivaled her 25th Superbowl appearance. She was fabulous.
My heart goes out to her daughter. I don't know if that little girl, while she is 18 now, ever saw her the way we did, in the beginning, when her talent was shiny and new. I don't profess to know what her personal life was like, good heavens, no.....but we got a peak inside. What we saw scared us, for her, I think. We want someone with such talent to do well and be well.
So this song, for me, says it pretty much. Didn't We Almost Have it All She did, didn't she? Almost...
I can't be the music lover I am and not say what a fantastic talent she was. Who could watch Bodyguard and not be moved by that woman. I can't say she will be missed... She was all ready missed while she was still here on Earth! She ruled the airwaves in the 80 and 90s. Then, with her marriage to Bobby Brown, she lost it all. She fought her demons and lost. We are all the poorer for it.
I don't think there was ever an American Anthem sung at a football game that rivaled her 25th Superbowl appearance. She was fabulous.
My heart goes out to her daughter. I don't know if that little girl, while she is 18 now, ever saw her the way we did, in the beginning, when her talent was shiny and new. I don't profess to know what her personal life was like, good heavens, no.....but we got a peak inside. What we saw scared us, for her, I think. We want someone with such talent to do well and be well.
So this song, for me, says it pretty much. Didn't We Almost Have it All She did, didn't she? Almost...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Disco Fever
Having another night when I couldn't sleep, I was listening to my MP3 player in the wee hours and had some Bee Gees, among others, to keep me company.
In the summer of 1976, I became a 26 year old,single woman again. I had a 2 year old daughter and a job to support her. That year Dorothy Moore's Misty Blue came out, along with The Manhattan's Kiss and Say Goodbye. But the one that made the most impact, I think, was the Bee Gee's You Should Be Dancing. That big mirrored ball started spinning.
In 1977, Saturday Night Fever hit the movie screens and Disco hit the dance floors.
( I could watch John Travolta dance all day long.)
I worked 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday for a non profit organization. We got paid every other Friday. On "Pay day Fridays" about 20 people would go to the club/bar that had one of these lighted dance floors. I could only go once in awhile and when I did go, I could only stay a couple of hours. I was paying a babysitter. Of course, the rest of them would close the bar. But, there were rare moments when the music would be going and the floor would be covered with dancers like this. I loved it. I could never go enough to learn all the steps, but I did learn enough to blend in and it was great fun. It's where I learned the phrase" If you hoot with the owls, you have to fly with the eagles". I was a Mom. so I didn't get to hoot with the owls very much.
In the summer of 1976, I became a 26 year old,single woman again. I had a 2 year old daughter and a job to support her. That year Dorothy Moore's Misty Blue came out, along with The Manhattan's Kiss and Say Goodbye. But the one that made the most impact, I think, was the Bee Gee's You Should Be Dancing. That big mirrored ball started spinning.
In 1977, Saturday Night Fever hit the movie screens and Disco hit the dance floors.
( I could watch John Travolta dance all day long.)
I worked 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday for a non profit organization. We got paid every other Friday. On "Pay day Fridays" about 20 people would go to the club/bar that had one of these lighted dance floors. I could only go once in awhile and when I did go, I could only stay a couple of hours. I was paying a babysitter. Of course, the rest of them would close the bar. But, there were rare moments when the music would be going and the floor would be covered with dancers like this. I loved it. I could never go enough to learn all the steps, but I did learn enough to blend in and it was great fun. It's where I learned the phrase" If you hoot with the owls, you have to fly with the eagles". I was a Mom. so I didn't get to hoot with the owls very much.
I can only imagine how much polyester was on that dance floor. I know one of the guys I worked with had polyester suits (not the leisure suits either, regular, suits) that he could put through the washer and the dryer. They even looked bad back then.
I don't have a photo of my Disco days, but I do have one of Terry's. He's permed, wearing his open collar, that moustache and his zodiac sign necklace. No, I didn't know him then, but I'm sure I would have been dancing with that guy. The funny thing with this picture is that it is about 2 feet by 3 feet and hung in his parents living room for years. Only when his Dad sold that house in the early 2000s, did we get the picture. His brothers and his daughters have never let him live this one down.
Let's Boogie.......Do ya dig it?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Bid Time Return
I was lying in bed with my MP3 player plugged into my ears, just watching the clock tick by when the theme from Somewhere in Time came on. It is otherwise known as " Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" by Rachmaninoff. No, I did not immediately know that. I looked it up long ago when I first was mesmerized by that 1980's movie staring Jame Seymour and Christopher Reeve.
A struggling, young writer is mystified when an old woman comes to his first play, places an antique pocket watch in his hand and says "Come back to me." Intrigued, Richard Collier investigates and learns that she was a famous stage actress from the early 1900's named Elise McKinna. Through self-hypnosis Richard travels back in time to find this woman and falls in love.
It was filmed on Michigan's Mackinac Island, accessible only by passenger ferry, which means, there are no car allowed. For the filming of this movie Richard drives up in a car, which was the only time an automobile was allowed on the island. Being from Michigan, I have walked these grounds many times. I have walked the porch of this fabulous hotel. Inside the lobby is a plain white door to a small room that still holds the photo of Elise McKinna. Well, maybe. Terry and I were last inside, shortly after we were married in 1981, right after the movie came out. It was there then. Now the porch is off limits unless you are registered at the hotel, so maybe it's not there anymore. I'm pretty sure it is though. (That far different than when Terry was a teen and he and his friends would ride the ferry over and then go swimming in the hotel pool. Something tells me they weren't supposed to be there then either.)
This haunting photo of Elise McKinna can be found in high end gift shops, all framed and ready to be loved.
The hotel has hosted a Somewhere in Time Weekend since 1991.
Arrive: Friday, October 26, 2012
Somewhere In Time was filmed at Grand Hotel and on Mackinac Island in 1979 and released in 1980. This special weekend includes a screening of the film, discussions of the movie’s production process, visit with cast and crew that are invited back, and hotel guests are invited to make a cameo appearance in costume at the cocktail receptions, costume promenade, and Grand Luncheon Buffet. A full breakfast and five-course dinner are included daily.
Thought I would give you the information to drool over like I do. This has to be a stunning event with guests all in their period costumes.
The book on which this movie was based is called "Bid Time Return" by Richard Matheson. You may know him from writing science fiction such as the Will Smith movie, I Am Legend, which is as far from romance as you can get. He was inspired to write the book after a visit to the Virginia City Opera house where he saw a photo of Maud Adams. She was real. (1872-1953)
In the book, he uses the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego (which is fabulous) as the location. Otherwise, it follows it exactly.
This is my movie choice and as Paul Harvey would say, "and now you have ....the rest of the story."
A struggling, young writer is mystified when an old woman comes to his first play, places an antique pocket watch in his hand and says "Come back to me." Intrigued, Richard Collier investigates and learns that she was a famous stage actress from the early 1900's named Elise McKinna. Through self-hypnosis Richard travels back in time to find this woman and falls in love.
It was filmed on Michigan's Mackinac Island, accessible only by passenger ferry, which means, there are no car allowed. For the filming of this movie Richard drives up in a car, which was the only time an automobile was allowed on the island. Being from Michigan, I have walked these grounds many times. I have walked the porch of this fabulous hotel. Inside the lobby is a plain white door to a small room that still holds the photo of Elise McKinna. Well, maybe. Terry and I were last inside, shortly after we were married in 1981, right after the movie came out. It was there then. Now the porch is off limits unless you are registered at the hotel, so maybe it's not there anymore. I'm pretty sure it is though. (That far different than when Terry was a teen and he and his friends would ride the ferry over and then go swimming in the hotel pool. Something tells me they weren't supposed to be there then either.)
This haunting photo of Elise McKinna can be found in high end gift shops, all framed and ready to be loved.
The hotel has hosted a Somewhere in Time Weekend since 1991.
Somewhere in Time Weekend at The Grand Hotel- from the hotel website........
Arrive: Friday, October 26, 2012
Depart: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Somewhere In Time was filmed at Grand Hotel and on Mackinac Island in 1979 and released in 1980. This special weekend includes a screening of the film, discussions of the movie’s production process, visit with cast and crew that are invited back, and hotel guests are invited to make a cameo appearance in costume at the cocktail receptions, costume promenade, and Grand Luncheon Buffet. A full breakfast and five-course dinner are included daily.Package Includes:
- Accommodations (package room only)
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Thursday evening Welcome Reception
- Friday evening reception
- Saturday Grand Luncheon Buffet
- Saturday evening reception
- Special showing of Somewhere in Time Thursday and Friday evenings
- Free golf green fees (cart fee required, subject to course availability)
- Special discount on ferry boat tickets
- No tipping within Grand Hotel
Package Price:
- $985 per couple
- $885 single
- $299 third and fourth adult
Thought I would give you the information to drool over like I do. This has to be a stunning event with guests all in their period costumes.
In the book, he uses the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego (which is fabulous) as the location. Otherwise, it follows it exactly.
This is my movie choice and as Paul Harvey would say, "and now you have ....the rest of the story."
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thank You Stevie
I thought I would go into the weekend sharing this beautiful Fleetwood Mac song . Landslide was written by Stevie Nicks for the 1975 album Fleetwood Mac. 37 years ago. Do you believe it? I've always been a fan of their music, but I didn't really connect with the words of this song until more recently.
Landslide
by
Stevie Nicks
Took this love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
And can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Oh oh I don't know, oh I don't know
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older I'm getting older too
Yes I'm getting older too, so
I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I, I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too oh yes
I'm getting older too
So, take this love, take it down
Oh if you climb a mountain and you turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring you down, down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring you down
Well well, the landslide will bring you down
I don't know where that young woman found the insight to ask herself the questions she asked. Can the child within her survive and can she handle the seasons of her life. I know I didn't look forward in my life like that. That's how an artist thinks. When I came to a crossroad in my life, it was never so poetic. I think there were tears and whining involved.
Looking back, as I've gotten older, I see there have been many peaks and valleys, ( I like flatland, no peaks and valleys please) but I have managed to avoid that darn landslide. Maybe it's that time has made me bolder too.
Landslide
by
Stevie Nicks
Took this love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
And can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Oh oh I don't know, oh I don't know
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older I'm getting older too
Yes I'm getting older too, so
I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I, I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too oh yes
I'm getting older too
So, take this love, take it down
Oh if you climb a mountain and you turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring you down, down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring you down
Well well, the landslide will bring you down
I don't know where that young woman found the insight to ask herself the questions she asked. Can the child within her survive and can she handle the seasons of her life. I know I didn't look forward in my life like that. That's how an artist thinks. When I came to a crossroad in my life, it was never so poetic. I think there were tears and whining involved.
Looking back, as I've gotten older, I see there have been many peaks and valleys, ( I like flatland, no peaks and valleys please) but I have managed to avoid that darn landslide. Maybe it's that time has made me bolder too.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Movie TIme Again
Every Sunday morning I watch the CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. I started watching it when Terry and I were first married and would go visit his parents. They lived about 3 1/2 hours north of us so it was usually a long weekend, we'd spend with them. Sunday morning at their house was homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee and that program with Charles Kuralt.
This last Sunday morning had a feature on Glenn Close. I am a huge fan of hers. I love Damages that originated of FX and then moved to Direct-TV. (Why do they do that.?) Of course, she scared the &%&#& out of married men that were having affairs in the 80's with Fatal Attraction. (Just between you and I, I coveted her hair in that movie. That was 1983 and big hair was just coming in.)
But the movie I always associate with her is 1983's The Big Chill, about 7 University of Michigan friends, gathering for a weekend at a southern antebellum home, for the funeral of one of their group that had committed suicide. (Do you remember the "friend" never had face time. Only his hair was shown being combed and that it was Kevin Costner?)
What's not to love for us boomers. We get to watch other boomers dance and reminisce about their college days, all to the soundtrack of Motown music. Well, there was that other issue that developed..... If you're a boomer and have not seen this movie, do. I think you'll enjoy it.
If you're not a boomer, I think you would like it too, if only for the music. It's a classic.
Enjoy, I know I do.
This last Sunday morning had a feature on Glenn Close. I am a huge fan of hers. I love Damages that originated of FX and then moved to Direct-TV. (Why do they do that.?) Of course, she scared the &%&#& out of married men that were having affairs in the 80's with Fatal Attraction. (Just between you and I, I coveted her hair in that movie. That was 1983 and big hair was just coming in.)
But the movie I always associate with her is 1983's The Big Chill, about 7 University of Michigan friends, gathering for a weekend at a southern antebellum home, for the funeral of one of their group that had committed suicide. (Do you remember the "friend" never had face time. Only his hair was shown being combed and that it was Kevin Costner?)
What's not to love for us boomers. We get to watch other boomers dance and reminisce about their college days, all to the soundtrack of Motown music. Well, there was that other issue that developed..... If you're a boomer and have not seen this movie, do. I think you'll enjoy it.
If you're not a boomer, I think you would like it too, if only for the music. It's a classic.
Enjoy, I know I do.
Friday, January 20, 2012
What a Woman!
I just heard that Etta James passed away today at age 73. There is not a one of us that does not know the song plunged her into the stratosphere. I know of 2 weddings, in my family, that "At Last" was played for the Bride and Groom's dance.
About 5 years ago, Daughter #2 and I were so lucky to get last minute tickets to see her in concert. She had aged considerably. She was extremely frail. Her health was declining even then, but that lady was a frisky as could be. One of her sons was playing in the band behind her and she was making sexy jokes.
I didn't really think that was appropriate but, that's just me. There was a little girl, about 10 years old, all dressed in her finery, sitting in front of us. I'm sure her parents were blues fans and wanted to show her a legend at work. This was a small auditorium with red velvet seats, not a bar.
About 5 years ago, Daughter #2 and I were so lucky to get last minute tickets to see her in concert. She had aged considerably. She was extremely frail. Her health was declining even then, but that lady was a frisky as could be. One of her sons was playing in the band behind her and she was making sexy jokes.
I didn't really think that was appropriate but, that's just me. There was a little girl, about 10 years old, all dressed in her finery, sitting in front of us. I'm sure her parents were blues fans and wanted to show her a legend at work. This was a small auditorium with red velvet seats, not a bar.
This version of her iconic song is not my favorite, but it's how she chose to sing it after decades on owning that sound.
I was pretty surprised to see that she had released another album just this past fall. I didn't think she was strong enough and I had read that she was suffering from dementia. But, she did it. I do wonder how much electronic "magic" was used to make it work.
I have a couple of other favorites from her.
I'D Rather Go Blind
All I Could Do Was Cry
You can just hear the tears in her voice. No one could sing the blues like Miss Etta James.
She will be missed.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Old Songs Time
I was reading a book the other day that mentioned the male character's favorite romantic song was "These Arms of Mine". I couldn't get interested in the rest of the book so I only read about 25 pages and returned it to the library. But that song... that song has stayed with me. I remember dancing in the gym after football games to that song. It is indeed a romantic one. (Frankly, who I danced with is not in my memory bank any longer, but the song stayed. We know what I valued don't we?)
Being the music person that I am, that got me thinking about songs in movies that just made the movie, for me, such a great "chick" thing and I am not offended my calling a movie that.
I mean, really, how many times have we watched Dirty Dancing? Seriously? It wasn't for the profound dialogue. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner/" No, it was for the dancing and this.
Big sigh. Now if those guys I was dancing with at those school dances, back in the 60s, were dancing like Patrick here, I would darn well have remembered their names, but, believe me, no one I knew danced like that! Lordy, Lordy!
I was swept away by this song too. Way back in the 80's was long before Tom jumped on Oprah's couch. Living beside the Navy/Marine Cherry Point Air Station, I now have the newer models of these jets and more flying over my house. I think there may be a Pete Maverick or two up there.
This woman is a heck of an actress because years later I learned she's gay so while I was thinking she was one lucky lady she was probably thinking about lunch.
These are songs of romance. I'm sure there are singers and songs and movies now that are just as romantic. I still watch the chick flicks of today and nothing really stands out to me. Maybe that's part of all the remakes now. They are trying to recreate the magic again. Some things are better left alone.
Being the music person that I am, that got me thinking about songs in movies that just made the movie, for me, such a great "chick" thing and I am not offended my calling a movie that.
I mean, really, how many times have we watched Dirty Dancing? Seriously? It wasn't for the profound dialogue. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner/" No, it was for the dancing and this.
I was swept away by this song too. Way back in the 80's was long before Tom jumped on Oprah's couch. Living beside the Navy/Marine Cherry Point Air Station, I now have the newer models of these jets and more flying over my house. I think there may be a Pete Maverick or two up there.
This woman is a heck of an actress because years later I learned she's gay so while I was thinking she was one lucky lady she was probably thinking about lunch.
These are songs of romance. I'm sure there are singers and songs and movies now that are just as romantic. I still watch the chick flicks of today and nothing really stands out to me. Maybe that's part of all the remakes now. They are trying to recreate the magic again. Some things are better left alone.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Misheard Lyrics
There is a commercial on now that shows 2 people in a car singing along with Elton John to "Rocket man". They don't know the lyrics and are just throwing out anything that may fit. It reminded me of all the songs that I have messed up and lyrics that others thought they knew but didn't. I once did this as a game with a bunch of girlfriends to see if they could guess the song that went with the lyrics. I won't make you guess. I'll tell you which song and which lyrics were messed up.
Rocket Man's "Rocket Man....burning out his fuse up here alone" becomes "Burning off the trees on every lawn" or "Burnin up loose on everyone", just to name a couple. My favorite Elton John mix up is "Won't you dance with me Tony Danza?"
1. One of the most common ones is the Jimi Hendrix "scuse me while I kiss this guy"......instead of "touch the sky",
2. Creedance Clearwater Eevival's "There's a bathroom on the right" for Bad Moon Rising.
3. The Rolling Stones " I don't want to be your Beast of Burden' has become " I don't want to be your pizza furncace" or "Don't look at me, your pizza's burning, " or" I'll never be your big suburban."
4. The Beach Boys "California Girls" "The west coast has the sunshine and the girls all get so tan" becomes "The girls are tinsel thin"...( Now they are, that's for sure)
5. In "Fun, Fun, Fun" by the Beach Boys that girl with the T-Bird has lost her T-bag, T-shirt, TV and Dad's taken her to a wake, instead of "takes her T-bird away".
6. Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" line "Thunder only happens when it's raining" can't get screwed up can it? Oh, yeah.....Thunder on Campus when it's raining,
The original line "Say women, they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know" has been "When the rain washes, you'll clean your nose."
Tell me Lies has become "sell me fries".
I may not have made all of these mistakes, but I've sang my heart out, in my car all alone. Don't judge. I know you've done it too. Then kinda of smiled at yourself at how bad you messed it up. But, there are no witnesses so.....you keep on singing. I know I am not alone here.
I love the oldies and sometimes I only think I know all the words. Terry and I once and I do mean once, tried to karaoke to The Mamas and the Papas "California Dreamin. " Have you seen the lyrics to that song. I swear there are whole stanzas I had never heard. I know they played a whole new version for us.
So the next time you are out driving and you seen a lone woman in a car singing away, it may be me.
Rocket Man's "Rocket Man....burning out his fuse up here alone" becomes "Burning off the trees on every lawn" or "Burnin up loose on everyone", just to name a couple. My favorite Elton John mix up is "Won't you dance with me Tony Danza?"
1. One of the most common ones is the Jimi Hendrix "scuse me while I kiss this guy"......instead of "touch the sky",
2. Creedance Clearwater Eevival's "There's a bathroom on the right" for Bad Moon Rising.
3. The Rolling Stones " I don't want to be your Beast of Burden' has become " I don't want to be your pizza furncace" or "Don't look at me, your pizza's burning, " or" I'll never be your big suburban."
4. The Beach Boys "California Girls" "The west coast has the sunshine and the girls all get so tan" becomes "The girls are tinsel thin"...( Now they are, that's for sure)
5. In "Fun, Fun, Fun" by the Beach Boys that girl with the T-Bird has lost her T-bag, T-shirt, TV and Dad's taken her to a wake, instead of "takes her T-bird away".
6. Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" line "Thunder only happens when it's raining" can't get screwed up can it? Oh, yeah.....Thunder on Campus when it's raining,
The original line "Say women, they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know" has been "When the rain washes, you'll clean your nose."
Tell me Lies has become "sell me fries".
I may not have made all of these mistakes, but I've sang my heart out, in my car all alone. Don't judge. I know you've done it too. Then kinda of smiled at yourself at how bad you messed it up. But, there are no witnesses so.....you keep on singing. I know I am not alone here.
I love the oldies and sometimes I only think I know all the words. Terry and I once and I do mean once, tried to karaoke to The Mamas and the Papas "California Dreamin. " Have you seen the lyrics to that song. I swear there are whole stanzas I had never heard. I know they played a whole new version for us.
So the next time you are out driving and you seen a lone woman in a car singing away, it may be me.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Relax and Enjoy
I have errands to run, library books to pick up, groceries to buy, mail a Care package to my daughter and the grandsons, etc. One of those days. I'm in the "list making" phase of going on a road trip. We leave Sunday for Charleston and Savannah. Can't wait! Love the old south and want to see as much as possible since I am living here now. Of couse I will walk a couple of cemetaries and take pictures. These are two of the most haunted cities in the United States. No, I didn't know that. Daughter #2 informed me.
So, enjoy Van Morrison while I'm gone... to run errands. I'll be back believe I leave on our trip. :)
This reminds me of the movie Bridget Jones, but it is a very heartfelt song as well. I don't know why it doesn't get the air time his "Brown Eyed Girl" gets. I like this one better.
Sit back and relax. Take time to remember your honey and why you fell in love. This is the love we wish for our sons and daughters. Do you remember the moment you "just knew"? I do... but I didn't act on it for a year. I saw him the day he handed in his employment application and thought he was cutie, and then everyday at work. After I asked him out for Birthday drinks, I knew I had been looking for someone like him for a very long time.
So, enjoy Van Morrison while I'm gone... to run errands. I'll be back believe I leave on our trip. :)
This reminds me of the movie Bridget Jones, but it is a very heartfelt song as well. I don't know why it doesn't get the air time his "Brown Eyed Girl" gets. I like this one better.
Sit back and relax. Take time to remember your honey and why you fell in love. This is the love we wish for our sons and daughters. Do you remember the moment you "just knew"? I do... but I didn't act on it for a year. I saw him the day he handed in his employment application and thought he was cutie, and then everyday at work. After I asked him out for Birthday drinks, I knew I had been looking for someone like him for a very long time.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Movie Time
This "favorite movie" Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) may have never played at theaters. I discovered it on VHS, back in the day, and was hooked. Despite it's lack of promotion, it still had a VHS following. OK, I base that on the fact that all of my daughters and their friends as well as my friends, loved Eddie. That's my scientific proof that he is still worth the watch today.
In the early 1960's, Eddie Wilson (Michael Pare) and his band The Cruisers enjoyed a brief moment success, but their career came to a halt when Eddie's badly damaged car was discovered smashed, after going off a bridge. Eddie's body was never found, and years later, a reissue of the group's only album ( very reminiscent of that other "Boss" of the 80's, Bruce Springsteen.) sparks rumors that the mysterious Eddie might still be alive. Frank Ridgeway (Tom Berenger), Eddie's former piano player and lyricist, finds himself trailed by Maggie Foley (Ellen Barkin), a reporter trying to find out the truth about Eddie.
The soundtrack is great. The music is actually performed by The Beaver Brown Band.
Michael Pare' is one of those actors that is always working, but you don't know his name. You may remember him as that no good, scum eating, cheating husband of Birdee's / Sandra Bullock in Hope Floats. He was in The Lincoln Lawyer , more lately with (heart be still) Mathew McConaughey.
They tried to recapture the magic in 1987 and did release a second Cruisers film, but, like so many follow ups, it wasn't nearly as good.
I'm a Tom Berenger fan too, and have a couple of his movies to recommend next time.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Mashed Potato Time
I was flipping through Youtube, going from one thing to another and stumbled across this.
I was looking for American Bandstand and did find The Beach Boys.
My babysitter watched American Bandstand in the 1950's when my mother was going to "Beauty School" and he (which was unusual I think) watched us 3 kids. Maybe that is where I became interested in music. I certainly became interested in the dances then.
The Beach Boys were huge in the mid 1960s. They sang of summer, surfing, hot cars, and girls.
I lived in the cold north and had dark hair. I wanted to live in California and have blond hair. I wanted to be a surfer girl. Didn't we all?
I was chuckling to myself because this is the dance I would do in the kitchen when I was cooking dinner with my daughters when they were teenagers. Yes, they laughed at me. If you watch the blond, she got moves I would have stolen, I'm sure. The only dance contest I ever won was doing this dance with, probably the only guy that would dare.
I did catch an episode of "The Talk" when Leah Remini was complaining about her mother doing this dance at an Ozzy Osbourne concert they had all recently attended. I say ....good for her!
I was looking for American Bandstand and did find The Beach Boys.
My babysitter watched American Bandstand in the 1950's when my mother was going to "Beauty School" and he (which was unusual I think) watched us 3 kids. Maybe that is where I became interested in music. I certainly became interested in the dances then.
The Beach Boys were huge in the mid 1960s. They sang of summer, surfing, hot cars, and girls.
I lived in the cold north and had dark hair. I wanted to live in California and have blond hair. I wanted to be a surfer girl. Didn't we all?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
First Concert
I happened to hear this today on one of the "oldie" stations and remembered this was my first concert. Well, actually, my parents took me and maybe my sister, (I'm not clear on that) to see Johnny Cash at the old Cobo Hall in Detroit back in the late 50s to 1960-61 era. But, this was the first one I saw when I was a teen.
Johnny Rivers at Western Michigan University in 1968.
Johnny Rivers at Western Michigan University in 1968.
Do Do Do Wahhhhhh, Schoobie Doobie.....
"The Poor Side of Town "
"Baby, I Need Your Lovin"
Being a music lover, I've had the good fortune to go to many live concerts since, but every girl remembers the first. Right?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Dixie Who? There Are New Chicks In Town
I have been missing the Dixie Chicks since they went all political and stopped making music. With Natalie Mains gone, the other two chicks formed a new band called The Courtyard Hounds. To me, it was just OK. I still felt the need for another girl group to sing with in my car, and when I was cooking dinner.
I know I wasn't the only one missing something. Now our prayers have been answered. Meet Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley.
"Hell On Heels" by Pistol Annies
The album is also called "Hell on Heels". I'm out the door to go get it.
I know I wasn't the only one missing something. Now our prayers have been answered. Meet Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley.
"Hell On Heels" by Pistol Annies
The album is also called "Hell on Heels". I'm out the door to go get it.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Who Was On Your Wall?
I was clearing photos out of my phone today and came across this one.
One of my good friends from Michigan had wanted to take me to see Paul McCartney at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, for my Birthday in July. North Carolina to Michigan is a long way to go for a concert but she knew Paul was my favorite Beatle. I had to say "No thanks" so she texted me this photo. I didn't delete it. I have to keep Paul and her good intentions.
The Beatles phenomenon hit the United States in 1963. I was 13, the perfect age for my first and only, musical crush. I had Beatles all over one complete wall, floor to ceiling, in the bedroom I shared with my sister.
My favorite Beatle was Paul, the cute Beatle.
I had all the albums. I knew all the stories and rumors. I never believed Paul was dead. I didn't think the photo on the cover of the Abbey Road album was a clue because Paul was barefoot.
They were only together for about 7 years. That's not very long to have left such an impression on the music of a generation. Of course, three of the four Beatles (yes, I know Ringo tried and is still trying, but we know who made the real money here.) continued to write and record on their own.
So who was on your wall growing up? Whose music got you singing?
One of my good friends from Michigan had wanted to take me to see Paul McCartney at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, for my Birthday in July. North Carolina to Michigan is a long way to go for a concert but she knew Paul was my favorite Beatle. I had to say "No thanks" so she texted me this photo. I didn't delete it. I have to keep Paul and her good intentions.
The Beatles phenomenon hit the United States in 1963. I was 13, the perfect age for my first and only, musical crush. I had Beatles all over one complete wall, floor to ceiling, in the bedroom I shared with my sister.
These are the haircuts that gave my father and many others, fits. Long haired rebels that they were. That was the beginning. Their early music was as innocent as the times. "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "I Saw Her Standing There", and "This Boy" fit well with the early to mid 1960's music about surfing, cars and boy/girl relationships.
I had all the albums. I knew all the stories and rumors. I never believed Paul was dead. I didn't think the photo on the cover of the Abbey Road album was a clue because Paul was barefoot.
They were only together for about 7 years. That's not very long to have left such an impression on the music of a generation. Of course, three of the four Beatles (yes, I know Ringo tried and is still trying, but we know who made the real money here.) continued to write and record on their own.
And, yes, I still know all the words to all the songs.
So who was on your wall growing up? Whose music got you singing?
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