Theme Song Thursday

“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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I’ve always loved to sing. I know I’m a terrible singer, but that’s never stopped me from belting out a tune. The Fifth Dimension was one of my all time favorite group in the seventies. “One Less Bell to Answer” was my favorite song. Someone special bought me the album our first Christmas together, and I played it a million times. Now, forty-four years later, it’s only a sad memory. I’m never going to sing that song ever again. This is the last time. Only happy songs for me.
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Last Sad Song
It’s gonna be the last sad song
That I will sing for you
What once was good is now all wrong
It’s time to start anew.
I loved this song when I was young
Back then the words weren’t sad
But time has altered how it’s sung
I’m tired of feeling bad.
So, now this is the last sad song
That I will sing for you.
I’m done!
~Me
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Seriously, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. I’ll have a new house, a new life and start singing only happy songs. Not to mention…dancin’ in the kitchen.

Saturday: Singing and Snappin’ in the Kitchen

“This is the key to life: To expect everything to be given to you from above, yet to be genuinely surprised and forever grateful, when they are. Expecting all good things to be yours, while not knowing how to take anything for granted. If there may be a key in life, this is the key.”
― C. JoyBell C.
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I’m having a good Saturday, how about you.? An early walk, followed by meeting Mandy and Julia for coffee, followed by visiting, lunch with “the best realtor/friend, Linda Grossman,”(this is not a paid announcement) and going back up to look at my new house. It’s still not a100% done deal, but getting closer every day. Keep those fingers crossed!

I’m still dancing in the kitchen, but I’m adding singing positive, uplifting songs to my repertoire. Feel free to sing along.

SOMETHING’S COMING
Could be!
Who knows?
There’s something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!

Who knows?
It’s only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there’s a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something’s coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something’s coming, I don’t know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!

With a click, with a shock,
Phone’ll jingle, door’ll knock,
Open the latch!
Something’s coming, don’t know when, but it’s soon;
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!

Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It’ll be there!

Come on, something, come on in, don’t be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It’s only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Theme Song Thursday: “Hello”

“for every goodbye, God also provides a hello”
― Donna Gable Hatch
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I was packing up some dishes this afternoon, when I realized I didn’t have any music playing. I’m suppose to be dancing in the kitchen everyday, right? So, I turned on my ipad and played a little Sinatra, Carole King, and Michael Bublé. While I was scrolling, I ran across a few songs that my son Joe had recorded during his college days. Or, maybe it was earlier, not sure, but I listened to dozens of his songs. It was great just to hear his voice singing just for me. My boys are so far away, and I miss them so much.

Then, I smiled when I heard, “Hello.” I used to have that as his ring tone on my old phone, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it back on my new phone. (iphone challenged) The song made me think about my sons, my family and the things that make me smile. Joe is getting married next year to his lovely fiancé, Lindsay and I can’t wait. I’m so excited.

So, as I pack up my old life and start the next chapter of my old story, a new story will unfold, with new exciting chapters of hope and promise. Not just for them, but for me too.

“Hello, my friend, hello.” I hope all your chapters and stories have a happy ending.

Theme Song Thursday: Sometimes Ya Gotta Dance

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
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Do you dread exercising? I go to a Zumba class on Tuesday and Thursday, and it is SOOOO much fun. It’s not exercise, it’s dancing for your soul. I like that…dancing for your soul. Even when I’m taking the video, I’m dancing inside. Sometimes ya gotta dance.

Indian Gyal Drupatee & Machel Montano

Are you insane or do you hear the music?

Sunday Sights, Sounds and Sweet Things

I spent some time on the Square this afternoon. I had a little lunch at Snug, visited with some friends, did some people watching, Then, I remembered that my friend, local artist Anne Royer had arranged a painting/music gathering at the Heard Craig Center for the Arts, at the Carriage House. Keyboardist William Foley played such beautiful music while Anne and friends painted and sketched. It was a gorgeous day. Some beautiful sights and sounds.

Wasn’t that lovely!

Now, for the sweet things. My “sweet” friend, Elizabeth Farmer, from Sweet Spot Bakery gifted me with twenty delicious cupcakes to share with my senior friends at Towne Creek. Miss Nelma, who just got back from a scary hospital stay, was thrilled when I knocked at her door bearing cupcakes.

Thank you miss Elizabeth and Miss Kathy for your constant generosity,

Saturday: Set in My Good Old Fashioned Ways

“Good, old-fashioned ways keep hearts sweet, heads sane, hands busy.”
― Louisa May Alcott
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Growing older can be difficult or it can be beautiful, it all depends how you look at it. There is also something to be said for the good, old-fashioned ways of our ancestors. Life was simpler back then. What’s wrong with simple? What’s wrong with old-fashioned?

I like to think of myself as good, old-fashioned girl. And there’s nothing wrong with good either. I appreciate antiques, old movies, old songs, and all things vintage. They have a history, a silent story that goes untold. Everyone and everything has a story.

Today, I had the pleasure of walking around the Square, visiting with friends, and enjoying a simple afternoon. Later, the charming Kay Griffith, stopped by Sweet Spot Bakery to play a few tunes on an old piano that found its way to the shop. Miss Kay is a lovely, talented old-fashioned girl. We sat around and sang a few old tunes, just like they did in the good-old days. Remember when people sat around a piano and sang? Now, people sit around and stare at their cell phones or are hooked up to iPods.

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Then, to top off the old-fashioned day, this fun old vintage car was parked outside of Art On The Veranda. I snapped a picture and imagined how the Square must have looked a hundred years ago, and wondered what people were doing back then. Maybe I was just born in the wrong century. I’m set in my good-old fashioned ways.

Cinco de Mayo and Montage Monday

“Every year thousands of Americans mistakenly refer to cinco de mayo as Mexico’s Independence Day.” –Joe Baca
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A lot of people think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day…no…no. Literally “the Fifth of May,” Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. In 1861, France sent a massive army to invade Mexico, as they wanted to collect on some war debts. The French army was much larger, better trained and equipped than the Mexicans struggling to defend the road to Mexico City. It rolled through Mexico until it reached Puebla, where the Mexicans made a valiant stand, and, against all logic, won a huge victory. It was short-lived, as the French army regrouped and continued; eventually taking Mexico City, but the euphoria of an unlikely victory against overwhelming odds is remembered every May fifth.
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The McKinney Square celebrated their first Cinco de Mayo celebration yesterday, sponsored by the restaurant, Bien Salsa. Magnificent Mariachi’s performed, as did the Mexico Lindo Ballet Folklorico. A good time was had by all.

Mexico Lindo Ballet Follorico dances.

The Mariachi band was magnificent, also.

http://youtu./01i1QmUGphQ
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO MIS AMIGOS! Victory against overwhelming odds. I like that.

Here’s my montage for Monday. A week in a peek.

Theme Song Thursday

“When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves-they threaten their own self-esteem and their relationships with others by undermining the trust they have in their ability to succeed and in their ability to be true.”
― Cheryl Hughes
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Sunday evening, I posted some photos about the performance at McKinney’s MPAC featuring local singer/songwriters Crystal and Will Yates. Crystal won the Texaco Country Showcase Competition, accompanied on guitar by her proud husband, Will. They have a new song that will be released soon, and I captured the moving song on my teeny-tiny iPhone. Crystal explained that she wrote the song for a very dear friend who was going through a very painful divorce. She expressed it perfectly, so I saved it for my theme song Thursday. Feel free to read between the lines.

The best country songs, or any song for that matter, come from the heart. And when that heart has been crushed and broken, the song is all the more real. Crystal wrote and expressed that broken heart quite well. It was a wonderful performance.

Montage Monday: Music and Art

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”
― Émile Zola
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I LOVE THAT!!! “I am here to live out loud.” Everyone should live out loud.

I had another busy, eventful week. It was filled with art and wonderful artists, music and talented musicians, singing, dancing, tennis, food, fun and friends. Every day that ended with “Y” was filled to the brim and bursting. Yes, I am here to live out loud, y’all!

Here’s another week in a peek.

Sunday Sermon and Singer Song Writer Night

Of emotion, of love, of break up, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a lot of territory, country music does.
Johnny Cash
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Today is Palm Sunday. Instead of sharing the sermon, I’ll share my own personal sermon. Patience is a virtue. Mass was very long, with the additional procession, passing out palms, reenactment, and singing. By the time mass was over, the parking lot was jammed with people trying to leave while the next group was looking for parking for the next Mass. So, instead of starting my car, trying to inch my way out into the long line, I just sat in my car for fifteen minutes, leaned back, checked my email on my phone, and practiced patience. That’s my sermon.

It was also a gloomy rainy morning. I went over to MPAC on the Square to help with the last day of the art show and clean up. My friend, Lynne, also helped all afternoon, and when we were done, the sun was out, we got a bite to eat, and Lynne invited me to join her at MPAC for the Crystal and Will Yates performance.

The Yates are extremely talented musicians living in McKinney. Crystal won the Texas title in the state round of the Texaco Country Showcase singer-songwriter competition, accompanied by her husband Will. This evening, there was a watch party at MPAC to support the couple’s success, listen to the story of their lives, and watch their performance at the Texaco Country Showcase. Crystal and Will also performed a future release for the audience.

You know what was the most amazing part of the performance? It wasn’t the music, the fabulous songs, or the support of the audience. It was how Will wiped tears from his eyes when he watched his wife win the award on the big screen, when they both cried on stage when Crystal won the completion, and when the people sitting in the tiny auditorium wiped tears from their eyes when they witnessed the genuine love the couple shared with each other and their fans. It was a moving event.

Country music can be very moving, but what makes it so real, is the heart and soul that the performers pour out from the depths of their total being.