Loving Classic Sesame Street Songs

This is one the the sweetest.

The Taste of Summer

I'd forgotten how much I love watermelon. Today at the store I felt the urge to buy a giant quarter of one. When I got it home I immediately hacked off I giant wedge and began eating it over the sink - spitting the seeds into a little bowl and letting the sweet syrup flow. It was so good.

It tasted like summer, like riding my bike through giant puddles after a summer storm had cooled the air, like catching fireflies and climbing trees.

Impossible to decide

I don't think any one musician has had a bigger impact on my life than Harry Chapin. He's my Bruce Springsteen - only I can't see him live because tragically he died 3 days before I was born. So many of my favorite memories have him singing in the background. My family singing off key to his records. I just discovered videos of his concerts on YouTube but I can't decide which ones to post, so here is the first of many I'm sure.

So let's start with Mail Order Annie. Nothing like a ballad about a mail order bride arriving on the Dakota plains to start the weekend off right.

Soundtrack of a life

While flipping through the itunes store, looking at Contemporary Singer/Songwriters itunes Essentials tonight and scrolling through the list I was transported back to so many different times in my life - all in one playlist.
I'm in a weird happy/sad moment.
Ah, singer/songwriters...you are the soundtrack to my life.

Which brings me to a funny story to get out of my momentary funk.

Once in college I lent my car to a friend. In the tapedeck was a mix tape called "soundtrack". My friend listened to the whole tape and upon returning from his trip mentioned that it was cool that I had put together a soundtrack of my life.
It wasn't - It was just a mix of Priscilla Queen of the Dessert and Reality Bites.

I guess it works - Here's to the past and all the really great music that got me through it!

It's Raining Again

That kind of hard constant rain that comes down too fast for the ground to absorb.
Rain the puddles in the grass and seeps into our basement because the earth that surrounds our house is nearly entirely clay. Clay that I could throw a pot with if I was so inclined. This thought was confirmed as we (and by we I mean Michael - I watched and gave helpful tips) dug a large hole and planted a weeping willow tree yesterday. After the first 3 inches of nice black soil came up we hit clay - thick and grey in parts, reddish in others, but always heavy and dense and not great for water absorption.
SHIT!!

That was some loud thunder - My heart is still racing a little.
Now the rain is coming down even harder. It's flooding out of our neighbors drain-pipe and right into our yard. Perfectly aimed at the already waterlogged foundation. There are big plans for digging French drains this summer.

The Willow tree has been planted in the soggiest part of the yard so hopefully it will do well. There was a Willow tree in the backyard of the first house I ever lived in and it had a tire swing. Not the kind you see in school yards but one like this. (Not the real swing, but the closest I could find with a quick image search) I have very fond memories of time spent in that swing. I think this is why Michael so readily agreed to Willow when something more like a Maple or Redbud would have suited the area better. But the Willow should look nice. It is very tall and straight and I can't wait for the branches to arch down, creating a magical little hide-a-way, perfect for dreaming.

I know that Michael and I will not live in this house forever. That once children arrive we will want a bigger place - one with more than one shower. But I still can't help thinking that this house, our first house together, will be the place where our children plant their first memories. And I want them to have a Willow tree...and a tire swing...and a yard filled with flowers they can pick and wear in their hair. So grow Willow tree grow! You've got til 2009 before we start trying for babies!

And it's still raining...and the water is coming in though the window. I've got to go clean that up.

When you find yourself in your sun-porch covered in blue paint and dancing your heart out you know it has been a good day.

A Very Good Day.

We painted our previously dark beige sun-porch a vibrant blue today. It looks good, but will take some getting used to. Once we pull up the beige carpet and replace it with slate tile it will look fantastic. We also planted the pots on the front porch and had lunch with Michael's family. All of these things are great and make a good day, but finding your The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert soundtrack takes the day to a whole new level!
I had forgotten how much I love those disco classics! You have to smile when Shake Your Groove Thing starts, and who doesn't love Momma Mia? So there I was singing and dancing, dripping blue paint and just having a best time. Even Michael seemed to have a good time.
It took me back to Jr. year when we did The Boys Next Door and painted sets and just had the most wonderful friends. Feather boas, and not giving a damn what anyone thinks, just having fun. Pure Joy.