On an island in the sun / we’ll be playing and having fun

Summer is my favorite season. All year long I dream of it.

A few years ago I started making a new Spotify playlist for myself every summer. I would throw whatever song on there that I ran across on the radio or on various other playlists that I listened to, and then in following years it would become a really fun time capsule whenever I wanted to remember summer.

But as much as I love a good mixtape, I also still really dig albums and always have. Sometimes I latch onto a recent or new album during the summer, playing it over and over until it solidifies that summer in my mind. Sometimes this happens with multiple albums within a summer, but usually there’s one standout that feels especially summery and captures the memory of that time. I guess they aren't all about "playing and having fun," some of them go a little deeper but still feel summery somehow. Summertime is also outdoor concert season, and I saw a lot of these bands perform in some of my favorite amphitheaters. (Oh how I miss concerts)

Looking back over the past 20ish years, here’s what I remember as my albums of the summer. (I won’t post them all at once, I’ll do a few at a time.) I still love all of these albums and they conjure up road trips, drives to the beach with the windows down, #summerdaysseries adventures with the kids, and hot and humid summer concerts.

2001- Weezer “Green Album”

The summer after my freshman year of college. I feel like maybe this was my last real "kid" summer. I had just turned 18 and sent my boyfriend on a mission. (An actual mission. For our church. 😜) I missed him and had no interest in dating or doing anything remotely adultish. I was a lifeguard, working *maybe* 20 hours a week and spending the rest of the time goofing off with my family and friends. That was a really fun summer. And how can you not think of summer when “Island in the Sun” comes on? (Side memory: in summer 2002, Matt and I saw Weezer in concert at Irvine Meadows, and I bought my favorite ever concert shirt there, which has now been missing for about 15 years. I hope it’s living a good second life wherever it is.)

2003- Guster “Keep It Together”

The summer that Matt and I got engaged. We have seen Guster in concert several times, but the first time was that spring, right before this album came out. They played “Ramona” at the concert, and I fell in love. (With Guster. I was already in love with Matt.) “Backyard” is also a great summer jam. OK honestly this whole album is a great summer jam.

2004- The Postal Service “Give Up”

The summer that Matt and I lived in Arlington for DC internships, and traveled up and down the eastern seaboard every weekend. We played this album a LOT. If I’m remembering it right, we played “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” as we pulled into DC the first night we arrived, driving past the Iwo Jima memorial at 2 am. (Or maybe that’s was when we moved to DC 2 years later. Not actually sure, but it’s a happy memory either way.)

2005- Ben Folds “Songs for Silverman”

Another album that reminds me of driving in the car. I particularly remember driving up to Bear Lake while blasting this one. “Jesusland” is sort of a commentary on the commercialization/mass production of Christianity. “Late,” which is about a friend who died of suicide, makes me cry, and so does “Sentimental Guy,” which is about a descent into cynicism. “Give Judy My Notice” is a slide-guitar jamboree.

2007- John Mayer “Continuum”

Why do these albums all remind me so much of driving? I must just drive a lot in the summer. This album in particular reminds me of my summertime commute. I worked a couple of evenings a week when Theo was a baby, and the college where I worked (and still work) used to close early in the summer. So it was still light out, but barely twilight, and I’d drive down Hunter Mill Road on my way home to see my baby, with the windows rolled down and “Stop This Train” on repeat.

Tune in tomorrow (or whenever) for the next installment of... the Albums That Shaped Eliza’s Adulthood Summers. Working title, I’ll get back to you on that. 😆

There was this one time... we stayed up way past midnight...

Shhh... don’t tell my husband that I’m blogging at 3 AM.

He and I were both awake until almost 2 AM, intently discussing the iconic double-double-albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, and the infamous feud between Axl Rose and Kurt Cobain which I did not previously know about because I was 8 years old at the time of this feud and still mainly listening to Raffi. 

But anyway we were deep in this discussion and then all of a sudden Matt started snoring. Then, I continued the discussion, but with myself. Then, all of a sudden an hour had passed and I remembered I hadn’t written any blog posts in a few days. And then I decided to write one. At 3 AM. Hashtag pandemic life. Hashtag, let me out of this looney bin.

If I were a man...I’d be The Man

I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s new album nonstop (in between spins of Vampire Weekend’s new album) and I’m not mad about it.

After Jenn died I got super into Reputation because Jenn loved her some T-Swift. (Also got pretty into all Lady Gaga classics, for the same reason.) The funny thing is that I really didn’t listen to her music at all before that, and I kinda went from zero to 60. I know I’ve written about this before, but it just felt particularly apropos today as my girls and I danced our hearts out to “I Think He Knows,” “Paper Rings,” “Cornelia Street.” Can’t stop, won’t stop. 

“Death by a Thousand Cuts” in particular is on repeat because it’s sad and I’ve felt a little sad this week, but also because it, like ALL other songs on the album (except “The Archer” amirite? Snooze-fest) is great for lip-sync battles with one’s children. (Although perhaps “I get drunk but it’s not enough” is ill-advised...) Even the cheesiest songs are good for this. “You know I love a London boy, I enjoy walking Camden market in the afternoon...”

All right, that’s all I had to say. Go about your business. But for heaven’s sake, put on Lover while you do. (Or Father of the Bride, because that one is catchy as heck too.)

P.S. Re: my title. Taylor sings "If I was a man." The grammar police can't condone this thoughtless rejection of the subjunctive mood. If I WERE A MAN, Taylor.

Lay down your treasure

It’s been years, but this song gets me every time. It just always feels relevant. (And biblical...) Love that Bono. I’m not easy on my knees, either.

https://g.co/kgs/JmHNVD

Lay down
Lay down
Lay your sweet lovely on the ground
Lay your love on the track
We're gonna break the monster's back
Oh, oh, hey, hey
Lay down your treasure
Lay it down now, brother
You don't have time
For a jealous lover

As you enter this life
I pray you depart
With a wrinkled face
And a brand new heart

I don't know if I can take it
I'm not easy on my knees
Here's my heart, can't you break it?

I need some release, release, release

We need love and peace
Love, love and peace

Lay down
Lay down your guns
All you daughters of Zion
All you Abraham’s sons

I don't know if I can make it
I'm not easy on my knees
Here's my heart, I'll let you break it
I need some release, release, release

We need love and peace
Love and peace

Baby don't fight, we can talk this thing through
You with me, me and you
I'll call on your phone, the TV is still on
But the sound is turned down
And the troops on the ground
Are about to dig in

I wonder where is the love?
Where is the love?
Love and peace
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singin'

Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singin'...

Ahem. You should probably know this about me: I can and will provide ABBA lyrics for almost any occasion. (If there isn't an ABBA lyric there darn better well be a line from Groundhog Day. Between the two we should be covered.) Anyway, after three years of lessons, the sounds coming out of Theo and Ida's piano practicing are finally starting to sound more like music. I'm gratified and very happy about this. (Could it be because I've finally started requiring them to practice every day...? Hmmm) I'm thankful that my parents provided a piano and lessons for me for my entire childhood and adolescence. 

Matt and I are always trying to figure out what after-school stuff to let our kids do, given the practical restraints of time, energy and money. Each season is different; maybe some years there will be more or less sporting or more or less Scouting or more or less this or that-ing; but one thing that we have decided will be constant is piano lessons. So far there have been no protests about that from the kids, though I'm sure that will come at some point. You could never call me a serious musician--in college my piano professor was astounded that I didn't know what a circle of fifths was; honestly I still have no idea--but the piano and music in general were always a big part of my identity in a positive way. I hope it will be the same for my kids.

Thanks for a new day.

Hit it, Bill Withers!

Isn't it great that every night we get to go to sleep and escape everything and start fresh the next day? I appreciate it more and more the older I get. Even if I don't sleep that well, at least my body gets a break from being upright.

Yesterday was fine, but it was busy. I hardly sat down. By bedtime I thought my back just might break. This morning we woke up to sunshine, a mild weather forecast, a mostly clear calendar, and rested backs. Everyone was in a good mood, and did their "morning list" without complaint. Polly sat happily in her high chair and ate some applesauce and Cheerios. I sent the kids off to school with a smile and a suggestion that they make the day as happy as the morning had been so far.

I'm not sure how their day is going, but mine is still a happy one. Yes I'm very thankful for a new day every day!

Hit it, Fresh Prince!

No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong. (And where do you belong?)

The other day Lars and I went to Ikea to make some returns and so that he could eat lunch for free--not an uncommon Tuesday pastime for us. As we walked in, I could hear "The Sign" by Ace of Base playing over the sound system. It occurred to me that as much as I love Ikea, I'd love it even more if they played pop hits by Swedish bands all the time. I'd pretty much love anything more in that case.

Thanks for my guy.

Well this is just a simple song

To say what you done.

I told you about all those fears,

And away they did run.

You sure must be strong,

And you feel like an ocean

Made warm by the sun.

 When I was just nine years old,

I swear that I dreamt

Your face on a football field

And a kiss that I kept

Under my vest,

Apart from everything but the heart in my chest.

I know that things can really get rough when you go it alone.

Don’t go thinking you gotta be tough, to play like a stone.

Could be there’s nothing else in our lives so critical

As this little home!

 My life in an upturned boat, marooned on a cliff:

You brought me a great big flood,

And you gave me a lift.

Girl, what a gift!

You tell me with your tongue,

And your breath goes in my lungs,

And we float over the rift.

 I know that things can really get rough when you go it alone.

Don’t go thinking you gotta be tough, to play like a stone.

Could be there’s nothing else in our lives so critical

As this little home!

 Well this will be a simple song

 To say what you done.

I told you about all those fears,

 And away they did run.

You sure must be strong,

And you feel like an ocean

Made warm by the sun.

 Remember walking a mile to your house, a glow in the dark?

I made a fumblin’ play for your heart and the act struck a spark.

You wore a charm on the chain that I stole especial for you.

Love’s such a delicate thing that we do, with nothing to prove--

Which I never knew.

Really, really thankful for 12, close to 13 years now with this guy in my life. And it's his birthday today. Happy birthday, Matt!

 

Thanks for my piano.

"Not bad, Mr. Connors. You say this is your first lesson?"

"Yes, but my father was a piano mover, so."

Theo started piano lessons last year and he practiced on our keyboard/electric piano which we kept in the basement. It was difficult to supervise and to get him to practice, so after a month or two of that, I convinced Matt we needed to get a bona fide piano that we could keep in the living room. 

We got a bit of a junker because it fit our budget and because we have rambunctious kids (who promptly broke a few keys before learning the hard way to respect the thing). We chose a spinet style because it's the smallest available, and our living room is also the smallest available.

7 or so months later, I can confidently say that I LOVE having a real piano. I play it much more frequently than I played the keyboard because it's so accessible. Theo doesn't have to be nagged to practice. Ida started lessons this fall and even Lars has learned a few little ditties. It's loud and a tiny bit off-key, and it takes up more room than I'd like in that small space, but I just love having it. It's gratifying to watch their progress and to see in action the principle that a little bit at a time goes a long way in the end.

September morning still can make me feel that waaaaaay

These September songs make me so happy.






And they're 10x better with the videos.

Burnin' love

Ida woke up this morning with a pretty high fever. I hate when my kids get sick: not just because I worry that it will linger and/or turn into something serious (which I do), and not just because I feel bad for them for being so miserable (which I do), and not just because I feel bad about cancelling the day's plans (which I do--sometimes ;) but also because it changes the vibe in our house for the day. Ida is so helpful and pleasant, so full of fun and good ideas and good questions. 

She's spent most of the day sleeping, and the boys either have been playing in their room or outside--and now are playing on the iPad--so the house is quiet. Theo is pretty helpful and pleasant himself, so I'm not without a helper. This afternoon will probably involve watching movies guilt-free. It might be a little boring (I think I've spoiled my kids and myself by planning outings for almost every day), but it hasn't been a bad day.

Still I miss her, even though she's just in the next room. I think it's going to be a big adjustment for me in 2 weeks, having my girl gone until 3 p.m. every single weekday! I guess actually that after school starts, I'll be selfishly glad on the days she's sick, since I'll get her all to myself. :) And I know she is going to love school.

Side note, I have been in a bit of an Elvis phase lately and this morning I couldn't stop singing "Oooh-hoo-hoo, I feel my temperature rising..." #feverjokes #elvisjokes #thankyouverymuch

http://youtu.be/DcJac6OykfM

Summer nights

We've had some fun amphitheater times this summer. Our friends Chrissy and Matt invited us to see Beck with them at Merriweather Post Pavilion. I'm a Beck fan but not super dedicated, so I was glad we got lawn seats.

I was extra glad when it ended up being a gorgeously amazing night. Surprising in July, but welcome. It was in the 60s with a breeze. This summer's weather has been really mild overall, and I'm loving it.

Sean Lennon's band opened and was pretty good, although I couldn't tell you the name of the band or any of the songs.

Beck was just as weird and goofy as I expected, and put on a great show. He started off strong with "Devil's Haircut" and played mostly old faves from Odelay!, Midnite Vultures, Sea Change, and Guero. "Loser," of course. And some new ones from his latest album, whatever that might be called. Honestly I thought the album was a bit of a snoozefest when I listened to it on Spotify (his albums seem to alternate between super-funky and super-snoozy), but live, the songs were great. His touring band is apparently also his studio band, at least currently. They were so good.

He ended strong with "Sexx Laws," "Debra" and "Where It's At" for encores. I took a few videos, but... you will never see them. Since I can't load them via my Blogger app.

It was a really fun night to spend with each other, friends, and a good dose of nostalgia. 

Another amphitheater experience was this past weekend seeing Jim Gaffigan at Wolf Trap with Matt. I love Wolf Trap and we both think Jim Gaffigan is pretty darn funny. So that was pretty great too. Next week I'm heading to Wolf Trap again, this time with Ida for the Sound of Music singalong. Will it be as fun as it was last year? Not without Hannah. But I hope it will come pretty close.

Yay for summer nights.

Thanks for the running tunes.

Because once I got used to wearing earbuds (for years of running, I refused to wear them), they transformed the running experience for me. Although I should probably get my hearing checked and/or turn the volume down because it's hard to resist turning it up when I get in the zone. Anyway these are some of my current favorite running songs--63 total, could probably narrow it down a little, some are better than others.


I alternate apps, depending on my mood. Whether I want to be surprised at what's coming next, for instance (Pandora), or whether I want a really short custom playlist for a quicker run (iTunes) or whether I just want to jam out to some *NSYNC or Britney, 'cause it happens (Spotify).

On the days that I can barely muster up the energy to lace up my shoes, the thought of jamming out to Eliza-Specific Music for half an hour all by myself in the cold actually sounds invigorating, so with that burst of hope I make it out the door. Having a soundtrack makes the time pass and kinda makes me think I'm rocking the run harder than I actually am. I don't even mind pushing a stroller actually, as long as it's not too often. Earlier this week we had a window of perfect running weather one morning, but I had Lars, so he came with me. As we neared the end of our brief 3-miler and I was feeling kinda like a lightweight, we came to a short but steep hill. "Roar" was playing, so I tackled that little hill at full speed. There is nothing like doggedly pushing 50+ lbs straight up a hill, sweat pouring down my face, while Katy Perry screams in my ear "I AM A CHAMPION!"

Nothing, my friends. Feel the burn.

Thanks for the mixtape songs.

I keep thinking of new things to blog about for Thanksblogging (I just made that name up. impressed?) but then once I sit down to actually write, all the best ideas seem to vanish. I should probably write the ideas down while I'm thinking them. Or probably not, because I usually think of them as I'm driving down the freeway. ("Cruising down the freeway in the hot hot sun") Actually, that does remind me that today I was thinking how thankful I am for '90s at Noon on the local alternative rock radio station. I grew up with a similar thing, but back then it was '80s music I blasted in my mom's 15-passenger van on the way to McDonald's during lunch break in high school (Flashback Lunch on KROQ). I always thought the '80s seemed so great based on the music alone. I was well indoctrinated by my older brother and sister, who went to high school in the '80s and taught me the ways of New Wave.

Today on the way home from preschool pickup I was the 30-year-old soccer mom in my SUV on the Beltway, blasting "Losing My Religion" and "Intergalactic" courtesy of DC 101's '90s at Noon. And it sure felt good. You can also tell that I'm 30+ because I listen to FM radio in my car in the first place. Or does that just make me out of it?

Thanks for the ties that bind me to all the other 30-somethings who made mixtapes of such variety they'd include Spice Girls, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind, Brian McKnight, Janet Jackson, Cake, Jamiroquai, the Beastie Boys, the Dixie Chicks, and Foo Fighters. Those were the days.

(Number one '90s mixtape song? Off the top of my head, could be "Your Woman" by White Town. Now there's a dancetastic classic that made it onto at least 4 of my mixtapes.)

Yo, turn to that station

KRS-One? Anyone?

Perhaps my favorite thing when I got a smartphone was Pandora. I don't have an iPod and although I have lots of mp3s on my computer I don't really know where they are and a lot of them are duplicates. It's never been a priority for me to organize my music and honestly, I still mostly listen to FM radio in the car. Country radio, to be specific, or talk radio. So Pandora is easy for someone like me to use with zero prep. My sister Hannah thinks I'm borderline tech-Neanderthal but I like to think of it as blissfully counterculture.

Before this sounds any more like a Pandora commercial, behold my favorite household channels--unobtrusive background music for doing dishes, playing with kids or whatever I happen to be doing at home. You could also call it EZ Listenin'. Unfortunately for you I have done zero research on what the current "In" way of sharing music on a blog is, without having to sign in (Spotify) or go to another site (Playlist, et al). I used to know how to stream directly from my own Google drive through a widget on my blog but I don't think that works anymore...and I'd also have to upload the songs first. Please enlighten me if I'm missing something! Free YouTube for all! (for now)

60s Folk Radio
Even though some of the songs are decidedly not 60s folk. For instance the song "Don't Know Much About History" seems to pop up a lot. I'll give you 60s, but how is that folk? Anyway. A sampling...

If I Had a Hammer by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Whenever I hear this song I just want to go out and picket The Man.


Dream a Little Dream of Me by Mama Cass
I adore this song. I also like the Mamas and the Papas version, which also includes Mama Cass of course. Bing Crosby and other earlier versions I'm "meh" on.


Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan
Possibly my favorite Bob Dylan love song.


Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan
Possibly my favorite Bob Dylan breakup song.


The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Does Fleetwood Mac count as 60s Folk? More than "Don't Know Much About History," anyway.


Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels) by Jim Croce
So sad.


I Got a Name by Jim Croce
Also sad.



Secondly,
Michael Buble Radio
I must be 30. Michael Buble Radio? Yes, please!

Rolling in the Deep by Adele
The saddest.


Don't You Remember by Adele
The saddest-est.


The Heart of Life (Live) by John Mayer
I haven't given up on you, Johnny.


I'll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday
OK, the actual saddest. Also, for some reason I don't like any versions of this song but hers.


Gravity by Sara Bareilles
Why are all the songs on this station so sad?


Someone to Watch Over Me by Ella Fitzgerald
Everyone wants someone to watch over them. Even if he's not the man-some, girls-think-of, as hand-some.



Happy listening!

Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten

The spring and summer of 2010 (when we moved into our current house) happened with Vampire Weekend's Contra playing in the background. My kids were obsessed with it. For some reason none of us really got tired of it. Well, eventually we did but it was probably a year or more before I banished it from the car.

I turned on "Horchata" in the car the other day and the kids got super excited as we cruised down the road with the windows down and the stereo blasting. I love that they remembered how much they had loved that song. It seemed like 3 years couldn't possibly have already gone by. I think the summer of 2010 was my favorite summer ever. So far.



Last summer we stayed in Midway with Matt's family and as we drove around through those beautiful mountains we listened to We Are the Tide by Blind Pilot over and over. Any song from that album instantly brings back that fun week. Isn't it funny that I "look back" at it so fondly when it was less than a year ago?



Anything from White Ladder by David Gray brings back my freshman year at BYU. Can you believe my parents sent me so far away when I was only seventeen? Neither can I. A great year.



Ida's in a ballet class and the kids dance to "princess" type songs. Any Disney song from the '90s and I feel like I'm 9 years old sitting on my tiny bed in my tiny corner bedroom, scribbling the lyrics to "A Whole New World" on my steno pad.


They don't play this one in ballet class, but it was always my favorite! And I wrote the lyrics to that one in my steno pad, too.

I haven't been blogging much in 2013 and I think it's partly because I started a journal again this year. So freeing. Not that I can't be honest on my blog but it's different from scribbling down my thoughts in a hidden little book that's just for me. Whether it was a long time ago or a short time ago I love to think about happy moments from the past, and recording them keeps them vivid. Sad moments too, although I don't like to think about those ones I still record them.

Of course I can't write everything so while I'm experiencing things, especially with my kids, sometimes I sit and breathe it in almost like I'm recording it. Fortunately, I think I am pretty good at enjoying the moment, despite other failings. This reminds me of the last pages of Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin, which I recently finished and enjoyed.

Elias Canetti wrote, "One lives in the naive notion that later there will be more room than in the entire past." (250) 

"As I walked up the steps to my building on that spring afternoon, and looked up at the windows of my little apartment in the big city, I reminded myself, "Now is now." And I know what the child Laura [Ingalls] did not yet know. Now is now, and now is already a long time ago. 

As I turned the key and pushed open the front door, as I crossed the threshold, I thought how breathtaking, how fleeting, how precious was my ordinary day. Now is now. Here is my treasure. (253)

Running

This song has nothing to do with anything except that I like running to it.

Did you know I'm turning 30 next month? If you didn't, it's because you don't live at my house. Because I talk about it a lot at my house.

I kept feeling like I wanted to do something "big" for my 30th birthday. I've never been a big birthday person and I always get depressed on my birthday which I think is so dumb, so I figured I should stave that off with...something this year. Some research yielded cute ideas like, passing out gifts to 30 strangers; doing 30 nice things for people; renting a roller rink for a night and skating to '80s music (my favorite idea which came from Phoebe, but in this roller-rink-scarce area it is cost prohibitive); running 30 races. Upon further reflection I found that I'm not up for making my "big" thing something extravagant or have the theme of "30," although I would like to do something meaningful. Whatever that ends up being, I don't know if I'll blog about it or not, but regardless I haven't thought of it yet.

In the meantime I did decide to run a couple of races this year. Sometimes doing something that's hard for me, and that I'm still not very good at even when I work at it, still makes me feel better about myself. Like, so what if I worked my tail off and still didn't impress anyone with the results: I impressed myself with the working-my-tail-off part. And those hard-fought endorphins come through for me...almost every time.

Once the whirlwind of the holidays was over, it became apparent that if I wasn't going to be taking antidepressants anymore, I needed something else to replace the effect. So I started running 5 days a week. I've been doing that for about 10 weeks now and am somehow not much stronger or faster. But I feel good about my efforts. My goal (put into words by Word of Wisdom Living): "Get at least 30 minutes of exercise, most days of the week. It's best if you sweat."

Still I wanted something to push me to go beyond that, so, ignoring all common sense, I signed up for a Ragnar relay, which I have found excuses not to do every year since I did it the first time, but I had no excuses this year. Then yesterday almost on a whim, I signed up for an obstacle course race with a friend. Then I signed up for Ida's preschool's fun run. And I'm still considering another obstacle course race later in the summer depending on how the first one goes. Four in a year might be my max unless we hire a nanny.

I'm no "Runner" but I'm pretty good at reaching goals if I'm motivated enough. So my daily goal this spring and summer is to follow a training schedule and improve my stamina. My overall goal until I retire from this "I'm 30 Now" running phase (whether the phase will remain beyond age 30 is to be determined), is to not embarrass my Ragnar team, which apparently came in 3rd place for their age group last year...an age group I will now qualify for, incidentally, since I'll be 30. Do you see where I went with that? Happy Thursday. May the endorphins be ever in your favor.

A song for Monday

Catchy:
(with 2 naughty words. fyi)


 I love Ben Folds. The singer guy isn't bad either.

Nashville

Have I posted about this already? If you haven't been watching Nashville, now is a good time to start.


The pilot re-aired last week and this week (tomorrow!) is a new episode.

I don't know why I'm so into it--I guess because I started watching it live from the first episode, which isn't normal for me. Maybe because I don't really watch any other TV besides Parenthood. And maybe because I love the music and the soapy plot lines. And Connie Britton.

And Sam Palladio. Wish I had video for these two songs instead of lyrics (half of which are probably wrong).


And I just like everyone in this song. Does anyone else think the flask-sipping rocker producer guy is going to turn Rayna into a drunk?

Wednesday nights. Check it out y'all

He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd

My Christmas song for today. God bless those precious children and their families.

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd;
and He shall gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

Come unto Him, all ye that labour,
come unto Him that are heavy laden,
and He will give you rest.
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him,
for He is meek and lowly of heart,
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 -Air for Alto from Handel's Messiah 
Isaiah 40:11 & Matthew 11:28-29