What’s cookin’ in the good ole USA?
Well, I’m glad you asked!!
Today (Labor Day, 9/7/20), using the above “ingredients for life”, I’ll be making simple, savory selections for summer to share with my little seven-year old granddaughter, Evie.
It’s a kind of farm-to-table dining experience for just the two of us, and it’s happening in the back yard by the garden.
You might even call it “Gardenside Gourmet”. 😀
In my previous post, “Life Before Yesterday”, I shared a song of the same name, “Life Before Yesterday” (a song I wrote in my early twenties), and mentioned I had pulled out a couple of other songs from my “My Songs” folder, which I wanted to rediscover and record so I could include them in future posts.
One of those songs was called “In A Daze”, so I decided to call this post by the same name as the song, to keep things simple, and be consistent with the previous post.
I wrote this in my early 20’s too.
“Life Before Yesterday” was the second song I ever wrote and “In A Daze” was the 6th song I wrote.
At the time, I noticed that divorce was becoming more prevalent than it had been in the previous generation. So that was one of the problems of that period that was on my mind.
This song is about the moral and emotional dilemma we sometimes face when we get caught up in affairs of the heart. I have nothing more to say about this. I just wanted to share the song.
“In A Daze” (the song)
“IN A DAZE” (lyrics)
In a daze, I’m heading for the lady who I left far behind. And just to see that lady and to ask her what it is that’s on her mind.
She’ll tell you, “Oh, it’s nothing new. That lady luck has been kind to her.” And then she cries, and then she tries to fight the tears.
Suddenly confessin’ all those sleepless nights she’s had for quite some time. She’ll tell of her lover who is far away but still he’s on her mind.
And then she gets to the point at hand. She doesn’t think you’ll really understand. She doesn’t really think she holds her man.
Now, I’m on my way. She can’t believe the awaited day has finally come. And I must tell her how my heart has changed and then I know it will be done.
But knowing her the way I do now, I just can’t leave her love for you now. She loves me dearly and hopes I sincerely love her too.
Yesterday
It seems like only “yesterday” (just four months ago), the Corona Virus Pandemic was thrust upon us and “our lives before yesterday” (our lives before the virus) were turned upside down.
I was furloughed from April 1 to July 1 (three months). I was hoping I wouldn’t be recalled until authorities had better control of the virus so it would be safer to go back to work. But I’m back on the job and there is still no end to the virus in sight.
While I was on furlough, I received unemployment money and the extra stimulus money so I could at least pay the bills and I had a lot of time available.
I wanted to use that time wisely and make it worth while. I searched through my mental Rolodex of “things to do”, and put together a prioritized, written list.
Continue Reading…
This is a picture of Lizz Wright, a “Singer For All The People”. I didn’t take the picture. I downloaded it from Lizz’s FB page about four years ago.
She still looks just as youthful and beautiful today.
The idea for this post was born some time ago, but I wanted to mull it over in my head for a while before I put it out there.
It’s been almost six years now, since I first heard Lizz sing, and during that time her music has been ever-present on my mind. I listen to her daily. I’ve praised and promoted her and her music frequently in many posts because she continually inspires me.
This post is all about her and why I think she is a “Singer For All The People”, and why I pick her to be the “Singer of the Decade” (2020-2030).
Continue Reading…
It’s Saturday morning and a storm is coming through my neighborhood. I hear it slightly in the distance.
So as I was starting to open a couple of windows so I could hear the thunder clap and roll, better, I got a text from my son, Tim, giving me a heads up about the “pretty nice thunderstorm” that was upon us.
I love rainy days, especially if they include thunder and lightening. We don’t get them here like we did in the Midwest, where I grew up. So anytime one rolls in, Tim and I are on “red alert” so we don’t miss it!
I think that a lot of people don’t like rainy days and it’s a negative event for them. Sometimes it spoils the whole day when a planned event has to be postponed because of rain. So rainy days get a bad rap.
But, to me, a rainy day is never sad, gloomy, or limiting. The music and the rhythm of the rain always speaks to my heart. To me it’s a cleansing, life-giving event with the promise of sunshine to follow. It also elicits a sense of romance and comfort within me.
Somehow, rainy days always remind me of my favorite song by Gordon Lightfoot, called “Rainy Day People”.
I like the lyrics and the meaning behind them.
I think he is saying that he appreciates people who are down-to-earth, honest and upfront. People who have gained wisdom and experience through hardships in life who are better able to move forward in life and help others progress as well. People who don’t judge others. People who listen well and are attentive to other’s needs. People who are sincere and humble. People who understand others’ situations because they have experienced similar ones too. People who value others as much as they do themselves.
I think we need more Rainy Day People in this world.
P.S. As I listened to the song and read the lyrics, two lines (that I highlighted) jumped out at me and reminded me of a saying I learned on one of my trips to Zurich, Switzerland, from Andy, a tour guide whom I befriended while I was there. He said…..
“Shared fun is double the fun. Shared pain is half the pain.”
Enjoy the song……..
“Rainy Day People”…by Gordon Lightfoot
Rainy day people always seem to know when it’s time to call.
Rainy day people don’t talk. They just listen till they’ve heard it all.
Rainy day lovers don’t lie when they tell you they’ve been down like you.
Rainy day people don’t mind if you’re cryin’ a tear or two.
If you get lonely, all you really need is that rainy day love
Rainy day people all know there’s no sorrow they can’t rise above.
Rainy day lovers don’t love any others that would not be kind.
Rainy day people all know how it hangs on their peace of mind.
Rainy day lovers don’t lie when they tell you they’ve been down there, too.
Rainy day people don’t mind if you’re cryin’ a tear or two .
Rainy day people always seem to know when you’re feelin’ blue.
High stepping strutters who land in the gutters sometimes need one, too.
Take it or leave it or try to believe it, if you’ve been down too long.
Rainy day lovers don’t hide love inside, they just pass it on.
Rainy day lovers don’t hide love inside, they just pass it on.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gordon Lightfoot
Rainy Day People lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc