Summer tunes, and the livin’s not so easy…

Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash

One of the things that’s happened in our forty-seven years of lockdown only to be amplified by Last Summer’s Great Unpleasantness™ is the occasional afternoon nap.

There have been times, particularly after the radiation treatments, that I needed a short nap in the comfy chair.

I’m gonna miss that when I have to start going back downtown in a couple of weeks. If you ask me, an afternoon siesta can improve employee performance. But it’s generally frowned upon.

I digress.

So, I’d move the cat and close my eyes for just a few minutes.

Sometimes I would tell Alexa to play some music.

It’s funny how music has the power to stir up certain memories.

One of my go to stations on Pandora is my “Mamas and the Papas” station that give me all the great music from the late sixties and early seventies.

When I hear those tunes I am transported back to the summers of the late 60s and early 70s.

I mean the decades because I’m currently in the process of transporting out of MY early 60s.

In those summers I would spent each and every day at the pool. Our town had a community pool. It cost twenty-five cents each day to enter. My Mother would leave me that money and about fifty cents for snacks.

It is only as I’ve grown older that I realize that what seems like a small amount today, was probably a sacrifice for my parents.

And so, each summer day, all day, every day, I would be at the pool.

Okay, not quite every day because my typical pattern was to spend the first day out of school there from open to close. And, more typically than not, I would get a summer sunburn that would keep me home for a couple of days.

But when I got back, the glorious days of sun and pool were mine to be enjoyed all summer long.

The concession stand where I would often quickly spend the fifty-cents would play summer tunes over the loud speakers.

The music, along with the pool and the sunburns, defined my summers from probably around the time of first

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grade, when I went with a sitter, through my early high school years.

I stopped going to the pool every day around the 9th grade when I started to feel self conscious about my weight. Another story of the 70s that most likely will not be in a book.

We all have those unpleasant memories we’d just as soon forget.

But the music…

So when I sit in the comfy chair, or even sometimes while I’m working and Alexa plays The Age of Aquarius…or any of the other songs that are too numerous to list…I am taken back.

I miss the simple days of summer.

I mean sure, I get to get out and do things. I work in an amusement park and anytime I’m off I could be in the water park.

But it’s not the same. And certainly the music isn’t as good.

So, that’s where I am as we’re nearing the end of June. Sort of wishing the days were that simple again.

But they’re not. And they won’t be.

Still, for a few moments a day, I can let the music take me back.

Alexa…


BORN ON THIS DAY

1901 – Nelson Eddy, American singer and actor (d. 1967)
1910 – Frank Loesser, American composer and conductor (d. 1969)
1919 – Slim Pickens, American actor and rodeo performer (d. 1983)
1944 – Gary Busey, American actor
1948 – Fred Grandy, American actor and politician
1968 – Brian d’Arcy James, American actor and musician

THINGS YOU SHOULD READ

Study Confirms Fact-Checkers Are In Fact Bad at Their Jobs
Matt Palumbo at The Dan Bongino Show
I’ve been spending the past year writing on the many errors, lies, and distortions of the fact checking industry, and noticed a number of occasions where different fact checkers would fact check the same claim and come to different conclusions. As it turns out, there is a study out documenting the prevalence of this – and when the fact checkers do examine the same claim, they agree with themselves at a rate lower low enough to be deemed incompetent. Read More.

BENEDICTION

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17

Fireworks and Passions

“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”

English cleric and theologian, John Wesley, was born on this day in 1703 (d. 1791)

I’ve never really wanted to be a fireworks display.

The nation, of course, is is preparing to spend ridiculous amounts of money on fireworks this coming weekend in celebration of my birthday.

That and the nation’s independence.

PSA: Please leave the fireworks to the professionals. I know they’re (dangerously) fun. But those of us who own animals of any size aren’t looking forward to the neighborhood displays. Summer thunderstorms are enough.

I digress.

I’m thinking about passions this morning…no not that kind.

But I’m thinking about what inspires me and keeps me going.

And I’m thinking about the things I’m doing just because they “have to be done.”

Mugshots
(click the pic)

Do they? Really?

In recent months I’ve talked about focusing on one project. I did that, and the result was Friday’s publication of the book.

Speaking of which, if you’ve purchased a copy 1) thank you, and 2) please leave a review on Amazon.

But the book is done, so what is next? Not to worry, I have a list.

Not only that but what about everything else?

It can be stressful.

Reality is, we’re all feeling stressed these days.

Inflation, gas prices, grocery prices, Supreme decisions.

Regardless of who you blame, or applaud, all of that complicates what we all do daily just to survive.

So maybe you think there’s no time to be passionate about something. Unless of course you’re passionate about arguing over those issues.

That can be more stressful.

Somewhere in there, there’s a balance between what we have to do to survive, and maybe even thrive, and those things that fuel our passions.

Right now I think I could be passionate about finding a way to wrap this up.

Hang in there. Don’t let the worries of the day smother your passions.

Burn ’em if you’ve got ’em.

American actress and comedian, Gilda Radner was born on this day in 1946 (d. 1989). This will always be my favorite “Weekend Update” clip.

ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY

1491 – Henry VIII of England (d. 1547)
1902 – Richard Rodgers, American playwright and composer (d. 1979)
1926 – Mel Brooks, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
1932 – Pat Morita, American actor (d. 2005)
1946 – Gilda Radner, American actress and comedian (d. 1989)
1971 – Elon Musk, South African-born American entrepreneur

THINGS YOU SHOULD READ

BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds Christian coach’s right to pray at games
The Post Millennial
The 6-3 ruling determined that the school district in 2015 violated the coach’s rights to free speech when they prohibited him from praying on the field, and that coach subsequently lost his job over the matter. Read More.

58% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck after inflation spike — including 30% of those earning $250,000 or more
CNBC
With inflation at 40-year highs, workers across all income levels are having a harder time making ends meet. Read More.

Hunter Biden met with Russian oligarch now wanted for murder
New York Post
When his father was the second most powerful man in the world, Hunter Biden met in Russia with at least four oligarchs closely aligned with Vladimir Putin — including one who is now wanted for murder in the country, The Post has learned. Read More.

More than 1 million voters switch to GOP in warning for Dems
AP
More than 1 million voters across 43 states have switched to the Republican Party over the last year, according to voter registration data analyzed by The Associated Press. The previously unreported number reflects a phenomenon that is playing out in virtually every region of the country — Democratic and Republican states along with cities and small towns — in the period since President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump. Read More.

Dems Pause January 6 Hearings To Call For Insurrection
The Babylon Bee
“On January 6th, a branch of our federal government was almost overthrown because politicians used dangerous rhetoric that caused—wait, hold on everyone, I just got the update. Roe’s been overturned!” said Representative Adam Schiff. “Okay, well if all the Republicans could please sit tight, there will be a brief recess while our Democratic caucus takes to the streets demanding we overthrow a branch of the federal government.” Read More.

BENEDICTION

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17