-
Thankful Thursday
August 31, 2017
Yeah, yeah, I’m sure some other Mommy Blogger does this, but…what the hell, it’s good alliteration.
I was thinking this morning that I need to stem the tide of my anger and bitchiness that has really gotten out of proportion lately. Even I’m getting embarrassed by the crap spewing out of my mouth. So, I know that one way to stop all that is to be more grateful especially when things are difficult and that’s what I’m going to do here each Thursday – put a list of everything I’m grateful for in the last week. And crack out that Anger Workbook too. :-P
Things I’m thankful for August 24-August 31
- Cooler weather so it’s not as hot in the car (a/c is out)
- Severence pay – finally
- A birthday celebration that was a lot of fun (son #2 turned 29)
- Pepsi Cake
- A husband willing to go to the laundromat to dry laundry (dryer is broke too)
- Selling homeschool books for extra cash (St. Joseph help with that please!)
- My housework routines
- Being a frugal mom
- Meeting Son #3’s girlfriend
- Leslie Caron movies on TCM
- thirtysomething
- Sephora Play! boxes
- Vera Bradley 50%off sale
And yes, I’m thankful for the obvious things: oxygen, nature, life, kids – although maybe I should state the obvious more often. I have started praying the Serenity Prayer every morning, but I probably should end my days with an examination of conscience – get the gunk out.
Anyway, I’ll keep this up for a while because I need to change something. I wish I could feel less anxious about everything and more serene. St. Julian of Norwich said this about all that:
“All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
Dear Jesus, I hope so!
-
Music Monday – California Edition
August 22, 2017
So, last month I went on vacation – finally! My oldest son gave me the gift of a trip to visit him in the Bay Area. I decided to go in July (because that’s the only month I had open), and we booked all the plane and bus (believe it or not) trips in March. It was amazing! I went on planes, trains, underground trains, ferries, and buses and had the time of my life! I even got to stand on the corner of Haight and Ashbury and that’s where this song comes in – the iconic “San Francisco (Wear Flowers In Your Hair” by Scott McKenzie.
It was actually written by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, which I didn’t know, but Scott McKenzie sings it. Beautifully I might add. I’d always wanted to go back to California as I was born there, and this song just fueled those longings every time I heard it. I also felt like I might belong there more than I belonged in London or, especially, the midwest which is where I’ve been for the last 40 years. That’s another blog post in which I’d have to flog myself for my questionable choices. But THIS post is about THIS song so let’s continue.
This song began the Summer of Love in 1967 when thousands of young people descended on San Francisco and, most specifically, Haight and Ashbury. The song has been called the “unofficial anthem” of the hippie and countercultural movement of the 1960’s. I believe it. And here’s the kicker – this year is the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love and this song. And I got to be there and yes, I wore a flower in my hair. :-)
So, let’s look at the lyrics and, as always, I encourage you to take a listen to it. Maybe we can reclaim some of that peace, love, and hope we so desperately need today.
San Francisco – Wear Flowers in Your Hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people thereFor those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hairAll across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motionFor those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in thereIf you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there