Monday, January 5, 2015

So Far Away -


Happy Monday!


This weekend, I caught some great specials on PBS, covering the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize award ceremonies for both Billy Joel and Carole King.   I don't know if this is normal TV for someone my age, but I'd rather watch PBS music specials than just about anything else ((including my beloved Bravo Channel.  That's saying something, my friends.))  

Also, to know me is to know that I absolutely LOVE Billy Joel- but I also have a deep love for Carole King.  How can anyone NOT love Carole?  She's just so adorably sweet and humble- and her talent as both a singer and a songwriter is unmatched.   Her album Tapestry is one of my very favorites, and is played often around my house -loudly.  ((I reserve this behavior for when I am home alone, because it isn't nice to force anyone to be witness to my Carole King sing-a-longs...))

Below is one of my absolute favorite Carole King songs.  Also, I just had to share this particular one because how adorable is 1971 James Taylor?!  I love everything that is happening in this video:  the stripped down music, Carole's adorable mannerisms, her amazing pink maxi dress. . . and of course, adorable James Taylor.

I was so born in the wrong generation. . . 



Enjoy... and have a fantastic week!  I'm off to South Texas for a week-long work trip.   While I'm dreading being away from home for 5 days, I am looking forward to a little bit of sunshine and warmer temperatures...


Friday, January 2, 2015

Oh Hey Friday, week one. . .


It's the first Oh Hey Friday! of 2015. . . and I'm excited to join in one the fun again!

Be sure to link up and play along!  I link up through September Farm, and the rules are explained on her site.   
 ((It's easy- link up, list 5 'anythings' that you'd like, read posts from other folks and enjoy!))

This week, I'll stick to a theme:  
I've already shared my resolution for 2015, but I'm going to expand a bit on what it means to me to live, breathe and be more inspired/inspiring in the new year...

ONE
I'm going to dust off the piano and start playing again.  I'm also going to pick up the guitar and learn to play.  I'm going to stop being afraid that I'm "no good" and I'm just going to play.

TWO
I'm going to speak less and listen more.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm a talker.  I like that I'm a talker.  I'm not shy.  I am an open book.  It is who I am.  However, I'm going to focus less on having a voice in any and every conversation, and focus more on absorbing and understanding what others are saying.  

THREE
I'm going to write more letters/notes/cards.  I have friends and family spread across this big, beautiful globe.   Social media has made it so very easy to stay in contact with everyone, and I love that.  But, I miss letters.  I miss writing a quick note to someone, just to say hello.  I miss finding the perfect card for a friend, and I still believe a hand-written thank you card is just about the best thing in the world. 
I'm going to quit relying on social media to be my main source of communication.

FOUR
I will be kind.  When I feel the need to be anything but kind, I will take a few seconds to rethink my words and actions.  I won't always succeed.  By nature, I am sarcastic and a little cynical and I often speak without thinking.  But I will make a genuine effort every day to simply be kind to others.

FIVE
I will just be.  When I screw up, I'll shake it off and try again.  I'll do my best to worry less ((because really, what good is worrying?)) and I will do my best to stay in the here and now.  I'll do my best at everything, and will not stress when my best isn't all that I thought it would be.  I will be happy that I am able to live, eat, breathe, create, share and try again and I will just BE.  

Be sure to link up and play along!  Happy Friday!