I admit it, I take those quizzes on Facebook. After all, who doesn’t want to know what five letter word describes them (crazy) or what First Lady you are most like (Jackie Kennedy). I know it is crap but it is entertaining. It is a bit of a gamble to find out what rock star you are channeling.

I’m not a big gambler. I don’t mind playing slots for a while but I could certainly never sit there for hours hoping for a big win. My first experience at a casino was with my sister and grandmother. My grandmother or Baa Baa, as we called her, took the senior citizens bus from NYC and my sister and I drove and met her in Atlantic City. My grandmother, loaded down with free meal tickets and tokens, was ready to go. Baa Baa loved all things to do with chance –  contests,  lottery, slots, etc., she loved the thrill of it all.

She was actually quite successful in the contest department even winning a trip to England. She fared pretty well with the lottery winning things here and there and did OK on the nickel slots too. Sometimes I would receive a package in the mail and open it to find some prize I had won via Baa Baa. Frank Sinatra Golden Jubilee Old Fashion glasses, a NFL jacket, and random cookbooks. If you had no idea where it came from initially, it didn’t take you too long to realize it was some kind of contest prize.

That first trip to Atlantic City sticks out in my mind for a few reasons – first of all, I won some money. I remember it was about $60. Nothing huge but a decent haul – enough to buy us lunch and have some leftover. Secondly, it was around the time Wilt Chamberlain’s book came out and Baa Baa had heard about it on the news and was trying to calculate how many women he slept with each day during his “busy” years. This really is not the conversation you want with your grandmother and it was only topped by a discussion of the Clarence Thomas hearings and the meaning of “Long Dong Silver” and why someone would put a public hair on a coke can. What a conversation.

Tonight I’ve chosen a song from one of my favorite feel good bands, ABBA. There’s nothing like an ABBA song, sad or happy, that I don’t love.

Kathryn has decided to be part of the marching band this year. She skipped it last year although I told her it was a great way to meet people and it could be a lot of fun. As with most things, my recommendation is not solid unless someone else tells her the same thing.

When I was in high school, marching band wasn’t optional. If you were in band, you marched. Practice was the two weeks before school started. After all, you had to be able to march at that first home football game. It was a great way, especially as a freshman, to meet a lot of people, especially upperclassmen. You started school with a large group of people you knew. That’s a powerful feeling when you start high school.

Since I played the French Horn and you don’t march with it, I ended up playing the glockenspiel my freshman year, the cymbals my sophomore year and the trumpet my junior year. My dad took pity on the band director and let me quit my senior year. Being in the drum section was a lot of fun. That’s where all the excitement is. They started the different cadences, randomly songs and were generally a rowdy bunch. They were nice to me and as the only female in the section, they didn’t give me a hard time.

The band uniforms were the type that if it was hot, you were boiling. If it was cold, you froze. A polyester nightmare. The hats were super tall, like the guards wear at Buckingham Palace. I remember someone, who will remain nameless here, changed our names in the program so I was Ellen CO’Kane. Lord knows why no one caught that.

Some of my fondest memories of high school are of times in band and with friends I made through band. We made it a good time. We had a little tailgating thing going before the football games.  We always went out and about after the game as well. Now it doesn’t seem like football games are quite the social event they were when I was in high school. Regardless of your social rank. you went to the game.

My debut on the glockenspiel was  “Love Me Tender” and you could really hear the bells in that song.  Fortunately I didn’t screw that up. Actually the glockenspiel was easy because you generally followed the melody. It was a bit awkward to carry but I liked it. Thinking about it now, I was probably better at both the glockenspiel and the cymbals than I ever was at the French Horn.

Tonight I’ll pick “Love Me Tender” from my IPod in honor of my marching band days and as a toast to Kathryn’s marching debut. I hope she enjoys it and makes the kind of friends and memories I did.

Today at work someone mentioned that in addition to randoms facts, he was good at remembering lyrics to songs. This made me think of my freshman year college roommate, Leslie, who could hear an album once, and know all the words the next time you played it. Quite a talent.

Despite an aptitude for lyrics, she could not remember anything academic. She would write notes in class, come back to our room and re-write the notes and write them again before a test. Even with this, she just didn’t keep the knowledge. I told her once she should put the notes to music but she thought the idea was stupid. Me and my stupid ideas graduated – she left after the first semester.

Thinking of her reminded me of her mom, a woman that vacuumed the carpet in only one direction. No back and forth for her, only one way. Her other quirk, in my opinion, was her hobby of listening to records backwards to see if there were secret satanic messages hiding in the music. She did this with women from her church and then, if they heard a message, that music was declared off limits. First of all, I can’t think of a more worthless waste of time and secondly, I don’t even understand how you listen to albums (in that time) or CDs or whatever, backwards to get the message.

As I said yesterday, I’m immune to these devilish messages whether they are in the legs of a dinosaur on a birthday cake, on energy drinks or through playing music backwards. Either I have a pure mind (we can all stop laughing now) or guardian angels protecting me from these words. I looked online to see which songs are supposed to have messages, satanic or not, if you play them backwards and there are a lot. There’s actually a YouTube guy who does all kinds of videos explaining what you are hearing, just in case you can’t get the message yourself. He could probably use some holy water thrown on him.

I only have two songs on my IPod that have known messages – one from Prince “Darlin’ Nicki” and Led Zepplin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” Apparently Robert Plant and I are on the same page with this stuff. “Who on Earth would have ever thought of doing that?” Robert Plant said of the backward-Satanism charges. “You’ve got to have a lot of time on your hands to even consider that people would do that.” (Rolling Stone)

So tonight, I’ve picked “Stairway to Heaven” played forward here.

Today Kathryn and I took her camera in for a sensor cleaning. Hard to find camera shops anymore.  On the way home, we stopped at McDonald’s and Kathryn got a Happy Meal. It had one of those Minions in the meal. I’m with the “small number of customers” who believe it is cursing. We love it. When the dog barks, it sets it off making it even funnier.

In other news of the weird today, I saw on Facebook a story about a woman who believed that the legs of a dinosaur on a birthday cake for her son she got at Costco, spelled out 666. Once you are looking for it, maybe. Costco has stopped making them or something, which is crazy, like the woman.  Do we really believe the devil is trying to speak to kids via a birthday cake? Is that where we are as a society?  I was laughing at some of the comments made about it on Facebook and Kathryn showed me the video of the woman who believes the Monster energy drinks are satanic. She’s quite convincing. But again, is the devil really trying to get to us via energy drinks? I’m pleased to say I won’t fall for his tricks. I have to have these messages pointed out to me.

Speaking of the devil, it was a hard to see the news report this morning that Donald Trump had dishonored John McCain’s military record. I find it hard to believe that anyone, whether you agree with his political views or not,  would ever question McCain’s war hero status or his commitment to this country. I find Trump’s comments unforgivable and I hope those who support him will too and find a better candidate to support. Honestly, I don’t care who is it – just someone else, please.

Since we decided to go by the camera store this morning, I’ve been humming “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon and of course, it’s on my IPod. Another great song from the 70’s.

Buckle up DC because the heat wave is upon us. We are being told to make sure we have water with us all the time. If you are old or have health issues, stay inside. I took that advice this afternoon and took a nap. Better safe than sorry even though I don’t think I fall into those categories.

When we were kids, we never carried water bottles around. We ran around for hours and then if we were thirsty, drank out of someone’s hose. Canteens, the early version of water bottles, were for camping. Was it not as hot back then? Or were we a hearty bunch?

I was in Tucson one time and everyone said that while it was hot, it was “dry heat” so it was much more bearable. That is a lie. It was hot. Very hot. I took a trip to the Desert Museum there and our guide was a woman that happened to be from Virginia and she told us it took her two years to get used to the heat. Two years.

On the way to the museum, I stopped by San Xavier Mission, a Catholic church that was built in the 1700’s and is still an active as a parish for the Native Americans in the area. At 8am, it was so hot in there, I was sweating up a storm. I stopped specifically to light a candle for my grandmother. When we were kids, she’d take us to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to light candles and so now, if given the chance, I’ll light one for her. While I was there,  a woman who worked there said they had Mass that afternoon at 5 if I wanted to come back. Lordy, I would have keeled over if I’d gone back.

DC hot is humid and sticky. It makes you appreciate Willis Carrier, who is credited with inventing modern day air conditioning. Yea Willis, I should like a candle for you too next time I have the chance. Hard to imagine life with air conditioning. I remember an apartment I lived in without it. I would come home and the cat would be wrapped around the cool base of the toilet bowl. I finally got a window unit. One of the greatest days of my life. The cat’s too.

Today from my IPod I’ve picked “Heatwave” which I first remember hearing (although it was around long before it) while watching “The Flamingo Kid”, a movie that featured Matt Dillon. Who wouldn’t get a heat wave watching him?

This morning I dropped Kathryn off at work and then started the drive into work. Because of Eid Mubarak and the early morning prayers, police were on the road directing traffic coming out of a mosque. They had closed off the right hand lane, which you could not tell, until you were close to that point.

I was trying to merge over and this woman in the lane next to me refused to let me in. She would pretend like she was going to and then when I tried to get over, she would speed up and cut me off. I was not amused.

My window was rolled down as was hers. I was muttering to myself and then after the 5^th time it happened, did a “What’s the deal?” hand gesture – just my palms up with a shrug. She must have seen it and when she pulled alongside of me said “What’s your problem?”  I said “Well, as long as you’ve asked…YOU are the problem. Can’t you see the police activity ahead? Stop being such an asshole about letting me in.”  She looked at me and gave me the finger and drove on.

The guy behind her let me in and as I sat behind her in traffic, took in all the bumper stickers she had from the local Quaker school. The Quakers I know are nice people. They are pacifists so why is she starting a war with me??? Probably not a Quaker, just sends her kid to that school. Enough with the stereotyping, I told myself. Let it go. It’s Friday. The week’s events have made you less joyful than usual. Then I beat myself up for saying anything to her. She could have pulled a gun. She could have hit my car.

She could have just let me in.

There are no songs on my IPod that address road rage but this song is a good anger song.

Some people binge watch shows on Netflix or the like, I binge listen to music. This week it has been Johnny Cash. Like a series on Netflix, the music binge must end too so I’ll be moving on from Johnny tomorrow.

Johnny sort of speak-sings.  A lot of his songs he seems to be talking to music versus outright singing. His music really ranges from country to folk, to rock and roll. His music seems to have some overarching themes of injustice, poverty etc. When you listen in bulk, you notice these things.

One of the songs “Man in Black” is a song  against racism, the treatment of poor people, drug users and prisoners and the war in Vietnam. Written in 1971, the lyrics still so relevant today. The war may have changed, but the reality of people dying in war hasn’t.

“Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black” sings Johnny. My version is “Till I’m thinner, I’m the Lady in Black.” LOL

Obviously he was a better person than I am. 🙂
Source: <a href=”http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/johnny-cash-lyrics/man-in-black-lyrics.html&#8221; rel=”nofollow”>click here</a>

On Sunday I wrote about finding blessings in bad situations. Tonight I’m looking for those blessings.  My cousin Patty passed away from cancer today. One week from diagnosis to death. It’s shocking.

When we were kids, we used to have family reunions. My Dad was one of six kids, and we usually had at least 3 families that would be able to get together. Always lots of fun.  Patty was always so nice to me. I remember one year, I was probably 8 or so, I took to writing her. She was probably in middle school, with a lot better things to do then write me, but she did. Obviously it made an impression as I remember it today.

My Aunt Grace, Patty’s mom, is the only one left of my Dad’s generation and about 13 or so years ago we had a legitimate family reunion with cousins and their families. But since that time, it’s only been small gatherings here and there. A while ago, someone floated the idea of a “Cousin Reunion” where our generation would start up the tradition again. It was just a little over a year ago we had our first one and plans are already underway for this year’s event. As we sat in the gazebo at our hotel, toasting our first official Cousin Reunion with champagne, it never would have occurred to us that it would be Patty’s last one.

That reunion was a blessing. We had a great time skipping down memory lane and catching up. Today I’m reminder of the importance of family, immediate and extended.

Patty had colon cancer which runs in our family. You can believe I’ll be getting a colonoscopy. Her situation is a reminder to take care of the things you know may be an issue. That’s a blessing.

Our faith is a blessing as I am sure it steadies my Aunt and Uncle and others in their grief.

This year our reunion toast can be for Patty. Remembering her fondly will be a blessing.

The picture here is from our reunion. Patty is standing in the back with me.

Today I drove behind someone with this bumper sticker:

Not only is the dog smarter than my kid, the dog is her copilot. And we should all be the person our dog thinks we are. Guess she was a dog person.

Our dog is a fantastic companion but he won’t be outsmarting the honor student any time now. If the contest is who can find the softest cushion on the couch or who can ask to go out the most times per day, he’s your winner. He’s not stupid, just average. I’m ok with that. He’s got a great personality and he’s loyal. He’s smart when he needs to be like getting food out of a backpack or working with the squirrels to get peanuts. Since we got him as a family companion, the emphasis wasn’t on brains but personality.

Kathryn saw a car with those little people on the back window. You know – the ones that represent the family. There were two people and 10 cats. That’s a bit excessive. I’ve seen them with pets with angel wings. That’s a bit odd. But, let’s face it, we are all crazy about our pets.

With a face like this, does he need brains?

Surprisingly (not), I couldn’t find any songs on my IPod about a dog but I did find the Three Dog Night. Does sound like he’s sort of howling at one point though.

Five people I know are celebrating their birthdays today. They are all different ages so it’s not like “Village of the Damned” where all the women were impregnated the same afternoon and produced scary kids. These scary adults range in age! Just kidding. Today is loaded with great people celebrating their birthdays.

As you get older, you appreciate the birthdays but the celebration can be toned down. In our family, we always have birthday cake plates with a character/theme on it. That’s our tradition. No matter your age, we find something.

Kathryn and I went to the party store to find something for Mike’s celebration. We were looking for “The Lego Movie” stuff cause after he listened to “Everything is Awesome” all the way cross-country a few weeks ago, we figured he’d want that for his celebration. Didn’t have anything Lego. Next choice was Diego, Dora the Explorer’s cousin, because nothing says I’m turning 53 like a Diego party, but the plates with Diego’s face were creepy.  Same with SpongeBob  – he looked constipated. We finally picked out baseball party plates for him.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, my coworker Adam was back today after the birth of his daughter two weeks ago. He wore a pink button down and socks leaving no one to doubt her gender. He was excited to share all the news of her with us and of course, pictures.  Everything was going well with him getting back into the swing of things and then he pulled out the “I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep lately” card. Supportive as we are, the response was something along the lines of “Are we gonna have to listen to that BS for the next few years?” Welcome back Adam.

So Happy Birthday to my husband Mike and to all my friends celebrating today. And to baby Frances, welcome to the world. I’ve picked “Isn’t She Lovely?” in honor of her today.