Kathryn and I just got back from seeing Spy with Melissa McCarthy. It was very funny and a great summer movie. If you are looking to be entertained, I recommend it. If you want a film that’s going to provoke deep thoughts, go see something else.

Summertime is supposed to have all the great movies but from the previews we saw, I just don’t see any blockbuster movies.  I’m sure Marvel’s Ant-Man will do well as most of those movies seem to but the others, I can’t be so sure. We went to see Pitch Perfect 2 a few weeks ago and that had even more previews of movies I thought would be terrible. That’s where I saw preview for the movie, Minions. I would rather spend the afternoon with my dentist discussing possible root canals than seeing that movie.

One of the great things about movies is the soundtrack. Think Titanic, Grease, Purple Rain. The Flashdance soundtrack had a great song “She’s a Maniac”  When I hear this song, I always think of my friend Megan. She’s into spinning (biking to nowhere as I like to call it) and this seems like it would be her theme song in class. Maybe cause she’s a maniac if she doesn’t exercise, that she’s a maniac when she does…

Day 1 of Kathryn’s summer vacation and she has transformed the backyard into one big slip and slide. And they say kids these days aren’t creative! The grass is probably ruined but that means less mowing for Mike. I’m sure to hear the stories of how she made Smokey participate. He loves to be part of the excitement but is not a fan of water. He probably sat next to it and barked.

One summer, I did a Motley Camp for my step kids. Each week we had a different theme and we did stuff around that theme. Sometimes it was a day activity and sometimes it was at night after dinner. Then each kid had a chance to pick a place they wanted to go. It was actually a lot of fun. We still laugh about a craft we were doing one night that my stepson Jonathan just could not do. Kristina said, very sincerely, “Good job, Jonathan.” We all knew this was a lie but hey, she was trying to be supportive.

This year Kathryn is working again at the barn where she rides and also taking an online class to knock it out before next year. Next year at this time, she’ll probably be driving. She reminds me of this all the time. Great, I say, that means you can work more. I don’t think that is what she is looking forward to doing!

Today I picked “Slip Slidin’ Away” by Paul Simon. Might not be about Slip n Slides, but it’s still a great song.

Today was Kathryn’s last day of school. She doesn’t have exams tomorrow and she insists the teachers don’t want to see her on Monday either.  We went out to dinner to celebrate the end of a successful freshman year. I deem it a success because:

1. She was able to make new friends, but keep the old.

2. She wasn’t beaten up or bullied.

3. She didn’t miss the bus once.

4. She did well academically.

The academics is last in my eyes. There’s so much pressure on these kids to do well, that is it counterproductive. They are freaking out, worried that at age 14 or 15, they are washouts. We are fortunate she’s like her brother Jonathan – a self-motivated student. In fact, there have been a number of times when I’ve asked if she wants to go do something only to be told she has to study. This is said, of course, in a tone that implies I am a bad influence on her.

As I sat waiting to pick her up today, I noticed some of the outfits the kids were wearing. Why, when it is the hottest day of the year, are they in sweatshirts and pants but in the winter, when the wind chill is fierce, are they in shorts? I mentioned to Kathryn “What Not to Wear” might want to come and chat with some of the students. When I described the outfits I saw, I was told that is what is in style.

We were talking some more about the outfits and she mentioned that a friend of hers was going bathing suit shopping and was told, by a guy friend “Modest is the hottest.” This made my day because I’m covered up at the beach so no sun can reach me so I must be the hottest thing there! Woo hoo! We both had a laugh over that. Kathryn might have laughed a bit too hard…

Today’s song from my IPod is from the Go Go’s “Vacation” – another great 80’s hit!

So, day two of Mike and Kristina’s cross country adventure finds them crossing the state of Kansas, home of the Jayhawks and Dorothy and Toto. As many people know, I am not a fan of the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” As a kid, my Dad took my sister and I to see it at the theater. It was supposed to be a treat but for me, it was a nightmare. Those monkeys flying at you at such a grand scale. Ugh. You will never find me at some “Wizard of Oz” screening and sing-a-long. The screens at those events are even larger than at the theater.

I do like the music from the movie though and when I heard this version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” I had to have it.

Here’s wishing them a monkey and tornado free ride through Kansas.

Today Mike and Kristina embarked on their cross-country trip to CA where Kristina starts a new job on Monday. As anticipated, Kristina waited until the last minute to do any packing, despite knowing since April when she would be traveling. Last evening,  when we saw how little she had done, Kathryn and I decided the best approach was to stay out of the way. No need.  Kristina was out running errands and dropping stuff off at her friend’s house, so when she got to work, around 11pm, we were already in bed. But, despite the shaky start, they are off. Because of the timing, there won’t be a lot of sight-seeing although I’m sure it will be a trip to remember for other reasons.

Today, I’ve chosen Christopher Cross’ “Ride like the Wind” in honor of their trip. And unlike Mr. Cross, they shouldn’t be near the border of Mexico but then again, you never know. When asked what route they were taking, either a more northerly route via St. Louise or more a more southern approach, Kristina did a gesture with her hands moving them up and down and in both directions. Let’s hope Siri isn’t acting the fool and gets them there!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8ftRFb2Ac

All of us have been touched by cancer. When you are far away from the person you know that has it, you feel useless. If you lived close, you could bring meals, lie on the bed with them and tell funny stories and chat or just be quiet (that wouldn’t be the job for me). You could help with their kids or take care of errands etc. Both of my college roommates have had breast cancer. Both lived in different states than me. I wished, while each was going through their treatment, that I was closer.

Another friend of mine, Michele, whose husband died from leukemia, told me about a group called Chemo Angels. This group is designed to support cancer patients through their treatment by sending  cards and small gifts. You commit to writing or contacting them at least once a week. When he/she finishes their treatment, the patient lets the admins at the Chemo Angels know and you get a note to say your patient has finished the program. During the course of your assignment, you get updates on their progress. Without fail, every patient has said how much they appreciate knowing someone is thinking about them and sending caring thoughts their way. I think it is a great program and I’m currently on my 6^th assignment.

It can be a bit awkward writing to someone you don’t know and who is under no obligation to write back. But, it I figure that everyone loves mail (except bills) and if I can make someone’s day letting them know I was thinking about them, that’s great. I try to write my patient twice a week.  My friend Ivette puts up a Hump Day joke each Wednesday. A lot of times I’ll share that as part of my note. Sometimes I just write about what’s going on in my life (there is always something humorous there) or if I know they have a special interest like a sport, will write about that. The Chemo Angels have a great section on their website to help you get started.

If you have an interest in getting involved, please read about the program at their website http://chemoangels.wix.com/chemo-angels-1   You really won’t regret getting involved.

Today from my IPod, I’ve chosen a newer song (yes, composed after the 1980’s) “Welcome Yourself” by Amy Grant. She wrote the song with her friend Beth Nielsen Chapman, a cancer survivor. Proceeds from the song supposed cancer research.

Friday night I was flipping around the TV and came across a PBS station playing a documentary on John Denver. My first reaction was astonishment that they are able to raise funds with a John Denver show but then I realized the extent of his popularity with people my age. I guess we are the age to support PBS stations these days.

While it was great to hear this music, I learned some really interesting things about him. He was one of the first musicians to use his celebrity to raise money for a cause. He wrote and recorded the song “Caylapso” in 1975 as a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his research ship, the Calypso. Cousteau’s son was in the film and said while he didn’t know the exact amount, he knew that the song made a lot of money for the Cousteau Society.

Additionally, he was one of the first to work on hunger in Africa. He was asked to serve on the Presidential Commission on World and Domestic Hunger during the Carter years. He was one of the founders of The Hunger Project, an organization committed to the sustainable end of chronic hunger.

John toured African countries devastated by drought and starvation as a representative of UNICEF. He performed benefit concerts for global hunger and environmental efforts, and was even awarded the Presidential “World Without Hunger” award and yet despite all this work, he wasn’t invited to be part of the song “We are the World.” Seems like such a snub – someone who actually had done more than probably anyone else involved, wasn’t there. Unfortunately for him, his popularity had dwindled by the time that song was released.

His Windstar Foundation, which has since closed, was an environmental education and humanitarian organization and aimed to education people around the world about environmental issues.

I never knew all that about him and it gave me a better appreciation of him as a person. As a kid, I did have some John Denver socks. They were pretty cool with his face on them. I tried to find a picture online, but alas, there wasn’t one that I could find. You will just have to imagine how incredibly cool they were.

I’ve chosen “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” for today. It used to be sung at the 7th inning stretch at the Baltimore O’s games. Not sure if they still sing it but it is a great song.

Wow, I made it to 30 days of music from my IPod. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Yesterday I mentioned I saw Rodney Crowell in concert. I don’t listen to much country music so I was not familiar with him. He was married to Rosanne Cash so he’s almost country royalty. I thought he was pretty good and soon after I saw him, he released the song “It’s Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long” with The Notorious Cherry Bombs. The band, which he started and served as his backup band under the name The Cherry Bombs, decided to record a reunion record that features this song, and was a hit for them.

In the band is Vince Gill, one country singer I have seen in concert. I’d heard about him but it wasn’t until Eric Clapton invited him to play with him at his Crossroad Guitar Festival, that I really paid any attention. If Clapton wanted him to perform, I figured he must be good.

It’s a fun song and good for a laugh. Let’s not get all crazy and say it is sexist. It’s funny, that’s all. No big message coming from it. No harm intended.

Another odd grouping concert I attended was one where Nanci Griffith, Jackson Browne, Roger Daltrey and Rodney Crowell performed.  It was a benefit for a cause I’d never heard of but I want to hear Nanci Griffith and Jackson Browne. Apparently, Nanci and Roger appeared together with The Chieftans at some point but I’m not sure how the others fit in.

Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty” was a huge song as was “Doctor My Eyes.”  One of his other hit songs, although I hadn’t heard it until then, was “These Days.” It was recorded by other artists including Glen Campbell and Greg Allman. I particularly like Glen Campbell’s version but Jackson’s is ok too!

The song is about loss and regret and he wrote it in his teens. It’s a pretty profound song for someone that age. As I was looking for a version on YouTube, I saw this comment under the video – pretty funny –

“Don’t confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them”.  Pretty grown up lyrics for a young man who was only 17 years old when he wrote this song…………..  last month Bieber wrote “check out my new haircut”, and “I’ll be your boyfriend for a red-bull” composed on a kazoo.”

I haven’t thought or heard about Jackson Browne in years but I see he’s coming to Wolf Trap in September. Seems like all these “old” guys are touring again. He’s 66 – not really that old at all.

Years ago, when the Capital Centre was still around, there was a concert at Christmas time which benefited Toys for Tots or Salvation Army. I went with my friends Stacey and Lori to see it. I  think we took Stacey as a birthday gift. Stacey was a huge Rick Springfield fan and he was one of four groups playing that night. Juice Newton, Quarterflash and I think, the Four Tops, were the others.  I’m aging myself just listing those groups.They were all popular at the time although I think the Four Tops were sort of on a reunion tour, as in the 80’s, they would have already been around 20+ years..

This was the age of going to a concert early, sitting in the parking lot playing the performer’s music on a tape in your car stereo until it was time to go in. Looking back, I wonder why we had to play the music the whole way there and in the parking lot when we were just about to go see a group live, but that was what you did.

It was an odd assortment of performers that night and while I’m sure there were some huge Juice Newton and Quarterflash fans, it is no doubt that Rick Springfield was the main event. He was already popular for his role on “General Hospital” and being a rock star was just the icing on the cake.

I think his song of “Jesse’s Girl” is one of those songs that takes you back exactly to the time it was popular. It’s one of those songs that if you know it, you sing it. And it is best played with the volume way up. Enjoy!