I am over this nasty weather. OVER IT. It's cold, windy, and rain is threatening. The high today may not even hit 60. Michael almost wore a jacket this morning.
This is HOT-lanta, dadgummit. It's nearly April.
This is unacceptable.
Alesia said last night she was mad at God for taking away the spring weather.
I second that emotion.
I like to live not in Georgia but in a state some people call Denial.
I wore a short-sleeved shirt and planted 10 onion plants yesterday in the ground.
Then I went over to a gravel area and weeded like it was July. Yep, yanked those stupid weeds right out of the ground.
Completing the picture of summer fantasy, the ice cream truck came down our street and seemed to linger forever, playing its semi-jaunty tune. I kept listening and listening because I knew I knew that tune but I couldn't quite figure it out. Finally, I did. It was a mournful version of Camptown Races.
The other day when we took Colton to lunch the kids were looking out the window as we ate, and they were astonished to see the ice cream truck park, right there at the Steak N'Shake. And human beings got out! And they came in to eat lunch! The kids said this in awed tones, like we were witnessing Santa Claus and an elf come in for a sandwich and a cup of coffee.
Just when I think they are jaded teens, they express wonder at the ice cream truck being teleported magically away from our street, into the land of regular mortals.
"Look, the guy that drives the truck has to eat real food, y'all. He's not just gonna eat ice cream all the time," I pointed out logically.
They just stared at me like "why not"?
LOL
My plan for today was to start my spring cleaning by giving my room a thorough cleaning. It's so messy this will be an all-day chore. But nope, it's not happening. I decided early that today is not the day after all. I slept badly last night. One of the few perks of being unemployed was that after I got Mike to school I was able to come home and crawl back in bed for some more sleep.
My neighbor down the street got some landscaping done today. I know that because the trucks rolled up to his house at exactly 7:20 and started unloading. Hearing the rumble of those big trucks caused Coco to nearly levitate in a frenzy of barking.
She has barked sporadically all morning.
I have given up trying to sleep.
I wish she would take a break from barking.
In an attempt to drown her out, I am listening to my iTunes selections and trying to wake my sluggish brain. In case you're curious, here are some of my favorite tunes:
"Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin - I love a jaunty tune about murder.
"I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra. I wonder if they play this at plastic surgery clinics?!
"Good Times" by Chic - this was playing the other day as I cleaned the toilet, "These are such good times!" goes the song. I had to chuckle at the irony.
"Boogie Wonderland" by Earth Wind & Fire - this is what everyone in my high school listened to. EWF tunes were played at any gathering. As a freshman, two friends and I did a little dance routine to EWF favorites for the talent show. That was the last time I danced in public. Pear-shaped people are usually not talented in that area, is all I have to say about that.
"The Oogum Boogum Song" by Brenton Wood. The 1960's were a golden time for music and not just the Beatles. I love beach type music like this. "Give Me Just a Little More Time" by the Chairmen of the Board instantly starts a parade of happy memories.
"Get the Funk Outta My Face" by the Brothers Johnson - You may laugh but I am a huge fan of old-school funk like this. I can sing all the words to this [quite carefully around Michael] and other such classics like "Strawberry Letter 23."
I may be a pasty white person outside, but inside I am a person of color. I LOVE old school funk and R&B.
Then there's Eva Cassidy, who is in her own category. I became a fan of her music in an odd way. Years ago, in May 2001, I was watching the news one night and a story came on about Eva Cassidy. She was not well-known in her lifetime but after her early death in 1996 a posthumous album called Songbird started to get noticed. By the time of the show I watched she was a huge hit in England and her popularity spread to America. She was an amazing vocalist on songs ranging from classics like "Over the Rainbow" to jazz, blues, and gospel songs. Her version of "Wayfaring Stranger" is my all-time favorite. Her version of "Fields of Gold" is much better than Sting's and I am a huge fan of Sting.
The day after I saw that story about Eva I went to Borders trying to find one of her albums. I looked and looked, growing ever more discouraged. Finally, I asked a clerk, who happened to be a tall black guy, if he had any idea where I might find Eva's music. I fully expected him to say "Who?!" but to my utter shock, he went over and pulled out her CD of Songbird, telling me how much he liked her music. He started laughing at my expression of astonishment. "Eva's got soul. I love her stuff," he explained.
I listened to that CD until I wore it out. I gave copies to friends who have similar musical tastes to mine. Even my mother likes Eva - and she considers Aretha Franklin "A crazy rock n' roll singer" - that's a direct quote.
You know that old cliche question, if you could only take one album to a desert island what would you take? Well, I'd take Songbird.
Anyway, I am going to continue my quest to wake up fully and stay warm. Y'all have a good day.