Inspiration

Inspiration comes from many sources...like being stuck at work with a real bad country music radio station playing over the PA system (is there any other kind of country music station???).

I was inspired to write this, which could be made into a slightly racey, short, funny country song:

I Hate Country Music

We were parking at the drive-in late last Saturday night

Mary Jane was close beside me and I was holding her so tight

Before the movie started she turned on the radio

Tuned the dial quickly--but then I shouted “NO!”

I said, “I really hate that ‘music’,” as I made quotation fingers,

“The verses are as lousy as the smell of skunk that lingers.

Give me Ozzy or the Beatles, Aerosmith or Pink Floyd,

But don’t you turn on country music--that stuff makes me annoyed!”

Mary Jane just looked right at me as if I’d lost my head,

She reached across, turned up the radio, and this is what she said,

She said, “I just love Keith Urban, Toby Keith and Conway Twitty,

And if you make me turn this music off, then get your hand off of my titty.

You see, this music talks of life and love, of how men and women ought to be,

And if you’d listen to the lyrics, then I think that you would see.

But you would rather hear your rock n’ roll, your Chili Peppers and Mudvayne,

But when you turn that stuff on way too loud it gives my head a pain!”

I took my arm off of her shoulder then, just as my hand had reached it’s goal,

I sat back in my cordovan vinyl seat, and searched deep within my soul.

Just what was it about country that I really didn’t like?

Was it the sameness of the vocals, that they all sounded just alike?

Was it the themes that talked of losing love, losing trucks, and apple pie?

Was it written somewhere that country songs have to make you cry?

Was it the fact that every singer had the same ol’ Southern twang,

Or was it just the sound of the dobros as the good ol’ cowboys sang?

I had to be honest (to myself), the list of reasons just kept growing,

The stuff I hate about that music was beyond one person’s knowing.

But then I smiled a little smile, and looked at Mary Jane,

I turned up the radio really loud, wincing silently in pain.

But I got my touchy-feely at the drive-in not much later

And even her love of country couldn’t make me hate her,

But I’ve got to tell you, Mary Jane, and I hope you will forgive,

‘cuz I never will like country, not as long as I do live,

Give me Queen or Bryan Adams, Journey or No Doubt,

But don’t you turn on country music—unless you’re willing to put out!

©Aimless Rambler, 11/07/2005

And so it goes...

June, I'm home...June? JUNE!!!

This is some very funny stuff from the May 13^th , 1955 issue of Housekeeping Monthly.

This is “The Good Wife’s Guide”:

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time, for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first—remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order, and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

Wow. How things have changed in 50 years. Where is June Cleaver when you need her???

And so it goes…

Been long and long...again

Seems like I always get started on something...and never quite finish it. Like blogging, for instance.

It's been a busy month, but a fruitful one. Attended (and officiated) two weddings the weekend of October 15th, so that was a busy one.

Decorated my house for Halloween. That was busy and fruitful.

Did I mention that around the time of my last blog I was on vacation, but also had pneumonia? That was NOT busy, NOT fruitful, and just downright sucked the big one.

But all this has passed into the mists of time...and onto other things.

Creating sound bytes for my brother's upcoming exciting project (more as that progresses).

Getting the house ready for winter. Oh joy.

Getting ready for my youngest daughter's sweet 16...and golden birthday.

Getting ready for Christmas--and this year, if the weather cooperates, I'm going to decorate the outside of the house before it gets down into the single digits. Brrrr.

I'm writing again--not just blogs, but real, honest to goodness fiction. I hope I can keep the creative juices flowing long enough to at least finish one of my many fits and starts.

Guess only time will tell.

As Albert Einstein said: "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."

Thank goodness for time.

And so it goes...