Sunday things...

17 December 2023: I know I just did this kind of post on Friday, but today had a lot of good things worth remembering:

1) On our way to Winchester (more about that in a bit), Amy and I stopped at the new Tudor's Biscuit World in Inwood. It was packed but the line moved quick enough considering and the food was delicious, of course.

2) We saw Waitress (the filmed stage version with Sara Bareilles), which was so lovely. I had seen a stage version at the National Theater with Jane and it was great, but hearing Sara sing the song--and getting a close up view of the actors--was terrific. 

3) After, we did some Christmas shopping and I crossed a few more things off my list.

4) At one store, a young woman sort of did a double-take and said, "You were my teacher, I think?" She looked familiar and when she said her name, I absolutely remembered her. I won't put in writing here the really kind thing she told me about my class, but after we talked and I walked away, I felt myself get teared up over how amazingly lucky I am to get to do what I do and get to hear things like that. She's a Spanish teacher now, which also makes me happy. 

Came home, wrapped some gifts, and am chilling for a bit with Jo and Veronica. New Christmas Bob's Burgers tonight and then probably and then probably an early bedtime. For a very dark, foggy, and rainy day, there was a lot of metaphorical sunlight shining through. 

"If I Can't Have You"

 16 February 2023: On another busy, meeting-filled, "big to-do list," day, this song had me doing some chair-dancing. Always grateful for that. 

Sunday vibes...

15 May 2022: Finished my weekly book goal to-do list, along with some house-cleaning and yard work this weekend. Also submitted everything for the department newsletter. So, a very good week for summer productivity. 

Resisting the urge to get even more work done and instead sitting here with Wes, with the windows open and some post-rain breeze coming in. Action at the bird feeder is really delightful: goldfinches (up to three at once!), a bluebird, cardinals, and a great big woodpecker. Treating myself to Girls5Eva season 2. I also had lunch with my parents earlier and have some leftovers in the fridge. Might not even have to cook tonight. Chill time!

"Safe Place to Land"

29 December 2021: 

"The ocean is wild and over your head

And the boat beneath you is sinking

Don't need room for your bags, hope is all that you have

So say the Lord's Prayer twice, hold your babies tight

Surely someone will reach out a hand

And show you a safe place to land"

This song came on Pandora today and it hit me so hard. I've heard it so many times before, but something about this specific moment--where I (and we) are right now--just got to me. 

(I am holding off on posting about the Sara Bareilles song that has been my official pandemic anthem until we are really on the other side of this. But when I decided to wait, I don't think I ever dreamed we'd need over two years to get to that point. Something to look forward to, I guess?) 

Midterm grading: DONE!

10 October 2021: Just hit submit on the last set of grades. Long day so far, with a lot more to get done, but getting these done feels very good. I am almost certain this has come up as a chair-dancing song before, but this was literally playing on Pandora when I entered the last number and is still playing now as I type this. It always makes me happy, so we'll use it again.

Mood lifter...

6 September 2021: Only recently started to let youtube play on the TV while I am working. Keeping it vague, it's been a tough day/weekend in lots of ways. This song and its amazing video, though, which just popped up? Instant mood lifter.  

"4 Stars"

21 May 2021: Today really felt like summer--it's hot out and I only had one meeting. I mowed the lawn this morning, did some writing this afternoon, and kind of called the work part quits by 4:00. (Might do a bit more writing at some point...) Watched a dumb movie, got some good pizza for dinner, and am just kind of chilling. Nothing too exciting.

And it's been a good day. Not terrific. Not amazing. But pretty good and that's so much more than enough. And just as I was thinking about that, this fun video from Sara Bareilles and the Girls5Eva gang came across my timeline. 

First, it's a banger. Amazing chorus. Hilarious and moving lyrics. Sara wrote this one and you can tell (in the best way). Second, it's so fun to see the girls interacting like this. And third, what a good message, right? Especially today, I am grateful for what is often a "four star life."

"Wicked Love"

27 April 2020:

"You said I think too much
You said I always mess it up
It was so easy to believe
I've always said the same things

Stay out, honey, I can see you're wicked
And I don't want your wicked love
Don't need what makes me feel addicted
I don't want your wicked love"



These days, I often find my mental powers quite depleted by early in the evening. So, I am okay with letting music do the talking...

Friday night pondering...

18 January 2019: This song, particularly this version, has been in my head all week. Fits my mood, I guess, for the week and for tonight.

"Winter Song"

20 December 2018: Kind of gloomy day around here today, but this song brings a kind of comfort and light.

"Between the Lines"

9 August 2017: “So I've learned to listen through silence.” –Sara Bareilles, “Between the Lines”

A quiet day here, one split between two very different sets of activities. The morning was more physical: a long walk and then yard work galore. The afternoon/evening: preparing PowerPoint presentations for my Bible as Literature class. Regardless, I have spent a lot of time in my own head space.

The line above, from yet another Sara Bareilles song (is she secretly one of my favorites of all time now, without me even realizing it?), stood out to me today because A) it fits my blog theme for the year and B) it is a kind of (not necessarily easy) answer to some big questions I have been wondering about. It’s almost a cliché, I know, but what you don’t hear speaks volumes. That’s good and probably quite healthy to remember, realize, and admit.

Now back to those thrilling PowerPoints I go…

"Gravity"

27 June 2017:

"Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am, and I stand
So tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me" --Sara Bareilles, "Gravity"

A good day overall, but man, this song gets to me and makes me feel stuff. And Pandora seems to think that I need to hear it all the time, so I guess it can work for today's "listening" entry.

"I Choose You"

4 April 2017:

"There was a time when I would have believed them
If they told me that you could not come true
Just love's illusion.
But then you found me
And everything changed
And I believe in something again.

My whole heart
Will be yours forever
This is a beautiful start
To a lifelong love letter" --Sara Bareilles, "I Choose You"

Sigh. Love this little song and its simple joy, optimism, and faith. And I heard it at just the right time today.