I was sitting on the porch, soaking in some mid-day sun, and I had the strangest thought:  This moment in time will never come again & I will, one day, long for it.  It was such an odd feeling; it was like going back in time to the last moment I felt that way.  Circa 1987…

I had skipped school on a sunny late spring day to ride my bicycle and breathe in the scent of freedom and fun and summer’s almost here.  Even then, I knew I had to hold on because the days are going to fly by.

I’m not entirely sure what triggered it.  The nice weather?  The peaceful atmosphere?  The dual-cassette deck I dragged home from the D.A.V. shop?  Music from a time when life was a dream?

At any rate, I had a fantastic day of shopping (lots of pink and green frilly things!) and I am now enjoying a lazy day in the sun.  The grass is mowed.  The bills are paid.  All is well!

Just wanted to take the time out & thank the powers-that-be for providing such a wonderful life.  As much as I’d love to take all the credit myself, I know I can’t.

I’ve always had a little help along the way from my family, my friends, a few co-workers, perfect strangers…  they’ve all made an incredible difference in my life & I wouldn’t be able to find the door without them all.

The only thing I can really take credit for is a change of attitude, becoming more open to new experiences, and making a conscious decision to focus on what is most important to me in life.  Tomorrow begins a whole new chapter.  I’ve been waiting a long time for this.  I’m right where I want to be & I wouldn’t change a thing.

I love this song… that’s really all I have to say about it!

“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion
Is nothing new
Flashback warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories,
Time after

Sometimes you picture me
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you’ve said
Then you say go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time

After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows you’re wondering
If I’m OK
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time

You said go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time

Time after time
Time after time
Time after time

I know, I know… I’ve said a thousand times that I hate country music.  But, technically, this is a pop song by a predominantly country artist… so it’s still true.  Right?  Right.  Anyway, it’s a good thing I love a rainy night, because I’m going to get one.

“I Love A Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt

Well, I love a rainy night
I love a rainy night
I love to hear the thunder
Watch the lightning
When it lights up the sky
You know it makes me feel good

Well, I love a rainy night
It’s such a beautiful sight
I love to feel the rain
On my face
Taste the rain on my lips
In the moonlight shadow

Showers washed
All my cares away
I wake up to a sunny day
‘Cos I love a rainy night
Yeah, I love a rainy night
Well, I love a rainy night
Well, I love a rainy night

I love a rainy night
I love a rainy night
I love to hear the thunder
Watch the lightning
When it lights up the sky
You know it makes me feel good

Well, I love a rainy night
It’s such a beautiful sight
I love to feel the rain
On my face
To taste the rain on my lips
In the moonlight shadows

Puts a song
In this heart of mine
Puts a smile on my face every time

‘Cos I love a rainy night
Yeah, I love a rainy night
Ooh, I love a rainy night
Yeah, I love a rainy night

Showers washed
All my cares away
I wake up to a sunny day
‘Cos I love a rainy night
Yeah, I love a rainy night
Well, I love a rainy night
I love a rainy night
Well, I love a rainy night
You can see it in my eyes
Yeah, I love a rainy night
Well, it makes me high
Ooh, I love a rainy night
You know I do, yeah, yeah
I love a rainy night

One of my fave lesser known GENESIS songs… written by the fabulous Tony Banks.

“Evidence of Autumn” by Tony Banks of GENESIS

The girl from all those songs
Who made everything feel right
She came in like an angel, into your lonely life
And filling your world with light
Oh, and everybody told you “you’re oh so lucky”

Curtains part revealing a country scene
Clothed in green and brown
Evidence of autumn
And recent rain
On a winding lane, a byway
Walking on that road is a certain girl
In all the world the one
Guaranteed to move you and turn your head
When all’s been said and done

The girl from all those songs
Who made everything feel right
She came in like an angel, into your lonely life
And filling your world with light
Oh, and everybody told you “you’re oh so lucky”

The night is clear but cool
Ooh maybe dawn is breaking as you turn to find her gone
Then you see the note
Ooh you cannot believe it
And you think you’ll go insane…

But that was many years ago
And though the pain is dim
A something still remains
Though you hardly can recall
Her face or form
Her memory lingers on
Ooh she made everything feel right
She came in like an angel (in like an angel),
Into your lonely life (into your life)
And filling your world with light
Oh and everybody told you “you’re oh so lucky”

Give me a few drinks,

And I’ll tell you about my car,

And how hard it is to stay in style,

And all the while,

The tires are as worn

As the smile

I cannot fake.

I’ll tell you how

I got to where I am

And all about

The way I thought it was

And why I gave in

To the pleasures fleeting fast.

About the past,

You’ll hear it all,

The way it was before

The Fall.

The way I wanted it to be

And why I didn’t

Want to see

The way it is. 

What’s that?

We’ve met before?

Just a few more drinks

And I’ll find the door.

I love this song, but not in the same way I did when I first heard it on the soundtrack of Dream A Little Dream in 1989.  I actually get it now…

“Time Runs Wild” by Danny Wilde (of The Rembrandts)

To the people of China & Myanmar:

I will be keeping you all in my thoughts as you struggle to overcome the sadness and losses caused by the recent catastrophes in your region.  I know that money can never replace your family members or special things of sentiment, but it will help you rebuild your cities.  May G_d (the powers that be — or whatever diety you happen to believe in) be with you. 

Signed,

A fellow human

______________________

The Myanmar government reports place the official death toll at almost 23,000, but tens of thousands of people remain missing and unofficial reports suggest the death toll could rise as high as 100,000. The UN estimates that 1.5 million people are severely affected.

The 7.9 magnitude tremor, which was focused in China’s Sichuan Province, is estimated to have killed at least 19,500 people — and that toll is expected to rise dramatically as rescue teams continue to reach the most affected areas. In cities near the earthquake’s epicenter, thousands are buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. At least 60,000 people are still missing.

If anyone else is interested in donating, here are a few links:

http://www.mercycorps.org/chinaearthquake/

http://www.care.org/newsroom/articles/2008/05/20080509_myanmar_cyclone_main.asp?source=170860490000&channel=default

http://cnreviews.com/uncategorized/china_earthquake_relief_and_donation_guide_-_will_update_20080514.html

Another fave…

“The Story In Your Eyes” by The Moody Blues

I've been thinking about our fortune
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
For the love that's deep inside us now
Is still the same

And the sounds we make together
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It's been shining down upon me now
I realize

Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We're part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day

But I'm frightened for your children
That the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain

Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We're part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day

But I'm frightened for the children
That the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain

When the final line is over
It's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet sweet love
For ever more

The first Genesis song I fell in love with…  I could listen to it over and over — I think I will!

“Follow You, Follow Me” by GENESIS

Stay with me,
My love I hope you’ll always be
Right here by my side if ever I needed you
Oh my love

In your arms,
I feel so safe and so secure
Everyday is such a perfect day to spend
Alone with you

I will follow you will you follow me
All the days and nights that we know will be
I will stay with you will you stay with me
Just one single tear in each passing year

With the dark,
I see so very clearly now
All my fears are drifting by me so slowly now
Fading away

I can say
The night is long but you are there
Close at hand I’m better for the smile you give
And while I live

I will follow you will you follow me
All the days and nights that we know will be
I will stay with you will you stay with me
Just one single tear in each passing year there will be

I will follow you …