marcoujor: What's Going On?

​After a week of the unexpected (political and personal) and the death of two legendary musical legends, I begin this week's musings with a song that's been running through my head.

I don't really expect an answer to this question:  

What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye...
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Today, November 16th, would have been my Dad's 93rd birthday.

This time of year brings back memories of my earlier years and wisdom I gained from both of my parents. These early lessons have prepared me well for any number of life issues. ​

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched

The Story behind this saying from 570 B.C. occurs in Aesop's fable, The Milkmaid and Her Pail.

Patty, a farmer's daughter, is daydreaming as she walks to town with a pail of milk balanced on her head.

Her thoughts: "The milk in this pail will provide me with cream, which I will make into butter, which I will sell in the market, and buy a dozen eggs, which will hatch into chickens, which will lay more eggs, and soon I shall have a large poultry yard. I'll sell some of the fowls and buy myself a handsome new gown and go to the fair, and when the young fellows try to make love to me, I'll toss my head and pass them by."

At that moment, Patty tossed her head and lost the pail-full of milk.

Her mother admonished, "Do not count your chickens before they are hatched."

(Taken from The People's Almanac)​

​Mom was cautious. She didn't believe in sure things. She believed that actions speak louder than words.

With completely different styles, Mom and Dad both showed me how strong we can be when we put our minds to it. There were countless times, then and now, when our family does not see eye to eye; yet a family we remain. Our foundation is solid.

Mom and Dad always agreed on how great our country was/is.  I could not wait to reach voting age. Haven't missed an election day and don't intend to any time soon thanks to Mom's example as the strongest woman I've ever known. She taught me how hard women had to fight for the privilege of voting.

My parents instilled a sense of self-responsibility and accountability. Through my life, I have never allowed a teacher, a boss, really anyone, to shape my thoughts to the effect that I would behave in a manner that was not internally driven. I have enjoyed the gift of intellectual curiosity--keeping an open mind to different viewpoints.

In my life experience I have come to believe we are indeed greater than the sum of our parts. So is our great country that today seems quite divided. I intend to carry on, remain strong, and keep open to the possibilities of a new day in January, 2017.

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​R.I.P.

...to Canadian poet and musician, Leonard Cohen, and Oklahoma musician and song-writer, Leon Russell, 82 years and 74 years respectively, who died over this last week.

These two men spent their lives crafting profound life-poetry and translating it into musical sounds that are distinct and relatable. ​

The older I get, the surer I am that I'm not running the show. -Leonard Cohen

Cohen died less than four months after his muse and former girlfriend, Marianne Ihlen.  She was the subject of Cohen's 1967 track which is one of my many favorites, So Long Marianne.

I love you in a place where there's no space or time. I love you for my life 'cause you're a friend of mine. 
-Leon Russell

​Speaking of this quote, I was drawn to this iconic song by Leon Russell, A Song for You, from 1970. Almost fifty years later, I'm convinced this song is embedded in my life's soundtrack.

Something else I love is...

...how Andy and Zoey decided over this past weekend to become the best of friends. It took a little over three weeks.

All the sniffing and exploring and measured (supervised) visits paid off. There was no predicting this outcome either. I was prepared for the worst and now derive daily joy from this joined at the booty brother-sister act. ​

These days Andy is crooning a little Queen song, You're My Best Friend.

​Not to be outdone, Zoey is giving back some Diana Ross and The Supremes, Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

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​ShoutOuts

​☙ Change...And Memories via WarnerWords

​☙ Healing Steps: A Workbook For Dealing With Loss by Vicki Warner via flashPress

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Until next week, keep the music going; keep a song of hope in your heart.
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mar