Friday, December 18, 2009

Favorite Things

While sitting in a cafe yesterday, working on a new novel and sipping a latte, the classic song “My Favorite Things” wafted through hidden speakers and over to my ears. Okay, to be honest, this song is not on my ipod (apologies, Julie Andrews). I, frankly, prefer something more Stevie Ray Vaughn, Southside Johnny (I grew up in New Jersey), or U2. Still, given that I was engaged in two of my favorite things (writing and sipping a latte), plus the fact that I was feeling a wee bit holiday sentimental, the lyrics snagged my attention. In case you don’t know all of them, here they are:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes

Silver white winters that melt into spring

These are a few of my favorite things!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember

my favorite things

and then I don't feel so bad!

So, what are your favorite things? What cheers you when a dog bites or a bee stings, when you’re bummed or feeling rotten? For me, my three Siamese (ears to tail, not just their whiskers) Boo the black cat, and our very old dog, J.D. (cataracts and all).


Also, pretty much any color or color combo of pony or horse, great friends full of fun and laughter, great books, and, of course, writing time. But please don’t ask me to sing about these. This would not be anyone’s favorite thing. Believe me.

6 comments:

  1. My hubby's good at cheering me up along with my big old sweet dog. Hot chocolate (any kind of chocolate really) is definitely a favorite thing, along with the ocean, white sand beaches, glorious sunsets and a good book. (These are just a few of my favorite things.)

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  2. Strolling with that big old sweet dog on a white sand beach during a sunset over the ocean sounds like pure bliss to me. : ) Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I love hot cider and Biscoff cookies. I love sleep in Saturdays (wonderful, but rare) and clean kitchens (even more rare).

    Ah...good things.

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  4. Boy, do I agree about a clean kitchen being a favorite thing! But here, too, this is rare. I'll add that having a spanking clean house is one of my favorite things, but again, rather rare. But a girl can dream, right? Thanks, Tess!

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  5. I like these sorts of postings because they show something of the introspective and natural curiosity of the author. It's important to be able to slow down the world and appreciate the small details, eh? Thanks for a smile.

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  6. I'm so glad that you liked this post, Stewart. And I agree that slowing down to appreciate the details is crucial. Especially as life speeds up--as it tends to do. Thanks for your comment!

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