Within the Words

Books and CDs are two of my favorite things. And, while the rest of the world may be going to e-books and iTunes, I like to have the hard copy within my grasp. To touch it. Feel it. Own a piece of the art.

I still have a library card. And use it.

Today, I bought 10 books for $3.50 at a used book sale. I am excited to delve into each one.

Recently I needed a new devotion, so I searched and searched on Amazon until I finally decided on two - one about the women of the bible and one featuring practical ways to respect your husband. My total for these two books was around $20. I needed to add one more thing so that I didn't have to pay S&H. Brad Paisley's new CD came out that day, and I haven't had a new CD in a while.


   

I waited with anticipation for the arrival of my new stories, new challenges, new wisdom, new adventures. And they finally arrived. There is nothing like that moment when you open a book for the first time or hear the first few notes of a song. You are about to fall in love with new characters. Hear new stories. Travel to new places. Learn about yourself. Become a better person. Get lost in the music, the scenery...see the world or change your life. All in the words of a new book or the lyrics of a new song.

I can go to the Amish country (and I have many times). I can experience what it's like to be a widow after 9/11. I can be part of the Baxter family. I can fall in love a million times and live in a hundred different places.

I can learn about the differences in men and women. Hear many different voices of advice on respecting my husband. Prepare for my marriage. And become a better woman for my man.

I can spend 90 days with Jesus. Experience the life of Esther. Become acquainted with all of the women of the bible - and be a witness to their courage. Take a trip to heaven and see how the world ends - looking forward to being in the arms of Jesus.

I can fall in love with Ol' Alabama. Get marriage advice from Brad Paisley. Tear up when I think of everything that terminally ill children go through and everything St. Jude's does to help. Heck, I can even follow the life of a prostitute, go to Mexico, and find pride in where I come from.

Words can break hearts and mends hearts. Challenge and uplift you. Take you to the moon and back... There's nothing like the anticipation as the first few chords begin to play. Wondering if this will be your new favorite song, if this will be the one that makes sense of everything, the one that changes the moment.

There's something about reading a book or listening to a new CD that is like falling in love. Curious, at first. Anticipating and unsure. You learn something new and unexpected with every word. Your feelings rise and fall. And pretty soon you have a favorite song. Or a favorite chapter. The moment that you look forward to. Then you learn the words, memorize the story...it becomes comfortable. It's still magical but in the way that an old friend is magical and safe and warm and familiar. That is what music and literature is. It's falling in love over and over again.

So, to end this post, I say: Go fall in love.

iPod: Think Outside the Box

Sometimes I see people walking with their iPods keeping them company, and I wonder what they're listening to.  I think that it would be humorous, at times, to find out.

..You can tell a lot about a person by the music they listen to. But I don't necessarily think you can judge them on that alone.

I think that I could be perceived as a Carrie Underwood fan. That would be the standard type of music that people could pair me with. And that would be accurate...BUT don't put me in a box. I truly love so many different types of music. In the past three days, as I made my trek around campus trying to add exercise to my daily routine, here are some of the artist who have put a pep in my step:

Aerosmith
Avalon
Backstreet Boys
Boys To Men
Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Celine Dion
Commodores
Conway Twitty
Def Leppard
Dolly Parton
Don Henley
Elvis Presley

Oh, and have I mentioned that I have 18 pandora stations..ranging from How Great Thou Art to Patty Loveless, from Classic Rock Songs to You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This, from Point of Grace to Reba...

So if you really could know what that person is listening to - it might surprise you.

New Favorite Songs

There are some new songs that I really love. And I must preface this by saying that country music is in my blood. I don't hear it, I feel it. It's a part of who I am. I do like most types of music - but nothing compares to country, and so many country songs from the past 20+ years equal memories to me, equal growing up.

I have included below some new songs that I really like and some other songs that I get excited to hear.

This is Country Music - Brad Paisley. Need I say more? I don't think Brad has the best vocals in the world, but he chooses some good songs. And this one says everything I feel about country music. 

 "...You’re not supposed to say the word “cancer” in a song.
And tellin’ folks Jesus is the answer can rub ‘em wrong.
It ain’t hip to sing about tractors, trucks, little towns, and mama, yeah that might be true.
But this is country music and we do..."


Old Alabama - Brad Paisley. My Dad loves the country group Alabama. They are his favorite group, so I grew up listening to them. I have positive feelings and many memories associated with this classic group, so a song about falling in love to Alabama songs hits home for me :)

"...And Barry White ain’t gonna work tonight, if you really wanna turn her on;
Play some back home come on music that comes from the heart,
Play something with lots of feeling, ‘cause that’s where music has to start…
Now we’re listenin' to Old Alabama, and we’re drivin' through Tennessee,
A little Dixieland Delight and It Feels So Right and its Love in the First Degree..."


Honey Bee - Blake Shelton. Call me country (and in musical taste I'm country to the core) but this song is very sweet to me. Plus, from an English nerd point of view, this song is a lyrical poem of comparisons and analogies.
Any song that has the line "You be my little Loretta, I'll be your Conway Twitty" is a winner to me, and I'd never turn down a guy who wanted to be "my sweet iced tea"!

If you’ll be my soft and sweet, I’ll be your strong and steady
You be my glass of wine, I’ll be your shot of whiskey
You be my sunny day, I’ll be your shade tree
You be my honeysuckle, I’ll be your honey bee
If you’ll be my Louisiana, I’ll be your Mississippi
You be my little Loretta, I’ll be your Conway Twitty
You be my sugar baby, I’ll be your sweet iced tea
You be my honeysuckle, I’ll be your honey bee

Mean- Taylor Swift. I am not a Taylor Swift fan. I think she's very talented and a good entertainer, but a little awkward with weak vocals. Her latest song, though, is so catchy! I can't help but sing along.

"...Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean..."

Some old favorites for you non-country fans.

Livin' On a Prayer - Who doesn't love Bon Jovi?
Don't Stop Believin' - Turn it up, roll the windows down, and attempt to belt the right words!
Keep on Lovin' You  - One of the best.
Two out of Three Ain't Bad - I will admit that I like Meat Loaf (not the food) and reference him often.

I'll probably post on music again. But for today here are some songs to make your weekend a little better :) 

"Music is what feelings sound like."

Music!

i love music. 

To me, music is the most spiritual, out-of-this-world experience other than God and love. It can express what you can't find the words to say. It can convey an emotion. Change a mood. Take you back to a memory. It comforts and celebrates. It cries and laughs.

I appreciate all types of music. But country holds my heart. It's in my blood. It's a passion of mine. I'm a country purist. I don't like when country singers cross over or when I hear a country song on a non-country station. There's something so real and beautiful about country musicians. They could be your neighbor. The beautiful woman that sings in church. The farmer down the road who is a loving husband and caring father.

My world stops whenever the first few notes of a late 80's/early 90's song pours through the speakers. "Don't Close Your Eyes", "Is There Life Out There", "I See It Now", "The Dance", "Strawberry Wine" and "So Good In Love" are just a few examples of some of those classic songs.

I like Walking after Midnight with Patsy and drawl out every letter of D-I-V-O-R-C-E as I listen to that unmistakable voice that is Tammy Wynette. And if I could have a concert in heaven? Well, it just might be from Keith Whitley - if he trusted God as his Savior and finds his home up there.

The Judds are on my Christmas list...because "Love Can Build A Bridge" is hands down one of the greatest. songs. ever.

Tonight on my way home I listened to Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas"...3 times! And sang it with all my might. It's my favorite Christmas song. It's sad and strong and weak and vulnerable. Her voice sounds like you could shatter it, yet it has a strength and purity that is seldom found. And the song sounds like candy. The last few words are like a hug from Dolly herself.


I think that music is one of the biggest blessings that we have here on earth. Listen to it. Appreciate it. Sing at the top of your lungs at the stoplight; it will inspire others! Enjoy it :)