The strangeness of life.
My true love bought me dandelion jelly this week.
The woman who sold it to him pronounced, “It tastes like honey.”
This morning I slathered clear-colored dandelion jelly atop a piece of Ezekiel Bread covered with natural crunchy peanut butter.
Breakfast!
Melt-in-your-mouth honey-flavored dandelion jelly, purchased by one’s true love (aka one’s husband of almost 35 years.)
I am thinking about “true loves” while cleaning the house. Don’t quibble with me over details. Of course, I ceased scrubbing and vacuuming in order to write this blog post.
Variety
Whilst cleaning in a housewifely manner, I am listening to 1950’s music on Pandora.
“Who wrote the Book of Love?” croons Sha-Na-Na.
I have no idea.
I have been partial to 1950’s music since the 1970’s when all my peers were grooving out on the Doors and Led Zeplin and Joe Cocker. That last sentence isn’t exactly true, because I also liked *some of* the aforementioned music and listened to it religiously.
But I also liked to go downstairs to the basement with a former boyfriend (who turned out not to be my true love) and listen to Honey Radio which featured songs from the 1950’s. The boyfriend tolerated this. I kid you not about Honey Radio. The acronyms were WHNN or something similar. Out of Detroit.
Let’s twist again like we did last summer…
Honey Radio did not taste like dandelion jelly, but it boogied big time.
Symmetry
The reason I am cleaning the house–and listening to 1950’s music–is because our two young’uns are coming home. Yes! Our daughter is coming Saturday for two weeks. She and I have tentative plans to walk a 5K on the 4th of July before picking up Christopher at the airport later that day.
We are afraid we won’t see much of Chris, as he’s coming home for one of his buddy’s weddings. He tells us his plans: camping, hiking, weddinging, and yes, maybe he’ll see us for five minutes. (Sorry, Chris! Just teasin’. The effects of the music & all.)
I used to listen to the kid’s music, too in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Just wanted to let you know I am not a *total* geek. (I’d like to thank the guy who wrote the song that made my baby fall in love with me…)
Whistles
When Ki was a teenager she used to listen to rap. You remember rap, right? Well, I fell head-over-heels with at least six rap songs. One was–oh darn, can’t remember with all this bee-bop music playing on the Kindle–please hold your horses while I email my daughter and inquire.
Excuse the delay. She just wrote back. I adored: Gravel Pit by Wu Tang Clan.
I walked in the ice rink one day when all the kids were skating and Gravel Pit blared out of the loudspeakers and my heart started palpitating (just like with the 50’s music) and I started dancing and proclaiming my True Love for Gravel Pit and one of the skaters whispered, “Oh my goodness, Ki’s mom LIKES this!”
It was a moment of glory, thank you very much.
In fact, for memory’s sake, let’s cruise on over to YouTube and see if this classic still exists and turn off that 1950’s delight and listen to:
Wow. I think that is the most risqué link I’ve ever posted on Lake Superior Spirit. I may not have liked the song had I viewed this video first. (In fact did not watch it until the end. Once the kung-fu fighting started…I decided to return to the 1950’s.)
OK, OK, I admit it. I haven’t started vacuuming yet. Must depart now. Perhaps shall even attempt to create a 1980’s station on Pandora. Don’t know what happened in the 1980’s. We were too busy raisin’ babies, you know.
**Susan Dee, this blog is especially for you. Thank you for being my friend!**
Lake Superior Spirit 
I just have to say the name “Ki” stuck out like a sore thumb to me. I have never heard that name other than my roomate in Walt Disney World! I absolutely love it- her name was short for another name but still an uncommon name at least in my tiny little world.
Our “Ki” is short for another name that ends in “ah” but I’m trying to avoid writing it because she asked. Did your friend’s name end in “ah”?
Have a great time visiting with your youngins! Cleaning (or procrastinating about cleaning) is a great way to listen to old music! I really enjoyed this, it makes me feel “normal”.
Thank you, Barb! I am glad you enjoyed reading this post. Would you like to come over today and help me finish cleaning the house? I got side-tracked yesterday.
Oh the days of listening to rap music with the Drue girls…such good memories! 🙂
Oh, Jen, you don’t know how delighted I was to see your comment! You’re one of the few people in the world that can remember those days with us. I still think of you so fondly.
How fabulous having your babies come home for a visit. I’m not at all surprised you had your moments of being a “cool” mom. My biggest problem with rap is parsing the lyric. I’d probably have to call my daughter to find out which one’s I like too.
I had a few moments of being a cool mom. Probably had more moments of being a terribly un-cool mom, alas, alack. Oh yes, the lyrics in rap songs. I can never understand them. It’s something about the beat in some of the songs that I did like. Although would never call myself a *rap fan*!
Music from the 50s, 60s, 70s – but a couple of songs I rarely think of but when I do I always tell myself how much I love them go back to when I was but a wee thing. Songs my parents listened to. Anybody here remember The Ink Spots?
I kinda–almost–remember the Ink Spots, Carol. From the days of listening to that Oldies station. I used to hide downstairs in the basement and listen to old old songs from the 40’s, too, that Mom and Dad grew up listening to. That’s when I first heard The Yellow Rose of Texas.
I like a few 50’s and 60’s songs, but I love 70’s – and I never got into rap
Are you done vacuuming yet? I promise the kiddos won’t mind if you miss a speck! They will mind though if you don’t share that dandelion jelly! May you make many happy memories together.
Heather, you wouldn’t believe it, I never even STARTED the vacuum cleaner yesterday afternoon! Got so preoccupied with writing this blog and reading comments and other things that the housecleaning went “out the window”. Hence, you know what today’s job is, don’t you? (And I don’t feel the compunction to clean excessively for the kids–not like I did when Ms. Heather and Mr. Tony came for a visit.) grin.
So sorry Kathy, but I had to throw the rap thing back to you. I think it is the beat and all the talking that I can’t stand. It matters not who are the rappers. My mood and my ears refuse to jive with the sound. Not that I have not tried to listen to rap because I have.
But gee whiz. How lucky can a person be to have their son and daughter visit? That’s good news for you.
And that honey flavored jelly sounds so good. In my former life I ate Ezekiel bread toasted with honey as a topping. Loved the stuff. I had to gove up gluten but I am hoping that I can go back to wheat at some point before I kick the bucket.
Now about the 50’s music. Love, love, love the stuff but I also like 60,70,80 stuff too. Also loved ABBA, The Beach Boys, Aerosmith, Chicago, ACDC, Prince, Tina Turner, James Taylor,, Carly Simon, Carol King, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Liked this post a lot. I didn’t want to but you made me laugh. 🙂
Yvonne, I know, most people don’t like rap. Heck, I don’t even like rap, except for those six songs. Glad you laughed! My friend Susan Dee said she was missing some of my funny blogs, so that’s why I wrote this one and dedicated it to her. Am indeed lucky to have the kids coming to visit–and at the same time! As for your 60s, 70’s and 80’s list…yep, I like most of these, too!
Kathy – Oh how fun that you’ll have your both your chillins at home – whoohoo! I’m a huge Pandora fan, too. My favorite is the James Taylor station that I created. It streams his music and similar tunes. My second favorite station that I created is Deuter – great music!
Good morning, Ms. Laurie! Yep, it’s truly amazing that the chillins will be home–AND at this same time! Glad to hear you like Pandora, too. I really should Google “Deuter” and find out what it is. Never heard of that!
Kathy – Deuter is an amazing musician (instrumental as opposed to vocal). When we had our brick-and-mortor building, I almost exclusively played his music.
Will have to check him out. Thank you!
Okay, I was reading your blog post and smiling while reading and then I hit the button for your rap song and my hubby walked over and asked…”WHAT are you watching???” I had to laugh, remembering when you were reading a blog of mine and your hubby asked the same thing. But my guy is not too much into the rap thing, or the bouncing coconut shells. Ha ha. Trying to imagine why you liked that song. The 50s music, I totally get. I listen to it while cleaning (or not cleaning) too.
Love your stream of consciousness, your dandelion jelly title, your 35 years and your two about-to-visit children. ENJOY!
Ha, ha, ha, Pam! Gotcha–we’re even with husbands listening now! What, your husband isn’t into bouncing coconut shells? LOL! As for why I liked that song, who the heck knows? There was one about Ghetto Cowboys that I liked, too. Six songs, tops. Otherwise, not a rap fan and will usually run screaming away from rap songs on the radio. So delighted that you enjoyed this stream of consciousness blog. My friend, Susan Dee, was lamenting the lack of them lately so just had to babble for a while to appease her. tee hee. Guess I appeased you, too. *grin*
I like a little bit of rap music but mostly not. Enjoy having your kids home! (Okay, I realize I’m bouncing to the beat of the song as I type this although I have no idea what they’re saying.)
Janet, we probably like about the same bit of rap music. I really don’t like it very much. Therefore it’s very strange to have written a blog claiming the six songs I DID like! Also very thrilled to hear you bounced. A couple people who listened didn’t even bounce. (See Pam up above.)
I don’t see a link to the rap song. Maybe deleted as too risque? Wonderful to have both of your children at home!
Hmmm, Cindy, the link is here. Maybe the Universe didn’t WANT you to listen! There is a little “play” arrow in the middle of the YouTube video that brings you into that strange risque world. Enter at your own risk. 🙂 And thanks for your well-wishes! Looking forward to the kids coming home.
Yes, I looked for arrows and borders, etc., but only see a black box, nothing else. It is unresponsive to being clicked on. Of course I will imagine it, then, to be much more risque than it could possibly actually be…and, yes, the universe of course would not want me to see THAT!!! (I could take the name of the artist to u tube and find it there, I’m sure. When my curiosity gets the better of me, I will)
Well, Cindy, the Universe knows best! The Universe does not want you to see this, I can guarantee it. Why, there are women in cages and wearing coconut shells to cover their ta-tas. It is awful. If you do Google it and discover it…don’t want the video. Just listen to the music while you clean house. Or do art. Feel da beat, Sister!
I’m going to check the dictionary, I’m sure your picture is next to the definition of “Eclectic”.
Thank you for the High Compliment, John. You’ve made my day!
Ohhhhh, Kathy Dee, I LOVE this! You had me smiling and than guffawing. Plus, I learned something new about you — that you like (liked) some rap music. ME TOO! It’s kind of like a fun guilty secret with me. I can’t resist the beats and even when the words are “bad” there is poetry there! I love watching the kids dance to hip hop (as I guess rap is called now). How can one NOT move to those beats?
And yummy dandelion jelly! Barry is a sweetheart.
I know you will enjoy having both your kidlets home, though Christopher’s visit will be a whirlwind. So glad they’re coming soonly.
Much love to my friend and Earth Angel, Earth Angel (singing now) Thank you for this blog!
Susan Dee, just HAD to write a funny blog that would make you guffaw. HA! But was so afraid you weren’t going to read it yesterday and I’d have to go lookin’ for you so you could see your dedication. What? You like(d) rap too? No! What’s the world coming to? Thank you for being my friend, Earth Angel, and see, I can still write a funny blog every once and a while and you know my secret about that, too.
Oh, I’ll bet you wondered if or when I’d be reading your delightful “dedicated blog.” Didn’t get home until 7:30ish after an afternoon of fun with Sonya and the g-kidlets. Coming home to this piece of delight was the perfect ending to a perfect fun day … and continued the smiles and laughter. Had great visuals of the 2 of us “rappin'” and dancin’ … hee-hee. Thank you so much for being a consistent bringer of joy in the form of sweet surprises. I adore you! Hope today goes quickly and smoothly for you!
Susan Dee, how wonderful that you were able to spend yesterdaywith your bebs! Glad to provide a sweet grand finale before you went to bed. I adore you too! And, guess what, am done cleaning. Happy grin.
I know what you mean about the 80`s and early 90`s — much went over my head during this period–enjoy your kids home
LouAnn, for some reason I know a few later 90’s songs, mostly because Christopher was listening then. Of course, can’t name a single tune. Thanks for your well-wishes. It will be Bliss!
I love pretend cleaning while listening to music and blogging!
That’s funny, Katie! I got so carried away listening to music and blogging yesterday that…well, you know what’s going to happen here today…
I love the 50s music. But then I’m from that era. It’s always guaranteed to make me smile and put a spring in my step. Not sure it would help with cleaning house though. Have fun with your kiddies!
Dor, we have to try everything to make that cleaning house go by faster, don’t we? The only trouble happens when you’re listening to a really good song and now it’s time to vacuum and you can’t hear it anyway. Thanks for your well-wishes. Really delighted that they’re coming.
then you must have also listened to CKLW “the motor city”? We had it on constantly back in the sixties. can still hear that jingle. funny though, it actually came out of Windsor
Jeff, CKLW was our main station! That’s all we listened to while growing up. (Except for these brief forays into Honey Radio which won me scorn from my two cool brothers and everyone else growing up in the 1970’s except for the boyfriend at the time…) I read Barry your comment and he said he got his first-ever record as a freebie from CKLW. You brought up a lot of good memories!
Have a wonderful visit with your children. I don’t think I have a favorite music, it all depends on the mood I am in. I don’t ever remember hearing gravel pit, but I did like it.
me2013, sounds like you are wide-open to all kinds of tunes. That is the best way to be, I think. Glad you liked Gravel Pit. High five!
Enjoy the kids’ visit! And the dandelion jam!
Thank you so much, Dawn. We pick the first one up from the airport tomorrow. And I had some more dandelion jelly this morning. So good! Not something I would ordinarily eat–kind of like rap music.
I have never tasted dandelion jelly – I wonder how it is made.
I have no idea, Kerry. It tastes sweet, but not too sweet. Smooth like honey, but not as sweet as honey. I guess you could say it tastes like the way dandelions sway in the breeze at dawn on Midsummer’s Eve.
What a beautifully poetic description.
Kathy:
I used to listen to Honey Radio back in the 70’s. Unlike the so-called “oldies” stations of today it played the real oldies from the 1960’s and the 1970’s.
Now when I want to listen to the oldies I rely on my CD’s.
Nancy
Nancy, I am happy to hear that you, too, listened to Honey Radio. That makes me smile. We have an oldies station up here that plays 60’s-80’s but they rarely plan any 50’s tunes.
Wow Kathy, you really got me thinking about all kinds of things here! First I was thinking about 50’s music and how when I was a waitress in the 70’s I waited on Chubby Checker himself one night. He wasn’t at all chubby, by the way! Then I started thinking about me and rap music. Short history there. I first paid attention to rap music when I discovered that M.C. Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” is GREAT rollerskating music. Following that beat helped me to not fall down on my ass. Fast forward to my next all-time favorite rap artist now, Chil E. B. Check him out – Human Rights Hero! But of course I’m intrigued with the dandelion jelly. Wondering how it tastes?
Patty, seriously? You waited on Chubby Checker? That’s amazing! (Kind of like my daughter waiting on Chelsea Clinton a few years back.) My goodness, you are a wealth of information about rap music. I only know six songs and could only remember two with the help of prodding from my daughter. Will check out your suggestions. Dandelion jelly tastes really good. I’m sure it’s made with white sugar, but it is really appealing to me this week. Here’s what I just typed to Kerry: I guess you could say it tastes like the way dandelions sway in the breeze at dawn on Midsummer’s Eve.
What could be more delicious than that?
I loved this walk through your thoughts!
Dandelion jelly — I have so many of the plants growing in the yard, I should be charging them rent. I will be looking up recipes.
Happy cleaning and family time to you!
Hi, Ms. Lunar, glad you liked the stroll through the dandelion fields of my life. tee hee. Let me know if you make some jelly and what the dandelions have to say about that!
LOL, so surprised to see you confess a love for a rap song! Ha! I’m not sure there’s a difference, I will cave and admit to linking a few hip-hop songs like stuff by the Black Eyed Peas or Will Smith – although I would think most hip-hop fans wouldn’t think these artists very hip-hoppy. Ok, I think I’m rambling now and not making much sense. I hope you enjoyed your ’80’s Pandora station – that’s right up my alley! 🙂
Weird, huh, Karma? I try to find something to like in most genre of music, but fail sometimes miserably. P.S. You always make sense to me. Never worry about rambling here!
Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend with your young’uns, Kathy! ❤
Thank you, Stacy. Chris isn’t coming until later next week, but our daughter is already here. We just enjoyed some nice time talking on the couch early this morning.
Sounds divine. 🙂
Times a-wastin – hope you got the cleaning done, Kathy! I was actually a teen in the 50’s – imagine that. Those were definitely MY songs. But, we also liked folk songs – they told stories. My husband played the guitar and sang to me when he was still just my boyfriend. He recited poetry, too. (Hasn’t done that in about 47 years!) Enjoy time with “the kids.”
Oh, Barb, I like some folk songs, too. Have a two-CD set of American folk music that just took out and listened to again next week. How sweet about your husband with the guitar and poetry. Oh, you must convince him to do that again! Already enjoying time with Ki…Chris comes in later this week. Thank you.
Playing the video as I type this comment Kathy, (I aint chokin’ nor smokin’ neither!!) I’m the same with vacuuming, put it off ’til the last minute, and I sometimes turn up the volume to help the flow!! Loved the thought of the Dandelion, (even as a pressie) for those flowers are stunning when viewed in the wild, so brilliantly yellow. Video has finished so I shall leave you to your children’s visit, and your wonderfully flavoured jelly of course., Any left? 🙂 xPenx
Pen, I am wondering how many people dared listen to that video–and how many dared watch it! (And how many turned it off with a big frown, lol.) I love how dandelions look and can’t believe so many people think they’re “just a weed” and try to get rid of every last one. Have just enjoyed a lovely time talking with my daughter on the couch this Sunday morning. Will have to remember to give her a taste of the dandelion jelly, thank you!
Hmmm, I’ve never had (or heard of) dandelion jelly before, but our former neighbor used to make dandelion wine. My mom wasn’t too impressed with it, though. She thought it was too bitter.
As for the rap song, it does have a dance-able beat but, like you, I think the video is questionable! lol
Hope you have a lovely visit with your young ones. 🙂
Withershins, I can guarantee this dandelion jelly isn’t bitter at all. I have tried to eat dandelion greens–with very little culinary success, though. Glad you agreed about the dance-able beat AND the questionable video. And thanks for your well-wishes about our kids’ visit.
Have a good time with your kids and a great run! So I did listen to the song and must say, I think it’s poetry. I’m not sure I would favor listening to this all the time but it is definitely poetry.
Yes, Tammy, that’s a good way of putting it. It’s poetry. Thank you for saying that! As for listening to it all the time–well, haven’t listened to it in a few years. Once every two years sounds good to me. 😉
Oh, I’m so happy to hear your kids are coming home! but my favorite line in this entire post is: “You remember rap, don’t you?” Why did that strike me as so funny? I don’t know. Maybe because it sounds SO like something I’d say. Also, that dandelion jelly sounds wonderful! Enjoy your weekend, and those precious children of yours.
hugs,
Kathy
Kathy, I am glad you appreciated my “rap-remembering” question. Isn’t it weird how the oddest things can strike us as funny? One kid has been home since Saturday and the next one is coming in two days. Thanks for the well wishes. Bet you probably won’t be celebrating the 4th of July in Ecuador, will you?
Hi Kathy, just celebrating 29 years with my true love today. I know who wrote the book of love. It can be a hard read at times but is definitely worth the effort. Can’t wait ’til the movie comes out 😉
Dandelion jelly is just the sort of thing a true love would give his beloved. It’s way too specific a selection to waste on a fling. Good for you Barry. You rock.
Hey girlfriend, happy anniversary !
Thanks Sybil 🙂
Happy *belated* anniversary, Amy-Lynn! How wonderful. I smiled at your description of the book of love as a hard read sometimes. Seems that way with most relationships, at times. I was so honored that Barry actually brought home that jelly. He didn’t even wait until our anniversary either! (Our 35th is coming up in September, believe it or not.)
Thanks Kathy. 35 years is a very long time but the years do go quickly.
My friend Pat makes all kinds of jellies. I’ll have to ask him if he’s ever made some from dandelion. It sounds wonderful.
I’m not much for rap either, but love this group’s sense of humour … and I must confess that my daughter, Kait, once sat me down to watch Eminem’s
“Cleaning my closet” as I’d objected to the lyrics …and I liked it. I also like “Stan” that he sings with Dido.
Lovely that your kids are coming home.
Give your “Sweetee baboo” a peck on the cheek from me. He sounds like a “keeper”.
Oh I’m glad you have an open mind, Sybil, and that you sat down to watch Eminem. That makes me happy. I also love the word “Sweetee baboo”. Must remember that! And I won’t through him back in the water. He’s a keeper, that one. Most days. lol.
I have been HOARDING Jam and Jelly recipes on Pinterest I have a Dandelion Jelly Recipe but I am afraid to try it! LOL
Jasmine Kyle, I have not seen you FOREVER! And here you are again. You’ve probably been super busy with all that hoarding of jam and jelly recipes, lol. Happy 4th of July!
Kathy! how have you been? hope you had/having a good time with Kiah & Chris around. I missed reading from you 😦
Why Sonali, you are always the sweetest, saying things like that. I only blogged seven times in June; that wasn’t too much, was it? Kiah is here now and Chris is coming in a couple of days. Hope you are doing well. Was reading a yoga magazine yesterday that featured India and was dreaming of how amazing that would be to see your country…
So glad you’re having a visit with your youngins. I can’t think of a better way to spend part of summer than with loved ones (especially the beloved grown children!). 🙂
Isn’t that the truth, Robin? One of our beloveds is back at his home already and the other beloved will be leaving in a couple of days. How quickly time flies…
I just love the title of this one, what a beautiful post Kathy!
June, thank you. I am glad you enjoyed this post!
I could only listen to one minute of that song before I stopped. I don’t like rap. I do like this rap song called Thrift Shop.
but sometime I like thrift shops.
I sometimes like thrift shops, too. I can’t decide about this song. 🙂