I’ve lost my reading mojo in the last few weeks. I know it will return, but for now, the thought of reading a print book or even listening to an audiobook, does not bring the joy and excitement it once did.
What am I doing instead? Revisiting old albums of my youth.
My sister and I talked about this yesterday and we both had the same name pop into our heads: Brené Brown. One of her ideas that I love is the value and importance of community singing. We did choral music k-8 at school. I was part of my school and church choirs. And it all stopped in high school. Maybe that’s part of the reason why teenagers get sointo their music.
In any case, my sister and I were talking about how we sing to ourselves. We’ve both been listening and singing to full albums and, it amazes me how I can remember so many of the lyrics.
It turns out, there was a particular artist we have both been listening to lately and my sister mentioned a particular song. I’d been listening to a different album, but her mention of that one brought me back to my year in Denmark and the friend I had who was also a fan of this artist.
When my video chat with my sister ended I knew what I had to do. I pulled out the album she’s mentioned and listened to it. Then I went back to the song she mentioned and grabbed my phone. The chorus has a bit that Brené Brown would call “high lonesome” and I knew Richard could do it. I played the song and knelt beside my sleepy dog on the couch. I made a low “Oooooo” in his ear.
One eye opened.
The song continued and I oooooed some more. His lips puckered and sound began in his throat.It took a few tries, but I got Richard’s high lonesome howl just as the artist got there. I sent it to my sister.
Community singing may have changed in these weird times we are living, but it’s power and magic haven’t disappeared.
booksandbassets 
This is just priceless! Love Brene Brown for many reasons, so inspiring.You have taken community singing and “high lonesome” to new levels here! I can just imagine your sister howling with laughter at dear Richard’s “singing.” Love this so much.
Her reply was “I’m dying here”.
This brought a smile to my face. I love singing to myself, even though I often forget the lyrics. I walk around outside (or when I went to the gym) mouthing the songs coming through my headphones. The thought of your dog singing with your is priceless!
Love this. Richard may have a future as a recording artist.
Hahaha! I love you doing community singing with your dog and sending it to your sister. I’m also really struggling with my book mojo at the moment. I’m glad to know that I am not the only one.
I knew people who had trouble reading earlier in the pandemic. i was thankful to avoid it…until now.
Me too. I think the back to school uncertainty and drama is what got me. Too much stress and confusion.
What a fun way to spend time- looking through memories. And brining the pupster on the ride too. 🙂
You really have travelled the world! Will you travel again once the pandemic is over? Or maybe you will become a retirement traveller! If you haven’t discovered it already, this is a blog where a fellow slicer is writing about his adventures as a retired person whose wife is teaching in South Korea (they are French Canadian from Montreal!) https://alaintasse1.edublogs.org