A-Z April Challenge F is For The Sound of Music and Oprah Winfrey

When I was in high school I was a member of the chorus.  It was an elective class that I took and I actually stuck with it for all four years.
I can’t sing.  There were probably 75-100 other voices in the chorus, which is why I was able to participate without my shy, little, most likely, off key, voice being heard.
The chorus performed on graduation day.  We sang songs from “Sound of Music.”

I was a fan of  Oprah Winfrey’s 4:00 in the afternoon show.  The show I looked forward to the most, though, was her Christmas show.   The one where she gave out surprise gifts to an unsuspecting audience.
I remember one year being very upset with Ross because we didn’t get home in time to see the show.  (Obviously, pre-vcr,dvr, tivo, etc.)

What do these two things have in common?

Well, one of the songs I remember singing with the chorus on my graduation day was “Favorite Things”.

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

The Oprah Winfrey event that was a must see for me was “Oprha’s Favorite Things”.

“And you get a car, and you get a car, and you get a car!”

So I thought I would ponder what a few of my favorite things might be. 

Before I begin, though,  I must explain  that I am a worrier.  Logically, it naturally follows, therefore,  that I am also a “the glass is half empty” kind of person.  

That means that, for me, this exercise will be a challenge as well as an unusual dip in the pool of positiveness.

So here are some of  “Lynda’s Past and Present Favorite Things”  in no particular order but, rather as they pop into my mind.  

Having a “just the right temperature” cup of tea in the quiet of early morning before the rest of the day is fully awake brings about a peace and contentment for me.   

Coming up upon the crest of a beach on a brilliantly sunny winter day, looking out at the expanse of emptiness,  breathing in the air of the sea, and being hypnotized by the movement of the waves makes me understand what majestic means.

Falling asleep to the sound of my best friend’s rhythmic breathing makes me appreciate having someone so close to me for one more night.

Hearing the phone ring and listening to the “phone lady” announce the name of  Jen, Jimmy, Anne, Johanna, Elaine, Dolores, sometimes Ray, even less sometimes Samantha, and anyone else who isn’t an 800 number makes my heart skip a beat.  Okay part of that is hoping everything is okay, but most of it is the joy of finding out how their day was.

Walking along listening to the chirping song of a single bird, then stopping for a few minutes to see if I can spot her, makes me realize that I can be curious. 

Comments on my blog make me smile.  You know why.

Each of the exact moments I gave birth because they were the most exhilarating moments of my life.

The first time each one of my grandchildren called me Grandma, or some form of that, brought a new purpose to my life.

Having a conversation with my grandchildren because their little voices remind me of  the thrill of discovery.

Being able to follow a knitting pattern makes me realize how smart I can be. 

The SandBox Cafe is quirky and makes me feel like I am at an island resort.

Discovering that I have ideas which I can put into written words and communicate those ideas clearly and sometimes even poetically, fulfills a passionate need that I apparently have. 

My three Jays, the people who they love and who love them,  and the precious lives they brought into the world because nothing else matters.

I feel closest to Joe for some reason at the Children's Memorial Garden.  Perhaps it is because I know the others who visit understand.

Ross because he is “My Favorite” and will probably be a post by himself, I'm thinking R.

My goodness, that felt good.  And I had to stop myself because I could go on and on.

What???  Me??? Feel good?    

I guess my glass is really full after all.

If you want to make me smile, leave a comment on one of your favorite things.