Month: July 2020

letter c- day 56

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Rose Bush Rescue

The torrential rain we had last weekend really knocked my rose bush around in the front yard. Today,  when I was outside trimming the spent rose buds I discovered it did more than knock it around, there were a couple branches broken so I had to prune my beautiful rose bush. Normally, I would have waited until it was much cooler but leaving it like that would have harmed the core. Since, I was already out there and saturated with sweat I cut the lambs ear stems, and trimmed the spent stalks on the lilies.

When I stood up, I became dizzy so I sat down on the steps. I chugged down my water as I sat there. Then I checked the temperature on my phone. Shit, it wasn’t 82 degrees anymore it was 95. No wonder I felt weird, I was heat exhausted. I’m not young anymore and this weather definitely made sure I knew it. I sat down inside and drank another glass of water before taking a shower. Once I sat back down again, I got cold chills. Yup, definitely heat exhaustion. Macavity hopped in my lap and we took a much needed nap. So needless to say, my writing got put on hold again.

Today’s culinary dish:

I’ve been craving pulled pork for sometime, so I threw the pork, onions, mushrooms and a can of coke together in the crockpot. It tasted so good while I kept it down, but  between the reflux, and onslaught of pain until I vomited… the message came through  loud and clear. Pork isn’t going to be part of my diet. This is the second incidence since my gallbladder was removed. GRRRR another favorite of mine has bit the dust.

Culinary Pharmacy:

Ginger reduces nausea as well as being anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Unfortunately, it didn’t help me tonight but I’ve had good luck with it on other occasions.  Ginger tea is a staple in our home.

Green tea is an anti-inflammatory. It’s helpful in keeping carcinogens inactive in the gastric tract.

https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Ginger.html

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/why-is-green-tea-good-for-me#1

Blogging prompts on Writing.Com

Have fun with these words in your blog today: critic, feather, visual, emphasis, grand, jester, correspond
” Writing is thinking out loud. Blogging is thinking out loud where other folks think back.”~ Liz Strauss   What are your thoughts?

The jester’s emphasis on the visual presentation of the feather should correspond with the grand finale but can he get it pass the last critic, the crow.

I agree with Ms. Strauss about thinking out loud as I write. I frequently talk to myself as I write. Me, Myself, and I have some interesting conversations. Blogging invites others to join in the conversation. That’s what appeals to me about blogging. It’s a great way to make new friends, or discover things that you didn’t know about your friends. ON WDC, blogging was how I met some really awesome people. We’re going to do a blogging challenge in August, 7 continents in 30 days virtually. I’m putting together an itinerary, they look up things about the location and what appeals  or doesn’t appeal to them. Some create some interesting stories about the day.

Reading:

I’m almost finished reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. The book is quite interesting on so many different levels.  The author chose to include text messages on the page in little boxes to compliment the story.  She discusses on unprotected sex, one night stands and break ups in an open refreshing manner that I’m really enjoying.  I’m gaining an insightful perspective about today’s dating scene that wasn’t discussed like this in my youth.  Like for instance, Queenie has a one night stand with a Welsh guy that’s into rough sex. When she goes for a check up her  doctor is concerned about the vaginal tearing and the bruises but she dismisses it. ( I was glad she dumped him after the one night, he was a dickhead)

Oddly enough, John Cougar Mellencamp’s Hurt So Good came on in my Youtube feed. Serendipity or karma wanting to be heard. Why not? I didn’t have a song chose for the day because I’ve been busy and the letter-c hadn’t crossed my mind until this evening when I lost my dinner. And then all I really thought about was how much my diet has changed since my gallbladder decided to act up in January of this year.

My personal experience with this song was at Deidre’s gym in my hometown. This was one of the songs, she used for arm workouts in our aerobic class. I used to enjoy going with Jeri and Linda. Deidre had her moments, she was a bit over the top for me especially when she got into the body sculpting competitions. Outside of the gym, I was glad I didn’t have contact with her.

After the gym closed, I didn’t cross paths with Deidre until a winter track meet. She was bitching about her daughter getting beat by this muscle monster. I found the comment strange considering her  manic drive for the competitions. But when I looked to see who her daughter was on the podium with, I chuckled. It was my daughter, Amanda. Yes, she was strong but hardly a monster. Amanda was very passionate about the shot put and worked hard so she was ready for the season.  I could have said something snarky but chose instead to simply walk away. Some people just aren’t worth the energy.

Today, one of the bloggers on WordPress reached out to me.  Come to find out we’re kindred spirits. We’ve both been in abusive relationships and we’ve both had cancer. You never know who will connect with you as you blog. I hope we will inspire each other with our blogging topics.

I’m looking forward to hitting the sack tonight. I’m still not feeling like myself.
“For every ailment under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none, If there be one, try to find it; If there be none, never mind it.” ~ Mother Goose

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letter-c day 55

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Thinking about the changes ahead of us today. I wasn’t ready before. I believe I was holding onto the safety of my stone fortress for the wrong reason. The past can’t hurt me anymore so I don’t need the actual stones.  I am a strong woman… I’m blessed with a husband and many good friends who remind me when I doubt myself.
A flower demonstrated
life’s small victories
with its unassuming
green slivers on the
hardened patches of dirt
rebuffing defeat.
Determined to grow
it stood strong
at sunrise in silence
defying the odds.
A vehement reminder
change can occur
if there is desire.©
I often write poetry when I am mulling or feel like a solution is close but I just can’t put my finger on it. This decision is actually easier once I let myself consider the possibilities like my flower in the poem I wrote. It wouldn’t be painless but then in reality the things we appreciate most aren’t easy or straightforward or even uncomplicated. The conclusion is what makes it worth it.
Cooking:
Today’s cooking indulgence and some more culinary Tools for our continued war with the letter-c. We’re having pasta with fresh basil from the garden and lemon grilled basil chicken.  I was surprised how well it fared in the summer heat so I have an abundance of it right now.

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Walnut Basil Pesto Lemon Pepper Basil Grilled Chicken Cornbread

I did the third method with pulsing it with oil but I didn’t put it in ice cubes trays. I put tablespoons on a cookie sheet and flash froze it. Tomorrow,  or later tonight if I feel ambitious, I’ll toss it into a zip lock bag. That way I’ll always have the exact portion correct.
Cancer toolkit
Fennel is a digestive aid as well as being anti-inflammatory.
Flax Seeds and Chia Seeds are anti-inflammatory. Flax and Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acid which is good for us. I toss both on yogurt, on our salads, and in muffins.
Garlic is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial. I don’t know about you but I love garlic. I added extra when I made the pesto tonight, it called for two cloves and I used five. 🙂

Stevie Nicks wrote the song Landslide and performed it but my favorite versions were actually by Fleetwood Mac and the Dixie Chicks. I feel this song sums my life in so many ways because I was scared to leave my babies alone with their father especially during his heavy drinking days. I became a buffer so they didn’t get the brunt of his actions.

“Life is beautifully tragic.

Giving it up isn’t the hard part; it’s the living part that everyone struggles with.”

― Allison Blanchard

Once my children had all left home I realized it was now or never. I needed to live the seasons of my own life. I have. At 45, single, in college and learning to be self-sufficient. Some decisions, I made were good and some not so much but that’s life in a nutshell. I needed to try.  I needed to find out who Lyn was. Not just be someone’s wife, someone’s mother, or even someone’s friend. I’m still discovering who Lyn is, just when I think I know myself , things happen and I learn something new. At 64, the life lessons are interesting and challenging at times but I know everything will work out. I’m reminded of a quote by Carroll Bryant “No matter how many plans you make or how much in control you are, life is always winging it.”

 

“I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm
Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
I’m gettin’ older, too
Ah, take my love, take it down
Oh, climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down”
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Stevie Nicks
Landslide lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Dixie Chicks:
“There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.”
― George Santayana
I shared two of my vignettes last night in the writing group. They were in the first draft stage. I wasn’t disappointed with the critiques, my fellow writers offered some good suggestions to help clean the writing up. I’m actually pleased to have six thousand words written thus far. That’s not counting my blogs here and on WDC. YAY!

Food Emotional Triggers Prompt

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We all have things that get to us, whether it be happy feelings or sad feelings?  Please Join me in this blogging  prompt to discuss a  food that triggers your emotions.  If you wish to take part, link to my corresponding post with a pingback and tag your post Emotional Triggers Prompt

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christmas-mm-cookies-www.thereciperebel.com-SWP-16-of-17-500x500

When I was a child, I believed Santa made M&M cookies because when I rose on Christmas morning our Douglas fir tree was covered with cookies hanging by red ribbons. It was a sight to behold so many red and green M&M cookies. My mouth watered in anticipation of all those cookies waiting just for me. Santa made Christmas magical with cookies everywhere.

What I didn’t know was all year long my grandparents would carefully sort the candy leaving only the brown, yellow and orange ones. I never noticed, I’m not even sure I actually knew the red and green were missing. It was just exciting having candy after dinner on the porch listening to my grandmother read out loud. This was before the M&M bags came in holiday colors. Now its so easy to have specific colors.

I looked forward to the cookie covered tree even after Santa’s mystery was revealed.  To me the tree covered with M&M cookies was magical. Her homemade cookies were better than any gift under the tree.

As an adult, I so wanted my children to have those same magical moments on Christmas morning as I did. I collected the reds and greens just like they had done all those prior years. I quickly discovered how challenging it is to keep the holes as they baked. Thank goodness Grandma shared her secret of using pieces of pipe cleaners to keep the opening and then you gently slid it out and then used a needle to thread the ribbon through. I still broke lots of cookies in my attempts. I used to get so frustrated I would cry. Why couldn’t I do it? She always did.

Working full time and raising three children didn’t allow for much time and trying to create the magic became more of a dreaded task than it was worth.  I felt like I was failing as a parent but even worse that I was failing my grandparents. After a few years, I decided to stop torturing myself. I needed to make new memories with my children. I still bake M&M cookies every year but I don’t try to hang them on the tree. I always lay one cookie for my grandparents on a tree branch as a tribute to all they did to make my childhood magical at Christmas. They were incredible people and I miss them so much.

For me, Christmas hasn’t been the same since. I always feel let down feeling looking at the tree without the magical cookies.

“Cookies are the sweetest comfort food. They are bite-sized and personal” ~Sandra Lee,

letter-c day 54, & film challenge

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https://sandmanjazz.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/30-day-film-challenge-day-15/

Today is day 15 and the prompt is a film that broke your heart.

I’ll begin with the film that broke my heart. It was the Notebook, a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes, written by Jeremy Leven and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s. Their story is read from a notebook in the present day by an elderly man (played by James Garner), telling the tale to a fellow nursing home resident (played by Gena Rowlands, who is Cassavetes’s mother). ~ Wikipedia.

The reason for my sadness was my grandparents passed away in a similar style. My grandma had dementia and didn’t know anyone but my grandpa patiently buffered as did Garner in the movie. The difference in my world is my grandpa passed and my grandma joined him a few months later without ever speaking again. So it hit on so many emotional levels, I haven’t been able to watch it without tears. Yeah, I know I’m a sappy one at heart beneath my gruff exterior.

54 days into the letter -c, nothing has changed except I’m getting familiar alternative resources that exist out there to help me win this battle.  I am not interested in chemo or radiation but if changing my food consumption, and daily activities along with immuno-therapy can kick this disease to the curb, I’m in. I’m reading everything I can so every decision I make will be beneficial to me.

“While we long for life without difficulties, we’re reminded that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are made under pressure.”– Peter Marshall

Cancer ….I’m watching you, I’m the stalker you’re going to wish you never met.  With that note let’s go to my song choice for today.  Every Breath You Take.  If you’re not familiar with the background of this story, Sting said it’s about jealousy, ownership, surveillance during the break up of his first marriage. He stalked like I will this disease.

https://ig.ft.com/life-of-a-song/every-breath-you-take.html#:~:text=It’s%20about%20jealousy%20and%20surveillance,arena%20tour%20of%20the%20US.&text

Every Breath You Take
The Police
Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you
Every single day and every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you
Oh, can’t you see you belong to me
How my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every move you make, and every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you
Since you’ve gone I’ve been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, “Baby, baby, please”
Oh, can’t you see you belong to me
How my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every move you make and every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you
Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take (I’ll be watching you)
Every single day, every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you)
Every move you make, every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (I’ll be watching you)
Every single day, every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you)
Every breath you take, every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take (I’ll be watching you)
Every single day, every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you)
Every move you make, every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (I’ll be watching you)
Every single day, every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gordon Sumner
Every Breath You Take lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
I have no intention of letting this disease have the upper hand, battle lines drawn and I’m a fierce competitior.  I own this body, not you cancer so get used to being stalked. This is a vow I will not break.
Cancer Culinary toolkit addition for today is:
Edamane or soybeans are anti-inflammatory, they supposedly jump start our immune system in addition to putting up roadblocks that starve new cancer cells.
Eggs are anti-inflammatory according to the authors of the Cancer Fighting Kitchen  but there’s a lot of controversy about their benefits versus risks. Trust your gut on this one. For me, eggs have always been a staple in my diet and my cholesterol numbers are excellent so I’m not inclined to kick them to the curb unless instructed to.
I’ve posted a lot of links today to help if you know someone like me battling the letter-c. Knowledge is power. Even if you’re not facing this battle, healthy food consumption is key to your continued health.
“You have to be willing to give up the life you planned, and instead, greet the life that is waiting for you.”– Joseph Campbell
My pleasure reading has taken a serious hit the last couple of days with getting the taxes out of here. My husband suffered with the brunt of the nightmare which I am grateful for. I helped with the organization but all the data entry fell upon him. Now that it is in the mail I’m looking forward to digging into Rebel Yell by S.C. Gwynne in addition to finishing diyMFA and Queenie and Steering the Craft. I enjoy reading different topics in my day. diyMFA and Steering the Craft, I’m doing practice exercises along with the reading material so they’re definitely not bedtime reading. Queenie fulfills that position whereas Rebel Yell is a thick book that I do better sitting upright in a chair holding. What about your reading habits? How do you do it? I’m curious.
On Writing.com I’m organizing another virtual blogging trip for our group of writers. I’m looking forward to the mental distraction. We had a blast the last few times we did it together. Basically, I prepare an itinerary, and they either look up on the web about the location, and discuss what would appeal to them if they were actually there in person. Would it be the food, the setting, the people they’re with (fellow bloggers) the nightlife, history or art? Other bloggers must comment on at least two blogs to make it enjoyable.

 

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy

https://news.llu.edu/patient-care/7-foods-fight-cancer-heart-disease-and-enhance-health

https://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/top-cancer-fighting-foods#1

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cancer-fighting-foods

https://www.mskcc.org/news/truth-behind-three-natural-cures

https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201810/activating-your-immune-system-against-cancer

https://www.dana-farber.org/for-patients-and-families/care-and-treatment/support-services-and-amenities/nutrition-services/faqs/soy-and-cancer/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cancer-and-diet

Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson.

My World 🌎 letter-c day 53

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https://sparksfromacombustiblemind.com/2020/07/13/share-your-world-7-13-2020/

Thank you Melanie for the writing inspiration today.

What song always get you out on the dance floor?

Since I’m 64 years old, my song choices have varied immensely over time. in my youth, I always hit the dance floor for Proud Mary. The lyrics begin with something like we’re going to do something nice and easy but we never do anything nice and easy. It’s going to get rough and hard. (I didn’t go look it up this morning, I’m working on the iPad.) Anyway life is like that, we don’t realize how easy we have it, then life hits with you a reality check. I married and dancing fell aside and the only time I danced was when I was calming my babies down and the majority of times it was John Lennon’s Imagine. After my divorce my go to song was Pavarotti and Dion, I love you then I hate you. Dating someone long distance, trying to work full time and go to college in your fifties is challenging. My present choice is with the letter c looming over me is Perfect with Sheeran and Bocelli because I know how precious love with the right person is.

What’s my favorite sleeping position? I sleep on my left side with my back securely next to Vic with Macavity (my cat 🐈) snuggling against my knees.

If I could snap my fingers and instantly make the world better what would I do. I would penalize anyone who doesn’t follow seven generation sustainability. Our carbon footprint truly matters so we all need to be held accountable.

What’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done? Looking back running away from home and ending up in Harlem in the early 70s when I was 13 wasn’t the wisest thing to do. Nor was hitch hiking from Connecticut to Vermont when I was 15 the safest thing to do. As an adult I’ve done some crazy things but I wasn’t fearful but other people when I shared what I was doing thought it was terrifying. Fear for one person is different for another. The most dangerous thing I’ve ever done in desperation was trying to kill myself with a gun, thank goodness that went awry. I still feel ashamed for feeling that alone….my children and grandchildren didn’t deserve all of that baggage.

Our cancer culinary tool kit addition today is:

Cumin is an appetite stimulus, digestive aid, anti microbial and may reduce tumors in the stomach and cervix.

Dates help regulate blood sugar and help boost our immune system.

Cancer Fighting Kitchen Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson

My song choice for today is Tina Turner’s Proud Mary. I think the presentation of the song says a lot about life. Yes, it does start off easy and slow. We’re impatient and want everything yesterday without realizing how good we really have it. Then as we age and experience things we realize what we lost. It’s coming in all directions, hard and fast. We need to be in the moment because those moments will disappear 😔

I watered the gardens this morning, discovered another zucchini and lots of cucumber blossoms. Life is good.

Writing accountability is tonight, I need to work on my vignettes.

When I was younger I focused on getting to the weekend but then I got sick and realized how few weekends in life I really had . I learned to make time to smell the roses because life as we know it today offers no guarantees.

 

letter-c day 52

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I took a much needed mental health break and enjoyed some good music that tied in with the four elements earth, wind, fire and water. I wanted my song choices to be unique. By the looks of the post, I was successful.

Two of our good friends, Jeanne and Pam joined us for a social distance get together. That made for a perfect day, just enjoying girl talk though in all fairness… not one of us is a girly girly type.Truth be known the only time I even fuss with painting my finger nails is when I need to be somewhere’s after working in the garden. Black nail polish is perfect for hiding the crud that you just can’t get out with a nail brush or file. Plus in case you ever run out of nail polish remover brake fluid (One of the bottles you should have in the trunk of your car along with the anti-freeze and a quart of oil and battery cables) will take off nail polish. I was raised old school, if you had a car you had the tools to take care of it. And you had a blanket,  and a flashlight in the trunk in case you broke down. Car preparedness 101.

 

I only thought about the letter c a couple of times today. We talked about the oncologist’s shortcomings for me and what my next step would be. In conversation this evening , my son suggested I reach out to a family member about doing a holistic approach to letter-c. because I am not going to do chemo. I’m not going down that path again if I can avoid it. The medical field has immune-therapy options available and that’s what appeals to me. I’m still getting another opinion  because I need to know all the options and to have a doctor that makes me feel valued.

Since we’re on the letter-c let’s get a couple more tools for your culinary cancer regime.

Carrots are anti-inflammatory and rich in Vitamin a. Beta carotene which why they’re a lovely orange is noted for preventing lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestinal, bladder, prostate, and breast cancer. Sounds like carrots should be daily staple.

Cranberries are anti-inflammatory plus there is something about their compound make that is toxic to cancer cells. That’s a bonus.

Song Choice for today is Norah Jones.  We were talking about the vignettes I’m writing and I was sharing details about my going to the prom in a tuxedo. I hated dresses. Remember back in the day, girls weren’t allowed to wear pants or jeans to school. We were sentenced to dresses. Not this rebel, I wore shorts under my dress and when I had the opportunity to buck the system with not wearing a formal dress to the prom I took it. I wore a white tuxedo with a pink cummerbund, while my date wore a black tuxedo with a pink cummerbund. His lapel corsage was pink, whereas mine was black. It looked stunning.  When I arrived home my father was looming in the shadows. He insisted on taking our pictures… I could feel the teardrops slipping down. I should have flown away but instead I was again trying to find a balance when I should have run. I simply didn’t understand the confusion… I didn’t come when I should have nor  did I leave either.

Don’t Know Why
Norah Jones
I waited ’til I saw the sun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I left you by the house of fun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I don’t know why I didn’t come
When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind
Forever
Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstasy
But I’ll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road alone
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind
Forever
Something has to make you run
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I feel as empty as a drum
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I don’t know why I didn’t come
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jesse Harris
Don’t Know Why lyrics © Sony/ATV he’Music Publishing LLC
Norah Jones  was born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar; March 30, 1979). She is an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She has won multiple awards and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Billboard named her the top jazz artist of the 2000s decade. She has a such a lovely voice.
Dear Johnnie,
There was four of us today in our masks. Three girls and our masks were blue. Grandpa wore a pink mask and I thought of you. You’re Dad wasn’t thrilled with your pink hair nor your shirt choices. Did you know I made your Mama a pink scarf?
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Are you changing all of my gladiolus to baby pink? No peach, no red. All the blooms are baby pink or white. Every time I see them I think of you. I miss you.

Grandpa is playing the Dance… we didn’t know how it would end,  I wish we could have missed the pain but hon, I’m so glad we had our precious time together. Love you, Gramma

 

Carrots

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/cranberry

Cancer Fighting Cookbook by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson.

Air/Earth/Fire/Water Prompt

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https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2020/07/12/a-spoonful-of-water/

Written for Song Lyric Sunday where the prompt is Air/Earth/Fire/Water.

Four  awesome song choices I enjoyed immensely in my lifetime. I had Collins and Credence on cassettes and then cd. I had Stevens and Lewis originally on 45rpms and then later on cd.

My air choice is Phil Collins , In the Air Tonight

 

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? Oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before, my friend, but I don’t know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I remember, I remember, don’t worry, how could I ever forget?
It’s the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no, you don’t fool me
Well, the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you and me
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Phil Collins
In the Air Tonight lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC
One of the most commonly believed messages behind ‘In the Air Tonight’ is that Phil Collins wrote it about a man who could have saved another man from drowning but chose not to. Collins  actually wrote this song about the anger he felt after divorcing his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli, in 1980 . The lingering tension caused by the divorce led Collins to the title, as these negative feelings were “In The Air,” and affecting not just the couple getting divorced, but the entire family. Collins explains the lyrics, “If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand,” by saying the drowning is symbolic.
I can relate to the drowning metaphor, my ex-husband brought out similar feelings in me. I had reached a point where I envisioned him choking to death in mind every time he spoke to me. I knew I had to get out of the marriage before I took it to the next level.
 My choice for Earth is Cat Stevens’ Where Do the Children Play.
Well I think it’s fine, building jumbo planes
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
Switch on summer from a slot machine
Yes, get what you want to if you want
Cause you can get anything
I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well you roll on roads over fresh green grass
For your lorry loads pumping petrol gas
And you make them long, and you make them tough
But they just go on and on, and it seems that you can’t get off
Oh, I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well you’ve cracked the sky, scrapers fill the air
But will you keep on building higher
‘Til there’s no more room up there?
Will you make us laugh, will you make us cry?
Will you tell us when to live, will you tell us when to die?
I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his stage name Cat Stevens.
Where Do the Children Play? lyrics © BMG Rights Management
 Where Do the Children Play was written by Cat Stevens in 1970. However in 2017 it was  used for a lyrical message to the United Nations about human trafficking of children.

“Cat Stevens (who also goes by the name Yusuf) was born Steven Georgiou in central London on 21 July 1948 and grew up in Holborn, attending a school in the theater district of Drury Lane. “It was all entertainment, everywhere; I mean, I thought this was natural,” he later told NPR. “But then I realised that there weren’t so many parks around there. And that’s where, when you come to my music, a song like ‘Where Do the Children Play?’, there’s a kind of harking to that issue.”

Stevens is a master of writing melancholic songs – alongside ‘Where Do the Children Play?’ are other classics like ‘Moonshadow’ and ‘Peace Train’ – and his lasting contribution to popular music was recognised with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014. Five years later, he also made it into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame”~ https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/yusuf-cat-stevens-where-do-the-children-play-song/

 

My choice for Fire is Jerry Lee Lewis’s Great Balls of Fire.  According to Wikipedia, “Great Balls of Fire” is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.

 

I remember seeing my father and mother dancing in our living room to this song.

Great Balls Of Fire
Jerry Lee Lewis
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
I laughed at love ’cause I thought it was funny
You came along and you moved me honey
I’ve changed my mind, this love is fine
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Kiss me baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Well kiss me baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jack Hammer / Otis Blackwell
Great Balls Of Fire lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Warner Chappell Music Inc

My choice for Rain is Credence Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen the Rain.  Awesome song, awesome band.

 

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain”

Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know, it’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know, shinin’ down like waterI want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny dayYesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my time
‘Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can’t stop, I wonder

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny day

Yeah!

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny day.

Writer(s): Fogerty John Cameron, Green Toby
This song is John Fogerty’s take on the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band, and the overall tension in the group at a time when they should have been enjoying their success. The line, “I want to know – have you ever seen the rain comin’ down on a sunny day?” refers to Tom leaving while CCR was at its commercial zenith. The flip side of this single, “Hey Tonight,” is John reassuring the band that all would go well despite the adversity.
Music never dies.