If there’s one thing Southern gals know how to do, it’s gab. Silly or serious, all it takes is a glass of iced tea and time. Pull up a chair, kick off your shoes, and make yourself comfy…get ready to dish!
Sunday Soundtrack: Time Stand Still
I’ve been a Rush fan for decades now, and when this lovely version of their 1987 song “Time Stand Still” crossed my timeline, I went down a Canadian prog rock rabbit hole. But it was so worth it! Here, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” does the honors as a tribute to Rush’s lyricist, Neal Peart, one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, who recently lost a 3-1/2 year battle with brain...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Super Bowl Edition
Okay, so I’m cheating a bit. This isn’t a song. Rather, it’s my favorite of the Super Bowl commercials from the past several years. It’s clever and combines two things I happen to adore: VWs and Star Wars. Behold the power of the Force! For all of you who actually care about the NFL, hope it’s a good game. Wishing the rest of us terrific snacks and some great commercials to talk about...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Summertime’s Calling Me
One thing about living in Florida is that we stay warm pretty much all year. And even though this winter’s weather has been weirdly warm, I know it won’t last. I’m hard at work on the second Dogwood Mountain novel, this one set in summer, so I have hot days and firefly nights and ice cream on my mind. Going to college in South Carolina taught me to love beach music. “Summertime’s Calling Me,” recorded by The Catalinas in 1975, is one of the great beach music classics. If you come across this on a cold day,...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: New Year’s Edition
So it’s not Sunday. That’s fine. None of us can remember what day it is at the tail end of the year anyhow. Since it is a fresh new year, this tune reflects what I’ve decided my word for the year will be: intention The past few years have been bumpy, what with children leaving for college, growing older, school drama (listen to teachers, folks), and the rocky political landscape. I’ve found myself pulled along a current I wasn’t sure I’d planned to steer into. This year, I’m grabbing back control of...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: The Christmas Scoop
My children will be the first to tell you that I draw a hard line when it comes to the Christmas season. I have been known to stop dead in the aisle at Target and shriek if I spot Christmas items on display before the trick-or-treaters have come by, and we always wait until after the turkey coma and football before even thinking about Saint Nick or red and green home decor. But since I have a Christmas book coming out this Tuesday, I’m bending my own rules. Here’s a ten song playlist especially chosen to complement the feel of The...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: “Southern Accent”
It’s not a requirement to love Tom Petty if you’re a Floridian. It’s baked in. We absorb it from the sunshine and from the feel of our bare feet in the sandy soil. He may have spent decades on the west coast, but his true self was proclaimed every time he published a song through Gone Gator Music. Sorry, California. He’s ours and always will be. We’re just a little different down here, and we like it that...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season
As a Floridian, it’s practically my duty to be a faithful Parrothead. Thankfully, I’ve happily kept my fins up for decades. Today, Jimmy Buffett seemed super appropriate since all of us are stuck in the house waiting for Dorian to arrive. It won’t be pretty—it never is—but we have each other, hurricane snacks, and great music. At least until the power goes off. Stay safe,...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Stay High
No, it’s not what you think—but do you, if you feel inclined! This solo outing by Alabama Shakes lead singer Brittany Howard is a tribute to great dads. And since my own Daddy had his birthday this week, I thought it very appropriate for today. Artist, actor, and funnyman Terry Crews is a perfect choice to lead the folks of Athens, Alabama through this uplifting song....
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Higher Ground
I adore nearly every version of this Stevie Wonder classic, but this one by Playing for Change has been on repeat lately. PFC is a group dedicated to inspiring the world through “the common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.” Keep reaching—and...
read moreSunday Soundtrack: Hunnybee
One benefit to having college-age children who enjoy music is that they’re always sending you recommendations of new songs to try. Here’s one Frack introduced me to, something they play on Sundays to set the mood for the coming week....
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