Remembering Elvis

Just as I can’t imagine Elvis as a 75-year-old man, neither can I imagine selecting one of his songs as a favorite. Just when I think of one as a possible contender for the top spot, another one comes to mind and nudges it down.


An Elvis fan since the age of 13, all of his music pleases my ears, and I think his covers of other songs are even better than the originals. Now when I hear his version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” or “Sweet Caroline,” I’m reminded of the American Idol judges who always challenge the contestants “to make a song their own.” Well, Elvis knew how to make every song he sang his own.


Choosing a favorite Elvis movie is easy. “Girls, Girls, Girls” was the first movie I saw starring Elvis and has remained my favorite, as well as my favorite movie soundtrack, which includes the top ten hit, “Return To Sender.“ After losing two albums of this soundtrack, I tried to replace it with a CD. For several years, I could only find it available on Amazon Auctions, with a beginning bid of $49 for a used CD. In recent years, the soundtrack was re-released with the addition of the tracks from “Kid Galahad,” which I now enjoy listening to on my iPod.


For all that’s been written about his movies--and with the exception of loyal fans, most of the reviews are critical of his movie career--I must say that I still enjoy watching his movies for the very reasons critics pan them. Yes, they all follow a pattern: cute kids, a love interest, a fight scene and about a dozen sanguine songs. And I can also count on his movies to not assault my senses with violence and vulgarity.


For entertainment value, Elvis’ charisma could transcend the recycled plots and simplistic music offered in the soundtracks of these movies. And just as the reruns on TV Land bring a certain comfort to viewers of a simpler and more wholesome time, so do the movies of Elvis for both his loyal and casual fans.


For these memories, thank you very much, Elvis.

Another Christmas packed away in the memory book

As the Christmas trees come down and decorations are put away, so are all the festivities of another holiday season packed away in our memory books. Some are captured in photos and videos and will be revisited from time to time.

For some the end of the holiday season brings relief from all the extra work of shopping, cooking, entertaining and just trying to keep up with the expectations and obligations that are supposed to make for a memorable Christmas. For others, the end of the season is an end of forced cheerfulness or just trying to avoid the season all together.

What makes some Christmases special and others just a trial to get through? Of course, the first Christmas newlyweds spend together is special. And who doesn’t treasure watching a new baby experience their first Christmas. Getting engaged at Christmas or meeting someone new at Christmas also adds a sparkle to the holiday.

But a season that comes loaded with so much expectation takes on “special” when the unexpected is experienced. Most of the Christmases that stand out for me were not those where I plowed through a pile of gifts but those with a pleasant surprise-- an unexpected visit or call from a long distance relative or friend, an unexpected gift that met a need or a thoughtful homemade gift from someone. It’s that element of surprise that adds the specialness.

During December, in several cities around the country, some restaurant patrons decided to “pay it forward” and picked the tabs for strangers around them. It’s one thing for someone to pay your bill, but the surprise element of learning it was a stranger somehow doubles the blessing.

And this Christmas, I encountered the surprise element several times. About a week before Christmas, one evening FedEx knocked on our door and left a package from a catalog business I've ordered from many times over the years. Knowing I hadn’t ordered anything recently, I was baffled at what could be in the box. When I opened the box, I found a beautifully decorated live Christmas wreath inside. The accompanying invoice did not have any pricing info, so I went online to check my account and nothing had been charged to me. I had always wanted one of these live wreaths, but my practical side always insisted on buying one that could be used again. Thrilled, I hung the wreath and am still enjoying it.

A few days later, my husband came home with enough poinsettias to bank around our fireplace, which were given to him at a local nursery, along with a beautiful potted red plant that I used for a centerpiece on the dining table.
Then on Christmas Eve morning, we had an unexpected water overflow in the laundry room that necessitated taking up the flooring. Not knowing if anyone would even come to the house on Christmas Eve, I nevertheless made a call to a local restoration business.

Not only did the business owner say he would come to the house that morning, he said he was already on his way to another house in our neighborhood to assess some smoke damage. Within 30 minutes, he was at our house, surveyed the situation and took up the flooring before it was damaged. After assuring us that the room only needed a couple of days air drying with the help of a fan before putting the flooring back, he proceeded to tell us that he was not going to charge us for the service call. That would have been a nice gesture at any time. But on Christmas Eve?

I would say this was a special Christmas this year!

Derby Day

Growing up in a neighboring state, I, of course, always knew about the Kentucky Derby but didn’t know the date it was held each year.

That all changed the fall I announced my pregnancy and due date to my husband’s family and friends in Kentucky. When they heard May 3 was the baby’s due date, the comment was made more than once, “Oh, a Derby baby.” That’s when I learned that the Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

My baby was born on Derby Day, shortly after the race had concluded. My husband, nurse and I watched the race, and then I was taken to delivery. Since then, I’ve tried to watch the race every year.

After my husband told me the Cinderella story of General Quarters, a long shot contender in this year’s race, I have picked him as my favorite.

General Quarters is owned and trained by Thomas McCarthy, a septuagenarian and retired educator. Prior to his retirement, McCarthy was a science teacher and served as a high school principal in the Louisville school system.

Throughout his career as an educator, McCarthy, who is a grandson of a former jockey in Ireland, owned and trained a few horses. Last year, he purchased General Quarters for $20,000, the only horse in his stable, and in addition to his role as the horse’s trainer, he also grooms him.

General Quarters is among four horses listed at 20:1 in today’s race, with two at 15:1 and four at 5-1 or less in the field of 20 horses.

Although he is considered an underdog, the General is the horse we’ll be watching in the 135th Kentucky Derby.
　

B

Update on General Quarters

With I Want Revenge scratched as a contender in today's Kentucky Derby, yesterday's underdog General Quarters has moved from 20:1 to 8:1 in the field of 20 horses.

Welcoming May

"Among the changing months,

May stands confest

The sweetest,

and in fairest colors dressed."

- James Thomson, On May

May has arrived, and without looking at the calendar, I would know that by the peony buds that will be opening any day now. This fragrant flower only blooms for a few short weeks in May, with its lush blooms capable of perfuming not only the yard in which it's planted but the neighbors,' as well.

Now that May is here again, all outdoors is in full-blown beauty, and those procrasting trees are fully green, again. All nature seems to dress in its best in May.

If you can't tell by now, May is my favorite month of the year. For as long as I can remember, I've looked for my favorite flowers in May -- peonies, irises, roses and even the blooms and fragrance of the honeysuckle vines. And my favorite fruit, strawberries, are available from my garden in May.

And if that wasn't enough for me to favor this month, I also met my husband in May, and both my children have May birthdays.

It's May, again!

B