Country Roads

When it came to picking a song for the first dance at our wedding, I had a couple ideas. Eventually we decided on "What a Wonderful World" played by our good friend on the piano. You can see him in the second picture. The first time I heard him play it, I just about cried during a Christmas show we were doing. The song has traveled with me through life, showing up during important times, such as my first dance on pointe shoes!

It was a beautiful song! We didn't have a song that was "ours", so it was a great choice! Sometime around then, we began to listen to the song by John Denver, "Country Roads". I had watched an episode of "Love Boat" in which Donny Osmond's character sings this song to honor his mama. It's the most beautiful 2-part episode in the series that I've seen to date. I related this story to John, and went to find the song again, and it was gone! 

We began to listen to the version by John Denver. Quickly, it became "our song"! We listen to it several times a week, usually in the car. When we went camping in August, I was in an antique store when I found the record album above! I was ecstatic! Of course, I had to buy it so we had our own copy to play on a good ole fashioned record player. 😊

Happy Blue Shoes

I was ecstatic the other day to throw away the sneakers I had for 3 years and get new ones! Half price, my size, comfortable (I always have a hard time with finding comfortable ones), and a unique texture sold them for me. Oh, and hubby approved! 😉 

"As they left the shop, Mma Ramotswe made amends and told Mma Matuski that she really thought the blue shoes were very beautiful. There was no point in disapproving of a purchase once the deed had been done."
~ "Blue Shoes and Happiness" by Alexander McCall Smith

Today as I was walking to the library with a couple sisters, I looked down and remembered the book by Alexander McCall Smith, "Blue Shoes and Happiness". Thinking about it, I was struck with the fact that I had happiness just because I had new blue sneakers. It wasn't a bad thing to have, and after the other pair was completely worn out, it was rather nice! (It also made me realize that I need to pair down on regular shoes so I feel justified with the number of dance shoes I have. 😉)

"Well, that's the important thing, isn't it Mma? To feel happiness and then to remember it."

~ "Blue Shoes and Happiness" by Alexander McCall Smith

It'll be a good reminder, whenever I glance down at my feet, to find something in my day that brings a smile to my face. Whether it's a pair of blue shoes, a passing butterfly, bubbles created by doing dishes, a hubby who falls asleep while rubbing the knot in the back of your leg from too much dancing, or simply a glass of iced tea.

Find something today that brings a happy smile to your face!