It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of Deb’s World, Suzy Turner, Within a World of My Own, Once Upon a Time, Happily Ever After, and me. This month, we welcome Cat from Cat’s Wire and Amy from Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa. Sally chose this month’s theme because we had done water last month! Debbie is off on a wonderful holiday with her sister, mother, and aunt so she’ll be with us in spirit only (but I can’t wait to read about her adventures once she’s back). On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. As we consider ourselves a global group, if you’d like to join us, please let one of us know. We’d love to have more people from all over the planet! There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you’d like to join us, here is the prompt for the next month:
- July – Dance
I have to tell you my post will be hilarious next month! I don’t have a clue what it will be, but it will be funny. I can guarantee that!
A little history…
Well, this is kinda ironic! I just did a 10 on the 10th for things I love about my new season as some of my readers are from the Southern Hemisphere. If you read it, the only mention of the sun is later sunsets. I am not a big lover of sunshine anymore. I never really was, even as a kid. My mom was always telling me to go outside and blow the stink off of me! I preferred staying inside and reading a book. Even when I went outside, I’d quickly climb the apple tree (strictly prohibited…hahaha), sit on my favorite branch and read a book! The only time I really loved being outside on purpose was to go to the public swimming pool. And, since it cost money, we only ever went on Tuesdays, which was Free Day! Believe it or not, we had to walk there, too. It was probably close to three miles or so, and we walked it, complaining all the way, I’m sure. Mom would pick us up at the intersection of the streets she drove going home and the one the pool was on. I also will spend a day at the beach quite willingly as long as I have plenty of sunscreen and a way to get all the sand off of me when I leave. So, I suppose I do like sunshine in specific ways.
A little tangent…
I suppose I could leave this post there, right? But, you’ve all come to expect a long, meandering post from me when it comes to these Global Writing Challenges, right? So, today, it’s music, my friends! When I was teaching, my students didn’t mind the awful stick figures I drew or my awkward dancing. But, when it came to singing, they loudly and vociferously begged, nay, demanded I not sing…at all…ever! Of course, I didn’t listen to them. We had a camp song that began each day, and a class song that we belted out at the end of the day. I think, even though they begged me not to sing, secretly, they liked that I wasn’t afraid to look foolish. It may have made them feel a little better about those areas in which they weren’t quite up to snuff. Besides, I loved having fun while teaching, and singing was part of that!
And, more on that tangent…
Here’s the funny thing. Back then, we (meaning the teachers) were immersed in a certain way of teaching. Part of that was understanding there are several different kinds of intelligences. When I retired, that number stood at 19. I have no idea if they’ve discovered more or not. We all had to take tests to see what our main intelligences were. Mine was music! I love music. I remember listening to it when I was a toddler, and I listen to it now. Music class, when I was in school, consisted of singing from a songbook. We weren’t taught how to read music, which notes appeared where, etc. I discovered, my Freshman year, I cannot sing a cappella. Not one little bit! I will sing along with whoever is loudest and standing closest to me! I cannot sing in harmony because I have no idea what that would be. Over time, my voice changed and became the raucous sound it was when I was teaching and continues to this day. Man, have I digressed here! So, with all of this in mind, I present to you some of my favorite songs with sunshine or sun in the title or mentioned in the lyrics. These aren’t in any particular order.
On to the prompt…
I have to admit every time I hear the word, sunshine, I sing a little bit in my head. Any guesses about which song? I kinda miss the round glasses, but, man, his voice was like velvet, right?
Johnny Nash had one of those wonderful R&B voices. I just love this song. I feel like it could be my theme song right now.
Strangely, I didn’t like Sheryl Crow when she first burst onto the scene. Now, I can appreciate her upbeat songs as well as her voice. I would love to have that van, though!
Of course, I have to include the Beatles! I love this video…would you call that a bit of a surreal take?
I love this song because it’s so rhythmic and lilting.
I can remember this playing on the AM radio in the mornings when I was a kid. My mom really liked it, too.
Sir Elton John in sequins and cool glasses…and dig those sideburns!
And, the Beatles once again with a closing sentiment…
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Well, that was fun, right? I loved looking at these old videos and different versions of the same song. I think I’ve given you the wrong idea about sunshine. I do like sunshine when it’s streaming into my home. I just don’t like being hot! So, can we talk? Are you a sun worshipper? Did you coat yourself in baby oil and iodine and/or Coppertone to get that deep, rich suntan? Which video strikes a chord with you (see what I did there)? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
What others are saying…
Suzy “writes about her changing relationship with sunshine and why she appreciates it far more now than she ever did before.”
Cat “talks about her thoughts on sunshine as a vampire.”
Sally “shares sunshine-inspired outfits and handmade jewelry.”
Amy “writes about her first year of freedom to chase the sunshine in all four seasons.”
Leslie writes, “packed a little El Paso sunshine in her pocket for their trip to the UK.”
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your posts about sunshine, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
I like the sun that provides warmth and light, but scorching hot is a challenge for me. Those sun themed songs were fun, thank you.
Thanks, Rosie! I like those things, too, as well as photosynthesis! I’m glad you enjoyed the songs.
We Brits have a very odd relationship with weather and half of that is due to the fact that we used to have somewhat cool summers with the occasional heatwave in August followed by a thunderstorm, otherwise it would be cool and damp. And I remember many summer holidays when a plastic mac was the most worn thing for our 2-week annual holiday by the sea in August. So when the sun did come out we all took most of our clothes off and sunbathed until we were lobster red. Now the summers are much, much hotter and we are not used to this, in fact, we find it astonishing to be told not to open our windows when the sun comes out!
I now think of sun as OK if not too hot but I also see it as the great maker of sun damage to our precious skins. So sadly I cover up and keep out of the sun.
I love all those songs. Nice to see the Tell Us About challenge is still around. It’s nice to read.
Thanks, Penny! I remember our first trip to London in 2001. It was the perfect weather even though it rained every day. The last couple of times we went, it was so hot. It’s even harder when you’re used to AC! I have heard that about not opening windows. I would think it would become quite stifling. I do keep out of the sun as much as possible, but I will definitely be tan by the end of the summer because I tan very easily. And, that’s with sunscreen. I’m glad you enjoyed the songs. You’re always welcome to come back…hint, hint!
I didn’t know the theory of multiple intelligences, interesting!
That was such a fun idea to share all those “sunshine” songs. Quite the flashback! I hadn’t known the Gale Garnett song before.
Have a lovely weekend, sunshine or not!
Thanks, Cat! I remembered the Gale Garnett song, but, honestly, I thought it was a guy! Oh, yes, we had to learn all about those intelligences. I always thought of them as talents, but the woman who came up with a way to package it to schools made a fortune. Look up Howard Gardner (I think). He’s the one behind the intelligences.
There are so many songs with the word “sun” or “sunshine” and I almost talked about that, too. I think I was thinking of “You are the sunshine of my life”. Love the route you took!
Thanks, Amy! I was really surprised when I googled it! I almost included that song, but then I happened on to others I like more!
What a fun look at these songs and videos, I’ll have a few stuck in my head! Since I live in the land of the sun I’d say I am a fan because there’s nothing more beautiful and uplifting to me than a beautiful sky.
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! You absolutely do live in the land of the sun! Beautiful skies are wonderful! I know you start your day super early so you get to see them at their finest! Sorry for the ear worms, but, at least, they’re really good ones!
My song would be, black hole sun. That does tell you enlough right, lol.
That does not surprise me in the least, Nancy! But, it also tells me you’re a fun person!
What does it say that the “sun” song I think of is Violent Femmes “Blister in the Sun”? 😀 Growing up, my mom loved John Denver but I found him too folksy – I guess I’ve reached my mellow stage of life because now I really appreciate his amazing voice and the gentleness and simple wisdom of songs like “Sunshine on my Shoulder” – maybe it takes some of us longer to figure out what makes up happy and to understand the importance of that.
OK, I had to google that song! I know of it, but I’m terrible with actual titles! I think it says you’re a happening chick! I do think there may be a grain of truth in being a little older in order to appreciate older songs. For example, I was never a fan of Frank Sinatra, but I really like his music now.
I miss being a sun worshipper…I always felt energized by it…but I was usually also reading a book at the same time, LOL
And your space joke, hilarious.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I admit I had to google that riddle! I never really enjoyed just lying in the sun. All I could think about was the sweat dripping down me and the bugs crawling around, too!
I loved I’ll Follow The Sun – There was an epidose with the Beatles cartoon that I loved with it. I too went with Sunny music. So much sunshine in our songs.
Thanks, Lydia! That’s one of my favorite songs, too. I love the harmonizing they do in it. I’ll be over to read your post soon. Thanks so much for linking up with us!
This is such a great post!! I am not a fan of being out in the sun either. I like it when it is sunny, but not sitting in it. Yuck. Lol.
When Wyatt was a little toddler and in preschool, he loved the song Here Comes the Sun. We listened to it over and over. It was so cute.
Thanks, Erin! Now, I would have figured you for a sun worshipper! That’s a good way to put it…liking it when it’s sunny but not sitting in it…sums up the way I feel completely.
I started my youngest on the Beatles very early, too! Nothing like the classics!
This was such a fun take on the sunshine prompt! I may not be a sun worshipper either, but I do love sunshine streaming through the windows and a good soundtrack for summer.
Thanks, Laura! I’m the exact same way now, but I did like it more when I was a kid. The songs are pretty fab, right?
I don’t like being hot either, Marsha! But I do like the sunshine on my face (sometimes lol).
I don’t actually know a few of these songs, but I do love the Sheryl Crow one, because it brings to mind fun, summertime memories. When I think of summer songs, I tend to think of Matt Bianco and Billy Ocean because when we first moved to Portugal when I was a kid, my parents had those CDs and would play them while we were in the pool!
I, too, LOVE to sing even though I probably shouldn’t lol!
Great post, Marsha!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! Oh, my gosh! You make me feel old! I remember when Billy Ocean was so hot on the charts, and you were just a little kid! I would probably be out in the sun more if I were sitting beside an inground pool. I always wanted one and thought we’d have one once we’d retired and the kids were gone. Then, we moved. Ah, well!
Great song choices and Sally mentioned one of my favorites, Denver’s Sunshine on my Shoulder. I am certainly no singer and have been invited not to sing at times. But boy, I belt them out iny car alone.
Thanks, my friend! I sing a lot in the car, too! I had a lot of fun finding these songs!