A really good friend of mine called me because she had come to the end of a surprisingly dreadful day and she needed to talk. Butter Bean, as she is affectionately called by some of her friends, was more upset than I had ever known her to be. She was not the type to be rattled easily, so I listened intently to her recount of the day's events leading up to her despair.
The next day, I called her just to check on her mood. I was hoping that a good night's rest had lulled her back into the calm place I was so used to finding her. As soon as she answered the phone, I knew that I had hoped in vain. This time, I decided that I would be the force that would lift the burdens that had recently attached themselves to her shoulders. So, after listening to her for about fifteen minutes, I began making silly jokes. She didn't laugh. I allowed her to talk and pout and sigh. In the spaces between the talking, pouting, and sighing, I threw in a downright stupid comment and a nervous giggle. I had every right to be nervous because she still didn't laugh. The Butter Bean I knew had been chased into a hole and she wasn't coming out.
By day three, I was not looking forward to calling her because I just did not know what to say. Sometimes just listening works but I instinctively knew that this was not one of those times. No way! Butter Bean needed a jolt to shock her back into her usual jovial self. Undaunted by the fact that I had no clue as to what would accomplish that, I dialed her number. As the phone started ringing, a silly little ditty suddenly formed in my mind. When she answered, I broke into song.
Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
You know that man was just looking out...
But you had to scream and shout.
Butter Bean, Butter Bbean! Don't cha be so mean!
Whoa, Butter Bean! Don't be so mean!
She was really quiet the whole minute that it took me to get that out so I thought that I had failed again. But as my voice trailed off, I heard a familiar sound. It was a chuckle. I had done it! Butter Bean was laughing! She said, "You'd better write that one down." We shared a few more laughs that evening. She reminded me to write the silly ditty down one more time before we hung up. Butter Bean knew that if I didn't, I'd forget it. I still forgot, but the lines above are what I can remember.
It really didn't matter what I sang. The point is that music was the one thing that soothed her soul. I should have known that since it has always been the thing to make me feel better no matter what had put me in a foul mood. The genre doesn't matter and I could care less who's singing it as long as I like it. Let me make it clear that I am a terminally devoted Patti LaBelle fan but I listen to a wide variety of others. So far, no one has come up with a song that I like to blast when I'm in a bad mood better than "Victory" by Yolanda Adams. After all, one can't go wrong when you have "the victory in Jesus."
What soothes your soul when life has unexpectedly dealt you a difficult hand to play? Maybe it's a day at a spa, a long walk, getting lost in a good book, a long soak in a hot tub with a glass of wine or a drive along a scenic route. Whatever it is, as long as it works for you without adding to your problems and it is not detrimental to your health, indulge yourself! I'm pretty sure that it will always be music that does it for me.
Be blessed!
December 20, 2007
December 19, 2007
Clash of the Choirs -- Kelly's Choir Cut
Say it ain't so! Singer Kelly Rowland (of Destiny's Child fame)and her choir were the first to get cut from the competition tonight on NBC's Clash of the Choirs. Kelly is a very talented singer and actress. Although her choir sang better than Michael Bolton's choir (no offense, all the choirs did really well), it claimed the fewest votes. Rowland, who hails from Houston, Texas, will get to sing with her choir tomorrow night. The competition is actually a fundraiser for charity that will benefit an organization in the winning celebrity choir director's hometown.
In addition to Bolton and Rowland, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, and Blake Shelton are also bringing out the best in amatuer singers from their hometowns. One of the remaining four will come to the end of the road tomorrow night. So, stay tunned.
As a serious Patti LaBelle fan, I knew that I would be watching the competition and voting for Ms. Patti, a Diva in the best possible sense of the word. Like one of her choir members, I also dream of singing with Patti one day. She does an a capella rendition of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" for the soundtrack of the Kyra Sedgewick and Kevin Bacon movie, The Woodsman. If you haven't heard it, you are definitely missing a great performance. Her voice is astoundingly crisp and gripping. And if you're a parent, you should see the movie. If pedophilia never frightened you before, it will! Here's a link for the trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361127/trailers-screenplay-E23472-314
Rowland fans can listen to her latest single, Day Light by clicking here:
http://www.nbc.com/Clash_of_the_Choirs/video/#mea=193375
I also like Kelly's "Train On A Track" on Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes' Maid in Manhattan movie soundtrack. Here's a link to the video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiVPrwlzEL8
In addition to Bolton and Rowland, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, and Blake Shelton are also bringing out the best in amatuer singers from their hometowns. One of the remaining four will come to the end of the road tomorrow night. So, stay tunned.
As a serious Patti LaBelle fan, I knew that I would be watching the competition and voting for Ms. Patti, a Diva in the best possible sense of the word. Like one of her choir members, I also dream of singing with Patti one day. She does an a capella rendition of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" for the soundtrack of the Kyra Sedgewick and Kevin Bacon movie, The Woodsman. If you haven't heard it, you are definitely missing a great performance. Her voice is astoundingly crisp and gripping. And if you're a parent, you should see the movie. If pedophilia never frightened you before, it will! Here's a link for the trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361127/trailers-screenplay-E23472-314
Rowland fans can listen to her latest single, Day Light by clicking here:
http://www.nbc.com/Clash_of_the_Choirs/video/#mea=193375
I also like Kelly's "Train On A Track" on Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes' Maid in Manhattan movie soundtrack. Here's a link to the video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiVPrwlzEL8
It's Cold Outside!
The summer weather has left South Carolina. Baby, it's cold outside! We woke up to a low 23 degrees and frost. Of course, this is still a heatwave compared to the Midwest and other areas. Now it feels more like it should -- winter! The snuggle factor is at least an 8! It's time to get out the extra blankets and hot chocolate.
December 18, 2007
Clinton Comes to Town!
Although it never rains on Suni Daez, the clouds can really put a damper on things. Illness prevented me from doing some important things this past weekend. That in turn has caused me to miss the appearance of the rock star of former Presidents, Bill Clinton.
Some people think that Hilary Clinton is making a mistake having him campaign for her. I think that having a rock star former President in her corner is a great asset. Use the hell out of that, Hilary! This country has gone to hell in a Republican handbasket. Hilary can put the brakes on it and turn it around. I only wish that I had been able to make it to any of President Clinton's appearances on his wife's behalf in South Carolina today. I would be hoarse by now because I would have been screaming louder than everyone else in support of the campaign that is Hilary.
However, I came across this hilarious video on YouTube that is just too funny not to share even if you are in favor of Hilary or Barack.
Some people think that Hilary Clinton is making a mistake having him campaign for her. I think that having a rock star former President in her corner is a great asset. Use the hell out of that, Hilary! This country has gone to hell in a Republican handbasket. Hilary can put the brakes on it and turn it around. I only wish that I had been able to make it to any of President Clinton's appearances on his wife's behalf in South Carolina today. I would be hoarse by now because I would have been screaming louder than everyone else in support of the campaign that is Hilary.
However, I came across this hilarious video on YouTube that is just too funny not to share even if you are in favor of Hilary or Barack.
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