Song of the Day: Coat of Many Colors

I pulled out a CD of Eva Cassidy's I'd not listened to in a while, and here was the first track, "Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton.  I remember that song helping to straighten out some bad-attitude days back when I was a kid.  Mother made a lot of our clothes and some were great successes that I loved until they wore out, and others I didn't like at all, or thought they didn't fit right, or worried that the kids at school would be able to tell it was home-made.  So I identify with this song, and remember with regret the times I gave my Mom a hard time about wearing something she had made me.  What a gift that is, when you really think about it - to have someone spend their time and energy on making a garment for you. 

I remember in fifth grade she made a pink plaid culotte jumper for picture day, but didn't have time to finish the buttons before I needed it, so we straight-pinned me into it.  The problem was it had to come down when I used the bathroom, so I had to know how to pin it back.  No problem, I knew how to use straight-pins, and they were easier than getting a safety pin angled just the right way so it wouldn't show.  I  loved that outfit and wore that jumper with pins on the shoulders for quite a while, and I still remember the feel of those pins pricking me on my soft skin.

Another favorite was a wrap-around jacket she made for me when I went to college, corduroy on one side, and burgundy plaid wool on the other side, reversible.  It was a really cool design and I got a lot of compliments on it.  Herb used to point it out to people and tell how my Mom made it for me.  I hope I'll find that sewing pattern in her stash someday.

Another was a wrap-around skirt that she made of a beige and floral fabric and I actually found a store-bought blouse to match.  I wore that to Grandma and Grandpa Swain's wedding anniversary, and a lot around campus at Hiram.  Hope I find that sewing pattern, too.

Another memory is not so pleasant.  I gave a sweater away that she had knit for me.  It was too big and never fit me.  A girlfriend on my floor of the dorm loved it, though, and asked to borrow it once.  After I saw how much better it looked on her than me I told her she could keep it.  Later, when Mom asked what became of it and I told her, she was appalled, rightly, to think I'd given it away.

Another good memory is my prom dress.  She made it from a Laura Ashley pattern, white with white lace inset above the tiered ruffle on the skirt, with pale blue satin ribbon above the ruffle, on the bodice and continuing on as the strap.  It fit to a T and was beautiful.  I still have that dress, although I will probably never fit into it again.  It would be fun to see a grand-daughter try it on someday and laugh.  This was one of the examples where Mom was as naive as I was.  It was double-lined, so could be worn bra-less, and laced up the front with the satin ribbon from the navel up.  Sounds risque now, and might have been, a little, but it was laced tight and the ribbon covered me pretty well. 

Still...I'm surprised at what she made me that I wore then.  She made me midriff tops that tied in front at the bottom of the sternum with no other closure up the front than that low tie - and I wore those all summer until I was 17, probably!  They fit very well, too, and didn't sag or let anything show that shouldn' have.  All I cared was that they were cool and comfortable.  More recently, I asked her once why she let me dress like that at that age and she said, "Honey, I was as naive as you were.  I didn't know any better than you, then, how men might think when they see something like that."   She was sheltered by my Dad, had married very young, and when I was 17 she was still only 37, but running our household like the expert she was.

So here, for your thinking pleasure, is the song that brought back so many memories.

Coat of Many Colors, by Dolly Parton

Back through the years

I go wonderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And Momma blessed it with a kiss

Chorus:

My coat of many colors
That my Momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My Momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My Momma made for me

And Oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My Momma sewed in every stitch
And I told em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes
But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My Momma made for me
Made just for me

The Magic of Doing One Thing at a Time - Tony Schwartz - Harvard Business Review

The Magic of Doing One Thing at a Time - Tony Schwartz - Harvard Business Review

Good advice re: Smartphone Security

http://inewsletter.csmc.edu/Bridge/2012/March-28/Smartphone-smarts.aspx

This is worth reading and following....the internet is a dirty place and our phones are all on it these days.

Benji Pouting

He turned his back on me and put his head on the pavers.


He got in trouble for chasing dogs as they passed our table at dinner this evening on Sunset. First it was a man with a doberman and a rottweiler. Luckily *they* were well behaved. Next it was a chihuahua that he went after so hard and fast that he pulled the table which I unfortunately had attached him to and knocked my water glass over. Then he got a swat (more show than swat of course) and a talking to. He is now morose and did not chase the pit bull that came by, thank goodness.

We are doing well. I had a great weekend with an actual social life here in LA. Saturday I went to
Huntington Gardens and library/museum with Ellen. Wonderful. Lots of pics to share later. Sunday to LA County Museum of Art with Arlene, Little Ginger the Yorkie's Mom. She is a docent there and there's a really great special exhibit of women surrealist artists there now. More later, and pics.

Best of all, my legs did very well, even though it rained heavy Sunday and got cold again. I am very glad!

No news on where I will be next.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend Recap

Thursday evening, just dog park, dinner, piano, and watched Phantom of the Opera the 25th anniversary version from public TV on my DVR. It was awesome!!
Friday took Benji to the vet. I've been worried. Something inconclusive with his breathing. Snoring, rattling. Reverse sneezing. Trying to clear the airway. Feared Valley Fever. Dehydrated. All tests negative. They gave him subcutaneous fluids and a steroid shot and oral steroids. The fluid makes a leaking hump on their backs, but then their bodies absorb it. By today he was back to his ornery self finally.
Later, worked with my organizer pro for about 4 hours. My office is almost under control. I can actually see the end of the work now, the catchup work anyway. Then there's the estate planning, lockbox etc stuff that I need to do. I have a will but I am not optimally organized for Drew to have to deal with everything if I would pass.
Then, more piano. I have three books out of the West Hollywood library: Sondheim, misc Broadway arrangements by Hal Leonard, and a big book of classical pieces arranged by Hal Leonard. He is my guy. Usually, if I see a book has his arrangements, I will like them. I'm getting into classical right now, rediscovering and discovering lots of Vivaldi, Rubenstein, Mozart, Schubert, and Bach. It just transports me. So much music, so little time!
Oh, and books! My latest Netflix movie was The Other Boleyn Girl with Scarlett Johansen and Natalie Portman. Loved it. Now reading the book by Phillipa Gregory. Also fabulous. I'd recommend reading the book, then watching the movie, though. There's more rich detail and nuance about the political climate and the court gossip and jockeying for position they are all doing, how critical it was, how desperate, and how dire a mis-step was. "Off with her head!"
Saturday massage, chiropractor, and acupuncture, errands and I watched Memphis from my DVR Great Performances recording on public television. It was also really excellent. Very enjoyable, a musical about a white DJ in Memphis in the fifties playing soul, "Negro" music.
Then today, bathed Benji after a morning walk in the rain. Couldn't see the mountains at all, but later in the day we saw snow on all of them. Did laundry, housework, potting a bunch of succulents. I'm getting into them - there are so many kinds and they have such character. There's even one named "baby toes". I don't care for cacti as much. A lot of people have prickly pear mania with them filling their entire yards. Mine has flowering bushes, trees, and lavender and white lantana out front. I have a little prickly pear to the side under a bush and this other spiky thing I don't know the name of, but that's all in the way of cactus. Chris and Jenna planted a perennial bed out back and most of it has survived the heat of last summer. I'd like to get some creepy succulents filling in areas where it's just gravel now. Someday I want a Japanese dry garden out back. I'd like to replace the grassy spot with one of the dry lakes in white pebbles that you rake into pretty patterns. It would be a pain, though because the olive tree and the other one out there drop so much mess.
So today off to the airport. Benji freaked me out with another of his episodes. This time he really seemed to be struggling with phlegm in his airway. It lasted about five minutes on the parking bus, and then he really clung to me. It freaks him out not to be able to breathe! I called an emergency vet and they felt they should see him (of course). Since he calmed so completely, though, and had no more trouble, I decided to go and treat him in LA if needed. We have a vet there because he needed shots for daycare.
Looking forward to the work week and trying to do lots of good in my time left at Cedars. As my new friend Ellen says, "It seems there will never be enough time for all the good I want to do in this world!" She has given me great opportunities to do a lot if good in infection prevention. Some of those bugs are really nasty and preventing them could save a lot of people a lot of pain. I love that!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone ********at 30,000 feet somewhere between Tucson and Los Angeles using Southwest's free wifi**********

Song of the Day: In My Daughter's Eyes

Chris said this one got to her recently, thinking of Mom, and Jenna, and life.

In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero,Martina McBride

I am strong an' wise,
And I know no fear.
But the truth is plain to see:
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I wanna be, in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace.
This miracle God gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak.
I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes.

An' when she wraps her hand around my finger,
Oh, it puts a smile in my heart.
Everything becomes a little clearer.
I realise what life is all about.
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough;
It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up.
I've seen the light: it's in my daughter's eyes.
In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future.

A reflection of who I am,
An' what will be.
An' though she'll grow an', some day, leave:
Maybe raise a family,
When I'm gone, I hope you'll see,
How happy she made me,
For I'll be there, in my daughter's eyes.

Leaving Cedars Sinai soon

I just learned that Cedars Sinai Hospital notified my company yesterday that my contract will not be renewed here in LA.  Last day is 4/27, they think, but they're still verifying that.  Symphony is looking to send me to Wisconsin or Sacramento - that's the preliminary news.  The good news is that it's for a Clarity team lead position at Sutter, so that's great!

My contact for infection control here, and now my friend, Ellen, just sent me the nicest note!

"It takes a resilient heart and lots of courage to keep starting up in new places.  I only knew you for a bit - when immediately I liked you and it just got better. This has been my favorite project and to get to work with you on it has been a once in a career highlight… I am sad."