Thrifted Finds Friday & A Shout Out To Galentine’s Day

This week I was finally able to cross off a bucket list item with the purchase of this vintage angler’s creel for $8.00.

creel A

I love baskets and the shape of this one has always appealed to me.  And the handle makes it easy to display.

creel one

I think the size is perfect also.  Not too big, not too small, just right.  And the square opening gives it even more interest and usefulness.

creel 3

I originally wanted one for my bathroom to hold my blow dryer and hair brushes.  But now I am considering putting it on the back of my entry door or on a peg rack near the door as a landing place for keys, mail or to hold books/dvds to return to the library.

creel 4

If you sew, knit or crochet you could use one of these baskets to hold all those supplies.

Have you thrifted any bucket list items recently?  I would love to see your finds.  Please share them with me in the comments or tag me on Facebook or Instagram.

Now for a song (actually three songs).

Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic love.  It’s a day to honor all the love in your life.  Love of any kind is something special and should be celebrated.  Just like Thanksgiving has evolved into Friendsgiving for some, women choosing to celebrate with their favorite girls refer to this as Galantine’s Day (thank you, Queen Amy Poehler!!!)

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler (courtesy:  NBC/Parks and Recreation).

So this first song recognizes the women we are honored to share our lives with.  On an interesting side note, at 4:04 of the video, Annie Lennox states “Equal pay, hear what we say”.  Sadly, we are still waiting for that 35 years later.

Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin:  “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” (1985, written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart in 1985).

Courtesy:  Disney/Pixar

For the romantics celebrating love on any day here are two songs to help you with that, one from the male perspective and the other from the female one.  The first song combines a gorgeous string arrangement with one of the greatest lead singers to come out of Motown.  The second is by a female who has won every award and accolade because of her incredible voice, and her delivery on this song just underscores her talent.  Plus, it was written by a an incredibly prolific songwriter who gives us a piece of herself with every word she writes.

The Four Tops:  “I Believe In You And Me” (1983, written by Sandy Linzer and David Wolfert in 1982).

Celine Dion:  “If You Asked Me To” (1992, written by Diane Warren in 1989).

I do not own the rights to the music.  I am just sharing what I love with you.

Until next time, happy listening!!!

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10 Songs To Celebrate Or Condemn Valentine’s Day With – Your Choice

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought I would share a few of my favorite love songs.  No surprise there.  But this year, to change things up a bit, I thought I would also share some songs for those who are not fans of this holiday.  Let’s call those the anti-love songs, if you will.  After all, everyone deserves to be happy and to listen to great music, right???

Valentine

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

Let’s start with the songs that celebrate the grand emotion.  Here are five of my favorites:

1. The Beatles:  “Something” (1969, written by George Harrison in 1969).

The Beatles changed the world and Lennon-McCartney songs were the nucleus of that success.  But this song written by George Harrison is the best love song the group ever made.  Period.

***Bonus:  Bruce Springsteen performed a gorgeous acoustic version of this song in 2001 days after George Harrison’s death.  A kind wonderful soul who was lucky enough to attend that show posted the audio portion of it on YouTube.  It is too beautiful not to share.

2. Elvis Presley:  “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961, written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George David Weiss circa 1961).

It’s Elvis, singing a beautiful love song.  What more could I possibly add???

3. Bruce Springsteen:  “Drive All Night” (1980, written by Bruce Springsteen circa 1977).

I swear I’ll drive all night again just to buy you some shoes
And to taste your tender charms
And I just want to sleep tonight again in your arms
Oh yeah, oh yeah.”

This song may be number 82 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Bruce Springsteen Songs of All Time”, but it is in my top five.  I sa-woon every single time I hear this unbelievably beautiful soul filled song full of pure unadulterated love and passion.  A classic and one of the highlights of his 2016 “The River” revisited tour.

4. Blood Sweat & Tears:  “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” (1969, written by Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson & Berry Gordy in 1967).

David Clayton Thomas has one of the best voices to come out of any era, and one of the most underrated ones as well.  I have no clue why that is.  But between his powerhouse vocals to the booming brass accompaniment, this song is one for the ages.

5. Loggins & Messins:  “A Love Song” (1973, written by Kenny Loggins & Dona Lyn George in 1973).

A sweet pure simple song about love and sharing what;s really important (“I want to rock you in my arms all night long…….I want to show you the peaceful feeling of my home“).

Now, here are five of my favorite anti-love songs:

Anti val

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

1. The J. Geils Band:  “Love Stinks

The title and the use of gas masks in the video say it all.  And so does Adam Sandler’s anger ridden performance of this song in “The Wedding Singer“.  

2. Elton John:  “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (1975, written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin in 1974).

A man attempts suicide to avoid marriage.  What else is there to add???

3. Fleetwood Mac:  “Go Your Own Way” (1976, written by Lindsey Buckingham in 1976).  The first single off the now classic “Rumors” album and the one that details Buckingham’s anger toward his ex-girlfriend Stevie Nicks by announcing to the whole world on a record and in every concert performance what she wanted instead of him (“‘Packing up, Shacking up is all you want to do“).   Ouch.

4. Amy Winehouse:  “Back To Black” (2007, written by Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson in 2006).

Break ups are hard enough, but when your ex leaves you for his ex, it cuts especially deep.

5. Nazareth:  “Love Hurts” (1974, written by Boudleaux Bryant circa 1960).

The Everly Brothers may have recorded this song first, but Nazareth turned it into a top ten hit, with Dan McCafferty’s vocal making you ache with every note.

Love hurts
Love scars
Love wounds and mars
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain.”

What are some of your favorite love or anti-love songs?

I do not own the rights to anything in this post.  I am just sharing what I love with you.

Until next time, happy listening!!!