Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wildest Gift: 525,600 Minutes

If all goes as planned, come tomorrow evening at approximately 6:30 pm, I will have been granted another 525,600 minutes of this wild gift (wild card?) called my life. Multiply that sum by 55 and that'll be the total gift so far. I'm pushin' 29 million minutes. And a dizzying, unpredictable jumble of color it's been! Tomorrow also marks my first blogaversary. In blog years, I'm merely pushing 526,000. A baby.

Last birthday I gave myself this blog. This year I've given myself a playlist. It's way down at the bottom of this post. Warning: it's LONG. It's a jumble. The transitions are jarring. If you're not familiar with how to listen to a playlist, you just click the big arrow like you do on a you-tube video. This will turn the jukebox on. Then you can click on any selection to listen to it. You scroll down on the bar to the right to see what the selections are.(BREAKING NEWS: I've squashed in the edges of the playlist gizmo, so that everybody--I hope--can work the scrollbar.)

I have a few dedications for my blogging friends:

Seasons of Love, from the muscial Rent, is for everyone who said goodbye to dear ones this past year. I know there are many who did, but I am thinking in particular of Doris (River Poet), Patty, and Mima. I also dedicate this song to the memory of John Smeltzer.

Joan Osborne's Spider Web is for all of the visual artists who visit this blog, including but not limited to Chewy, Paula (self-taught artist), Paula (second studio), Kim (creating space), Kim (stillmeadow quilts), Babs, Lynette, Celine (of the stunning travelogues), Daphne, Debi aka emma tree, Daryl, Andrea in Canada, Andrea in Paris, Bridget who contemplates the moon, Lori (Witzel and Skoog), Corrine (that jafabrit), Heather, Kate (of the corner by that name), Kate (who smudges), David Mc, Todd, Suki, the Blue Sky Dreamer, Tammie, and Randy. No doubt I am forgetting so many. That's the hazard of pushin' 29 million--the memory starts to slip a bit. And while I'm at it, I want to send this one out--I always wanted to say that--"I want to send this one out"--to Paschal, who gets "it."

Another Joan Osborne song, One of Us, is for Sometimes Saintly Nick. That one also goes out to his spiritual cousin Carol, along with Cat Stevens' Peace Train and the Temptations' Wake up Everybody. I might as well add that I prefer Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' rendition of Wake up Everybody, but I couldn't find that version. While I'm on the social consciousness theme, let me dedicate Everyday People to Sandy Carlson because she lives her life with humility and concern for others.

Many bloggers find themselves in periods of transition and questioning. Truth be told, every one of us finds ourselves in such periods. Often. A few bloggers, however, have chosen to share their adventures in uncertainy with the rest of us. Theirs is a rich gift to this community and I dedicate Alanis Morisette's Hand in my Pocket to those bloggers, including: Lee, Lime, Raven, John-Michael, J.S., Paula (self-taught artist), Spark, Doris (River Poet), Mima, Aims, and Whim.

Some of us find ourselves challenged by our own bodies. And several bloggers have chosen to take their physical limitations and transform them into miracles of inspiration. There are many, but the people whose names are coming to my mind now are Meg Wolff, Whim, Sandi, Jane, and Mima. Natalie Merchant's Wonder is dedicated to them.

Everyone gets their heart broken sometimes. You only have to listen to the radio to know this. So many of the best songs are about lost love. There's a boat load of lost love numbers on this playlist. They're for everybody because there's nothing quite like wallowing in misery, listening to Patsy Cline or Johnny Cash or Wall of Voodoo sing their hearts out about the cruelty of love, to make a person cry. And we all need a good cry sometimes. (It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.) At other times, we just need to get mad as hell. Whatever works. The following songs are dedicated to the human race: Ray Charles' Hit the Road Jack, Aretha Franklin's Respect, Blues Traveler's Runaround, Peter Sarstedt's Where Do You Go To My Lovely (for the romantic in all of us), Cake's I Will Survive (an absolutely kickass cover of the Gloria Gaynor disco hit), Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire, Wall of Voodoo's kickass cover of the same, and Patsy Cline's Crazy. So much love lost. So few tracks on the playlist.

Then, we move on down the playlist of life and have our lucky times in love. These must be fewer and far between, given the scarcity of songs about the lucky times. Or at least good songs. There are a few. I'm sending The Proclaimers' 500 Miles out to Jo, because Jo is finding her luck in love with the kind of man who will not only walk 500 miles to get to her heart, he helps her tear out her plumbing and invites her to hunting camp. 500 Miles is dedicated to everyone who is in a happy relationship. A few other names that spring to mind are Maggie May, J.S., Indi, Jeff, David, Bruno, Daryl, Jeanne, Todd, Sandi, Ellie, and Cath. Come to think of it, there are many more. More than the number of songs would suggest.

For Moody, my friend in The Land of the Rising Sun, I dedicate The Vapors' I Think I'm Turning Japanese and Sakamoto Kyu's Sukiyaki. Why? Because I'm the birthday girl and I can do anything I want!

Maybe I'll be wistful. One of the most wistful songs I have ever heard is Israel Kamakawiwoole's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Thank you, John-Michael, for identifying this singer for me! I had wanted to play it on my blog when Flannery graduated from college. That didn't happen, so belatedly I dedicate this song to my Flan. It's also for Rubye Jean of the blog by the same name, and her lovely daughter Anna. And speaking of Anna, there's another Anna (in the UK) who has a baby and an Angel (in Canada) who's expecting one. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is for these mothers as well as Lime (Michelle), Kim (both of them),Babs, Lynette, Shrinky, Rhea, Jennifer H., Heather, J.S., and Sandy Carlson. We are all hoping our own children will live bigger, more joyous lives than our own. Not that our own lives aren't joyous mind you. It's just that we as mothers want things to go even better for our kids. Flan, I'm counting on you to find your spot over the rainbow, the spot where your heart, mind, and soul meet.

(While we're at it, let's send The Chi-Lites' Oooh Child out to all parents, including those of us who are nurturing our inner child, the little kid in us who wants to color outside of the lines. Lee, I'm talking to you!)

To my other kid, the infamous Mister Mokes, I dedicate two versions of The Rainbow Connection. Kermit the Frog's and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes'. Oaks, I'm counting on you to find that rainbow connection, you of the prodigious way with words, you of the truth-seeking heart.

Kermit the Frog's song goes out as well to Bob T. Bear and to Alex the Blogging Cat.

Linus and Lucy is for Meanie the Baby Dragon aka Chuck and his dragon cousin across the ocean Dilly.

For Bennie, the love of my life, I offer a wild jumble:

  1. X's Breathless (I guess that's as close to a 'Listen, they're playing our song' as we have). I thank you for sharing the last 13 million minutes with me. It's been breathless!
  2. Rock the Casbah & Private Idaho. Because they too are representative of our courtship era.
  3. San Francisco, as covered by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Truth be told, I find this band a little pale in comparison to their Eighties predecessors (after all, they only do covers), but it seems appropriate to acknowledge the fact that I met you in The City by the Bay and the Scott MacKenzie song just falls short. I mean, name one time you saw a single person walking down Sutter Street with actual flowers in their hair.
  4. Speaking of covers, speaking of San Francisco, nothin' says lovin' like a Mel Torme cover of the Turtles' Happy Together. I will never forget the night you took me to see Mel at the Fairmont. We were struggling young art dealers. Even so, you insisted we have a glamorous evening in the Venetian Room.
  5. The Proclaimers' 500 Miles. You've walked that far. And more. With me and for me. And you've run that far. You are a distance runner on all the levels.
  6. Booker T. & the MGs' Hip Hug Her. Because.
  7. Mulatu Asttatke's Yegelle Tezeta and two selections from Satyajit Ray. Because those names are as challenging to pronounce as our love has been unpredictable. Both, however, once mastered, flow beautifully.
  8. Tom Waits' Rain Dogs. For many years, I associated Tom Waits' voice with morning sickness. Remember? We were playing him in the gallery during my first pregnancy. 11 million minutes later, Tom Waits' voice has assumed a silken quality in my ear. I associate Tom Waits' voice with the wildest, most sublime gifts you ever gave me--our children.

And now it's time for me to blow out my candles while Frank Sinatra sings Happy Birthday. Everybody, make a wish. Get on your mark. Get set. BLOW!





113 comments:

Todd said...

HEY SAN!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! What a wonderful playlist!! I hope this year is everything you wish for and more. Blessings & Peace,
Todd (your neighbor in Santa Fe!)

Hilary said...

What a sweet and original post. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays.

Leau said...

Wish I'd be that gracious and loving on my birthday. What a great perspective! Happy Birthday! Leau

Randy said...

Hi San,

It was so great to meet you this weekend. I love your gallery and I really love this wonderful post. Wishing you all the happiness that your heart and soul can hold.

Happy Birthday,
Randy

lime said...

oh how wonderful, san! so like you to be the giver of gifts on your special day. i just LOVE the songs you blessed me with. i wish you many more sets of 525,600 minutes to fill with wonder, beauty, and joyous abandon while surrounded by those you love and who love you.

happy birthday!

John-Michael said...

You, My Darling San, are Life's gift to the most quiet and sacred corners of my Being. I find always-reliable respite and tranquil beauty in every aspect of your Spirit's expression. I celebrate Life's Gift of the birth of all that You are ... in this corner of the cosmos that is my world. You are a lovely treat ... and I do genuinely love You. Life's richest blessings on You ... on this day of celebration.

With loving admiration ...

Lee said...

Happy Birthday San! I wanted to sing it to you but at Midnight I figured you were asleep. So I searched and found this link. Pick the version you like best. :) (I liked the blues version.)

Hugs!

SandyCarlson said...

Happy birthday, friend! I enjoyed this beautiful, poetic post. And I do appreciate "Rainbow." Thank you for this gift on your birthday!

Cath said...

Awww San that is lovely! How typical of you to share your day with us. I hope you have a great day and that your dreams come true.

Thank you for the dedication. 500 miles is how far we would walk for eachother and together. I love some of your other choices too, especially the "anger" ones after the crying is done and Over the Rainbow by Israel. I think I first heard this on Quilly's blog. Very moving and something I pass to my children too.

Another original and humble post. You are one in a million.

RiverPoet said...

San, you are one of a kind. Thank you for sharing your birthday with me by dedicating songs to me. I love them both! HUGS! Wish I were there to help you celebrate. What fun we would have!

May you have many, many more minutes on this earth. Peace - D

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi San, you are so sweet and kind to do this...I can't imagine what kind of planning it took!

I wish for you the Most Delightful and Celebratory Birthday Full of Love and Beauty.

For now...here is a Big Birthday Hug for you!

Unknown said...

Wow, San! A birthday and a blogaversay at the same time! What a wonderful celebration! May you enjoy many more minutes of each and blessings for the year to come.

And, thank you so much for dedicating One of Us to me. Now I feel blessed.

Sandi McBride said...

Happy Birthday San...aren't birthdays special though? It's almost as if you feel the connection with your mother all over again, stronger than ever, the warmth of loving arms enclosing you...even when they are on the other side of the curtain...I hope your day was filled with everything you wanted...I loved this post, not because you thought of me and other of your blogging friends, but because you took the time to think of me and your other blogging friends on this, your day! Many many many more is my prayer for you!
hugs and love
Sandi

Celebration of Life said...

Happy Birthday, San!
Of all the gifts that we can possibly receive in life, the gift of friendship is the best one. You have so many friends here in blog land and I am honored and humbled that you and I have connected to become friends. Have a wonderful and blessed day today with Bennie and I will see you for coffee in the morning!
Love,
Jo
P.S. I loved what you wrote in your dedication to me.

JS said...

Happy Birthday and to many more millions of moments within the fractual light!

Thank you for the dedications - Now's it time to give the playlist a listen :)

jafabrit said...

I really enjoyed your playlist. Happy Birthday, your blog is a special place created by a special person. May the next year bring dreams and blessings come true.

aims said...

Happy Birthday San!

Thank you so kindly for thinking of me and including me in the dedication! I'm very touched! Your own gift of sharing your life needed to be included in that list though San. You certainly have blessed us with your life and with your gifts.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!
Love your choice of songs.
Wall of Voodoo and X awesome... and thanks for "Spider Web".

Velvet Ginger said...

Aw happy Birthday San!!! Funy you meantioned that song..My best friend Kendra hates the Wizard of Oz, she jsut got back from Hawaii last week and informed me that she loves THAT version of "Some Where Over The Rainbow" !
Have a wonderful Blessed Birthday...you deserve it!

Raven said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I'm afraid to calculate my own age in minutes. Might break the computer.

What a great song Hand in My Pocket is. I hadn't heard it before. Thanks for the unbirthday birthday gift from the birthday girl/woman. (????)

Hope you have a glorious day and a year full of one magnificent moment after another.

A.Bananna said...

That is a sweet post san! Thank you!! and happy birthday to you!!

you are so creative!


PS- Connor is not my husband. LOL. I think you are starting rumors.

Chuck fka: Meanie said...

Tank u San foh mee an Dillyz dong! Mee wuv it! Happeee Buffday tu u. Mayk yo huzbun kizz u hawd on duh wipz and swip u duh tung! hehehe

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you !!

Came here from Celine's blog to see your songs.

Wish you a very happy b'day !!

Daryl said...

Wishing you so much love, happiness and creativity .. and a some prosperity couldnt hurt .. I was enjoying the post .. grinning .. til I got to the songs you dedicated to Bennie .. then I got fa-klempt. Sigh.

xo

:-Daryl

San said...

Todd, thank you! It's so cool to have a blogger friend who may be living in my very neighborhood. Soon.

Peace to you, friend.

San said...

Hilary, YOU are sweet and original.

Thank you much.

San said...

Leau, we're headed back to Albuquerque tomorrow night to celebrate with the kids over a nice dinner. But it looks like I missed the EIGHT show. Bummer. August is just too busy. And I guess it's about to come down.

Anyhoo, thanks for visiting the gallery. Sorry I missed you there too. You should've been lumped in there with all of the other visual artists who got a song dedication. I need to add you to my blogroll.

San said...

Randy, it was great to meet you too!

And your birthday blessing is extremely generous. I'm touched. Thanks, man.

San said...

Michelle, in particular I love the "joyous abandon" part of your birthday blessing. Back atcha, birthday or not!

MUCH joy to you...

San said...

John-Michael, when your comment came into my inbox, I savored every word. And I just re-savored each one. Since it's my birthday, I can pig out!

You are a generous-spirited man. And it is my blessing to know you.

Sending much love your way...

San said...

Lee, thank you for the link to the birthday CD. From blues to Mozart--something for every mood. Me, I'm a blues person too.

HUGS.

San said...

Sandy, "Rainbow" really suits you. Yours is a rainbow of talents.

Many blessings back to you, friend. Much poetry and beautiful imagery too...

San said...

Cath, that new profile pic is just perfect. SO YOU! Dancing in the rain, making a celebration of it all.

You're right about the 500 miles. What are friends for but to walk with?

San said...

Doris, I wish you were here too! Yes, we'd have A LOT of fun.

Thanks for doing the next best thing, stopping by my home in the blogosphere.

Blessings to you.

San said...

Kim, if you have a fast internet connection, the playlist can be put together pretty fast. And it's a fun project.

The post itself did take some time, but you know me--I love writing long posts, telling long stories, bending everyone's ear. A great way to celebrate my birthday.

Thank you for your warm greetings!

San said...

P.S. to Kim: I forgot to return your birthday hug.

HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUG.

San said...

Nick, I believe the song really suits you. You're a blessing to the blogging community.

Thank you for your birthday wishes!

San said...

Sandi, I love what you have to say about birthdays re-connecting us to our own mothers. Funny. Right before I read your comment, my own mother called! She'd called earlier this morning and we had a longer conversation, but she'd forgotten something she'd meant to mention and so she called a second time. She's a wonderful mother. As you probably remember, I posted about her around Mother's Day.

Love and hugs to you too...

San said...

Jo, I treasure your friendship. It is indeed a WILD and beautiful gift.

Bennie and I are about to embark on our playing-hooky adventures. It feels so decadent to have a day off from business in the middle of the week. Delicious.

See you in the morning for coffee...

San said...

Jimmie Sue--YES! Let's all bask in the fractual light!

Thank you for the birthday wishes.

San said...

Corrine (Jafabrit): That's a wonderful compliment coming from one who authors a blog as dazzling as your own. You spoil me. And I appreciate it.

San said...

Aims, I am basking in your warm words. And I am touched.

THANK YOU.

San said...

Dar, I had an inkling you might appreciate some of the selections. I'm so glad you enjoyed!

San said...

Rubye Jean, that's a neat coincidence. As for me, I love almost any version of the song. And I'll bet you do too. I'm sure Kendra has her reasons though.

Thank you for your birthday blessings!

San said...

Raven, you are hilarious!

I'm glad to acquaint you with the song. To me, anyway, it fits you. Fits me too. Fits most of us. Like a good song tends too. One size fits all.

I appreciate your birthday wishes too. Very much.

San said...

Anna, it's my birthday. I will start rumors if I want to. Then tomorrow, I will come clean.

:-D

San said...

Chuck, I'm twying tuh haf a fambwy-fwendwy bwog here. Then agen, datz how fambys get stawted.

Hehehe back atcha.

San said...

Cuckoo, pleased to meet you!

Thank you for stopping by to wish me a happy birthday.

San said...

Daryl, thanks for including prosperity in the birthday mix. No, that doesn't hurt at all.

I'm about to get off the computer. I told him he can read the post and listen to his songs later. Now we're off to play hooky...

xo

sukipoet said...

San, Happy Happy Day. I hope you are treating yourself to all kinds of fun things. Wow, to this post. It must have taken forever to organize it. Thanks for including me in the Joan Osborne song. You know I don't know her! Yikes. I'll listen. You are such a dear to dedicate all these songs to hall your blogland and real world friends and loved ones. A champagne cocktail toast to you. And may you have many more wonderful birthdays, Suki PS need to listen to that suki song too.

indicaspecies said...

Wow! Congratulations. A birthday celebration and blogoversay. What a great occasion! It's wonderful to have known you in this blogworld San and thank you for remembering me on your birthday.

I like Joan Osborne's Spider Web dedicated to me. Thank you, and also for including me among your visual artist friends. I love this post.

Have a wonderful life San, and may all your heart's desires be fulfilled.A warm hug from me.

Celine

Oaks said...

Thanks for the songs...I actually used to own three Me First and The Gimme Gimme's albums, so, whether you meant to or not, your post instilled a huge amount of nostalgia in many, many, unexpected ways.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow!
I love you!
your son,
Oakley

Meg Wolff said...

San,
Your post and music made my day!! Love your playlist. Over The Rainbow is fantastic, Rock The Casbah (good birthday song!), Red Hot Chili Peppers ... Scare. I am going to make a playlist too. Thanks for bringing joy and music into my day. You truely are enjoying your 525,6000 minutes. Fun is your middle name. You are the women of great ideas! I feel like it is my birthday, you are amazing. Thank you for the song dedication. I've never had a song dedicated to me. Thanks a million, I mean 29 million. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Akelamalu said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS

What a great birthday post and a fabulous playlist you chose!

Hope your day has been everything you wished for and more m'deario. xx

Preity Angel... said...

San, this is very lovely post.. you are such a kind lady.. OMG you are so sweet. Happy Birthday!!!

Dianne said...

I'm here just 2 hours before your official Birthday! So glad I made it.

What a wonderful thughtful whimsical intelligent insightful way to share your birthday and your blog anniversay and your music.

You're really something ya know!

Meg Wolff said...

San,
I can't bring up your email. Hmm ... your gallery is closed today? Special delivery for tomorrow. Are you open??

Carol said...

Happy Birthday to YOU!

This birthday/blogaversary post is SO MUCH FUN! I hope you are having at least ten times as much fun celebrating your birthday with people you love.

Thank you so much for the great song dedications. I love them all. Your gift of music is the kind that can last a lifetime. Now, I will think of you when I hear One of Us, Peace Train, or Wake Up Everybody.

May you have many more thousands of minutes of love and good health, dear San.

Celebration of Life said...

Hi San!
How was your day? I'm glad you were able to spend the day with your honey.
I posted about my kitchen, come see!

Chuck fka: Meanie said...

hay San, mee duzt teez u datz aw! hehehe

CoyoteFe said...

Happy Birthday!
And, absolutely outstanding playlist!
I wish you light, luck and love in the coming 525,600 minutes.

Blessings.

whimsical brainpan said...

Awww I missed it...

A belated Happy Birthday!

I think giving yourself a blog is a great gift, for us as well as you.

Cool playlist!

Thanks for the dedications. :-) I love both "Hand In My Pocket" and "Wonder".

You have great taste in music.

Paula In Pinetop said...

Happy Birthday, dear heart. You have been a gift to me and I hope one day to re-gift that tender care you so willing spread around, back to you many times over.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

San, What a fun birthday treat...thank you for including me in the "Spider Web" playlist. You sure know how to spin the platters! (very old fashioned term) ha Your dedication to husband gave me tears...and Tom Waits no less! Happy Birthday Virgo girl!
Mary Ann

andrea said...

I can always find creativity here when I visit, San. I love this idea and thank you. And Happy Birthday yesterday! Sorry I missed it. Wish I could drop by in person to wish it.

Andrea

Katiejane said...

Thank you for this wonderful post and Happy Birthday and Anniversary! So kind of you to give us all some happy. I choose "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens. Love it, love it.

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

Happy belated birthday! I hope it was a good one. I bet it was. :)
thank you for this wonderful post. you are an inspiration, not just in your work, but also in your generousity and graciousness.

xo

Vikki North said...

Happy 55- San. Your an amazing and beautiful woman.

Vikki

murat11 said...

San: Joan Osborne is a goddess, a fuller-throated voice would be hard to find. I have always loved her voice, and that song as well.

What a great gift to yourself and to those of us along for the ride in your tangerine and Mary blue Cadillac convertible. (Of course, we won't burn the fossil fuels, we'll just sit in the Pilar Cafe parking lot and watch the river flow...)

Wonderful thing about the playlists, you get to see how other folks' heads and hearts go, as well as berating yourself with "how could I have forgotten that!" Proclaimers gotta be the one for me, this go round, but what a hoot is the Velvet Fog on "Happy Together." Flo and Eddie would no doubt agree.

HAPPY SAN-FEST. Party on, girl. Enjoy the Double Nickel.

Jeff B said...

Oh crud, I thought I left a Happy Birthday wish for you the other day. Ooops.

Well, Happy belated Birthday!

And thanks for the song.

San said...

Suki, thank you for the champagne cocktail toast. Cheers!

Yes, I had a lovely birthday with my husband. We took the day off. Then last evening (Friday) we joined the kids in Albuquerque and treated ourselves to an elegant dinner.

San said...

A warm hug back to you, Celine.

I am fortunate to count you among my gracious friends.

San said...

Oaks, it means so much to me that you stopped by here and left a comment.

Dad and I had a great time with you and Flan last night. And it was such nice serendipity when we ran into you on your way to Zozobra Thursday evening. An unexpected, wild gift.

I love you!

San said...

Meg, your generous comment has made my day, and now it's two days after my birthday. I just keep celebrating, thanks to amazing friends like you!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

San said...

Pearl, yes it has been all I expected and more. Much more. Thank you for your well-wishing.

And thank you for your friendship!

San said...

Angel, you are sweet. Just think, before you know it, you will be celebrating a BIRTH DAY.

San said...

Dianne, thank you for stopping by so near the official birthing hour!

I am really glad that we're getting to know each other.

San said...

Meg, as you now know, the VERY special delivery arrived on Friday. I took it to Albuquerque and cut it for the family. AFTER I photographed it in all its glory. I hope my picture turns out because it will be a magnificent blogging opportunity.

And today I shared with the gallery owner next door. A delectable time is being had by all partakers.

YOURS IS AN ABUNDANT SPIRIT.

Blessings to you...

San said...

Dear Carol, I am touched to think you might think of me when you hear those songs. Now I will think of you! And what nice thoughts these will be...

Peace to you...

San said...

Jo, I went and danced on your countertops. They held up really well.

Joy!

San said...

Chuck, I wuv ur kind of teezin'. Itz fun. Wots of fun.

San said...

Fe, I am open to all the light, luck, and love you send my way. And I'm bouncing it back to you. For the next 525,600 minutes. And the next. And the next...

San said...

Whim, thank you. Something told me you would appreciate those songs.

This is a wonderful community to be a part of, isn't it?

San said...

Paula, you are making me glow. Or is that just the light of my birthday candles?

Thank you for such a generous, big-spirited comment.

San said...

Mary Ann, I'd actually thought that same term myself: "I'm spinning the platters." Guess I don't have 55 candles on my cake for nothin'

Thanks for stopping by and having fun with me.

San said...

Andrea, I wish you could come by in person too. One of these days!

Thank you for the next best thing--calling on me here. Did you get a piece of cake?

San said...

Katie Jane--"Peace Train"--that does suit you. It IS lovable. Like you.

San said...

Bridgette, you are lovely to stop by. Yes, my birthday was very special and has stretched out for a few days. Nice little things have kept happening. I take them as omens of a beautiful year for us all!

San said...

Vikki, you are most gracious. Thank you.

San said...

Paschal, I knew you would be an Osborne fan! And I should have included you in the dedications for the Proclaimers song too--it certainly suits you and Tina and Walden.

Next year we'll have to hold my party in the Pilar Cafe parking lot. We'll watch the river flow, then let Lee take us on a tour of First Friday, cruising in the Caddie convertible. I get to sit atop the back seats and wave at passers-by. Me being the birthday girl and all.

San said...

Oh crud is right, Jeff.

No, I appreciate your stylishly late appearance at this party. Thanks for coming!

~Babs said...

BOY AM I LATE TO THE PARTY!
The very fact that you have 91 comments on this fabulous post says SO MUCH about the giving, loving person that you are!
Thanks so much for the invite,,and the mention,,,
and the dedication.
Great playlist,,,and I love the cake!
#;-D

Bruno LoGreco said...

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to San
Happy birthday to you

Awesome post SAN! You are a spectacular writer and artist. I already know the answer, but did you arrange and snap the picture of your birthday presents? Brilliant!

Indigo said...

Indigo Incarnates

Happy birthday, San! May you be blessed with many more years of happiness and health.

San said...

Babs, the party's still going! I'm so glad you're here. The cake picture is from a year ago. And this year I got TWO cakes. I may have to fast for the next year.

Thank you for being here.

San said...

Bruno, thank you for singing to me!

As much as I would LOVE to take credit for the brilliant photo, it's an album cover for X, a band that came into their own in the Eighties. They were never mainstream. I would have more tracks from them on the playlist, but I couldn't find the exact original songs I wanted. "Breathless" is a Jerry Lee Lewis cover, but it's great!

San said...

Indi, thank you. Your wishes mean much to me.

The Moody Minstrel said...

I'm really touched, San. Thank you! I haven't heard "I Think I'm Turning Japanese" in ages, and it definitely seems appropriate (though, listening to the lyrics, it doesn't seem to have much in common with modern Japanese!). "Sukiyaki" is such a comfy, old classic, like a pair of nice, old, holey socks.

That's a great playlist any way you look at it. Anyone who can combine "Happy Together" with "Linus and Lucy" is a winner in my book! ;-)

San said...

Moody, how I wish I'd had the techie expertise to put at least one of your pieces on the list. I also wanted to include some songs that my husband wrote. We have a tape of his Eighties band. But I was limited to links at the playlist site.

I hadn't listened to the lyrics of "Turning Japanese" in a long time either. And I had the same thought--wow, that's not the impression I get from Moody's blog!

:-D
Thank you for coming to my party.

Sparkling Red said...

I wish you a fabulous year, filled with happiness, good health, abundance, and love.
:-)

david mcmahon said...

Happy birthday - we're blessed to have you, San.

myonlyphoto said...

San you are amazing, and thaughtful - and happy birthday to you (humming the song for you), Matthew sending hugs and kisses too. Anna :)

San said...

Spark, it's good to see you back! And thank you for those wonderful wishes.

San said...

David, we feel the same about you. Thanks.

San said...

Anna, I will gladly accept all the hugs and kisses that you and that amazing Matthew have to offer.

xoxoxo

Chuck fka: Meanie said...

Hi San!
Mee tick an tiowd kum tu me bwog an dee y!
Mee Mawmaw poztud picktow an uh dong on huh bwog an it mayd mee kwi!

Mee want tu wahk on yo buffday kayk an mayk baybee dwagun twakz in it! hehehehe

Wuv,
Chuck

San said...

Chuck, y r u tick an tiowd? I will kum to ur bwog an dee whuz goin on. It must be tehwubul.

Pweeeeeeeeez. NO dwagon twacks on my kayk. Wuv to you.

Anonymous said...

I miss singing. I used to sing a lot and play guitar too..., remember? When we met I was playing music regularly and you were the inspiration, even the songs about a love that was tenuous and just beginning. Thanks for the music and for you. Yes, our children are everything. Happy Birthday sweetheart.

Love, Bennie

San said...

Bennie, those were wonderful days. I will never forget them. I wish there was some way I could post your music to my blog. That would make me very proud.

Thank you for making my birthday a beautiful one. Spending the day with you was just perfect!

I LOVE YOU.

Maggie May said...

Happy Birthday and blogging anniversary! Every one is very glad that you did give yourself the present of your blog a year ago.
Lovely to get a mention on your post! i consider that an honour!
May there be many more blogging years ahead!

Ellie Creek Ellis said...

111th commentor holy smokes!

hope your day was as wonderful as your post!

Mima said...

San, I found I couldn't wait until tomorrow, what a beautiful post. I'm so sorry that I wasn't around for your birthday, but again belated happy thoughts for the wonderful years you have had, and hopefully for many more to come. I loved reading your dedications, especially those to Bennie, what a wonderful time you have shared together.

And more than anything else, I love the way that you look at life - there really are times that it can be wonderful, and I think that sometimes it is so good to remind us of that!!

DivaCafe said...

You are a very talented artist and it appears a wonderful lady as well!! I love Santa Fe. I had the pleasure of visiting your fabulous city in June 06!