Lyrics: Spring was never waiting for us, girl It ran one step ahead As we followed in the dance Between the parted pages and were pressed In love’s hot, fevered iron Like a striped pair of pants MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don’t think that I can take it ‘Cause it took so long to bake it And I’ll never have that recipe again Oh no! I recall the yellow cotton dress Foaming like a wave On the ground around your knees The birds, like tender babies in your hands And the old men playing checkers by the trees MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don’t think that I can take it ‘Cause it took so long to bake it And I’ll never have that recipe again Oh no! There will be another song for me For I will sing it There will be another dream for me Someone will bring it I will drink the wine while it is warm And never let you catch me looking at the sun And after all the loves of my life After all the loves of my life You’ll still be the one I will take my life into my hands and I will use it I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it I will have the things that I desire And my passion flow like rivers through the sky And after all the loves of my life Oh, after all the loves of my life I’ll be thinking of you And wondering why MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don’t think that I can take it ‘Cause it took so long to bake it And I’ll never have that recipe again Oh no! Oh no No Oh no!
“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers–that perches in the soul…”
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (American Poet; December 10th, 1830 ~ May 15th, 1886)
“Not every one of our desires can be immediately gratified. We’ve got to learn to wait patiently for our dreams to come true, especially on the path we’ve chosen. But while we wait, we need to prepare symbolically a place for our hopes and dreams.”
“Faith is the very first thing you should pack in a hope chest.”
“I remember in high school my best friend had spoken about a hope chest. I immediately thought I needed one as well. So, what did I do? Hope…wish…pray my parents would magically read my mind and get me one. Why did I want one? Because the “Jones” were saying I should have one. Apparently those to be married should have one. In retrospect, this was ridiculous. What I was really hoping was that if it magically materialized, it would mean I was worthy, enough…loved. My story was working overtime while I was in high school. Being a late bloomer really sucked…always late to the party!” (Heather Houston 3-5-22)
“I really loved the authors idea of creating a hope chest per se as a wicker basket filled with books she loved to gift to her daughter on her 16th birthday. I am long past 16, and have an ask of my own mother. Share with me more of your poetry at different times in your life so I get a glimpse of who you are as a woman, my mother, a sister, a daughter and a wife. My mom’s share of her poetry from when she was 13 years old filled me with so much joy. I felt like I was actually getting to know…HER. I love you Mom!”❤️ (Heather Houston 3-5-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 72-73 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
26th Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Drama: Peter O’Toole
41st Academy Awards Best Actress: Katherine Hepburn
41st Academy Awards Best Screenplay, Adapted: James Goldman
41st Academy Awards Best Original Score: John Barry
22nd BAFTA Awards Best Original Score: John Barry
“This was like watching a real princes of England show today. All the relationship twists and back-stabbing to boot. Fun to see Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn acting with one another. Good timeless flick.”
26th Golden Globe Awards: Best Comedy or Musical Film
41st Academy Awards: Best Film
41st Academy Awards Best Director: Carol Reed
26th Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical: Ron Moody
41st Academy Awards Best Original Score: Johnny Green
“I enjoyed watching this film and I had not seen this since I was a young child. Amazing how many songs I remembered. I even remember soliciting my cousins to replicate the carriage scene with the young pickpockets for Nancy. A memory I had totally forgotten. Nice to see again and this one is put to bed.”
“I appreciate my commitment to row this morning, even though I was feeling punky.” (Heather Houston 3-4-26)
“I am thankful I listened to my body and followed my Mom’s sharing of resting when your body needs it. Thanks Mom!” ❤️ (Heather Houston 3-4-26)
“I appreciate my supervisor being supportive of my need to take a half-day at work due to an overwhelming migraine.” (Heather Houston 3-4-26)
“I am blessed to have a supportive husband who took care of me while I rested.” (Heather Houston 3-4-26)
I am grateful my husband ❤️ who created a yummy meal to nourish my sick body.” (Heather Houston 3-4-26)
“I appreciate hot 🍎apple cider on a rainy day…hell…cold hard cider is just as good!” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
“I am grateful for laundry as it means I have warm clean clothes to wear.” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
“I am blessed to have a kitchen to clean and dishes to wash as it means I had the means to prepare a delicious meal.” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
“I am grateful for daily laughter. Before meeting the love in my life, I don’t remember much joy or laughter. Thank you Neil!”💗 (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
“I love the seashore, it brings such meditative peace to me every time I visit.” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
Lyrics: I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at my ma’ in the driving rain But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas But it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ Jack Flash It’s a gas, gas, gas I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag I was schooled with a strap right across my back But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas But it’s all right, I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash It’s a gas, gas, gas, uh I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled, yeah yeah I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread Yeah, yeah, yeah I was crowned with a spike right through my head But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas But it’s all right, I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash It’s a gas, gas, gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas Jumping Jack Flash, it’s a gas
“Soaking in an aromatherapy-infused bath in the outdoors is the ultimate luxury and path to Providence.” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)
“I find when I prepare my blog writings ahead so that in the moment I can be with my thoughts and creatively write is the best for me. The week can get away from me quickly. Today I was unwell and had probably my 3rd migraine ever and this one had the whole halo and colors to boot. I ended my day at noon, travelled home, changed into comfortable clothes and napped on the couch for several hours. I followed this up with a lazy watching of ‘The Lion In Winter’. The most important thing is I listened…listened to what my body and the Universe was screaming at me.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 71-72 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Lyrics: I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness And you may find a friend I knew a man that I did not care for And then one day, this man gave me a call We sat and talked about things on our mind And now this man, he is a friend of mine Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness And you may find a friend I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together Don’t be afraid of love Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid to love Listen to me… Everybody needs a little love Everybody needs somebody That they can be thinking of Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness Reach out in the darkness And you may find a friend I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together I thinks it’s wonderful and how That people are finally getting together I think it’s so groovy now That people are finally getting together
My Distilled Life 