Dancing in the Street

I used to irritate everyone with me when I would sing to the music on the radio as I was driving. I love to sing, although don't have much of a voice. It makes me feel happy, and totally brightens my day, at least for the moment.

I haven't had much to sing about lately, and besides - when my companion is in the car with me he listens to things I have no interest in, like PBS. Not that I have anything against PBS, they have good commentary and interesting topics, but it is spooled so if you hear it once you don't have to hear it again in three hours. Long drives are hell, because he will keep that channel on.

I love music. MOST any genre is fine. I love the classics, but not to drive to, more for relaxing. When I'm in the car I want to stay awake - so give me the old 60's and retro music that I can sing to and move around with(it's probably the most exercise I get all day).

I have to tell you, I don't just sing - I SING!!! Loud, and long, and free. It's cathartic. All my troubles seem to fly out the window when I belt out a tune. Who worries about how to pay the rent as they try to recall the words to "Age of Aquarius," or "Hair" ?

I dodn't care how it looks to other people. Actually, when singing in your car, or drumming the steering wheel to the beat of the radio, actually gets the people sitting next to you at a stoplight to grin. You can see they want to do it too.

When the kids were little I would tease them with song. If they said something I would come up with a song to answer them. They got a kick out of it, and I was constantly on my toes to find a song that went along with what they said.

I have always sung to my granddaughter, Sage (who is now 3). She wants me to sing to her before she goes to sleep and has learned a lot of the songs I used to sing to her as a baby. She can belt out a song as well, and always seems to be singing into a microphone (a budding American Idol in 15 years). When I drive her places by ourselves we put HER music in and sing all the way there. We both move to the "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider." That acorn hasn't fallen far from this tree!

Now that I reflect, I think it's time for a long and solo (or maybe I'll pick up Sage) road trip. I'm in need of a good release. How about you?