Billy Joel

I spent many hours in the car today. First, it was to the farm to pick up produce. It was going to be a family outing, but since it rained buckets as we prepared to leave, I went by myself. It was just as fun as I expected- and I scored some asparagus! It was as good as the first time. 

Then, it was on to Hood for an alumni luncheon. That was great…there were ladies there from the class of ’33. The class of ’58 came dancing up the aisle, and I teared up, because it was so amazing to see this roomful of joyous, vibrant women, celebrating the gift of their experience at that institution. 

SInce I was flying solo, I had the blue car instead of the trusted minivan. This means no XM radio, no familiar CDs…and no one to tell me to get my hand off the radio dial. Awwww yeahhhhh. I got to indulge my radio ADD unencumbered. When I drive alone, I seriously change the song every 3.2 seconds. Nothing holds my attention for that long…I’m constantly scanning for the song that either perfectly evokes the moment, or hits me with a wave of nostalgia so powerful it won’t be denied. 

And Billy Joel always delivers. His songs are the first ones I remember knowing all the words to. My friend Alesia’s Dad had Glass Houses on vinyl, and we rocked out to it all the time. Today I heard the classic, “I don’t care what you say anymore…this is MY LIFE!!!” Billy Joel was punk rock before there was punk! It cracked me up, as I remembered being around 8 and belting that song out. I really always wanted to be a grownup. I didn’t understand why someone else got to tell me when to go to bed-it seemed so patently unfair. I see a lot of that sentiment in J, 11, now. He’s all, “Well, YOU get to stay up!” And I’m all, “Yeah, cause I’m the mom. Now go to bed.” Maybe I’ll get him some Billy J on his Ipod. 

xoxo, L