When Steve and I first started dating, we made each other a burned CD of our favorite songs. Sort of a “getting to know you” through music. How romantic! He gave me mine, I gave him his, and we listened to them while we were apart. I can’t remember everything that was on them but I know I had Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” and Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” on the one I made for him. There was most likely a Paul Simon song on there too, maybe “Obvious Child.” And, lest I forget, “Copperline” by James Taylor had to have had a spot too. On his for me was definitely some George Strait, and most likely Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. Pretty different tastes, yes, but I do like country and Steve can sometimes stretch himself (that should be read with sarcasm) to the folksier, more classic rock side of things. So, we work (phew!). Though, let it be written, Steve actually introduced me to David Wilcox who is really quite incredible and, if you’re a James Taylor fan, you should give him a listen. (Start with “Language of the Heart” then move onto “Wildberry Pie.” His lyrics, man!)
Anyway, now we’re well into our marriage and do less of the polite, “oh yes! I like this song too!” thing that we used to. In fact, I have no recollection of him saying anything negative about the Paul Simon that was undoubtedly on my mix for him. Now, when I play Paul Simon, it’s all, “such complicated music” or “too clever by half.” And Bob Dylan? Steve thinks he’s perhaps the “worst singer who’s ever lived.” That’s a direct quote. (I bet some of you are shooting daggers through the computer screen at Steve right now? I know you Dylan fans.) And when he plays George Strait’s “One Night at a Time” in an attempts for a little spontaneous romance in the kitchen (get your head out of the gutter–just a little slow dance!), I’m a little meh about it. Sure, I oblige. But would that romance be more effortless with, say, some Sting classic or perhaps U2’s “All I Want is You?” Yes. This may very well be the first time he’s heard that I don’t actually love that George Strait classic (I’m sorry Steve!). But goodness, I will sleep better with that elephant off my chest.
The other day I made a CD for the car (am I the only one who still does this? We lost the cord that hooks up an iPod to the car, and blah blah blah, I still make CDs.). On it, I put his new favorite which, self-admittedly, I love too. Hunter Hayes’ “Crazy.” And I also put a bunch of my songs on it. I put it in the car he takes to work, and had the stereo set to start right at the beginning of that song. I’m nice like that. So, once he got home from work I was all, “Aren’t I the best?? Did you like the CD?” And he said, “Yes. But you listen to a lot of pretentious music.” He was referring to number one on the CD which was Andrew Bird’s “Desperation Breeds.” A really, really great song, that is, assuming you are not a fuddy-duddy like my husband. So anyway, we do this song and dance from time to time–him accusing me of being a hipster because of the pretentious and obscure music I sometimes listen to and me defending myself by saying hipsters seek credit for merely being hipsters and here I’m just doing my thing listening to my music so get off my back would you.
But how the times have changed. No more phony validations of one another’s music and now we just cut to the chase and piss on each other’s parades.
In his defense, I’m typically the one controlling the stereo as I cook or clean in the kitchen and thus he’s subjected to my complicated and hipster music far more than I’m subjected to his sentimental country. And I’m much less patient when it comes time to hand over the reigns to him. So when we jointly decide that we love a song (which, despite everything I’ve said here, actually happens quite often), it’s really a good thing and we listen to that song nonstop. Thus, Hunter Hayes has been on a lot lately. That is all.
And he looks just like Joffrey Baratheon. Hunter Hayes, not Steve. Steve looks just like Peter Krause. Which we all already know.
: robert mccloskey is the best and this is the sweetest story of both a child named sal and a little bear who go blueberry picking. they get their mothers mixed up but all ends well. “kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk!”
: one of dr. seuss’ best, in my opinion. have you looked at the faces of the people on the train as it goes straight into the water? it never fails to make me laugh. they’re content and calm, as their train speeds downward. i’d recommend putting 
: this is one of those musical books to read that’s actually kind of fun. lindsey looks forward to reading this one to parker. we suggest baa-ing through the words the lamb says! “the maaaaaan” and “caaaaaan!’
: bill peet can do no wrong. don’t stop at this book. read them all, please.
: parker loves policemen these days, so this is always a win. in fact, a lot of the “small” books are good–fireman small, cowboy small, so on and so forth. 
: a funny story about a boy with red hair who didn’t want to get his hair cut until he was mistaken for a mop. 
: this was one of shannon’s favorite books and has gone through all the kids. for awhile, it was a nightly bedtime read on heavy rotation. it’s another one of those musical, fun-to-read books.
one is THE best ever), the musky cinnamon ones in fall, and the light floral ones for spring and summer – well, i can end up spending money that i, quite literally, burn! so when my friend annie posted 
