I Love Country

I love country music though I don't fit the demographic of a typical country fan. Growing up I was exposed to all kinds of music, though I can confidently say my parents never turned on a country station. Diversity was simply in the air, literally. My love of country music expanded with the help of a college friend who turned me on to artists like Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood. And with the introduction of the Dixie Chicks, it was official, I was a big country fan. And yet, over the last decade I've found myself listening less and less to country radio. Subconsciously when country radio stopped playing women, I found myself less drawn to this art form. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Garth, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and so many other male artists, but without the ladies I find some of the spice gone. Recently I've been missing my country music, and reminiscing. If you'd like to reminisce with me, here are my top ten favorite country songs, with both the guys and the girls. But way way more girls. What can I say, I love the ladies :)

1. Talking In Your Sleep--Crystal Gayle 2. Girl Crush--Little Big Town 3. Strawberry Wine--Deanna Carter 4. Broken Wing--Martina McBride 5. Merry Go Round--Kasey Musgraves 6. Blue Ain't Your Color--Keith Urban 7. She's Got You--Patsy Cline 8. Let Him Fly--Dixie Chicks 9. Three Wooden Crosses--Randy Travis 10. To Make You Feel My Love--Garth Brooks

I'm Getting Married Y'all !

After 18 years together, my honey and I are getting married today. I think this joyful Glee performance sums up how I feel today. Oh happy day!

Black Lives Matter

A Secret Love for My Darling Vivian

Social distancing has been great for watching tv without remorse. What else am I going to do,exercise? I don't think so. And this weekend I had the great pleasure of watching two documentaries that, at their core, explored love. My Darling Vivian is about Johnny Cash's first wife and the seemingly deep love they shared, well at least in the beginning of their marriage. Sadly his love was later transferred to June Carter, while Vivian's love lasted for the rest of her life. A Secret Love focused on love that had lasted for more than 60 years and survived oppression, disapproval and even old age. It warmed my heart to see that love can survive the years and be just as strong even when the object of your affection is wrinkled and grey haired. Both films touched my heart, and are wonderful. Don't sleep on them, they are definitely worth your time.

90 Day Fiance--True Love or True Lust?

I love the show 90 Day Fiance and have from day one. Okay there was one season where the couples were that painful to watch, so I didn't, mostly. It is a fabulous mix of hopeless romance and cynicism (sometimes the participants, most times the audience). At it's core it's like most romance novels. People, from all walks of life, throwing caution to the wind to find true romance. Did I mention the foreigners are usually good looking and from very depressed countries? Did I also mention most of the Americans are looking to find love in the arms of a hottie with an accent? And didn't I mention that I'm sometimes cynical about these relationships? And yet, in every season there is at least one couple that convinces me they should be together, language and cultural differences be damned. So it shouldn't surprise you that on my list of romances to write there is one about a solitary man who finds his true love on a foreign dating site. He's American, she Mexican (or maybe Ukrainian) and sparks are going to fly. Of course it will be a while until that book is written, so do yourself a favor and watch an episode or three of 90 Day Fiance. You'll either love it, or hate me :)

Hooping Has Sprung

As spring has sprung I'm starting to have fantasies of getting into shape. You know, like the heroines in many of my romance novels. So a week ago I blew the dust off my hula hoop and started hooping again. In my head I imagine myself looking sleek and sexy while shedding the pounds, a la Hoopalicious in the video above. The reality is that my hoop hits the floor a lot and I'm never going to be a dance goddess, like my heroines. Oh well, I'll keep trying and maybe I find my groove.

You and I Both Love Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And what says love more than a boy in love pursuing a girl (well, maybe a girl pursuing another girl)?  Enjoy some Jason Mraz during this month of love. You and I both deserve it (see what I did there?).