It’s a movement, and I don’t get it. I think the whole world loves Country music - except me. Detest it. The imagery alone gives me the willies. Redneck women, seedy bars, flea-bitten varmint, cars on blocks, grannies with no teeth… You get the picture and it’s ain’t not pretty.

My brother in law Gus, is Puerto Rican. And he’s country-lovin’ dude. In my mind, there is something askew about this.

This is Gus. Note the single hand on the wheel of the boat. The suave expression.

As part of his Latino heritage, Gus has learned to dance. I mean really. Salsa, merengue, mambo - he can move. And it only makes sense that he should be listening to this:

But instead, he loves this.

He doesn’t even know how to twang. I do believe it’s impossible to twang when you know how to trill.

There is something inherently wrong with this picture.

I will admit that by boycotting country music, I am missing out on titles like these:

I Wouldn’t Take Her To a Dog Fight, ‘Cause I’m Afraid She’d Win
She Ran Away With a Rodeo Clown
My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend and I Miss Him
Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In Bed

Actually, on second thought, there is an upside. Maybe I should listen to titles like these for the same reason I watch beauty pageants. It makes me feel really smart.

Note: Two things: I make exception for Lyle Lovett because he has a large band, and that makes him cool in my book. Also, nothin’ but love for ya Gus. You just can’t listen to that tractor song in my car.

Edited to add: I wrote this in fun, and I’m open to a Country intervention. Anyone besides Amanda want to try?

During my sacred hair appointment, I was browsing through People (my guilty pleasure that I save for “me time” at the salon), I happened onto a quip about new 19 year old named Adele. She was compared to Amy Winehouse, but clean, and with no drug-induced anorexia. I saw her perform live on Letterman that same night and was blown away. She’s only 19 and has talent well beyond her years. Maybe I’m the last one to hear her velvet voice, but I am now a fan.

I remember glowering over my analytic geometry text book in my junior year of high school, muttering “where am I ever going to use this again?” Turns out, my chosen field has drawn on my math skills more than I would have imagined as a teenager.

I was a willing student of 80’s pop culture though. I committed to memory every line of Duran Duran’s songs. I watched Martha Quinn earnestly, hoping that Kajagoogoo was next in rotation after the rocket blast at the top of the hour.

But I honestly never expected that I would actually call on my wealth of useless trivia to parent my son. For those who don’t know, I am the parent of the World’s Pickiest Eater. Trust me. I know this to be a fact. I would be happy for him to partake of “kid food”, and actually enjoy the shaped, pressed and processed goodies that all other kids his age crave. So far, we’ve been successful with Happy Meals.

When I wanted him to eat fish shaped nuggets I decided to get resourceful. What kid wouldn’t love a little Barnes and Barnes?

Ok 80’s lovers, do you remember this?

It was a great moment, Jake stuffing fish heads in his mouth as our heads bobbed to the music.

It’s official. I’ve got my summer soundtrack. I don’t know about you, but almost every year of my life has a soundtrack. Oh no, it’s not that official. I haven’t written them down or anything (but I guess I am now). It’s just that certain albums/tapes/CDs ipod tracks take me to a certain place in time. (Anyone remember Duran Duran in 1983?) Last summer, when we planted our chairs in the sand most weekends and watched Jake play (while shielding ourselves from the sand he flung), it was this:

and I am still totally in love with this:

This year, there is this:

(edited to add: forgot to mention my favorite lyrics on this album are the track:)

Live High
“Live high. Live mighty. Live righteously.”

and this:

and I just discovered these guys:

I just love to discover new music. And I’m curious what’s on everyone’s summer playlist.