That Special Song

We've all been there before. Your driving down the road, stuck in a traffic jam, slogging through a slow day at work or just sitting at home when you hear a certain song that lifts your spirits and completely changes your mood.
Perhaps its your favorite song, or one that takes you back to a special time in your life. Or maybe it's just a song that always turns your day around.
I am this type of person. One morning I woke up and heard one song. Immediately I turned it up, my mood lifted and energy restored.
To me, there's something so releasing and uninhibited about turning up the volume of the "right song" when your driving down the road, alone in your bedroom or in the middle of a crowd with your iPod earphones jammed tight.
Does this happen to you? Where one "right song" can totally change your mood?
We all undoubtedly have our favorite songs. Those that give us strength to push through hard times with tenacity and optimism. Others that lift our spirits when we're feeling melancholy. Still others that speak blatantly about world issues and fuel us to help do something about them. Sometimes even we need those songs that are utterly meaningless but give us a boost through a boring day at work or any place else. Which songs alter your mood?
I listen to the radio quite frequently, but the songs I like aren't played very often. Like I've mentioned before I have an avid love for country music from the 90's. But the radio stations I listen - B93.7 in Sheboygan & FM106.1 in Milwaukee - don't play old songs very often. So when I do hear an old song that I love, needless to say it makes my day that much more better.
Does all of this sound over-simplified? I guess I can draw back on my blog labeled "When Inspiration Strikes". Just as inspiration can come out nowhere, a burst of sunshine filtering through the film of gray monotony covering our lives can come from nowhere as well. Sometimes for me, that "right song" is just that. A moment's reprieve from the day's grinding pace. A minute or two when my spirits are lifted. Just as we all have our own personal pick-me ups, so do we have our own personal songs that speak something special to each of us.
To draw from a song "it's the simple things that make life worthwhile". I hope everyone can find happiness as simply as hearing the "right song" at the right time. Or perhaps you find happiness some other way. Even if it's only a moment's respite from the day's grueling work...it's better than nothing right?
Just to share more of what I'm trying to get at here are some of my "right songs": Fall Into Me, I Should Be Sleeping by Emerson Drive. Bye, Bye by Jo De Messina. Fancy by Reba. How Long Gone by Brooks & Dunn and When I Said I Would by Whitney Duncan.
If you have a "right song" I'd love to know what it is! I may love country music but that doesn't mean I'm not open to other genres! :)
Speaking of songs: if any of you are a huge fanatic of online radio there is a great site my Mom introduced me to called "pandora.com". Pandora is a free internet radio site that only plays songs you like! You can create stations with certain genres (I created two with country) and even create stations that only play a certain artist. Pandora is very easy to use and you can also find a lot of new music. There is also an option to bookmark and buy the songs you hear. Check it out!

When Inspiration Strikes

How many of you have ever been inspired to do something? Where did you get the inspiration from?
For me...inspiration is everywhere. Perhaps it's because I'm a writer that I see things differently, see everything as a potential story. I am always thinking about what to write next. My wheels never stop turning!
For example, I am addicted to a site called oldhouses.com. It's a realtor's site where people advertise old houses for sale. A few months ago I was looking at the picture of a c.1899 Victorian Second Empire and got inspired to write one my short stories. You may ask how I got the idea just by looking at a picture of a house. I can't tell you how! Maybe it stems from my love for houses? This goes to show that inspiration can literally come out of nowhere.
Which is why we should always keep our eyes peeled. Most of the stories I've written have stemmed from observing the world around me.
Other's have stemmed from books I've read. After reading them I get inspired to start my own story. It may sound trite but reading can fuel the imagination. One of my favorite authors is Wendy Corsi Staub. She writes about old houses and the paranomal. Two subjects I am interested in. Many of her stories have helped inspired me to write my own.
Sometimes inspiration comes from someone or something else. Other times all you have to do is step outside your front door and there it is hidden in conspicuous corners, but only if we take the time to look.

America's Historic Architecture

Most of you in English 102 probably don't know me, but for those who do...you probably don't know much about me. How that's for confusing? :). Let me reveal to you all my No.1 obsession: old houses.You may be thinking to yourself, what's so appealing about old houses? Heck, what's so appealing about houses in general? Everything! :).My two favorite styles of houses are Victorian Second Empire and Colonial. Greek Revival would be a third. Although when it boils down to it...Victorian is my favorite style. There's something so flamboyant and meticulous about Victorian style homes. Second Empire homes usually have a 2 or 3-story turret, a mansard roof and a widow's walk. To some of you I know I might as well be speaking Latin, but hang in there!One of the draws of old houses for me is woodwork: millwork, fretwork, newel posts, banisters, crown molding, wainscoting and pocket doors.Another draw for me is character. They tell a story that newer homes cannot. My parents home was built in 1956...which to me is new. The house of my dreams would be built between the 1600 to mid-1800's. Yes, I'll admit, I would be overjoyed to have a house that is over 300-years-old. The older the better! When you step into an old house you're instantly transported to a bygone era. Which is so eloquently portrayed by the historic touches of the home. You can learn about how people lived back then. Each scuff mark on wide plank floors, each ceiling medallion and other ornamental features tell of a time when builders put in many hours into small details. That to me, is the true character of older homes.I've always had a taste for all things old. I love old Mustangs, old country music (from the 90's) and I also love photographing abandoned farms. One of my dream vacations is to go to New England. After all, that's where most of America's old houses are. Salem, Massachusettes has the highest concentration of 17th Century homes.I should warn everyone now, i have a tendency to write long blogs. Writing has always been the one thing that comes the easiest to me. :). If you are reading this and live in a old house, drop me a note! Is anyone else out there that loves old houses?