1960’s Music – Pics and Posts

On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be
And there the world below don’t bother me.

I’ve been singing The Drifter’s 1962 major hit, “Up on the Roof” for weeks now. I can’t get it out of my head! Why this random singing of a song that was written before I was born? The culprit is this postcard sent to me for a Liberate Your Art side swap:

“Rooftop in Apremont-sur-Allier” by Louise Mamet

The rooftop photo was captured by my blog pal Louise of Drops of Everything. Louise has such a unique perspective. I always enjoy her postcards and her blog.

This particular photo features the rooftop of an old home in the “adorable village” of Apremont-sur-Allier in France. I am really interested in architecture–I especially enjoy studying the similarities of architecture in different areas of the world–so this was the perfect selection for me.

Louise sent her postcard in an envelope and included a splendid postcard advertising an exhibit at the Grand Pressigny–La Femme dans la Préhistoire [Women in Prehistory]–a subject right up my alley. Now, I just have to figure out how to get to France by the end of November. 😉

La Femme dans la Préhistoire

She also included one of her business cards which is so perfect I can’t resist sharing it here.

Photo by Louise Mamet

You can find more of Louise’s photography on her blog: Drops of Everything and on Facebook.

Louise prefers postcards in envelopes, so when I sent a postcard to her I included a postcard reproduction of artist/illustrator/graphic novelist Eric Drooker’s “On the Roof” to prolong our visual conversation.

“On the Roof” by Eric Drooker

Up on the roof, up on a roof
Everything is alright, everything is alright

I didn’t realize when I sent the photo that I’d be introducing Louise to a new artist, so that was a bonus. And your bonus–the perfect song to end the week. Take a listen.

Maybe, you’ll be singing “Up on the Roof” too!

October’s Mail Bag: Coming Soon

I know! I know! I’ve been M-I-A. I’m sorry! I couldn’t help it. October decided to change places with April and become the cruelest month. And November hasn’t been too kind either. I’ve been plain ol’ swamped—sinking, drowning in work, work, work! September was busy, but kind. I had time to journal daily, blog (okay, once!), roam around with my camera, and even start some new ventures. I thought I’d gained some balance. I was hoodwinked! Bamboozled!

Despite my unplanned blogging hiatus, my mailbox was very, very busy in October. The postcards, letters, and pretty things were indeed light in my dark, work-filled world.

Well enough! I reclaim space in my life for blogging—yes, on the same unpredictable schedule. I will play a little “catch-up,” so maybe I’ll be (some form of) consistent over the next few weeks.

Today, I share a postcard sent late September by my covered bridge-loving friend Lindy who’s on her own exploration of the bridges of Indiana a la Robert James Waller’s The Bridges of Madison County—without the illicit love affair. She sent not a covered bridge postcard but one of my favorite throwback all-girl singing groups.

The Supremes

Aren’t they “supreme?”

Some of my earliest and fondest childhood memories are of Sunday morning listening sessions managed by my father who introduced his ten children to all kinds of contemporary and classic music. I’m pretty sure our deep appreciation for music stems from our Sunday mornings.

I learned to love music on Sunday mornings and I also learned to dream. (Music is truly my first love–abandoned for other pursuits). I imagined myself pouring out my soul to a sold-out adoring audience peopled by individuals who would fall out and go crazy when the first note reverberated through the auditorium. “Diana Ross and The Supremes” were among my favorite. I could sing any of their songs like a pro. I was Diana Ross rocking a brush, comb, broomstick or some other household object as my microphone. It helped that I had a houseful of brothers and sisters. I always found someone to sing along with me or someone willing to sing backup.

“The Supremes” reigned in the 1960’s and were the first “all-girl” group to successfully cross racial and cultural barriers and repeatedly top the charts. Some say they even rivaled “The Beatles” in popularity.

It’s Sunday. I think I’ll rock “The Supremes” while I clean and get prepared for the week.