About Me

My photo
I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

Translator!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Evoking Memories

I've read that smell is supposed to be the most evocative of the senses.  For me, it's hearing -- particularly when it comes to music.  A blogger friend, Carla, posted something on Facebook today about Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian singer/song writer.

I remember his song "If You Could Read My Mind" which takes me back to my sophomore year of college.  Already engaged to Richard (a senior), I  heard this song as I drove along the Susquehanna River on my way to pick him up from his part time job as a disc jockey at a rural radio station. He played it right after he'd done the morning farm report.  :)   I can still feel the damp wind on my face on one particularly cloudy, gloomy Pennsylvania day, and even remember wearing a light lavender raincoat over my 'uniform' of jeans and a college tee shirt.

There are other songs embedded within me that bring back all sorts of memories.  How about you?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is one song in particular that has always taken me back to a particular time in my life.... to the first love I had after I divorced my first husband. The song will always hold a special place in my heart... sort of like for 'the one that got away'. Oh, I've moved on, but the song remains and always evokes memories of that time in my life. The song is Reminiscing by Little River Band.

Jay said...

Even for people who aren't really into music, certain songs can trigger memories.

Strangely enough the first song that came to mind was "Orinoco Flow" by Enya. It was playing while I was at a wine tasting on a balcony overlooking the ocean in Monterey, California. I have no idea why that one popped into my head.

Here's a link to youtube and the song: http://is.gd/hjU0z

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I guess for me, it's SIGHT..... I am a visual person... I do not like to read something... I want someone to SHOW it to me (especially if it is instructions)....I learn by watching ---and can get tons more out of seeing something on TV (video, movie, etc.) rather than reading about it...

I also love photography --and in order to be a good photographer, one must have a 'sight' for it... I think that is more of a gift than something you learn....

BUT--all that being said, I am a music person also---so 'hearing' is also important...
Hugs,
Betsy

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Now you're going to know I am really old. Although it's "hey day" was a bit before our time, my husband and I used to love to listen to Andy Williams sing Moon River. I remember riding in LT's old beat up '63 Chevy with Moon River playing on the radio. I used to use my hair-brush microphone to lip-sync...I can't believe I actually told this story. Glad we're blog friends because in real life you'd see my red face!! Too funny; too long ago...

Purple Flowers said...

I was in love with Gordon Lightfoot's voice and music. "If you could read my mind" was a heart-break song for me. The boy I liked wanted to go steady with another girl by the name of Kathy.
I still know the words to that song. Putting aside my heartbreak, it's a beautiful song.

Music can stir up many thoughts and feelings. I need music in my life.

beachgirl said...

I am also a music person. Love it and your right. It always brings backs memories. Some good and some sad. But certain songs on my Ipod make me pick up the speed on my motorcycle and go flying down the road. Loving life.

Mage said...

Oh yes, I can still sing along with many of them from Buddy Holly, Little Richard, "Wearing flowers in your hair," through the BeeGee's dancing tunes to some of the new Lady GaGa stuff. My toes are tapping, and I am ready to sing without provocation.

A Slice of My Life said...

It's funny how a song you haven't heard in a while can bring back those old memories.

Just yesterday a song by The Boss came on the radio. My daughter just rolled her eyes as I rocked out while remembering a car packed full of kids on a road trip to see him in concert. Glory days indeed...

happyone said...

Oh yes, many songs I hear bring me right back to a time and place.
One song is Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. I was on a bus going on a Skiing trip. Great memories!

Kimberly said...

Unlike anything else, music is a time machine. I was once told that Alzheimer's patients remember lyrics to music longer than many other things. There's just something about it.

Deblynne said...

I loved Joni Mitchell when I was in college. Her songs from that period evoke a group of friends, my first apartment, and a yearning to get on with my life.

Rereading certain books that I read at that time has been quite revealing to me. I reread White Lotus by John Hersey last year and realized that I didn't understand some of it at the time that I originally read it. I just remembered thinking it was a good book

Wow, you really got me started. I do love smells. I work with essential oils and it still amazes me how when people first smell some oils or blends they immediately have an emotional response, like tearing up, or tell me about a memory that the smell evokes

Thank you for this post I haven't checked my Google Reader for a while and your post reminds me of how nice it is to check in more frequently

George said...

I agree that songs (or music) can be a wonderful time machine that consistently takes us back in time. It can also chase away fatigue. In short, it's simply marvelous.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

There are many songs that will take me back in time. Sonny & Cher's I Got You Babe brings back memories of my first boyfriend. Sweet Dreams by Tommy McLain reminds me of my first husband. Anything by Chicago takes me back to when Hubby and I were dating. Other songs bring back other memories.

Bilbo said...

Although I agree that smells are more able to evoke strong memories, I do have a piece of music that never fails to call up a definite mental image: "Four-Twenty AM," by David Rose and his Orchestra. We had it at home on an old 78 rpm record that was broken long ago, and it took me many years to find another copy - on a 12-inch LP that I bought on eBay. It's a gorgeous, soothing instrumental that always calls up the mind picture of a garden at twilight. Instrumental music doesn't get much better than this - unless it's Pachelbel's Canon.

Jules said...

The entire Jesus Christ, Superstar album. I can still sing it nearly word for word. This was my lullaby to my daughter and now my grandchildren.

" Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to, problems that upset you... Oh No"

Hi Kathy. It's been forever since I've checked in with your life! Seems all is well and your writing is on fire. Love when that happens :)

Cheryl said...

So many songs and memories are going through my head right now. Great post. Thanks for the memories.

Great seeing you today too!

Linda Reeder said...

Oh, yes, songs from days gone by can have an immediate affect on my mood. Many make me nostalgic.