Eating From the Ground Up

first of the month: let's start with a song

by

IMG_2004
We have a little get together on New Year’s Eve every year where we pretend we’re in London so we can celebrate at 7:00. It started way back when I was pregnant with Rosie and we had a few friends over who were also pregnant and would never make it until midnight. It’s grown a bit since then, so every New Year’s day holds a bit in common with the one before it, that is, I’ve had too much Champagne even though I swore I wouldn’t have any, and I always say goodbye to the last year and hello to the next while I’m doing dishes with Joey. Hooray, hooray, we say. Another year, another load for the dishwasher.
I’ve been thinking about all the things we might talk about for this first of the month. Being the first of the year, we could have some good, deep discussions about goals and resolutions or about our wishes for the year ahead. I woke up this morning trying to write the post in my head, and all those words swam with the champagne, and they never quite came together.
Instead, I stumbled into the kitchen and made a strong cup of coffee. My friend, Alice, had been sleeping on the couch, and she stumbled in too, and we surveyed the solid mass of dishes still undone from the night before. Then Joey (yes, yes, also stumbling a bit) put on a song I haven’t heard in ages, but it was exactly right for that moment. And with that, 2014 began, really.
So, today, for the first of the year, how about a song? I’ll start with the one Joey chose so well, and then, if you like, will you leave a song in the comments? We have plenty of time to talk about big things, but right now, let’s make a playlist to get it all going.
Happy 2014, friends. Another year, another load for the dishwasher! (If the songs keep playing, I don’t mind. I’ll do dishes all day long…)

 
 

Comments

  1. Oh, I •like• this idea. Here’s my favorite song of 2013, by a mile. (And I’m hoping the embedding link will work.)
    ~MS

  2. Since I am nursing a bit of a Counting Crows obsession, I would have to pick “Round Here/Raining in Baltimore” the tract from the August and Everything After Live at Town Hall album

  3. Wonderful idea!!
    My song would be “Prends garde a ta langue” from Zaz. It’s about realizing all the poop that people are trying to have you believe for one reason or another and calling them on it. I find myself doing this a lot more now that I have 2 little girls to love and raise into smart and caring beings.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULq0l_jV-bc

  5. Maggie Mae has and always will be my very favorite—Rod Stewart rocks! Coming in 2nd would be Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. Am I
    showing my age??? Happy New Year Alana!

  6. What a great idea! Happy new year! My favorite song to start the year (or any day, since I try to listen to this song at least once a day) is Stardust Universe by Jakob Dylan. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

    • He’s definitely got a sense. I’ve never met anyone who can make a mixtape like him.
      I think I knew this song way back! You Californians and your feel good rock songs (cue Luna- California…)

    • Yup, I’m a Pandora convert myself- and Joey always gets frustrated and says “Don’t you want to CHOOSE what you listen to?” But then I’d never hear anything new! This one is great.

    • You, know I saw Marc Cohn at a little club when I was a teenager, and still to this day it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. I’m with you.

  14. I love the idea of celebrating New Year’s at 7pm, “as if you were in London” – sounds like a plan for next year! P.S. I didn’t stay up this time, either!

Classes and workshops

Occasionally I teach workshops, and I have one coming up this fall. Join me and stellar novelist Courtney Maum for RISK MORE, WRITE BETTER, an empowering weekend in a gorgeous old B&B that will jumpstart that project you've been wanting to work on. Space is limited, so apply here!

My latest book!

Learn more about my latest book, Eating from the Ground Up. It's perfect for all you vegetable lovers out there.