Jukebox Mama

Betcha didn't know that I am a mobile jukebox, didja? Because my daughter demands songs on the way to and from work, all day, every day, I keep a songbook next to me in the car so I can flip through it at a glance and start singing everything from the Beatles to Quaker hymnals.

Rachel's two current favorites: "Rise and Shine," an old black spiritual that I learned at Y day camp eons ago, and "Solidarity Forever," a pro-union ditty set to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." She frequently interrupts "Rise and Shine," to say, "I LOVE that song." And I must say, it is great to barrel down I-5 on these glorious, crisp, sunny fall mornings singing such get-up-and-go songs. (Although "Solidarity Forever" made me cry the other day because of the state of the union movement...but that's another post).

So if you see me glancing quickly at a songbook and hear a little voice saying, "Mommy, sing ANOTHER new song," you'll know the story behind the story.