This post by Abbie Johnson Taylor
Summer is already upon us, picnics, concerts in the park, parades, and of course love. One of the songs I sang when I worked as a registered music therapist in a nursing home was about strolling down a shady lane, holding hands with the one you love and that person being your tootsie wootsie. To hear a barbershop version, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKvLCwInPGA .
I recently came up with a parody while out walking. You can click on the link below to hear me sing it. Because of my limited vision, I use a cane. Others who are blind or visually impaired walk with dogs.
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In the good old summertime, in the good old summertime,
strolling down the shady lane with my cane divine,
I hold its handle and swing as I walk, and that’s a very good sign
that it will guide me safely in the good old summertime.
In the good old summertime, in the good old summertime, ruff ruff,
strolling down the shady lane with my doggy fine,
I hold his harness, and “forward” I say, and that’s a very good sign
that he will guide me safely in the good old summertime, ruff ruff.
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https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15213189/good%20old%20summertime%20parody.mp3
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What are your memories of summer?
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Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author of:
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How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver
That’s Life: New and Selected Poems
Order That’s Life from Finishing Line Press.
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Isn’t it amazing what we can do with memories and music. Thanks Abbie. Doris
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You have a beautiful voice. I enjoyed your ditty. This is a fun blog. Love the barking. Thanks Cher’ley
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Abbie,
My friends and I would pack a brown bag lunch and hike down or up the creek, and find adventures along the way. We’d throw rocks, capture butterflies, find wild berries and feel like we discovered places no one had seen before. This wasn’t out in the country, this is a suburb outside of Philadelphia but it had just enough wildness to fuel our imaginations.
Thanks for the post.
– Stephen
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Fun blog, Abbie! My husband and I walk our dogs often, most recently in and near Yellowstone National Park. I love being in nature in the good old summertime!!
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Great blog,Abbie. Loved your new take on an old classic.
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I really enjoyed your post, Abbie — and hearing your voice both in neighborly conversation and singing “In The Good Old Summertime.” Please do more posts like this.
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Thank you, Stephen and all, for your comments. Hope you’re all having a great summer.
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Wow. I think that might be the first recording for the blog. That was fun.
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I’m now singing summer songs, Abbie- in my head – since my singing skills are strictly ‘off-key’ a lot of the time. I love the ‘ruff ruff’ as well. 🙂
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Thanks, everybody, I’m glad I’ve given you all something you can enjoy.
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Abbie, Thanks for sharing. I am working on making new summertime memories with family and friends.
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