Music Monday: "I Don't Dance"

Side note: I know it says "Music Monday" despite being posted today (Tuesday). I was having computer issues last night. Better late than never! :)

Today's song, "I Don't Dance", is by Lee Brice. I originally came across this song after looking up another of his, and I instantly fell in love with it.

Before our wedding I tried so hard to get Tim to practice dancing with me so we wouldn't look uncoordinated during our first dance. He adamantly refused, and he would often tell me, "I don't dance." [Spoiler alert: When Tim tried to get fancy during our first dance and spin me, I tried to spin the opposite way...more than once...and we laughed our way through a good portion of our first dance.]

Fast forward a bit to the few weeks before our wedding. I told him he has to dance twice in his life and then I'd let him off the hook for the rest of our lives: once with his dear bride to a mutually-agreed upon song, and once with his momma. He accepted that offer begrudgingly. [For the record- my hubby has danced with me at least double that amount since then.]

There's something powerful about the things we do for the people we love -- especially when it challenges us to step outside of our comfort zone. This song captures that in a simple yet beautiful way.

Music Monday: Christmas-ing Continues

Today's song isn't anything particularly awe-inspiring or beautiful, and it may not even make you giggle -- it's just one that I really like. I find that whenever it's on, I'm compelled to turn it up. 

The Grinch used to be a running family joke. I don't even remember how it got started, exactly, but for a while this song was my dad's ringtone when he called me. I kept it on year-round, though, not just during the Christmas season.

Maybe this is appealing today because this song is comfortable and familiar, and sometimes you just need that. It's a busy time with the Christmas Program Wednesday, program practice tonight until 5:30, and some crummy weather that made the drive longer. I don't want to grumble because I love my job, but I'm one tired teacher. I don't like being a grump, though, so I needed a song tonight that'd be a bit of comfortable in the midst of crazy. 

Just for kicks and giggles, here you go.

A Little Token of Farmer Appreciation

It's Music Monday! Hooray!

[Update: Oops, guess I missed the part about this month being about the best songs to drive around to...guess I know what I'll be thinking about this week while I'm driving to and from work! :)]

So I hail loudly and proudly from the Dairy land that is Wisconsin, and I have seen my share of cows, but I haven't seen them dance as well as the ones you are going to see here today, folks.

Before you can indulge in watching some boppin' bovines, my friends, I have to be honest with you. I thought that I learned a lot about farming while I was in college with some kids that came from farms around Nebraska, but I've really learned so much more since I started teaching at a school literally in the middle of cornfields a year and a half ago.

The more that I've gotten to know about what these men do day in and day out and how it impacts their families leaves me in awe. They give so much of themselves and give up so much time to be in the fields or fixing equipment or even just driving materials or the crops they've harvested...and so often they are overlooked and under-thanked. And that's not even touching the impact they have on the community or the economy.

To the men who go through the seasons trusting God will provide the right conditions for planting, growing, and harvesting...

who give up watching sporting events, eating dinner, and reading bedtime stories with their kids to be in the fields...

who have the patience beyond measure to fix a broken machine again to ensure the crops get planted or harvested...

who keep a watchful eye on the weather and the time to provide the crops with the right amount of water to flourish...

who pray the thunderstorms will come without damaging wind and hail...

who stay up late and wake up early to take on the tasks at hand...

and so often do what they do with honesty yet without complaint...

Thank you for all that you do and sacrifice to provide for me and so many others who barely have a clue what it's like to do what you do each and every day. You are awesome beyond comparison. I respect you thoroughly and admire your dedication.

These brothers in Kansas put out videos about farming that are simultaneously hilarious and educational. It may not be your first pick for what you'd watch on YouTube, but I promise you won't regret it. And if you're anything like me you'll end up wanting to watch their many other music videos, too.

But seriously, guys, look for the dancing cows. :)