Favorite Things, Humor, Nonsense, Tater Tots

Screw It, I’m Eating Tater Tots- Episode 22 (Looks Like We Made It, Barry Manilow)

Writer McWriterson

A new year.

A new administration.

Let us begin the new year with a glorious song with lyrics that reflect our new beginning. I discovered this song a few days after I entered menopause. I was watering my plants in my kitchen when this song came on Spotify. When I noticed the lyrics, I started jumping up and down.

“I deserve congratulations, ‘Cause I came out on the other side, I’ve been having revelations, And I’m gon’ let them shine, I deserve congratulations, I’d never thought that I’d survive, If you tell me I won’t make it, That’s when I, that’s when I, SUPER BLOOM, SUPER BLOOM…”

I returned to it by pressing the back button. Because I don’t have a premium Spotify account and I ran out of skips, I had it on YouTube by the end of the day. I had memorized the song, and I was dancing and singing along with my dog (who was also humming) while watering my plants (who were also humming), and it was a magical moment.

Welcome to January. 🙂

Looks like we are listening to this

Because we deserve more cheerful music.

And of course:

Looks like we are celebrating

My baby girl will be a teenager this month!

I had no idea we’d be quarantined by the time her birthday rolled around. I didn’t expect to be still in quarantine by Anna’s birthday in March, given that her birthday was in quarantine last year.

If my birthday is quarantined yet again, I may “celebrate” by hijacking a liquor store. By the way, I still haven’t properly celebrated my 50th birthday. Just saying.

In honor of my beautiful youngest turning into a teenager, here is a song dedicated to her and her love of rainbows.

Here is the original.

And if you have a birthday coming up in your household, here are some ideas to celebrate a pandemic birthday.

Looks like we are doing this

I discovered the massage technique called Gua Sha, and it blew my mind.

It’s been a bit life-changing for me because it has helped relieve a lot of tension I have in my neck after years of writing on the computer.

Here is a good article about Gua Sha, and below is a fantastic tutorial on how to perform Facial Gua Sha.

Looks like we are also doing this too?

Burning incense Sage stick and pebbles
Courtesy/ Women’s Health Magazine

I’ve previously discussed using sage to clear bad vibrations in your home, but before I go any further, I should clarify that there is a difference between using sage in your home and “smudging.”

Smudging is a sacred Native American ritual. I found an interesting article on it here.

I use a white sage candle in my home instead of a sage stick, because the sage bundles give me a headache. But I’d like to hear your perspectives on this because the article was interesting.

Looks like I am quoting this

Looks like I am linking to this

Here’s What the Incoming Age of Aquarius Says About 2021

Starling Murmurations (Love)

The Best French Toast I’ve Ever Made

On New Year’s Day, I made the best French Toast, and it lived up to its name. What an incredible way to ring in 2021.

Making “The Rainbow Connection”

Anatomy of a Song: Midnight Train to Georgia

Weekly writing prompts

Looks like we are watching this

Back in November, my friend Melanie asked me in the comments if I knew of a program that is heartwarming, and I couldn’t think of anything on the spot. Then the other day it came to me: Queer Eye.

I mentioned it in a post last summer, but this program has brought us so much joy throughout the years.

There are so many favorite episodes I almost can’t choose, but one that stands out is “God Bless Gay” which is from season two.

Here is a moving piece from Esquire about that episode: Why Queer Eye Made Me Want to Take a Walk and Talk to God

You can read more about this fun group here.

Here is the interview that hooked me.

When I was looking for the shareable YouTube Superbloom music video, I googled “Super bloom” and the following images appeared:

Have you ever heard of a super bloom?

California wildflower erupt in super bloom
Courtesy/ CNN

If you live near the West Coast, you may be aware of the “super bloom” that occurs in the Anza- Borrego Desert State Park, but I had never heard of this magical phenomenon before writing this post.

Wildflowers, just blooming.

In what appears to be mostly desert terrain?

But in enchanting rainbow colors.

Super Bloom Watch: Will the Rare Desert Wildflower Burst Return in 2019?
Courtesy/ LA Mag

The pictures took my breath away.

New photo: California's super bloom as seen from outer space
Courtesy/ The Mercury News

It’s even visible from space.

It made me happy that such a thing exists on our planet.

It made me happy that I discovered it the month my daughter becomes a teenager.

It made me happy I found this during a global pandemic.

This month, I’m sending you all a rainbow super bloom of your own. 🙂

31 thoughts on “Screw It, I’m Eating Tater Tots- Episode 22 (Looks Like We Made It, Barry Manilow)”

  2. Sing it Kermit! Love that super bloom thing – what amazing photos. It never occurred to me that some (unfortunate) people might be celebrating two b-days in the pandemic. Well, that sucks. Coach gets his first vaccine shot TODAY. Here’s hoping the rest of us get our soon. Thanks for these many great links. I started back to babysitting today, so maybe I can check them out during nap time . . . unless I, too, am napping. I’m old now, so one never knows.

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  3. I love this very uplifting, moving on, full of positivity post. Bring on the good tunes…totally digging Super Bloom.
    Happy 13th birthday to your baby; that escalated quickly didn’t it?
    I’ve seen this type of massage before, but never tried it. How sweet that it works for you.
    What the French toast? That recipe looks amazing!
    We enjoyed Chef as well and I was just telling someone about it recently.
    Happy 2021 my friend. Keep the good vibes going; optimism is contagious! XO

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    1. Escalated so quickly. Sigh.

      That French Toast. You must make it. It was so decadent. It was a process to make it but worth every bit of it.

      I love Jon Favreau. I can’t believe it took me this long to watch it!

      Happy 2021 to you too! 😘🌈

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  4. Lovely day has been my morning alarm for over two years and it never gets old. I love Bill Withers music. Rainbow Connection always makes me misty. ALWAYS. And I have no idea why. It must resonate with me on some level.

    The superbloom looks so amazing. Happy birthday to your (almost) teenager!!

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  5. That’s crazy that you can see the super bloom from space. Also super bloom is an amazing name. Just in general. My niece turned 13 in quarantine and I thought I was so clever when I called her a quaranteen, and then I saw that literally everyone was saying that and I probably just heard it and my mind was like ‘you came up with that!’ Cause my mind is awesome like that.

    I’m so interested in learning about Gua Sha (never heard of it either) because I have chronic neck pain, but I had caffeine today and the woman is talking too slow. I bookmarked it for later 🙂

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    1. YOU came up with it first. I don’t doubt that for a second. 💜

      Her voice is so relaxing that I almost fell asleep while doing it the first time. I ended up with a migraine after the first Gua Sha massage. My headache doctor said that is normal. Same with after getting a regular massage. Something about extra seratonin after not having it. But it was worth it.

      On a lighter note, my migraines are all but gone. 😊

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      1. You are my favorite ♥️ And that’s promising, I am at the point now where I get a migraine every time it rains. And it rains an awful lot in CT. Sumatriptan changed my life!

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  7. Ooh, that Superbloom song is so catchy (I love the lyrics, too) and the photos…wow! Can you imagine seeing a super bloom in person?

    I can’t believe Ella is going to be a teen this month. Knowing you, I’ll bet you come up with something fun to celebrate while quarantined. 🙂

    You’re not the only one who had never heard of Gua Sha. I’ve heard of – and seen – those roller devices for your face, but I don’t know if that’s the same thing. I watched the woman’s video you posted and it looks like it would feel really good, but I have to be honest with myself: would I really do it more than just the first time after trying it? Doubtful.

    Your link to the smudging isn’t working. It brought me to an astrological personality site. I was interested in reading about the smudging because I actually did that yesterday in my house.

    xoxo

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    1. That super bloom is so amazing. I think I would probably cry seeing it in person. Things like that make me emotional, for some reason. But the good kind of tears. 🙂

      I cannot believe she is a teen either! We have a fun tradition of making her birthday cake together so this year, we are making it from scratch instead of using a box mix. She is such an amazing human being. I am lucky to be her mama.

      I have only done it a handful of times by her tutorial. But I have used the jade stone many times. So it’s worth buying the stone. Using the tutorial is up to you.

      I will have to check my link, thank you for letting me know!

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  8. Just a quick note to say hi, thank you for being here. First day back at work yesterday, and by the time I got to this in the early evening, I just had nothing I could say. Waking up with migraine this morning (for the first time in, oh…2.5 weeks–not too hard to connect those dots), so still don’t have much. I can add that over break we made French Toast with challah bread and egg nog, and I don’t think my French Toast game will ever be the same again. And ditto on “Rainbow Connection.” Gets me every time.

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    1. Egg nog!! Ooh, that is intriguing. This French Toast has no egg white and that’s what I’ve been doing wrong my whole life.

      The thought of three grown women sobbing to Rainbow Connection makes me want to laugh. That is a good thing. ❤️🌈

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  10. You aren’t done celebrating turning 50 until Amandequin and I get there!!! I have never heard about that massage-are people talking about things behind our blogs?!?! Speaking of blogs, I am so ashamed of myself for the lame post I posted today as I was not paying attention to the fact that it would be my first post of this Happier New Year!!!! (Facepalm) That was NOT the tone I intended to set–maybe a new header will make up for it! Hahahahahaha. I need tater tots

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  11. I’ve seen photos of super blooms from bloggers around the world. I live in the midwest where we’re just lucky to get things to bloom. Nothing especially super in any way.

    I adore the Nanea Hoffman quote. I am all about doing my own thing with integrity and love. I’ve no idea who she is, but I like how she thinks.

    I’m back to blogging– obviously I guess if I’m back to commenting. Missed you. And all the things you do and share here.

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  12. Your enthusiasm and happiness is contagious! It’s so refreshing compared to so much of what is being shared online.

    I am catching up to my blog reading and this is exactly what I needed today. 🌈

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  13. This post! You are sunshine in printed form. Yes, you made me cry with Kermit but it was a good cry. I miss Kermit and, like….. hope. Everything was so hopeful when I was a kid! What the heck happened?

    I’m taking a break from the internet. (That’s how much I need hope lol.) It’s been good *except* I miss my blogs! So I’m peeking in and catching up on your lovely posts. (Am eternally grateful for “Merry Christmas (pause) from the Home Depot Tree Lot”. I laughed so hard.) Thank you for sharing your words you lovely person you.

    Oh! Gua sha is tha bomb! I learned it from my acupuncturist. For me, using my fingertips on face is best. You can feel what’s going on and adjust pressure or alter movement/direction. I do Freestyle gua sha though. It does help with migraines (ymmv) but some points can trigger migraines (Like the base of the skull omg!) so go slow.

    That is so migraine right? Everything both helps and triggers migraines.
    Sorry for the essay but I missed you! Chatty French cat does too.

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