What We’re Groovin’ On
June 16, 2010, by Group Post
The Chama River
Hot fun! With summer just around the corner, here’s what we’re groovin’ on.
Melissa
Having spent much of a very long winter holed up with a cast on my arm, I am reveling in the out of doors. I just returned from a 3-day trip on the Chama River in Georgia O’Keefe country and plan more river time in the next month. This week I am going to hike to a mountain lake high in the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Walking, weeding, outdoor concerts and visits to the Farmer’s Market make up my chief summer grooves. Also outdoor dining, morning coffee under the apple tree, Martha’s homemade goat cheese and the most special of all, the return of the hummingbirds!
Prudence
In two words, “rediscovering classics.” Believe me, they’re better the second time around! Jane Eyre, The House of Mirth and The Picture of Dorian Gray read by acclaimed actors and downloaded to my iPod, transport me far away from mundane, everyday tasks that miraculously get done as I hang with Jane, Lily and Dorian. And the best part—these books are online and free to download at Netlibrary.com, as well as many other free book collections available through your local library!
Connie
I am groovin’ on community. This summer I have set my intention to enjoy everything that my town, neighborhood, and Yosemite National Park have to offer.
I am really enjoying my local, organic, fresh eggs and vegetables from Mountain Meadow Ranch and our pretty terrific Farmer’s Market starts on Wednesday nights. I am also teaching Acting 101 at our pretty terrific Yoga Studio, and this Tuesday I’ll run over to Oakhurst to audition for a Melodrama. Now–how’s about that for big fun?
Carine
I’m groovin’ on Mixed Chicks. No, I’m not suddenly into bi-racial women. I’m talking Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner. If you have curly hair, no matter your race or background, this is the one product you need. No more gels. No more frizz. It defines, separates and gives curls weight. Like magic! Now, this does not mean no more bad hair days. That would be miraculous. Besides, that’s what headbands and hats are for.
Christie
It’s super groovy summer! Cool tubing in the hot sun down the Cannon River in Minnesota with Freddy, Kerri Ann and Perry. Note to self, ripples in a shallow river means rocks. The bruises on my bum are beginning to fade. St. Paul band, Cosmoline, are madly groovy. Hard to pick a favorite on their new album, Give Me Back My Pride, but I think I have to go with Suicide Blonde. Next groovefest? San Francisco to see Ms. Clever Cat.
Cathy
My eclectic musical taste has been satisfied by my latest obsession, Pandora, a do-it-yourself online music box. You pick a song, artist or genre, create a “station” and the algorithms are programmed to find songs that are musically similar.
While listening to my Joni Mitchell station, I rediscovered Buffy Saint-Marie! I love the stumble upon nature of Pandora. If I want to know what the “kids” are listening to, hear jazz standards or funk, classical music, reggae or indie folk—it’s all there at my fingertips! Pandora, is rockin’ my world.
What are you groovin’ on?
June 16th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Ooh–Melissa. Yup. Absolutely more time in the river. Ours, The Merced, is bouncing and bubbling and singing and all white-watery thanks to an abundance of snow. Oh yeah–fer shure, the dogs, the ol’ man, and I will spend more time in the river.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Leave it to you, Cathy, to know the cutting edge of culture! I just finished creating my own radio station on “your” Pandora–I LOVE IT! “The music genome project,” whoduvthunkit?
June 16th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hey, thanks for the tips about Pandora and netlibrary! Very cool. I did try to listen to Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” in the car, but it was a disaster. Some literature is designed to be read, not heard…that novel for sure!
June 16th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I’m also reading (albeit the old-fashioned book way) an old (never before read) classic, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. Ah, those Russians. So dark, and this one, so devilish!
June 16th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I too am a big fan of water, fresh, natural outdoor swimming, rivers, oceans and the like. I just did some murky pond swimming in the Hudson Valley and it was delightful! Farmers Markets in summer are divine. Carine, I understand the miracle of the hair product and Pru, maybe these costume dramas will sit better in my ear than my eyes. And those of you with teens, Pandora can make you cooler in their eyes (maybe…).
June 17th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I am off to check out Pandora. Meanwhile I have been downloading podcasts – Speaking of Faith, This American Life and talks found on beliefnet (mostly from Pema Chodron) for my car listening especially since between Taos and civilization there are many radio deadspots, which is to say NPR can’t be heard. Off to hike to Williams Lake. Hoping we don’t need to call Search and Rescue
June 17th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Yes, Mellimel, Terry Gross’ NPR Fresh Air podcasts are great too. May I recommend to my new Pandora pals, “Midday Boost” – it’s a great mix that makes you shake your groove thang – great for getting things done around the house. And, if you want no commercial interruptions, there is also a subscription service.
June 17th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I’m groovin on being back outdoors again. The ocean
.
breezes, sun and surf are a joy to my heart. I never
thought I’d be in remission…Life is good
June 17th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I’m groovin’ on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Talent, determination, beauty, and self-expression, plus astounding choreography – now that’s entertainment! The finals are starting this week. I Tivo it so that I don’t miss a moment and can skip the commercials (on ABC Wednesday evenings).
June 17th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
I’m back into biking – mountain biking. Never mind that I fell off my bike the first time out after 2 years. I’m back up – such is life and I’m loving it.
June 27th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Prudence,
Thanks for the Net.Library tip. I’m listening to “To the Lighthouse” right now–the old-fashioned way. But it’s high time I got an IPOD. Hope to see you in Brattleboro sometime! Your new Census friend