Music of My Life

Daily writing prompt
What’s your all-time favorite album?
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Myself, I cannot say that I only listen to one genre of music and I only have one favorite band with one special album.

Growing up in Detroit and being born literally across the street from where many famous Motown artists were discovered, I would say that Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, The Spinners and The Jackson Five were influential in my youth. John Denver appealed to me because of his love for the mountains and his love of nature. It was after the passing of Marvin Gaye who I had a huge crush on for most of my childhood.

Later on, Bob Seger came around whose music fit those who worked on the assembly lines of the automobile plants. Growing up, I would see him at the Tiger’s games. He got mad at the announcers who were make a point of saying that he was there when he wanted to be left alone.

After moving up north of lower peninsula of Michigan, I started listening to bands like Fleetwood Mac, Genesis and Heart which was an eye opening experience.
During the summers of high school and college, I worked at an outdoor music venue in the beer tent. The venue sat near a large inland lake that looked like a castle and used to be a working farm. Those years, I saw many bands like Chicago, The Doobie Bros, Foreigner, Huey Lewis and many others for free. My favorite became Doobie Bros when Michael McDonald became the lead vocalist.

In that time, I went to see The Rolling Stones at the former Silverdome in Pontiac Michigan.

Years later, my ex husband was into country music which I accepted then post divorce, I listened to Christian contemporary music.

My favorite music videos are currently Phil Collins during a live show playing, “In the Air Tonight,” while he sings soulfully then plays the drums almost like acting out aggression skillfully. My other favorite video is Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart playing their version of, “Stairway to Heaven” to honor the band, Led Zeppelin, at the Kennedy Center of Arts.

In closing, it’s nearly impossible to state I would have any all-time favorite album that I went to all the different stages of my life. Although, I’m grateful to have been alive when the music was real before auto correct. My Mom’s all time favorite was Elvis.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Redemption

Today, at work, I finally got redemption on a situation that I thought would never get better. This morning, I woke up tired and I wasn’t ready for my coworkers who continuously socialize at loud decibels. The whole floor can hear them and listen to each and every word that each one says.

Was straight with my supervisor who I communicated via email that I couldn’t handle the continuous conversation that was quite loud this morning. Immediately, it ended which my supervisor likely telling my coworkers that someone complained from another department. It felt peaceful and quiet afterwards allowing my mind to wake up peacefully.

My work duties include answering the phone, folding outgoing mail in envelopes, scanning documents, metering outgoing mail and then delivering it to the post office so I don’t have time and I rarely socialize with coworkers in my area or others.

Redemption is my word for today because the problem of excessive noise has finally ended.

Thankful,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Information Seeker

Daily writing prompt
Which topics would you like to be more informed about?
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Currently, I have no topics that I need to be informed about which may sound arrogant or ignorant but that’s not the case.

If/when I hear or see something that I am not very familiar with, I start seeking relevant advice about it from various sources like books and experts plus those who have been through it.

For example, the censor light went out on my Toyota Corolla which was causing some problems. I learned that after the only good information from a less than reputable mechanic. Afterwards, I learned more about it from mechanics information online than made an appointment with my local dealership.

Secondly is that I’m considering a move to another part of the country where up until recently, I wasn’t that familiar with. Because I want to make wise decisions,I have visited a few times to different towns to see which one is a place where I would feel safe and comfortable. Information from realtors and local news outlets are places to start to learn about an area plus driving around the area and visiting local businesses without saying much about one’s anticipated plans. Before I moved to Texas, I visited once and faired well. Before I move to the east coast, I plan on visiting a couple more times. Been there three times already but it wasn’t till the end of the second trip that I thought about moving there. My last trip, I specifically went to areas that I narrowed down from my own learning and my own preferences.

Finally, it’s about my felines when they aren’t feeling right, I start looking it up to get some idea of what they’re going through. Then, I call the veterinary clinic to make an appointment for them. Sometimes, the information helps to open the doors to learn new facts.

In my opinion, life is about continuous learning and adventure to live a fulfilling life. If it interests you, find every informational outlet that you can think of to learn more.


Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

The Rhythm of Life

Daily writing prompt
What would your life be like without music?
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Music has been my therapy in my life as much as impromptu road trips to the beach. During different phases of my life, I listened to a variety of music. Plus, I sang in many choirs as well.

In my youth, I listened to old school Motown such as Diana Ross, David Ruffin lead singer for The Temptations, The Jackson Five and others. Later on, Bob Seger and KISS as I was growing up in metro Detroit.

During my high school years after my family moved to northern Michigan where I was working at an outdoor music theatre. I worked concessions for bands of The Doobie Bros, Chicago, Heart, Foreigner and others. Those summers, I also worked in factories and babysitting but music was my escape from the tensions at home even though I was working.

When I was married during the late 1980s to mid 1990s, it was the time of Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and others who were peaking in their careers. We went to many concerts at a county fair and traveled to Nashville for our honeymoon as well as Gatlinburg and Rocky Top TN. Country music was and still is his life that became mine for a minute.

After my divorce, I went back to church then I started listening to gospel and contemporary Christian music. The music was healing and the rhythm was great. The band, Mercy Me, with their song, “I Can Only Imagine,” has stuck with me.

Coming full circle, I’m back to listening to the music of my youth thanks to You Tube. The rock music of the 70s has been available like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith plus bands previously mentioned. Grateful to be alive when music didn’t have filters and auto tune.

Music has been much as therapy over difficult times in my life as well as entertainment. Without it, my life would have a huge void.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Holiday Celebrations with Change

Daily writing prompt
How do you celebrate holidays?
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When I was growing up, I celebrated the Holidays with family of Thanksgiving and Christmas. When I was in college for my undergraduate degree, I came home for the Holidays sometimes bringing home a friend or a roommate who couldn’t get to her parents house.

As time went on, I was married and then divorced, I was not up to visiting my family during the Holiday season. My relationship with them was deteriorating while the weather wasn’t always cooperating. For peaceful reasons, I wanted to be alone which I did one year that was great with my cats.

After my move to Texas, I celebrate the Holidays with my cats. My desire to be around people who aren’t close that time of year has grown slim. I would rather have peace on my own than deal with conflict with others over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On a side note, my Dad went into emergency medicine late in his career. Due to family conflicts, the emergency room was and is much busier during the Holidays. My family wasn’t immune to the situation of my Dad’s patients.

Honestly, being born near Christmas doesn’t help either because I was expected to give up celebrating for one reason or another that always happened. My birthday was shoved on the back burner then got the same excuse every year.

Grateful to be celebrating the Holidays on my terms that gives me rest and peace. On my next move, I’ll be within a few hours of my sister. Not sure if I will spend the Holidays with her and her family. Time will tell.

Holidays are complicated due to relationships. In the end, do what gives you peace and happiness.


To Tell The Truth

Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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My title is from a past game show where contestants were tested on speaking the truth in situations that were difficult.

My whole life, I’ve been speaking the truth when others who didn’t want to hear it from me especially my parents and my siblings. They believed it to be irrelevant to the current topics of conversation so I was always “put in my place.” Felt like they believed that they were superior to me and that they always knew better even if it was a lie.

My life lesson that I wished that I learned earlier was to keep quiet about the truth while keeping a diary per se and let it reveal itself in perfect timing without me saying or doing anything. The words, “karma” or “fate,” come into play.

”To Tell the Truth,” I found the prompt challenging as I dove down into different places of my childhood and early adulthood that weren’t pleasant. Grateful that I sleep well at night knowing that I can tell the truth and accept it from someone else.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Locally Sourced Farm to Table

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite types of foods?
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When I went to high school in northern Michigan, there was a take out restaurant of a national franchise. This particular location refused to buy food products from the chain but chose to buy most everything from local farmers. People who visited from other places would mention that the food tasted better and different from others that were franchises of the same company.

Eventually, the heads of the franchise learned that the owner who wasn’t buying his food products from them but only paper cups, wrappers and napkins. They offered him an ultimatum to buy food products from them or leave. The owner who bravely chose the latter which the community he is in supported him to this day.

He’s still in business today.

In north Texas, there’s a group of restaurants that locally source as much as possible from local farmers and ranchers who they proudly list at each restaurant. The food that is in season and is available determines what is served on the menu with some creativity that helps make it unique.

The main benefit of locally sourced farm to table is that the plants and the animals are drinking the same water and breathing the same air as the local population thus healthy returns. Short travel means likely fresher products.

As you visit your local favorite restaurant, please ask those who are serving if they’re locally sourcing products from farmers and other vendors in the area.

Eat well my friends.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Movement

Daily writing prompt
How often do you walk or run?
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Truthfully, I’m not a runner but have always been a walker for most of my life. When I lived in west Michigan, I always walked around my house because I felt safe but not so much in north Texas. Movement is important no matter if it’s walking, running or biking.

My old neighborhood in Michigan was full of homes built in the 1930s with a school building built about the same time with a huge green space in the center. The space bought a sense of community where the kids and their parents could walk to the youth sporting events. Walking was encouraged in the area which I happily obliged. The area had sidewalks making it easier to walk. Movement was safe and encouraged literally by design of the area.

Here, in Texas, when I worked for a national investment firm, I would walk on my breaks across the floor on a set path. I felt safe with their security cameras watching me and the areas where I walked. Sometimes, I walk around on my lunch hour but I use the stairs for exercise. There’s a school about six blocks north of me and believe that the students are bussed in. No sidewalks are not in the area having to walk around parked cars and traffic. Movement by design of the area seems difficult no matter walking, running or biking.

As I consider my next move, the possibility of being able to get outside to walk and to ride my bike are strong factors as well as personal safety with location, updated kitchen and a garage.

Be safe and get outside!

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Neither Leader or Follower

Daily writing prompt
Do you see yourself as a leader?
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Being born premature due to unfortunate circumstances and low life expectancy, I went through a lot of difficulties as a child into my teen years that effected my self esteem and confidence.

As I grew older, I only wanted to “fit in” and be normal like others in my peers group but it never happened. Like others, I finished high school, went to college then moved out with friends then met someone who I married then eventually divorced.

Post divorce in my thirties, I earned my aerobics certification to be able to teach but decide not to. Dated a few men who were in a serious relationship with but chose not to marry. Later on, I earn my MBA.

Most of my life, I’ve been called a, “free spirit” which I resented but now embrace. I trust my intuition over what people tell me plus their actions and who think that they have control over me. Admittedly, it does test the relationship which it ultimately fails which I get the brunt of the blame. Haven’t lost much sleep over it either.

I’m neither a leader nor a follower because I have chosen my own path. I gravitate towards others who have found their own way.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.