Bloom and grow… forever…..

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music” opened on Broadway, on today’s date in 1959.

While I have never seen the show on Broadway… or even a live performance… I loved the movie. Dang it. I’ve seen it about 100 times.

It is on my top 10 list. The Von Trapp Family… all waltzing around.. and singing… in their little lederhosen….and trying to make sense of things in Nazi-Occupied-Austria.

Things got dicey.  But ultimately, the hills were alive… I am telling you. Alive. Needle pulling thread. Warm woolen mittens. And just how DO YOU solve a problem like Maria?

When I was a kid, I used to stand on our living room coffee table, with this album turned up full blast on our record player, and sing into the mirror that hung above the mantle. First I would be Maria, then Captain Von Trapp, to Sister Margaretta….. and then work my way through all the different parts of the cast.

Full tilt Edelweiss. Sound of Music Unleashed.  There were no limits. I wanted Lederhosen. Dang it again… I STILL want Lederhosen. They would go great with my Sock Monkey Hat.

Yes, I can see it now… me dancing around on the courthouse steps (sort of like the mansion’s marble steps….) and signing at the top of my lungs…. “Do-Re-Mi”

Yep. That old Von Trapp family sang about everything…. everywhere. They sang when they were happy. Sang when they were sad. Lonely. Scared. In love. They’d hit a note or two when they were confident. Tired. On the lam. Or happy again.

I propose, in honor of the anniversary…. while each and every one of us are out about our business today… that we break in to song. Whatever the occasion may be. Wherever we are.

Leaving work for the day?  “So Long. Farewell.  Auf Weidersehen, goodbye….”

Or… at the gym on the StairMaster?  Give it a heartfelt…”Climb Every Mountain.”

Out walking your dog? Heck, just belt out “The Lonely Goatherd” song verbatim.

Best idea yet… darn some socks and sing “Sew… a needle pulling thread….Fa…. a note to follow so….”

But seriously. There were good lessons to be learned in that story. Lessons about strength of character, and honest principles.

And when the world feels like it is crumbling around you… simply remember your favorite things.

Whiskers on kittens.  Blue satin sashes.  Bright copper kettles.  Rock on Gretl and the Gang.  Rock on.