YESTERDAY,

  ...all my troubles seemed so far away - at least for the day, pushed aside by a day of simple, plain fun. Myriad videos of my little new baby great grandson - a most excellent use of time.  Puttering and planning for future projects as soon as I get my hand back! Then a seemingly ridiculous, rose colored 2 person play, a play reverting to the fairy tale endings of childhood, a promise that yes, all can be fixed, troubles overcome with good results, and all walked away with a smile from ear to ear after having cheered the actors time and again. Yes, yesterday was a good day. 

I thought about the play, "Here You Come Again"- How Dolly Saved My Life in 12 Easy Songs." That is, of course, Dolly Parton, whose music I have always liked, who is a god person, has a deep faith, and has remained in a marriage for decades. She personifies the American Dream, overcoming great adversities in life, becoming the star and humanist she is. Of course, topping all of that is the beauty of her songs, of the meanings they have for the simple, common person. No need for more than being the small woman with a big voice, an intriguing speech tic, audience appeal, belting the songs out, many times with her long-term duet partner, Kenny /Rogers, whose music I have always liked as well. 

Her songs speak of simple common woes of people, of the tragic turns that can happen, the way  in which one can indeed make lemonade from those sour lemon days and of a faith that gives one strength to go on, to survive and overcome. Yes, she did some stupid things to her body with poor decisions regarding it, but the insides remained sparkling and good, simply good. Whether singing a song she wrote or doing a cover of others, the emotions are sincere, the tones great, and they hit you in your heart, as the notes bypass your brain's sour cells. No room then for all the bad of these days, all the garbage one has faced in life. Nope, for upon hearing her sing, one turns to the heart, to love, guidance and hope. We all need that and evidently, the full audience felt the same way. The play is at the Rinker Playhouse at The Kravis Center for a few days, so try to catch it or elsewhere in the vicinity. See if you especially feel the emotions of these songs, the particular three I did, though each and every song was a winner.  

Of course, she opened with the song "Hear You Come Again", setting the stage for the rest, but for me, at the end of Act I she sang "Love is Like a Butterfly, a song she composed, and it is simple and beautiful. No need for musical intrusions, simply the woman with the heart and the voice. A song of love, hope, the beauty that can be found in life.

I loved the thoughts, the simple credo of faith to be found in G-d's Coloring Book". A world where all is painted by G-d, a faith that is always there, to hold, to help, to save. To appreciate what we have, for even the dark skies of the thunderstorms have the colors of G-d's paintbrushes. 

Of course, her biggest hit, Islands in the Stream was sung, with great success, but for me, it was the next song, the words and music written by Dolly, sung with huge success by Whitney Houstin, "I Will Always Love You" and to top it all, a certain crowd pleaser as we swayed and mouthed the words. That was followed by the closing song, "Light of a Clear Blue Morning, celebrating Nature, the faith and hope, the strength it transmits. 

Check these songs out on YouTube and you will understand my favorites and perhaps pick your own. Okay, it was more than three sings, but that is the music of Dolly Parton. Always there, always appropriate, always heartwarming or fun. Actually, there is a song in her movie "Joyful Noise", a poignant love song that reminded me of my parents and always makes me cry. Dolly indeed hits all points and reaches all hearts.

Go see it. Listen, listen, to the music and the words. Enjoy. Yesterday was a good day.