Certain songs at certain times…

I don’t mean to be dark or morbid, but in the last few months a few people I know, or know of, have passed away and I don’t necessarily want to talk about that (I wrote more here which you can read if you want) but it was in this time that a few songs rose up off my playlists to connect to me in a way they hadn’t before. They helped to comfort, a bit of sunshine after the rain if that makes sense.

In other words, I love God so much, especially that He created music to be so special. It’s those moments when I hear the perfect song at the perfect time that just make things so much brighter, I feel more able to overcome, or even feel sadness on such a deeper level. It’s important to feel these things, I think. I don’t think anyone would suggest that suppressing them would do anyone any good.

Here are the songs that helped me feel the losses deeper, at the same time providing a glimmer of light in the darkness.

Johnny Cash feat. U2 “The Wanderer”

Robert Plant “Rainbow”

Needtobreathe “Who Am I” (click here for a list of songs with similar titles)

KONGOS “This Time I Won’t Forget”

Bart Simpson “Do the Bartman” (kidding, just wanted to end on a light note!)

Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

Beep boop boop beep – my old cell phones!

I was cleaning out my attic recently and you wouldn’t believe the stuff I forgot I had. It’s been the 2021 purge at my house, as noted in this post, and when I opened one particular box I found most of my previous cell phones! But first, here’s the stuff from the attic, now one level down…

I know it doesn’t look like much but sheesh was it tough to organize and get down from up there! Plus, who knew attics could get so hot?

I thought it was fun to see my old phones from the Motorola with the antenna to the Razr to HTC One and the Nokia. Good times and such an interesting way to look at the timeline of my life.

Have you kept any of your old phones? Chime in below and include a pic if you have one! Thanks for stopping by…

-Out of the Wilderness

Progressive Ad – Subway Tile with Baker Mayfield, The Actress, The Dog

Progressive has a great campaign going with the “At Home With Baker Mayfield” commercials. The one featured in my post today is below, titled “Hot Goss.”

What does hot goss mean? This is a hip way to say ‘hot gossip,’ on display every second of this funny commercial.

I’ve seen that actress before, who is she? You might recognize the woman in the middle of the group. She’s everywhere lately! Her name is Molly Lloyd and she is also currently Susan in this Zillow ad, and the mom in this Invisalign ad.

What kind of dog? A comment on YouTube asks if the dog in this Progressive ad is a Boykin Spaniel and after further research, I would suggest it’s a Field Spaniel. Boykins seem to have a wavy coat and a shorter snout than does a Field Spaniel. The dog in the ad has straight fur and a slender snout/head.

What is subway tile? This is the rectangular tile you see used as a backsplash. Check out this article from HGTV that shows a handful of ways to use it creatively in your own home.

How do you feel about these ads with Baker Mayfield? Sure, there is really nothing mentioned about rates, deductibles, or liability options, but it’s funny, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

Iko Iko – top 5 favorite performances of this song

One of my favorite songs is called “Iko Iko,” as made popular by The Dixie Cups in the 1960s. I’m sure you’ve heard it in various covers over the years, but to help narrow down your favorite version (you’re welcome :)), here are my top 5 favorite recordings of this song…

#5 Cyndi Lauper – Ms. Lauper was my first crush, she will be on any list I can logically get her on 🙂

#4 Natasha England – probably the version most people remember.

#3 Justin Wellington – I heard this one most recently, and it improved my mood 63%.

#2 The Dixie Cups – the trio behind the great song, “Chapel of Love,” a song that triggered this post about an ex-girlfriend who’s now married.

#1 Sia with Jimmy Fallon – I love Sia. This performance, along with the creative instruments and Natalie Portman, is such a fun version.

What is your favorite version of this song? Chime in below and thanks for stopping by!

Iko, iko…

-Out of the Wilderness

I’m losing my faith in people.

The more people I meet, the more I love my dogs. I’ve heard this phrase over the years, and Carrie Underwood even has a song about it…

My most recent experience that makes me love my dogs more was at a bank. I was second in line to deposit some cash and there was only one teller. She began helping the gentleman in front of me so I checked my phone while I waited for them to finish. Little did I know the teller working the drive-through stepped over to a window to help me. All I heard as I became aware was the gentleman who was ahead of me say, “He’s on his phone…” followed by a snarky chuckle. 

OK, that’s fine. We can let that slide. But as I’m talking to the woman about my deposit, I overhear him say to his teller, something like, “I know there’s a sign that says no cell phones in the lobby.” Really, guy? That’s how you’re going to be? 

You will not even believe what happened next. As he and I are both waiting for our transactions to wrap up, his phone rings. He shows it to the tellers and myself as if he’s about to make an exception to his rule, “It’s my dad!” he says, and begins talking to his dad on the phone. 

All I could do was laugh. Well, that’s not true, I definitely said something. 

But really? Are most people a-holes, nowadays? 

I’m going to hug my dogs now. Have a good one, folks! 

-Out of the Wilderness