Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax

I'll be seeing you

I was listening to the '40's station on my XM radio in the kitchen tonight. Swing on a Star came on, and I was suddenly hit with such a strong memory of hearing that song at my grandparents' house (probably on WMAL, back when they played music) and of my grandmother singing along with Bing.

Tonight I was chopping vegetables, singing along myself...

Or would you rather swing on a star,
Carry moonbeams home in a jar,
And be better off than you are,
Or would you rather be a pig?

My grandmother was often in the kitchen, and often singing or whistling with the radio. I would never claim to be half the cook my grandmother was, but in some ways it is because of her that I even cook at all. After she died, I took all her cookbooks, which started me on the new hobby of collecting recipes. I also took a little stainless steel paring knife that she used for everything. Before I had this knife, I couldn't boil water. As I just said, I'm not half the cook she was, but I can make some credible meals now. It's because I have her knife. It's like Excalibur.

So I was making dinner, singing along with Bing, thinking of my grandmother.

And the next song up on the XM?

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through

In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children carrousel
The chestnut trees
The wishing well

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way

I'll find in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way

I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you

Posted by Nic at June 29, 2005 08:27 PM