Music and excessive footnotes.

Caleb has recently been introduced to "Hey Jude," which has become his new favorite song. He says things like, "Can we listen to it again?" to Paul, and "Why did it have to end so soon?!" This is funny for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that his other favorite songs these days include "The Fourth Article of Faith" and "Book of Mormon Stories" up to verse six*.

Another reason why adding "Hey Jude" to Caleb's repertoire amuses me is that, well, The Beatles are, at the young end, 40 years old, and I think it's kind of funny that they have this much staying power.

I know. Calm down. I did in fact just express surprise at The Beatles' staying power. You have to realize, however, that to me, the real version of that song is "Hey Food**." What can I say? We had Sesame Street tapes when I was little, and that song still brings a smile to my face. Other tapes that we had included Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas, and when my grandma was in town (often), vintage Mormon Tabernacle Choir***. I think I recognized The Beatles for the first time when I was in high school. My point here is this: Caleb's jumping on a musical bandwagon that appears to be beginning its third generation--and completely passed me by.

The final reason why Caleb's new obsession is funny? It cracks me up to hear him belting out, "Hey Judy JudyJudyJudy!!" in the bathroom.

*What? You didn't realize "Book of Mormon Stories" had more than two verses? This is because you haven't figured out my Lazy FHE Tip: No lesson planned? Choose a later verse of BOMS, tell the story using Little People, and learn the song. Then prepare for sure embarrassment when the child requests that the primary sing the Alma verse in Sharing Time.

**If you turn up the volume really loud around 2:47 on that recording, you'll hear a special message about strawberry jam--truly a delightful discovery from a road trip when we were kids.

***I recently read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress (a present from Paul for St. George's Day****) and felt better about my relationship to music. She talks about how her upbringing alienated her from popular music for three decades, so that by the time she was an adult living a "non-Menno" life, she "preferred the full sound of silence." I love this: "Once a sympathetic girlfriend in grad school had given me an Andy Griffith CD of old gospel hymns. I kept it hidden in a silicone oven mitt for long culinary projects when Nick wasn't home. Is it just me, or is there something richly satisfying about filling jam jars as you pick up the alto line to 'In the Sweet By and By'?" What I'm saying is I think I could be friends with the Mennonites.


****El Día de San Jordí is kind of an ultra-Valentine's Day in Barcelona, where they have the charming tradition of giving books to loved ones. It's the one day a year where I feel like buying a book. :)