The year was 1970. I was in 4th grade. What little nine-year-old girl doesn’t need a BFF? I was shy, so I couldn’t presume to think the likes of Barbie V. and Mary Claire N., the populars, would call me one of their own. I was scared of Julie K. and Joni B. ~ they were kind of tough and floozie-like. I zeroed in on Patty V. and Terry W. One day I walked up to them on the playground and asked if I could spend some time with them.
Patty V.: Do you like the carpenters?
Me with a very confused face: Well, yeah?
Patty V.: OK, you can be our friend.
I grew up in a house that listened to WCCO (The Good Neighbor To The North and all talk) and 1010 Polka Radio. I knew nothing of popular music. It was weeks before I figured out the carpenters had nothing to do with men who build things. When I deduced The Carpenters were a “singing group” I decided to ask for one of their records for Christmas. Then I was a real fan. I had to be if I wanted to hang around with Patty and Terry.
For a couple of years I was the biggest Carpenters fan there was, because I thought it made me cool. Give me a break, it was the ’70s and I was a total nerd.
Fast forward to the year 2012. Husby and I got a new car, now known as the Space Pod. With our new car came three free trial months of Serius radio. I was tooling along listening to the ’70s channel when to my great surprise I heard The Carpenters. The problem is, through the many decades since I was in 4th grade I decided I didn’t like The Carpenters anymore. What’s worse, I don’t think I ever did!
Oh sure, I floated back to the playground of St. Mary’s of the Lake school and remembered making new friends by confirming my acceptance of carpenters, but not The Carpenters. It made me laugh a little. Except this dang song has been in my head for three days now. I decided to share it with you, because if you listen, you can be my friend.
Actually I thought if I put this story and song out to cyberspace it would also get out of my head. Check back with me in a couple of days to see if it worked. Please don’t hate me for doing this and possibly dooming you to days of sha-la-la-la-la in your brain.
Auntie B's Wax 