Karaoke Flyers

I am so committed to flyers, that I really think I ought to be committed. There is something so viable about being out in the community accomplishing something –even when that “something” is delivering a bunch of papers that the majority of people will move directly from their mailbox to their recycling bin. Still, it has its rewards.

This week I recruited our dog Abby. She is now our sleigh dog! Remember the wagon that I bought at Canadian Tire; it converts to a sled. I put the bright red sleigh runners on; I harnessed Abby, and hooked her up to the weighted down sled. YES, I did put on her jingle bell collar—but I held back on the reindeer antlers! (I’m not an idiot!)

This week, in a moment of incoherent idiocy, I agreed to do a second route—by myself—because they are so short of carriers! (Committed? No contest.)

I recently made an I-Sing playlist, consisting of fourty of my favourite sing-alongs, from “Sweet Home Alabama” to “Baby I was Born This Way”. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out. So, with winter gear, bright blue earphones, aviator sunglasses, and my sleigh dog—I headed out. As well as singing, I really couldn’t help grooving along. You might think that it would be hard with snow boots on, and drifting snow up to your shins, but I was up for the challenge! Imagine the disco-style of John Travolta with the vocals of the “The Supremes”, but without the dazzling dress, fake hair, make-up or high heels (Travolta, or the Supremes, take your pick).

For a little bit of fun, I decided to share some of the lyrics with you. But the challenge is: you will have to find them in the next paragraphs. Good luck!

(If you feel compelled, send me a reply at wflemons@me.com, and tell me as many of the song names and/or artists you find. It would make me smile—and it is the season of giving!) 
Start the voice recording here (it will help). https://soundcloud.com/story-catcher/karaoke-flyers

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My bags are packed, I’m ready to go—I’m covered in gortex from head to toe. Once outside I see skies of blue and clouds of white, and the brightness of the day, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world. And then, as I am walking along humming a tune, drinking in sunshine, out of that orange-colored view—wham, bam, alakazam, I got too much to do! With the dog and the sleigh, and me in my winter best, singing and dancing and taking no rest, I pull and I heave, and I hear voices say, “Isn’t she lovely… isn’t she wonderful.”

The smile spreads across my face and through my body, like a shiver in the sun.

It seems that flyer walkin’ is something shockin’, when your feet just can’t keep still, I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will. But, as I walk and I walk and I walk, I find that walking gets too boring, when you learn how to fly. I spin around, and take off. I danced in the morning when the world was begun, I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, I came down from heaven and I danced on earth, I delivered my flyers even though they had no worth!

If the kids saw me dancing amidst snow and sun, they would be embarrassed instead of seeing the fun. Baby, I was born this way! And I’m the same old girl that I used to be, I haven’t changed at all—got the same old walk, the same old talk, only I stumble now and fall. You know, I throw my hands up in the air sometimes, saying A-YO! Gotta let go! I wanna celebrate and live my life, saying A-YO! Baby, let’s go! What?! Did you think I’d crumble; did you think I’d lay down and die? Oh no, not I—I  will survive!

But, since the route is new, and I don’t know what to do, let this be my prayer: when we lose our way, lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, to a place where we’ll be safe. And deep in December, it’s nice to remember, the fire of September that made us mellow. But, it’s also hard because the cold freezes my toes, and I find that the feeling is gone, and I can’t get it back. Lost and cold and alone I mumble, country roads, take me home to the place I belong.

And to think, I left a good job in the city, workin’ for the man every night and day, and I never lost one minute of sleepin’ worrying about the way things might have been. ‘Cause I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love. But now, the route is so long, the roads are so slippery that the pressure is on—I feel it, but I’ve got it all—believe it…

When you fall - get up (oh, oh),

If you fall-  get up (eh, eh).

Slipping and stumbling along my route, and I gotta stop and pick up dog poop! It ain’t all fine. The day is long—and the night has come and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light I’ll see. NO, I won’t be afraid. Oh, I won’t be afraid, just as long as you stand—stand by me. But the flyers must be done with the setting of the sun, because when evening comes around, and it’s time to go to town, where do I go…to rock and roll! Where do I go…to rock and roll.

So when you hear that I am frolicking playfully as I bring the junk that clogs your mail, you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.