Find Your Joy by Ginger Keller Gannaway
I’m revisiting Barbra Streisand’s discography during these stay-at-home covid times. Getting back to what I loved when I was a teen. I first listened to her albums over & over on a small record player in my room while wearing cheap plastic head phones so I could crank up the volume on “The Nearness of You” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” In 1970 I was obsessed with records like Simply Streisand and My Name Is Barbra, full of old standards and Broadway show tunes. Barbra sang songs like they were three-minute plays with her one-of-a-kind enunciated phrasing and sustained belting. Her vocal bravado soothed my nervous, awkward, lonely thirteen-year-old soul. I hadn’t listened to these records in a long time and I’m now rediscovering the joy they still give me.
So if you have time to yourself (or not), find your joy in what you love. Read, watch t.v. or YouTube, cook, sing, meditate, talk with friends, write, juggle, draw or paint, play dominoes or cards, jog, shop online, do spring cleaning, look at old pictures, hone your video game skills, pamper your pets, take long walks, tickle your kids or grandkids, plant a garden, or learn to whistle. Do whatever makes you smile or fills you up with joy!
As the pandemic makes a lot of us slow down and stay put, we should be kind to ourselves and spend time every day doing something that makes us feel joyful.
How do you find joy?
Sittin' Ugly Sistahs 
Funny – I have had Bab’s “Guilty” album in my head all week. My joy comes form writing (and being left the hell alone to do it!!!). This morning I worked on a cookbook project. Cooking is another joy, when it’s not compulsory/under duress. Thanks for asking, Pooskie!
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Moe!! Keep grabbing that writing (and cooking) JOY as much as you can. You always gave us joyful moments during our LSU days!
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So beautifully written. Love the topic of JOY. 😊😊👏
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Gina, I know you understand the joy of Barbra’s records!! Hope you give yourself JOY whenever you can! I miss you.
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Ginger, Boco and I also listened to our fair share of Barbra growing up!
Love your writing so much! Always look forward to your stories!
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Sue, I knew you and Boco are women of good taste! Thanks for your comment. I hope the future has me and my sister visiting you and your sister one day when we can get out and move around without fear and worry!
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Your writing brings me joy. Keep it coming!
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You are the best, Camille! Seeing you and sharing laughs with you would be a joyful thing indeed! Merci beaucoup for reading and responding.
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Beautiful photo of the magnolia. Must be from a famous photographer.
One of my joys is to make lame jokes like this.
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So true, Gary!!!
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You introduced me to the world of Barbra! Endless hours of listening to her music and watching her movies! Many many hours of joy!
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So happy to spread Barbra appreciation whenever I can! Thanks for reading and stay safe!
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