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My Gen X Playlist: California Dreaming – The Mamas and the Papas

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Daily writing prompt
What do you love about where you live?
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When I was a kid, I loved Southern California weather. I remember a few lucky springtimes skiing the local mountains on a Saturday and then going to the beach on Sunday. It was easy to take this for granted because it was all I’d ever known. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was until I met friends in college who had never seen the ocean before. I was naive and amazed. I wish everybody could enjoy the beach whenever they wanted. I’m lucky the coastline is so close by.

My appreciation for the mountains has grown with age. It’s easy to get lost in the peace and quiet of nature, the noise of home and the city becomes a distant memory. There aren’t any crowds, only fellow hikers who always smile and genuinely wish you good morning as they pass by. I still find myself taking the mountains for granted and not taking full advantage of the beauty at my fingertips. I need to get better at this – appreciation.

With all things in life, there is balance. Traffic and air quality can be challenging. It’s expensive to live here and getting more outrageous by the day. There are a host of other areas that surely need fixing. No place is perfect, but for now, this is the place I call home. It’s time to really appreciate what I have because nothing lasts forever. If ever I decide to call somewhere else home, I know I’ll look back with nostalgia and longing, just like The Mamas and the Papas in California Dreaming.

Husband and wife duo John and Michelle Phillips composed “California Dreamin’”. It was a song that expressed Michelle’s longing for the warmth of Los Angeles, while they were going through a harsh winter in New York City.

– JustRandomThings

It’s ironic that I write this as I listen to the rain fall outside my window. We need the rain just as much as sunshine, so I’ll appreciate that, too. Like I said, it’s a balance and no place is perfect. For right now, this place is the perfect place for me.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

Stopped in to a church I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher lights the coals
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
If I didn't tell her I could leave today
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

16 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: California Dreaming – The Mamas and the Papas”

  5. California by Joni Michell always made me want to move out there. They way she sang the word “California” was just so beautiful. California Dreamin is darker (like NYC), but great too.

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    1. Oh man… thank you for introducing me to this song. I’d never heard of it before. I just listened to it for the first time and it seems more of a feeling than a song. I understand what you are saying about her singing “California”. It hit me, too.

      Thanks for the wonderful introduction. I really appreciate it. Feel free to introduce me to other gems like this. I’m going to listen again while enjoying my coffee

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