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Ten Things of Thankful: Mondegreens and Other Delights

Photo: A sky blue circle with a palm tree graphic and the words, "Mele Kalikimaka"
I don't often dream, or if I do, I don't often remember my dreams. I do, however, very frequently wake up with a song running through my mind. Often the song is a new one that we are learning in church choir. Other times, it is one that is familiar but that I'm unsure of all the words. My brain just goes over and over the part I don't know, trying to figure out the words. 

 1. I'm thankful for how easily song lyrics can be found, even at 4 a.m. Mele kalikimaka is not a "wise" way (that doesn't make sense) nor is is "a Hawaiian's" way (there are too many syllables for the notes), but it is "Hawaii's" way to say "Merry Christmas!"

 2. I'm thankful for the rabbit hole of knowledge one can learn while just trying to change the inner play list. Did you know that (according to Wikipedia) "A mondegreen is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning"? I didn't, but it's definitely a word I need to remember, since I don't seem to remember actual lyrics very well. 

 3. I'm thankful that I can sing (however incorrectly) Mele Kalikimaka while enjoying a winter wonderland. As much as I love Hawaii, nothing says Christmas like snow.
Photo: The view of the snowy neighborhood outside my window
4. I'm thankful that mondegreens don't discriminate--and I'm thankful that John can figure out what the real word is!
Photo: A series of texts that read: "Do you have any idea what 'wouldn't great' is on our shopping list? I can't remember what I last told Alexa." "Wooden grate for under the sink" "YES! Thank you!"

 5. I'm thankful for beautiful, ever-changing, sunsets.
Photo: A gorgeous sunset sends rays up over the snow-capped mountains
6. I'm thankful for deer. I counted nine one evening in our neighbor's front yard. This morning, one was walking the trail behind our house. 

 7. I'm thankful for birds. I should probably fill a bird feeder soon.
Photo: A mourning dove (I think) rests on the branch of a maple tree
8. I'm thankful for quick, easy, inexpensive fixes. We tend to drive vehicles until they don't drive anymore (or at least until it doesn't make financial sense to keep repairing them), and often, as vehicles age, they develop personality quirks. Our van's rear hatch door lift supports recently stopped working, which meant we basically had a guillotine on wheels. Fortunately, before anyone lost a head, we were able to find the right part on Amazon for less than the cost of an oil change, and John was able to install it without any trouble in about 10 minutes. Hooray! (Or, to use voice-to-text's mondegreen, "Who Ray!") 

 9. I'm thankful for those who have provided me with guest posts this week--and those that will be featured in coming weeks. If you haven't already, please read Nancy's post about the Quilts of Valor Foundation and Krista's post about Korah Kids. While you are on Nancy's post, be sure to enter the giveaway for a #LightTheWorld Christmas ornament. Your odds are exceptionally good at the time of this writing! 

 10. I'm thankful for John. I'm thankful that we are on the same page when it comes to financial decisions, like #8. (My requirements for the first car we bought together--besides desiring that it ran--were that it have seatbelts and a working heater.) I'm a bit more high-maintenance now, but only barely, and fortunately John is equally modest in his wants. I'm thankful that he doesn't mind me telling him at 4 a.m. what the correct lyrics to Mele Kalikimaka are. (Just as I didn't mind when he woke me up earlier by stating in his sleep, "Off the record. . . ") Anyway, whatever words I use to say it, I'm thankful for John!

 What are you thankful for this week? Have you heard any good mondegreens lately?


Comments

  1. messymimiDecember 7, 2018 at 5:36 PM

    What a happy list! Since i'm from the swamps, we didn't grow up with a White Christmas anyway, so a Hawaiian one with green palm trees would work for me.

    Your vehicle requirements sound about like mine -- an engine that makes all four wheels go the same direction at the same time, an air conditioner (the swamps are hot!) and a radio, and i will fudge on the last two if i must.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiDecember 9, 2018 at 8:27 PM

      Air conditioning is definitely appreciated in hot climates!

      Delete
  2. AstridDecember 8, 2018 at 5:22 AM

    Your gratitude list made me smile. I had never heard of that song nor of mondegreens. Now I've learned a new thing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tired TeacherDecember 8, 2018 at 8:58 AM

    What a fun post! The dove is an Eurasian collared dove.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiDecember 9, 2018 at 8:33 PM

      Thanks. I'm glad you could ID the bird for me. :-)

      Delete
  4. clarkDecember 9, 2018 at 9:37 AM

    gotta love that internet, no? I had not heard the term mondegreen before this post. v cool.

    love/hate that cycle of half a song that must be extended (somehow) to a length sufficient to trigger the memory... like someone stealing half the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. very satisfying, though, when the necessary note appears and, like magic it's a song you totally know the lyrics to.
    did matching photos (sorta)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiDecember 9, 2018 at 8:36 PM

      The history of mondegreen is interesting, too, but I didn't go into it in my blog post.

      I'm off to read posts now, and am curious to see what photos you posted.

      Delete
  5. terrormomDecember 13, 2018 at 6:28 AM

    I love hearing how we are constantly learning... New words, new technology yet can still take time to appreciate the history and simple things life has to offer. I don't remember my dreams very often either. I wonder if theres a name for that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiDecember 13, 2018 at 7:57 AM

      Interesting question, and one I don't know the answer to!

      Delete

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