QUARANTINE BLOG # 289

January 13, 2021

We start today at the jukebox with a song that reached the top 10 in ten countries, and in eight of which it topped the charts.  It was the top-selling single in 1973 in both the US and UK.  In 2008, Billboard ranked the song as the 37th biggest song of all time.  For the 60th anniversary of the Hot 100 in 2018, the song still ranked in the top 50, at number 46.  It has been covered by Johnnie Ray, Harry Connick, Jr., Connie Francis, Dolly Parton, Jim Nabors, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra.

The song is “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Old Oak Tree,” by Tony Orlando and Dawn.

The origin of the idea of a yellow ribbon as remembrance may have been the 19th-century practice that women had of wearing a yellow ribbon in their hair to signify their devotion to a husband or sweetheart serving in the U.S. Cavalry.  The song “Round Her Neck She Wears a Yeller Ribbon.” traces back centuries but was  copyrighted by George A. Norton in 1917, and later inspired the John Wayne movie She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. 

“Tie A Yellow Ribbon” had a new wave of popularity during the Iran Hostage Crisis when 52 American diplomats and citizens were held for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981.

The hostages the day of their capture

Welcome home parade complete with yellow ribbons

On The Carol Burnett Show in 1975, Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett, and Vicki Lawrence did a spoof of Tony Orlando and Dawn, as Tony Tallahassee and Dusk, singing “Wrap Your Jammies Round the Old White Pine.”

👉  As the coronavirus continues to shut down travel, people are making wish lists of places they’d like to visit, and those lists don’t seem to be concerned with “ordinary” sites.  Or sights.  Travel vendor Airbnb has put together a list of the top 50 places that are on the “most wished list,” one from each state.  There is one Navajo hogan, one geodesic dome, one barn, one silo, one lighthouse, one fire house, one underground house, three glamping sites, four tiny houses, and 16 tree houses.  

Over the next several days, the QB will look in on selections from the selection.  If you don’t want to wait, and you want to see the whole list, here is the URL.  For those who want to make the trip last – like those who lick Tootsie Pops, not bite them – here we go (descriptions – edited – are taken from the listings; if you want more details, check the website above).

Experience Hogan by the River.  Our unique home will provide a once in a life time off-the-grid experience.  The accommodation is very basic with minimalist essentials for camping, no electricity or running water (we provide 5 gallons of water).  Navajo Nation Law: No Alcohol or Drugs allowed on our property.  Be prepared for cell phone service to be very limited on Navajo Nation depending on your provider. $150 per night.

Secluded Intown Treehouse.  Guests – maximum of 2, no children under 12 – will receive a house manual with a full list of property details, rules and local recommendations a week before arrival.  Bathroom is located in the basement/lower level of our private home. Guests will have exclusive access to it during their stay.  The treehouse is open to the elements.  There is a fan for warm weather and an excellent mattress warmer for cooler evenings, but as the bed rolls out onto a platform (and rolls in for rain) there is no air conditioning or heat. $389 per night.

Forest Garden Yurts.  Tucked away in 4 acres of Ozark forest, the yurts are simple in nature yet abound with artistic details.  The home yurt has a kitchen, bedroom, and a nook living room.  The bathroom yurt is separate but has a covered walk.  Unconventional and unique, with hobbit hole doors and low clearances in places. There are 4-acres of woods to roam, that are either along the road or fenced, so there is no chance of wandering off of the property.  There are also fire pits, camp chairs and roasting sticks available. $150 per night.

If you are wondering, a traditional yurt a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by several distinct nomadic groups in the steppes of Central Asia.

👉  If you were born in 1960 and are looking forward to Social Security as part of your future retirement income, there could be an unexpected hit to your check because of – what else – the coronavirus.  Social Security benefits are tied to the average of your top 35 years of earnings with adjustments from a formula that Alan Turing or Stephen Hawking might have trouble understanding.  Suffice it to say, if your work was affected last year because of COVID-19 restrictions, you may receive benefits 9.1 percent lower (about $119 a month for life).  You may want to add your voice to those who are asking for Congress to forget about impeaching Donald Trump a second time or forcing Vice President Mike Pence to activate the 25th amendment, and pass a law to protect retirement income you are paying for.

👉  I know it is 346 days until Christmas, but I missed this song during Christmas 2020.  In fact, until I came across it while preparing today’s blog, I had never heard it.

“Breath of Heaven” tells the nativity story from Mary’s perspective portraying the mother of Jesus as a frightened young girl, attempting to deal with the circumstances of giving birth to God the Son.  Despite her human doubts, Mary’s faith in the goodness and mercy of God remain and help her deal with the unique situation she finds herself in.

English songwriter Chris Eaton originally penned this song, but when Amy Grant heard it, she decided she wanted to record the tune for her holiday album, but with the verses rewritten to personalize them.  She asked Chris for permission telling him, “I’m going to write it from a woman’s perspective.” 

The story of Mary is a remarkable story in that God the Father chose this teenager to be the mother of God the Son.  Then He guided her and protected her through difficult times as she was obedient to God’s call.  Not just at Christmas season may we be reminded of God’s call on our lives and His protection and guidance as we obey Him.  May we ask the Lord to “pour over me Your holiness for You are holy.”

The images are from the movie “Nativity Story.”  This is Amy Grant’s version of “Breath of Heaven.”

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